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managing a household of 10 by the grace of God

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Parents

A Sane Woman’s Guide to Raising a Large Family

March 20, 2010 by mamakay Leave a Comment

I just finished reading Mary Ostyn’s A Sane Woman’s Guide to Raising a Large Family. (Yes I actually finished reading a book!) This is exactly the kind of parenting book I would write if I were to write a book on parenting. Mary and her husband, John, are the parents of 10 kids ranging in age from 5 to earlier 20s. They have adopted 6 of them from 3 different countries.  I was constantly encouraged that Mary operates in the same kind of way that I would like to as the mother of a large family. Of course, there were some differences (For example, their family participates in a lot more outside activities but then again their family has a lot more older kids as well.) As parents they seek to lead their children to the Lord and encourage them to get along above all else. This book is filled with helpful strategies for making the budget stretch, organizing your home, feeding a large family and preserving your marriage.

I highly recommend this realistic and encouraging book for any mom needing advice on how to make it all work when raising a larger than normal family.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Advice, Budget Stretch, Lead, Lot, Marriage, Mom, Organizing Your Home, Parenting Book, Parents, Raising A Large Family, Reading A Book, Sane Woman, Write A Book

4potato’s birth story

September 10, 2009 by mamakay Leave a Comment

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4Potato’s Birth Story

4Potato’s arrival was the longest anticipated birth. We thought she was due December 29th but she did not arrive until January 20th.

She was born at 10:12 a.m. Jan 20th after 14 hours of labor. Out of those 14 hours only 2+ hours seemed like hard labor. I went into labor between 7 & 8 p.m. on Wednesday night. We called Paul’s parents over to spend the night after several false calls. I had been feeling like my body was preparing for labor although I hadn’t actually been having contractions yet… Things weren’t too intense but I was definitely in labor. We went to bed for awhile and things picked up around 2 am. We called the midwife to come over. Labor was pretty intense for an hour or so after Donna got here but then let up. So we went back to bed for awhile. I can’t really remember what happened after this. At some point after the sun came up my labor picked back up and I took a shower. Donna checked me afterward and I was at 7 cm as usual. She got ready for the baby’s arrival much earlier this time since 3potato had surprised her. After a couple of pushes we had another beautiful girl at 10:12 am. She weighed 7 lbs and was 21 inches long. Although she was later than we expected the midwife commented that she actually looked early. We were just off on our due date and I was so glad that we waited on God’s timing instead of inducing labor based on our timing.

This poem helped me get through the very long wait for 4potato’s arrival.

Waiting

by Robin Jones Gunn

Dear Baby, here beneath my heart,

I thought that you might come today;

The timing seemed just right.

But the stars are out

And the moon is high

And sheepishly I wonder why

I try to arrange the plans

of God.

For now I know

You will not come

Until the One who holds eternity

Rustles your soft cocoon

And whispers in tones that I will not hear,

“It’s time, precious gift.”

“Now it’s time.”

Filed Under: babies Tagged With: Amp, Array, Beautiful Girl, Birth Story, Cocoon, Contractions, Dear Baby, December 29, Due Date, Eternity, Inducing Labor, January 20, Long Wait, Lt, Midwife, Moon, Parents, Poem, Precious Gift, Preparing For Labor, Pushes, Robin Jones Gunn, Slow And Steady Wins The Race, Steady Wins, Wednesday Night, Whispers

1000 Gifts cont.

November 13, 2006 by mamakay Leave a Comment

21. Books — knowledge, ideas, friends, teachers, and adventure all waiting for me to absorb
22. The Bible — the best book of ALL!
23. blogs
24. a husband that shares the detail of his daily life with me
25. fresh baked homemade whole wheat bread
26. community supported agriculture — where I can connect with a farmer and get marvelous vegetables that are raised with love and without chemicals.
27. parents who loved me and took me to church where I found Jesus
28. sisters I can call friends
29. the best in laws
30. the internet — makes my life easier — I just registered my car in less than 10 minutes & didn’t have to email anything!
31. essential oils that heal our bodies without using chemicals
32. whole foods which God created for our benefit
33. quiet time to spend with God in the morning
34. circle time where the girls and I can have fun together and talk about God
35. photos that record the joy and growth of our family
36. time with Paul every evening
37. music that soothes my soul and refocuses my mind
38. running water that cleans and refreshes
39. the women at Heart & Home that have shown me so love & taught me so much
40. new friends

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Filed Under: 1000 Gifts, God Stops Tagged With: Benefit, Bible, Books, Chemicals, Circle Time, Community Supported Agriculture, Essential Oils, Gifts, Girls, God, Heart, Jesus, New Friends, Parents, Quiet Time, Running Water, Vegetables, Whole Foods, Whole Wheat Bread

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