It looks like I have a new habit of posting every 10 months.  This seems to be something I can commit to! :)

Homeschooling with four children (2nd grade, Kindergarten, pre-K, and in diapers)   has proven to be very difficult and I find moments in every day that I dread the next days mundane tasks; and then there are moments I really look forward to tackling the issues of math and phonics with my kids.  I keep telling myself  "once they are older...." you know... you've done it too.  The times I enjoy my kids the most are the ones I stop and say "they will never be this little again."

My scatter brained lesson of the day: stop and enjoy the MOMent!! :)

okay... so this time it has been ten months since I last posted.  I was actually surprised I still had my blogspot!  A lot has happenend as I am sure most of you know.  First and MOST importantly... we added our last baby into the strike household. (unless God has other plans)  He was born October 18th 2011 and came in at 8#3oz 20" at 2:08 pm.  We named him Jeremiah David and he has been a great joy in our home since that time.  Jacob is looking forward to having another boy around, Jessica can't get over how cute he is... and Jamie wants to smother him in affection.  If I could figgure out how to download pictures from my phone I could show you just how cute he is!  we have also added to the "family" 27 chickens.  one recently hatched 10 more! 

Jacob started first grade, and Jessica and Jamie are doing preschool work.  Homeschooling is still a chalenge for me but is getting better with great friends to encourage and support me!  :)  my next goal for today is to try to figgure out how to post pictures.... so please hang in there.  it may be another ten months before i can figgure it out!  :)

a LOOOOONG time

so, it has been 13 months since my last post.... amazing. i keep promising to keep up, but everyone who knows me knows how hard this really is for me! :) i am now on FB and usually keep up with everyone that way. i will be adding more pictures to this blog in the very near future for those that don't see them on Fb. taa taa for now!

Brenda

Briana's wedding

The hot sweaty limo ride to the dells was fun. we needed more champagne and better music, but all in all a great time to all be together.
Briana getting into her charriot.she is never serious with me!

jamie is soooo cute... but wow does she look like pam or what?!

rene lacing up the back.

the soon-to -be-smith! she's so cute.

this was briana notticing her boquet for the first time

and here is the boquet

briana just found out that mother of the groom just had her zipper break on her dress and was looking for a last minute seamstress!

the twins were patiently awaiting thier hair to be done.

yup, i got mine done too.

the hair piece for briana's hair... perdy ain't it? ( the fingers and nails are mine )

ARRRRR captin rene!

Briana and her faces

Barb getting her hair done too.

more Briana Faces. i like this one it sais "i better be carefull, if i push too hard i'm liable to poop myself.... again"

i think she was talking to rene here

rehursal dinner was fantastic!

danny is a goofball

jason and zach.

and that's all i have time to do this time! perhaps more later! YAY BRIANA AND JJ!!!!

AWWWWW!!! Easter at pams. i just love this picture and thought i would share since i have not blogged since october!!!! so sorry everyone!

Super Girl

jessica wants to wear jacob's batman cape, so as soon as i put it on her she ran and got the "goggles" and put them on. this way she won't have to worry about the bugs getting in her eyes when she is flying faster than a speeding bullet. oh wait... that's super man. to help her spider like vision. oh wait.... thats spiderman. well, i'm suer she has some reason.
even super heros get hungry, tired, and cranky!

What I CAN

My neighbors, the corn ones, gave us a TON of green beans. this started the canning frenzy. below it the picture form the first day, then above was a few days later. what i don't have pics of is all of the applesauce, apple pie filling, and carrots that have also been done. WHEW! Mom and i have both been pretty busy! mom has also canned a bunch of pork. i'm not sure the total number but i think it is close to: 29 quarts green beans, 23 quarts tomatoes, 15 quarts pumpkin, 20 quarts applesauce, 52 quarts apple pie filling, 14 quarts carrots, and 7 quarts pork. of course mom and i are splitting this, so it feeds two armies! :)

hard work results in great dinners!