Our second real snow, but it's allready gone

Every time we have so much as a flury, Harland starts yelling, It's Christmas! It's Christmas!

just some pics

Gaynor is working on an Oral Presentation for his Maine Studies/History project. He is making a story board with a time line.(all his idea) So yesterday Harland decided he too needed to do an "Oro presentation" but on Dinosaurs. So his brothers helped him search online for pictures, which he cut and glued onto poster board. Today he will do research for facts to add to the poster. So cute. So here they are working hard.






Our first real snow, all though it didn't stick. I love Indigo's face while he is watching Forrest catch the snow flakes. He really loves his brothers!

He is 14!!!!!!

I know this is a little late. Sorry Dude, it's been a little hectic. I try to write a letter to my boys on their birthday. For this big teenage milestone, lets do a blog! First i want to say how it pains me to hear moms complain about having teenage children. Forrest is an absolute joy to have around (always has been). He has his moments, don't get me wrong but i don't think they are necessarily "teen specific", just child moments. He is an amazing help to me around here. He does anything and everything we ask usually without complaining. (dishes being the exception, but who can blame him YUCK!) He even offers! "Hey Mom, do you want me to take the kids for a walk so you can get some stuff done?" Wow!
What he's into. BOOKS!!!!! anything and everything, all though right now he is reading Breaking Dawn the 4th in the Twilight series. He also loves Darren Shan, author of Demonata. He actually just won a contest on Darren's blog(a blog-stalker just like his momma, i'm so proud!) and will be receiving autographed copies of his new book and a one of a kind t-shirt worn by mr. shan also signed. How cool is that. Recently we went to the library to pick up Brisingr, the third in the Eragon series (written by a homeschooled young man!!!) I waited in the car with the other boys, out comes Forrest, skipping (yes literally) holding the book over his head with a giant grin. I looked over at the lady in the car next to me and she was laughing too. it was really funny. We are constantly reminding him to talk about "real people" not fictional charecters! Forrest spends his tuesday mornings interning at a little organic farm with two of the coolest people. Sarah and Andy are great mentors and friends to forrest. He really loves going there. Forrest loves to write, i really think he will be an amazing author. He is working on his fist novel right now, It is official novel writing month after all. ( what you didn't know this??? who did?!) Forrest is trying really hard to stop saying crap so he now says "shnazz" its goofy. but better than crap. Music! he loves any and all (country excluded) he is dying for the Twilight soundtrack, but for now he digs, paramore, panic at the disco, System of a Down, Flight of the conchords, Mc Lars, Flobots, the list goes on and on. Juggling, all things juggling, scarves, beanbags, devil sticks. Reading, oh wait did i allready say that?? Playing his Wii which he and his brother saved for themselves. Heroes (the tv show) skipping stones in the river, going on adventures in our woods. Being a super polite, interesting, articulate, funny, kind, caring, well adjusted, young man! I am a little sad that he is growing up, the time has flown. I am, however, more excited to see the man he is becoming.!! You Totally Rock DUDE!


Forrest reading a chemistry book he got for his birthday from Auntie,

Large Families get a bad rap!

In the past two days I have read two different articles/letters complaining of large families and the effect they are having on the environment. I take offense. First off, isn't it interesting that a family with 4 children is now considered large? More importantly, where are these people getting their information? The fact of the matter is, large families are more likely to live a "greener" life, if only out of necessity. For instance. Cloth diapers, The environmental reasons for using cloth are obvious. The financial savings are also great, and multiplied by each successive child to use the same cloth diapers. Carbon foot print you say? Well large families are less likely to go gallivanting around town every minute. (we go to town to run errands once per week) We also watch our budget more closely as we have more mouths to feed.Yet I still can feed six for less than $130 per week. This means less extravagant traveling, spending, using, consuming. We are more likely to breastfeed, and for longer durations. We are all about the hand-me-downs. When my family of five lived in the same building as a couple with no children we put out one bag of trash per week to their two or three!We use dish rags, and cloth napkins, and real dishes. Disposable items are a waste of money(and land fill space) We usually eat out less and are more likely to have one parent home full time.This makes finding the time to do the green thing easier. less travel, less spending less consuming.....A smaller carbon foot print! is that possible? Large families don't usually live in those giant mansion like homes. They turn their heat down and put on a sweater, they shut lights off, they even watch less TV! We simply can't afford to. What did i just say? We REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE! Not because it is hip or green but because it is necessary, the rest is just an added benefit. Now studies are saying our children seem to be more well adjusted, than those coming from average, or small families. Children from large families are found to have less illness, and even less chronic disease! The divorce rate is even lower for adults who come from large families. I guess all the arguing is good for something! I have always said having four is easier than having two. you learn to let go and relax. Children become more independent. Please remember, the population is actually declining, not increasing! Who will pay into taxes in the future, taxes that will pay for your social security? Who will grow up to be the doctors, who will take care of you, find a cure to your disease? Who will grow up to be the world leader that bring the change this world must have to survive? The children, my children! You should be congratulating and thanking us, not ridiculing us.

check out this article it's from Brittan but still relevant

Move Over Duggers!!!!!

Here is our extremely effective and efficient way to unload groceries and stock the pantry! Whats gonna work? TEAM WORK!

Food Glorious Food

I just wanted to show off some of the food we have made recently. Besides what is shown here we also tried a new recipe for cheesy bean enchiladas that was phenomenal! I just forgot to take a photo!
Here is the Curried Spinach with Cheesy tofu Paneer. It really tasted like cheese...who knew! The Spinach was a nice bright green but it had to sit in the pan and wait for mike to get home. It was still delicious though!




Here is our yummy kale soup. An old favorite but we used purple potatoes from the farm so i took a pic.


Ok So here are the cinnamon buns. WOW! is all I can say. these could clearly make me fat! It makes exactly 12 so thats 6 for us on Heroes night and 6 to be warmed up in AM.



thats all for now. too hectic to blog! gotta get shit done!

Diapers and Safety

How do you keep your children safe on 186 acres of woods and fields plus make a fashion statement?????




Indigo sitting at our new changing area in the laundry room. It's actually a laundry room/giant pantry with a double stainless sink! AMAZING! the cabinets are rad. Stained different colors. I'm not feeling the faux brick finish but it's just a laundry room. It is working out awesome. dryer is the perfect height to change plus its right off the kitchen. The diaper pail is right next to washer, and when they come out of dryer they get folded right there. Its super!