If you don't like what is going on in our lives, just wait a day or two and the WHOLE thing will change!!! Robert is back to driving and I immediately began doing really very well. The children were SOO helpful and supportive...my Lord directing my every move-then, WHAM---he let me know that it's time for change...AGAIN.
With Robert driving out of Salt Lake, we decided it was time to visit the idea of where we live--if he worked out of Salt Lake and we lived here, the children would not see him very often at all, seeing as he has to pick up his trainees there and return them there, etc..after MUCH prayer and contemplation, we came to the conclusion that we really SHOULD be there...however, how we would EVER sell of lease this house out was a mystery in the horrible real estate market. Our conclusion was...we will advertise the house for sale or for lease and just see what happens...
PRAISE GOD!! Our sovereign Lord brought us a nice couple with foster children the second day!!! They want to lease with the option to purchase. WOW-here's the kicker and my test from our Father in Heaven---they need to be in by the end of December! AUGH)(#$)#!!! My life is in sprint mode!!! PACK, PACK-PACK. Moving our household without my energizer husband is NOT easy! But I know, that through HIM, all things are possible. I feel blessed to know that my Lord has his hand in our lives-guiding us all the way on what we need to do for our family's well being and growth. Now, we eat, sleep and live PACKING!!
Monday, December 8, 2008
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Puttin it all together!!
Well, here we grow again!!! We're bringing redneck to a whole new level! However, it's werkin' fer us...we're successfully preparing and putting together our homestead yet again. Here's an update...
As you will see in the photos, our new garden is going in and every little hand is involved. We've improved the soil and are just about ready to put in our "winter crop". For those of you in other areas, a "winter crop" is part of AZ lingo for stuff that doesn't withstand melting conditions. Unless you've lived here, you will NOT understand. It's one of those quirky regional things that we've really had to learn to work with-the benefit of which is year round growing of some sort. Anyway, the odd looking "revival tent" is for our meat birds. We figure they need Jesus quicker than the rest of us , being as they must "come to Jesus" in about 8 weeks-after that they'll be coming to supper...so Robert and Papa (my daddy) made them a "CHICKEN REVIVAL" tent...actually it's a caged area for our chickens-the white tarp is to shade them from the hot sun. This amazing idea is credited to Miss Lauryn-who thought a trampoline frame (found on Craigslist regularly for free) wrapped in some chicken wire would make a wonderful home for our chickens and other small animals. Our little chicks should be singing their praises in just a few short days...We've considered placing a top on it and housing any rowdy children in it for "time out"...still in deliberation on that one! Kinda kills the "come to Jesus" revival idea, huh? Anyway, Nick was fortunate enough to score 3 more rabbits for his project. Somehow, we've been blessed with two families that needed to find homes for these purebred New Zealand rabbits and needed to do it quickly...he is now up to 6, and shortly there will be several more as we are proud to announce the anticipated arrival of our first grandrabbits!!! Snowdrift-our pure white New Zealand rabbit should be delivering near the end of November. This is how Nick is learning about genetics as well as commerce and business principles. He is going to use the money from this first litter to cover food and improved cages. On that same note, David started his own business this weekend. He fashions and develops significantly more enjoyable paper airplanes for the "wonderful entertainment of your children" as he announced to passer bys. For this service he has decided to charge 15 cents per plane. He earned $1.65 on Saturday just gently approaching non suspecting neighbors. Robert sent him first to the neighbor that volunteered him to teach the gardening class to 20 or so people a few weeks back. We can attribute $1.00 of that income to them. Our greenhouse is just about completed. You will see the step by step photos if you watch the slideshow-talk about resourceful, Robert came up with this ingenius idea to frame in the area under the cover by his office and drape it with 6 mil clear plastic sheets making the perfect greenhouse for winter which is another thing we've been wanting to do for a VERY long time. There is nothing like being able to grow year round. Keep checking back for the updates on Robert's NEW project----I cannot divulge everything, but I can tell you that he is outdoing himself on every plane. We cannot believe how blessed we have been-we're being carried through this time and our children are learning how to make something from nothing to learn the important skills they will need to care for their own families in the times to come. Our Lord is SO great and to Him goes the glory!!!
As you will see in the photos, our new garden is going in and every little hand is involved. We've improved the soil and are just about ready to put in our "winter crop". For those of you in other areas, a "winter crop" is part of AZ lingo for stuff that doesn't withstand melting conditions. Unless you've lived here, you will NOT understand. It's one of those quirky regional things that we've really had to learn to work with-the benefit of which is year round growing of some sort. Anyway, the odd looking "revival tent" is for our meat birds. We figure they need Jesus quicker than the rest of us , being as they must "come to Jesus" in about 8 weeks-after that they'll be coming to supper...so Robert and Papa (my daddy) made them a "CHICKEN REVIVAL" tent...actually it's a caged area for our chickens-the white tarp is to shade them from the hot sun. This amazing idea is credited to Miss Lauryn-who thought a trampoline frame (found on Craigslist regularly for free) wrapped in some chicken wire would make a wonderful home for our chickens and other small animals. Our little chicks should be singing their praises in just a few short days...We've considered placing a top on it and housing any rowdy children in it for "time out"...still in deliberation on that one! Kinda kills the "come to Jesus" revival idea, huh? Anyway, Nick was fortunate enough to score 3 more rabbits for his project. Somehow, we've been blessed with two families that needed to find homes for these purebred New Zealand rabbits and needed to do it quickly...he is now up to 6, and shortly there will be several more as we are proud to announce the anticipated arrival of our first grandrabbits!!! Snowdrift-our pure white New Zealand rabbit should be delivering near the end of November. This is how Nick is learning about genetics as well as commerce and business principles. He is going to use the money from this first litter to cover food and improved cages. On that same note, David started his own business this weekend. He fashions and develops significantly more enjoyable paper airplanes for the "wonderful entertainment of your children" as he announced to passer bys. For this service he has decided to charge 15 cents per plane. He earned $1.65 on Saturday just gently approaching non suspecting neighbors. Robert sent him first to the neighbor that volunteered him to teach the gardening class to 20 or so people a few weeks back. We can attribute $1.00 of that income to them. Our greenhouse is just about completed. You will see the step by step photos if you watch the slideshow-talk about resourceful, Robert came up with this ingenius idea to frame in the area under the cover by his office and drape it with 6 mil clear plastic sheets making the perfect greenhouse for winter which is another thing we've been wanting to do for a VERY long time. There is nothing like being able to grow year round. Keep checking back for the updates on Robert's NEW project----I cannot divulge everything, but I can tell you that he is outdoing himself on every plane. We cannot believe how blessed we have been-we're being carried through this time and our children are learning how to make something from nothing to learn the important skills they will need to care for their own families in the times to come. Our Lord is SO great and to Him goes the glory!!!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
"I have been BLESSED!!"
Here is Daddy in deep thought...I think he's trying to outsmart the 3 monkeys in the tub...It would appear that maybe he is really, well, TRYING! Little does he know-there are too many of them and he is NO CONTEST for their little ticking brains!!!HA HAHAHAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Here is what happens to my days...when Daddy comes home and says, "What did you DO all day?" My answer is right here...need I say more?! 
Any time I want to clean...I must forfeit one room for another! It's just a "season", right?
"Cleaning the house while the children are growing is like shoveling snow when it is still snowing!" Phyllis Diller
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Country Girls...don't they look happy? Carissa got her first pony ride at the ripe old age of 2! Anything to be like her sissy... It's almost like they like each other!!
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David is quite the student...Here he is studying for one of his tests-(brain-child!) He is such a cool kid...He is the one that we KNOW for a fact will support us when we are old...He does such an amazing job of loving us! He loves playing outside (when it's cool enough...) and he ALWAYS has a cheerful, "Yes, sure mom , I'd love to!" when asked to do something! 
Lauryn and Nick are supposed to be doing their school work...HMMM?
Lauryn and Nick are supposed to be doing their school work...HMMM?
What do you think they were up to? No good, no doubt!!As I looked through my photos today, I was trying to put some order to them...That's when it hit me...I have been BLESSED! They need no order....just to be shared with people we care about.
As the days go on, I see more and more how all the blessings unfold...sometimes it's a little smooch from one of our babies, sometimes it's a smooch from their daddy! Other times I tell my self how blessed I am (yes, occasionally that is a needed step!) and yet other times, God's grace delivers things that I cannot believe... Nonetheless, each day is a new opportunity. In the next batch of photos, you will see some of the other "blessings"!!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
A long, lost friend...
I know it's been waayyy too long since I posted. Our lives have been pretty crazy here. Let me update you on the happenings of the Hawkes household. Well, we've grown-that is the biggest thing. Our blessed baby boy Aaron came to us straight from the arms of the Lord on August 11th. He is a remarkably beautiful young man. I cannot believe his sweet spirit. It was not an easy road, but we made it through by the grace of God. I'm pretty sure that is the ONLY way we got through. None the less, we are well and he is a blessing.
My incredible husband and I, we now are the proud parents of 7 remarkable children. Who would have thought 12 years ago that things would have ended up like this!!! Not to mention the major life changes we've gone through along the way. I'll tell you this, I'd do it all over again! and again, and again!!!
As for everything else, well, the weather is looking up! We had the most beautiful weekend-topping out in the 70's or so with some breezy weather-just heavenly. Our brood was outside the majority of the weekend-they were soo overdue for that kind of time!!! Being inside this summer nearly killed us all!! But, now comes our reward-7 months of pure bliss and TONS of sunshine! That's the positive side of it all!! We so enjoy the outdoors from now through May-we are a very outside kind of family.
The fall garden is going in soon. I can't wait for that! There's not much better than reaping the benefits of Robert's green thumb!!! He is an amazing man-I am so blessed to be his bride.
We've also had many, many projects completed in the last several months-of course, aren't there always? Again, I am blessed.
Enjoy your fall days-be richly blessed and keep returning for more postings-I promise!!!!!!!!
My incredible husband and I, we now are the proud parents of 7 remarkable children. Who would have thought 12 years ago that things would have ended up like this!!! Not to mention the major life changes we've gone through along the way. I'll tell you this, I'd do it all over again! and again, and again!!!
As for everything else, well, the weather is looking up! We had the most beautiful weekend-topping out in the 70's or so with some breezy weather-just heavenly. Our brood was outside the majority of the weekend-they were soo overdue for that kind of time!!! Being inside this summer nearly killed us all!! But, now comes our reward-7 months of pure bliss and TONS of sunshine! That's the positive side of it all!! We so enjoy the outdoors from now through May-we are a very outside kind of family.
The fall garden is going in soon. I can't wait for that! There's not much better than reaping the benefits of Robert's green thumb!!! He is an amazing man-I am so blessed to be his bride.
We've also had many, many projects completed in the last several months-of course, aren't there always? Again, I am blessed.
Enjoy your fall days-be richly blessed and keep returning for more postings-I promise!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Back again!
OK, I told you I'd be more regular, here I am! I have some new photos to share...I drafted all of our offspring to help "spruce up" tonight...It went remarkably well since Nick made it a game for everyone. It's amazing how that works...Matty vacuumed the kitchen floor for us while Lauryn did some dusting...Michael picked up the hallway floor and the other two boys, well, looked good! Carissa, of course, just brought everyone a big smile.
In reflection of today, I finally felt a little less like a pregnant woman and actually got some things done. Our countertops are now visible and the floors are not sticky. (A large accomplishment when your yard is all DIRT!) My wonderful other half is out doing his leading and training in his, well, "MAN CAVE" and really moving forward. I am so proud of Him. I have been so truly blessed.
School went really well today. I sat down to teach David about Pronouns and asked him this question, "David, tell me anything you know about pronouns." His response, "Oh, you mean, he,she, it, them, us , she, he and all those? OK...I am sooo not needed here. I swear that boy learns by OSMOSIS! Just when I think I cannot be enough Mom to teach all of them and do the other stuff-something like that happens and I know my Lord is right by my side cheering me on. Now if I could just keep receiving that encouragement daily, no hourly, no each minute...
My next big project that I'd like to tackle is to actually organize my "desk area". Any great advice on how to do that without a major tsunami (child) rolling through the other rooms in the house would be helpful.
The house is finally starting to come together. We still have alot to put together, but we have made alot of progress. Lauryn's room is almost done...just need to do texture, paint, trim and doors. I think she's pretty anxious for the doors...seeing as we can't tell who is stealing her things and leaving them all over the house and yard. That is not such a good thing for Miss Lauryn-she gets a little "upset".
That's all for tonight...love you all and would love to hear from you.
In reflection of today, I finally felt a little less like a pregnant woman and actually got some things done. Our countertops are now visible and the floors are not sticky. (A large accomplishment when your yard is all DIRT!) My wonderful other half is out doing his leading and training in his, well, "MAN CAVE" and really moving forward. I am so proud of Him. I have been so truly blessed.
School went really well today. I sat down to teach David about Pronouns and asked him this question, "David, tell me anything you know about pronouns." His response, "Oh, you mean, he,she, it, them, us , she, he and all those? OK...I am sooo not needed here. I swear that boy learns by OSMOSIS! Just when I think I cannot be enough Mom to teach all of them and do the other stuff-something like that happens and I know my Lord is right by my side cheering me on. Now if I could just keep receiving that encouragement daily, no hourly, no each minute...
My next big project that I'd like to tackle is to actually organize my "desk area". Any great advice on how to do that without a major tsunami (child) rolling through the other rooms in the house would be helpful.
The house is finally starting to come together. We still have alot to put together, but we have made alot of progress. Lauryn's room is almost done...just need to do texture, paint, trim and doors. I think she's pretty anxious for the doors...seeing as we can't tell who is stealing her things and leaving them all over the house and yard. That is not such a good thing for Miss Lauryn-she gets a little "upset".
That's all for tonight...love you all and would love to hear from you.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Few and far between
I know it's been sporadic, however, my desire is to post more regularly...I miss being able to update everyone on what's going on in our lives...we're settling in to our home here...and, as usual, the construction has already begun! A new bedroom is being added and the outside of the property is being "spruced up"-dead trees removed and new fruit trees planted. Grass being planted and the parcel being graded properly-you know, the usual...for people likeus!
We are continuing to build our homestead up a little at a time-we now have 12 laying hens-Gotta love fresh eggs every day! They are so much fun! Our garden is started and our fruit trees are almost all planted.
Soon, we'll be entertaining our urge for a nubian goat or two...as soon as our fencing is replaced in the front pasture. That may take a while.
All in all, our move went OK and our transition is pretty much over. We're settled in and starting to feel kind of, well, like we'll be here for at least a while. (That's the only commitment I have learned to give!)
Still focused on trying to keep life simple and back to basics for our many children, OH, and did I mention we are having another? YAAAAYYY! We've been blessed with another gift of life- Our seventh little bundle should be here somewhere around the end of August or beginning of September. (not the best timing-I know-hot,hot,hot! Let's just hope the AC keeps crankin!) Like I said, just trying to get down to the simplest life we know how and continuing to move forward in faith.
More updates to come...be blessed in all you do!
We are continuing to build our homestead up a little at a time-we now have 12 laying hens-Gotta love fresh eggs every day! They are so much fun! Our garden is started and our fruit trees are almost all planted.
Soon, we'll be entertaining our urge for a nubian goat or two...as soon as our fencing is replaced in the front pasture. That may take a while.
All in all, our move went OK and our transition is pretty much over. We're settled in and starting to feel kind of, well, like we'll be here for at least a while. (That's the only commitment I have learned to give!)
Still focused on trying to keep life simple and back to basics for our many children, OH, and did I mention we are having another? YAAAAYYY! We've been blessed with another gift of life- Our seventh little bundle should be here somewhere around the end of August or beginning of September. (not the best timing-I know-hot,hot,hot! Let's just hope the AC keeps crankin!) Like I said, just trying to get down to the simplest life we know how and continuing to move forward in faith.
More updates to come...be blessed in all you do!
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