Homemaker Chronicles

Remember this post I did recently about what foods we’ve been eating since all the snow had kept us cooped up?   In that post I offered to divulge our recipes if anyone requested them and boy was that a winner!
I mean, my inbox was so hoppin’ that Bugs Bunny couldn’t keep up.  Request after request [...]

This is the only picture I took all weekend and it’s of a diapering job that Todd did on Salem while I was out shopping.  I guess I really should have, at a minimum, shown him how to diaper the child before I left.
I pulled down the pants to reveal this.

What tha? Three layers? [...]

Your image of you.  Physically.  How does that affect your relationship with your husband?  I said last week that I wanted to dig deeper into this matter- here it is.
Struggling with self-image is something that I believe every woman has dealt with or will deal with at some point in her life.  Too big in [...]

baby maker!  Even though I think I qualify as an official baby maker, I now officially qualify as a diaper maker!  Would you like to see how easy it is to make your own cloth diapers?
I figured you’d say that, so I prepared a little demo for ya. (applause!)
Step One:  you have to be willing [...]

This weekend I had the privilege of being the photographer for a local church that has a program called “Nehemiah Project”.  Through my lens I saw so many people helping to move a couple out of complete filth and devastation and into a well-groomed, completely stocked apartment.
Here are some of my favorites from the [...]

This picture was used for a website that my husband did for a friend of ours.  I took this picture (which you can see here) in a different form.
I like the more colorful version for this week’s entry.  How about you?

How ’bout those other helping hands at I heart faces? Go see for yourself!

~Angie
Homemaker [...]

Hello ladies!  I was supposed to be hosting F.H.M. but we’ve had internet problems for two days now.
Yack!
Thankfully, my trusty side-kick swooped in for the rescue and you guys will be redirected to the Vine Woman’s lovely post.
Come back here for the Blog Frog discussion though.
Thanks for your patience,
~Angie
Homemaker Chronicles

The fact of the matter is, I don’t know what the heck I am doing when it comes to potty training.  Each child is so very very very different and needs a very very very different approach.  Since I’m no expert, I will just let you guys in on what we did to get our [...]

I decided at the last minute to enter the contest because I thought of this awesome show we went to in the fall.  This is an American Indian Rendezvous that is held each year at a park near our town.  Their costumes are truly amazing and they are very athletic dancers…I mean I was breathing [...]

So…

~Angie
Homemaker Chronicles

It’s Friday again and we’re on the “being his crown” bandwagon…are you?  Last week The Vine Woman did a nice post about what it means to be your husbands crown.  Remember, we are ALREADY his crown, the question is how shiny and beautiful are you sitting up there on your husband’s head?  That’s what this [...]

This mama has been working like the energizer bunny over the last week trying to train my kids how to hold their own with chores around this house.  We have always been pretty good at delving out responsibilities to each child, but since we have acquired a certain toddler…
cough Salem…
it has become quite a [...]

The only reason why winter time is so fantastic is because we can stay inside and bake ALL DAY LONG!  In my opinion anyway. Especially when it’s snowing outside and we live in the smack-dab-center of a state that completely shuts down when a few flurries fall.  (That would be Arkansas, this week, and [...]

In the previous bit of our story, I was wondering if Todd would ever actually ask me to sing with him in our school’s pageant. I was so nervous just thinking that he would walk up out of the blue and pop the question.
But he never did…
However, in January of my senior year Todd [...]

Let’s take a few minutes and discuss this whole “cloth diaper” thing.
First of all it’s going well, thank you.
Salem’s diaper rash* is better although he had yeast breakout yesterday.  Yeast is a whole different monster and has mainly to do with Salem’s eating habits. Which consist mainly of wheat bread, potatoes and graham crackers.
Mmm!!  Yeasty!!
*Salem’s [...]

Alright, I’ve shared my “day in pictures” with you for a long time now. I think it’s YOUR turn to join in! Here are the rules. Pick a day of the week, any day, and post your pictures on your blog. Come back here and link up so we can all [...]

I have been waiting and praying for a while now about what to do with Friday’s Homemaker Moments and I finally have a direction. This is something I’ve wanted to do for a while and even intended on doing in the very beginning of the original F.H.M; helping marriages by encouraging women in their [...]

In the last post, found here, Todd and I had met and had a few encounters, but that was pretty much it. Except that he fell madly in love with me at first sight.
Did I mention that?
On with the story…
On the first day of school of my senior year, Todd and I met up [...]

After a year of studying and hypothesizing, I have finally decided to move ahead with my diapering dilemma!  What was the dilemma again?  Well, I wanted to see what the cost difference is between cloth and disposable diapers.  I know the benefits of using cloth, I know the difficulties of using cloth…I wanted to know [...]

Texture means so many things to me. Depth, feel, believability. I personally think texture, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.
What do you see?

Go see the other great entries at I heart faces!

~Angie
Homemaker Chronicles

I’d love to have another epiphany like I had last winter, but lately it’s just been heads down. I guess that’s why I have this blog- to go back and remember the good and the bad!
I wrote this (below) last year and it did me a lot of good to go back to that [...]

Have you ever heard of cross-fit? It’s the workout that the guys from the movie “300″ did when they were getting ready to film. Wait, I’ve just been corrected. They did Gym Jones that is LIKE cross fit. Sorry…
Yeah, that’s why they could fight like they did, and why Leonidus (actor [...]

The only thing Titan wants to do when he grows up is be a “cookie maker”.  Have I told you this before?  I can’t remember…
He wants to open up his own cookie store and sell his homemade baked goods to the world!  That’s his dream.  (Funny guy)
There is one other dream he aspires to though, [...]

In an effort to be more transparent this year, that is one of my “resolutions” that I hate to call a resolution, but really I have had to sort of resolve to do it because it doesn’t come completely naturally to me…
yeah, you can see this is already hard for me…
Today I am going to [...]

I realize that I am totally neurotic about certain things and then seem to be the polar opposite when it comes to other certain things.  A dichotomy of sorts.  When I have an issue, it’s a real true-blue issue because I really can’t figure out a solution.
Northerners will bust out laughing when they read what [...]

I have thoroughly enjoyed this week’s theme at I heart faces.  There were lots of rules that I hope I didn’t break, but I managed to put together a few pictures for this contest entry that include the I heart faces logo.  (I know that I did not break that rule because all of my [...]

Betcha can’t figure out what Regan got for Christmas…

What about Adia?  Can you take a wild guess what’s under this wrapping paper?

Leave a comment with your guess!
*UPDATED*
Noone guessed what Regan got…which was an American Girl Doll!

She’s has asked for two years in a row and she finally got one.  That’s 100% because it took us [...]

Can YOU guess what Salem got for Christmas?

What about Todd…

…can you figure it out?
Check back for more and the answers later today!
*UPDATED*
Close Katie!  Salem actually got this…

…a slide that looks like a castle. It can also double as a tent if you hide underneath it, say when you’re playing hide and seek for instance, [...]

Can YOU guess what Titan got for Christmas?

*UPDATE*
Katie, you are right!  Titan got a skateboard.  If he could have had one thing in the whole world, it was his very own skateboard.

EASY.
TO.
PLEASE.
(sometimes)
~Angie
Homemaker Chronicles

What do YOU think Caleb got for Christmas?

*UPDATE*
Caleb got this for Christmas!

Now that his staple is out of his head he can resume dangerous activities…except he is required to wear a helmet at all times. Not at all times of the day, just at all times that he has his roller blades on. [...]

Have you been out to my daughter’s blog lately?  Have you followed me on Twitter lately?  You should do at least ONE of those things!  Then you would know that we had quite a week last week.
I consider two days in the ER to be “quite a week” when it falls in the same vicinity [...]

I love to look back and see where we’ve come from, and that’s just what I did.  I looked back at my posts from last year and what were we doing?  Living in Texas and making some great looking brownies!

This evening I decided to make some brownies at the last minute. Luckily I [...]

Outtakes are the greatest ever!  Whenever we rent DVDs I go straight to the Special Features to see if there is a gag reel.  However, still shot outtakes are a little different.  It’s just hard to tell what is actually happening, but I’ll give it a shot anyway.

To laugh your head off, go see the [...]

This is the last F.H.M of the year and the last one of it’s kind (more on that next week).  I have really enjoyed being candid, sharing recipes, talking about kids and the way we raise them and ultimately building our homes.  Today is not going to be about anything I have done though, it’s [...]

As promised, our second annual Christmas song!

Do a little dance…

Make a little JOY…

It’s Christmas time!!

It’s Christmas time!!

Have a Merry Christmas!!

~Angie
Homemaker Chronicles

What is Salem thinking?
Leave a comment with your caption!
~Angie
Homemaker Chronicles

Friends, I want to cut to the chase today.  Frankly it’s been easy for me to get on here each day and go on and on about what my family does…who I am…what we are all about.  And honestly, it’s great to be able to share the good things about us, to point out the [...]

(sing with me)   …so I can, so I caaan…
See Christmas lights!!!
If you glanced at my sidebar then you already know that Friday’s Homemaker Moments is going to be a fun one because we’ll be sharing our favorite Christmas flicks.
Do you have one in mind??
I couldn’t wait to tell you guys that *spoiler alert* one of [...]

Since this year is extremely tight on funds, I decided to do a digital Christmas card instead of the usual photo mail outs.  This was a tough decision, but it was necessary in order for us to, you know, buy food and clothing!  It wasn’t all that bad though.  I did thoroughly enjoy taking the [...]

This time, I’m curious to know what is the most popular Christmas tree topper in the world!  Muuuwah-ha-ha-ha!!
Alright, I’ll settle for the most popular Christmas tree topper among my readers, but you have to vote in order to satisfy my curiosity.  You do know what I mean by Christmas tree topper, right?  That thing that [...]

Boy are you in for a treat today!  I have a surprise up my sleeve and it has nothing to do with Cameras- which is what my sidebar said the topic for F.H.M. was going to be.  Instead of cameras we will be talking about Christmas traditions…can I get a round of applause?  Because I [...]

Scene: The bathroom at Corky’s Bar-B-Q restaurant after eating a gigantore meal!
Adia:  “Mom, pull my pants down.  I gotta go poddy!”
Me:  “Okay baby, go right here in this middle stall.”
Adia:  “Who is in here with us mama?”
Me:  “Nobody sweetie…just go in the stall.”
Adia:  while sitting on the toilet, “Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all da [...]

You have seen that my kids can sing, but did you know they play instruments too?

We are a bit of a musical family- more than two generations back- so they came by it honestly.
My parents met in college, in the band.  Dad played trombone and mom played baritone.
How dorky is that? Sweet though!

While I was [...]

Actually, it is HER birthday.  Was her birthday.  Saturday.  The 5th, I mean.  Adia’s birthday, that is.
ADIA’S BIRTHDAY WAS LAST SATURDAY.  Wow that was hard to get out!
She is this many…

and we ate this…

(Salem at the most)

but only after daddy helped do this…

Daddy had to step in because evidently singing Happy Birthday to a sweet [...]

Welcome to Friday’s Homemaker Moments!  Today I need to know how you have saved money on Christmas gifts in the past or even so far this year?  Did you come with a great Christmas sale to pass along? Do you have an exemplary gift idea that costs little to nothing?  Bring it on [...]

UPDATED—–
12/5/09
I have actually cooled off a little bit since writing the below post.  Evidently I was in a frenzy that night…forgive me?  What I’d really live to convey, if anyone can excuse my prior irrational behavior, is that I truly feel for the Woods family.  I don’t harbor anger, I am not appalled, bitter or [...]

In the exact order that it happened…

What would you title this story? Leave me a comment with your suggestion!
~Angie
Homemaker Chronicles

It’s a great day.
It’s reveal time…are you ready?
I generated a random number and here are the results!  Random.org generated #6 which is code for
MommaBug!!!
You’re the winner of Jenny’s wonderful alphabet art!!  Email me within 3 days to claim your prize, you sweet momma you.  (angie @ homemakerchronicles dot com-  P.S.  I love your blog!)
For those [...]

(by the way, those are not bloody turkeys…they are each of our hand prints cut out from cookie dough, baked, and decorated to look like a turkey. Supposedly.)

You all are here because of the giveaway, right?
I hope so!  It’s Black Friday and there are deals coming out our noses!
I told you I was going to have one and you’re gonna LOVE it!  These are custom art designs by Jenny.

She calls it “alphabet art”.  Isn’t that fun?
She takes pictures of these letters (because [...]

Hopefully everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving filled with lots of feasting, games, and tradition.  I can still taste that sweet ham and the smell the yeast from the bread.  Although, my stomach is hating me right now…not because the food was horrible, but because I ate so much of the food.
Wanna see?  (Don’t worry, [...]

I would like to interview myself today.  No, I am not going crazy and I certainly haven’t had too much turkey…yet.  I just want to answer a few questions for you that I know you’ve been burning to have answered!  Let’s get movin’, there is green bean casserole to stuff in my mouth.
Angie, what is [...]

Thanksgiving is around the corner and I have been thinking long and hard about what I am thankful for this year.  Of course there is the generic family, friends and food.  Or even the obvious, health and happiness.  But I want to get really specific this year.  While those things are great and truly blessings [...]

…and the winner of the Recipes from the Country Kitchen cookbook is…
……………………………………..drum roll……………………………………….
Holly from Holly-now more than ever!
Congratulations Holly!  (Email me and I’ll tell you how to get your new cookbook)  Now, y’all go over and give Holly a little comment love on her wonderful blog.
If you are wishing it could have been you that [...]

Today, and today only, I am offering a giveaway to my readers that means quite a bit to me.  My grandma, who died at a fairly young age, was quite the homemaker.  She cooked and baked from scratch (churning her own butter and grinding her own flour), she sewed, played and taught piano, had a [...]

More from last weekend…

Um…yeah…so, I had a really fun weekend- last weekend.  I am cherishing it because it won’t happen again for another five years!
~Angie
Homemaker Chronicles

Check out more bright and shiny pictures here…

~Angie
Homemaker Chronicles

Here we go!  This Friday’s Homemaker Moment is going to make you hungry because you are going to read about some mouth-watering foods.  So grab a healthy snack and have a seat while you read today!
My first fall recipe is a dessert:  Friendly Zucchini Bread.
The great thing about this sweet bread is that it yields [...]

The relationship among brothers is fun to watch.  Especially with these two…

Salem on the left (18 months old, present day) and Caleb on the right (at 18 months old).  I am of the persuasion that they favor.  It was hard to decide who Salem looked like when he was born, but as he grows older [...]

If you’ve been hanging around Homemaker Chronicles long enough you know that I am prone to posting pictures. That’s because I take so many pictures.  One could even say it’s a little obsessive, overboard, or even unconscionable (thank you Webster Thesaurus online).
No really, it’s okay- I can admit it too!
To make my obsession [...]

Relaxation?

Football game?

Beautiful scenery?

Well, I would vote “yes” to all of those…and I’d add a few more to the list.
Great marching bands at half time of the Razorback game…

Not having to keep up with five children in the midst of 75,000 other people…

Taking pictures of Big Red (the mascot) while he takes pictures of me…

Camping, but [...]

…this is funny a small crisis.
This weekend, my children are splitting up among 3 homes while Todd and I go away (leaving early Sat. morning) and I have a small crisis.  It’s not really THAT big of a deal, but it IS a deal.  You see, the kids will all be attending a church service, [...]

…the PRICE IS RIGHT!!
If you are a nursing mama, about to be a nursing mama, will ever be a nursing mama, or know someone who is, about to be or will ever be a nursing mama, be don’t miss this great deal!  (Whew…that sentence wore me out!)
Free nursing covers from Udder Covers.  Yep…tested and true!  [...]

As you saw Sunday in my pictures, we had some friends come to visit for the weekend.
Friends is an understatement…they are more like family to us.
Have you ever met another family that you just clicked with…you don’t have to try to get along…both parents and kids get along  perfectly?  I remember when I first met [...]

Adia:  Knock knock
Me:  Who’s there?
Adia:  Poo Poo
Me:  Poo poo who?
Adia:  With a banana!!!
(then she bursts out with wild laughter)
***
“Gimme five!!”  You’ve all said this and then held out your hand to a little person to let them slap you with some five.  Adia likes us to do it this way though.
Gimme five.
Up high.  (hand held [...]

As you might have wondered some of these are not my children. Although, they could be…we love them like they’re ours! More on all that later…
Oh, and if you ever want to add your weekend pictures here too, please leave a comment with a link to your blog. I quit doing MckLinky [...]

What do you need?  As a mother, wife, business woman, home maker, teacher, or all of the above?  What is your biggest need?  This question comes from the thought that while we spend much of our time giving and doing for our families, we also NEED some things too.  Today I am [...]

It’s always interesting to learn about people’s differing opinions.  Don’t you think?
Specifically, I love getting to know how moms feel about immunizing their children.  My personal opinion has changed over the course of 10 years.  Would you like to know what it is?
Okay, but only if you beg…
Oh alright…STOP IT already!  Of course I’ll tell [...]

Okay, no laughing.  This is a serious post.  And I have to talk quietly or else he’ll hear.
Psst…I think there’s something wrong with Todd.  Look at what he did to the kids…

Poor guys- they have facial hair!!  They look utterly humiliated don’t they?  Just completely mortified.
I think Todd seriously needs some intervention.  He [...]

First of all, I just want to thank those of you who come out here to post a comment or to write your own post and link back here…it really blesses me that you participate in this each week.  Friday’s Homemaker Moments is for you…the wonderful readers.  My vision is for F.H.M. to go viral [...]

How many people listen to music while cooking or cleaning the house?  Take this quick poll…

Alright, now once you take the poll, tell me this…what are your favorite songs to listen to, if you are one that listens to songs while cleaning and cooking.  I would also love it if you left me a comment [...]

Me:  Alright, alright, you can dress up and play Halloween this year.
Kids: Really?  Yessss!
Me:  But we’re all going to be Native American Indians…and no arguing.
Simultaneously-
Titan:  But I want to be a ninja.
Caleb:  Why can’t I be Venom?
Regan:  Sweet!  Can I wear feathers and a dress?
Adia:  I’m cute
Me:  I respect all your good ideas and they [...]

This area of our country (Arkansas) is so beautiful this time of year.  When that fall breeze blows the leaves fall like snow from the turning trees,  it feels like an appropriate introduction to winter.  And the leaves…oh, the leaves.  They don’t just turn brown and fall to the ground.  NO, they turn all different [...]

A while back I learned, actually when we only had two kids I learned that cooking food all at once is so very helpful for our family.  I don’t know what the real name for this is, but I call it bulk cooking.  Maybe it is or can be helpful for yours too!
Here’s how it [...]

Friday’s Homemaker Moments is a time when we can all share our ideas and opinions.  Today is no different and I sure hope you’ll share.  I am seriously having a hard time getting into fall this year because I just don’t find it as wonderful as I do summertime.
Will you fall-lovers help me out?
I don’t [...]

Don’t you just want to take these little blue-eyed matching people home with you?

I do.
Wait…
I did.
~Angie

The story of my life lately is “up late and blogging”.  If I’m not writing a post, editing photos, or networking with other bloggers then I’m being wife and mom.  The latter actually DOES take precedent and I am fully aware that it should
thankyouverymuch!
I’m not sure if you’re aware of this great little button [...]

I’ll bet none of you figured out that the Pumpkin Patch was where we had been!  Yeah, cause it wasn’t obvious from this picture that I posted yesterday
that we had been collecting pumpkins.  Of course these are not all ours…this is just what we had to pick from.
In honor of the pumpkin patch outing, I [...]

Surely you guys have heard Little Bunny Foo Foo?  You know how he was walking through the forest, picking up the field mice and bopping them on the head?  Well, along came the good fairy and she said, “Little Bunny Foo Foo, I don’t want to see you picking up the field mice and bopping [...]

My mom and I “ran” the race for the cure this weekend…it was our first time!!
More than anything else, I was amazed at the amount of people that were there (around 50,000) in Little Rock.  I was also amazed at the amount of non-racer supporters that participated- like these guys…

(My I heart faces entry)
Believe it [...]

This Friday’s Homemaker Moments is dedicated to learning more about a woman’s role in her home.  God made each of us unique and each of us uniquely in our homes.  So it’s not going to look the same for you as it is for me, but I love to learn from other moms and wives.  [...]

I don’t consider myself a parenting expert, but these are some things that have worked for our five children…so take it or leave it!!
Advice for parents of children that are any age:  Basically, turn your “do not”s into “do”s.
Instead of making rules using the word “don’t”, trying exchanging that for things they can do.  [...]

This is the way we find good deals

find good deals

find good deals

This is the way we find good deals

for Regan

at the Goodwill!

You know how I completely misguided you last week when I posted about the first Wednesday of the month being half off at Goodwill stores?  Yeah, sorry about that. I thought that was [...]

How many of you guys like home remedies, do it yourself projects and kids who like to make messes?
Me too!
Then you’re going to LOVE this post!!
The remedies are more like grandma’s secrets that you’ve probably already heard of, but I thought I would point them out, you know, just in case. Plus, with the [...]

That’s an oxymoron if I’ve ever heard one!   Although, that’s exactly what we did this weekend.  Let me back up and tell you the whole story.
We were invited to a family campout to be held last Friday night.  It was going to be in the front yard of a family who has over 32 acres, [...]

My I heart faces entry for Excited week is of Adia.  This is only hours after I had found her in her room with my haircutting scissors and lots of blond hairs clumped on the floor.
Yep, she had cut a nice straight line, right above her ear and all the way to the back of [...]

Kids just have their own language sometimes and thank goodness that as moms we are great translators and even better communicators!  That is what today is all about…translating the Kid Speak and us moms speaking in a way that kids understand.  What are some funny, zany and just down right hilarious things that your kids [...]

Food…it’s so good isn’t it?  Each turn of the season makes me think of all kinds of foods and this week has been no different what with all the cool weather and rain we are getting here in Arkansas.  I’m not much of a fall person…I mean it’s pretty and all, but I’m a summer [...]

I love to have fun and be silly.  It is in my blood to make jokes about everything and be sarcastic constantly.  While I hope that no one is ever offended by my extreme comments (and believe me- lately they have been), please know that this blog is for fun… mainly.  When it’s not used [...]

You know your boys have watched too much Star Wars when everything in our natural lives reminds them of Jango Fett.  Even paper towel packages…

Mr. Fett was a bounty hunter in the popular movies, and my boys are just a little bit in love with said films…actually there love is for the Wii game- [...]

According to Proverbs 14:1a, “a wise woman builds her house”.  We are sharing with each other how we have built our houses this week.  Not with brick or materials, but with wisdom.
A few wise things I’ve done this week include:  leaving Adia in her panties to take a nap after forgetting to take her to [...]

Have you ever felt like you knew what you were supposed to do, but because of something someone else thought you questioned what you KNEW you were supposed to do?
Don’t.
Stand your ground…if you know that you know. (This is the proverb)
If you don’t know that you know, then that person might be sent to persuade [...]

There was an old woman who lived in a shoe
She had so many children, and her name was Angie…
As unexpected as reading the end of that verse probably was to you, that’s equally how unexpected having “so many children” is to me.  I never thought while growing up that I would actually have five children [...]

While you were sleeping I couldn’t resist
You looked so peaceful yet somewhat of a contortionist

From around your pacifier drool was flowing profusely
While behind your head were hands tucked so cutely

I’m sure you will wonder as older you’re getting
How mom always captured moments while you were sleeping

~Angie
Homemaker Chronicles

After a couple of weeks of fun, I decided to take it down a notch.  No more fun.
Nosirree!
Today is serious stuff…I’ll try to contain myself for a couple of minutes!
Who is God to you?  Interpret as you will, but leave a comment or link up from your blog with your interpretation.
I read several great posts [...]

I love thinking about “the first time I ever did _____” fill in the blank.  Reminiscing is so much fun…don’t you think?  That’s why I do posts on “firsts” and this week brings about several of them.
Starting with the seasons.
Y’all know it’s officially fall, right?  If you didn’t, it is.  I do believe yesterday was [...]

Today was the annual Fair Parade, which precedes the County Fair, here in central Arkansas. This parade is a big deal in our town (wouldn’t you agree friends?) I can’t say that I go every year, but I was feeling frisky today and decided to take our 5 kids, along with my niece, [...]

Whatever the heck that means.  I’m sure it’s a grandma term…meaning a wonderful grandma was probably making homemade pudding years ago and came up with a clever way to tie that into her everyday life to use as an example while teaching her grand-kids.
Just a theory.
Let us start with the proof.  I have proof that [...]

I love this category!  Mostly because every picture I take is somewhat candid since I’m not a professional and I can’t get anyone to sit still long enough for me to take any non-embarrassing pictures of them!  Thus, my entry for this week.

This is Me Mo during a bubble-blowing contest at our birthday parties back [...]

After reading my badge up there I will have to confess that I’ve moved a little ways away from “building my house” topics for Friday’s Homemaker Moments.  Sorry about that.  I hope that you are playing along, in your mind if not right here in person!  I figure, we need some outside of the box [...]

Am I the only person who has:

mopped up throw up from the hallway to the bathroom and then more on the outside of the toilet…not on the inside of the toilet, mind you…all on the outside of it.
picked up a trail of poop pellets from the front door to the living room that led me, [...]

Has anyone ever played that game Mad Gab?  It’s the one where you hold up a card that has a bunch of words strung together to make a phrase.  When the guesser first reads it, the phrase sounds like gibberish, but as the phrase is repeated over and over it becomes clear as to [...]

Does anyone know what tomorrow is??  I am sure you have lots of great things to classify tomorrow under, but I have a special category of my own to place tomorrow in!  It’s my BLOGIVERSARY!!
Can you believe it’s been a whole year since my first post?  I think I’ve come a long way in discovering [...]

Adia’s hair is officially short.

The pool is officially closed.

Adia is officially being potty trained.

Summer is officially over.

I am officially sad.
***
The story of Adia’s hair cut goes like this.
I had cut her hair to a very cute and pixie-looking style last Thursday.  The front was just about to her chin and the back was stacked, but [...]

This week’s theme is contemplative and boy do I have some contemplative people in my family.  It was hard to pick just one picture, but this was the most recent.  This is Caleb staring me down while wondering why his younger brother keeps pestering him.

He just looks so defeated!
Titan loves to jump on Caleb and [...]

After a few “serious” weeks I thought we should go a little more light-hearted for Homemaker Moments.  And being that it is fruity pa-tooty week, why not involve fruit?  Today, give a little thought to what kind of fruit you are.  Once you figure that out, leave a comment or a link to your own [...]

Yes, yes.   It’s still Fruity pa-tooty week here at Homemaker Chronicles.  I know you all are ecstatic about that…just like me!    I can tell by the onslaught of comments and guesses as to what I was working on yesterday. (wink…wink)
This is the third day in a row that I’ve had something involving fruit [...]

Continuing on with Fruity Pa-Tooty today guys and dolls!  In case you’re new this week, I’m not normally so giddy.  I truly just can’t get enough of the soaring temperatures, sun beating down while I sit outside, and the FRUIT.  We are going fruit-bonkers today and I betcha can’t guess what I will be using [...]

Fruit week is here!!!  Yeah!!
What tha heck is fruit week, you ask?  Good question!  It is a week of making fruity desserts, breads, crafts and such.
Why is it fruit week, you ask?  Because I’m already having summer withdrawals!  I love summer time and I’m not ready to let it go.  I’m holding on for dear [...]

Dear blog readers,
Today marks a turning point in my life.  Yes, you are here to witness this attempt at a change.  It’s a change that has been needed for quite a while and I have honestly been putting it off far too long.
I just can’t do it anymore!
Involving you is my cry for help and [...]

Good evening to all of you readers!
I was pondering this morning how different all the kids in the world are.  Even within my own brood each one is just so different.  They might have some similar facial expressions, the same color eyes, and even the same chubby cheeks, but their personalities and abilities span a [...]

Got my chair…

Got my remote…

Life is good!!

I wonder who he has seen doing this??
~Angie
Homemaker Chronicles

You know those fun picture games?  Don’t you?
I remember passing time in the waiting room at the pediatrician’s clinic trying to find that goofy-looking guy in the red and white shirt?  Or, if we were on a church trip to who-knows-where, somebody would inevitably bring a Waldo book along.  A great way to pass the [...]

~Angie
Homemaker Chronicles

This week I wanted to give everyone an opportunity to share their week in a nutshell.  Did anything in particular stand out…did you do anything extra special…was it your first week of school…are you already Christmas shopping?  I just love to hear about other people’s experiences.  So here’s your chance!
I had a great week.
Last week, [...]

Do you know the difference between organic and conventional foods or organic and all natural foods?  Riiight…
Of course I know ALL ABOUT that.  I mean, I’m an expert at this stuff.  I spent 6 years at Harvard studying food nutrition.  Plus, I got my Masters in organic farming.
Not really. 
But I did do a [...]

Yes, one could label me a coffee snob
No, I do not take cream or sugar
No, I do not want ice
No, I do not want syrups
Yes, I like it Extra Bold
Yes, Starbucks is my favorite
Yes, I am thrilled at the new way to receive a free cup of joe from said coffee company
Yes, I would love [...]

I am not one to try to tell people what to do.  Unless you are one of my kids, or if you have the wrong opinion of something, or if I disagree with you or if you make me mad.  Other than that, I just do not partake in it.
I don’t. Well, not all the [...]

This week’s theme over at I heart faces is…Nostalgia.  Define that please?

Nostalgia: a wistful or excessively sentimental yearning for return to or of some past period or irrecoverable condition.
This picture invokes such nostalgia in me as I gaze upon it in the latter summer months.
(First of all, look how little my girls are!  Wow…how time [...]

Have you ever wondered what my kids and I do on rainy days?  Well, wonder no more!! I’m going to tell you.
We sew some puppets and have a show.
See??

We also pretend that our legs, fingers, ribs and cheeks are food and play like we are hungry.  I attack the kids with my mouth like I’m [...]

Yesterday a couple of you guessed it.  The photo riddle was revealing that Todd and I are writing a book!
What’s that?  You want to know what it’s about?
Well, of course I can’t tell you everything about it, but I will say that it is dealing with our experiences as a large family.  The focus is [...]

My best friend does this thing on her blog, it’s called “Not me Monday”, but I have never participated.
Not really.
She’s not my best friend.
She’s not even my friend.
I love her blog, but she doesn’t know who in the world I am.  I just like to pretend that we are friends.  Her kids [...]

A Photo Riddle…

Any guesses as to what’s going on here?
Do you have a “My day in Pictures” post you want to share?  Link up here…

~Angie
Homemaker Chronicles

The day has come, ladies, to discuss our Post Baby Bodies.  Do you have issues with your body, post baby?  Are you actively trying to lose weight?  Do you care?  Do you need therapy?
Let’s dish!
For me, pregnancy has always stirred up my metabolism.  It gets insanely high and really helps me keep weight off while [...]

It seems like everytime we go out to eat as a family we turn lots of heads.  I am not sure if they are ”ahhh, what a cute family” looks or if they are like, “what tha heck are they thinking” looks.  Todd loves it when people watch us get out of the car because he thinks it [...]

How many people out there actually make their own baby food?  I loved making food for Titan and Adia when they were toothless, but Salem sort of just skipped baby food and went straight to table food. 
Oh, by the way, Salem isn’t nursing anymore.  One day he quit trying to rip off my shirt and actually [...]

I wasted an hour of my life watching this magnificently stupid show, “Toddlers and Tiaras”, the other night and it made me realize that my girls could totally win one of those baby pageants! The emcee of the pageant began by describing each sweet little girl as they pranced about the stage in [...]

If I were ever going to put a silly face picture on my blog I’m pretty sure you guys would already know who it would be of.
Caleb…
He’s the silliest face kid ever!  Here is the one I’m entering in the contest at

There ya go!  Go over and see the other ones.
~Angie
Homemaker Chronicles

Homemaker Moments Friday.  It’s time ladies (and gentlemen) to talk about building up our households and how we fulfill our roles.  Are you ready?  This week’s theme is:  Home School or Public.  Do you have an opinion, a story, some input, some advice?
I do.
I love home schooling my children.  It’s fulfilling.  It’s good times.  But [...]

Let’s see how observant some of you are…
You may have noticed on my sidebar that I changed Salem’s nickname from “Chubby” to “Monster Baby”.  That’s because Adia screams and runs through the house saying “Help!!  It’s the Monster Baby!”.  That usually means she was playing with a toy and Salem was going to try and gank [...]

…CALEB!!

The boy is 9 years old today!
I would like to honor Caleb with a little poetry.
I hope you never forget the days when you wanted to be a scientist

You loved to dress up in your finest

Mom’s hugs were cool

and summer’s were spent by the pool

you had dimples so deep

and a smile so sweet

I hope [...]

Contrary to popular belief, the house I live in does not even come close to being nominated for the trashiest place on Earth.  That place would actually be the City Landfill.  Which is where I took the kids on a field trip last week.
“The landfill?”, you ask, “Isn’t that…uh…gross?”.
Well, yes.  It is gross.  But we didn’t [...]

You may, or you may not, know that parts of my family took a little venture into New Mexico territory.  Aye yaye yaye!
It was a long drive- about 12 hours down.  Of course with kids and a dog we had to stop more than if it were just say Todd and me.  Which we are [...]

I was bouncing with joy from the comments left last week.  It was great to have such a variety of ideas as to what helping your husband looks like in your homes.  You all are very witty, smart, wonderful wives!
As far as this week goes, we won’t be getting that deep.  Unless you are up [...]

Blog Hop Monday’s theme- Favorite Kid’s photo…
This is my current favorite picture of Adia! It’s totally her personality.

Then there is this one. My favorite girls pic…

Here’s my favorite Salem pic…

of Titan…

of Caleb alone…

and of Regan and Caleb…

You should have known I couldn’t just pick ONE favorite Kid’s photo!!
Join the MckLinky blog hop for your chance [...]

Alrighty folks.  It’s here!  Homemaker Moments Friday: Helping your husband.  Let’s get started!
I am passionate about helping my husband.  Why?  Because I am his gift.  Yes, yes, he is my gift as well, but for now let’s focus on the “I am his gift” portion.
I have quoted this verse before  in this post.  1 Corinthians [...]

Seriously, the pounds are returning.  Except they are in the form of cellulite!!  HELP!
I really don’t like talking about diets and working out because I think each lady should have her own individual routine that suits her own personal life.  Besides, each one of our bodies is different and unique.  Each one requires it’s own [...]

Survivorman is a show on the Discovery Chanel that is all about how to survive if you found yourself in a situation where you were stranded.  This is Todd’s most favoritest show EVER!  He started watching it via Netflix when we lived in Texas and now we watch it almost biweekly!  It shows us everyday [...]

Today, Homemaker Moments Friday, the theme is “Your Wedding Story”.
This is a very special day for Todd and I…
As of 6:30 pm today we’ve been married for 10 years!!
In some ways it’s gone by fast, you know FIVE kids later.  In some ways it seems like an eternity.  We surely have learned so much about [...]

After considering all the wonderful advice I received on this post the other day, I have come up with a solution to my son’s soy satisfaction.  Let me pause and take this moment to thank each one of you that gave such great advice.  I appreciate everyone’s perspective and I think each mom has their [...]

You all know how I took the “NO TRASH” challenge for the month of July.  Well it’s been going well according to my standards.  However, if the trash police came to my house each day they might not think so.
We have honestly gone from taking the trash out about twice a day (in the kitchen [...]

~Angie
Homemaker Chronicles

I love this shot of my boys playing football in the yard.  I REALLY love Salem’s face.

He looks…uh…worried!
Heck, I would be too if I was the only thing between a football and 3 big dudes.
I’ve never entered a pet challenge, but I decided to this week because I found this great profile shot of Liza [...]

Homemaker Moments Friday is day that is devoted to talking about how we fulfill our roles as wives, mothers, teachers, workers, and everything else we do!  It’s a lofty role that comes with a lot of responsibility, sweat and tears…and sometimes blood.
Today’s Homemaker Moments Friday theme is:  The best time you’ve ever had with your [...]

Salem is winding down his nursing.  By that I mean, he isn’t nursing much these days.  Back to Angie’s body as usual.  I’m not sure I’m liking the way that’s shaping up, but oh well.  It is what it is…right?  Maybe I’ll run a marathon or do some aerobics or just take a walk every [...]

and rocks…

and rocks…

and gets down…

and gets back up…

and rocks some more.

SALEM ROCKS!!
***
Homemaker Moments Friday theme is:  The best time you’ve ever had with your husband.  Be it a date, a trip, alone or with the kids.  Whip out your stories for Friday!

~Angie
Homemaker Chronicles

Todd has wanted an iphone since before he was born.  I’m not sure what it is about those things, but it makes men feel like MEN!  I’m pretty sure his phone is his best friend (after me of course).
It understands him…like when he speaks into the microphone and it automatically Googles.
It’s always available…as long as [...]

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”.

“And God said, ‘Let there be light’, and there was light”.

“And God said, ‘Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water.’…And so it was”.

“And God said, ‘Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground [...]

Thank you to all who let me know that they are enjoying Themes for Homemaker Moments Friday.  That was helpful and I’m happy to stay we’ll be sticking with themes for the time being.
On the docket for this week is the ever-interesting Haiku poem.  Are you ready?
I am.
With these kids all day
To-do list getting bigger
cooking, [...]

Baby Legs is having a fun little contest through July 8th.  Go on over and check it out TODAY and grab a chance to win your own pair of Independence Day Baby Legs wear!!
***
For the first time, our family fellowship is in the form of a fish-fry for the Fourth.  (say that 5 times fast!)
What [...]

I realize that going green is hard work.  Or more accurately it just takes some extra effort.  I don’t usually shy away from something just because it’s more effort.  Actually, I welcome things that are more difficult just to push myself and those around me.  I want to be capable of enduring things even when [...]

I put this onesie on Salem in the morning.

I found Salem like this in the evening.

Foreshadowing?
I should have known,what with all the paint we’ve had around over the last week, that he was bound to stumble upon an unmanned, yet completely full, tray.
The world is his dinner plate.
***
This Friday, for Homemaker Moments, here at Homemaker [...]

When we actually lived here, the house looked like this…

and this…

Then…
We moved out…
We rented it out…
They moved out…
and now it looks like this…

and this…

FOR RENT!!

Let’s get down to business.  Theme weeks have not been going so well, now have they?  So, I’m taking a poll.  Which of you are enjoying doing things in themes and which of you do not?  Leave a comment or send me an email (angie@homemakerchronicles.com) and let me know.  Afterall, this is not ONLY for [...]

You guys need to pay a visit to the Homemaking Cottage Blog found here.
Shiloah Baker is doing a series on “Mothers with large families” and it is fantastic!!  Not to mention that I’m featured on this page today.
But that’s not why it’s fantastic. (grin)
***
Don’t forget that tomorrow’s Homemaker Moment’s Theme is: your best summer story.  [...]

30 years
years gone by so fast
sagging old wrinkly wiser
get used to the fact
by Angie
***
Yes, I’m 30 years old now.
I have accepted that.
The thing that is hard for me though is that I feel like I should be wiser or more experienced.  I was expecting Monday to be the day that I stepped over that threshold [...]

Isn’t my husband ROCKIN’?? He clipped some of Regan’s little braided fake hair pieces into his hair and I snapped his picture. It looks like he has a rat tail- I wish he really did!!
Business in the front…party in the back!!
~Angie
Homemaker Chronicles

Alright guys and dolls.  It’s another theme week here at Homemaker Chronicles.  This week we are showing off our beautiful families.  It’s photo week!  And, if you haven’t noticed, I love taking pictures!!  I have just a few family photos to show off.
I chose this one because…

…because we are all dressed up and that is [...]

HAPPY

BIRTH

DAY

TO

YOU

CHA CHA CHA…

HAPPY

BIRTH

DAY

TO

YOU

CHA CHA CHA

HAPPY

BIRTH

DAY

DEAR

SALEM and DADDY

HAAAAAAPPY

BIIIIIIIIRTH

DAAAAAAAAAAAY

TOOOOOOOOOOO

YOUUUUUUUUUUUU

CHA

CHA

CHAAAAA!!!!
~Angie
Homemaker Chronicles

Whilst out and about, I am constantly asked, “where did you get these towheads”.  I actually had to Google that term cause I’d never heard of it.  Well, justincase you didn’t know, the word “tow” comes from the fiber of flax, hemp, or jute, prepared for spinning.   These fibers are light-colored, and so towhead can [...]

This week at I heart faces it’s Sepia Tone week.  I love this picture of Salem just chillin’ on the rocks at a park in Texas.  I had to use his long-sleeved onesie as sunblock that day.  He just looks so cool and so cute at the same time! My favorite part of the [...]

This is the second week to have a theme for Homemaker Moments.  If you have no idea what I’m talking about go here for a brief explanation of Homemaker Moments.
If you’re on board for another fun theme week, then break out your “Favorite Salad Recipes” today!!
…and if you have a fun story to go along [...]

This week has been wall-to-wall going non-stop.  And I like it!  I’m just so sorry for people like my husband who have to get up at the same time every day, go into the office and SIT.  That’s all.  Just sitting for hours.  (Sorry Babe.)
Uh, can you say….Booooorrring!
God knows me better than to coop me [...]

My dad used to always ask my brother and I, “Do you know what I learned in Sunday school?
Of course we would answer, “What?”.
Then he’d always reply, “Shaaaaring!”.
There were two reasons for his asking this:  1)  we had something he wanted, like candy  and 2)  he’s weird…in a good way!  Nevertheless, we always shared whatever [...]

Did you ever have to endure those elementary school classes that would inevitably ask you to write an essay on “where will I be in 5 years” (or 10 years)?  It seemed like after summer vacation was over and we were back to school, every teacher seemed to think we’d had an epiphany about our [...]

Everything is changing here at Homemaker Moments Fridays!!  Well, not everything, but some things are.  This week begins the first Homemaker Moments Theme.  What’s the theme?
This week’s theme is “Firsts”.  What have you done for the first time this week that goes along with our overall theme of fulfilling your role in your home?
For me [...]

Can you believe my baby is 11 months old?  And he’ll be 1 year old in a few weeks??  WOOOOWWWW….
I know you saw pictures of when he was first pulling up to standing…and then a video of him standing…and of course there’s always the screeching eel.
But I don’t think you’ve seen THIS yet…I think you’ll [...]

I’ve never had a green thumb.  And by “never had” I mean that I’ve killed every living thing that has the potential to have roots, flowers, leaves, branches, and the like.
All that to say, that it’s quite a miracle that this is taking place in the backyard!
Introducing…our three week old garden…

Okra…

Onions…

The beans actually sprouted up [...]

It’s Birthday week at I Heart Faces.   June is a great month for Birthdays in our household…considering Todd and Salem share one on the 18th, mine is 4 days later, and Regan’s is 4 days after that.  Also, my dad’s, cousin’s and uncle’s are also in the month of June.  Whew!!
Anyway, I chose a pic [...]

You know the drill…unless you’re new here.  In which case I’ll explain.
Homemaker Moments is every Friday here at the Homemaker Chronicles dot com!  This is where we talk about how we have fulfilled our role in our homes over the past week.  Whether it’s worth bragging about or worth sweeping under the rug, this is [...]

I’ve spent the past two days trying to figure out a way to make my parents more comfortable with our kids being around their pool this summer.  Of course it’s horrible to think of what could happen if one of them were to fall in and couldn’t swim to the edge.
So far we have padlocks [...]

Even on the rainy days, He is in everything!

*UPDATE*
Okay, let’s try this again!!!  Maybe nobody finds this fun…and if that’s the case, okay, I hear you!  But I just wanted to give it one more shot because I’d love to give away some Baby Legs!!! But if y’all aren’t game…fine by me…I’ll keep them for myself.  wink wink
Original Post:
Quote of the day:  “There’s [...]

Another week; another Homemaker Moments Friday!
A wise woman builds her house”,  Proverbs 14:1a  How have you been building your house this week?  What goes on behind closed doors in your world?  How are you fulfilling your role in your home?
Take some time to spill the beans…right here…for Homemaker Moments Friday!!  Oh and tell your friends [...]

I was thinking…what if I were held at gunpoint and told to choose five things to take along with me (and my family) to a deserted island?
What would I take?
This could very well happen…you just never know what tomorrow holds.  I’m sure there is someone lurking about watching my family and wants to drop me [...]

The Big Dam Bridge… (stop cussing at me!)
That is seriously what it’s called here in our State’s capital.
I feel guilty even saying that to my kids, but oh well.   It’s Big…it’s a Dam…and it’s a Bridge.  Whoever came up with this title could probably picture all of the parents trying to explain to their children [...]

I am so thankful for those that participate in this each week.  It means a lot to me and I really learn a lot from all those who give insight.  Thanks a bunch!
You can be a part too…”you” as in “you who haven’t ever been involved in what we do here each Friday”.  Homemaker Moments [...]

Anybody out there have a 15-24 month old?  Anybody have trouble getting your 15-24 month old to do what you say?  (Pssst…this is where I am going to offer a nugget of free advice on training that sweet delinquent!)
Well, look no further.  I have a wonderful training tip for you!  (By the way, I have [...]

Joys of Spring
Nothing is safe now
Led by natural instinct
Wriggle hop squirm squeak
by Angie
That’s right…I brought back the Haiku today!  In honor of Springtime and all things slimy and slithering.  Around here it’s daily that I am asked for a jar to put some poor living creature in.  I have just quit throwing away anything plastic [...]

Join me for some role-fulfilling fun!  Homemaker Moments is here every Friday to give other women the opportunity to link up and talk about our experiences throughout the week in fulfilling our roles at home.  Whether you’ve done great or you’ve totally bombed it just feels good to know let it all out.  Blog Therapy!
This [...]

This verse in the bible, “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it” sometimes puzzles me.  What is the way a child should go?  Which way?  Is the way different for each child?  Each family?  Is it specific?  Does God ordain such [...]

Since I was deathly sick yesterday and still quite green today – and no, not the swine flu…I know what you’re thinking!- I thought I’d spare you all pictures of the bed and the toilet (which is where I was MOST of the day!).
It just so happens that I have some great shots from our [...]

Truthfully, I’m a little leery of Fridays now since I had a total blogBUST a couple of Fridays ago.  So, here’s hoping this week will return lots of great stories and Homemaker Moments!!
Join in the occasion as we write and read about how we fulfilled our roles this week.  Whether it was a totally wacked-out [...]

I still haven’t gotten Google’s blessing, but I’m not waiting any longer!!  I’m so anxious to post some of our recent fun stories and pictures.  So, blessings or not…I’M BACK!
I gave you a nice little preview last week of the beautiful wildflowers, here in the good ‘ole South, with a promise of more.  These are [...]

I’m so sorry for the confusion, corruption, and infection here on my blog as of late.  I hope that noone was adversely affected during all the drama.  (Sidenote:  If you are reading this now, you are not at risk for infection)
If you are having strange things happen on your computer (ie popups, being redirected from [...]

Join us this week as we talk about fulfilling our roles in our homes.  You don’t actually have to be a “homemaker” to fulfill your role…you just have to be at home sometimes!  So, follow the rules below to participate!
My moment this week hit me very hard.  It actually came as a, and I quote, [...]

Our favorite night of the week?  Sundae night!!  And tonight was make-your-own-icecream-sundae night.
But, before the sugar rush began we had a little contest.   More like a relay!
Boys….

against…

girls…

(Girls lost!)

The object was for the blindfolded person to get as much icecream in their teammate’s mouth and in the shortest amount of time. We girls neither got [...]

You might have noticed I have a new little green box on my sidebar there. Well, that’s because I am PROUD to announce that Payless Shoes has gone Green!! They have a new line of shoes, Zoe&Zac, that is made out of recycled rubber and organic cotton.
If you purchase any of these shoes [...]

I know I just put this picture out here yesterday, but I am entering this one into a contest that’s title is Easter/Spring.  Sorry for the redundancy!

This photo is cropped and smudged to focus on the parts of the picture that have to do with the eggs.  It was indoors and a rainy “lightless” day [...]

In honor of Easter- which is over with…

 
…and in honor of our indoor egghunt- which we rarely do…

 
…and in honor of eggs- which have nothing to do with Easter…

 
I have a neat little tip for you!!
(Basically I just wanted to show off my pictures from yesterday that didn’t make the cut for the My Day in [...]

Homemaker Chronicles

Are you a Homemaker?  Are you a Hardworker?  Are you a Mom, a Wife, a Woman?  If you could answer “yes” to any of these  you should be participating in today’s festivities!!  Friday’s Homemaker Moments is devoted to telling about how you have fulfilled your role…in life!  Here’s how it goes.
This week I was WAAAY [...]

Like I promised, here is a sample menu that I would make for our family for a week.  This is actually this week’s menu too!  (I am going to split them up into Breakfast Lunch and Dinner so that I have more room to go into detail, but normally I would lay it out like [...]

I really don’t consider myself an expert at menu planning…just at planning for OUR family!  For a family of 7 to eat a meal a little planning must take place…and I’ve gotten that down to a science!
I learned right off the bat that I HAVE to make a menu for the week.  One that includes [...]

And by wiener, I mean WINNER!
Cinda had a quick return on my post with “The Princess Bride”!  I figured most of you out there knew that movie, so it was just a matter of who answered FIRST.
Good job Cinda!
About that prize?  A 14-day free trial with BLOCKBUSTER!!  (click here to sign up- it’s totally [...]

 
Turn up your volume and press play!

“Know what that sound is highness?  Those are the screeching eels!  They always grow louder when they’re about to feed on human flesh!”
Oh, and this is that scream I mentioned last week.  The one that reaches a note that has not been accessed by humankind in all of eternity [...]

Homemaker Chronicles

You know, I was really hoping that Homemaker Moments would give us all broader perspective on what really goes on behind the closed doors of our homes.  I wanted to get to know some women and share fun stories, or even burdens.  I had “big plans” for each Friday here on my blog!  But I [...]

When we moved to Texas we ended up in a little bity town south of Ft. Worth but we have spent most of our “going out and about” time in a bigger town that is just north of us- Burleson.  As we were driving to Burleson one afternoon Titan piped in matter-of-factly, “Mom…Dad…when I grow up, I’m [...]

This is what I find myself asking each morning after I wake up, drink some coffee, read or pray (or both), take a shower (or don’t), and come into my bedroom where the sheets and comforter are tousled to and fro.
I require the kids to make their beds.  It’s part of their “morning chores”…make your [...]

You might have noticed the pictures from yesterday having lots of boxes and a dolly.  You might have thought to yourself that we were spring cleaning.
We’ll we were cleaning and it is spring, but we weren’t spring cleaning!
And now, with no further ado, I have an announcement to make…
WE’RE MOVING!!!
Almost exactly a year after we [...]

It’s Homemaker Moments Friday!!  I’m making up for last Friday when I was wedding planning and couldn’t get to a computer for almost 3 whole days…Oh the Horror!
This week’s moment is an eyeopening one for me to say the least.  I’m always burdening myself with thoughts like, “Am I doing enough with the kids so [...]

Here are the pictures I promised of my Sister-in-law’s wedding last weekend. 
She asked me to be her matron of honor and I quickly obliged.  She asked me to do the decorations and I was more than willing.  She asked me lots of questions about food, cakes, dresses, shoes, unity sand, rehearsal dinners, and jewelry and [...]

You guys should know by now that I’m all about some eco-friendly habits.  I would love it if I could make some major energy-saving changes to our lives and focus on recycling as much as possible.  However, when I read about this “reducing” tip it  just made me squirm a little!!
Wanna know what it is?  Keep reading…
Have [...]

I want to apologize that I did not get to do a “Homemaker Moments” last Friday!!!  However, I did acquire some FAKE Nails!!!
That’s right- I went from drab…
(and just plain sick!)
to fab…

As you probably know, I’ve been preparing for my sister-in-law’s wedding for a couple of months now.  (stay tuned for more pics of my [...]

Homemaker Chronicles

I’m a list-maker.  I live by my lists.  If it’s not on the list, it doesn’t get done.  It’s kinda like my brain doesn’t compute unless it’s written down somewhere.  Here…I’ll prove it to ya!!
When I first started staying home with my kids I would make a sort of itinerary for our days.  They went [...]

Homemaker Chronicles

Are you ladies ready for it?  It’s time to let us know how you have done this week…you know, at fulfilling your role at home.  Even if you aren’t a homemaker, we all have responsibilities right?  Whether you are single, married, 10 kids, 1 kid, newly wed, or working your tail off- you have a role!  [...]

Remember our camping trip last weekend?  Before I say anything, you just have to watch this…

Have you ever seen that movie Enchanted?  You know the part where she sings out the window to call all of her animal friends?  “Ahh Eh  Ahh Eh  Ahh” …
We literaly opened a few boxes of poptarts and the squirrels started [...]

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 

 
 
 

 
 
And the last comes with a contest of sorts.  A “name that photo” contest.  Take a look below and leave me a comment with what you think the best caption for this photo would be.  The winner will be announced tomorrow!

Homemaker Chronicles

This is for an I heart faces contest you guys. 

An oldie, but I made a few changes to Adia’s sweet beachy face for this “Creative Crop” contest, but nothing worth putting a comparison picture here.  It was already a great capture of her!! 
I think!
I actually “cropped” this one through the lens and not [...]

Alrighty y’all…I lost my original pictures from “The Eyes Have It” post!!  Yeah, I know.  How do you loose digital images?
Not sure.
I think my computer ate it!!
So, luckily I took like a million pictures that day and I have some very similar ones.  By the way, those of you that guessed were pretty much right [...]

It’s that time again…to start encouraging one another here at Homemaker Chronicles!!  What have you done this week that’s worth remembering?  Fulling your role, failing completely, being blessed, or being a blessING- no matter- we want to share in it with you. 
(Instructions for entering are below)

Here’s my HOMEMAKER MOMENT…
You know, I don’t think I give [...]

Only under these circumstances would I EVER be proud to say that I have thunder thighs…
When it’s my adorable 8 month old!

That’s some serious chub!  I think he’s actually gone down in size too.  You know, due to the exhaustive crawling, pulling up to furniture, jumping in the exersaucer, and standing alone he does!
What a [...]

 Do you believe the eyes are the window to the soul?  What are these eyes saying?
 

Maybe, “Fooooood!!”
 
 

Awe!  “I lost my puppy”…
 
 

“I didn’t touch it.  Promise”…
 
 

Perhaps, “I’m about to kill you for taking a picture of me this close up!”…
 
 

Definately says, “Mysterious man”…
 
 

“Quadratic equations…interesting”…
 
 

“Just one more piece of candy…Pleeeease?!”…
 
Any ideas?  What are each of us ACTUALLY doing [...]

I’m sure there are so many of you out there that GET TIRED of staring at the same ‘ole decorations hanging around your house. Whether it be the bedspread, curtains, throw pillows, or shower curtain it’s expensive to buy any ONE of those brand new!   Whats more, to get pairs or matching decor.
Don’t fret.  There [...]

Homemaker Chronicles

Admit it.  You wish there was some way to express your heart to people that understand and will listen.  Well, here is your chance!
Homemaker Moments is about bearing burdens, sharing laughs and encouraging each other in fulfilling our roles.  Whether you work full-time, part-time, or you’re at home all the time you have a purpose; wife, [...]

I know that most people think it’s bad for kids to watch too many movies.
I agree.
To an extent.
We love to watch movies together as a family occasionally. Okay, like once a week and one a weekend. Oh, and there’s the OCCASIONAL Diego cartoon in the mornings when Adia is whiny and needs something to do while [...]

Did I mention that I like coffee?  Just in case…
I LIKE COFFEE! 
Starbucks brand.  Gold Coast blend.  French pressed.  No cream.  No sugar. 
If you follow me on twitter  you already know this, but I actually got to enjoy 45 WHOLE minutes at Starbucks with my entire family by myself yesterday!!
I have been trying to break away for [...]

Regan and I spent the afternoon on Saturday making some of the cutest little hair bows you’ve ever seen.  Girlfriends, this is so easy- and it’s a great project for Mom and Daughter!  (I think Regan might start a side business and make me, ahem- I mean us- some money)
These are all of our supplies…

The only took [...]

The Paluxy River
Glen Rose, TX

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 

Homemaker Chronicles

If you’re just now joining up, here is what the hooplah is all about.
Women who need encouragement and want to share their story.  Women who aren’t afraid of failure and know what a tough role “wife” and “mother” can be.  Women who need a laugh and women who can share one.  All of this is [...]

Raise your haaand…if you like co-sleeping with your infant!  “Me Me!!”
This is the raise your hand game.  Everyone raises their hand BEFORE the person screaming “raise your haaand” says WHY you are raising your hand. 
Let’s try again. 
I say…”Raise your haaand” (okay, raise your hand now)
I see the raised hands and continue…”if you like co-sleeping with your [...]

First I need to say a little ditty about this picture for I HEART faces!

Then we’ll get to the pillows…
This week’s contest is for “wonder” faces.  Not like superheros or Wonder Pets, but like admiration and awe. I think Regan and Caleb are in complete wonder of their new baby brother- Titan.  They just look [...]

It’s all business today friends.
*UPDATE*  Here’s the latest “Jude” pic…how adorable!  
Jude’s Mama says, “His life is pretty much back to normal! Thank you all for your prayers. His lip will be a little swollen for up to 6 weeks post surgery and the inside stitches have yet to dissolve, but as you can see he [...]

What a wonderful Valentine’s Day weekend!  I LOVE holidays…especially when we get to pour the love on!  
Friday night the older three kids went to a fancy Valentine dinner at our great friend’s house down the road!  Todd and I took littles one and two out to eat Mexican!!  Mmmm!
Man was that a switcheroo!  We are so used to [...]

Cleburne State Park
Cleburne,TX
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

Do you want to be encouraged in your role?  Do you even believe that you are called to a role in your home?  Hang around and read some great stories of women who have fulfilled their roles this week!  You don’t want to miss out on…

 What a week!!  I’m glad it’s ending with Valentine’s Day…that just [...]

*See previous post for “your song” contest winner!*
———————————————————————————-
There are few things that could occur in my life to render me totally undone.  There are even fewer people that could be the cause of such a thing.
One of those things, by one of those people, happened today.
My baby, Salem, has been on the verge of sick all [...]

*Update*  The prestigious contest winner is….
Upstatemomof3!!!
“Hubby and I are such dorks. Seriously. “Our song” is “A whole new world” from Aladdin. I do not know who sang it because “our song” is not the one on the soundtrack it is the one actually in the movie (minus the screeching bird). It is the song we [...]

Did you guys know that Shrek and Fiona had another baby?  Here’s living proof…

Even with a snotty nose, half-opened eye, and drool she’s cute as a button!
(what’s with that smile??)
Okay, and if you’ve seen Kung Fu Panda (Titan’s favorite movie) you know who Tigress is.  But did you know there is a human version of [...]

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Homemaker Chronicles

Welcome to Friday’s HOMEMAKER MOMENTS!  This is where moms and wives can come to encourage one another by telling about how we have fulfilled our roles at home this past week.  So spill it!

This week I am proud to say that I have saved my family at least $100!!!
I altered my own bridesmaid’s dress!!!
I am no seamstress, but I [...]

*UPDATE* on Titan 2/5/08
We took Titan to the lab for a series of tests after the Doc couldn’t find anything wrong (just from a general “check-up” standpoint).  They did a blood draw, urine sample, and stool sample. 
That was fun times!
We haven’t heard from the Doc yet, but my sources say that the urine sample was perfect [...]

I almost forgot about this picture from last week…
It’s NOT photoshopped, so good job on those of you who figured that out.  We are at a historic site in Texas (good job recognizing those trees Cinda).  Caleb is running toward me at full speed and a snapped a shot of him in mid-air!
————————————————————————————
I would love [...]

What do you call it when a toddler will lay down and sleep anywhere at a moment’s notice?  I call it hilarious!
It’s not necessarily that she can fall asleep easily or even quickly…she’ll just do it ANYWHERE!
For instance…At the table after breakfast. 
After breakfast…which is right after we get up…which is immediately following 11 hrs. [...]

Take a look at this pretty girl! 
Such an amazing young lady and big sister.
Many of her friends think she’s a look-a-like.  In fact, when we saw The Chronicles of Narnia movie few years ago, we thought the resemblance was AMAZING! 
Last week we watched Prince Caspian and….WOW!  They really could be sisters (Regan and Lucy)
Agree?  
Some [...]

I have a confession to make…I’ve given up!
Remember this post about washing dishes?    Well, this is what I’ve resorted to.

Yes.  That is a group of PLASTIC cups with each of my family member’s names on them.  Okay, I saw this TV show once about this family from Arkansas (which is where I am originally from), [...]

If you’re joining me for the first time, start this story from the beginning.
After Adia was born we were sure we wanted more children-it was a no brainer!  The labor, delivery and recovery all went so well with her.  “Let’s do it again!!”
Sure enough, when she was only 11 months old, we found out I [...]

It’s good to know that women all over the world are doing their job as wife and mom well (or not so well).  And we can come together here with one thing in common- LIFE! 
What have you done to fulfill your role in your home this week?  Another week’s gone by and it’s time to let it out…

 There’s something wrong with the [...]

When Salem was first born, and we were out on the town, people would always comment on how he looked so much like a Cabbage Patch doll.  I guess it was the chubby cheeks and dimples, little bald head and round blue eyes.  Even my mom saw the resemblance.
I honestly think ALL babies resemble Cabbage [...]

The winner for the “What’d she say” contest from this post is….
Elisha!! 
SPONGE BOB SQUARE PANTS is right! 
Listen again- she-said-what_0001 -can ya hear it?  Hilarious! 
Your prize is coming in the mail soon Elisha…
—————————————————————————–
Check out what the home school kids are capable of creating on their very own! (smile)

Huh?
What is it you ask??  
A horse and carriage of course! 
Huh? 
Are they BORED [...]

After I spoke with our midwife-to-be (B.P. let’s call her) I knew without a doubt that THIS was for us.  I called Todd and he said we should keep praying about it and we scheduled a consultation with B.P. to get some facts.  So many awesome answers to prayer came with that visit.  The most important [...]

Anyone know who this is??

Go on…take a stab at it…
Despite what you might think, this is not Hello Kitty.  This, according to my  2 year old comedian (Adia), is
Secret Santa!!
Why in the world would she ever imagine that??  Well, after Thanksgiving this year the kids all drew names to see who they would get to [...]

UPDATE: AMY D is the BabyLegs winner!   Thanks for participating!!
Picture this…
You’re walking through Target toward the toys and electronics (or at Super Target toward the grocery side) and out of the corner of your eye you see bright colors and cute designs on an end cap in the baby section.  Are ya with me?
You stop [...]

I got a call this morning at 7:30 from, my friend of 17 years, Whitney.  She had her baby at 3:00 am.  A little girl- Annabelle Kate…isn’t that the sweetest southern name you’ve ever heard!  And being that they’re from Arkansas, it fits.  Her firstborn, a little boy, is William Cooper and is almost 2.  A fun [...]

This is my son Caleb…he’s 8 years old.
He wants to be an engineer when he grows up.  He also likes ninjas and would like to be one of THOSE when he grows up.
Naturally, when you put a ninja and an engineer together, you get a NINJANEER!!  So, that’s what he’s striving to be.
In fact, he [...]

 
This is my bedside table as of 10:00pm.  By the looks of it I should sleep well tonight, huh?  We’ll see how all the babes do though. 
No matter how much sleep mist I spray on my pillow Salem won’t stay asleep all night!!  Can’t figure that one out…
Although, bedtime rituals went well tonight!  Adia only [...]

…today it is 33 degrees and raining outside!  Plus it’s…well…you look for yourself.

and…

Beautiful?  Yes.  But, no outside playing leaves us with a whole lotta this…
Boredom at it’s best.

Which leaves us with only THIS to do…
Make Ooey Gooey SMORES!!!

And Smores can ONLY lead to THIS…

Happy messy happy messy faces!
Some graham crackers, chocolate bars, and marshmallows can [...]

Since it never snows in the South…well, atleast in Texas.  The kids and I made our own flakes.
Every year we collectively pray for snow on Christmas and every year it RAINS!
So, I guess we’re going to have to move North for our prayers to be answered with a big fluffy blanket of actual snow.
Until then…
Today’s [...]

- Homemaker Chronicles

Okay ladies (and men) out there who know how to wash dishes by hand. 
I need help!
We just recently moved in to a house that doesn’t have a dishwasher and no garbage disposal.  Surely there is an art to this and I just can’t figure it out.
I feel a little O.C.D. about keeping the sink [...]

So, I breastfeed my newborns…I did it with all five of them.  The first two didn’t last very long- about 6 weeks.  The second two lasted a year, and this one is almost four months old and still going strong.  It has been a great experience-I absolutely love it!!  I know that nursing in public [...]

In a country where tradition is not typically considered sacred, values are constantly being questioned and the woman’s role and responsibilities are no different than the man’s, you find me; a homemaker.  I stay home with my 5 children everyday…caring for their needs, teaching them what they need to succeed and survive, supporting my husband [...]