13

Today she turns thirteen.
The first girl, she followed three brothers.
I said many times, "My three sones is my three sons, I'm done." So glad that was not true.

Hannah ~ you are quiet, patient beyond compare, confident in what you do not want, even when you second guess what you might want. You still love the beach, like to sing, are content with your life and most happy at home. You are capable of many things yet reserved enough not to look so far into the furture that you miss the ride. You are agreeable and easy going. I love how happy a good book makes you, how much you love learning about and God's word and how to apply it to your life. I love your belly laughs and how you love your siblings. So glad to share this journey with you.
Love, Mama

first strawberry girl :: blogs

A friend sent Hannah a long list of questions that she had fun answering. She allowed me to share some of her answers here. Anything in parentheses are my comments to answers she has given. In years to come, I will be glad to have a freeze frame of who she was during the Summer of 2011.

What time did you get up this morning? 7:44 am wanting a breakfast burrito
Watches or Rings? watches
What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Cars 2…I don't recommend it
What is your favorite TV show? 19 kids and counting on Netflix
What do you usually have for breakfast? depends
What is your nick names? I don't have one; well, I guess Hannah Banana
What food do you dislike? egg salad
What is your favorite CD at the moment? Owl City
What kind of car do you drive? I don't but I would like to drive a Ford Ranger
Favorite sandwich? turkey and cheese on homemade bread (sandwiches are not her favorite)
Favorite item of clothing? jeans
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? Alaska
Are you an organized person? yes or kind of
What was one of your most memorable birthdays? 11
What are you going to do when you finish this? eat!!!!
Furthest place you are sending this? 18 miles I know it's sad.
Person you expect to send this back first? my best friend
Morning person or a night person? Night
What is your shoe size? 8 1/2
Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? I am getting a camera. (a good one)
What did you want to be when you were little? a Vet, an artist, a mom
How are you today? Good, it’s my friends since birth birthday
What is your favorite flower? zinnia
What are you listening to now? people preparing dinner
What day on the calendar are you looking forward to? my birthday
What was the last thing you ate? a granola bar
Do you wish on stars? Nope...I pray
If you were a crayon, what color would you be? purple
How is the weather right now? hot... and sticky
Last person you spoke to on the phone? can't remember
Favorite soft drink? Sprite
Favorite restaurant? Makotos
Hair color? strawberry blonde
Favorite toy as a child? Babies (baby dolls)
Summer or Winter? Winter
Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla
Coffee or tea? tea
Do you want your friends to email you back? Yes!
When was the last time you cried? don't remember
What is under your bed? nothing
What did you do last night? at a friend’s house
What are you afraid of? nightmares, doctors, sickness
Salty or sweet? tough...(sweet)
How many keys on your key ring? I don't have a key ring (or keys)
How many years at your current job? I don't have a job (7/student)
Favorite day of the week? Sunday
Do you like finding out all this stuff about your friends? yes!

Thank you for sharing, Hannah. Your answers are honest, witty, and fun. Three of the things that make me glad to be your Mama.

right now...

Thankful for "cool" Summer days, lots of rain, heavy cloud cover, barn progress, discussions about a fast approaching Fall season, friend time (for me and children), long distant phone calls with ladies I treasure, and boy reading in hammock. Life is Good!

Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today... July16, 2011

Outside my window...skies are grey, we have been having rain everyday and all things green are flourishing. The pond has risen and water is visible when I stand at the back door, yeah.

I am thinking...about boys that have been at Worldview Camp all week. They are on their way home, tired and sick. We are praying that sick part is only due to food and lack of sleep.

I am thankful for... a quick minute to check in to this little spot.

I am wearing... thin cool pants and a sleevless t-shit with flip flops...my everyday Summer attire.

I am remembering...homeschooling is a marathon, not a sprint.

I am going... to get the garden pulled up, the boxes moved and a few seeds put in some time this week, I hope.

I am currently reading... A Thousand Tomorrows, Karen Kingsbury.

I am hoping...that there will be anyone left to read what I post here. I am hoping that I can squeak out just a few minutes to post here more frequently. I promised myself when I started blogging that it could not be at the expense of time for my family and so ~ that sums up where I've been since March.

On my mind... Summer reads for high school and college students, plans and schedules for the coming school year.

Noticing that... my house seems a little quieter than normal. I am not sure why I am noticing this, and it seems most obvious when everyone is in the room, but we are all reading, writing and studying.

Pondering these words...Psalm 27.

From the kitchen...Apple Oatmeal Crunch made by Rebekah. She does this all by herself start to finish and I just eat, oh my.

Around the house...we have been doing some maintance, new pump, resurfaced back porch, sun-sail over our bedroom window, landscaping pulled up on the front of the house with no plan ~ I hope this comes together soon.

One of my favorite things ~ hiking in the mountains.

From my picture journal...

Thank you Peggy for the Simple Woman's Daybook {follow links to read more}.

Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today... March 1, 2011

Outside my window... it is raining. Washing away the thick yellow stuff that is causing much sneezing, coughing and stuffiness in my house. It feels refreshing that outside is getting a bath.

I am thinking... Christmas has come and gone, his birthday has come and gone, and a gift I so desperately want to give him is stuffed somewhere in the studio waiting for me to find time.

I am thankful... that my parents are close enough to come for an impromptu oyster roast.>

I am wearing... yoga pants, t-shirt and running shoes. I was dressed for an early morning walk before I knew it was raining.

I am remembering... a dear teacher, mentor and friend that has been gone a year this week;

I am going... to an Orchestra Performance tonight. Everyone is playing and I have not been in one rehearsal since the last concert so it will be all new, yeah.

I am currently reading... Once a Month Cooking, Girl Talk, and One Thousand Gifts sent to me by a sweet friend, and my Bible Study.

I am hoping...March will slow down, not our busyness, just the rapid passing of time. I can not believe how quickly this year is moving, I need it to slow down. I used to wish my weekends here, now I wish they would take a little longer to arrive.

On my mind...the family of a very sweet friend of mine who, on Sunday, at only 52, lost her battle with Scleroderma. I miss Sue terribly, she was in my knitting group.

Noticing that... the day feels lighter when supper is already figured out. No dreading of the 4:00 hour, no wishing someone else could cook supper, the freedom to ponder...flowers weeds for the table, perhaps a candle, maybe a tablecloth - now that I have one that actually fits this huge table. It only took about fifteen years for me to finally make one, it would be nice to have time to use it.

Pondering these words... "Worrying is carrying tomorrow's load with today's strength- carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time.Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength." — Corrie Ten Boom

From the kitchen... menus and soap, I hope. Photo of homemade granola bars from last week. These are incredible. I have had this recipe for a couple of years and this is the first time I have made them. I do not know how often my children will get them because I lack the self control to refrain from eating them, oh my. Remember, I warned you:)

Chewy Granola Bars
1/2 cup butter, soft
1 cup brown sugar
2T honey
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 egg
1 cup whole wheat flower
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup oats
1 cup rice cereal
1 cup nuts, chopped (I used almonds)
1 cup raisins (I used craisins)
1 cup shredded coconut (dried and unsweetened

1. cream butter, sugar, honey, vanilla and egg

2. combine all dry ingredients and add to cream mix
3. press into 9X13X2

4. bake @ 350 degrees for 28 minutes or until golden
5. cool then cut
6. Enjoy, they are easy and so delicious.

Around the house... I find contentment, safety, joy, and love.

It looks like this outside right now.

One of my favorite things ~ quiet, a candle, and instrumental music ~ all happening simultaneously.

From my picture journal... most of the time music practice looks like this at our house... ...but, sometimes it can look like this! What was she doing???

Thank you Peggy for the Simple Woman's Daybook {follow links to read more}.

Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today... February 16, 2011

Outside my window... grass is beginning to turn green, new leaves are beginning to bud, the weeds are starting to grow ~ but it is still cold.

I am thinking... the end of the school year is coming way to fast. We have much to get done. My children told me at the beginning of the year they wanted a summer in 2011, we'll see.

I am thankful for... my best friend, he celebrates a birthday today. I feel blessed to share this journey everyday with him. I love you Mr.

I am wearing... brown pants, green top and earthy looking shoes.

I am remembering... life is a marathon and not a sprint, rest in Him.

I am going... to Orchestra today, Jacob is teaching.

I am currently reading... Chronological One Year Bible.

I am hoping... to start One Thousand Gifts sent to me by a sweet friend.

On my mind... praying for my husband.

Noticing that... my husband works so hard and never complains.

Pondering these words... "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 NAS

From the kitchen... sweets and treats, it's Valentine's Day and a birthday in our house. We have had other things like homemade pizza, homemade pasta sauce and homemade granola. It is also time to make more bars of soap.

Around the house... I must get a supper plan in place. Things are too busy and at the end of the day supper seems overwhelming.

One of my favorite things ~ nectarines smelling up my, yum.

From my picture journal...

triple layer chocolate cake..that's what he asked for, that's what he gets
(several years ago, not today)

Thank you Peggy for the Simple Woman's Daybook {follow links to read more}.

little girl sweetness

A chocolate cake Rebekah and I baked Saturday night,

A couple of Valentine gifts done by the girls...rice krispy treats and heart shaped sugar cookies, in cute little bags of course.

1 Corinthians 13 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Oh, that we would love as He demonstrated love.
Happy Valentine's Day

Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today... January 27, 2011

Outside my window...the sun is coming up and there is frost on car windshields.

I am thinking... I want to call my sister-in-law and wish her a happy birthday TODAY.

I am thankful for... conviction, brokenness, and thirst ~ three things that have overwhelmed me lately.

I am wearing... denim skirt, camisole and sweater.

I am remembering... a sweet evening spent with Godly women. I am humbled to have been a part of this group. It is good to set apart time to be encourage, redirected and challenged to live the life He has called me to.

I am going... to complete a refresher course of reading and phonics with my three younger children to boost their writing and spelling skills. Only a couple of days in and so far so good.

I am currently reading... Chronological One Year Bible.

I am hoping... to complete a project I wanted to finish for Christmas.

On my mind... prayer and an intimate relationship with my Savior.

Noticing that... everything is brown and barren. This causes the train to be much louder in the morning... I like the sound of that train.

Pondering these words... spoken by my children, "you used to sing this song all the time", Yes, I used to sing that to my babies.

From the kitchen... fresh beets that tasted as sweet as candy, menus need to be done due to activities having me out of the house in the afternoons.

Around the house... I am enjoying a wonderfully organized office, Christmas decorations are finally put away, O.K. except for the occasional item I keep finding.

One of my favorite things ~ unexpected mail from the other-side of the world. Thank you!

From my picture journal... it's either stir fry or soup...but my kitchen counter is typically covered in chopped veggies.

photo by Hannah

Thank you Peggy for the Simple Woman's Daybook {follow links to read more}.

Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today... January 5, 2011

Outside my window... gray skies, storms coming and cooler weather.

I am thinking... about beginning projects earlier this year, and the garden. Found pictures(a camera stick in the back of a drawer)like this have me dreaming about growing something...anything.


I am thankful for... the blessing of our home.

I am wearing... jeans and a sweatshirt. Had to dash to a neighbors to help redress a wound. I will be wearing a little nicer "winter" outfit to do some running around.

I am remembering... a fun, calm, family filled and sweet holiday season.~to be making a list of the many ideas I have for this new year.

I am going... to take a boy for oral surgery the end of the week, ouch.

I am currently reading... Chronological One Year Bible.

I am hoping... for the courage to die to myself just a little more 2011.

On my mind... complete revision of paperwork for our business. This must me tackled within the week, makes me want to take a nap.

Noticing that... my children are moving closer to leaving at a speed I am unable to slow down.

Pondering these words... laughter makes you live longer. I would like to see something new (to me) Tim Hawkins.

From the kitchen... fresh bread, soups, cookies made by girls and a few other comfort foods.

Around the house... we are still completely decorated but cleaning out and rearranging has begun. Dad is on the warpath to get rid of "stuff", yeah!

One of my favorite things ~ that beautiful Lunar Eclipse last month.

From my picture journal... bravely singing in church.

Thank you Peggy for the Simple Woman's Daybook {follow links to read more}.