The Seasons

Well here it comes, another change of season.  I love it when seasons begin to change.   When winter comes and the first white snow covers the dirty ground, or when spring is in air and the daffodils expose there flowers and the fruit trees shine forth the beginning of new fruit blossoms, or the summer goes into full bloom with all the plants fully dressed in leaves and flowers, my heart beats with excitement.  Today I was driving down the road and saw it.  I have been waiting for it and I saw it.  The beautiful trees beginning to change colors.  The trees were just in the beginning stages.  The stage where they are all rainbowed with color.  There they were with a lovely green stripe, followed by a beautiful yellow stripe of leaves, then at the end a vivid red stripe- all on the same tree. So gorgeous, decorated with the different colors of the season of life it is in.  Kind of like me right now.  I am in a season of life full of much color and changes.  One in where I have been blessed with an array of colors of my season.  One color is that of a mother with an adult child away from home, another with a child just graduated and spreading wings.  Then there is the color of the child entering her teens and another entering her adolescents.  Not to mention the early elementary child, the child with colors all her own, and finally the baby whose year is filled with so many firsts.  They are all apart of my season of life and I am blessed to be sharing this season with my best friend of 23 plus years, my husband.  I looked at myself the other day in the mirror and thought, boy do I looked tired, but I hope what the world sees is that I am colored with the season I am in and am delighted to be blessed with this season of life.  Yes, I do get tired and sometimes it shows but I am so excited with where God has me and wouldn't change one of my colored stripes for the world.

I wish I would have had my camera with me so I could share a picture of that tree with you but since I didn't let me share some lovely pictures of my little ones all streaming with color.  God bless and have a great day.

Mama and baby

Aidric starting to sit on his own

He loves his tongue

Cassandra loves to entertain him

Aidric's first time on swings with the big sissies.

God bless and have a great day.

Alicia

That Time of Year

My poor pantry is looking so sad.  We have almost depleted its resources.  Last year was a prosperous year and this year I have not had a great harvest.  I really have enjoyed the rain we have received the last few day, but other than that it has been a very hot summer.  I especially love the clean smell that comes with the rain.  Hail on the other hand I do not care for.  The other day we had an amazing hail storm that was very hard on my garden.  I'm not sure I have ever been in a hail storm with hail that big.  The hail was exciting and the kids danced around the house amazed by its force.  I was concerned for anyone caught out in the weather.  It was about that time of day when kids are walking home from school, and what about the motorcyclist or homeless.

As a child, my cousin Chris and I were at a family reunion.  We had been down playing at the water when it began raining.  Others had gone back to camp but we didn't mind the rain.  The sky darkened and I remember a sudden wind came up and then pelting hail began beating on us.  The hail really hurt and we were out in the open with nowhere to go.  We had been playing with a tiny raft when the hail came and we squeezed together behind our sad little raft for the shelter it provided.  We began to cry and to that point of my life, I was the most scared I had ever been.  I remember praying out loud trying to pray louder than the storm.  Suddenly we saw my Grandpa's station wagon coming to the rescue.  It drove down the hill and across the sand to us.  We jumped in and with tear stained faces received our answered prayer.  We sat in the car for quite a while waiting for the storm to pass.  It did pass and we are here to tell our story.  I find that effective in life as well.  Sometimes we just need to cry out louder than the storm, receive God's shelter, and wait for the storm to pass.  It will pass and God will be with us through the storm.

So now I must decide what to do about my pantry.  Should I buy some fruit to can or just buy from the store till next year.  My mothers garden has done quite well and she has provided me with cucumbers for pickles.  She actually started a batch of 10 day pickles and let me work on them.  Unfortunately we went camping on day 9 so my mom was so sweet to finish them and can them for me.  Thank you mom.  :)  Then someone at church was giving away the most amazing peaches, so we grabbed a couple bags and made some pies.  I kept a few seeds as a science experiment for my 10 year old to see if we could grow a new tree.  Here are a  couple recipes of them and some pictures.  Have a great day.

God Bless
Alicia

The hail bouncing down

so exciting when you inside

Danika trying it out on her feet

Cassandra collecting some

My poor flattened garden.  

10 day pickles 

 10 day pickles
1 gallon cucumbers-thick sliced or chunked
1 cup salt
  Mix with enough cold water to cover, place in cool place for 2 days (stir/shake each day)

Day 3 and 4
    drain each day and cover with clean water

Day 5
drain and mix with 1 Tbsp alumn, 1 cup apple cider vinegar.  Mix with pickles and add enough water to cover.  Heat and keep hot for 2 hours

Day 6
drain, rinse.  Mix syrup-1 qt vinegar, 5 c sugar, 1 tsp celery seed, 2 sticks cinnamon, 1 tsp whole cloves

Day 7,8,9
heat syrup from off pickles and put back on

Day 10
heat cucumbers and syrup together and put in clean jars and seal.

Peach pie
Combine 3/4 cup sugar, 3 tblsp flour, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, and dash salt.  Add 5 cups sliced peaches.  Mix.  Let sit till glossy.  Place in 9 inch pan, dot with 2 tbsp butter.  Sprinkle with cinnamon.  Seal with top crust.  Bake at 400 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes.  

On Schedule

We did it again.  We sent our son off to college for another semester.  This time Alex had to get up early in the morning and he was thinking it would be an easier goodbye because everyone should still be sleeping.  But in a house with lots of girls goodbyes are never easy.  I was putting Isabella to bed and he came in and said good night.  Not too terribly bad, Isabella isn't quite sure what all is going on.  Then I told Cassandra to tell Alex goodnight and the waterworks began and didn't stop till the last sister  was in bed.  Poor Alex, I sure hope we don't make him feel bad for leaving but just feel good because he knows he is loved and missed.  Then a couple days later I had to say goodbye to our dear friend Ivy, as she went off to college also.  We went to lunch and found another friend who was getting ready to sent her daughter off to college also.  Then today a couple of my friends sent off their boys.  Not fun.  Tis the season.  

In order to keep our schedule the same as Alex's we began school on Monday.  I want to be able to be on the same breaks when he comes home.  It was good to get back to a schedule and be able to do school with the girls again.  Aidric adds a little more excitement to our day but so far so good.

One fun part of the end of summer is all the tomatoes we grow.  I really enjoy making meals with fresh tomatoes.  It just adds a little more taste to spaghetti, lasagna, a salad, and whatever else we might be making.  Here is a recipe we enjoy, hope you enjoy it also.  If you are also one of the many sending your beloved child off to school or the one going off, know we're all in this together and God works all things together for good.  Have a great day.

Alicia

cute op ripe tomatoes

cooking down the tomatoes

Spaghetti and meatballs

1 can tomatoes (I cook down 3 cups cut up tomatoes)
1 can tomato soup
1 small can tomato paste
1 can tomato cause (not needed if you cook up fresh tomatoes)
1/4 - 1/2 tsp cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, allspice, thyme, cayenne, paprika
salt and pepper
2 Tblsp sugar
1 Tblsp olive oil.

Cook and simmer.  Add meatballs before serving.  Serve on top of cook spaghetti.

Meatballs
1 lbs ground beef
mix with 1 bag crushed saltines
1/3 cup catsup
1 egg
salt and pepper
roll into balls and bake 350 degrees 20 minutes.  Add to sauce.  

Amusing Amusement

One summer when I was in early grade school my parents decided to take us to Lagoon, a nearby amusement park.  We were all so excited.  My mom had us ride our bikes around collecting aluminum cans for money so we could go to "Lagoon."   We would watch for cans on the side of the road as we drove and quickly pull over and grab a can and drive off.  I guess we were going green before it was popular.  Really we were trying to get spending money at Lagoon.  We took in our cans to the recycling place and got our little money and off we went.

Like most true adventures there must be mishaps along the way.   We took our traveling trailer and loaded up.  Before we were even out of town our trailer's tire blew and blew a hole in the trailer.  Quite exciting and I was afraid we would not make it to Lagoon.  Well, we did and it made it all the more exciting.  I remember driving up to the park, there were people all around The sound of the Big White Roller Coaster and people screaming made my heart beat crazy.  Inside the park there was such confusion but we found that white roller coaster and I was terrified but went on it. The trip was a success and we decided to go back a couple years later.  Once again we collected our cans, saved our allowances and off we went.  This time I was way too terrified of that white roller coaster and cried at the thought of going on it.  After the trip I was very disappointed that I hadn't gone and from then on I try to overcome my fears and go on all the rides I can.  I actually still get that crazy heart beat and the thrill of going up the first hill of the roller coaster gets me every time.  By the time we reach the top I can't help but explode in screams.  I just love it.  There are better and smoother rides there now but I still enjoy that old creaky roller coaster.  Unfortunately they are replacing the old white wood with new brown wood, but it still has the same thrill.

This year we went with the family.  Alex is leaving for college soon and we really wanted to do something exciting, so off to Lagoon we went.  My mom is absolutely a joy to go on roller coasters with.  She taught me that if you scream it just makes it that much more fun.  So, as children my mom embarrassed us terribly, but truthfully we love it.  Now as a mom my kids get a similar kick out of going on the rides with me.  As a couple of the girls were a little hesitant this time I encouraged them to scream and it just makes it that much more fun.  How I so love watching my kids go on the rides and enjoy themselves.  Cassandra was priceless to watch as she went on the Tidal Wave, a big boat that swings back and forth.  It was her first time on a "big" ride and she jumped right in her seat. Then as the boat began to swing her eyes got huge, her mouth hung open and at every swing she sunk a little lower in her seat.  I couldn't stop laughing,  The people facing us were laughing too and I think a bit afraid of Cassie losing her lunch, but she didn't.  As we got off I asked her what she thought.  She said it was ok but that she didn't need to go on it again.  By evening she was telling everyone it was one of her favorite rides and by the next day wanted to do it again and did.  Isabella enjoyed herself so much.  She even went on big rides and laughed and squealed.  I had almost decided to stay home with Isabella and Aidric but I am so glad we all went together.  Some friends went with us also and it was a good time.  

Now we are getting ready to settle down to school and send my oldest boy off to school again.  I'm sure it gets easier but not yet.  He has been so busy with work and activities this summer that I feel like we didn't get to spend much time together.  I look forward to Alex coming home for Christmas and think of how much Aidric will change in the mean time.  Aidric is just now starting to sit up, grab things, and roll over.  By Christmas he should be doing all those with ease and crawling and pulling himself up to things.  Time just keeps on going, so I am so thankful with the time we get to spend together and getting trips here and there as a family is priceless.  Well, hope you enjoy the pictures and give your family a hug.   Have a blessed day.

Alicia

Off we go

Rattlesnake rapids everyone enjoyed but got quite wet

The girls on the swing together

Aidric putting his feet up and enjoying the day

Latisha with friends on blast off.  It shoots you up hundreds of feet and drops you.
Sierra and Danika went on it also.

Alex and Sierra on the wild mouse

everyone exhausted on the ride home.  Very thankful for our motohome.

Family Reunions

A few years ago I was at the library when a security man approached me.  "Alicia?"  he asked.  I quickly looked around to count my kids and make sure one hadn't left with an unchecked out book.  "Yes," I said hesitantly.  He smiled, "Married to David, right?"he asked tentatively.   "Yes,"  I answered.  "It's Nic,"  he said.  I had no clue who he was so I just smile and racked my brain.  "Your cousin,"  he said.  I could have fainted right there.  I didn't recognize him at all.  He didn't look like the teenager I had last seen several years earlier who was named Nicolas.  But it was him.  I stared at him in disbelief as he explained he lived in the same area as we did and worked here.  Several of my cousins live in the same valley as we do but generally the only time I see them is at a family reunion.

As a kid I remember our family reunions as being such a big deal.  Going to see how much everyone had grown and who had been born the past year was so exciting.  My grandparents on my dad's side had seven kids.  One of my uncles never married but the rest did and had kids.  There are now 24 of us grandkids, 65 greats, and this year the first great great was born.  I know this because I just got home from my family reunion.  We didn't make it last year so I was so excited to see everyone this year.  I must say I was a bit disappointed.  Every year our reunions seem to get smaller and smaller even though there are more being born.  It is hard for everyone to make it and it just gets neglected.  Each year one of the seven siblings plans a reunion, the same date, but they choose the place.  Generally we camp, but that is hard for some people. So, the day reunions where most of the family lives is the best attended.  I personally love to camp with everyone.  My grandpa's family has had a day reunion for years in Missouri and I believe it is still on the same weekend and same place but their numbers are dwindling also.  My mothers family has had several reunions spaced several years a part.  They hold them at a local park or at a camp.  I think my favorite is at a camp.  At the camp you pay a small fee per person and you can still bring your RV but those who don't have RV's stay in the cabins and the camp cooks and cleans all our food.

David's father's side of the family has a reunion about every three years.  When his grandpa was alive he planned them and they were all over the western part of the country.  This was so fun because we got to go to some place different.  When Grandpa passed away the reunions did also until one of David's cousins took charge and is working so hard to plan the next reunion.

I really think it must be less stressful for everyone if the reunion is just at a camp.  Of course this can be financially challenging so day camps every few years are nice also.  I have been to reunions that have lots of games and activities, pictures, matching t-shirts and all other kinds of creativity, but this is such a burden on those planning it that they get overstressed.  Maybe taking a family cruise would be the easiest, all that is planned and the meals are provided.  The most important thing is that we get to reconnect with one another.  We see family that we haven't seen for a while so when we pass them in the library we recognize them.  We find out the struggles and success all are having and just be together.  David and I have discussed what we will do in a few years.  Will we just have our own reunion?   For now we'll make to the ones we can and enjoy the time we have together.  Here are some pictures from our weekend.  What kind of family reunions do you like?  Enjoy and God bless.

Alicia

Grandma with six of her seven kids

Small turn out but happy to see those who made it. 

Grandma with 4 of her 7 new offspring born this past year

Success

Aidric is four months old and today rolled over all by himself.  He has rolled over from his tummy to his back but today he rolled over from his back to his tummy, a much bigger accomplishment.  It is so fun to watch.  First he tucks his legs to his chest and then swings his shoulders and finally today all his hard work paid off and he made it to his tummy.  Of course once on his tummy he isn't quite sure what to do next and not sure if that is what he really wanted.

beginning the process again

At this point it is hard not to give him a little help.  Such hard work.

finally success

 The other day I was talking to a friend of mine.  She was so encouraging as she has gone through some of what we are going through with Isabella.  I asked for her advice.  One of the best things she told me was to celebrate every little success.  We are still working on potty training and it is so very frustrating for all of us.  So today when after several attempts she finally did it we all celebrated like it was the greatest thing.

Things can get a little tiring some days but I have so much help I really can't complain.  The other day though we had gone for a walk.  We were out of town with family and the bigger kids and dad had gone fishing.  I took a walk with my three youngest, my sister in law, and her young son.  We had found a little beach spot and the kids were having a great time.  Isabella was walking around but slipped into a little swampy puddle.  I just assumed she would walk around it but nope.  She slipped right into it.  I was terrified, ran and grabbed her out and she was covered in slime and little black bugs. Oh it was so awful.  There was even a leach on her shoulder.  I quickly removed her clothes and ran her to the lake and began washing her as best I could.  It is hard to relax when we go places with Isabella.  Someone needs to keep an eye on her all the time.  She loves to explore and if someone has left a cup out she will grap it and well, it gets spilled.  I had decided the other day that I don't need to go to another wedding or trip or camping for a while.  But I continue, because that is what we do.  We love going places as a family and well, right now it takes a bit more effort but that is ok.  So we are planning another trip and as we have learned some lessons, maybe things will go better.  It's all an adventure and I do love spending time with my family.

Isabella and I at the beach

Aidric first success was on that trip where he went from his tummy to his back

Another success was I finally got the kids picture.  I have been taking pictures of the kids all together when a new baby is born and put it on our stairwell.  Finally the other day after church I looked at my lovely kiddos and said everyone get together and let's get a picture.  I didn't have a camera but my son has an amazing camera on his phone, so yeah we got it done and I think it turned out great.  Now if we can just get a nice family photo before Alex goes back to college that would be wonderful.

going up the stairs

the new photo now at the top

going down the other side our parents pictures with their sibling growing up.  My dad's and David's dad's picture have 7 kids and my mom's and David's mom's picture both have two girls.  We apparently followed in our dad's foot steps

Well I hope you are all having a wonderful summer.  God bless have a great day.

Alicia

Wednesdays

If you were to ask David what his favorite day of the week is, he might just say Wednesdays.  Why?  Because it is cleaning day.  He loves coming home to a freshly cleaned home that smells, well, like cleaners.  When he comes home you can hear him say "awww its cleaning day."  That doesn't mean our house is trashed the rest of the time, just that Wednesdays are the day everything is vacuumed, picked up, and the bathrooms shine.  Well, at least that is the goal.  I have to admit I love it when it is all done too.  I refer to Wednesdays as my work out day.  Some people spread cleaning days out through the week, and we do clean everyday of the week, but Wednesdays are just get in and get it all done.  Everyone has their job and I am blessed that they all jump in and get it done.  My job is the floors.  That is a big job considering the amount of floors we have here.  It is so funny the kick I get out of seeing vacuum marks on the carpet.  Obviously with a family our size we vacuum some rooms throughout the week but Wednesday they all get done.

vacuuming with Aidric

When David and I were in college I had two jobs and went to school full time.  So Saturday was cleaning day.  Once I became a stay at home mom I moved that to Friday's.  I loved a clean house for the weekend.  But we were often busy on Friday getting ready for the weekend so I moved it to Thursday.  Well a couple years ago we started Bright Lights here every other Thursday so cleaning day got pushed back to Wednesdays.  Now I'm not sure what we will do.

Ivy and Aidric

When I started Bright Lights two years ago I asked Ivy to join me.  She has been the heart of our group but she is going away.  It is very sad to see her leave and she will be so very, very missed.  I have friends of all ages.  Some are quite a bit older and some quite a bit younger.  Just yesterday I had a wonderful outing with my dear friend Jessica, who is younger but such a priceless friend.  She encourages me in my life and walk with the Lord and that is what being a friend is about, I pray that I do the same for her.  I am grateful for all my wonderful friends God has placed in my life.  I remember when David and I were friends with a wonderful couple about my parents age, they were priceless.  Well, Ivy is around my older children's age but she is also my friend and priceless.  We have some wonderful conversations and both share a desire to honor the Lord.  Ivy gives everything her all and is always volunteering to help me out.  I have yet to find someone who could replace her as the Bright Lights leader and I am afraid I am unable to continue alone.  We will see what the Lord has in store.  Will cleaning day return to Thursday?  Maybe.  But for the next few weeks it will be Bright Lights with Ivy.  I am glad that there is a new Bright Lights group so it won't totally end in our area.  We love you Ivy, God bless you in your next endeavor.

Hope you all are blessed with good friends, have a wonderful day.

Alicia