Crazy May

I have known for a long time that the month of May is probably the busiest month of the year. This year was no exception. The farmer husband has been very busy in the fields and we haven't had a 'rainy day break' to speak of. The garden and flowerbeds needed to be filled, we finished up school, enjoyed a field trip, took a quick little weekend away, just me and him,( to a wedding), attended a graduation party, had several extended family gatherings, went garage saling, rejoiced with a brother on his engagement, had the children's last piano recital, cleaned out the garage, (this is worth mentioning!) and took my boys to the coffee shop on a 'Mom date' after they finished school. We have had some amazing weather and we are all enjoying summer and a break from school very, very much!

And now, a few pictures to go with the highlights of our month:

We immensely enjoyed the time spent with my niece and her family when we made our little trip east for a wedding. Traveling 10 hours alone with my man was a rare treat. He says we got to finish sentences we had started years ago. It's not quite like that, but close.;) My niece is 10 years younger than me and deep in the throes of Mommy-hood. What a blessing she is to me!

There are several families that started homeschooling in this area due to our little impact on them. We feel humbled that we could be used in this way. If you didn't grow up with the idea of homeschooling, it can look hugely overwhelming at first, and people that God uses to encourage you in this venture have a special place in your heart. So we got together after we were all finished with school, and celebrated with a fun field trip in another city. Between us 3 families there are 6 boys from the ages of 7-10. Wow! What a lot of energy they had. We were exhausted by day's end, but we had a grand adventure together! Ice cream (or a caramel frappe') at McDonald's was a great way to end the day! 

And now, after almost 6 years of wanting to make it happen, my man has begun building a beautiful grape fence/arbor for me. It isn't finished yet, but this is how we spent our Memorial Day, complete with a family supper at Leon's parents.

The to-do list is really too long for me to be sitting at the computer, but a little update on our lives was in order.

Homemade Cream Soups

Do you ever get tired of buying those expensive cream soups in the store? Do you wonder what's really in those cans? Do you have plenty of chicken broth on hand? Then here's the recipe for you.

Wanda's Cream Soups

Chicken:
6 cups chicken broth
3 tsp. poultry seasonong or chicken noodle seasoning
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. black pepper
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. parsley flakes
dash papfika
6 cups milk
3 cups flour


Mushroom:
6 cups chicken broth and water
2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. garlic powder
dash paprika
2 tsp. parsley flakes
1 4 oz. can mushrooms, chopped fine
6 cups milk
3 cups flour


Boil broth and seasonings. Mix flour and milk. Add to broth mixture. Cook until thick. Cool. Put in containers or bags, 1 1/2 cups in each. Freeze. Makes approx. 8 cans of soup. Thaw before using.

Coffee With Mom

Recently, we observed the 27th anniversary of Dad's death. I wanted to do something special for Mom, something out of the ordinary. So I invited all my sisters-in-law and we met Mom at the Coffee House. Some of the grandchildren came along, too. We had a good time together, and while we didn't just sit around and talk about Dad, I know it means a lot to Mom when we remember that life-changing event. It was actually life-changing for all of us. But a lot changes in 27 years. Only 2 of the 8 in-laws ever met Dad, and only 3 of the 38 grandchildren were born before he died. But somehow, his life continues to leave an impact on each one of us. Just yesterday in church, my Dad's cousin told me again how happy Dad would be if he were here and could enjoy my children. However, we know he is experiencing joy beyond compare, and that comforts us. 

Happy Mother's Day

Today I am grateful for my Mom.

She taught me to:

• enjoy hard work
• can and freeze food
• pray
• memorize Scripture
• enjoy my relatives
• make a bed
• manage a home
• enjoy shopping
• visit the shut-ins
• hang out the laundry
• enjoy a good book
• write letters to the elderly aunts
• enjoy cooking
• plant a garden
• wash windows
• serve people
• be on time
• stay in touch with family

I am thankful to God for blessing me with a mother that loves me through thick and thin.


I am also thankful for my mother in law. Although she didn't give birth to me, she has accepted me into the family as one of her own. I appreciate many things about her, but 3 things that pop into my mind first of all are:

1. Schedules are not as important as people.
2. Everyone needs a friend, especially that person that no one quite seems to understand.
3. A big, long laugh is good for us all.

I am blessed indeed.

I am also very blessed to be the mother of these precious children.


And the wife of this wonderful man.

Happy Mother's Day, indeed!