While He Was Out

While dad was away we....

went to see a beautiful stream with a waterfall....

...Stopped to see some deer...

...went to a "cave" near our house...

...overall we played, explored, and posed. Can't wait for dad to get back and hear all about it.

What Will You Do Without Freedom?

This morning I drove my older girls to a nearby neighborhood to babysit for Meme's Bible study. It is a gated community, so as I approached the gate the guard stepped out. I simply told him I was there to drop off the girls for a Bible study. He smiled and opened the gate, but as I drove away it hit me. What a privelege it is to live in a country where I can openly say I am headed to a Bible study.



I live in a country where I can have 6 kids or more if I wish to let the Lord bless me.



I live in a country where I can homeschool my children. I can choose what is put in their hearts and minds.



I live in a country where Scott and his family can run a small business.



I live in a country where I can go to church with out fear.



I live in a country where I can write about God and how He has changed my life.



These are all freedoms that I hold dear. But, when I think of what I would do without my freedoms, I can not sit back and watch as they are threatened. I am not an activist. I was not even politically minded till recent years. I am "awake" now. Maybe it is my age,or maybe it is a sign of the times, I think it is a mixture of both.

I wrote a post in June ( http://squirlygirls.blogspot.com/2009/06/throw-off-your-complacency.html) encouraging all readers to become more educated. I hope you all have done so. If not, begin now before you loose what you hold dear.

Lets stand up and let our voices heard. If you are in Oklahoma, please join me and others on 9/13 at 3pm on the steps of the State Capitol.

Before then, I would encourage you to watch Glenn Beck this week and learn what/who is threatening your freedom.

You can live without freedom. Many in other countries do. But, what will you say to your children and grandchildren years from now to explain why you did nothing as this great way of life was taken away piece by piece? Everyday between now and that day, you will have to answer for. So, wake up and act now.

12 Before Your 12 - Part 1

Last January, Scott and I were able to get away for a whole week, just the two of us, alone. This time really strengthened our relationship with each other and with the Lord. While on this trip God spoke to my heart. He showed me how there was only a year before B would turn 12, a very important turning point in a girls life. So many things change around the age of 12. He put it on my heart to plant some seeds in her heart that can carry her through these changes.

She has grown up learning God's word, but I wanted to find His truths that were specific to what the "future Bryce" would need to know. So, sitting in a hotel room in Phoenix, AZ I began to write. I titled it "12 before your 12". Starting in May, when she turned 11, we have spent 1 Saturday a month going over the truths that God laid on my heart to share with her.

Last Saturday, after going these truths, she said, "Mom, you should share this with other people." So here I am sharing this with you. I hope you find this as encouraging as she and I do. I'll start with Discussion Topic 1 and will post others over the next few weeks. Remember these are talking points. I share a truth and then she and I discuss it. I encourage you to do the same with your daughters.

Discussion Topic 1: Becoming a Woman of God

How does God define a woman of God?
How does she appear?
How does she act?
What are her does and don’ts?
Who are her role models?
Lets study Proverbs 31 and see how these verses relate to today's women?
Verse 10- “a wife of noble character, who can find?” The word noble means: distinguished; famous for her character not her talent or her dress or outward appearance.
“she is worth far more than rubies” Why rubies instead of diamonds? I read this on the Internet- “Large gem quality rubies can be more valuable than comparably sized diamonds and are certainly more rare.” In this world they want you to think that diamonds are the best, but this shows us that there are many diamonds but few rubies.
Verse 11 & 12: “her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.” “she brings him good, not harm, all the days of his life.” This is the job of the wife/helpmate. This may seem like a topic for when you’re engaged, but remember she can only be this to her husband if she has a noble character. This character is something that starts now and grows forever. I found this while researching the Internet for commentaries on Prov 31. "The mentality in our culture is to think nothing of giving our hearts to guy after guy, to learn to effortlessly flirt with any cute guy that comes along, and to act with very little discretion in numerous ways. Especially when it comes to our relationships with guys we don’t often seek to honor our husbands. We go for the short term pleasure rather then pleasing God and loving our husbands all the days of our life.
The concept of being faithful to one's husband is commonly applied to the married woman. However, in referring to "all the days of our lives", wouldn't it include our childhood, teen, and single adult years? How do we honor someone if we don’t know who they are?We can not expect that when we are married all our bad habits are going to disappear and we will instantly become godly wives and women. It does not work like that. We need to work towards honoring our husband; for it is not an instant thing and it is not something you only do while married. Above all we need to pursue godliness and seek to honor God above all else. May all that we do honor and glorify Him. " This was written by a young girl who is only 15-16. What amazing truth coming from someone who is in the "battle". It's easy as a mom to look back and say do or don't, but here is a young girl walking through it with such clarity.
Verses 13-15 talk about how she works. 1.she works eagerly 2.she does not take short cuts (she’ll go far to provide) 3. Not lazy (gets up early to meet the needs of others)
Verse 16 tells us that she is educated and that she is responsible with her money.
Verse 17 uses the word vigorously this means strong and energetic. The second part of the verse tells us that she is not weak. Nothing can stand in her way.
Verse 18 and 19 tell us that she stays up and continues to work.
Verse 20 talks about how she helps others.
Verse 19 through 24 tells how her outward appearance is clothed beautifully but not provocatively (because her husband is respected). Covered for all seasons.
These other verses have been talking about her appearance and her home, but now it turns to talking about her heart/ character.
Verse 25-27 “she is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue… does not eat the bread of idleness.” Verse 29 says “ many women do noble things,but you surpass them all” So outwardly she is: a eager worker, no shortcuts, not lazy, educated, responsible with money, strong energetic worker, helps the needy, dressed beautifully and has a wonderful home. Inwardly she: has dignity( conduct and speech showing self-respect), not fearful, she speaks with wisdom which only comes from scripture. Maya Angelou once wrote,”A woman’s heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.”

Other discussion topics will be coming, but they will mean nothing if first you are not a woman of God.

And the Answer Is...

I let you do the interviewing, so here are the questions sent in. There were not many, but here were the top three.

*Disclaimer: I do not claim to be an expert at anything. These answers are only based on what God has led our family to do. I encourage everyone to search scripture for the direction that God has for you.*


is having six girls two times harder than having two?

Some people get caught up in the number of children we have, while others think it would be harder because they are all girls. Seeing that we have never had a son, I could not tell you if all girls is harder or easier. But, I do believe that it is our goal as parents to teach self-control to all our children. Yes, girls have more emotions, but they can learn to control those emotions even at an early age. Ok, back to your questions. I would not use the word "harder", but maybe busier. After Scott and I had #4 we realized we needed to change the way things were going in our house. We became more organized, and that is when we started teaching the older few to help out. The few times that Scott and I have only had P and A with us it does feel slower. I could not live like that for long. We love the "chaos" that is our life. If we did not have 6 girls, we would, like everyone does, find 100 other ways to fill our time.


when it comes to our expectations of our children as far as housework goes. I'm not sure what I should expect them to do; by that I mean what is an appropriate amount of work.

Great question. Like I said above, it was not until #4 that we started having the girls pitch in. This was out of necessity and the first three were just then old enough to take on chores (they were 7,6, &4 then). I am a big believer in children helping in the home. I think this is a wonderful way to instill great character in them. It teaches:
-thoroughness. Proverbs 18:15 says, "The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out." I want them to have a heart that is eager to learn new things. I do not want them to stand behind the excuse "I do not know how to...".
-orderliness. I Cor 14:40 says, "But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way." It is something scripture tells us to do. You could keep your home in order alone, but what will prepare them to follow this scripture in their own homes in the future? Some moms like to use chore charts/cards that label different jobs for each child. I don't do this because I think this can cause a heart issue. A heart that says "That is not my job on the list so I do not need to do it." I want my girls hearts to be willing to help at all times. I want them to have Initiative (def.:recognizing and doing what needs to be done before I am asked to do it).
As far as how much your children should do around the house, that is up to your discernment. Chores are for teaching. But I promise, if you are consistent, you will see your children begin to take pride in the job they have done. This brings about self assurance. Which helps them be leaders, not followers.


how do you get any alone time with 6 kids?

I'll keep this answer short since this post is already enormous. We have been blessed with two wonderful grandmas that will take on our large crew on occasion. Scott and I find this to be such an important part of marriage, so when grandmas are not available we find other ways. We have taught the girls to go upstairs and play for one hour (with out coming down unless something major). This helps us to get that much needed moment to visit with each other.

Thank you for all your questions. I hope you will some how be encouraged by all this!

Questions, Anyone?

Well, life has been so busy here lately. I have been neglecting my computer. Between slumber parties, swim get-together, and trips to the lake my plate has just been to full. Then there are all the last of the summer projects Scott and I are trying to get done around here before school starts. So I thought, while little ones are resting, I would take a short break and say hello.

I have been thinking about this post for a while now. Often when I read other blogs, I come up with questions I would like to ask the blogger. Simple questions that tell how they do what they do. I read someone describe blogging as driving past a house at night and the shades are open where you can see in. For a brief moment you get a glimpse into someone else's world. How cool would it be if you could also stop in and interview that family. Everyone has a story. With all this in mind, I decided to write a post encouraging all who take a glimpse at this page to ask me questions. Maybe you want to know about raising six girls, or homeschooling, or just something random. Whatever it is I'll try to answer it.

So let the interview begin. I will leave this up until Friday, and then answer all questions in the next post. So go on, the floor is all yours!

Who Is Watching Who

Dog Sitting?

Sitting with Dogs?

If these pictures did not make you laugh enough, go watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEFE3B0Rje0

The Things They Say

After returning from Six Flags the other night, the older girls began telling C about all the rides. The younger three had stayed with grandma. C response was to begin telling her older sisters how she too had gone to a park that day and ridden rides. Her story was so elaborate if I did know better I might believe her. Later we did clarify the difference between lies and truth.

My sister recently told her 4yr old son how she had seen a possum in the back yard the night before. He was not impressed that much because, as he told it, he has a possum as a pet. He holds and feeds it....you get the picture.

From the back seat of the car I hear A tell me she was 3 now. I said "Not yet, but soon on your b-day." She responded, "No! God made me three now so I am three now."

These kids say the funniest things. Sometimes my sisters and I just sit back and tell story after story, and crack up laughing. They can be better comedy than anything on TV. So sit back, listen to your little one's stories and feel free to share them with me. I love it!

Fun Friday

What a great time we had Friday!

My sisters and I took our large crew to the park near Lake Hefner. If you have not been there, it is a must. I love spending time with my sisters. We are best friends and now our kids are too. The only thing missing from yesterday was the "fourth musketeer", mom. I took along my camera (because I am obsessed). Here are a few of the cute pics.

We walked a little bit further to the lighthouse. The kids loved it. It was beautiful there.



We even got a great shot of the three of us. This is rare because we always seem to have someone in our hands.

Thanks Mandy and Tiff for the great day!