Bountiful Blessings and Old Friends

As I sit here today, this beautiful Sunday...my heart is FILLED with love, gratitude and peace. We haven't posted in a long time so we decided, TODAY is the day! SO, after morning chores, cleaning up, loving little ones, baking bread, making a HUGE pot of pasta sauce and a few more enormous undertakings...here it is!!!

We shared in a very special blessing today. Our very close and dear long time friends are expecting!!!!!!!!!!! It takes a LONG time to grow an old friend...and I put so much value on that friendship! I thank the Lord for blessing them in this way as it has been a focus of prayer for our families for a long time!!! I feel priveleged to share in this part of life with them and am so glad I've walked the last 12 years with them. No family deserves this blessing as much as theirs!!!

The happenings around here have been eventful!!! We're very focused on working on our homestead yet again! Spring is among us...the sun is shining and this year~we're ready!! The greenhouse is up and functional...we've planted our starts and with the grace of God-we'll have way more than we need. There is something very special about spending a beautiful afternoon in a greenhouse with the person you love!!! (okay, the "people" you love! Let's be realistic!) I always feel so close to my creator when I work outside. Each and every family member took part in the preparations. It has been quite an amazing road.

Robert, being the amazing man that he is~still has not ceased to amaze me. He has built our greenhouse, planted, remodeled a bathroom (BIG remodel) and many many more things that I cannot begin put on paper. In other words, he is the same man he's been for many years. I am so glad I married him. Today I had a glimpse of what a strong man he has become over the last 13 years. Not only an incredible man of God, and the perfect husband for me but a completely amazing father. The growth comes out in amazing ways as the days unfold and I see how his integrity and character has blossomed. His job is agreeing with our family as he has much more time to be Dad. We value this tremendously~the best part is that he now has his life back. We've been able to settle into a stable groove and boy was it a long time coming! Things have never been better!

As for the children, they are more delightful each day. They are growing into remarkable people. I'm so pleased with them and all of their hearts! I truly feel blessed by each and every one of their hearts and the ability to spend every single day with them. They all are so super special. If I could think of a word for each of them it would be...
Lauryn ~ graceful
Nick ~ responsible
David ~ considerate
Michael ~ steady
Matthew ~ disciplined
Carissa ~ charismatic
Aaron ~ joyful
As the days unfold around here...we will be more disciplined in our postings. Things are back to normal in our home and I promise to be more diligent!!! Sometimes things get away from me...(hard to believe, I know!) But, just be patient with me...I'll keep you all informed of the happenings around here. Snuggle up, spend some time with us and let's just enjoy this life...TOGETHER!!

ANSWERED PRAYERS!!!!!!!!

HELLO AGAIN!!! I am soo sorry-We Hawkes have been very negligent with our postings! I hope you can forgive us, but...life has been eventful to say the least. Yes, we made the move from AZ to UT in December, then...we made another to Idaho in June!!! Praise God Robert found local employment and The Almighty Lord brought him back home to our family!!! I feel blessed beyond compare. And as if that was not enough, He delivered a darling little house on about an acre and a half or two that was big enough and extra affordable (the best part)...I cannot tell you how excited our family has been!!!

Robert's career change has been an adjustment, but guess what...he has a LIFE again! He actually has DAYS OFF!!!! I wasn't sure how to handle that at first, but we're learning quickly how to go fishing, to the park, etc...we even went on a DATE last Friday night! LOOK OUT!!! It was sooo wonderful - We went to a lovely dinner and saw a movie downtown Lewiston---the coolest theater in the world! I am married to the most wonderful man alive!!

The children are blossoming and growing again (must be the cooler climate ;)) Each day we are amazed at the craziness and fun we experience. As you can see in our photos, our garden was a TOTAL family effort this year~everyone pitched in and that was soooo COOL! Now, we're watching it grow and begin to produce TOGETHER!! it is so peaceful here to be in the garden watering in the early mornings waiting for our babies to wake up...WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED!!

I can say this...it is amazing how much you appreciate the "little" things after you have gone without them for a while~you know, like the squeals of little voices when their Daddy is tickling them and the running around the house playing hide and go seek with the big bad tickle monster! It is music to my ears! Every time I look at him-I say a little prayer of thanks!

So much for "our turn" for great weather!!!

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!!

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!!!

"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?

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"!!

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!!!!!!!!

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.

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!

I'm back in action...

Well, I know it's been a really lonnggg time, but, I'm back in action. Things have changed big time!!!!!!!!

First things first, Our prayers go out to the many people in our lives right now that need them. Jim, Barb and the family, The Rodman Family, The Leggiwe family, My parents, the list goes on and on...I love you all and you are in my prayers CONSTANTLY. Know this, the Lord knows your hearts and knows exactly what He is doing...TRUST IN HIM...his plan is much better than any of ours could ever be.

As for us...we are going through our daily routine finally. Yet another move kind of disrupted us for a while-however, we are here where the Lord has taken us for now and are living close by people that we love dearly and are allowing our Lord to "Take the Wheel".

The children are happy and adjusting wonderfully while we try to move toward stability. They are so resilient it amazes me. However, they continue to shine and are more wonderful than ever to be around. We are SO blessed.

That's it for tonight-I'll post frequently-I promise. I'm kind of wiped out after this weekend so maybe after a good night sleep I can be more creative-TUNE IN TOMORROW!

Our plates runneth over...

Well, it has officially happened...we are now the new leaders of the wolves in the scouting program! It was inevitable, wasn't it? Today was our first meeting - yikes! What a group of spirited young boys! But, we're ready for 'em. Today just happened to be cookie baking day and the sugar really helped us out! (just kidding!)

Life is never dull here. Today, for example-here is our agenda...

Awakened, showered and the marathon began. The little boys room got completely cleaned top to bottom-under the bed, closet-the whole enchilada...lunch, then to 7 dozen cookies...then pack meeting...then meeting with some ladies in the area...then, in the door-out the door to pick up food for dinner - had to run out to the market to find something REALLY fast-cooked dinner,baths and showers, baby to bed, clean kitchen other kids to bed (intermingle 8 loads of laundry) .... yada, yada, yada...like I said-NEVER DULL...but what a great opportunity to be able to head up scouts and be involved in our boys' lives.

Getting settled into our life is really agreeing with me.