The growing Stam family

The love stories I will share with them

2012-02-14T12:24:00.004-05:00

I know today is Valentines day, a day that you would expect a post about how to show love to your family, how sweet your husband has been to you or what you did to show your family you have loved them. My heart this morning is elsewhere, my heart is all about love, but this post might not be a mushy feel good type of post.

James 1:27 : "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

This morning, laying in bed recuperating for our recent loss, I was remembering stories from people of my grandparents generation, stories about how hard life got after the war, how many families with in financial difficulties. How some fathers left their little one on the door steps of the convents because their wife had died in child labour, or how young unmarried mothers would leave their little baby in basket in hope that they would grow in better home, then what she could give.

Stories of nuns going from doors to doors asking families if they could take the baby, that they were carrying in a baskets, in hope of a home that would take those precious babies to raise them as their own. Or when you would hear from the pulpit that any families that are capable of taking a child to go visit the orphanage, because those little one were needing some care and love, reminding them that God wanted them to be loved, as He loved us.

Stories of my own grandmother, being from a poor family, wanting to be a nurse, and being face with the option of joining the convent to get the educations for nursing duties or choosing the calling of being a wife and mother. At 16 and engaged, her only request to my grandfather, who was building them a house, was that she would marry him, if he would build a small room on the first floor where she could take care of people, older, sick, and without family to take care of them.

At 18, newly wed, expecting their first child, she welcome her first stranger into their home, someone who was alone and dying, that stranger became part of the family. He was the first on many, men and women who came for their final days in that room, my grandmother raised 9 children, and buried 2 shortly after birth, but her family was bigger then those number, because she had open her home to those that would have been left behind.

That small room, I remember it. I don't remember the others that were welcome there,but I remember that was the room where she rested in, when at the young age of 53, the liver cancer she was fighting made her too weak to go up the stairs, the room where my grandfather would show his love to her.

The room where she closed her eyes for the last time,a room filled with love.

This morning, I was thinking of the stories that I would tell my grandchildren, my heart grew sad. Thinking that I would tell stories of how children would go trough foster care, bouncing from one home to the next hoping for a stable loving home. Children living on the street, unloved. Children in orphanage waiting, hoping, praying to be taken in a loving family but because of paper work,because of the system, lots of them will have their hope of love crushed. Stories of women, hating their own children, disposing them at the same size and age of the one that I have to say goodbye to yesterday. Stories of people dying, alone, in sterile room. Stories of grandparents send to live in hospice, or senior home, because they grew old, and are too sick to take care of themselves. A place where, each day, they wait to have their children visit them, but too often go to bed without the sight of them, a place where loneliness is common.

I wish I could tell them better stories, stories about love, stories that will give them hope.

Those stories that I will tell them, haven't been told yet, but have been written. I hope the stories I will tell them will be happy, loving stories.

A time to let go

2012-02-10T09:40:00.000-05:00

There is a season for everything, a time to be born a time to die, a time to weep a time to laugh, a time to mourn a time to dance. (Ecc 3)

We have learned a few weeks ago that our baby had past away, gone to visit it's heavenly father, since then, I have been mourning and waiting for my body to release this tiny little body.

Nothing, we waited and waited, but we need to do something about it now, it's time to help the process to go along, it's time for my body to let go, for me to have closure.

Over the weekend, we will have my body do trough a induction, please keep us in prayer,pray that it's all goes smoothly.

Motherhood in art

2012-02-08T17:31:00.003-05:00

Have you ever been blessed by a sweet friendship, it'something very special. My best friend Nathalie, knows me well, she knows my strength and my weaknesses,and of course she knows what I love and she has the gift of giving the best present ever.

This is one of her present she gave me today (it's part of a set of 3 but since I took the picture with my phone I could only take a picture of one of them)

Isn't it gorgeous!!! but what makes it special is the title of this piece the name of the baby is "Renee" How cool is that?!

Now I have 3 beautiful frame gracing my wall, a reminder of motherhood, a reminder of our gorgeous daughters, a reminder of a wonderful friend, that even if she is childless at the moment, understands the art of motherhood.

Have you been bless with a beautiful sisterly friendship?

Many life skills to be learned

2012-02-06T15:38:00.000-05:00

Teaching very valuable life skills, are for us mother something that we do on a day to day basis with our little one. From getting dress in the morning, to brushing their teeth at nigh, learning opportunities are always there for those who want to seek them.

Baking, over here, has been one life skill that our little goose just loves to practice. Even our youngest is learning the art of making waffles.

Making and stirring the the batter

We did not teach her to taste test the batter, but she did, silly goose

So since her oldest sister lean to make a pot of coffee, and the 2 youngest can prepare breakfast. I think the our morning ritual will only get better and better and better.

Life skills, not only beneficial for our growing little toddlers,but for their mama also :-)

Some words are worth repeating, over and over again

2012-02-03T11:55:00.000-05:00

Have you ever heard yourself saying things like "Don't hit your sister, Don't put that in your nose, Pick up your toys NOW" over and over? Raising little one, involve a lots of instructions on your part, they need to learn what to do and what not to do. Need to learn right from wrong, what is good and bad.

But if you could choose to say ONE thing today, to say it over and over again, to sing it, to make them remember it, to write it on their little heart, would it be this?

Those simple words are worth repeating over and over again!

Is she trying to tell me something?

2012-01-31T11:37:00.003-05:00

Shirt says "you're fired!"!!!!! lol

Have you ever had days that you think "Good thing that I can't get fired, because I have no clue what I'm doing here" Yes, me too!!!

There is always something to learn, when you have a teachable spirit.

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Some days are just blurry

2012-01-26T09:32:00.005-05:00

Mother's tell me that boys have more energy then girls, that they are more destructive, more difficult.

My mind have a hard time undertanding it! Does this look like calm, little girls hehe!

And of course the picture is blurry, they has so much energy. Yes,my life is sometime just a blur of little girls, climbing,running, dancing, playing all day long!

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Curried orange cauliflower soup

2012-01-25T08:57:00.000-05:00

Over the weekend the girls did lots of this

Poor little goose have been hit by the flue bug one after the other,but they are all back to their healthy self now!!!

Papa wanted to try a new recipe on Sunday, I was more then happy to have a chef prepare us food. It's a great blessing to have food prepare for you when all you have seen in the past couple day was not all that appetizing (if you know what I mean!)

So instead of writing down this marvellous recipe, you'll have chef Harry showing you step by step how to make the very delicious Curried Orange and cauliflower soup in a video.

Enjoy!

Learning can bring JOY to their belly * giveaway* CLOSE

2012-01-24T12:25:00.001-05:00

Our little girls are curious, and willing to learn new things everyday. When earth's best send us a box of Organic letter of the day cookies, of course the first thing that crossed my mind was "lets find a word to read and eat"

It was a blast letting them learn the letters and some on them could read short words, like the one on the picture!

Earth's best will be giving away, one of you dear readers, some of their organic snack and sesame street meals sampler.

How to enter this giveaway, just leave a comment for each of the entries you choose to do, it's that simple

1. leave a comment telling us what are some of the fun ways you are teaching your little one the ABC's and 123's

2. Share this giveaway on facebook, twitter or blog about it, linking to this post and this blog.

3. "like" earth's best on facebook or Youtube

The giveaway will end this Friday at 8 pm

You can keep in touch with me by "liking" us on facebook or look for us on twitter @GrowingStam or using google friends connects

Chlorine free baby review

2012-01-24T10:55:00.000-05:00

Of course we all love to help the environment with whatever we can, but for us mothers, using chlorine free product on our little babies is something we all appreciate.

Being part of Earth's Best bloggers program, I was given the chance to try a few of their amazing products. Some very yummy organic food, but also some of their diapering line too. Here is a few product that we tried : chlorine free diapers, chlorine free wipes, Potty training pants.

I have to say, the wipes are great, they don't have a typical "chemical" smell that some other brand have. They leave the skin clean, and soft, what else is a wipe suppose to do :-)

The training pants have the easy tear side, that is very nice when accidents happens, they pull up and down easy enough for a toddler to "do it all by themselves" and are tight enough to prevent leakage. I really like them.

For the diapers, I can't say I was 100% satisfied with them. I might be just that strong, but I rip the sticky tap off when I tried to put the diaper on, more then once!. They are fine for daytime, but for night time and heavy wetter, they don't have the absorbency that is required to keep those little one dry. We normally use cloth and disposable ( cheap store brand) and haven't had leak issue as I did with this particular brand. So I can't say that I was in love with them.

"In the spirit of full-disclosure, I've partnered with Earth's Best as part of the "Earth's Best Blogger's program. Throughout the year I'll be receiving product, coupons, giveaways and promotions. However, no payment was given or expected for posting about the program, and as always, all opinions given here are fully my own. "

Encouraging creativity

2012-01-19T16:05:00.001-05:00

I have plenty of colouring books, crayons, paper to let our little artist create beautiful artwork, but they always gravitate their masterpieces on my walls. At first I got upset, they are writing on MY walls, they are making a mess, this isn't "pretty"

Because in my mind, pretty artwork would more likely look like this

Source: lilluna.com via Growing on Pinterest

Source: ohdeedoh.com via Growing on Pinterest

Source: smallchichome.com via Growing on Pinterest

But then one day, I realized that the walls to OUR home are theirs too. The writing on the walls, is one way they are able to make the home where they live "pretty" to them. All they want to do is to create something beautiful, but sometime, us grown-ups, have forgotten to see beauty in the simple things.

So I needed to make a compromise, from having clean walls, to giving them the freedom to create. So, chalks and some space, where they are allowed to be free to be the artist that they are, were given to them. (because they are more washable then crayons of *gasp* sharpies!!!!)

I am looking into buying some "black board" paint and paint some of the lower part of our walls with it. How fun would it be to create and create and create some more.

Giving our children the freedom to do things that might not make sense to most people, is all in the matter of perceptive. When I started to see beyond the mess, the ugly, I started to see some beautiful artistic demonstration of creativity.

Making memories is sometime "unconventional" but it's rewards are priceless

Once a mother, always a mother

2012-01-17T14:40:00.005-05:00

I sat there in her office, waiting, she came in looked at me and asked how I was feeling.
"I'm ok"
A little perplexed,, she looked at me "But you look so calm, and thank you again for bring me lunch, that would have been the last thing on my mind if I was in your situation"

I just smiled, "I just know that she was a busy doctor and taking me during her lunch hour met she might not have time to eat lunch"

Then the stats came in; all my tests all came back just fine, there was nothing wrong with me, and nothing wrong with the baby, he/she little heart just stopped beating, it's little body stopped growing, for no (medical) reason.

1 out of 6 pregnancies ends up in a miscarriage. 15 to 20 % (or 1 out 5) women of child bearing age will experience pregnancy loss during their fertile years.

"two in a row for you, was just bad luck" she told me.

Bad luck, oh how I cringed at those words.

What does luck as to do with it? Life is not a matter of chance, it's a miracle, a blessing, a gift from God. Life starts at the beginning, at conception, duration of life is all in God's hands.

"... Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one came to be" ~ Psalm 139:16

To our own understanding, some of our babies life were cut short, way too early, I will never understand why He choose to bring them home to Him, now. But I know that He as a plan, I might not understand it, or even like it, but God does work in mysterious ways.

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart..." ~ Jer 1:5

Life and death is not a matter of chance or luck, thinking that it is, change our perception of who God really is. He is in control, even when it hurts. He is loving, even in suffering. He will never change, even when our walls crumbles down.

A mother starts to love her child from the beginning, her love, even in separation from death, never ceasing. Once a mother, always a mother. Losing a child before or after birth, even a adult child is painful, for a mother.

Motherhood changes us, all of us.

"I love you forever, I like you for always. As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be" ~ R. Munch

If you have lost a baby either from abortion, miscarriage, illness or accidents, know that you are not alone, there is hope. All around us, mothers have experienced pain from the loss of their little one, but by sharing our experience, and prayers, healing will find it's way.

"Praise be to God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." 2 Cor 1:3-4

Pain and suffering are real, but our loving God does give us hope and healing.

baby past away

2012-01-13T17:17:00.000-05:00

We just learn that baby past away, keep us in prayer during this waiting period before my body does what it neeeds to do

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prayer

2012-01-13T13:17:00.000-05:00

I have a ultrasound at 3h30, and just started bleeding, please keep us in prayers

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prayer for baby

2012-01-13T13:03:00.001-05:00

Have a us in a few hours, just started bleeding, please pray

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prayer for baby

2012-01-13T13:00:00.001-05:00

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The clip that explains it all

2012-01-10T16:41:00.000-05:00

I'll spare you the details (yes thank me later) but today was this kind of day. The clip will explain it all

I'm sure you giggle a bit, maybe more then a bit. Hopefully tomorrow will be less "smelly!"

keeping those little hands busy

2012-01-06T12:59:00.001-05:00

Little people need to keeps their hands occupied so they wouldn't get in trouble. Same goes along for all of us!!!

Povb 31: 13b ...and willingly works with her hands.

What is keeping your hands busy today???

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So now we wait

2012-01-05T16:42:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was our first OB apt, I was 12 weeks on the dot, was hoping to hear our little baby's heartbeat, but nothing.
The OB could not find it, telling me that my uterus was tilted backward making hearing baby more difficult.

So now we wait.

We wait for the somebody to call me for scheduling a U/S next week, we wait to see what is happening, we wait to see if we will be rejoicing or mourning.

So I sit and wait

Gone with the old and back with the new

2012-01-02T09:28:00.000-05:00

Another year has pass another one as begone, a whole new year, full of memories to be made.

From our house to yours, here I give you what those two are doing

Have a blessed New Year

It's a giveaway! close

2011-12-27T09:35:00.002-05:00

*The winner is Jessica from Muthering height" Congrats

I'm sure all of you have been eating some very yummy food in the last couple days, and am sure that you had a very merry Christmas.

Since the festivities are not yet over in the Stam house, I wanted to give you a giveaway before the new year (I'll be back to blogging in the new year)

Earth's best line of infant puree pouches is, in my opinion, the next best things after homemade baby food. Those pouches are full of yummy food, vitamins and so easy to use, perfect for the mom on the go. But if you prefer the baby jars, Siliskins have created little sleeve to cover your jar, to prevent breakage while jars are in the diaper bag. They are resistant to high and low temperature, Siliskins can be microwaves and freeze along with the jars.

This giveaway will be for a sample varitety of the earth best infant puree pouches

How to enter this giveaway, simple, leave a comment telling me what food you give to you baby (homemade food, jars, table food etc..) and that is it, you are entered!!!

The winner will be announced Friday the 30th at 8 pm, best of luck.

"In the spirit of full-disclosure, I've partnered with Earth's Best as part of the "Earth's Best Blogger's program. Throughout the year I'll be receiving product, coupons, giveaways and promotions. However, no payment was given or expected for posting about the program, and as always, all opinions given here are fully my own. "

Salt Dough Ornaments, Christmas Craft for Kids

2011-12-23T11:17:00.001-05:00

Here is a easy craft that your little one will enjoy making, Salt dough ornaments.
My sister-in-law share this recipe with us, we liked it so much that we are now sharing with you all.

Dough Ornaments:

4 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 1/2 cups warm water
spices (we use cinnamon and all spice)
cookie cutters
a straw (to make holes)
egg (for egg wash)
ribbons

Mix the flour and salt. Add the water, mix, then knead until the dough is cool. Roll out the dough thinly, cut with cookie cutters, make holes with the straw, and place on a lightly greased cookie sheet (or use parchment). Bake at 250 degrees for about an hour. Put ribbon through the holes and tie the ends. Makes about 60.

We use some glitter and glue to make ours very festive.

It sure will put a smile on your little ones faces. Have fun making these :-)

It's the last day to enter our Dolphin tale dvd giveaway, The winner will be pick later tonight, don't miss you chance to win this family friendly movie.

Christmas,Jesus and death... Perceptive of a 4 years old

2011-12-21T15:01:00.000-05:00

She is 4 years of age and as been doing some deep thinking...

Rebekah: "Mama, Christmas is baby Jesus Birthday?"
Mama: "Yes it's Jesus birthday"
Rebekah : "Baby Jesus is Jesus the son of God?"
Mama : "Yes, Rebekah"
Rebekah : "The son of God died on the cross. Mama, God is DEAD???"
Mama: "No, God lives"
Rebekah: "Why was Jesus a baby???"

It's amazing that at so young a age, she asks so big of a questions :-)

"Dolphin Tale" DVD giveaway close

2011-12-19T13:43:00.002-05:00

And the winner is comment #1 Tess, Congrats!!!

Have you heard about the the movie "Dolphin tale" Featuring Harry Connick Jr, Ashley Judd, Kris Kirstofferson and Morgan Freeman, yet? You learn all about this movie here . This is a family friendly movie, that I'm sure you will LOVE.

"Dolphin Tale" is base on a true story, a dolphin stuck into a trap will be rescue by a boy name Sawyer bringing her to the marine hospital. The dolphin's injury will cost her to loose her tale, but with the collaboration with a marine biologist and a prosthetics doctor they will create for the dolphin a new tale and saving her life.

Here is a video trailer of the movie,

Since the DVD will be release tomorrow, it's with great joy that I have the chance to offer you a copy of the movie to you one special reader.

Here is how to enter to for a chance to win this DVD

1. Share this giveaway via Twitter, facebook or blog about it, linking to this post and leave a comment telling me about it (if possible link where you share the giveaway)
2. Leave a comment telling me what is your favourite family movie

This giveaway will be open until Friday Dec 23, 2011 9pm Est

Best of luck to you all

Those hard working husband of ours

2011-12-19T12:31:00.000-05:00

Our husband's do work hard to provide for their family, most often they have to leave home early and come back late leaving little time to spend with the little one they love so much.

So when Papa is home, our girls think it's a great treat and love snuggling with him

Little miss Sarah was already in bed (she wasn't feeling good that evening, but was all better in the morning)

Rebekah is a bit funny lately, she will put a baseball hat on her head, walk around with a hammer and say stuff like "I'm a man, I have to fix the house, because it's a man's job!!!"

But don't ask me why she pretends to be a Ninja?!

Yes all out, with Ninja moves!That girls has so much imagination!

I know it's a pretty random post, but here is my question for you :How does your kids make their papa fell welcome home after a long day at work?

Hope for the weary Mom Winners

2011-12-17T14:26:00.000-05:00

We have winners
1. Dinah H
2. Jessica from Muthering Heights
3. Tracey From Girls to Grow

Congrats to you all, please email me your email address so we could send you your book :-)

I wrote a post about tips on how to manage your home and family when you are not feeling at your best like during pregnancies, please stop by and give us your best tips or advices.

Have a great weekend

Homemaking when your not feeling your best

2011-12-16T12:23:00.000-05:00

Pregnancy is a joyous time, but for most of us it's also a time when we are not feeling at our best. The first trimester tiredness and morning sickness can leave with little energy to do house work, and the third trimester huge belly awkwardness makes certain tasks almost impossible to accomplish properly.

Thankfully, the second trimester is always a time for "making up" for the time when we were not able to do it all, and a time for "nesting" and preparing for the time when you are too big to do it all.

Mothers, aren't you glad that the God planed for us to have a second trimester during our pregnancies?!

A while ago I bought the book Large family logistics from Vision Forum and read the chapter about "Pregnancies and preparing for the baby" I really like all the tips that Mrs Brenneman give, here are a few highlights.

1. Eat a healthy diet, cut all the sugars out, because they will just leave you more tired. Make sure to eat protein, and drink plenty of water.

2. When cooking smell makes you ill, have someone help you cook lots of meal ahead that you could freeze. (that I think would be a huge blessing!!! Not having to prepare or smell that food until you need to eat it, I'm sure would help keeping more food down)

3.If you have big kids, let them help you with house work (even if means you have to lower you standards for a while) Keep those older children busy, because we all know busy hands prevent lots of mischiefs.

4. When your kids are little (like ours) having a set place where they have their toys and what they need for the day. Having certain room "Off limit" to them, by closing or locking door will help to contain the mess to just one area. Baby proofing the house well, is a must. Allow yourself to lay on the couch and be available to calm squabbles and it's Ok if you let them watch TV (Good DVD's something that you approved etc..) until you are back on your feet, things will get back to normal and you can hide the tv, after no problem.

5. using paper cups, plates, can help on the cleaning (especially when the sight of food makes you turn all shaded of green)

What do you thinks off all those tips?

If you would have 1 (or maybe even more) tips to share on "How to deal with homemaking, family during pregnancies" what would it be???

I am a

For the hard working little girl

2011-12-15T15:10:00.000-05:00

The snow was slowly falling down, the kinda of pretty big fluffy snow that makes you want to open your mouth big and wide to catch a few flakes. So she did

And since her sisters were sleeping and she had plenty of energy to spare, I took that opportunity to give her something to do.

And of course after spending time in the snow, she wanted something warm to eat, she requested a bowl of soup. Now my minds was thinking, will she be willing to wait a long time for her soup? What kind of soup can I make in a hurry, then I remember that Earth's best Organic had send me a can of their Organic Elmo tomato soup for me to try. I like to prepare all our meal from scratch, but Earth's Best offers the next best thing, their food is yummy and low in sodium and taste great.

Next week I'll be hosting another giveaway from Earth's best, so please come for a visit later.

"In the spirit of full-disclosure, I've partnered with Earth's Best as part of the "Earth's Best Blogger's program. Throughout the year I'll be receiving product, coupons, giveaways and promotions. However, no payment was given or expected for posting about the program, and as always, all opinions given here are fully my own. "

Because I'm growing another person

2011-12-13T08:49:00.003-05:00

Since some of you asked about the baby, how I am feeling, miscarriage and due date, here is a short update on your questions

-We are due in July 2012

- ~~Morning~~ all day sickness are full force, so my stomach decided to turn itself into a trampoline, you know, what goes down is bouncing right up!

- I have fallen asleep reading the girls a book, more them once, yes mama is a bit tired.

- the thought of miscarrying have crossed my mind(since our recent lost), but the all day sickness keeps reminding me that being sick is a good sign! Taking comfort in this Psalm 139:16 "Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." the precious life in my belly is His, so my heart can be in peace.

I think that covers your questions, if you have more feel free to ask :-)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Have you enter the Hope for the Weary Mom giveaway yet? We will be picking 3 winners :-)

Hope for the weary Mom Close

2011-12-12T14:17:00.001-05:00

“Right now, I have nothing to give. Nothing. Nada. I’m tired and don’t feel good and honestly, I want a break from everything. It’s not that I want to leave my family, trade them in, or get new ones. I WANT to be with them. I just want a break from hard hearts, discipline, correction. I want their hearts changed and I can’t do it myself. Sometimes, the knowledge of this makes me feel hopeless and helpless.” ~ A weary Mom

We all have been there, right! Little things adds up, and slowly your are like a steaming pot ready to boil over, and when that happens you look at yourself and say "Who is that women, and what is she doing in my kitchen"!

Remember, many mothers have walk that path, and there is HOPE. Hope for the Weary Mom was written by two lovely mothers, just like you. Stacey and Brook took time to share their stories together, and Hope for the Weary Mom was created.

While reading this book, you could have heard me saying "that happened here too" or "I know exactly how that feels" and I am sure that you will too. Because, motherhood is not always easy, and dealing with our little ones hearts, sure is messy.

I love that both Mothers, took time to write a section in the book that gives us verses for us to meditate on, to memorize to give us HOPE. Also there is a questions about each chapters, that helps you reflects a bit more, I think this could be great for a small group study.

I am super exited to be able to give you 3 copies of this wonderful book to you Weary Moms

Here is how to enter (this is a multiple entries giveaway, so remember to leave a separate comment for each entry, and please have a valid email so I can reach you and you can get your book)

1. "like" Hope for the Weary Mom on facebook

2. Subscribe to MOB society (for Mom's of boys) or to MOD (Mom of daughter)

3. Share this giveaway on facebook or twitter

4. Blog about this giveaway linking to this post and to Hope for the Weary Mom

5. Buy a copie of Hope for the Weary Mom with Amazon Kindle (Just $.99) and leave 5 comments, yes that is right, doing this will give you 5 more chance to give this lovely book to friend for Christmas :-)

The winners of the giveaway will be announced this Friday (Dec 16, 2011) at 8 pm EST

There is always room for one more

2011-12-06T17:35:00.000-05:00

You might have notice that I have been neglecting this blog lately! I swear I have a good reason!!!

But instead of just telling you, I'm going to make you guess it with some pins from pinterest!

Source: imageshack.us via Growing on Pinterest

But if this is not obvious enough, maybe this will be

Source: stylehive.com via Growing on Pinterest

So Katie we are right there with you

Source: micahandkatie.blogspot.com via Growing on Pinterest

I'm sure you have guess it by now!!!!

She is now 3

2011-11-26T06:28:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday Sarah

When Mama does not want to prepare another snack!

2011-11-25T09:30:00.000-05:00

Ok, now tell me that I'm not alone here. That sometime, after the sixth snacks that you have prepare for your toddlers (and it's not even noon yet) you run out of ideas. And if your kids are like ours, they sure can eat and eat and eat, don't they?

How about those days that you are not feeling 100%, or have been attack by the morning sickness monster, and thinking about preparing food makes you turn all different kinds of shades of green. Of course there is plenty of sweet and/or salty treats available for you to give to you little one. They sure love THOSE, but being the conscientious mama that you are, I'm sure you are wanting to give them something healthy!

This is where Earth's Best comes to save the day, they have lots and lots of healthy snack food that will satisfy your precious-always-eating-growing children's hunger, and will make the preparation of snack as easy as 123.

1. grab a can of Organic Pop Snack
2. Open it
3. enjoy looking at your little one devour it.

Easy, right.

We have tried the veggie crisp canister, the girls really liked it, and it was gone in no time. I did tried it, I wasn't a big fan of it, yes is wasn't salty like the usual treat of the kind (that was a good thing) but the crisp does leave a "starchy" after-taste (Reminds me of raw potatoes). Maybe our little one like that taste, or they can't taste "starch" yet, but the taste did not seam to be a issue with them.

I am curious about the other flavours, maybe I will give it a try, one of those days.

“In the spirit of full-disclosure, I’ve partnered with Earth’s Best as part of the “Earth’s Best Blogger” program. Throughout the year I’ll be receiving product, coupons, giveaways and promotions. However, no payment was given or expected for posting about the program, and as always, all opinions given here are fully my own. “

A language that we can all speak

2011-11-23T07:59:00.000-05:00

"Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can read" ~ Mark Twain

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Don't forget to enter the Little Angels faith-base educational DVD giveaway!!!

Homeschooling is a dirty job

2011-11-17T13:51:00.000-05:00

"Homeschooling", "Learning from home", "Home base education", whatever you want to call the thing that have you trying to teach your young one to be fully functional adult, is not for those who are scare to get dirty. Having your children with you 24/7, surely you can't keep it all neat and proper.

Yes, your home may not stay clean for long, but if you are not willing to set aside the desire for the picture perfect eat-off-the-floor type of home, homeschooling may not be for you. Unless you have superpowers and can clean the whole house in less then 5 minutes or that you have children who never spill, make messes or have accidents, reality is, it will be messy.

Being able to let you little one work along side with you, let them practice, let them get their little hands dirty, is something that will have a long lasting effect on their learning journey.

The mess of training your little one, is more then the mess they make in you home, it's the mess of the heart. Togetherness bring the best and the worst of each of us. Discipline and discipleship is messy, and need to be done with lots of prayers, grace and forgiveness. If you are not willing to get dirty, rethink how you feel, for the sake of their little souls.

Training your little one on the way they should go, will be a beautiful mess, but both, you and them, will learn way more then you can imagine, if you are just willing to get dirty.

Are you willing to get DIRTY????

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Don't forget to enter the Little Angels faith-base educational DVD giveaway!!!

Little Angels DVD giveaway Close

2011-11-16T17:12:00.001-05:00

If you are a mother of preschoolers, you know how much they love to learn Little Angels, not only will help you and you little one in the learning of ABC's and 123"s, but also they will introduce them to the spiritual, moral and ethical principle of the bible.

Little Angels Faith-Based Educational series, by executive producer Roma Downey (Touch by a Angel) are now available in DVD's here

I was send a sample of their DVD and gotta say our little girls LOVED it. They really enjoyed the songs and the stories. One of the story was about how Adam had to work in the garden, and how the twins needed to also needed to do some work - cleaning their bedroom. After watching, one of our precious daughter decided to clean up her room, just like what she saw in the video.

Now if a Dvd can make our kids willing to clean, this is a GOOD
things!
I am very happy to be able to offer, one of you dear readers, a copy of Little Angels DVD, here's how to enter.

1. Leave a comment telling me what is you child favourite song
2. Share this giveaway on facebook, twitter, or blog about it, linking back to us (leave a comment)
3. Follow Little Angels on twitter or like them of facebook (leave a comment)

The winner will be picked on Friday Nov 25th 2011 at 8 pm EST

Best of luck

Winner Winner, we have a winner

2011-11-14T05:57:00.002-05:00

The winner of Earth's best organic giveaway is Genieve. Congrats!!!! You should visit Earth's Best and look at all their yummy food and treats they have :-)

I am behind on many things, including this blog, I try to post the next giveaway as soon as possible.

Have a great week

The Amazing Talent of Toddlers

2011-11-07T08:16:00.000-05:00

Have you ever just stop and look at your toddlers and be just be in awe of how fast they grow, how much they learn, how creative they can get. I get that feeling a lot these days. From getting them dressed, to find out they outgrown what was fitting just right, a week ago. From reading them a book, to have them read some words, all by themselves.

But the creativity always gets me. How blankets and chairs can be turn into a "little house" or even better a "castle". How with dolls, they play adulthood, pretending that they are all grown-up.

And creativity can be use in many ways, one way that our daughters are using it, lately, is in making excuses for things they don't want to do. Although funny, we are not encouraging this type of behavioured, but can share it with you and smile, right?

Here are a few of my favourite creative excuses:

When asked to pick up her toys "I can't, my hair hurts"
When asked to eat her meal "I can't, my tummy is TIRED"
When asked to pick her her clothes from the floor " I can't my feet are stuck " then continued to acted like her feet are glued to the floor
When asked to go to bed " I can't, my head too warm, and pillow too cold"

She sure is CREATIVE.

Oh, did I ever tell you that we also have an future "Theater performer" on our hand? She can open and close the flood gate at her wishes.

Yes, she can cry and stop in matter on second, being really really really good at those fake crocodile tears.

What are the things that amazes you the most about your kids lately???

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Our Heart's Best Organic giveaway will end Wednesday, to forget to enter. And come back tomorrow, we will be hosting a "toddler educational DVD giveaway"

Just in time for the holiday (giveaway)

2011-11-04T13:53:00.001-04:00

Not to long ago I agree to be part of Earth best organic (Earth's Best Blogger). For the next couple of months you will notice some post about their wonderful organic products for discerning mothers concerned about baby's growth and development.

Earth's Best organic products are made with the purest ingredients, so you can nurture you little one with the utmost confidence.

Thanksgiving is coming soon and so is Christmas and you all know what it taste like, right. Pumpkin pie, apple cider, turkey, sweet potatoes. Now some of you may have wee one that won't be able to eat at the table with you, but may be old enough for a taste of the yummy goodness.

Earth's Best Organic seasonal baby food includes, Squash, sweet potatoes, apple/turkey/cranberry, green bean casserole, and the very delicious Pumpkin/Cranberry/Apple (part of the puree pouch line)

We tried the Pumpkin/Cranberry/Apple pouches our little girls were like little birds, mouth wide open and waiting for me to squeeze some of the deliciousness in there mouth, begging for some more and more and more.

I have to admit I did try it too, well I had to know what the fuss was all about! The combination of flavour was subtle but yet pleasant, not too sweet and texture was perfect for a creamy yummy dessert.

I also likes the pouches, you can pour the content of it in a bowl, in a spoon or like us right in your little one mouth (if you don't mind them sharing that way!!!). It's way less messy then the glass jars, and you can squeeze until the last drop, no waste.

Earth's Best Organic will be giving to you one lucky reader, Earth's Best seasonal jar and pouch varieties.

How to enter the giveaway

1.. Leave a comment telling me about what is you favourite Thanksgiving food.

For extra entries (leave separate comment for each)
1. Follow our blog, twitter, or facebook page
2. write a blog post, tweet or facebook link to this giveaway (Linking back to this post)
3. Like Earth Best on facebook, or follow them on youtube

The Giveaway will be open until Nov 9th, will get the lucky winner at 8pm EST Best of luck to you all

“In the spirit of full-disclosure, I’ve partnered with Earth’s Best as part of the “Earth’s Best Blogger” program. Throughout the year I’ll be receiving product, coupons, giveaways and promotions. However, no payment was given or expected for posting about the program, and as always, all opinions given here are fully my own. “

Better be safe then sorry, right?

2011-11-03T03:27:00.000-04:00

You get your morning paper and you read this headline "Bank robbery, 250,000,000 $ stolen" I know that you can easily tell that the thief is the bad guy and the bank the victim of the crime.
Now let's say a rich uncle's dies and leave you 3 millions dollars, and you have to choose a bank to keep it safe. You look around and are face with these two options.

Option 1: Low Security Bank This bank is in the middle of nowhere, as a lock on the door and your money will be place in a bag behind the counter.
Option 2: High Security Bank This bank is the top of the line, 10 security guards on duty day and night, video camera surveillance, alarm system, and a heavy duty super secure safe.

Knowing that either options are not 100% safe against the thief, who is after all, after the money, would you choose the bank in option 1 or the one in option 2 to keep you money?

I am sure that very few of you have chosen to keep your precious money in the "Low Security Bank", the choice was easy to make, right?

Now lets makes this more interesting, shall we. Replace all the following words in the post by new one.

"Thief" will now be : Someone who wants to violate you body without your consent
"Money" will now be: Your body
"Low Security Bank" will now be : Inmodesty (by choice of clothing and/or actions)
"High Security Bank" will now be: Modesty (by clothing choices and actions)

Now that you read the post again with the "new" words in it, was answering the question as easy to answerer as when we were talking about money? Did you hesitate to give a answerer? Did the question made you uncomfortable?

Dear mothers, teaching your daughters about modesty is very important. It will not be a guarantee that they will never be a victim, but am convince that it's the better and safer option.

Source: womaninterrupted.tumblr.com via Growing on Pinterest

It's came in the night

2011-11-01T09:34:00.000-04:00

Slowly, softly it came in the night. Majestic display of our Creator.

The morning came, the shining sun melted it all way, but for a moment, we went out and play in winter wonderland.

I know I haven't written much here lately, post pictures yes, but only a few words. Busy we are, indeed. Living life at the fullest, well of course.

Will write here again, soon I hope

When you just want to remember

2011-10-31T09:29:00.000-04:00

The air was cool and crisp that morning, Harry was getting ready to leave for work, when I hear

"Papa, your mouth is smoking!!!!"

Don't you just like when little one speak their mind, just as it is? It snowed last night,we played in it this morning, and now are warming up. Did you have snow in the last couple days too?

To love their children

2011-10-28T10:57:00.000-04:00

Admonish the young women... to love their children. ~ Titus 2:4

Loving them when they are sweet, loving them when they need to be loved, loving them when they are imperfect, less then lovable, acting out. Because God loves us ALWAYS, and so must we.

That kind of love may not come naturally to all of us, but can be learned and must be taught. Loving your daughter, will teach them about God's love for them, and how to love extravagantly, the way He does.

Fruitful vine

2011-10-24T09:06:00.000-04:00

Family is a beautiful thing, seeing generation after generation mingle together is a wonderful blessing.

I love that our children have many aunts and uncles, that they have many cousins already and Lord willing that number will grow. I love seeing Oma with her grand-babies, seeing the love being shared in a special and unique way.

Seeing little toddler showing affection to their toys, seeing them practising the art of motherhood, is a beautiful sight.

Seeing a new life growing, changing and having a personality on their own is amazing.

Indeed, children are a blessing from the Lord

^{Psalm 128}¹ Blessed are all who fear the LORD,
   who walk in obedience to him.
² You will eat the fruit of your labor;
   blessings and prosperity will be yours.
³ Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
   within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
   around your table.
⁴ Yes, this will be the blessing
   for the man who fears the LORD.
⁵ May the LORD bless you from Zion;
   may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
   all the days of your life.
⁶ May you live to see your children’s children—
   peace be on Israel.

Homemade pumpkin puree, you'll never buy from a can ever again!

2011-10-22T09:03:00.000-04:00

Pumpkin puree, I always wanted to make my own, but was afraid of the amount on work that would be involved. This year I've give it a try and was surprised on how easy and quick the whole thing was, and gladly will be doing it again.

I'm not really good at writing those "How to" post, but here goes my attempt to do it.

We grew our own pumpkin this year, we harvested them when they were small to medium size. Working with small, and medium pumpkins are easier then the large one, and the taste in better with smaller one. If you did not grow your own, you can always buy some, use them to make your fall decore, then use these easy steps.

Step 1 : Cut the pumpkins in halves, take all the seeds out (they can be cleaned, and roasted with a bit of olive oil and salt, delicious treat) place them on a tray in the oven at 350 degree for about 45 minutes or until soft when poke with a forks

Step 2: Let them cool down for a while, take a spoon and get all the pumpkin out of the shell and put in a food processor. Blend until soft and creamy (baby food texture)

Step 3 : Put the puree into plastic freezer bags (I use 2 cups per bag, easier for using in recipes) label, then freeze. When you want to use the puree, put the bag in warm water until the purree us soft and no chunks of ice is noticeable. Use in baking delicious muffins, cookies or make some yummy curried soups.

Pumpkins, fresh and yummy, ready to use any time of the year.

Papa's little girls

2011-10-21T10:52:00.000-04:00

Have you met someone and you just knew "He will make a great father"?

I did, and married him.

There are many qualities that makes a father a good one but this is one that will make him GREAT

Source: thetinymonsters.blogspot.com via Growing on Pinterest

But this statement is also true for sons.

Fatherhood is a beautiful thing, ladies let you husband be a man, teaching your children what they should look for in a future spouse.

Capturing LIFE

2011-10-19T17:23:00.000-04:00

If pictures could tell a story, what would be the story behind these???

When it's ok to let them have their own way

2011-10-13T17:25:00.000-04:00

"A woman with dimples always gets her own way" ~ The Blue Castle

I'm still very new at the parenting thing, but I know I already made so many mistakes, but also learn a few lessons along the way. One lesson that I been learning is how to pick my battle, how to let go, and when it's Ok to let them have their own way.

Children need to learn to accept refusal, it's for their own good to say No to them, but we need to remember to say Yes to some request. There is nothing wrong with a toddler wearing a outfit that display his or her creativity, beside there was never a case of a mother dying from embarrassed, ever! Of course they need to learn to dress in a manner that is proper, but there is a time a place for everything.

Sometime you have to let them eat dirt and grass, for them to satisfy their curiosity, and maybe for them to appreciated your food a bit better. But they need to learn that certain things are dangerous to eat, certain things may hurt them badly or even bring them to their final resting place.

Life with little one is not always "life and death" how often we say no to them, because it's easier for us, saying no to playing in the mud because we don't want to clean up afterwards. to say no to mac and cheese for breakfast, because it's not breakfast food. To say no when they offer to help whatever you are doing, because it will get done faster without their help.

Children are always learning, what are you teaching them?

The glorious colours of fall

2011-10-13T10:27:00.000-04:00

Fall is one of my favourite season, the air smells sweet, the days are cooler, but nothing beats the beauty of fall colours.

You have you fire reds

your crisp yellows

Your sweet golden

And don't forget your yummy oranges

Autumns colours are a work of art, pleasing to view and if you take a walk in the dry leaves you'll be enjoying a symphony of sounds.

This week, we took our homeschool outside, there are things that books can't fully teach.

We explored, viewed and touched FALL hands on!

How are you teaching this season to your little one?

What family is all about

2011-10-12T08:46:00.000-04:00

A safe place to let you silly out.
To pretend to be a lion
To be accepted
To be loved

And where you have a mother that blogs, and love taking pictures of all those precious little moment she call life.

Embracing the Mess

2011-10-11T16:59:00.001-04:00

You've just finished cleaning out your home, you sat down to enjoy your accomplishment. For a few second you are satisfied with the way you house, or at least the room that you're sitting in, looks. Then, they come in, with grubby hands and dirty feet, turning your lovely clean home upside down, and you mouth might speak the words that your heart is feeling.

Embracing the mess, what a concept to grasp, what if, we would embrace the mess?

Mrs. Ervin wrote Embracing the Mess, for us wife and mothers, for us who are call to do this job, to be keepers or our home. This is not a "how to clean your home book", but more a "how to clean your heart". This book is written by a mother like you and me, for us who struggles with the mess, because lets face it we all struggle with the mess, and not only the one the clutter our home.

What has inspired Mrs Ervin to write this book, here is what she answered:

"My own struggles of perfectionism. I have spent so much time walking in frustration rather than joyfully embracing the daily sanctification the Lord has for me through these mothering messes. I write this as one still in the journey alongside my sisters."

Mrs Ervin give me a free copy of her book to giveaway to you, here are how to enter this giveaway (don't forget to leave a separate comment for each entries)

1. Leave a comment telling me what is your favourite and worst chore that you have to do in your home.
2. Follow Mrs. Ervin's blog, facebook page or twitter
3. Share this giveaway on twitter, facebook or blog about it

This giveaway will be open until Friday at 8 pm EST

***Edit to post***

After I hit publish, this happen

- someone use the potty and was very creative, if you know what I mean!
- while waiting for dinner to be ready, one little girl dumped her milk all over herself, and another little girls tip my full glass of water on the floor.
- while eating dinner, more spill milk
- while getting them ready for bed, one little goose got half of a bottle of laundry soap on the floor

All this is not unusual for us, but seams a bit ironic on the day I post this giveaway!!!

Organisation skills

2011-10-01T08:09:00.000-04:00

Trying new ways to keep things organised here is a challenge, maybe because I haven't found something that really works for our family, YET!!! But I found a few ideas on pinterest that might just work

This weekend pins are all about keeping thing when they should be!!!

1. Our little girls LOVES books, but keeping them neatly in one place is a challenge, maybe this could help

Source: wonderfuljoyahead.blogspot.com via Growing on Pinterest

2. kitchen appliances, who wants to keep them on the counter! But hiding them in cupboard sometime is not practical unless you use this technique.

Source: bhg.com via Growing on Pinterest

3. How about towel and facecloth, would it be nice to display them and have them accessible at all time. Baskets are always a great way to store them, but this way is even better.

Source: imbusyprocrastinating.blogspot.com via Growing on Pinterest

4. After a trained properly our family to put dirty clothes in the hamper, instead of beside it!!! I might just try this idea.

Source: eatsleepandrun.blogspot.com via Growing on Pinterest

5. here are 2 things that I dream of having, but not sure if it will ever happen, but a girls can DREAM, right!

Source: closets-organizer.com via Growing on Pinterest

Source: kitchens.com via Growing on Pinterest

What is one area in your home that you wish you could keep clean, neat and organized???

Weekends are for..

2011-09-30T08:45:00.000-04:00

Spending time with your family

Have a great weekend you all.

A reflection of Eden

2011-09-29T08:17:00.000-04:00

"God's planted garden was both pleasant to look at and it's produce was good to eat!" ~Edith Schaeffer "The Hidden Art of Homemaking"

When your having "one of those days"

2011-09-28T09:27:00.000-04:00

Being a mother is like living in a "glass house", your little one sees the good the bad and the ugly in you. And when you see then imitate you behaviour and you know "they got that from MEEEE" it makes you rethink what you should be doing, how to be better.

If you are a normal mama like me, and if your kids are normal like ours, life is not always perfect. Our home is fill with noise, joyous music to loud tantrum, and we need to dance to the beat of each one of them.

A quiet home is not healthy, a home where children are not free to be children, free to grow, free to learn, free to makes mistakes. A home where grace and forgiveness are given freely is what all growing little children needs.

Of course a mother should be in control of the chaos, setting boundaries of what is acceptable or not, is part of what we need to do. But we often need to reminds ourself that we need to pick our battles, we need to understand the difference between childhood learning stages and real disobedience, and sometimes it's not easy to draw the line between those two.

You can't always control the children variable, how they would act on any given days, but how you behave yourself, that you can control. And on those days when you are not feeling at your best, it's ok to makes a beautiful mess, to make memories, to build a tent inside and have a picnic.

To let your children know that you love them.

Source: etsy.com via Growing on Pinterest

How to renovate your laundry room for FREE

2011-09-27T07:42:00.001-04:00

Step 1: Wait for your parents to get tired of their 30 years old kitchen.

Step 2: Say "YES" when they offer their previously own counters and cupboards to you.

Step 3: Open the door with a great smile when they come deliver the well use counters and cupboards.

Step 4 : Admire you handy husband installing the new to you counters and cupboards, don't forget to notice is "big strong muscles" If you really love your handyman prepare him a cup of coffee!!!

Step 5: Enjoy your new laundry room, with a place to fold you clothes!!!!

And voila, a free reno of your laundry room!

Anticipation

2011-09-26T09:15:00.000-04:00

We cracked, poured, mixed in all in, and we watch and wait in anticipation.

Yes I notice the dirty stove glass door, got clean later that day!

They all share this special treat in fancy little plate. None were broken.

Sometime we just need to have trust them with something fancy, it's all part of the learning process.

For those who really want to know, those muffins are "whole wheat bananas and chocolate chips" I call them our "healthy muffin", if they are made with whole wheat flour, we can call them healthy, right!

How about you what are some special treats you love to give to your children, you know "just because" ???

Let is fall

2011-09-24T07:42:00.000-04:00

The leaves are slowly changing colour, you can smell fall in the air.

This time of year, when all those beautiful colours are all around us, when the harvest is bounty full, baking and making home pretty is some of my favourite things to do.

This weekend pins from pinterest are all about "fall décor" ideas

Source: michelleums.tumblr.com via Growing on Pinterest

Source: blissfullydomestic.com via Growing on Pinterest

Source: potterybarn.com via Growing on Pinterest

How do you make your home ready for fall?

There still time to enter those giveaway

Scrapbooking software (ending later today)
True Christian Motherhood ebook

True Christian Motherhood

2011-09-23T09:13:00.003-04:00

Update the winner is #20 Rebecca, Congrats!

As long as I can remember I wanted to be a mother. I remember having dreams of what it would be like, seeing little babies growing into young children, the games, the snuggles, the fun time. But shortly after giving birth to our first, motherhood was far from the dream I had about it, it was hard, I felt alone.

Motherhood is a high calling. God as given each mother a beautiful gift, a blessing, a huge responsibility. There is no need to be alone, Titus 2 is a beautiful reminder that mothers should be involve in each other's life, helping one another, building and teaching, being there to help.

Mrs Fuentes wrote a encouraging book call True Christian Motherhood and created a alone a communities of Titus 2 women.

Each short chapter of her book are easy to read and most of them have question at then end to challenge us.True Christian Motherhood is a great tool to grow ourself, but also to use to teach young ladies on their future role as mothers.

True Christian Motherhood is a book for ladies of all ages, and will be a source of instructions and encouragement for all.

It's a joy for me to offer you, one of my lovely reader a copy of True Christian Motherhood book.

Here is how to enter this giveaway ( please leave a separate comment for each entries)
1. Share your biggest joy about Motherhood, in the comment box
2. "Like" True Christian Motherhood facebook page leaving a comment telling me you did
3. Share this giveaway on facebook, twitter or blog about it, leaving a comment for each one (separate comment if you choose to share with more then 1 media)

The giveaway will end on Sept 27 2011, at 8 pm EST, remember to use a valid email address, so I could reach you when you win. Also you may want to subscribe, follow of "like" this blog so you would miss the winners post.

Good luck to you all

About the Author

Mrs. June Fuentes is the happy wife to Steve and blessed homeschooling mother to eight beautiful children that they are raising for the Lord. She has a heart to see mothers all around the world grasp the vision of biblical motherhood and to see this noble role restored in the 21st century to the glory of God. June strongly believes that weak homes will equate to a weak nation and therefore is committed to encouraging women to build up strong Christian homes. You may catch up with her on her blogs- A Wise Woman Builds Her Home and Raising Homemakers, she would also love for you to catch a glimpse of her day on Facebook and Twitter.

And a family is growing

2011-09-21T08:41:00.000-04:00

Look at my beautiful sister Dinah

And our cute little niece

Who became a big sister today!!!

Congrats Dinah and Kevin, You can visit her blog here to send her your congrats

I can't wait to meet this little one, picture and name will be left for the sweet mama to share with you all on her blog later :-)

Have you enter this giveaway yet? and we will have another one coming soon, so don't miss it!!!

A star in the making

2011-09-20T08:48:00.000-04:00

Each of our little girls have a personality of their own, miss Melodrama, miss Snuggle bunny, miss Diva... Can you tell who me which of the 3, this little miss is?

She sure knows how to put on a show :-)

Don't forget to enter our give-away to win a scrapbooking software

Fall at our door

2011-09-19T09:50:00.002-04:00

The wind has been changing, the air cooler, fall came knocking at our door. Woke up to notice, that we had frost overnight, time to get the rest of our garden in.

Now it time to prepare the garden for the winter, it's hard work, but worth all the ache and pain that comes with it.

What are the winter preparation are you doing for you family, home etc ???

Prov 31:21 "When it snows, she has no fear for her household"

Don't forget to enter our give-away to win a scrapbooking software

Making memories, comes with a giveaway

2011-09-15T12:44:00.003-04:00

I love taking pictures, snapping memories, one click at the time.

With all those pictures taken, I had been tempted to look into scrapbooking but it always scared me. All the supplies, the cost, how to prevent the little one to ~~destroy~~ get creative seams like a big task for me, and I am busy enough without having to add "one more thing"

A few days ago My Memories a company that sells digital scrapbooking software offer me to try their product. I was very happy to do so.

See a software does not comes with the needs of scissors, and we already have our very very creative little goose giving her younger sister a very very short haircut, so you would understand my joy when I could try a new hobby that would NOT include the risk of another short haircut!

Now the digital scrapbooking software was easy to download, easy to use. That coming from someone that is basically clueless with computer means a lot!

This is my first project that I did with my memory software

Well as you can see I need a bit more practice in the art of scrapbooking but I love that I can use my memories over and over. That I can make mistake without costing me anything, that I don't need a special craft room and best of all NO CLEANING AFTER I AM DONE!!!!

Now are you drooling over this yet, are you ready for the GIVEAWAY? I know you want THAT software, right! Here is your chance, to win it!

This will be a multiple entry giveaway, you can choose to enter using any or all of these, depending on how badly you want to get this. I know you all want to win this right!

How to enter

Visit My Memories and choose your favorite digital paper pack or layout, then leave a comment telling me which ones they chose.
Follow my memory blog, facebook page or twitter leaving a comment telling me you did so
Follow the Growing Stam blog, facebook page or twitter leaving a comment telling me you did so
Share this giveaway on your blog and facebook leaving a comment with the link to the posts.
for 1 entry a day share this give away on twitter using Growing Stam and My Memories suite in the tweet, leaving a link to each individual tweet

The giveaway will be open until Sept 24th 2011, 9 pm EST

But if your creative juice is flowing and you CAN"T wait to see if you can win, you always can buy the My Memories suite software . If you do buy use this code STMMMS62367 that will give you a $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software and a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store - $20 value!

Now that is a good deal!

Best of luck to all who enters the giveaway, and happy shopping to you all

Center stage

2011-09-14T09:22:00.001-04:00

Having 3 toddlers close in age makes life interesting for sure.

They have lots of energy, lots to say, lots to do, lots of different way to test you.

They always makes sure that you questions you parenting skills, and therefore helping you grow into a better you.

Sure it's come with tears. Tears of joy, sorrow and pain and sometime desperation. But one "I love you, Mama" and you forget the growing pain, and embrace this beautiful growing stage.

Having our little girls close together is all I know, and feels normal to me

Source: sawdustcityllc.com via Growing on Pinterest

If a outsider was looking into you life, home, family, what would be something that feels normal to you but strange to them???

The harvest

2011-09-13T07:46:00.000-04:00

Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."

Matt 9:37-38

Softly, please softly

2011-09-12T07:44:00.003-04:00

It's mid-afternoon, the little one have missed their nap, and so did you. Messes and accidents, were tag teaming, and add to the mix grumpy attitude, you knew things could have been better.

You're starting to feel the blood boiling in your veins

Words keep coming out of your mouth, lots of them, more then you would like. Those words have a volume on their own, and it going louder and louder and louder.

You know that you will regret every one of those loud words, you hate those words, they are hurting them and yourself.

You hear this women talking and keep thinking "Who are you? and get out of me NOW!"

Have you ever felt this way???

Yes, me too!

Saying sorry and please forgive me, have happen more often then I wished. I now I'm better then that, right. But why, do I keep repeating my mistakes, over and over?

Trying to teach our little one to speak softly to one and other, to use soft and gentle words, I feel like a fraud. Because I fail so many time at doing what I am trying to teach them.

Today we will memorize

Prov 15 :1"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger"

And will praying that our heart will be change.

Up and down and all around

2011-09-10T15:54:00.000-04:00

Motherhood comes with up and down, life become a roller-coaster and all we need to do is sit down and enjoy the ride.

This edition of weekend pins is all about parenting, here are a few of my favourite parenting pins. If you haven't took the pinterest plunged yet, you should. Will throw you a life jacket if you get lost!

Now, tell me this never has crossed you mind

Source: s33.photobucket.com via Growing on Pinterest

Source: themodernparent.net via Growing on Pinterest

Of course parenting is not all about housekeeping

Source: babygoodbuys.com via Growing on Pinterest

Source: tumblr.com via Growing on Pinterest

Source: thefitway.tumblr.com via Growing on Pinterest

And of course you can't write a parenting post without Winnie the Pooh

Source: tumblr.com via Growing on Pinterest

Have yourself a great weekend

From one seed

2011-09-09T06:31:00.000-04:00

One seed can start a garden
One drop can start a sea
One doubt can start a hating
One dream can set us free
~ Joan Walsh Anglund ~

Why should we feed a dying body

2011-09-08T09:32:00.000-04:00

Everyday we feast of good food, everyday we give our body the food, the fuel that it need to go on. Everyday, we feed our dying flesh.

Everyday, we end our meals with food from heaven. Food to feed our soul, food that will never perish. Food that is sweeter then honey. Food that we need to LIVE in a dying body

Have you "taste and see that the Lord is good" today?
Psalm 34:8

Modesty, a husband view on the topic

2011-09-07T09:04:00.000-04:00

This post is a re-post. Since this mama sometime bites more then she can chew, she is taking time to focus on more urgent needs. Will be back soon.

Today's post is about a question that a reader ask me

"I wanted to ask your husband, as a man, why he likes you and your daughters to wear long dresses?"

That was a very good question so my husband kindly did a video respond to that question. If any of you have a question to either me of my husband we will try our best to answered it:-)

Ps,About the black eyes, no my husband was not in a fight, he was in a car accident, just in case you were wondering!

Did you know that we are now on facebook :-)

My favourites 1,2,3's

2011-09-06T14:18:00.000-04:00

This is a blog, a small glimpse of our life. Our life is bigger then what each post here could contain, the internet will never be big enough to contain our life.

So maybe you have seen more pictures of our oldest daughter on this blog, maybe you haven't been keep track of that and that is Ok. who as time to keep track of that, right!

If you have kids you would know that a 15 months old has energy and is moving all the time, maybe a blurry picture is not my first pick. If you have a middle child that hates the camera and cries when trying to snap a cute picture of her, what would you rather do, remind her of her tears or her cute little dimples that lights the room when she smiles!

I post pictures of life, but like I said, life is bigger then this blog, and you all only have a glimpse of it.

Am I afraid to scar our children, no because I am imperfect, a sinner save by grace and I do make mistake. God healed my scars as he will our children, and I trust that He will. I make mistakes, like you do, like your and my mother did, like our children will do to their children.

Life isn't perfect, only Eternity is.

Garden of verses

2011-09-06T08:26:00.000-04:00

Today is a "staying inside" type of day. A day to do our chores, drink hot chocolate and learn a few things along the way. A perfect day to learn this little poem.

Rain

The rain is raining all around
It falls on the field and tree,
It rains on the umbrellas here,
And on the ships at sea

~ Robert Luis Stevenson's "A child garden of verses"

What are your little one learning today?

Vintage, where have you been all my life

2011-09-05T06:36:00.076-04:00

We have been married for 5 years, living in this house for almost 4 and yet, this week, I learn something new.

Somewhere in these last 5 years,

I lost myself, to discover who I am.

Somewhere in these 4 past year,

we live in a house but yet to become our home.

Not too long ago I found Pinterest, it was a Haha, moment. I got exited to put down what I like, what I would love to see, and imagine how I can make it work.

I was explaining the whole thing to my husband, and he ask me if he could view my boards. Saying that,, he could learn all about me by looking at my pins!

Strangely I notice that I had a love for something I never would thought of, VINTAGE stuff, I just love it! And when the house next door had a garage sale this weekend and found some sweet vintage suitcases for 25 cents each, I was beyond exited.

Of course I had to take pictures.

But now you may think, those are lovely but what are you going to do with them? Storing them away, would be a shame, especially when there is so many useful ways to make the use of those 2 to their full potential.

Of course they are excellent for storing toys away, making clean up a breeze and it look far more pretty then a toys box.

Photo-shoot, of course they would be adorable props

A toys, the princesses loves playing and pretending, these will be helping those creative and imaginative play.

Being frugal has some benefits, don't you think?

Weekend pins : For those pretty little girls

2011-09-03T07:45:00.019-04:00

Little girls love pretty things, or us mama's love to see our little girls in pretty things. So here are a few of my "little girls" pins Enjoy!

You know what, pretty little dress and rubber boot together, I totally love!

Source: google.com via Growing on Pinterest

Pretty tutu and big flowers, are a must

Source: google.nl via Growing on Pinterest

This is for those lovely mama's little helper

Source: charlaanne.typepad.com via Growing on Pinterest

Now this is just, adorable!!!

Source: 4flat.tumblr.com via Growing on Pinterest

Bedtime stories

2011-09-02T07:41:00.000-04:00

Our bedtime routine needs some tweaking, some night are better then others

Question : What does you bedtime routine look like for your little one?

Once upon a time

2011-09-01T08:12:00.002-04:00

Once upon a time there was a little princess that live in a small castle with her mother the queen, her father the king of pizza, and her 2 younger sisters.

One morning the princess who was told to get dress and go water her garden, but poor princess could not find any princess dress to wear. Her mother the queen, who had recently been taken ill, was behind on helping the laundry cleaning servants do their jobs.

But little princess, who has lots of imagination, find something to wear.

After the queen stop laughing

and taking many pictures, she explain the inappropriateness of wearing undergarments "outside" the castle! So little princess went to her chamber to get change.

This is what she found

There must have been some magic going on upstairs in that chamber, because this princess in fitting in her baby sister's clothes!!! Yes her baby sister is 3 years her junior!.

So the queen worked hard, and finally got her princess this

And they lived happily ever-after

The end

He who calms the storms

2011-08-31T05:53:00.017-04:00

This is a re-post from11/19/10, but "I" needed to read these words again, some days are better then others, but remembering 2Cor1:3-4 is my comfort.

In French we have a saying "Le calme apres la tempete" translated "calm after the storm", but calm here could be peace, stillness.

Have you ever notice that before a big thunderstorm the air is heavy, the humidity make it hard to breath, you just fell like saying "something gotta give" Then it hits, loud crashing thunder and lighting, the wind blows form all side and for some it's terrifying! Then the winds calm down, the air seam lighter, the heaviness is gone, it's smell great. After the rain the earth is refresh and ready to produce and grow again. it is satisfied!

We go trough storm like this now and them. We loose job, partners, children, money, we sometime feel like the storm keeps hitting us over and over again. Sometime in the middle of the storm we are scare, anxious, depress. The weight on our shoulder seams to heavy for us to bear. We feel pushed and tug from all side and you are starting to feel discourage, but take heart God is with you.

Soon you'll notice that that the storm brought blessing, those blessing where not always seen but who can see them in the middle of a hurricane!

If today you are in a middle of a storm and you can't see a way out, remember there is a way ready for you, you just need to embrace it!

This post was inspired by a post on Branch of Wisdom blog

Blue skies

2011-08-30T08:42:00.000-04:00

I know my posts have been grey, but today this is a happy blues post.

When I'm feeling blue, and I see this little girl smiles, there is nothing else I can do then:

While her sister were sleeping in, she had a chocolate milk picnic in the living room

SMILE right back.

Now, tell me that you didn't smile looking at that picture!

Her smile and "Joie the vivre" is contagious!!!!

Oh and yes I know her PJ is inside out, sometime you have to let thing go, you know thing that are not crucial to life. It's ok to be imperfect, imperfections have not kill anyone, yet.

She will, soon learn to dress herself properly or maybe her style will grow on me, who knows.

Hoping you all have a good day, and if you are blue, please look back to this smiling little girl picture, and it will put a smile on your face too.

As strong as glass

2011-08-29T05:12:00.000-04:00

The skies was changing, the air
cooler, darker, windier.

A storm was approaching,
yet I wasn't prepare for it.

Trough my window the wind was making it's way inside our home,
making our curtains moved to a frantic dance.

Then then inevitable happen, a strong gust of wind knock our family picture of the shelf,
breaking the thin glass in pieces.

That was the family picture that we took the day we found out our family was growing,
ironically breaking the day I came back home, empty.

The rain, the August rain, started coming down.
The rain was needed, the rain that comes and goes, the rain that heals.

When the timing is right, sure the glass protecting our family picture,
will be replaced, by a different one.

The new one will do what it needs to do,
but will never replace the original one,
the one that came with the frame.

Nothing will be the same,
but in it's good timing,
will be better.

Weekend pins

2011-08-27T08:44:00.000-04:00

This is "Weekend pins" where I share a few of my favourite pins from pinterest.This weekend, since it's back to school time, I'll be sharing my favourite homeschooling pins, Enjoy.

Source: images.search.yahoo.com via Growing on Pinterest

The reading nook

Source: aboverubies.net via Growing on Pinterest

Organization

Source: gardenviewcottage.tumblr.com via Growing on Pinterest

Different ways to make a home-school-room

Source: google.ca via Growing on Pinterest

So bright :-)

Source: charmedlifeliving.tumblr.com via Growing on Pinterest

functional

Source: google.ca via Growing on Pinterest

I did not hear you!

2011-08-26T14:44:00.000-04:00

To you all of you, my lovely readers

"I did not hear the words you said

Instead, I heard the love"

~ Joan Walsh Anglund ~

Source: google.co.uk via Growing on Pinterest

Thank you for your prayers, and kinds words

It's back to school

2011-08-24T09:04:00.000-04:00

Toddlers are curious, they love to learn new skills, new things, having adventures. Home, for us, is a great place for our 3 little toddlers to satisfies their learning urges, but sometimes can be a bit challenging.

Raging from 4 years old to 15 months, our little girls have plenty of energy to spend and very short attention span.

Keeping school work simple, very short and fun is the key to success.

Sure gets interesting at time, that's for sure!

For now we have all 3 doing school at the same time, yes even a 15 months old can join the fun. She love trying to imitate her older sisters

Isn't she cute :-)

We don't have fancy books or a particular curriculum, we use what we have or what was giving to them. As they get older we will invest more but for now, reading to them, making them practice holding a pencil and coordination are our goals

Finding similar and different shape, practising using a crayon.

Hands/eyes coordination

How to you do school with your little toddlers? Do you have them separated or all learning at the same time? What are your goals for this school year?

Short update (miscarriage and surgery)

2011-08-20T17:07:00.001-04:00

Warning, this post will contain some medical term and may not be suitable to all readers.

Yesterday afternoon I started hemorrhaging and went to the ER, by the time I got there it went from bad to severe to later that evening very severe. Thing were kinda of a blur for me because of certain pain medication they gave me for the cramps (very similar to very bad labour contraction, but with practically no break in between them) By late last night a D&C was needed, my body was compensation for the blood loss but was ready to crash any time.

D&C went well and bleeding got normal, blood pressure dip down quite a bite, stayed overnight. They send me home today, my haemoglobin is now low, so I feel very week and dizzy.This shall pass soon, hopefully. Rest is in order.

Thank you so much for all you prayers and kinds words. I feel better emotionality, just need to heal physically from this lost.

For those who share there lost, Thank you, knowing that you are not alone, knowing that there are others that knows exactly how you feel, is very comforting.

For those who offer to me to write personally if I need, Thank you, I might just take you on this offer.

For all of those who have read these past post, thank you for being here, in this bloggy world, sharing with us our joy and pain.

There is a season for everything, a season for mourning and a season for rejoicing. Ecc 3:4

Sad news

2011-08-18T19:25:00.002-04:00

Little baby's heart have stop beating, my body is slowly doing what it's suppose to do. I'm physically and emotionally drained.

Keep us in prayers, please

Different perspective

2011-08-17T14:04:00.000-04:00

I see napkins and dish towels

She sees a head covering and who knows what else!!!!

May she never looses her creativity

What a bit of love and caffeine can do, Amazing stuff, I tell ya!

2011-08-16T09:10:00.001-04:00

Last night was way to short or maybe way to long either way sleep was lacking. The Stam house had been hit with with the sniffle, I need to be on mama, my tummy hurt, can you give me something to drink at 4am please.

My brain was a bit fogged up and I missed a Dr appointment, yet again, second time that I re-schedule cause I got my dates and day of the week confused. Let just say that for a university graduate I did not feel very smart at that moment, needed to call the office and explain that I taught we were this day instead of that one.

Just made the beds to come back upstairs to find all the bed sheets on the floor and our sweet little girls saying "Look, Mama, Niiiice, bed doggy" I smile and came back downstairs, maybe if I don't see it I might not need to pick it back up, right. Out of sight out of mind.

Wipe noses along the way, including my own, thinking that a nice warm blanket, and soft pillow would be lovely.

Came back upstairs, sat down in my rocking chair in front of 3 laundry baskets full of clothes that need to be folded and put away, when I hear "SWEETHEART where are youuuuu"

Harry popping his head on top of the stair holding a Medium Vanilla Soy Latte !!!!

"You know I like to spoil you, but today you deserve it!!!!"

I love my husband!

(Repost from Dec 15, 2010, some days you just need a bit of caffeine and a loving husband to make things all better. Ps I wouldn't mind being surprised by a coffee treat right about now hehe!!! )

Like flowers in the field

2011-08-15T08:50:00.000-04:00

Saying there are too many children is like saying there are too many flowers! ~ Mother Teresa (a quoted often repeat by Michelle Duggar )

Raising girls

2011-08-12T19:42:00.001-04:00

They likes picking up flowers and wearing pretty dresses.

Having tea parties and cuddling with dolls.

They are learning to clean and cook, learning the art of homemaking.

But we are not Raising China Dolls

See for yourself :-)

You may have notice that she was wearing a cute girly bracelet, of course you can be feminine doing hard work!

Divided

2011-08-10T21:59:00.000-04:00

As you look on the church landscape, youth are leaving the faith in droves. The modern church, overall, is struggling to reach the next generation with the gospel. What has happened? Whether for good or bad, men, for many years, have been inventing solutions or brainstorming ideas without fully relying upon the foundation of God’s Word. God, however, is greater than man, and as the heavens are above the earth, so are His ways higher than ours and His thoughts than our thoughts (Is. 55:8-9). We have substituted the greater for the lesser – God’s wisdom for man’s ideas. Jesus said that he who hears His Word and does it, is like a man that built his house upon a rock, and when the storm came, it stood firm. On the other hand, he who rejects His Word, is like a man who built on the sand and when the storm came, the house fell (Matt. 7:24-25). Shouldn’t the church, as a whole, abandon the sandy ideas of man and shamelessly return to the firm rock of the Word of God? God’s Word sufficiently identifies how youth are to be reached. For more information on this issue, please see the film Divided, which is a documentary on age-segregated youth ministry in America. Watch it for free (for a limited time) here. For an in-depth study, the book A Weed in the Church delves into the topic and more thoroughly handles the Scripture passages that address ministry to young people. For other details or to help spread the message, visit this website

Here is the preview of the documentary, I watch the documentary and learn so much, and at the same time provoke lot of thinking and questions. I know this is a controversial issue, but watch it with a open mind and with a prayerful heart .

Enjoy

Off the grid

2011-08-09T14:21:00.000-04:00

I always wondered how mothers did it, back in the days, you know before electricity, before TV, laundry machine and stove, before cell, internet, blog and all the technology available to us now.

Then one day, there was my chance to see how this would look like, at least for a couple of days. We pack our suitcases and off to the middle of nowhere we went.

A place with no electricity, with no call reception, no internet access. A place where there are no street light to hindered the beauty of the stars and the moon shining over us in the night. A place where nature played it's music instead of the noise of cars, and business of live around us. A place where you have to work for what we take for granted.

A place when time stood still.

We had indoor and outdoor facilities, the indoor one needing us to pump water to be able to flush each time we used it, what a blessing it was not having to use the outdoor one in the middle of the night. Hot water was not instant, but warmed up on a small gas stove, and we wouldn't dare waist one drop of it.

Little one having a blast playing outside, in the lake

or finding ways to entertain themselves.

Yes, things where done a bit differently, some harder, some easier then our ways of life.

Would I be able to give out our modern easy ready to use ways and live that way, maybe. Or a combination of both could be possible, thinking that it could be a way to save money, sure I would be willing to put the extra work, just to save for our family sake. Willing to give practicality and convenience, for their sake.

But for now, I am thankful for the laptop that allows me to write this post, for the internet access that will publish it, for the electricity that make things run smoothly. thankful for all the blessings what we have.

Not taking all those blessing for granted.

She noticed

2011-08-04T14:32:00.000-04:00

I was finishing up getting dressed when she came in the room and looked at the growing belly and asked

Rebekah : "Is there a baby in there?" pointing at the bump

Me: Trying to avoid answering not wanting to encourage her 4 years old to ask that question to people who might not be pregnant "Shh it's ok"

Rebekah " Mama do you have gas???"

Pregnancy + Stomach bug + Hot and humid day = trip to the ER

2011-08-03T19:30:00.000-04:00

Well the title almost says it all, right. Let say that dehydration during pregnancy is no fun and a real need for some fluid were required. They keep me for a few days, IV fluid rushing in my veins like liquid gold. I feel much much better.

Still recuperating so might be a little while longer before I post again, but we are all doing fine, just sipping some water and trying to keep it in :-)

Many more to come

2011-07-30T08:04:00.000-04:00

It's has been 5 years. 5 years getting to know him, myself and us better.

I feel like we only scratch the tip of the iceberg. We need many more years, to learn about each other better.

Happy 5th anniversary Harry

Interview with the Long Ladies

2011-07-16T10:01:00.000-04:00

Some of you may know Mari-Madeline Studio but do you know the ladies behind it? Here is a short interview I had with them, enjoy!

1.How did you start Marie-Madeline, what is the story behind it?

We launched marie-madeline studio in December of 2007. It primarily began with some custom made goodies on Etsy, followed closely by the debuting of our very own line of sewing patterns (which we love!), and our online fabric store. The name of marie-madeline was taken from our maternal great-grandmother and our paternal grandmother, since our seamstress/artist heritage is such an inspiration. We grew up thinking no one ever bought curtains, and homemade potholders were must-haves!

2. when did you start you blog

We began our blog, www.mariemadelinestudio.typepad.com

, in October of 2007. It’s been a good experience for us, and we’ve loved getting to know our customers so much better through it! Truly, getting comments on our blog has really been a great encouragement in our business.

3. when did you start sewing?

Kristie~ Sewing really took off for me in ‘85, starting with a quilt, and clothes. I did make a pair of white terrycloth shorts at school in the ‘70s!

Apphia & Achaia~ We began sewing in about 1997 (not including little handwork projects. We’d been doing those since we were 3 or 4!). We’d go over to our grandmother’s house and work on our 4-H garment projects.

Abigail~ I started sewing when I was about 7 (1999). I was extremely adventuresome, and made pillows for everyone I knew!

Abiah~ It’s really hard to say when exactly I started sewing—probably when I was around 10. I just picked up things along and along from my Mom and sisters, and just took off from there.

4. advice or tips to beginner sewers?

Definitely the most important is not to get discouraged! Jump in with both feet, and start off fairly simple. An easy elastic waist skirt or pillow is a great way to start. Don’t pick something too hard to begin with. Persevere, and ask a friend to help if need be!

You too can be of help to the long ladies and the tornadoes victims...

We’ve recently asked ladies to join us in an effort to make quilts for the Joplin tornado victims. Joplin is only about 25 miles from our home, and we went there at least 2 times a week, so the May 22nd tornado hit pretty close to home. We wanted to be a blessing to those in need, so we organized the Joplin Quilt Project. We’re accepting fabric donations until the end of this month, and also asking for possible help in sewing up quilt tops. Once they are all sent back to us, we plan on having a local lady quilt them. The Warm & Natural Batting Company has graciously offered to donate all the batting we need for our project, and we couldn’t be more thrilled! We are hoping to have all the quilts ready to be given out by October. Of course, the very main thing you can do to help us is to continue to pray for our project and all the Joplin residents. Thank you!

The Long ladies---- Kristie(Mom), Apphia(23), Achaia(21), Abigail(18), and Abiah(17). We run marie-madeline studio, our sewing and design business from our happy home studio in Missouri. We are blessed with a sweet Dad, and three brothers, along with our adorable Collies Bo & Blayde. We love Jesus Christ, color, laughter, buttons, braids, classic movies, pizza, fabric, singing, handwork, vintage clothes, Mexican food, swimming, sewing, and being together while we work. These things represent all of us, but we all have to put our own twist and personality into each one!

Keeping me on my toes

2011-07-14T16:45:00.001-04:00

Never a boring moment around here!

All played out

2011-07-12T13:05:00.000-04:00

All day they run, climb, play with all their might until

They crash...

while mama was getting her PJ, she couldn't even wait to lay her head down

I don't know about you , but the sight of babies sleeping is so peaceful, you just have to take a picture of the stillness.

even better taking a picture of the precious snuggle they share in the middle of the night!

All those sleeping toddlers pictures are making me sleepy... I might just crash on the couch, just like they did!

Since you so kindly asked

2011-07-07T16:54:00.000-04:00

Thank you so much for all your sweet comment left on our happy new blessing, I wish I could have the time and the energy to reply and answer all you question via email but since I am limited on both I'll try to post it all here for you.

When am I due?: Since we are still breastfeeding and irregular cycle will say end of Feb beginning of March

How far along am I?: I would guess 6 weeks , could be more or less

How am I feeling?: Way better them my first 3 pregnancies, a few bout of morning sickness but nothing bad, tired of course but maybe that could be because I'm chasing 3 little goose under 4 ha!

Are you feeling pretty sick with this one yet? nope I think this baby might be a boy, I would love a boy, but if it's a girl I sure am ready for her lol

We are having a bit of a heat wave around here and with limited energy level I resorted to this

This qualifies as "bath-time" right!

I might be on and off the computer for still a bit longer, but I miss reading your lovely blog, see you all soon!!!

Rachel has something to tell you

2011-07-04T06:09:00.000-04:00

I'm one of the BIG sisters now:-)

Because they are girls

2011-06-29T08:37:00.000-04:00

There is something about having all girls and wanting to dress them up in matching outfits.

But trying to buy matching dresses can be costly and nearly impossible when buying used. What is a mother to do?

Used old bed sheets, and make your own!!!

Homemaking is so much fun, you can be creative with what you got, and spent little of no money and having what you heart so long for, pretty matching dresses for your little girls!!!

Next project, making matching outfit for me and the girls!!!

I know some of you may thing, really all matching, and think of all the stereotypes that comes with that. But who care, I like it, and think that it makes pretty pictures.

At the beach

2011-06-27T19:13:00.000-04:00

Short break was needed...

More to come

The growing Stam family

The love stories I will share with them

A time to let go

Motherhood in art

Many life skills to be learned

Some words are worth repeating, over and over again

Is she trying to tell me something?

Some days are just blurry

Curried orange cauliflower soup

Learning can bring JOY to their belly * giveaway* CLOSE

Chlorine free baby *review*

Encouraging creativity

Once a mother, always a mother

baby past away

prayer

prayer for baby

prayer for baby

The clip that explains it all

keeping those little hands busy

So now we wait

Gone with the old and back with the new

It's a giveaway! *close*

Salt Dough Ornaments, Christmas Craft for Kids

Christmas,Jesus and death... Perceptive of a 4 years old

"Dolphin Tale" DVD giveaway *close*

Those hard working husband of ours

Hope for the weary Mom Winners

Homemaking when your not feeling your best

For the hard working little girl

Because I'm growing another person

Hope for the weary Mom *Close*

There is always room for one more

She is now 3

When Mama does not want to prepare another snack!

A language that we can all speak

Homeschooling is a dirty job

Little Angels DVD giveaway *Close*

Winner Winner, we have a winner

The Amazing Talent of Toddlers

Just in time for the holiday (giveaway)

Better be safe then sorry, right?

It's came in the night

When you just want to remember

To love their children

Fruitful vine

Homemade pumpkin puree, you'll never buy from a can ever again!

Papa's little girls

Capturing LIFE

When it's ok to let them have their own way

The glorious colours of fall

What family is all about

Embracing the Mess

Organisation skills

Weekends are for..

A reflection of Eden

When your having "one of those days"

How to renovate your laundry room for FREE

Anticipation

Let is fall

True Christian Motherhood

And a family is growing

A star in the making

Fall at our door

Making memories, comes with a giveaway

Center stage

The harvest

Softly, please softly

Up and down and all around

From one seed

Why should we feed a dying body

Modesty, a husband view on the topic

My favourites 1,2,3's

Garden of verses

Vintage, where have you been all my life

Weekend pins : For those pretty little girls

Bedtime stories

Once upon a time

He who calms the storms

Blue skies

As strong as glass

Chlorine free baby review

It's a giveaway! close

"Dolphin Tale" DVD giveaway close

Hope for the weary Mom Close

Little Angels DVD giveaway Close