House Keeping

 Cleaning isn't one of my strong points. Now don't get me wrong, I love a clean looking and smelling house. But to get there takes a lot of time and work. Today was a little different, I would have given anything to clean the house over snapping more beans. We are thrilled for the beans, but have now put 228 quart of green beans. We shouldn't run out! All was done in half gallons but the last 44 quarts, we actually put in quarts. We are calling it FINISHED!. Next in line to be picked and shelled are the Kidney beans, and white beans. Those look easier to do than our poor bug bitten green beans.

Today I baked bread, and hung out laundry, than helped with beans...It was a wonderful drying day for clothes. They not only dried quickly but, the breeze kept them from drying hard. 

Bathrooms are now cleaned, hardwood floor scrubbed, and we have a good start on the decluttering.

Guys are all out in the woods squirrel hunting, girls are riding bike, twins are riding the wagon down the hill, and I am enjoying the clean smelling house, along with some wonderful peace and quiet.

Death

Our family has experienced death this year in the way we never dreamed we would. It has raised discussions in our family that we normally would have not had to address.
February 27th I had a miscarriage. Since then, Heaven has been looked at in a totally different light. We have a little one there we want to go see. June came around and a little nephew was killed in an accident. Death and Heaven again became so real. But also started raising  questions in our children. WHY? If God is such a wonderful God, why did he allow this to happen?
After going through a really rough time these last 9 months, including a lot of depression, mental breakdown, lots of pain, I feel like I am finally pulling through, becoming stronger emotionally, mentally and physically. We do have another little blessing on the way.
Earlier this month we lost a special lady and friend who went home to be with the Lord. The children loved her, when Annie was born, she would walk down mornings and help with the house work. A real shining light. Last night Mommie (my Grandmother) died. Carrie (4) was comforting the others. Especially her twin. She would tell him. Carter, Mommie is better now, she can walk by herself. She is not sick. She is HAPPY!
I tell the children that the Lord allowed us to journey this road for a reason. Even though it is hard! I admit, I will never be the "Old Kristena" that I used to be. I feel like all the rough edges have been sanded down.

Till next time~

Kris

Long and Lonely Days

We haven't started crying the blues yet, but the tears are just a drop away from getting started.
Wayne left Sunday evening for a week in Philly. The children have done well, holding up under the pressure of the load around here. Chores, schoolwork, housework, and the mountain of things that have filled every available slot on our chart. And then the sickness to boot- Hands, Foot and Mouth. A very unwanted plague to have.
But today, we are all feeling just a mite short. The laughter is fast dying. Two little ones woke up wanting daddy now, and upset they couldn't even call him. The pressure of a tight schedule is starting to work on me. Juggling appointments. Fixing food for a funeral. Running errands. Tucking everybody in bed at night alone. Last night I laid awake till 2:30 am, and slept a little till 5:45 am. A short night it was. I am feeling tired, but  am waiting on a phone call to go pick up a load of Jam. Than it will be home, serve supper, and head to a viewing.
On a positive note.. Cows and pigs are still in pasture, they haven't tried getting out. Apples are all delivered, and We are back to cooler weather, from the high 80's last week. This is a treat, and we are once again running the cookstove.

Till next time~