Almost Time: Vacation

A couple more days until I can run on the beach with the family. The kids are so excited.

I can hear the seagulls and rushing of the waves now. Not much longer!

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About Me

Full-time Mommy, part-time online business owner. . . married to the man of my dreams. Passionate about life, inspired and inspiring...Want to know more? Read on . . .

1. Born in Panama and raised all over the world (including Germany).

2. Married to a wonderful man for well over a decade.

3. We're madly in love.

4. We met through friends. The first time I saw him he was standing outside on the deck with no shirt on. MEOOOW!

5. When we first met, he wasn't interested in me. When I lost interest in him he became very interested in me!

6. He is 3 years older than me.

7. He still makes me weak when I look in his eyes.

8. We are silly and make jokes about everyday life.

9. He is a US Soldier.

10. Love a man in uniform!

11. We have 1 son and 6 daughters.

12. Yes, we know what causes that. I would say more, but it might make you blush.

13. I homeschool all 7 of them.

14. Each child looks so different from each other.

15. I'm certain our genes mutated in between each child.

16. I have two children with autism, one with Asperger's + an Anxiety disorder and one with full blown autism.

17. I have a child with Sensory Processing Disorder

18. Music affects me deeply. I love it.

19. What next...just love rambling about myself...LOL

20. I play piano and sing.

21. I had voice lessons as a teenager.

22. I am a Pisces and I love the water.

23. I am a runner.

24. I am a writer.

25. I am good at winning an argument.

26. I'm very spiritual and love my religion.

27. I love working out.

28. I play Farmtown on Facebook and am a self-proclaimed Farm Junkie.

29. I have my kids plow the fields for me to save time.

30. I collect old cookbooks. The oldest one I own is from 1922.

31. I'm part gypsy after growing up an Army brat and we move on average every 10-12 months.

32. I love giving parties.

33. My favorite party game is Loaded Questions.

34. I love staying up way to late at night.

35. I must be part ware wolf.

36. I can't think of anything else.

37. I may come back sometime and add more when I remember something that seems important.

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Mother Poem

(Author Unknown)

My mother kept a garden,
a garden of the heart.
She planted all the good things
that gave my life its start.
She turned me to the sunshine
and encouraged me to dream,
Fostering and nurturing
the seeds of self-esteem.
And when the winds and rains came
she protected me enough
But not too much because she knew
I needed to grow strong and tough.
Her constant good example
always taught me right from wrong
Markers for my pathway
that will last a lifetime long.
I am my mother's garden
I am her legacy
And I hope today she feels the love
reflected back from me.

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Summer Fun Deluxe Edition Articles

Patriotic Celebration of the 4th of July With Kids

By Raejean Roberts

What is the 4th of July to you? Is it a reason to have another BBQ or your annual chance to watch fireworks? Or is it something more? Is it a day to reflect on the birth of our nation and the freedoms we enjoy? For me, it’s an opportunity to teach my children...

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Summer just screams "get out the grill"! We love to fire up the grill in the evenings, and our neighbors do too. It is always fun to be out in our yard in the evening, talking to the neighbors as our grills churn out different aromas...


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Have a Smart Summer

By Kari Robinette


With school out, how can we keep our children’s minds sharp? I asked a group of girl friends what they do to keep their kids busy and got some very smart answers.


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Disaster Scenario

By Valerie Steadman

With all of the news of disasters going on around us, a growing sense of unease is taking over the calm that we once felt in daily life. We need to prepare should a disaster strike our family. For those of us who are so brave to accept, I encourage you to undertake a valuable challenge starting now...


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Bug Inn

By Kari Robinette

One way for your kids to get acquainted with the industrious ladybug is to gather a few from your garden and put them up indoors for a couple of days in a see-through ladybug inn...

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How To Put The FUN Back In Summer!

By Rayline Salazar

(Things For The Kids To Do) Summer time can be very long for kids. With the hot, lazy days children have a tendency to get bored easily. Here's a list of 10 things to do to put the FUN back into summer!


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Fun In The Summer Sun

By Tiana Gray

In Arizona, and many other places in the world, the summer can be awfully hot and uncomfortable. With temperatures reaching above 110 degrees F it's no wonder you come down with heat rash, burning painful sunburns, dry skin, and get sweaty, and sticky under your clothing.


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Mothers of Large Families Series: Angie Cate

The Homemaking Cottage Series Presents:

Mothers of Large Families

Angie Cate, Mother of five



I was born in Texas but moved to Arkansas when I was seven years old. I was pretty much raised in Central Arkansas where I met my husband in High School. My dad worked full-time and owned his own business. He had a bit of freedom because of that. But my mom worked very hard throughout my childhood...still does. She is an accounting manager at a large corporation here in Central Arkansas. They were both gone a lot leaving my brother and I to work many things out on our own- or better yet, with a babysitter! We did lots of family activities on the weekends though. I think most of our time was spent camping and/or boating. I learned how to water ski at a young age, and I learned how to avoid those bathhouses that had holes in the ground for toilets. Literally. a hole. in. the. ground. I was scared to death of them! We were and are a strong Christian family. I am so thankful to have grown up so very blessed and so loved!

Her Husband

About Todd- He is the love of my life. We met when we were 15 and 17. He was 15...He is so humble and caring, but at the same time he takes charge and runs this family with firmness. I am very blessed to know him, love him, and share a life with him. Plus, he's H-O-T!!


Her Children

Our first child was born before we were married. We actually got married three weeks AFTER she was born, and then about 4 months later I found out I was pregnant again. This was not why I decided to have a large family, but I'm headed somewhere with it! An 18 year old dad, 20 year old mom, newly married with an infant and pregnant again. Was this some kind of sick joke that God was playing on us? No, it was far from sick and I sure wasn't laughing!

After my son was born we were adamant that we didn't want any more children. We told everyone...loud and proud. But something unexpected happened. Simultaneously, my husband and I began to soften. We began realizing that children are a blessing from the Lord and that to have more children would mean we were blessed- not cursed. After almost three years of denial we gave in and gave up. The decision to have as many as God would allow seeped into our hearts. And now, we have another boy, one miscarriage, another girl, and one more boy. A total of 5 live blessings and one that only Jesus gets to enjoy.


Regan Shey is my 9 (almost 10) year old girl- she is a little mother hen. She is my beautiful helper and I tell her daily that I couldn't do it without her.

Caleb Todd is my 8 (almost 9) year old boy- he is a miniature scientist with the most creative thoughts imaginable. He is full of laughter and puts the "fun" in family.

Titan Alexander is my 4 year old boy- he is...well...a Titan. Loves life, loves to talk, was climbing bunk bed ladders when he was 6 months old, and is just ALL BOY!

Adia Jubilee is my 2 year old girl- she is as sweet as sugar but as conniving as a fox. We call her "little" because she's so tiny and her voice is so small, but don't let that deceive you. She can climb rock walls, scream louder than a bullhorn, and wrap you around her pinky at the same time.

Salem Christian is my 1 year old boy- he's our chubby. My biggest baby, with all this juicy chunk and he's so cuddly. I dreamed about him before he was born and the Lord showed me these fat rolls and big hands. What-do-ya-know...there he was...just like I had dreamed!


Some joyful experiences with her large family

The morning Salem was born (born at home in a house we were house-sitting at the time) was such a blessed time for us. I went into labor in the night and he came at 5:45 a.m.. The other kids slept through the entire birth and at about 6:00 a.m. we were able to wake them up and show them their new baby brother. We hadn't found out the gender before hand so they were all so excited. We hung out on the bed together marveling at him and taking turns holding him. Then we had a birthday party for my husband that evening because Salem stole the show that morning...they were both born on June 18th. It was an amazing day for our family!

Last spring we went camping at a park in Texas. We got all geared up ahead of time. Bought the tent, flashlights, food, etc. We got out there to our site and rushed to get the tent erected and the food cooked. After we had eaten it was pitch black outside and we heard something in the trees right beside our site. It was a raccoon (Kie-yoon as Adia called them)...and then another...and then another. They pestered us all night. But the best part was the next day when we were eating gummy batman treats and the squirrels straight up stole one off of the ground under our table! While we were sitting there!! Then another squirrel came up, and another, and another, until we were surrounded by like 10 squirrels! Not only that, but cardinals and bees started hovering too. It was like the friggin' Discovery Chanel had used us as bait for a documentary on local wildlife. The best part was that we got it all on camera and we lived to tell about it!


Experiences or knowledge has helped her on her journey

The best advice I ever received from anyone was to "laugh a lot". Other than that I don't feel like I have a lot to offer. I honestly just take it a day at a time and give my family over to God. Time in prayer and in His word or just listening to His voice is the ONLY thing that keeps me going. It's the ONLY thing that keeps this family together.


Her mentor or person who is a shining example

Linda Balaban is my...there are no words to describe this woman...she's an angel. God must have sent her to this earth first for her 10 children and her husband, and then secondly for me. Selfless, bearing others' burdens, truly concerned, full of joy, creative, and understanding are just a few words I could write to describe her.


Favorite quote or Scripture

"Mercy triumphs over judgment." James 2:13

"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow; of things in heaven, of
things in earth, and things under the earth. And that every tongue should
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Phil 2:11


Favorite family meal

Lasagna with Homemade Marinara Sauce

You'll need:

1 can tomato paste (Kroger has a great organic product)

1 can tomato sauce (the big fat ones- also organic)

1 can diced tomatoes (organic)

1 lb. of ground beef (browned)

1 box of whole wheat lasagna noodles (uncooked)

1 small tub of ricotta cheese

1 small tub of cottage cheese (fat free)

1 lb of mozzarella cheese (shredded)

1 egg

1 cup milk

2 tbs each oregano, parsley, and garlic (I also like to mince my own when
I have time)

Now, get a large casserole dish and spray with non-stick stuff. Oh yes,
and heat the oven to about 350 degrees. You'll need two medium sized bowls
one for meat sauce and one for cheese sauce.

Mix together in one bowl all the cans of tomato stuff, browned beef and the spices. In the other bowl mix together the ricotta, cottage, and mozzarella cheeses, the egg and milk.

Alternate starting with the meat sauce, then noodles, cheese sauce, meat sauce, noodles etc. etc. You can either refrigerate or freeze for another day or cook immediately. If cooking immediately, allow about 2 hrs. For the first hour and a half keep it covered with foil then take the foil off for about 20-30 minutes.

You can test the doneness by slipping a knife into the center to make sure it's soft. If not, keep 'er a cookin'!

Serve with Italian bread dipped in olive oil and Parmesan cheese and a lettuce salad.


Favorite Dessert

Sugar Cookies- traditional sugar cookies, but I love to mix water and powered sugar together with some food coloring for the icing. Then the kids and I go to town decorating some mad sugar cookies. It's so much fun with such a great result!


Her Website


www.homemakerchronicles.com

Come read and leave a comment if you like something you see!

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Birthday Party Ideas in the Deluxe Edition

A Medley of our Deluxe Edition Birthday Ideas Collection:

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Giveaway: Send Out Cards Gift Subscription

It is valued at $25. It is gift account good for one year. You will be able to send 10 cards including postage!!



Gift Subscription Features:

* 13,000 cards to choose from with hundreds of new cards added each month!
* Change your return address for various card sending needs
* Freedom to purchase points as necessary for additional cards or gifts
* User has access to the entire SendOutCards system
* Freedom to upgrade account at anytime.


My opinion of SendoutCards:

Send out cards is a wonderful service! I have the good desire to send gifts and cards to my family and friends on their birthdays, but I get so busy that often the thought leaves my mind before I do anything that I wanted to. Sadly, I send gifts and cards six months after the occasion. This is why I LOVE the idea of this service! As soon as I think the thought to send someone a gift and card, I can run to the computer and put it together on the internet and SendOutCards will mail it for me!! What a blessing to find this site!

Ok, homemakers!

Wouldn't YOU like to have this service for FREE?

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Leave a comment with your name and email address.


Bonus Entries, after the initial entry is complete:
(Please comment about which ones you did.)


1. Follow Homemaking Cottage Sanity with Seven via Google or Network blogs!

2. Subscribe to Homemaking Cottage Deluxe Edition!

3. Grab our button, put it on your blog and let us know where we can find it!

4. Blog about this contest and leave the link!

5. Follow Pinkginghamom on twitter and tweet this giveaway, include @pinkginghamom in your tweet.

6. Become a fan.

7. Join us on our Facebook group

8. Add me a friend on facebook


Giveaway ends June 30 at 10:59 pm EST. Open to U.S. residents only. Winner will be picked using Random.org.

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Review by Elisa at UnderCoverMama

"The Homemaking Cottage has been one of my favorite "simple pleasures" in my very busy life with my five children, a place to renew my mind and spirit for the rewarding but tough job of motherhood and homemaking. The wealth of information found in the Deluxe Edition is astounding. No matter what I am needing or in the mood for, I find. The articles are well-written with valuable, quality information.

Whether I need help organizing, meal planning, celebrating, or finding inspiration and advice when motherhood pushes you to the limits, I have found a trusted resource in the Homemaking Cottage."

Elisa, Owner, Undercover Mama - Make ANY shirt a nursing shirt! www.undercovermama.com

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A Provident Mindset: Deluxe Edition Article

By Valerie Steadman

Life in the twenty-first century is becoming evermore difficult and complex. All of us have felt it. There are storms beating on the doors of people we know, right now. Difficult trials that are unavoidable- bringing pain, sorrow, worry, and fear. Amidst the financial crisis, unemployment rates, raging wars, and natural disasters, how do we find peace?


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This article is one of almost 1000 featured in the Deluxe Edition of The Homemaking Cottage.

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Remembering Fathers

"He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it." -Clarence Budington Kelland



I have been blessed with the most amazing father. He has always been a strong and righteous example to me and my three sisters. Throughout years of hardship he was a pillar that we could look to for strength. He has always given service without complaint to everyone he can. He has an entrepreneurial mind and has always done extra things to make money and have fun in the process such as: building trailers, doing beautiful leather work, buying, fixing up and cleaning cars and reselling them inexpensively to those who are new in the area and need a car immediately. He always has a fix for something wrong and is easy to talk to.


"Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gentle voices call him father!" -Lydia M. Child, Philothea: A Romance, 1836



My husband is such a wonderful man. I pray every night for him and ask for any extra blessings that might be mine to go to him. He is a faithful and loving husband and father. When I read the above quote I thought of him. He has seven little ones, and who knows how many future ones, that look to him as their strength. He works hard to teach his children who really look up to him. He is strives everyday to improve himself. He plays with his children and loves being home with them. I am so blessed to have him as the father of my children.

"The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother." -Unknown

Happy Father's Day!

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My Unsolicited Parenting Advice

I read somewhere that the average family does not gather in one room together more than a few times a week. I became conscious of how often we gathered together. Some days we're really good about it and others it goes out the window.

Some days we only eat dinner together as the only meal of the day, but it's better than nothing. Truth be told, I prefer to eat lunch alone than being spilled on, hearing loud smacking noises in my ear, or fighting for the last gluten free organic roll. I think the kids enjoy my relaxing in the computer room while they do that anyway.

On super busy days if the only time we get together in one room is for prayer, then that is still a good day.

My unsolicited advice is to be conscious of how often you meet together as an entire family in one room to spend time together other than watching TV. It does wonders for family unity.

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Mothers of Large Families Series: Kelly Bloomer

The Homemaking Cottage Series Presents:

Mothers of Large Families

Kelly Bloomer, Mother of four





I was born in the suburbs of NYC (Garnerville, NY to be exact). I was one of three girls, but my extended family was quite large. Holiday dinners usually consisted of 50-60 people. My father was a salesman for a landscape supply company and my mother was a stay at home mom who worked odd jobs (babysitting, house cleaning) to help with the finances.

My husband and I have been together since high school. We met at a local grocery store where we both worked. We have been through just about everything together. He is currently a police officer with the Fayetteville Police Department.


I don't think I ever consciously decided to have a large family; the Lord blessed me with one. Now that I have a large family I cherish every crazy moment that every day brings. I also look forward to 15+ years from now when all of my children come home for holidays and special events when they bring their babies with them, and the dinner table is so full that we cannot all fit and we have to spill out of the dining room into the living room.


Her Children

My oldest two children are fraternal (boy and girl) twins. Their names are Codie Richard and Brianna Gail. My third child is Patrick Arthur and the fourth and final is Conner James.


Some joyful experiences with her large family

Our best family memories are almost always at the beach. It seems as soon as we arrive at the beach and set out our blanket a sense of peace comes over everyone. The fighting and yelling cease and they just play well with each other or by themselves, whether it's swimming, digging in the sand, building sand castles or just watching the seagulls. My husband and I can usual sneak a few quiet moments to ourselves while we are at the beach while the children are occupied.


Experiences or knowledge has helped her on her journey

Trust in the Lord. We are not in charge. He always is. Respect and believe in the power of prayer, but be prepared for the answer to be NO sometimes to the things you have asked for. My mother died just a few hours after my twins were born. I was only 22 years old and had absolutely no idea how to take care of a baby let alone two. I became the main person that my father relied on for everything, including taking care of my 13 year old sister. My husband worked long hours to support our newborn twins, so i was pretty much on my own in caring for my babies. After this experience I am, without a doubt, certain that whatever doesn't kill us only makes us stronger.

Her mentor or person who is a shining example

Does Mrs. Brady count. Actually fictionally, Mrs. Walker from Brothers and Sisters in my motherly idol. In real life I don't know many people with more than 2 children except you Shiloah.


Favorite quote or Scripture

As for me and my house we shall serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15

Love one another as i have loved you. John 15:12

23rd Psalm

Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark 12:30


There are so many more. Depends what is happening in my life at the moment as to what scripture verse inspires me.


Favorite family meal

Italian Chicken Cutlets with homemade mashed potatoes

Using thin sliced boneless skinless chicken breast, coat them in egg, then coat them in Italian seasoned bread crumbs. Pan fry in vegetable oil till golden brown, flipping halfway through. Transfer to a plate covered with a paper towel to drain off the grease.


Boil 5 pounds of potatoes (I like to use a mix of potatoes and squashes such as sweet potatoes, white potatoes, butternut squash, acorn squash) until fork tender. Drain. Using a stand up mixer, mix the potatoes/squash with 1 cup of butter, 1 pkg of cream cheese, 8 oz. of sour cream, 8 oz of shredded Cheddar cheese, and five cloves of garlic minced. mix on medium high speed until smooth.


Serve chicken and potatoes with your favorite veggie.


I am a horrible baker. Ice cream is usually a staple for dessert in our house.

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Blogging Inspiration

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Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.

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What to Do When the Weather Keeps You Indoors: Deluxe Edition Article

By Raejean Roberts

School’s out and now is the time to relax and enjoy the summer. This is a time of outdoor activities, until the temperatures rise to 100 degrees. Here in Arizona, we can get up to 115 degrees! Then monsoon season hits with afternoon thunderstorms and dust storms. Smart moms have a handy list of indoor ideas before the kiddos start the “I’m bored” whine. These ideas may not be new or earth shattering, but sometimes we just need a reminder. These ideas are even more interesting when Mom participates with the children!

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Mothers of Large Families Series: Dawn Salisbury

The Homemaking Cottage Series Presents:

Mothers of Large Families

Dawn Salisbury, Mother of six



I started out in a small town in Nebraska. I was the oldest of two children, and my sister was only 15 mo. younger than me. My mother stayed home with us until I was about eight. My father got jobs in construction and made for a hard life through the winter. Nebraska winters aren’t that pleasant to work through outdoors. When I turned eight, my father joined the Army and we then became a military family, stationed in Texas, Germany and then Oklahoma. My mother got jobs in places that just afforded a bit of extra money. My dad said his pay as an E-1 in the Army was the most money he had ever made. My sister and I really longed for more brothers or sisters, but that just wasn’t in the cards.

I had always loved babies and children and begged people to let me babysit for them. I read books on child care, and then as I got older, I studied obstetrics. I was fascinated with childbirth, pregnancy, and infant care. One summer my mom got me involved as a Red Cross volunteer at the Army Hospital in Germany. I worked in Pediatrics and the on lunch breaks would go up to the Newborn Nursery and look at the babies through the window. They were beautiful babies! One day the head nurse asked if I would like to finish the last two weeks the summer in the Newborn Nursery. I thought I had died and gone to heaven! I spent up to 12 hours a day in that nursery. Holding babies, giving them baths, preparing their bassinets, feeding them; I loved every minute of it. One morning they got permission for me to see a live birth. I was 13. I was terrified, and I’m sure the mom thought I was probably too young to be in there, but I was grateful. I still remember his name: Charles Cisco. We called him the Cisco Kid. I continued to volunteer in the nursery until my father got stationed back in the States. I had to appease myself with just babysitting then. My mom used to say I knew more about having babies at age 13 than she did at 24 having her first baby. I don’t really know why I didn’t pursue an education in midwifery or obstetrics. I still consider it now though.

When I turned 19, I got married and unfortunately, it was to the wrong person. I also joined the Air Force. After a year together, I still hadn’t gotten pregnant, but I wasn’t too stressed about it given my job. My goal had been to get my college degree while in the Air Force, but my husband was so jealous and controlling, I couldn’t complete more than four classes. At three years of marriage, I had been tracking my cycles and still couldn’t figure out why I wasn’t getting pregnant. We went to a specialist and they deemed him sterile. I felt like the whole world had caved in on me. Motherhood was the last thing I had hope of happiness for in that marriage, and that had finally been taken from me too. I half heartedly looked into adoption and other fertility methods, but gave up because of costs and it had become blatantly obvious he didn’t want kids and didn’t really want me either, as his abuse escalated until I finally left.

Another year and half passed and by then I was divorced and out of the Air Force (joined the Reserves) but felt a little shaky in terms of confidence and self esteem. After a couple of unstable relationships, I met my husband, Curtis, at a church activity. We just clicked and things came together so quickly. I was nervous, but I was happy and I was grateful Heavenly Father heard my prayers for a good and loving husband and father.


Her Children

December 1998 I had Isaac after a 36 hour labor. August 2000 came and Jesse joined our family. I had a miscarriage in 2001, but then Hannah joined us in September 2002 and that was another long labor. I went to work for a year and then Simeon joined us in May 2004. Curtis was gone for his whole first year to do a contract in the Middle East. This was the first and only baby we had that Curtis was absent for, but Shiloah Baker helped with the birth of him and that was made that birth fun. (Yes, fun. I can’t describe it any other way). Joshua joined us in April 2006 after a very hard year of unemployment, 5 moves and a job that landed us in Nebraska. Ammon joined us in February 2008 after another long labor, but this time, Curtis was able to deliver him and it was the only time one of our mothers was with us for the birth of our kids. Their ages now are all about two years apart. I had decided long ago that when we did have kids, I wanted them close in age so they could hopefully have good relationships with each other like my sister and I. I have had two of my kids diagnosed with autism. My oldest has Aspergers, and my fourth has autism. I don’t know that I ever thought about if I had special needs kids before having kids, but I do know I wouldn’t trade these experiences for anything. My father in law says every time he prayed for patience, he got another kid. That makes me smile! I know I’m probably nearing the end of my child bearing years, which makes me sad knowing we won’t have babies always in our home. We never said we were going to have a large or small family. Each of our kids has been wanted and planned for by prayer leading us to prepare. We always joke that it must be time to have another baby when we change jobs or move, since pregnancies or births seem to occur at the same time for us. We have said we want one more. Sometimes I feel like we should leave that door open still. Number 7 might not be the last one, but don’t tell Curtis I said that. I am still hoping for twins (I just always thought that would be so cool).


Some joyful experiences with her large family

Some of the things that have made this journey in motherhood joyful for me is to remember back on my days in the Newborn Nursery. I love my kids sometimes more than life itself. I know that I could have had a husband that said 2 kids: that’s it, but he didn’t. He’s gone along with me and has been supportive and helpful, and most of all, the dream I had since I was little to be a wife and mother has come true. I find a common thread with women that have had children. It makes me a better person. I’m not saying every day of life with children is a cake walk, but when I think of the grand picture of what we are doing, why we are here, and how we have been entrusted with these spirits, I find myself offering up prayers of gratitude and thanks for these experiences.

My favorite moments of having a large family is watching them play House together, or when they just play together nicely. I love watching them incorporate the baby of the family into their play and he usually just goes along with it. I laugh now (not as it is happening) when I drive by and my van sounds like a school bus full of kids, or when I can imagine we look like a circus when 6 kids, 2 dogs and a crazed mother file out of the house to load up in the van or the dog runs off and we all try to catch her. I like it when we can all sit down and work on homeschooling together, each person helping another out, or just a quiet moment when they are all engaged and I can gaze at how beautiful they are.

Her mentor or person who is a shining example

I have a huge handful of women and one man that have inspired and supported me in my motherhood endeavors. The first woman being a mother that suffered numerous miscarriages and stillbirths and had some miracles with adoption, and she told me to always make sure I took time for myself. I’ve had other women come and go in my life that have shared little bits of advice, or shared some incredibly tragic stories, but they lived to tell me about it, and I learned from them. My best friends have been examples to me. Almost all of them have older kids than mine, so I was happy to take advice from them since I really felt like a late bloomer in motherhood. My husband Curtis has been wonderful in letting me always take time I need to recharge myself. He’s never complained that he needed to stay home with a sick baby, or all the kids so I could get errands run. He’s been a wonderful husband and father.

Favorite quote or Scripture

You are the trip I did not take;
You are the pearls I cannot buy;
You are my blue Italian lake;
You are my piece of foreign sky.
(“To My Child,” quoted in Charles L. Wallis, ed., The Treasure Chest [1965], 54)

And

And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint. And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them (D&C 89:18-21).


Favorite family meal

Moroccan Chicken

Chicken breasts
2 T. olive oil
3 T. lemon juice
2 t. Old Bay Seasoning
2 t. salt
¼ t. tumeric

You can cook these by grilling or baking, both are good.

To Bake:
Heat oven to 475 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with foil and place the breasts on the foil, brushing the oil mixture over them. Cook for about 30-45 minutes.

Serve with rice and veggies. If I’m low on chicken, I’ll cook them like this, dice them, and then put the equivalent of 3 into a casserole, saving the rest for another meal (sandwiches, casseroles, etc.).

Favorite dessert

Air Force Chocolate Chip Cookies

This is scaled down from the 200 cookie recipe, and this one only makes 80 or so. This is my go to recipe for comfort food. (I probably need to scale this back some…do any of us really need that many cookies at one time? Oh wait…yes, some of us do.)

Preheat oven to 350.

Ingredients:

6 1/8 c. flour
2 1/3 t. baking soda
2 1/3 t. salt
1 lb butter, softened
1 ¾ c. sugar
1 ¾ c. brown sugar
5 eggs
2 T. water
2 T. vanilla
1 ½ bags of chocolate chips

Directions:

Mix flour, soda and salt together and set aside. Cream butter and sugars together. Add eggs, water and vanilla. Add flour slowly and mix well. Add chocolate chips.

Either drop by spoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet, or scoop out a big lump, roll on a floured surface into a log, and slice the dough into 1 inch thick discs. Bake for 12 minutes. These cookies come out nubby and light. Serving size is 2 cookies.

Her Blogs

Dawn runs a blog with Shiloah Baker on our joyful journey as mothers of large families. It is entitled "A Homemaking Journey". She also co-writes the blog "Queen Bee Articles: Bee the Queen of Your Home"

Dawn and Curtis Salisbury and their six children

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Teach Children to Work by Doing Unpaid Chores: Deluxe Edition

By Shiloah Baker

In the book Living the Simple Life, Elaine St. James quoted Jennifer Sellers, a mother who wrote, “I was at a talk given by John Rosemond, who writes about parenthood, and he asked the audience, ‘How many of you have children over the age of 5 who have regularly assigned chores that must be done to certain standards—and they don’t get paid to do them?

“In a full auditorium only half a dozen hands went up.

“He then asked how many of those present had chores when they were kids. Every hand went up. ‘That’s one generation, folks,’ he responded.”

In my home, we do not pay our children to do chores. Are we breaking the child labor laws by doing that? No. I am teaching my children that we are not monetarily rewarded for doing the basic things in life. We are, however, rewarded with a sense of internal satisfaction from our accomplishments. I have spent countless numbers of hours over the last decade changing diapers, washing dishes, making meals and the list could go on. What is my pay? My salary is in hugs and kisses, a happy family and a sense of joy and pride in what I do for my family....

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This article is one of almost 1000 featured in the Deluxe Edition of The Homemaking Cottage.

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One Minute Question: Biggest Goal

Think of the biggest goal or dream you have. Is life giving you a red, yellow, or green light?

The biggest dream I have would be to own a large storefront that is based on my current online business. Life is giving me the red light on that right now because I homeschool and it is important to me to stay at home. In addition, I have seven fairly young children that need a mommy that is not too busy. I know that one day when I'm older and the kids are grown I can turn my dream into a reality. I can even have the grand-babies and kids help in the store. Until then, I write in the wee hours of the night and update when I can snatch a spare minute....

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Special Day Baby Shower Game: Deluxe Edition Preview

This is actually a baby shower game that they played at my mom's baby shower before she had me! Print out the following poem and have the players follow the instructions on the page. Give them a pencil to add up their scores!

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Other Articles in the Entertaining Section:

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Discover articles on:

-Birthday themes

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-Entertaining checklists

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From the Mouth of a Two Year Old

My toddler (2) came into my room on Sunday morning while my husband and I were dressing for church. She was carrying a baby doll, pushing a stroller and had a loaded purse on her shoulder.

I asked her, "Baby, what are you doing this morning?"

She looked at me seriously and in her tiny toddler voice said, "We're playing psycho maniacs!"

I was shocked and then asked her who taught her those bad words.

She pointed her finger towards the door meaning the other six kids and said, "Those guys."

Kids say the darnedest things and they grow up too fast.

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