Its Been awhile.

We are so busy here at the Determan Homestead! Work is abounding and the garden is growing and so are the children!!!We have a heart for our children and they are the most important work we have! Everything else is a hobby. Do you value your children this way? Here are some moments of this weekend that were so much fun! We visited some friends and played hard this weekend. I learned so much from a dear friend , It so nice to be uplifted and renewed.  Have a great week and lots more photos ahead. Emma is my budding photographer and she is learning to keep up the blog for me. She has more time then I do , this will be so fun for her! Blessings your way

Beth

 Kids swimming in the creek

 All my sweet babies! (who are growing up way to fast)

 

 Cody and his Texas Hat!

 

 We are a little crazy!

 

 Daddy and Hannah on a walk

 

 A swing on a 400+ year old Sugar Maple tree!

 

Me and my sweet girls!

We have been through so much already. We had our precious step-Dad pass away and our Nanny has been sick. It's only January 4, I hope it gets better.  The kids are growing so much. Cody is huge, and so sweet.  I hope to get back to blogging more.

Its been too long!!!!

WERE WAITING ON A BABY!!!! Most of you know this already but , any minute, any second this baby could make his debut! (im walking around dilated to a 3 to a 4 and 50% effaced) Sooner then later would be better.. Im ready to kiss and hold this little guy... and then pass him around to all his awaiting brothers and sister.. We are so ready! We have been keeping our self quite busy. We have been having lots of friends over. Going to the spray park a couple times a week. Business has been really busy lately and We also went to the science museum. Im trying to ignore the fact I keep having contractions but then they stop.... ugh. But with a huge praise and getting off my pitty party, I have some fluid left and im almost 39 weeks... ( I am usually induced by now due to low fluid) Thanks to taking prenatals and magnesium and eating TONs of protein and Lots of prayer!

 I just had depleted all my reserves. Cant imagine why(7 babys born and or nursing in the last 11 years) and adopting 3 precious girls in the middle of all that! 

 I mostly wander around trying to keep things

clean for that big moment . and trying to ignore the fact im still pregnant. When you

are used to going early....waiting is torture. :)

So blessed... I am really.. But moms understand this love hate thing with 

the waiting game!

I HOPE MY NEXT POST IS BABY PICTURES.

Springing to Life!!!

Well I have the garden planted and the plants are all up and doing great! Its so fun to see the new life and knowing its going to taste so GOOD! I also reflect on my New Life .. I love being sold out for God! I love the Life He Has given me. I love the freedom of creativity I have. I feel sorry for some Christians that are in bondage to there own ideas and mans law not Gods. I used to be wrapped up in some of that but knowing that God created us all different and we are not to fit a mold! We are to summit our self to God . Hold our standards to His word the Bible ! and Not compare our selves with others. We as Christians , Or if thats just what your calling your self should hold one another accountable with there best interest at hand not a blaming interest or being hateful.. Ask your self "Am I saved"? What dose that mean even? Dose my life reflect the Lords teaching in the bible. When people meet us do they know something is different about us.. Do they know we LOVE the Lord. So many people today will say they are a christian but there life dose not reflect it. I say hold your life to God's word, Pray for wisdom and Have the JOY of the Lord as your strength!!!! I want my family to be a joyful family.. I tend to be a grump about the house being messy.. or the dishes piled high in the sink or that someone left the toilet un flushed.. I tend to walk around huffing under my breath about all the mess... Im teaching my kids to complain... uuughhh SO Im not JOYFUL about all the mess , But I can  have a better attitude and Be joyful that all these bouncing children are in my life and can learn to clean up after themselves!!! I want my kids to LOVE God and learn to be Joyful in all circumstances.. Its not easy but THAT is our secret weapon.... THE JOY OF THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH. we can choose Joy, Because something much more greater then our current situation is waiting on me! Heaven.. Oh how I cant wait for Heaven. Someday's im begging for it . and Others Im so grateful to have the life I have. Im so blessed and spoiled to have 10 children and a husband that works from home so that he can help me. To have the freedom to homeschool and give my kids a creative world to learn in. Holding 10 turtles hostage and learning what they eat and how to take care of them. Learning how to research and love to learn!!! I really mean it when I say I love my life. Some days Its hard to have ALL these kids. haha But I would do it over and over again! NEVER is it easy... But I have some amazing children that love me and make it easier on me!!! My sweetheart of a husband had a Birthday yesterday and I am always reminded how lucky I am to be his girl!!! What a MAN I have!!!! Hes so sweet, Gentle with my girls and yet So Strong and shows my boys how to be Men and not sissys.. I love that He LOVES God.. He enjoys studying his bible when He can, He loves to drive FAST cars and adventure .. He is amazing .. plain and simple! Well I better get to those dishes.. oops i did take that deep breath and sigh...haha .. I WILL SMILE and go do the dishes.. after all im just loading the dishwasher and pushing a button.. how bad do I have it .. lol Have an amazing day !!!

Happy Birthday JOSEPH..

Birthdays are a fun time around our home. Its not about the presents but that we have our party first thing in the morning. When they wake up the house was decorated as they slept and they get there favorite breakfast and open presents right away! This has been our tradition for years and This is what they will remember. NOT the gifts or money they got..(which is a blessing but i do not remember any gifts as a child.. )) So im glad to make memories for my children. So many kids do not have a great childhood. Parents have to work or both parents are not even in the home so I know for me I want my kids to have the best memories of growing up. I want it to be fun and loving and a place they look forward to bringing there children someday..

So Happy Birthday Joseph .We love you and cant wait to see the Man you grow up to be!

Life is going great at the Determan Homestead  We are so blessed beyond words everyday that we are together! Chores,school,cooking and cleaning , laundry, working and playing , laughing and crying.. These are daily going on's at our home but at the end of the Day I am smiling and so thankful for my life! Easy... um no. Perfect .. hardly .  God grows me so much every year.. I tell my kids I will not be grown until im at least 60. Then Maybe I will have some of life figured out.  We are busy planning the garden and wondering if the Freeze's will ever end.. Im 23 weeks and feeling and doing great! Cody will be well loved!!! During Sunshine the kids are busy building forts and playing hide and seek or riding there bikes.. John and I spend our days sipping coffee and talking about the going on's of our life or just talking.. We are truly best friends. I will never regret for one single moment that He works from home. Could he make more money somewhere else Sure! But my life is priceless!!! I wake up in his arms, WE make the children breakfast
, WE have our breakfast with coffee while talking about the day. WE have lunch together and spend an hour sitting and holding hands or just talking and then WE make dinner together and clean up afterwords.  I have an amazing husband who puts me and my children first! I love him more everyday! My life to me is perfect! Like a movie or something. God has done a great thing in our family!!! Praying LIFE'S simpleness will bless you as well.

Yes Joseph is sad... He is not standing where he wanted to... lol well Happy Easter anyway..
LIFE.

Beth

Spring has sprung at the Determans!!!

 Hannah Grace learning to ride

 Ty 

 My new hair do.. Its layered  and lots of fun.

 My sweet guys doing the dishes for me. 

 Jumping all the energy out!!

We are in full outside playing mode, that makes this mama HAPPY.. We are due for rain this weekend , but we are in a drought so Its just fine by me. I have games, school and movies lined up. My Husband "who is wonderful" Has been spoiling me rotten .!! Sending me to get my feet done, buying me new clothes and having me go get "new hair" .. Im going to be a brat by the end of the summer!!! haha The kids are growing way to fast and Im half way through the pregnancy!!! Cody is doing great and wiggling all the time. We are just humbled at our wonderful life of being together as a family all the time and the Lord blessing the shop with work.  My life is amazing... And the promise of Heaven makes it all the sweeter!! Tell your children about the Lord!!! Its easy to assume they know when they are little but make sure.. its so sweet to talk about our Lord with little ones. Some times there answers are SURPRISING... wish i could tell the story,  but its that bad.. haha there are allot of words that rhyme with resurrection ... :O) use your imagination. Have a great Easter and may the Lord of all bless you.

Beth