Sometimes you just have to stop and smell the.....dandelions!

There is no doubt about it...we are busy!

Life will not slow down for us as moms and most definitely not for our larger-than-normal homeschooling family.  If we wait for it to slow down, we will miss out on some of the most precious moments God will ever give us!

 A few cliches come to mind....

Sometimes you just have to stop and smell the roses.

Life is a dance.

Life is too short.

They grow up too quickly.

They don't seem so cliche anymore.

I am going to purpose NOT to plan so much but to milk each spontaneous moment for all it is worth.  Photo shoots don't have to be planned!!  Sophie made a dandelion crown and I banked on the precious moment.  

I thank God for every...single...moment and I do not want to take a single one for granted.

I can't believe I have teenagers in my home!!

Don't Blink 

as one of my sweet friend's has fitfully named her blog.

Take the time...

Make the time...

to stop and smell the roses...

or dandelions in this case!

A few of my favorite things!

A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS:

 

Donna Young Printables

(Grocery, Kitchen, Office, Daily Planner etc.)

Mandi Cresswell

This is a blog...if you scroll through, it is sprinkled with free printables for household, menus etc.

The Family Homestead
Packed full of recipes, homeschooling, advice, and homesteading in the modern world.

Ambleside Online
This is what we use as far as homeschooling.
It is a Charlotte Mason (literature/life learning) style curriculum and it is FREE!!

Homeschool Classifieds
A place to purchase almost anything homeschool related at 2nd hand prices.

Student Worksheets
Great printables especially for littles.  There are a lot of free ones however, we use it so much that I went head and paid the $19.95 for a year free access.

Gluten Free Cooking
I have a couple kids that are gluten free and this has helped so much!

Do Hard Things
An amazing Christian place for your teens and preteens.
"A teenage rebellion against low expectations!"
The book is so worth the money!






 

It takes a village?

I have heard it said:

It takes a village to raise a child.

I have also heard:

I have seen the village and I don't want it raising mine.

I think I would say:

Choose your village wisely!

As a mother, and I know Phil would agree as a father, that we need to be so careful who we allow to influence our children.  Debi Pearl has explained it like this, "Children are born with a clean slate...as they grow, they carry that slate with them always...written on by everyone the children encounter.  What is etched on that slate will go with them throughout their lives."

There is no eraser to undo what has been imprinted on their little hearts.

We are their built in filter as parents and we need to feel the weight of this responsibility.  We can no longer just pass them off to their teachers, peers and babysitters to do the job that God has given specifically to US!!

I do believe that God gives us help...we are not in it alone.  And if you are in a season such as we are, daddy is providing for his family.  We do not have him here as much as we would like, however, in this season, we have been supplied with a village.

Bank on it...look for it, and pray for it.

Those of you who do not have children or your children are grown...or you don't mind adding a few to your plate, look for disciples.

Help parent train, disciple and influence this next generation.

 We need a tidal wave...

We need a village to raise up a new generation of Godly, strong and unwavering body of Christ.

We need you.

Deuteronomy 4:9  “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children—

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.  You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.  You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Isaiah 38:19 The living, the living, he thanks you, as I do this day; the father makes known to the children your faithfulness.

Matthew 7:12 ”So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

2 Timothy 1:5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.

2 Timothy 3:14-15 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

I am so thankful for our village!!  Thank you for all who invest in us, pray for us and continually write on the slates of my children.  You are part of God's grace and mercy in our parenting!! 
I love you all!

A few cleaning tips!!

Two of the best routines we have in our day that help keep our house cleaning maintained are:

 #1:  10 minute pickups...we do 2 a day (This is in addition to our morning morning chores and jurisdictions). I give each family member, myself included, an area to pick up and put away...our house ends up nearly clean in ten minutes. We do this before nap and before daddy gets home ...a little tip also for

when you are visiting someone's home is to say, "Everyone find 10 things to pick up and put away." For us that is 60 things!! I never want anyone to be left with the aftermath of the Ansolabehere tornado!! 

#2: Table chores...each family member is assigned one thing to do after everyone is finished eating (these remain the same everytime so that no one is unsure of their job after each meal)...kitchen cleanup is a breeze!!

EVEN BETTER:

 Sometimes all we need is a better perspective...Change the name "Chores" to "Acts of Service" after a devotional time about serving your family and blasting a little Praise and Worship music during this time in the morning = we are off to a FABULOUS start on the day!! Lord...keep us going!! ;) ♥ ♥

Introducing...Joelle-Marie Ansolabehere

 

Little Miss Joelle-Marie Ansolabehere!!

Photo at 18 weeks gestation!!

So thankful for unborn children...especially the little one so ALIVE moving around in this body!

Seeing her precious face...only halfway into my pregnancy was both wonderful and grievous at the same time.  To think that some would say she is not life, and would snuff her out should I be willing makes me sick with grief.

We have a story of abortion in our family...and I am hoping that that precious woman "whom believed a lie" will soon share her story with all of you on my blog.  I almost wish I could share just a piece of her amazing story, but I will leave that for her...God is so good!!

AND...this is Ezra's first miracle story.  They told us Christmas Eve 2002 that after an amnio, Ezra would be born with Downs Syndrome and we would have to move quickly should I want to terminate this pregnancy.

I WAS SHOCKED!!!!

Absolutely NOT, I replied....but then, with a more humble answer, we explained to the Dr. that this baby was a gift sent straight to us from God, and we would love and cherish him in whatever state and package we received him in!!  God was entrusting us with another piece of heaven and we would never turn away that gift...let alone terminate it.  Thankfully, because of my faith in God I knew what a gift he was....but also, because of the journey this special woman will share with you, I knew that ONLY God is the Author of Life!!  Not me, nor the Dr. nor the government for that matter.

EZRA PHILIP ANSOLABEHERE

Ezra means "help"

was born May, 15 2003

He was supposed to have Down syndrome

He did not.

Question and Answer (Part 1)

Do any of your older kids pick out their own outfits the night before? Or do you choose everyone's? And do they get to have any of their own clothes in their rooms, to have a sense of personalizing/ownership?

This is such a great question because I often wonder this of other mom's with family closets!

1.  All our children definitely have a certain flavor ;) and that comes out in their clothing as well as their personality.  I used to make 90% of my girl's clothing (I am now down to about 50%) but when I do make their clothing, usually they are right there with me helping with their own design, choosing their fabric and styles.

Within the liberty of being an individual, however,  there are very firm and very clear boundaries.  One of those boundaries for our girls is MODESTY.  No extra skin showing, no skirts shorter than the knee unless leggings or jeans are worn underneath.  For the boys, we emphasize RESPECT.  All their clothing should remain respectful...not only for others, but for themselves.

2.  None of the kids have clothing in their own room...even my clothing is in the family closet.  The reason we decided to do this was because we were finding clothing everywhere...they will take things off and leave them where they lie...or try 50 things on before finally choosing what to wear and leave the 49 other outfits on the floor!!  Clothing, for a family of almost 9, is an investment.  And since I do not have the time to hover over each child to make sure they are taking care of this investment, I was going to do it in a manner where I am the example.  I am the head sergeant of the Family Closet!  ;)

But, many times I will send down one of the big kids to lay out every one's clothing for the next day...they enjoy this when I choose them.  They are a little strange like their mama!!

Hope that helps with that question!!

Will you find out the sex of your precious little baby soon?

YES...in fact, we go in on the 7th of this month for my 20 week ultrasound!!

I have had a couple children that we have not found out, but I find that with my maniac planning tendencies...I HAVE TO KNOW!!!

Do you ever have a bad day? 

Yes...many of them...and most days, a few bad moments are included.  ;)

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

Philippians 4:8

This is a verse we as a family are working on memorizing together.  On those bad days and in those bad moments...I have now come to realize that it is not because we have failed on that day or in that moment.

We are all human...we are all sinners and only by the grace and mercy of God do we have good days!!  ;)

When we are in the midst of "bad", first we try to focus on what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely good report, virtue and praise and then we adjust our lives a little in that moment in order to move that direction.  If it means taking a little time off of school to play a game or do a fun science experiment or ever write a few thank you cards, then that is what we do...or if I am just needing to take a step back, I either put on a video for the kids to watch while I can have a moment or will put one of my big kids in charge for a bit.  Usually it only takes a minor step back to regain perspective and we are good to go once again!

 

Question and Answer!!

I have had quite a few messages and comments asking FABULOUS question and many of them I would like to post and answer here on the blog.

Not because I believe I have the best answer, but because there are some wonderful women, mamas and grandmas out there that I believe can also give wisdom in these areas!!

I don't have time at the moment, but hope to get to a few of these questions this afternoon...a few of those questions are:

With a family closet, are your older children still responsible for their clothing to give them a sense of individuality and ownership?

Do you ever have a bad day?  ;) (Love this one!!)

Is your husband involved in your homeschool?

What does a typical day look like in your home?

What do you do with your younger children when you are doing school?

Do you ever feel overwhelmed and like you just can't do it all?

How do you keep your grocery budget around $600 dollars?

If any of you have any questions you would like answered, please leave a comment.....OR if you already have an answer, please either answer here or leave a link to your blog where you have perhaps already answered!!

Children's Morning Devotionals

If you have gone through all devotionals with your children and can't (or don't want) to run to the store and buy the next latest and greatest children's devotional...here is what we use:

CALVARY CURRICULUM

We do not go to a Calvary Church, so I do not exactly know doctrine...however, these little studies are straight from the bible and have fun games and coloring pages to help reinforce what we are learning.  We are using the 1st-6th grade curriculum....and the best part is that it is all FREE!!!

There isn't too much fluff and although they do not use scripture from the bible we use, which is King James, it just causes us to look up each verse and read it for ourselves...and that's better anyway!!

The Family Closet/Gun Room/Guest Room

 So......I had a $40 budget on this room in our house.  First order of business was to collect all the dressers and hanging rods that weren't being used and put them in my office/schoolroom (my perfect work area).  Then after a trip to Wallyworld, I came home with a laundry sorting unit, a few white tubs and some brown paint on sale because someone returned it.

My grand total:  $36.50

I rewarded myself with a Candy Bar and a Soda.  ;)

 The room of choice:  Phil's makeshift gun room.  It is a catch all room that I can't stand!!  

Yes, that is a leg lamp.  A gift to my dear hubby from my dear mother!!

 Next order of business...the muscles.

My little sister, Katy Kay!!

 Nothing is off limits when you have paint!!

Paint makes everything beautiful.

I really should have taken a picture of the Star Wars mural on the wall.  Was here when we moved in and now it is covered up with a beautiful chocolate paint!

 FINAL PRODUCT:

 All kids clothing, shoes and accessories...along with all of mine are in this room.

It cuts down on collecting dirty laundry, picking up clothing after the little ones and their friends decide to play dress up, folding and putting away in 5 different bedrooms, packing for trips and most importantly:

I set out clothing for the next day the night before, so I am able to do it all in one location...along with iron what needs to be ironed.

 It is all in ONE PLACE!!

 And EVERYTHING is labeled!!

 This room also serves as Phil's gun room.  Which means the door remains locked and little ones cannot go in and destroy my masterpiece!!

I ordered a bunch of our hunting photos to put on the cork board there and tried to keep everything looking on the masculine side so that Phil could enjoy being down there still.

The ugly blue tubs are now gone and there is a matching bench to the table in place so that Phil can work, but I took these photos before I finished that job!!  ;)

 We always have someone staying with us it seems, many times they are men...and most of them hunt, so we thought this would be appropriate.  We have my daughter's large bedroom that is also used for other sleepover guests (not of the hunting world). ;)

Mid-finish of my job, I ran out of tape for my label maker...it was quite devastating...until my dear husband showed up with HIS bigger and better label maker!!

JOB FINISHED!!  I am a happy woman!!

The Long Lost Art of Modesty

Sadly, modesty is a lost art. I say art because when people use the word "modest" or "modesty" it is usually with rolled eyes...believing that this word defines: frumpy sweats or always wearing long dresses (although I would LIVE in dresses forever...I love them) and baggy clothing. It is not. It is being feminine (not sleezy), neat and tidy (not sloppy and made up with an inch of make up), beautiful and sweet (not seductive and provocative). I have heard so many times "we can't control the boys looking at us" but we can sure do our part NOT to be a stumbling block. Protect those boys, protect their women, protect ourselves and save our goodies for the MAIN SQUEEZE (our hubby)!! Like I said...Modesty is an art.

I love clothes and fashion, hair and makeup just as much as the next lady, BUT I do believe that as a woman, it is our responsibility to be wise and modest.  For our husband, for ourselves, for men, for men's wives, for our daughters and because God REQUIRES it.

Here is a little clip from:
~Stacy McDonald (Raising Maidens of Virtue)
'You know the old saying "birds of a feather flock together?" Well, it's true! We are surrounded by a culture that glorifies self, vulgarity, sloppiness, and perversion.
Though we are surrounded by this culture, we don't have to be immersed in it. We are not "of the same feather," so we shouldn't look as though we "flock together."
At the very least, we can certainly make sure we have enough feathers to cover ourselves.'

BIG cooking!!

 The key to big cooking is the prep.  I work it into my everyday life, because the kids still need to do school, house needs to be cleaned and meals for the day prepared and eaten.

 The shopping, I just work into my usual trip to the store.  I plan ahead and have my list ready so that hopefully it goes on without a hitch.  I will often times prepare small lists for my two big kids and they will go off on their own, sometimes with one of the little ones in their cart and shopping will go by even more quickly that way.  The kids LOVE this!!

 The night before I set out all the items we will need and prepare my TO DO list...as long as I have something to cross out and see my item pile decrease, I am a happy camper!!

 I do all that I can the night before...in this case, I was able to put all my chicken (15 lbs) and my roasts (10 lbs) in the crock pots to cook over night.  SO, first thing in the morning, I was able to see part of my list crossed off.

I be sure to label everything well so that there are never any surprises at suppertime.

 Gabrielle was my right hand man for this day.  The other kiddos helped out plenty, but she was there for the entire event!!

 We try to use the same large bowls and pots for cooking...this keeps us accountable to wash them in between in order to keep our dish pile to a minimum.

 Starting to fill up...

 Isn't it gorgeous?  This is made helpful by two freezer meal cookbooks that I have.  Most are now my own recipes, but they helped me to learn what freezes well and how to "half way" prepare some of the items.

I had a comment about the health and old fashioned-ness of our meals so I will try to explain a little.
After 6-7 years of doing this, I have somewhat perfected this process and these recipes for OUR family...these meals are all favorites of OUR family.  I had to keep in mind simplicity (you have to when cooking 50 meals), freezing ability, and easy preparation when coming out of the freezer.  

Every family is different...and that is FABULOUS, so make what is acceptable to you and yours.  My only advice is to research what freezes and reheats well.  There are lots of things that are NOT yummy after being frozen and recooked...speaking from experience!!
  All meals are served with fresh produce (most times from our family's co-op garden).  These are just our core meals which cut down the shopping, cooking and cleaning time tremendously.  All the eggs we use are from our family's co-op organic chickens and we soon hope to be butchering those chickens as well.
With a family of 9, you are bound to have a few picky eaters that refuse to eat their veggies...SO, I try to incorporate those "good healthy" items into our tried and true favorites.
For example:  Our meatloaf, meatballs and shepherd's pies all have shredded carrots, fresh tomatoes, mushrooms etc "hidden" in them.  ;)
Also, since we live in Montana and hunting plays a huge role in our diet, all of our meals include meat.  Most of the meat is elk, deer and or antelope.
 We made a grand total of 50 meals, which in the long run saves us about 100 hours in cooking, cleaning and shopping time.

Some of our meals were:

Spaghetti

Lasagna

Meatloaf

Meatballs (BBQ sauce and swedish sauces made)

Taco meat

Enchiladas

Pizza Burgers

Shepherd's Pies

BBQ Beef

Chicken Soup

Hamburger Stew

BBQ Chicken

Breakfast Burritos

French Dip

Pulled Pork in Gravy

Pork Stir-Fry

Any questions?

She's at that age!!

Our Gabrielle turns 12 today!!  I remember her birth most vividly...probably because she was HUGE!!  8lbs 9oz was HUGE for this first time mama!!  I had just celebrated my 1st Anniversary in May and turned a whopping 19 years old in July.  I wanted to experience the birth naturally and instead suffered the humiliation of years people would remember and discuss my kicking, screaming, biting, flopping and complete surrender to pain   rather loud cries of distress!!  ;)

I thought that moment would stand to be one of the hardest moments of my life.

Boy, was I wrong.

Gabrielle, really, has been one of the easiest, helpful, quick learning  and God fearing children... that isn't what was difficult in these 12 years.

It is the thought and realization that we need to protect our children.  Even more than training them (although that is important) praying over them, instilling a love for the Lord and protecting them has been the most sobering.

The world seems to be on a mission to collect and destroy our children.  With poor self images, lack of life knowledge, distorted views on dating and sex, no work ethic, and a lack of respect for others, parents, authorities and God.

 When I turned 14, my mom took me to a special breakfast and we talked about purity and abstinence.  I remember it to this day...we want to be the ones our children to go to with questions and concerns in this area and that means we need to beat the world at their own game. 

12 seemed to be an appropriate age to do this with Gabrielle.  Even though we have had the birds and the bees talk quite awhile ago, I knew it was important for her to have a specific day to remember when she learned what true purity and abstinence meant.

We prepared for her this little "coming of age" care package.  Yes, that is a phone...something I NEVER thought we would do, but one more thing that goes along with turning 12...babysitting!!  I am very proud to say that I believe she was ready for that quite some time ago.  She even has a book and binder going on the subject of The Christian Girl's Guide to Babysitting!!

Anyway, in this little package were things she already needs and things she soon will.

Even better was this FABULOUS book!!

Before You Meet Prince Charming by Sarah Mally

I highly recommend this if you would like your child to know the lies of dating and how special it is to wait for the one God has intended for you and then to save yourself for after you say your vows.  Even more, how to pray for your future spouse before he appears!!

We need to be praying for our kids...petitioning on their behalf.  We need to be on guard and ready to fight for them.  The enemy is like a roaring lion out to steal, kill and destroy...and in our children's lives...this lion is most likely............THE WORLD!!

Happy Birthday to one of the sweetest girls I know...Iwish I had been more like you when I was growing up.  We love you so much and feel so blessed that God gave you to us for a time!!

God is so good and merciful...that is more than evident when we look at our children...all glory to Him!!

Oh it's ON!!

So, I have yelled, kicked and pitched a fit  gently asked my children to PULEEEEEEZE pick up after themselves for 12 years now to no avail.

Now....it's on!!  While preparing to go to the fair tomorrow (a surprise...I am attempting Jim Bob Duggar's efforts to be unpredictable in order to always keep the kids on their toes and continually wondering, what will mom and dad do next!) anyway, while preparing to go, a thought occurred to me!!  I just went through the house, once again picking up favorite ball caps, purses, toys etc...and I decided I was going to do my very own "lost and found" box!!

The plan:

1.  Collect over time all items I find lying around the house and place them in my lost and found.

2.  Give the children their little allowance gift.

We do not pay for chores, but every now and then we will give a few dollars when we go out to do something fun...LIKE THE FAIR TOMORROW!!

(We also pay for jobs we would have to hire out...our children are not slaves, but they will know how to run a house (their house), expecting nothing, when they are ready to fly the coop!)

3.  Bring out my lost and found!!  I will show mercy by doing this all before we go to the fair so that they are able to bring their prized posessions...aren't I a nice mom?!?!

4.  It will cost 'em baby!!  $.25 per item to retrieve it from my special box.

5.  Lesson learned...probably not...YET!!  It may take a few rounds to get the hint, but I try to see things "Big Picture"!

The Hunt Is ON!!

This is what Ezra looked at the end of this day!!

In an effort to catch upon all the blogging I have been unable to do because of computer issues...this is quite an old happening!  May 15th to be exact!!



 Every birthday,we try to make a banner, sign or in this case a flag!

 We made a flag for Ezra's birthday because...we planned out TREASURE HUNT for him!!

 Just like my mama used to do for us growing up (even on my 25th birthday) we mapped out the yard and house and provided clues that led them fromone place to another!

 Every once in awhile he needed a little help with his reading, but very proudly he read almost all the chicken scratch clues on his own!!

 The final clue provided him with an essential tool...you know it!!  A metal detector!!  What fun for this little (BIG) boy. I think his dad was more excited about this little part of the hunt than he was!!

 See!!  He had to joininon the fun!!

 What could it be in there?!?!

 A POT OF GOLD!!

Or in this case, Nana and Papa's gift...a tin full of quarters!!

 The kids all helped make cupcakes and Gabrielle did a special photo shoot in order to make this Birthday collage!!

 We LOVE anything homemade, so of course this fabulous card from a friend was a favorite...plus it had drawings of guns and knives!!  It is still hanging on his wall!!

Ansolabehere News!

Well, it has been a LONG time and I am happy to announce that we once again have internet!!  I have missed documenting our lives the most, so I can't wait to get back to blogging!!  First things first...a little announcement!!

Watch the announcement by clicking on:

ANSOLABEHERE NEWS!

The "Book Nook"!!

 So, I have been meaning to do this for a LOOOOOONG time, but have never had the space!!  Now we do in the "Land of the Children" that we call our basement!!

We have since finished unboxing all of our book, so now we have but overfilled the bookshelf, thankfully we have lots of those and just added on!!

A few throw pillows from the thrift store to get cozy on and we have our

BOOK NOOK!!

The kiddos (and us parents) love it!

It is amazing what a little special spot can inspire!

I catch the kids here all the time, either reading to themselves or to one another (which happens to be my favorite way to find them.)!!