The Garden Gate~

Snow,Ice and Power Outage!

2012-01-19T19:09:00.000-08:00

Jackie and Olivia

The girls were "digging a tunnel to China" as they put it!

A day of snow calls for comfort foods, potato soup topped with bacon and vintage white cheddar!

I think Jasper wants some too.

After a day of playing in the snow,the power went out in the evening.........

It was time for lanterns and board games!

Hubby is listening to the radio news with his crank flashlight radio......the flash makes it look like the power is on but we were all siting in the dim light of the lantern.

The power outage is spread over a wide area of our state, as it snowed more.

The weather got warm then froze again and we had freezing rain. More snow is expected! :)

There is ice on the trees causing the branches to get to heavy, snap and taking down power lines!

On a happy note......

I had a prenatal visit today so since the roads were clear for the most part off we went.

Hubby, the 2 girls (Jackie and Olivia) and I went to go check on our little baby being knit!

The girls were thrilled to hear the baby's heartbeat!

My visit went well and baby is doing great!

After my doctor visit we ate breakfast/lunch at Shari's.

The power had come on about 9pm last night after being out for 3 hours.

It then went out again at 6am this morning and was out when we left the house. Then went on and off every few hours according to the boys whom stayed home (by their choice). The power would only stay on for about 10mintues each time, so it was off most of the time.

It is now back on and has been since 3pm.

Me 19 weeks prego!

After eating at Shari's hubby dropped Jackie and I off to pick up a few supplies

to get us through this storm!

Chicken to grill up,TP, hot cocoa and batteries!

Oh and a small tub of Lavender ice cream!

Hubby's favorite birch tree in our back yard.......getting ready to snap from being covered with ice!

Hubby came home and traded us girl for the bottom 3 boys!

The boys went to pick up some burgers from a local hot spot!

Oh and Jasper was getting cabin fever and wanted to go too.

He loves a good truck ride!

Peace+

Georgiann

Day and Night

2012-01-18T08:30:00.000-08:00

Well this week we got our share of snow!

I have taken a few pictures from our back patio but have not wanted to really venture out in the white stuff!

Last night we got a big dump of about 7inches of the soft white powder!

We are said to expect about 8 more inches over the course of today!

I will be cooking up a large pot of potato soup and will serve it topped with bacon!

Here in the Pacific Northwest we can go from winter wonderland to rain in just one day!

I'm pedicting that will be the case by tomorrow or Friday.

I know these pictures are not that great so I will try to snap a few good ones today.

I have just been to snuggled in watching movies on the couch with hubby and sipping tea to venture out for a photo shoot!

Peace+

Georgiann

Pregnancy update {17wk 5d}

2012-01-10T08:51:00.000-08:00

Well this post is a bit past due......my last OB visit was Dec.22 2011, just before Christmas.

I took some what of a blogin' break over the holiday.

The picture is a current one.....but at my apt. I was 15 weeks.

Things are progressing well, I have only gained 8# since the beginning!

Hubby and my 14yr old son Jacob went with me to my last appointment.

Heartbeat was great and I measured fine. All is well.

I also went to my hemo doc and am now on blood thinners. An injection once a day :)

hubby gives them to me. Its a preventative measure as I am prone to blood clots during pregnancy!

I also take 200mg of progesterone once a day at bedtime to prevent miscarriage and get my levels checked every 2 weeks via a blood test. My levels are in normal range but would not be if I did not keep take my progesterone per my NaPro Docters orders! I will continue on it until 36wks.

My OB said, I could stop taking the progesterone after 12 weeks because my placenta would make it!

But my NaPro doc and I knows other wise!

I go for my next OB appointment on Jan.19 and again on Jan.26 (hubbys b-day) for my 20wk ultrasound!

I have started to feel the little flutterings of my little one! So reassuring and so exciting!

We will not be finding out the gender of our precious baby! We love a good surprise at the time of delivery!

Peace+

Georgiann

No Words.........

2012-01-06T07:37:00.000-08:00

to describe the peace our family felt as we shared time together and the coming of Jesus the baby king!

Today is the Epiphany.http://www.crivoice.org/cyepiph.html

The day the three wise men bring gifts for Jesus.

We will celebrate at Mass this weekend!

Peace+

Georgiann

Christmas Cookie Recipe

2012-01-03T09:05:00.000-08:00

To get this yummy cookie recipe you must go over to

The Rustic Kitchen. (my food blog)

December hightlights

2011-12-23T09:40:00.000-08:00

Noah and dog Jasper relaxing to some Christmas tunes!

My hubby, Fr. Jerry (our favorite priest) and myself after Mass!

Nick had his soccer party and was next to last to receive his trophy....

I was the first to discover that it had 2009 on it....it is 2011!!!!

The coach got them through a mail order company!

Olivia enjoying her Christmas search book!

Jackie and Jacob in front of the Wienermobile!

All beef hot dog, chips and pop for $1.00!!!!

Oh and the kiddos got a free Oscar Mayer whistle!

I have not seen the Wienermobile since I was a kid!

This was the highlight of my day!

This picture was taken the same day as the ones above.

Jackie did not want the bun to her hot dog so we fed the crows in the parking lot!

Our days here in the Pacific Northwest have been cold,damp, gray and foggy!

It looked like it was 5pm but it was only 1pm!

This picture makes me smile!

Jackie lost another tooth.....she reminds me of the girl Ellie from the cartoon movie UP!

Tap the link to see a cute clip from the movie!
http://youtu.be/VR8hlvLghrs

Ellie from the UP movie!

I hope to be back to this space in a few days with a Christmas cookie recipe that Olivia and I made....

it will more than likely be AFTER Christmas. (sorry)

I need rally my troop and get this house clean for our Christmas dinner that I host every year.

Its just us eight plus my sister Beth and her hubby Mike and his mom Judy!

We do our BIG dinner, gift exchange then all go to Mass on Christmas eve.

Peace and love as we rejoice the news of the baby king!

Going On A Tree Hunt {2011}

2011-12-12T09:19:00.000-08:00

Well as tradition will have it, we got our Christmas tree on the 2nd weekend of Dec.

My hubby's rule is we must be on our hunt for at least 45 min-1hour!

We always have a good time running around in the forest of groomed pines.

We found a few neat treasures on our trek.....a lady bug on a stump and a empty bird nest in a tree!

Noah really enjoyed giving Olivia a piggy ride though the trees.....being careful not to trip on stumps!

I had to play detective while we were out.....

We voted on our tree....the guys chopped it down.

Jacob and Nick carried our prized tree to front of the farm to pay.

After we hiked to the front of the farm I discovered Olivia did not have her cute hat on!

So off Jackie, Noah and I ran to find it.

I used my camera to help up out. Looking to see when she last had the hat on, so we could narrow our search! We found it in 5 minutes!

Baby Belly Pic. 13w 2d

While we were getting our tree and heading back to pay, my mind drifted to thoughts of last years tree trek! I think Christian was trying to implant that day last year. I was feeling cramp and just 2 weeks later I found out we were pregnant! I was mentioning this to hubby and trying not to cry.

We decided we would drive into the near by town for lunch. Not know of any good place I decided to ask the folks working the Kettle Corn booth.

The gal asked if my name was Georgiann. I said yes. She then told me who she was.

She was the doula I used for Olivia's birth.

So we talked for a few minutes and I got her phone # again.

S. said she'd love to be my doula again!

S. then shared a sad story with me.........

She had 3 boys when I had her as my doula 4 yrs ago.

She then got pregnant with her 1st girl Lily.

Lily heart stopped beating 2 weeks before she was due.......it happened the day of her baby shower.

She now has another girl whom is now 16 months.

It was such blessing to run into her again.

God is good!

Peace+

Georgiann

My hair is looking terrible!

I need to color my hair as my light/gray roots are in the front 8 inches of my hair and the way I wear my hair it looks like I have red/orange fake hair attached to the back.

I am thinking of just chopping it all OFF!

What do you all think?

Hubby wants me to keep it long but its so thick and bushy!

Pregnancy update {11w 5d}

2011-11-29T13:45:00.000-08:00

I was so nervous about my OB visit today.......

I had a few teary moments over the last weekend.......my mind filled with what ifs?

I was and am really missing Christian lately.....he was lost to miscarriage due to low hormones back in January of this year. :( I was due August 28 2011 and found out I was pregnant with him Dec.25 at 12:30am Christmas morning!

So full of emotions lately my mind was not to kind.......

What if my baby does not have a heartbeat? What if I loose this baby.....my baby!
I was beginning to think I did not FEEL pregnant anymore. I was once feeling huge and sick most of the time but seem to be feeling a bit better lately and not so bloated.

Baby #8 nicknamed My Little Apple!

My OB visit went wonderful........

Dr. E was very kind during this visit........but here is a quick back story......

I was very upset at the treatment I had received from Dr. E and especially his nurse L. after my miscarriage back in January of this year.

I did not ever want to go back there again.

I scouted out a few new Dr's just in case we were to get pregnant again.

The OB's I did a meet and greet with did not feel right. We did not hit it off.

I also needed to shop around for a new regular Dr. within the office I was going as my old one moved away. I found a great Gal Dr. she and I hit it off and she is much like a midwife in her style. She also delivers babies so I was really going to use her for this pregnancy.

There was a few things that made think other wise though....

I have a clotting disorder while pregnant that needs managed by a hematologist and the other thing is that she is only at the office by my house on Monday and Tuesdays.

What if I need to see her during the time she is at her other office?

So after praying and praying about what to do......I even asked God to give me a sign.

When I was first pregnant and getting my progesterone prescription filled there was a stack of business cards on the counter......they were Dr. E's.

Believe me I grumbled and told myself I was NOT going to go to Dr. E again!

But a few days later after praying again and listening to what God had to say, it was decided.

I would go to Dr.E because God told me that is were I needed to be.

Dr. E knows me and my history.

And God knows whats around the corner.......I do not.

Today was my 2nd visit with Dr. E since my miscarriage.....my hubby went with me Nov.1 I was 7weeks and Dr.E gave me my first ultrasound!

Today......

When Dr. E came in the room he smiled and said, well lets get a look at this baby!

Hop on the table and let see if baby is big enough to see with a regular ultrasound otherwise we will do a vaginal.

I was so excited!

I was told by the front staff that at this visit I would not be given a ultrasound because I already had one last time and we knew my due date.

So the hear Dr.E say ultrasound, I was beaming from ear to ear......I was going to see my baby again!

Dr. E started up the machine and my baby popped up on the screen......it was not moving!

Dr. E did some measuring and said, WOW baby looks big for the dates! I think you are farther along than we thought! And it looks like your baby is sleeping.

He showed NO alarm!

He tryed to wake him/her up with a few pokes, well presses of the scanner thing.....but there was no movement.

I did not "see" a heartbeat just what seemed like a lifeless baby.

I sat there petrified! I was holding back the tears!

Dr.E showed no look of bad news?

Next thing I knew my untrasound was over and Dr. E said, with a smile,

every thing looks great and your new due date id June 14 as he handed me a few pictures of my baby!

I quickly said, what about the heartbeat I did not hear one. He said, you did not see the flutter on the screen? I said NO! as I tryed not to cry.

He said, well lets see if we can hear baby with the dopler.

Releif.........thump thump thump! I started to cry!

I heard a heartbeat......sweet joy to my momma ears!

I was given another ultrasound and a new due date!

I went from a due date of June 18th to June 14th. yippee!

When Dr.E asked if I wanted a amnio or any of the other blood work screens

to check for birth defects...I

said NO!

I told him that I did not need added worry and I was in LOVE with this baby.

If my baby had a defect I would love him or her regardless and would like to find out at birth when I could look in his or her beautiful eyes and just be in LOVE!

Dr. E then gave me the best compliment.....

He said, that as a routine he has to offer such test but is happy to report that he LOVES his patients because almost all of them say NO! He had a sparkle in his eye.

He said, he was honored to serve his patients and be a part of God miracles!

I thanked him for the ultrasound....I was told that he would most likely not be giving me another until 20 weeks.

So things are back to awesome with my Dr. and it feels great!

I'm glad I listened to the Lord and TRUSTED Him!

My progesterone levels as of Nov.21 are 22.5 (zone 2)

I went over and scheduled my Hematologist appointment with Dr.M today for Dec.20!

My next OB appointment is Dec. 22.

I went to my Dr.s lab today for the pregnancy blood draws! (4 or 5 viles) I could not watch!

Well I'm off to go change the due date on my blog tickers! :)

Peace+

Georgiann

::Today

2011-11-28T08:50:00.000-08:00

Today.........
Monday after a 4 day weekend in a house of 8 + many friends over = mess!

:: I will make my coffee (decaf) and eat a bowl of cereal for breakfast.

:: I will check on my 2 sick kiddos...fevers,chills,headaches and sore thoats.

:: I will dawn my cleaning gloves and wipe down my house with bleach.

:: I will do 4 loads of laundry.

:: Do 2 loads of dishes.

:: Clean 3 bathrooms.

:: Make a few important calls....I have an OB appointment tomorrow and I'm not sure I will be able to go with sick kiddos needing to be home.

:: I will vacumn the living room and tidy up.

:: I will finish making the turkey soup for dinner.

:: I will clear off our dining table and set up the advent wreath Jackie, Noah and I made last week at church!

:: I will also try to catch a nap!

Well my coffee is ready so off I go to start my day......

What will you be doing today?

Peace and Blessings,
Georgiann

{this moment}

2011-11-25T08:37:00.000-08:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual over at Soule Mama's.

A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, go over to Soule Mama's leave a link to your 'moment' in her comments for all to find and see.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Peace and Blessings+

Georgiann

New Cloth Diaper Stash! and link up!

2011-11-18T10:34:00.000-08:00

I bought these ECONOBUM's from Kelly's Closet

They were BUY ONE GET ONE FREE!

So for $9.95 I got 2! I was pleasantly surprised that they each came with a unbleached Indian pre-fold in it!

What a deal so they were basically $2.50 for each piece!

Oh and the best part is they are one size and grow with baby, just let out the snaps!

I also bought 12 Mother Ease wipes for $2.00 each

They are double thick terricloth!

These are Dream EZE All In Ones in

Blackberry and Mandarin size small (6#-15#)

The inserts are sewn in...and there are 2!

I plan to use these at night....hence the name Dream EZE!

I ordered some of my stash from Punkernoodle but most of the stuff I ordered was OUT OF STOCK!

It took almost 3 weeks to get my stuff! The owner did send me a FREE Dream EZE thats why I have 2 in Blackberry! She has not updated her website or called me back!

I wanted to know if it was safe to order more things from her website!

So beware!

I got these HUGGABUNS one size pocket diapers at

Maine Cloth Diaper CO. for $5.50 each on sale (I bought 5)

Normal price was listed as $14.50.

The flannel in this diaper is very thin but priced at $5.00 it is a good deal!

I plan to stuff my pockets with unbleached Indian pre-folds I have had for years!

($24.00 per dozen.....I have 2 dozen!)

I also got

1 White Bummis Original Whisper Wrap (small) $9.00

Sugar Peas organic wool snap in diaper (small) $6.00

(I want to get a red wool wrap for my Sugar Pea to snap into but it is $29.00)

For now the spending is on hold but when I do get one I will get a Med!

Knickernappies 2G Pocket Diaper in Melon (small) $8.00

Bumkins one size Stuff it Cloth Diaper - Butterfly print $14.95

Happy Hieny's Hemp Stuffins (med.) $9.50

It came with a smaller insert as well, but I thought I was going to get a pack of 6 but there was just 1!

I also got another ECONOBUM one size wrap from Thanks Mama but it did not come with a Indian per-fold and it cost me $8.95! So watch out! The BOGO is the best deal doing now!

I also bought some Imse Vimse Organic Wipes 12pk in Rose for $11.85

I'm still waiting on my order from Nicki's Diapers!

3 Bummis one size pocket diapers

4 Happy Heinys one size pocket diapers some with snaps some velcro

10pk flannel wipes!

Fun prints! I can't wait to share them with you when they get here!

I also have some other stuff from my past years of cloth diapering I will share at a later time!

What's in your stash?

Leave a link in my comments so myself and others can see your what you got!

Happy Diapering!

I have to wait 7 more months to try mine out!

Peace+

Georgiann

Pregnancy update {9 weeks}

2011-11-17T08:40:00.000-08:00

Doc says there is only one in there!

For 9 weeks I know I look huge but after 7 other pregnancies my body just relaxes and goes to work!

My last 3 babies were all over 10# so my belly is a bit stretched.

I had my first ultrasound at 7 weeks all looked great!

I have been taking 200mg of progesterone once a day @ bedtime.

I get my progesterone levels checked every 2 weeks.

The first check I was at zone 3 (3 or 4 is best)

For the second check a few weeks later they had me NOT take my progesterone the night before the test.

I dropped to a zone 2 after missing just one dose!

I go in Monday for another blood test. My veins are sore after all the pokes over the past few months!

For my last blood test the gal took the blood from upper arm in stead of in my bend.

It did not even hurt. I hate when the hit my scar tissue! OUCH!

Other vitamins I take.........

Pre-natals

Folic Acid

DHA

Vitamin C,D,B6,B12

Calcium,Zinc,Magnesium

And as of late.......

I have been taking Cranberry pills

and Acidophilus pills

I got a bladder infection last week and I'm in my final days of antibiotics!

I have only gained 4# so far.

My next pre-natal visit is Nov. 29th.

My nausea has been really bad this pregnancy, it last most of the day, but I'm not complaining!

Sometimes I feel hungry and full at the same time?!

I will crave a food, but only once.....I feel nauseous after eating it and never want that food again!

At Costco last week I tryed a sample if herb stuffing and had to spit it out....and I almost barfed!

Some of my favorite snacks have been:

Hot canned green beans with a bit is butter

Pumpkin bagels with cream cheese

oh and 1/2 of the pregnancy sandwich (I gave it that name) it's made with:

Dave's Good Seed bread

cheddar cheese

ham and roast beef

Dijon mustard and mayo

And a generous pile of mixed greens!

On another note:

Tonight is our churches annual Turkey Bingo so I will taking the boys.

We have been going to this event for over 10yrs!

Tomorrow Jackie's school is having a BIG Thanksgiving feast for the first graders.

I have volunteered to help set up then eat with Jackie!

Are any of you going something fun for Thanksgiving?

Have a fun tradition you want to share?

I'd love to hear from you.

Peace and Love,

Georgiann

10 things I love about fall!

2011-11-09T07:44:00.000-08:00

1. Sipping cider
2. Foggy mornings
3. The anticipation of Thanksgiving Day
4. The bright red leaves on the ground
5. Seeing the yard all winterized (shrubs all trimmed back etc..)
6. Seeing the little birds in the mornings looking for food!
7. The smell of my decaf coffee brewing and cinnamon raisin bread toasting in the toaster in the morning.
8. The smell of bread in the bread maker and hot soup in the crock pot!
9. The taste of all the pumpkin treats!
10. An afternoon walk and a chilly but sunny day!

What do you love about fall?

I'm also loving all the peppermint scented stuff that has been in stores. I guess most stores wait til November 1 to put Christmas stuff out. Bath and Body Works has their Moisturizing Twisted Peppermint hand soap in stock now! It has been great at knocking back my nausea. I also love all their Christmas smelling candles!

{my little apple}

2011-11-03T12:50:00.000-07:00

Well on Tuesday I went in for my first ultrasound to get my first peak at my Little Apple!With each pregnancy I give my baby a nickname....I think its fun!

Do any of you do the same????? What nicknames have you giving your little baby being knit???

Many of you have emailed me privately wanting to know how my OB visit went. I emailed a few of you back but here is the post I promised, sorry to keep you all waiting!

Hubby met me at the OB for the appointment Tuesday in the late afternoon.
We got to see the heartbeat (flutter with no sound) It was wonderful! Such a relief!
Baby was measuring a June 18 due date, not June 17. So I was one day off. I guess the swimmers took a day to get their target. (I think it will be a girl :)????) At 7 weeks its to early to tell the gender and we love surprises! There will be no peaking here! I get though drug free labor not knowing the gender the gift! I love finding out in the delivery room!

My OB and I discussed being induced.....I know its a bit early..... OK way early for that, but I told
Dr. E I did not want to deliver a BIG baby. The last 3 were all almost 11#. My Dr. E said, he will only induce no more than one week before my due date. He said, June 11 would be the earliest. That's Noah's b-day, my fourth born and he always get the short end of the stick. I don't want him to have to share a birthday. My oldest son graduates high school June 14 and my other kids have their last day of school. So if I do go in June 11 that only leaves 3 days to be ready to go to a graduation. My last baby, Olivia was induced 4 days early and was 10# 11oz. I'm sure God know the plan, so for now I won't worry about it! I can't wait to see how it all works out!

Well I feel a nap coming on so I'm off for now!
Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers, it means a lot to me!

Peace and Love,
Georgiann

Getting Ready {before and afters}

2011-10-31T07:57:00.000-07:00

So far my pregnancy is going well......and tomorrow at 7w 2d I will get a sneak peak of my tiny baby growing within. I am quite nervous....my mind says "what if my baby is not growing, what if there is no heart beat?" I told myself I was not going to do the whay if thing, but find myself doing it!!!!!! I hope that hubby can slip away from work to come to my first ultrasound! (Hubby works 2 blocks away)

Yesterday.........

I spend the day cleaning my room and moving the crib/toddler bed from the girls room into my room, as well as a dresser that will be for baby. I have misplaced the side rail for the crib (I do have 7 months to find it). lol For now Jackie will sleep in it as a toddler bed in our room and Olivia will sleep with us in our bed. (they were both with us for the past 4yrs) The California king is a bit crowded and with my belly growing.....we all needed another arrangement! The girls will be getting bunk beds for their room over Christmas.

Here are a few before and afters of the space in my room set up for baby. (I know its early to be setting stuff up for baby, but I have a busy schedule over the next few months and needed to clear out the girls room making room for bunk beds!)

Before

This is the mess in my room on my side of the bed!

I have a clothes/book case!

Afters

Little Miss Jackie asleep in the toddler bed/crib!

I still need to vacuum and tidy a few more things...

I am trying to hang my clothes in my closet so the black bookcase can be for baby things!

The box next to the crib is trash. (like I said I still have some tidying to do)

In that spot I will get some plastic drawers to keep my cloth diapers.

(just ordered some in a small size...I can't wait till they get here)

Oh and I want to get a new throw rug for next to my bed!

Above the black book case will be a wooden shelf with hooks.

(I still need to paint it....not sure what color I will use)

The shelf will be for toys and the hooks for hanging baby's clothes!

Keep me in your prayer as I am a bit nervous about my ultrasound appointment tomorrow!

Peace and Love.

Georgiann

Happy to be nauseous! and recipe for a yummy treat!

2011-10-24T09:18:00.000-07:00

Most folks think I'm crazy to want to be nauseous, but feeling sick means that things are going well.

For the past few weeks I have been retiring early to bed to sip Pregnancy tea and read books from my many stacks of Maternity books.

The butterfly mug in the picture was one I bought from the pharmacy 2 weeks ago when getting my progesterone picked up. Butterflies remind me of Christian.

I also made a few batches of watermelon freezer pops over the past week...

great for combating nausea!

Recipe

Watermelon seedless 3cups
Plain Greek Yogurt 1/2 cup
Honey 2 table spoons
Lemon juice from whole lemon

Blend up in blender and pour in freezer pop holders.
Let freeze over night and then enjoy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well I'm off to get ready for my blood draw and pick up a few things at the store before the kiddos get home. The younger 2 have 1/2 days this week.

Peace,
Georgiann

Big News {wink wink***} and Funny Story~

2011-10-18T07:51:00.000-07:00

This is the family picture from Olivia's birthday on Oct.4th

The baby is now 4yrs old!

We hope and pray to add a new baby to our family in Mid-June.

I had gone to MOPS the morning of Olivia's birthday and was feeling queasy and so I decided to take a pregnancy test upon arriving home......even though I used afternoon pee the test came back + positive!!!!! :)

I took about 6 other tests using 3 different brands over the next week....Why do us girls do that????

I have since had my pregnancy confirmed with 2 blood tests....

My hCG levels were 245 and then 48hours later 394.

So its on the low end of normal and I am pregnant.

DR.O ordered me to take 200mg of progesterone once a day at bedtime starting on day 14.

I have another blood test on Oct 24.

I called DR.O on Oct.5 and he sent my blood order and prescription for my compounded meds.

The mail (my paperwork) arrived at the wrong address and it was hand delivered by the people (1/2 mile up the road) 3 days after it came to their house! I was over due for my blood work!!!! I had called my DR's office (4 hours away) because I did not have my papers and my DR was out of town for 2 weeks on a family emergency!! I was beginning to really stress when the doorbell rang and this guy was holding my mail! He said my dad told my to bring this down.....he thought it looked important!

Praise God he brought it! My baby's life is at stake!

It all worked out!

On Oct.5th I told Olivia the good news.....my sweet daughter had been wishing on dandelions seeds all summer long for a new baby.....she lights candles at church and prays.....she even used her birthday wish on wanting a new brother or sister....OK

the wish was really for 2 sisters and a brother.....hee hee!

I told Olivia to keep the news a secret.

My daughter.......was so excited but she told NO ONE!

But called me on it when I shared the news with a church friend at daily Mass!

Now here is the funny story I promised....

On Friday Oct.7 I called the whole family together and had Olivia give Hubby the red box with the pregnancy test that said PREGNANT!!!!

There was also a wash cloth in the box to serve as tissue paper.

Hubby takes the lid off, holds the test stick up and says

"What is this?"

Jackie yells, "Its a wash cloth, its a wash cloth!!!"

as she's standing in a chair trying to get a look inside the box!

Hubby takes the pregnancy stick and walks into the kitchen for more light then said, I need my glasses as he squints to read the word PREGNANCY!!!!

The kids were in the living room yelling and all excited. Hubby was in shock.

Not sure why, but that is how he always acts in the first few moments!

I have told a several people the good news and a few have said,

shouldn't you wait to tell people until you are at least 3 months along???

My answer to them is

"This is the day the Lord has made rejoice and be glad in it !!"

This baby is precious from the moment of conception whether I get to hold this baby in 9mo or in heaven like Christian. This baby needs prayers and love!

I know there are no guarantees....not even after the 3mo mark!

Life is precious!

Peace and Love,

Georgiann

Taking a little break until next week.

2011-10-11T19:49:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

I want to thank all of you who voted for me over at The Top 25 Big Family Blogs.
I came in 22nd.....just behind the Duggar's blog! It would not have been possible without your votes!
I have to fill out a interview form and a picture. It needs filled out by Oct.18.
I will be listed on the Top 25 Circle of Mom's website. More folks will be able to find my blog!

I will be taking a short blog break.......until the middle of next week. (Oct. 19 2011)

I have had a real busy month with Olivia's birthday (Oct.4), the death of my friends daughter,sports games, back to school open houses, daily Mass and MOPS. Oh and I went to audition for Wheel Of Fortune 2 night in a row (Oct. 5th and 6th)! My name was not drawn!

I am also hosting a Pregnancy and Infant Loss Ceremony and Luncheon at our church to be held Oct. 15. It has been 6 months of planing and now its crunch time. It should be a healing time for all the ladies that attend!

I have also been busy with Weight Watchers (I lost 6# in 4 weeks). My W.W. leader Becky is the mother of an old acquaintance of mine,a girl named Rachel. I just found out tonight that Rachel's husband was killed in the war yesterday! Rachel and her 3 kiddos are stationed in New York....but she will be moving back soon and holding his funeral.

I am also a part of the 40 Days For Life Campaign and pray at the Planned Parenthood once a week to end abortion.

I have had to go to the lab for a few blood draws to monitor my meds I have been on from my NaPro Dr. I also have had some drama from a blood order slip and med prescription that was delivered to the wrong address! My mail was hand delivered 3 days after it should have come!!!!!!!
I was totally stressed.....but thankful it was delivered!

Next week I have to cook for our MOPS meeting and take dinner to a gal from our table that just had her baby.

I also might need to help watch a pregnant friend's home schooled kiddos.
Christine B. is in the hospital with a blood clot.

The fall weather has really set in here in the Pacific Northwest!

Rain, rain and a bit of wind and grey skies!
I have not been feeling to good this past week, my stomach has been queasy and I am just drained......I think it has been all this busyness. I look forward to some blog time sometime in the middle of next week when life slows down a bit! See ya when I get back to this space!!!!

Peace and Love,
Georgiann

One Last Day To VOTE!!!!

2011-10-03T06:56:00.000-07:00

There is one last day to vote for The Garden Gate.....a Big Family blog!

You have until ~~5pm PST today October. 3 2011.~~
It seems that the voting still says OPEN and
that it ends today October 4?
So I guess there is one more day! So please go vote!
You can vote once a day, so vote again if you have not voted today!
I really thank you!
(there are prizes for the Top 25 blogs.)

Just go here to
The Top 25 Big Family blogs and vote!
(tap this link)

Scroll down to my blog name The Garden Gate
(you will see my picture) then tap the vote button.

I am coming in at 26th place.... the name IS the Top 25 blogs.......I really need some more votes.
I'm trailing by 5 as of now.

Thanks so much to all of you who are voting!
Thank you Thank you!

Peace and Joy,
Georgiann

A look inside!

2011-10-01T15:02:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I went to see Dr. Tom Curran's talk about encountering Jesus in the Mass, he touched a bit on the new translation that will start soon.

The talk was awesome (4 hours over 2 days) but he told me nothing new as I already have a true understanding of the Mass and the Catholic faith that I paractice daily (not just on Sundays).

Dr. Curran did say that most Catholic teens often stop practicing their faith as an adult because they do not fully understand what the Mass is and where the different prayers etc. come from and what they mean. They have not connected themselves full to what is going on during the Mass.

************

I was awe struck as I entered Holy Rosary Church (located in the BIG city)

It was BIG and spacious and very blue with a large white alter!

The blue was a dusty blue that reminded me of Christian Alexander (my baby I miscarried in Jan)!

As I steped inside Holy Rosary I felt such peace! So much so I wanted to share it on my blog!

Also I wanted to share my Catholic faith with those that read my blog that might misunderstand my beliefs. I have met some folks in real life that think Catholics don't have a relationship with the Lord.

I think that folks not having a "relationship" with the Lord can take place in any church or faith background.

But to say "Catholics" as a whole don't have a real relationship is just crazy.

Some folks are just waiting for their ears to be tickled!

They skip around from church to church (even changing faiths) looking for some magic to happen.

I find that to be very sad.....a relationship with Jesus does not happen that way.

As Catholics we celebrate Mass and the Holy Eucharist.

Jesus spoke at the last supper and commanded,

"Take and eat, this is my body that I have given up for you....do this in memory of me!"

As Catholics we do this daily. (though not all folks can attend daily Mass.)

Our places of worship have many pictures and visual reminders of God's love for us.

We do not pray to statues....they are reminders that they were people just like us.

We have Holy Water....as a reminder of our baptism.

Mass is a real living reminder....a real connecting the past to the present.

Very powerful stuff!

We believe in the Trinity. God is three in one. Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All of the Mass is word for word in the bible and Jesus asked us to continue his mission in this way.

Mass is a reliving a retelling of the story that lead to Jesus's death.

I am proud of my Catholic faith and very much have a close relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on a daily basis. Jesus is not just a Sunday thing!

I pray you are having a great weekend.

While I am talking about faith related matters......

I went down to the Planned Parenthood to pray yesterday (for the first time)

and while I was there praying/singing a car pulled up driven by a guy and 2 girls got out and went inside.

After about 10 minutes the girls came back out and hopped in the car. As they were driving out of the parking lot the driver flagged our 40 Days For Life councilor over to his vehicle and said....

He and his girlfriend just decided to keep their baby. They had come to schedule an abortion.

There was only 5 of us praying.....along with my adorable daughter Olivia (almost 4yrs)

So powerful......our presence (in the light of GOD) helped changed their minds.

Peace and Love,

Georgiann

40 Days start today!

2011-09-28T10:14:00.000-07:00

The 40 Days For Life Campaign starts today!
Sept.28-Nov.6 2011.

Together lets put and end to abortion!

I had heard of the 40 Days For Life Campaign a few years ago.....but silly me never asked what it was.
I now know it is a Campaign of prayer and fasting! This can be done from home or at your church,but many folks go down in front of the Planned Parenthood Abortion Clinics to pray. This is done in a peaceful non violent way. You can go here to see where they are rallying in prayer should you want to join them.

Did I mention this is a PEACEFUL event?? Well it is.
You WILL be asked to leave if you are disruptive to the mission of The 40 Days For Life Campaign.

Last night we kicked off this 40 day event with a Mass to protect those that are about to battle the devil in this spiritual battlefield! It was awesome to see my many friends from around the area last night.

There are volunteer Angels from The Gabriel Project there to help as well, should a women reach out to the fence at Planned Parenthood for help.

On a side note: I want to very much thank my blog land friend Suzanne who informed me about 8 months ago that Girl Scouts of America is partnered with Planned Parenthood!

You can read here about a very inappropriate thing Planned Parenthood taught Girl Scouts with permission from scout officials but behind parents backs!

Read here

here and here!

I had posted a picture of my daughter selling scout cookies.

My blog friend e-mailed my privately to let me know about what the modern day Girl Scouts are being taught. One might think that the very young girls are not affected and that since you are "there" at the meetings that nothing like that would/could happen to my girl. But the Journey books that are now used are teaching other things I do not agree with. The views are very liberal.

Have you read through your daughter book?

So.......

After the year finished out last June and after prayerful consideration I decided not to sign my daughter up for scouts this year and WILL NOT have my family involved with Girl Scouts ever again.

The troop disbanded anyway.....so it lessened the impact on my daughter, and made my parenting job a bit easier.

It is not the same organization as it was when I was a girl!

What happened to learning domestic skills and wanting and loving to being a stay at home mom?

Camping and cooking?

Just wholesome learning of skills?

Now they teach its better to work outside the home to prove you are a women.

Hold off on children. Abort if an "accident" happens.

They teach the girls (from the new Journey books) all about the "cool" gals in which this lifestyle has worked for! Just sickening!

Thank You Suzanne!

Peace and Love,

Georgiann

Book Review:: Stanley Seagull

2011-09-26T06:17:00.000-07:00

Book Summary and link to Stanley Seagull website.
Meet a young seagull named Stanley. Follow him as he wanders far from home and tries to find his way back. Join Stanley on his journey as he learns how humans affect the balance of nature.

Stanley Seagull

Auther Cathy Mazur

Illustrated by Colleen Gedrich

This is a delightful story and the
pictures are vibrant with color. The illustrator did a great job bringing Stanley to life with her
drawings! It was fun to read of Stanley's adventures, as greed took him far from home and how friendship directed him back. Many lessons to learn from this wonderfully written children's story. For instance the abundance of wasted food and other trash from the human population and many others. So go read for yourself and see what message you get from the story. You won't be disappointed!

Book Review By Georgiann (me)
------------------------------------------

You can read more about Stanley Seagull author Cathy Mazur at her facebook page.

Cathy Mazur's Bio:

Born in Scranton, Pa., Cathy Mazur is the daughter of Gary and Catherine H. Errico. She was educated in the Dunmore public school system and graduated from Dunmore High School in 1971. She received a bachelor’s degree in Library Science from Mansfield State College in 1975. She received a Reading Specialist Certificate from the University of Scranton in 1978. Cathy was employed as an elementary school librarian for the Mid Valley School District from 1975 until her retirement in 2010. While at Mid Valley, she instituted and coordinated the RIF (Reading Is Fundamental) program for 33 years helping students to develop a love of reading outside the classroom. Cathy served on the Board of Directors for the Valley Community Library in Peckville, Pa. for over 20 years acting as president for one year and board secretary for 19 years. She presently serves on the library’s Developmental Committee chairing various fundraising events. She resides in Dickson City, Pa. with Frank, her husband of 31 years. They are the parents of two children, Gary, 27 and Gia, 19. Now in her retirement, she is focused on writing books for children like Stanley Seagull.

Colleen Gedrich's Bio

Colleen Gedrich, a lifelong resident Throop, Pa., earned a BFA in illustration from Marywood University in 2002. She is a freelance illustrator specializing in animal-themed work. She enjoys creating her art using mostly watercolor and pastel. As a dedicated animal rights activist and full-time program coordinator for International Society for Animal Rights (ISAR), Colleen lives her dream of joining her passions for animals and art to promote a more harmonious world with a touch of beauty. Recent works produced by Colleen include t-shirt and invitation designs, children’s book illustrations (A Different Kind of Hero), and book covers (With God There Is Hope). Colleen has also teamed up with her very talented artist mother, Kathy Holmes Gedrich, and paints murals for children’s nurseries.

For those who like....here is a trailer of the book!
Be sure to silence my play list!

I would like to thank Tribune Books for the chance to give a book review for Stanley Seagull!

Tribune Books website can be found here.

Peace and Joy,

Georgiann

On a side note: My blog "The Garden Gate" was nominated for
The Top 25 Big Family Blogs award.
I need your vote. I'm fighting to stay in last place!
You can vote over at The Top 25 blogs once a day through Oct.3 5PST (tap the link)
Scroll down until you see my blog and picture. (I am wearing a chapel veil)

Look no training wheels!

2011-09-24T20:26:00.000-07:00

****Silence my play list before starting the video****

I get great JOY out of watching my kiddos grow their relationship by helping

each other learn something new!

I beam with such warmth in my heart to witness such LOVE coming from my kiddos.

Olivia has kicked her training wheels off and has been doing awesome!

I have so much I want to share here on my blog but life here has been so busy! (but fruitful)

I still have not finished posting about our 2 week vacation or the past few weeks at the farm.

I have much on my plate for the next month but things should slow down by November!

October's busy schedule

I am planing a Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Ceremony and Luncheon to be held at our local church in mid October.

MOPS starts soon!

Olivia will be 4 in a few weeks and there are many sports and back to school activities to attend.

The weather here has been very warm so we have been spending time outside before the autumn rains arrive. I have been trying to weed and clean up my garden. (pull up all the dead stuff from not watering)

Don't forget to go vote for my blog:

The Garden Gate was nominated for

The Top 25 Big Family Blogs!

You can vote once a day until Oct. 3 2011 5pm PST

On a serious note:

Can all you prayer warriors pray for my friend Kim and her family?

Her daughter Clara (age 16) was killed in a tragic car accident last week. She left behind 2 siblings.

Peace in Christ,

Georgiann

My blog was nominated for "The Top 25 Big Family Blogs"! Vote for me please~

2011-09-13T08:53:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I was pleasantly surprised to read an e-mail that said,

my blog "The Garden Gate" has been nominated for the

Top 25 BIG Family Blogs.

To vote for my blog "The Garden Gate" tap the badge at the top of this post

then scroll down to my blog and tap the VOTE button.

If you are new to my blog....welcome!

Feel free to look around...comment if you'd like?

I do read all my comments and love to make friends with like minded people!

This is Hubby and I

~Our kiddos~
Jarett,Jacob, Nicholas,Noah
Jacqueline and Olivia
Christian miscarried at 8w4d on Jan.20 2011

So if you get a chance I'd love your vote!

Also check out all the other wonderful large family blogs.

Thanks for taking the time to vote! (you can vote once a day)

Voting ends Oct. 3 2011 at 5pm PST

Also if you'd like, become a follower?

You can find the follower box on my side bar if you scroll down.

It would be terrible if you could not find me again if you are new to my blog!

Peace+

Georgiann

Our field trip to the fair.

2011-09-12T10:53:00.000-07:00

September is finally here. My kiddos are back in school after a fun summer together. Everyone except Olivia who will soon be 4 (Oct.4th). Her and I plan to go on many all day field trips.

Our first field trip of this school year was to the State Fair.
(we do not ride the rides on homeschool field trips)

{then to pick up our veggies from the CSA farm.}
I will post about that soon.

No sooner did we arrive at the fair it was snack time!

Pre-schoolers need to eat every few hours!

Olivia got to many fun things.....

Like pet many animals such as goats, rabbits, horses, cows, ponies, pigs and ducks!

She also got to play at the hands on pioneer farm!

Though we did bring our own snacks and drinks it was fun to buy and share some

yokisoba and chicken.

Olivia also got to milk Betsy the plastic cow in the dairy barn as well as get some free chocolate milk!

So fun!

We also enjoyed so much more of our time at the fair seeing, smelling and listening to all that was around us!

The hobby hall was chalk full of cool stuff..... so many collections to see.

A real blast from the past!

We got our free rock and coin from some of the hobbyists!

One of our family's favorite things to do is vote on the best grange displays and peoples choice awards for paintings and photos in the main pavilion. Since the kids can actually vote they really like to look at the stuff.

There is so much free stuff to do at the fair....we only had time for a few.

After a long day at the fair it was off to the CSA farm to get our produce and flowers!

Have a great day~

Peace+ Georgiann

{notes and pics from the farm week 3and 4}

2011-09-05T16:06:00.000-07:00

Olivia was yelling for me to hurry uuuuupppp!

It was HOT and I was taking to many pictures! LOL

Week #3 at the farm

.75# greenbeans

2 onions

2 squash

1 cucumber

1# baby red potatoes

1 pint cherry tomatos

2 vine tomatoes

1 head of lettuce

1 bundle of greens

1 cabbage

1 pint of blueberries

u pick herbs

We also buy the flowers and bag salad mix.

WEEK #4 at the farm

1# Purple string beans

2# vine tomatoes
1 cucumber

2 squash

1 onion

1 head of lettuce

1 bundle of greens

2 pints of blueberries

u pick herbs

We also buy the flowers and bag salad mix.

Our Friday trips to the CSA farm have been nutriously rewarding! I pray to have time soon to post some of the yummy recipes I have been making with our garden harvest.
I have taken a ton of pictures of all my original recipes I have come up with.
I just need some time to get the posts written up.

Have a great weekend!

Peace,
Georgiann

Hope

2011-08-30T16:38:00.000-07:00

Hope.....is a beautiful word!

Hope is something I find in GOD's word, but is lived out and seen in many places.

I can't beleive it has been almost a week since I have posted but I have been busy with LIFE....

.......a life filled with HOPE.

So what do I hope for you might ask?

Hope, the way I see it is something that gives.....

It gives me JOY and a PEACE in what is to come.

There is not a pregnancy to announce as of yet but

I hope there will be in the future.

I have recieved many of the answers I needed and am heading it the right direction.

Infertility is a rough road to travel.

Hope....

I did not think my small garden had much to give me this year....but I was wrong

I see new fruit growing and have hope for a few things to come...even though I have neglected my garden this year.

I have hope in so many things.

Hope has so much it wants to give me.

What do you hope????

Peace and Love,

Georgiann

A bit of Joy in the mail today!

2011-08-25T16:05:00.000-07:00

It was a rough emotional day yesterday with medical test results and thinking of my baby Christian, lost to an early miscarriage back in January.....my due date would have been in just 4 days!

When I feel down something always comes along to pull me back up.
It was refreshing to check the mail today and find a package addressed to non other than me!

It was an apron from Joy over at Artful Homemaking.

I won her blog giveaway last week!

A bit of joy from JOY!

Thank you so much!

The apron is just beautiful!

Your generosity really lifted my spirits!

Here is Olivia my one of my little kitchen helpers wearing the new apron!

We were making pizzas for lunch.....and my mini chef wanted to wear the new kitchen gear!

Excuse the bathing suit.....it is summer! lol

I hope to post some of the many healthy eats we have been gnashing on since

joining the CSA farm co-op!

Thanks so much Joy!

The kiddos with shields as they walk up to the sprinkler!

My little summer warriors!

Peace and Blessings,

Georgiann

Feeling Down

2011-08-24T17:44:00.000-07:00

My 3 youngest kiddos at Christian Alexander's grave.
We still need to buy a stone, but for now we just have a in ground vases to mark his spot.
He is buried at the cemetary.....it was FREE of charge.

I wasn't going to write this post till I was emotionally feeling better and well......I decided it might make me feel better to write.

My test results of my month long NaPro blood draws came in the mail today......and the tears seem to have found me this muggy afternoon. The hot weather and being tired is not much help to my raw emotions. Its been a long day of going up to the JR High for "get your stuff" day. The 7th graders had to go really early and the 9th graders had a later time. It was crowded and no fun. I got the results in between the 2 treks up to the school. I felt like bawling the whole time I was up there. It was a challenge to hold it together. My mind was esle where to say the least.

So what did the result say, you may ask?

THE RESULTS are:

low estrogen and low progesterone in my post ovulatory phase

The words that really make me cry was reading:

This could account for the miscarriage that you had and may put you at risk for further miscarriage or infertility.

WOW that hurts....I mean really hurts!
Due to low hormones Christian died!
I know it was not my fault.... I don't blame myself. I just want him back!
My due date was to be Aug. 28 in just 4 short days.....I remember the JOY and the feeling of carrying him. My clothes were getting tight......I had big dreams! I miss him so much!

Deep Breath..........

So the plan is to take 4 injections of HCG on peak +3 +5 +7 +9 then go in for a blood test.

The pharmacy that can fill my prescription is about a 3 hour drive, so they will mail me my 4 pre-mixed injections. It seems I was told that this HCG is hard to find because many diet pill companies have bought it all up! Crazy I know! I was also told that I must pay for my meds in FULL before they mail them to me. I must then wrangle with my insurance company!

What I have is considered PMS. (that's how it is billed)

Post edit {there is hope of becoming pregnant soon, after my hormones are corrected}

You can read here about low estrogen .

I was also told I have a elevated fasting GLUCOSE of 111 and should be under 100.

It is recommended to lose weight,exercise and limit refined flour and sugar.
I have been working really hard the past few weeks to do all that!

I also need to make an appointment with my regular Dr. and see if he wants me to start checking my blood sugar at home. Though at this point I would not need meds for my pre-diabetes.

I feel drained......and hubby's home so I'm going to close this post for now.
I will eat some dinner and then go to bed early!

Peace and Love,

Georgiann

{more pics from the farm}

2011-08-23T10:58:00.000-07:00

I was sifting through the pics on my camera and found many more I wanted to share. Spending time at the CSA farm with my kiddos really warms my heart. I try to ~~stop time~~ soak it all in by taking a ton of pictures!

What do you like to take pictures of?
What setting?

I love rain day comforts ,umberellas, and puddles etc.

I love a cute girl in rubberboots and a mudpuddle, don't you????

I didn't take to many pictures did I??? lol

I pray all is well with you all!

Now I'm off to do some cleaning and a possible bathroom redo.

(I might paint my vanity with some paint I have laying around and a few other things!)

I'm trying to get my mind off waiting for my NaPro Dr. to call with my blood work results!

He will call sometime this week!

It has been a long 4 weeks of getting poked almost every other day!

If you have time stop in and say hi,

introduce yourself.....I love to make blog friends!

Become a follower if you'd like!

I go through spurts of posting.....but I'm really feeling bloggy lately!

Its funner when people comment and day hi so come say howdy!

Peace and Blessings,

Georgiann

{notes from this weeks CSA co-op harvest}

2011-08-20T20:32:00.000-07:00

We were warmly greeted this week by a girl conducting a strawberry taste test.

We sampled 6 kinds of strawberries and rated them on several qualities.

So fun!

This weeks sample share was:

1 head of cauliflower

1# of potatoes

.75# of squash

2 med. sweet onions

1 med tomato

.75# green beans

1 head of lettuce

1 bundle of greens

1 pint blueberries

1 pint cherry tomatoes u-pick

Herbs u-pick

Plus I buy a salad and u-pick flower share!!!! :)

All my kiddos came to the farm except Jarett whom rarely goes with us.

He is 17yr old and busy with sports etc.....

CSA co-op Farm Fun!

2011-08-19T12:10:00.000-07:00

Down in the valley lies a CSA farm. Many of the locals go on their assigned pick up day with canvas bags and woven baskets to gather their share of fruits, veggies and herbs.

You could also opt to buy shares of eggs,bread, salad

(washed and bagged) and flowers.

The season began in March and goes through the end of October. We just joined from August-October.

Our fee was pro rated and we can make it in 3 payments.

Last Friday it was just Noah and I (hubby joined us as we were getting done)

I ran out of camera space so I only got a few pics. I plan to take more today when we go!

Here is a list of what we got on week # 1!

We bought the sample share......

.75# green beans

3 cucumbers

1# broccoli

1 fennel bulb

5 green onions

1 bundle of greens (kale,Swiss chard or collards)

1 pint of cherry tomatoes (u-pick)

1 pint of raspberries

1 pint of blueberries

We were also allowed to pick fresh herbs!

I got:

cilantro

sorrel

mint

dill

We payed $18.00 for the share.

For $5.00 a week I added a large bag of washed mixed salad greens

For $2.90 a week I added u-pick flowers. (I can get 15 stems)

I can't wait to see what there is waiting for us today down at the farm!

What we get changes from week to week!

I did a good job eating all we had!

I made a real effort to make sure we ate ALL of what we had picked up last week.

The sample share ($18.00) is only 1/3 smaller than the basic share ($29.00)......we did good.

There was plenty for us. My kiddos though there are 6 of them did not eat to much.

Heres to a great weekend and healthy eats!

Peace and Love,

Georgiann

Enjoying God's Beauty In The Simplest Things!

2011-08-16T10:06:00.000-07:00

Wow! Look at the craftsmenship! sigh****

What detail.

It was a gorgeous summer evening here in the Pacific Northwest.

Hubby and I sat on the porch and relished in the simple sweetness we were witnessing.

Olivia was just beautiful.......

the sun was shining down on our youngest daughter as she played in the sprinkler.

I must have snapped 50 photos of her as she played......unaware we were there.

I wanted time to stand still.

But as I ponder that thought.

Life is living.........life is movement.

Life does not stand still for anyone.

My kids are growing up, there is nothing I can do to stop that.

But want I can do is enjoy every moment I can with them, and see the pure beauty in our ordinary days.

Yesterday was pure joy to my heart.....

Watching the sun sift through my daughters hair at the end of an awesome day as she frolicked in the sprinkler, was just glorious!

God is Good!

Have an awesome day!

Peace and Blessings,

Georgiann

Honoring Mary~

2011-08-15T11:54:00.000-07:00

Today as Catholics we celebrate the feast of the Assumption of Mary into heaven.

Peace and Blessings,
Georgiann

Saying goodbye to a friend~

2011-08-13T10:21:00.000-07:00

I have only seen my oldest son Jarett cry twice. Once when our dog died about a year ago, and then again last week when he read on face book his 17yr old friend/football teammate (LeVond) died in his sleep.

My husband and I comforted our son with a long embrace as he wept in our arms. Our son seems so big, nearly a man at 17. This event reminded us that even though our son is very independent....he needs us. We are his resting place in this rough and tumble world. This encounter we shared was raw....pure and very specical.

It was reported that:
LeVond said, he did not feel good. He complained of a stomach ache said, he was going to lay down for a bit. He never woke up! A relative found him later that evening after he slept though dinner. He had already passed! The autopsy showed he had genetic heart disease. Plaque builds up in the arteries at a rapid rate.....he had the heart of a 60 yr old man. No body knew he had this disease :(
(Sports physicals could not detect this sort of thing....it was not a defect it was rapid progressive disease.)

The funeral was yesterday. My son has never been to one....he was filled with so many emotions!

Jaretts friend T spent the night so I could take them both up to the school early to pick up their football jerseys. The whole team was going to wear them for the service. The team ended up setting together a well.... it was moving.... very powerful to see these young men all together.

Before the service.....the boys wanted a hair cut. So off we went!

At the service.......

The entire football team shed a few tears as they gathered around LeVond's open casket in disbelief and had to say there last goodbye. Its just not supposed to happen is way....having to saying goodbye to a friend that was only 17 years old. Dead just like that in his sleep none the less!

He was a good kid. Well liked and a youth leader in the community.

There was no drugs or alcohol involved. No fast car ride. No really dumb mistake.

Just a quiet sleep he never woke up from due to an unknown heart condition.

This group of boys got a dose if life at this young age.

Most thought they could concur anything.....but quickly realized you can't concur death.

It will come find you when it is your time.

They have learned......for a little while at least......you can't take life for granted.

Be loving .....be kind....embrace those around you!

*********************

Many of the team mom's (including myself) helped at the reception held at the high school in the cafeteria for the friend and family.

I made my favorite cheesy hash brown casserole. I will post the recipe soon!

I made a double batch in throw away containers so I would not have to remember to bring anything home.

So smart I know!! :)

Did I tell you that I had to carry the hot flimsy tins in on my very old beloved

( black, seasoned with many years of cooking love) cookie sheet?

Can you tell where this is going?

I forgot my cookie sheet.....I left it there! :(

I pray that someone has it and that I will get it back!

I will keep you posted as to weather I get it back,......not that any of you really care!

Just pretend to!......Thanks :) lol giggle sigh****

Have you ever left a dish or something at a potluck and never got it back?

On another note:::

Yesterday was a FULL day for me.......

Starting out at 5 am......I got up to to make lunch for hubby, my girls thought it was morning!

They thought it would be fun to play with the cat.......I never went back to sleep!

Then it was fix hot breakfast for Jarett and his sleep over friend.

Drive boys to school to get their football jerseys.

Home to start casseroles.

Pick up boys from the school and take in for hair cuts.

Come home to make lunch for kids staying home (only Jarett and I went to the funeral.)

and finish making casseroles.

Attend funeral and then stop by the house on my way to the reception to pick up hot casseroles.

After the recepetion I head home to

pick up the 3 youngest kids and get Jarett's friend stuff so I could drive T home.

Only to find out......

that when I was gone to the furneral Olivia held the cat ALL day and it finally pooped on her.....and 6 large blankets!!!!!! I only had 5 minutes to "put a band-aide" on my smelly bedroom mess:(

What a mess!!!!!!

Then it was off to tin buck to......to drop of Jarett's friend T. home. I had a few seconds to drop Jarett back off at home before going to the girls VBS BBQ up at the local Baptist church were my girls are attend their 3 VBS of the summer. Hotdog and chip dinner for the kids at 5pm! Then the girls had VBS from 6-8:30 pm.

(parents needed to be there at 8:10 for the show)

While the girls were at VBS....

Noah and I drove down to the local CSA farm to get our first Veggie pick -up!

We needed to be there by 7pm! Hubby got off work and joined us!

I will share some picture soon!

I now must go and move the laundry along......this cat mess it taking a while to get cleaned up!!lol

EEEKKKK!!!!!!!

Peace and Joy,

Georgiann

Jumping Ahead To Autumn!

2011-08-09T09:25:00.000-07:00

In my neck of the woods I can already feel a nip in the air! I close my eyes and see colorful leaves drifting to the ground. I can smell the onions cooking at the State Fair. sigh*****

I know I should be enjoying the season I'm in but without my beloved garden.......it is hard to do!

Here in the Pacific Northwest the weather this summer never got to hot. In fact for the past week, life here has been cool and overcast. It might seem premature to some of you living in regions of really hot weather but I have been dreaming of soup, warm bread, cozy casseroles and apple deserts!

Sipping cider, smelling cinnamon and looking through cookbooks is just a few short weeks away!
In my email this morning I got a video from Gooseberry Patch! They must have known I was in the mood for this sort of thing! (good marketing because I'm sure I'm not alone).

I have a few Gooseberry Patch cookbooks but not this one! I am a cookbook addict so I might have to get this one if our budget allows? (it probley won't allow because hubby's work situation had been up and down.) I do like to dream though!

Remember to silence my play list before starting the short video!

Have a wonderful day!

Peace and Joy,
Georgiann

{C is for cake} and remembering the simple life!

2011-08-08T11:18:00.000-07:00

Everyone payed their dollar then stepped on a number. The music started and the participants walked in a counter clockwise motion around the circle. Olivia was as cute as a button. She gracefully strolled around with her cupcake purse draped on her arm, carefully stepping on the numbered squares.
The music abruptly stops and a number is drawn. The gal yells 13!!!
Little Miss Olivia does not even know she is a winner of the church cakewalk. Once she is told,
she became so excited to pick a cake from a large selection of delectable sweets, her eyes sparkled with such innocent happiness. As a mom I wanted to savor the moment forever. sigh****

Olivia picked the homemade strawberry cake with carrier!

This homemade cake was yummo...so moist!

It made a tasty Sunday dessert and was chased down with a spot of tea.

******************************************

Its funny how a simple cakewalk game and homemade cake can carry me back in time, to the loving innocent memories of the of my childhood.

The gift of simple purposeful living is something that I want to pass onto my children. In this modern society we live it it can seem an uphill battle.

We live in an era where going out to eat and store bought cakes seem the norm.

Anything less than that, is viewed as a punishment or that you are "poor" and can't afford.

Lately I have felt out of touch with my living simple ways I have come to love. I think because we did not grow a big garden this year it has really changed many other ways we once lived our life.

I miss the smell of the dirt and planting seeds. I miss strolling through the tall sunflowers in my bare feet and letting the garden tell me what was for dinner.

I miss the sound of my juicer going none stop!

I miss reading through my vegetarian cookbooks for ideas on how to use up my harvest!

I did not make any jam this year :( Thankfully I have some left from last year!!

I did not put up any veggies this year. No homemade tomato soup! Nothing...Nada!

Zero, Zilch!

Not having a garden has had a negative impact on the natural ways I once lived simply.

The rhythm of my day and how I live daily was very much changed by not having a garden!

It has changed how I eat and shop for my family.

After some talk with hubs we decided to join our local CSA farm for the remainder of the summer and early fall.

My pick-up at the farm starts next weekend and I can't wait!

I have been yearning for that connection with the earth that fresh garden veggies bring.

I can't wait to experience eating new veggies and create new recipes for my family.

Have you strayed from the simple life you really desire?

What steps to you do daily to help you live simply with purpose?

Peace and joy for a wonderful day!

Georgiann

{S is for spa}

2011-08-07T10:12:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago my friend Sue invited me (and her other friend Cheryl) to a womens night out that her local Chevy dealer was hosting. Free Mexican food and lots of vender's like Mary Kay, Scentsy, jewlery,purses and more. If you test drove a car you also got a FREE $40.00 spa finders gist card.

The dealership also taught us how to change a tire,check our car fluids etc...

So the 3 of us gals decided we would go redeem our cars together.

I got a pedicure, Sue a massage and Cheryl a facial!

R if for RELAX!

When we arrived at the day spa we were welcomed and lead to the RELAX room and offered tea or water.

From the start we all felt pampered!

We all sat quietly filling out our paperwork sipping our herbal tea as soft flute music floated around the room.

We all soaked up the atmosphere and listened to the fountain gently flow with water.

We were all on cloud 9! This day spa spared no detail!

After a few minutes in the RELAX room we were all lead back to our separate rooms for our spa treatments!

I was lead to a room with 2 elevated throne like chairs. I felt like a queen!

My pedicurist said she was going to be a grandma again any time now.

She was on standby for a call to go watch the 2 year old while her son and his wife have the baby!

After a few minutes of chit chat I had to shut it down.

I have gone enough times for massages and other spa treatments to know that is not relaxing to talk to whole time. I am not rich (well I am but not with money) sigh** so I want to sit quietly during my spa experience and get my monies worth.

As a momma of 6 kiddos I was enjoying the quiet.

I took deep breaths of the scented steam that waifed up from my medal foot soak pan.

I listened as the flute music reminded me of the times I was in labor

(I listen to that same kind while I labor)

I was sad for a few moments as this month I was to be in labor with Christian.....I was due Aug 28!

I quickly moved my thoughts to happier things.......and soaked up every ounce of pampering touch

I was experiencing.

For right now I will LIVE IN THIS MOMENT I told myself!

I became totally relaxed!

After our evening at the SPA we went over to Sues house for chocolate martinis and food!

I will post more on that part of our girls night soon!
Peace and Love,
Georgiann

A Walk In The Park

2011-08-04T18:51:00.000-07:00

After watching our oldest son Jarett play baseball last Sunday we decided to take a family walk!

Well minus Jarett....he rode home with a friend after a long day of 2 games.

This beautiful park is just a few miles from our house....it has a bike/walking trail, ponds, ball field of all sorts and a play ground at both ends of the long trail. So we walk 1/2 way around the loop, then stop and play for a while before finishing the loop. The whole loop is 2miles I think??? or so it seem to me!!!! lol

I'm so out of shape!

The lush green canopy of the trees provided the much need shade on our finally HOT summer days!

These bright red berries beckoned to be noticed against the differing shades of green.

I was tickled to get such an awesome photo of these lilies with my zoom lens!

I was actually pretty far away! :)

My kids were thrilled to find a nickel tucked in this squirrel hole.

We had a wonderful day together.

Just a simple inexpensive walk was full of loving memories for us all.

Being together spending quality time........is just precious to me!

My day could not have been any better! sigh***

Peace and love for a terrific day!

Georgiann :)

Created by His hands~

2011-07-31T09:30:00.000-07:00

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you."
Jeremiah 1:5

Children are a blessing.....the supreme gift of marriage!

We are His Masterpiece!

I pray you all have a very blest Sunday with your families!

Peace and Love,
Georgiann

Broken crayons made new again~

2011-07-29T07:41:00.000-07:00

For our family the end of July/beginning of August is when we take inventory of our school supplies.

Do we need more paints,crayons,pens or pencils?

With school supply sales at the local stores starting to make their way onto sales flyer's. And some unadvertised sales I have been seeing while grocery shopping. Its time to make a game plan and a list of what we will need in our upcoming school year.

After taking inventory I discovered that we had many broken crayons.

(scattered through out the house none the less)

I decided the other morning to have my girls peel the paper off the old broken crayons so we could melt them down into a new round swirly ones. My daughter Jackie (6) only lasted 10 minutes with the task. It seemed the paper was to much of a chore for her. Olivia on the other hand sat there at the dining room table for about 1 1/2 hours peeling the paper off the crayons.

After she had been there for 45 minutes I told her she did not have to

finish the job. Though she looked tired.....because of being on our summertime/dad has been home bed time schedule Olivia continued on.

(We will be getting our fall bed time schedule in order soon......that's another post.)

Olivia has always really liked to sit and work with her hands...

you see her here hulling beans when she was about 20 months.

This year I will only have Olivia (almost 4) home for "home school".

Her and I are now planing and going over what we want our school year to look like together.

I can't wait! The two of us are going to have a great time together.

The rest of my kiddos will be attending our local schools.

That being said, our family has a home school way of life when they are home.

What do your kiddos do with their time when they are home?

What do they view on TV? What music do they listen to?

What do you talk with them about?

Do you spend quality time with your kids?

Learning happens all the time......

There are all sorts of teachable moments in daily life.

Do you seize the moment or keep waiting for the next one to come around before deciding to jump in?

I hope to post again over the weekend.

Next week I will be quite busy with yet another VBS and probley to tired to post??? We'll see?

I forgot to mention after the crayons were in the tray we warmed them in the oven at 225 for about 10 minutes or so.

We put them in the freezer to cool. It made them easy to "pop" out of the mini muffin tin.

Peace and Joy for a productive day~

Georgiann

Day One and Two::: Ritzville City Park

2011-07-27T08:10:00.000-07:00

Jacob

Here are the pictures I promised....I know you have really been waiting on the edge of your seat for them......hee hee sigh****

Oh come on humer me!!!

I know that I am the worlds worst writer and my post are not always that interesting but I'm working on it.

(I am now laughing and rubbing my eyes. Tired from getting up with hubby....his first day back to work after being layed off. I only have 10 more minutes to post before quickly getting ready to meet my sister for breakfast in small town USA. I will do my best to make this interesting)

My son Jacob is climbing the city water tower.....I guess a 14yr old likes the big climby toys!

Nick and Noah

Olivia

Jackie

This picture was taken on the 2nd day......We were packed up to leave Riztville. We had an hour to kill before leaving to pick up Jarett our oldest son (that is rarely in my pictures). He was at football camp an hour drive away but could not get picked up until 12:00 noon.

Then we had a 4 hour drive after that to get to Libby MT.

Back to the story.......

Jacob thought it would be funny to spin the merry go round fast enough to have his brother Nick fly off into the very large and deep mud puddle. (pictured above)

Did I mention we had already checked out of our hotel???

Clean up was real fun in the small metal sink at the park.

His shoes were FULL of mud on the inside!!!!

Jacob swinging high so he can kick the branches of the tall oak!

Stay tune for more vacation pictures!

Peace Love and Joy,

Georgiann

Wildlife Park

2011-07-26T10:04:00.000-07:00

A quick pre-post note::

My dear hubby has been unemployed for the past few months....work has been calling him back for the past few days. He has asked for a few more days off to finish a few things around the house that need to get done. Hubby got bit by the oh I can do that tomorrow bug some of the time he was home. I get bit by it all the time.......now he knows what staying home all the time is like!
I have enjoyed having him push me to clean out and get rid of things......we will be pushing hard today to finish a few loose ends. He has wanted breakfast most mornings and complains if I sit in front of the computer to long. My computer has been slow to load my pictures or will not even let me so I have not even bothered until to day. I know I promised more of my vacation pictures but they will have to wait.

The night before last we had a thunderstorm blow in after a few hot days of 85 or so. We cooled back off to 50-65 yesterday and today with a breeze and rain. Very overcast. With a just a few more weeks left on my Trek membership I decided yesterday we should all pile in 2 cars and go. We don't all fit in one car if we take friends.

It did start to rain while we were riding the tram at Wildlife Park. With the windows off and no rain gutters......the seats by the windows got 2 inches of water on them. The animals really like the cooler weather and were out in forces even in the rain! The driver of the tram said, the hot weather we had the few days prior caused the animals to go in hiding. We came on the perfect day!

Can you see the rain?????

Well hubby has just came in to ~~boss~~ help me get motivated and wrap up our cleaning out mission!!!! hee hee

Hubby has also just informed me his new job will be 25 minutes from the house....not 1 1/2 hrs.

that he thought. They put him on a closer job!!! Yippee!

Well I am off to get things done and tend to my dear hubby!

I will really miss him when he goes back to work! :(

Peace and Love,

Georgiann

My vacation journal......looking back.

2011-07-21T12:10:00.000-07:00

Family picture....minus hubby (he's taking the picture)

and our oldest son Jarett (17)

is at football camp.

Day one:::: We drove to Ritzville about a 4 hour drive from the house.

We stopped and had lunch at this really cool rest stop and got to see these huge wind power turbine things. The kids got a kick out of seeing these monstrous spinning power makers!

I think they are 350 feet tall?

The hillside were covered with these extra large windmills.

Once at our hotel.....we swam for a while, then got cleaned up and headed out for dinner.

After some Mexican food we took a nice walk around the quaint little town.

My kiddos really enjoyed the historical little town.

Family picture with Mr. Ritz (the rusty art statue)

After a nice stroll through the town streets.....

we drove over to the city park and let the kiddos play for a bit.

I had a few more pictures I wanted to share but my computer is acting up.

I hope you are not bored with all my pictures?

So I bid you farewell for now......

Peace and Joy,

Georgiann

The infertility rollicoaster!

2011-07-10T15:38:00.000-07:00

I know a few of you have been waiting to hear how my NaPro appointment went.
It went very good! Doctor O is a wonderful christian man and DR! He did a pap and an exam.
It was discovered that I have a tipped uterus and my cervix is behind my pubic bone.
We are not sure if that is part of the problem?
My DR prayed with me and seemed to genuinely care. He ordered a series of blood tests that will be carried out over a months time. (the 24 hour 7 day a week lab is a 40 minute drive one way.) I will have blood draws almost every other day for the next month. All the samples will be saved and sent on dry ice to Nebraska at the same time for analyses. After the results are in Doctor O will call me and go from there.

Part of infertility that really stinks is the emotional rollicoaster!

The "2 week waiting period" is the hardest for me. Its the longest 2 weeks of a women's life as she waits to "test" for pregnancy.
During this time I try to remain hopeful.....every little pain or "feeling" makes me think "this could be the month"......my month!!!! (I'm going through that right now as I type) I try to figure out my possible due date and what would be going on in my life then. Part of me wants to test 5 days before my period is due so I will know......the other part of me does not want to "know". I like dreaming and hoping! Many months I have tested to only wipe after and discover Aunt Flo has come to visit once again. Then I get mad at my self for not just waiting.
No matter if I test early or wait to test......disappointment always seems to find me. There is no hiding from it. Some months I don't test at all......I just wait for Mr. Disappointment to show up!
(he's pretty reliable) and always shows up with his wife FLO!

Over the past week I have wondered....Do I have a souvenir from my trip? I joked with Doctor O.....I sure hope the twins Court and Alene are on their way! (We went to Coude Alene ID).

I won't let my mind think there will be no more babies....but I do know that that is a possibility.

I have another week to go before I can test~
At least I will be preoccupied with VBS this week.

I had been trying to lose weight but only kept with it for 3 weeks......I did not lose any! :(
At church 4 weeks ago, 2 people thought I was 8 months pregnant ( I did look like I was....it was the skirt I was wearing) One lady rubbed my tummy and said "how much longer did I have?" I came home and cryed!

Did I tell you that I am in a emotional funk?

I have a real nesting urge even though I'm not pregnant (that I know of)!

I have been pondering giving my whole house a makeover.
So after I eat this Red Velvet cupcake and drink my tea...I'm going to the store for paint sample chips!
I want to paint my whole house all new colors!

And I know the cupcake is not helping with the weight loss program~ grrrr!!!!

Peace and Love,
Georgiann

Lots to share......

2011-07-08T10:19:00.000-07:00

Well I must say I am glad to be back to my blog. It has been a very long 2 weeks.

I want to thanks everyone that came and left me a comment.....and a BIG thanks to my new blog friend...Lisa......I think we are kindered spirits and I am thankful for our new friendship!

While on my break our family actually went on a trip to Libby MT were we camped in cabins. We then headed to Post Falls/ Courde Alene ID and stayed in a hotel right on Lake Courde Alene. On our trip we got to visit some friends in Sand Point ID and ride the rides at Silverwood theme park. I love the log ride!!!! We also attended Mass every Sunday that we were gone! I have a few stories to share about that! It was a fun time!
Jacob and I also spent a night in East Wenachee and the day in Leavenworth (a German theme town) and Cashmire WA (where they make the famous Applets and Cotlets candy). I have so many pictures I want to share.....
But it will have to wait...I have to round up all my photo chips and get the pictures downloaded!

Since getting home on July 5th I have been very tired.......the heat has really has knocked me back!
My husband and I drove separately.....he took most of the kiddos home on July 4. Jacob and I stayed in East Wenachee for my NaPro DR appointment. (more details on that soon) We came home a day later on the 5th.
It has taken a few long naps over the past few days to finally feel good again...and the drop in the temp has helped greatly. It was 90 degrees when I left Wenachee! And 75 degrees here when we drove over the pass. I was hoping for the cooler weather we are all used to 60-70 ish.
On our trip and since coming home I have been getting to bed at about 11pm
(falling asleep around midnight) and waking with the sun at 5am! Then taking a 2 hour nap in mid afternoon.

Since being home life has been full speed ahead!

We have added a new cat Daisy to our family......a free stray cat a friend needed a home for.
After some research on line I think she is a Ragamuffin breed.
I have not always had good experiences with cats but for the kids sake decide to give it a try. Plus I feel like I am in an emotional funk....ever since my miscarriage in January I have wanted to dye my hair blond and get a tattoo.

OK.....JUST KIDDING! But have you every done weird things to feel better about things?????

I was due with Christian Alexander Aug. 28. the miscarriage in January still makes me sad! :(

Our Border Collie Jasper is not to happy about our new cat......
We are gently trying to get them acquainted.

Tomorrow is Jasper's 1yr anniversary!

We have also come home to discover we have a rooster in our mix of hens. I love love roosters but we can not have them here. We don't have enough property. So we will soon have to find him a new home, leaving us with only 4 hens. We are left with a Buff Orphington, an Americana, a Black Australorp and a Silver Lace Wyandotte. (Our Rhode Island Red did not make it past the 3 month mark)

My very small garden did well despite not being watered while we were gone.

~Celery and Lettuce~

We also had an abundance of strawberries that my girls ate very quickly ....they were almost gone before I could get a good picture of a FULL berry patch!

My chamomile is going very well but some of my herbs did not fair as well.

With a bit of pruning back and a little some time and water I am hopeful my herbs will make a full comeback!

Since coming home 2 days ago, I have had a VBS meeting.

Vacation Bible School starts next week 11-15th.

If my kiddos are not in the program they help out....I run the snack kitchen.

Last night I went to my best friends house and got to swap vacation stories with her.

She just got back from an Alaskan Cruse with her son J.

Her pictures were breathtaking!

After getting caught up, we went to a Ladies Night Out at a local car dealership.

It was a free event.....catered Mexican food, free $40.00 spa gift card for test driving a new car,

and door prize drawings.

There were many local vendors at the event, Scentsy, Tupperware, Mary Kay, Jewelry, Purses and More!

About 15 vendors in all!

The guys from the dealership gave mini talks on how not to get ripped off by Jif.f.y L.ub.e

how to change a tire, what to in case of an accident etc....

Very Very FUN!!!!!!

My diet has gone out the window while on vacation..... :(

and since coming home. I need to get back on track!

{after I eat my Red Velvet cupcake from Costco!}

Today I have to finish unpacking the my van from the trip then later today I will go look at a bunkbed and 2 dressers for sale from a gal in our homeschool group.

I want to get the girls sleeping in there own room by fall.

Tomorrow hubby and I are taking the kids to a local Lavender Festival!

I have a craving for one of these cupcakes!!!

and maybe a bit of Lavender Lemonade to wash it down!

You can go here to my other blog....

The Rustic Kitchen

for my recipe.

Well I better get going, the day is getting away from me.

I send you all Peace, Love and Joy for a great weekend!