Our Thursday

"May we ever be courageous and prepared to stand for what we believe, and if we must stand alone in the process, may we do so courageously, strengthened by the knowledge that in reality we are never alone when we stand with our Father in Heaven."

—Thomas S. Monson

Well, I didn’t end up making bread for visiting teaching and Camille got sick so I took Taryn with me instead. It was all good. Bev is leaving on Friday to visit with her daughter in Georgia so I knew we better get over there. Today I am going to try to put together a “Trip Survival Kit” for her. I can drop it off tomorrow night. :) We’ll see if I make it happen!!

I have to get the kiddies to practice their song for Cori’s farewell. We were doing so good at practicing twice a day but then the ‘real weekend’ happened and we got out of the groove. SO! I will round them up to practice. Let me insert here that I am really and truly going to miss my Cori. Every time we practice I get tears in my eyes just thinking about it. She is amazing and I know that she will thrive on this experience – it is just hard to see her go. Everything changes when you leave and come home. But we will love her more for having gone – absence makes the heart grow fonder and all of that.

Today I am Chore Boss. Trying to get them to get their rooms clean so their friends can come over in the afternoon tomorrow. Fun times. Love being ‘mean mom’ but, them completing chores is a good thing. I usually have them try to do their chores (big ones) when Dad is home (then I have back-up) but, they just might need to work longer and harder today. (their rooms were pretty bad – it was definitely time!)

 Tomorrow we are having cable hooked up again. So happy we will be able to watch the Olympics!! Curtis wanted to be able to watch ASU football when the season starts. :) We’ll probably get rid of it in January when the season (football) is over and the “special'” is up!! Can’t wait for the Olympics (& Food Network!) Friday we are playing cards with my parents and sister. We are having Loaded French Fries for dinner. I think I will make a pot of pinto beans to go with. :) yum! Course, a pot of beans calls for yummy corn bread. . . I know what is for Supper tomorrow! (we have early Supper with Curtis before he goes to work. The kids and I for ‘dinner’ just scrounge and rummage through leftovers! It’s been good so far!)

 

Make it a great one!!

About Tammy: Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother of 7 (ages: G12, G11, B8, G6, B5, B2, G6mos). Stepmom of 2: ages B 25, G 22. Mother in law to two, Grandma to Peyton and Andrew (With another on the way - due in December!!) and blogger at BellaOnline!! Happy & Satisfied!!

Tuesday (or Wednesday) . . .

"Waiting upon the Lord gives us a priceless opportunity to discover that there are many who wait upon us. Our children wait upon us to show patience, love, and understanding toward them. Our parents wait upon us to show gratitude and compassion. Our brothers and sisters wait upon us to be tolerant, merciful, and forgiving. Our spouses wait upon us to love them as the Savior has loved each one of us."

—Robert D. Hales

Yay today is Curtis’ Wednesday!! :) 11 days vacation coming up in 2 days! I can’t wait. We have been trying to get the childrens’ areas organized – loft and bedrooms. They have kind of gotten a bit out of hand. Part of the problem is the Loft becomes Laundry Central for sorting and folding laundry. So, then if we get the least behind it gets stacked up – especially with their being 9 of us in the family. I have decided to work with Kierstyn and Kaity and get them some Home Management Books for them to work with themselves. Tips and tricks and examples of clean, etc. I am going to use the pocket folder like this one below.
They will be able to use it for a LONG time – which is all part of the whole teaching thing. :) I need to think of something for Clayton. He is at the age where he can start learning how to do specific things, too. *** NOTE: Clayton does chores - I am talking about specific HOME things that will enable him to be a prepared Son of God as he grows older *** Household management is not a GIRL thing. It’s a FAMILY thing and it would behoove him and his brothers to LEARN this so that when they go on Missions and go to College they will be able to take care of themselves. Also, when they get married they won’t be a burden to their wife. :)
I feel tired and sluggish today, so I think I will have to do some bread baking. That always makes me feel better! I LOVE the smell of fresh bread rising and then baking. mmmmmmmmm :) Hey! Maybe when I go Visiting Teaching with Camille tonight I can take Bev and her Mom a loaf. :) YAY good idea!! Off I go . . . well, after we grill burgers and eat yummy potato salad for lunch. Curtis will be leaving in less than 2 hours now. :’( BUT it IS Wednesday!!
Here is a video for you to enjoy for a good laugh:

Make it a great one!!
About Tammy: Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother of 7 (ages: G12, G11, B8, G6, B5, B2, G6mos). Stepmom of 2: ages B 25, G 22. Mother in law to two, Grandma to Peyton and Andrew (With another on the way - due in December!!) and blogger at BellaOnline!! Happy & Satisfied!!

Motherhood

“I long to accomplish great and noble tasks, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker.”

~ Helen Keller

We had a fantastic “weekend” even though Curtis’ was working. It was the worlds’ weekend, not our weekend. Starting Friday Curtis has 11 days off ~~ I cannot wait!! :) So fun!

“Whatever happened to home being the center of the family, a haven of refreshment, a thriving metropolis of productivity? Instead, there are elaborate McMansions that are devoid of life. … We don’t have to follow along in this madness. Our families deserve something better – they deserve a beautiful, welcoming home which is the heart of the family and the center for outreach to the world. Maybe our home isn’t furnished very expensively and maybe it isn’t very big , but we can do our best to recapture the nobility and rightful place of home in our society, beginning with our own home.”

~~ Crystal Paine

Sometimes it is so easy to get lost in the day to day that I forget to appreciate my children – especially because they are home with me 24/7. BUT! Having said that, I wouldn’t have it any other way. When I think of allowing others to teach my children and take that responsibility for their learning upon themselves, I can’t agree to that. Luckily Curtis and I are completely together on this. He is awesome because we have discussed it and he tells me how he feels but that ultimately, it IS ME that is home with them and I can only do what I have the ‘ability’ for (whether that is patience, teachability, desire, etc.). So, it works well. He listens when I am frustrated and then I get ‘grounded’ again and get my focus back. We make a great team. With his new schedule for work, he is getting to actually spend more quality time with the children too. He isn’t dead tired after work because he is spending time with the children BEFORE work. He really is amazing. :) I am a lucky girl.

You’ll have to go to my cooking blog (here) and check out the Amish Cookies recipe. So EASY and So Good!! I was trying to look up some yummy Indiana-ish recipes for my niece to try before she heads off on her Misison to the Indiana Indianapolis Mission!! (greatest mission EVAH!). Anyway, it has a lot of Amish country and I was blessed to serve in one of the heavily Mennonite/Amish areas and got “homesick” for some of that and started looking up Amish recipes. :) So fun & TASTY!!! I will have to share my easy peasy Chicken Pot Pie Casserole recipe – Its whats for dinner tonight. As soon as I hit “ENTER” I am going to go dish it up!! YUM!

Make it a great one!!

About Tammy: Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother of 7 (ages: G12, G11, B8, G6, B5, B2, G6mos). Stepmom of 2: ages B 25, G 22. Mother in law to two, Grandma to Peyton and Andrew (With another on the way - due in December!! Congratulations to Josh and Ashley!!) and blogger at BellaOnline!! Happy & Satisfied!!

Glowing & Loving it! :)

“If you want to give a light to others, you have to glow yourself.”

~ Thomas S. Monson

 

Yesterday was an enjoyable day spending time with the family. Wednesday we went to Curtis’ parents house and the kiddies swam and ate hamburgers and hot-n-doggies. :) Fun times! Yesterday we stayed home and my parents came over in the late afternoon and we played Pinochle and my sister came a little before 6 and we ate Nacho’s. (the homemade kind). FUN TIMES!! Michelle stepped in and played for whomever needed a break (restroom, feeding Alayna, etc). So, it works out perfect. I love it. My kiddies did really well playing – although the boys are in wrestling mode lately and it is driving-me-crazy!!! Anyway, a little inside scoop on the Judd Family drama! lol

Today we slept in (getting Curtis ready to work the 2nd shift and possibly not come home until 3am). Curtis fixed waffles and then we went for a drive in the drizzley rain. So fun! Sent off my check to get deposited (piano lessons) and tried to get Taryn’s boots – but the mail man hasn’t delivered them yet. :( She was sad. (pink cowgirl boots). Waiting for UPS to deliver my Birthday STAMPIN’ UP! stuff!! :) WOO HOO!! Curtis is napping right at this minute – which is why I am on the computer. Otherwise I would be spending the time with him. The kiddies are at the kitchen table playing board games (making up their own, I think, maybe – maybe not.) Curtis leaves in less than a 1/2 hour. Kierstyn and Kaity are going to go shopping with their Grandma and Aunt Michelle for swim suits – VERY MODEST ones. EXTREMELY MODEST ones. I am staying on home with the younger 5 and we will bake cookies and eat them and maybe watch “Dr. Who” which they love. (weird, I know). on Netflix. Tonight I am going to a Card Making Meeting with my BFF Camille. CAN! NOT! WAIT! :)

I thought I would talk about the Book I am reading a little bit more. Ms. McBride says: “Much is required of us. Our days are filled with many tasks that can sometimes seem mundane and of little worth, but if we can grasp the incredible truth of what sacrificial service really means, then our entire outlook will be transformed. When done for the Lord, the commonplace will become noble, the prosaic will become beautiful, and the unimportant will become valuable. . . Under the constant attack of our humanistic culture, we can lose our vision and forget the value and worth of our position, becoming self-absorbed, miserable, and discontent.We can abdicate our thrones and never leave the palace.The Deceiver would have us in just such a condition; one that would render us weak, hopeless and ineffective. For “where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18).

Can I just repeat that I LOVE this book. It has given me fresh eyes to see what is right before me. My family has always been a priority. However, recently, I think, I was lost in the ‘everyday drudge’ and wasn’t feeling appreciative. So, this book woke me up again to the true value of being a Stay-at-home-Mom. It really is the best job and I love it. It is good to have reminders of the Eternal Perspective and remember who I am and Who my Children Are. That is critical to always have that as a reminder because it makes me WANT to do better and be better. As a mom. As a wife. As a person. As a friend. Everything. I think this blog will be my journey in appreciation for the great gift of Husband and Children: Family that I have been blessed with. And I really have been blessed with these things. I have always known that.

 

 Make it a great one!

About Tammy: Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother of 7 (ages: G12, G11, B8, G6, B5, B2, G6mos). Stepmom of 2: ages B 25, G 22. Mother in law to two, Grandma to Peyton and Andrew (With another on the way - due in December!!) and blogger at BellaOnline!! Happy & Satisfied!!

Queen of the Home

"Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high. They can become the key to open the channel to communion with our Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ."

—Richard G. Scott

I have been excited to get to reading this book. It was put together by a Christian woman named Jennifer M. McBride.It came in the mail yesterday (I ordered it at the same time I ordered the childrens’ handwriting booklets). On the back cover it summarizes the purpose of the book:

“In past generations, the role of wife and mother was viewed as a sacred calling. The committed homemaker was seen as strong, capable, intelligent and irreplaceable. She was regarded not only as a crucial part of the home, but as a foundational bulwark of society. She was considered  worthy of great honor, appreciation, and respect. Though the purveyors of feminism have sought in recent years to demean this glorious calling and discredit its importance, the Bible’s hopeful vision of noble womanhood is one worth reclaiming. This volume seeks to cast this vision afresh through encouraging essays, poetry, and quotes from writers past and present. This inspiring collection of vignettes paints a beautiful picture of what it means for a wife to be a crown to her husband, the monarch of the cradle, and queen of the home, as well as for daughters to embrace their rewarding role as regal women of God.”

I am VERY much enjoying this book. The whole idea of being Queen of my Home is a lovely concept to me!! “The Godly wife and mother is no household drudge, weak doormat or mindless parasite. She is a mighty warrior queen who fights righteous battles at her husband’s side and reigns with him over the home and domain God has given them as they work together for Christ’s eternal Kingdom and glory.” ~ Ms. McBride. I love that!! THAT is exactly how I picture it! What greater purpose is there than to teach and nurture my children and love and supporting my husband. I think this goes along perfectly with my own personal belief system. I like how Ms. McBride says, “While beauty and aesthetics certainly have their place, Biblical womanhood is not about furthering and promoting ourselves at all – it is about obeying the Word of God and dying to self. It is about advancing Christ’s Kingdom {in our own corner of the world}. It is about the purpose for which we were created the Almighty God.”. I LOVE THAT!!

I have been blessed with a man who respects me and honors me as a wife and mother in our home. What more can I ask for? Is our life perfect? (nay!) Do we have problems and issues that we have to work through and deal with? (absolutely!) But, because we are focused on the Eternal Perspective and not a here and now perspective we are able to work better together. We are able to do more and be more. I am so lucky to have him. He is amazing and perfect for me.

One thing that I believe strongly is: I don’t need time AWAY from my family to be a better wife and mother. When I have time away, I find I am less patient and understanding upon my return. Especially if it is for any length of time. I hate that. I know that I need a date with my Honey as frequently as possible – this helps NURTURE our relationship. When I spend time with my children, if I am doing it correctly, I am NURTURING my relationship with them. This is what I need. This is what they need. We don’t need outside activities to draw us closer together – that does just the opposite. Those things do NOT make my children better people. If I have to “find them activities” to do during the summer to keep the away from my home and out of ‘my hair’ then I am doing something VERY wrong. This is MY value system for MY family. I do not judge how someone else wants to do their own value system for THEIR family. Everyone is different and we are all inspired to nurture our families in the best way for our family. It is up to us to follow our personal revelation and inspiration for our own families.

Here is a wonderful scripture to remember: Proverbs 31:10: Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. Ms. McBride goes on to say, “Although Feminism continues her barrage against Biblical womanhood, we must refuse to heed her lies anymore. Let us victoriously reclaim our thrones for the sake of our families, the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom, and the glory of God.”

Make it a great one!!

About Tammy: Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother of 7 (ages: G12, G11, B8, G6, B5, B2, G6mos). Stepmom of 2: ages B 25, G 22. Mother in law to two, Grandma to Peyton and Andrew (With another on the way - due in December!!) and blogger at BellaOnline!! Happy & Satisfied!!

Wednesday, Wednesday

"We each have moments of spiritual power, moments of inspiration and revelation. We must sink them deep into the chambers of our souls. As we do, we prepare our spiritual home storage for moments of personal difficulty."

—Neil L. Andersen

 

 

Right now I am listening to 5 of my children (Alayna is still asleep and Quentin just runs around laughing) play “Do you love your neighbor”. I like days where they play well together. LOVE IT!!

Today is Curtis’ Day off. We are doing things as a family. Going to his parents and hanging out playing games with the kiddies. Tomorrow we are playing cards with my parents.  Tonight Curtis has his Elders Quorum meeting and some home teaching. Kierstyn has Young Womens. Kaity has Activity Days. Clayton has a Den Meeting. Fun times! :) Wednesdays are our busy day. I wish our Primary Meeting was meeting today and NOT tomorrow. That would be awesome!

Make it a great one!!

About Tammy: Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother of 7 (ages: G12, G11, B8, G6, B5, B2, G6mos). Stepmom of 2: ages B 25, G 22. Mother in law to two, Grandma to Peyton and Andrew (With another on the way - due in December!!) and blogger at BellaOnline!! Happy & Satisfied!!

July Visiting Teaching Message

Demonstrating Our Discipleship through Love and Service

Throughout His mortal life, Jesus Christ showed His love for others by ministering to them. He said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). He set the example and wants us to “succor those that stand in need of [our] succor” (Mosiah 4:16). He calls His disciples to work with Him in His ministry, giving them the opportunity to serve others and become more like Him.
Our service as visiting teachers will closely resemble the ministry of our Savior when we show our love for those we visit teach by doing the following:
--> Remember their names and the names of their family members and become acquainted with them.
-->Love them without judging them.
--> Watch over them and strengthen their faith “one by one,” as the Savior did (3 Nephi 11:15).
--> Establish sincere friendships with them and visit them in their homes and elsewhere.
--> Care about each sister. Remember birthdays, graduations, weddings, baptisms, or other times that are meaningful to her.
--> Reach out to new and less-active members.
--> Reach out to the lonely or those in need of comfort.

From the Scriptures

3 Nephi 11:
The Father testifies of his Beloved Son—Christ appears and proclaims his atonement—The people feel the wound marks in his hands and feet and side—They cry Hosanna—He sets forth the mode and manner of baptism—The spirit of contention is of the devil—Christ’s doctrine is that men should believe and be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost
Moroni 6:4:
And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith.
Doctrine and Covenants 20:47:
And visit the house of each member, and exhort them to pray vocally and in secret and attend to all family duties.

From Our History

“The New Testament includes accounts of women, named and unnamed, who exercised faith in Jesus Christ. … These women became exemplary disciples. … [They] journeyed with Jesus and His Twelve Apostles. They gave of their substance to assist in His ministry. After His death and Resurrection, [they] continued to be faithful disciples.”
Paul wrote of a woman named Phoebe, who was “a servant of the church” (Romans 16:1). He asked the people to “assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succorer of many” (Romans 16:2). “The kind of service rendered by Phoebe and other great women of the New Testament continues today with members of the Relief Society—leaders, visiting teachers, mothers, and others—who act as succorers, or helpers, of many.”
For more information, go to reliefsociety.lds.org.

What Can I Do?

How am I increasing my ability to nurture others?
What am I doing to ensure that the sisters I watch over know that I love them?

 
Make it a great one!!
About Tammy: Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother of 7 (ages: G12, G11, B8, G6, B5, B2, G6mos). Stepmom of 2: ages B 25, G 22. Mother in law to two, Grandma to Peyton and Andrew (With another on the way - due in December!!) and blogger at BellaOnline!! Happy & Satisfied!!

Family

"Those who diligently seek to learn of Christ eventually will come to know Him.

They will personally receive a divine portrait of the Master, although it most often comes in the form of a puzzle—one piece at a time. Each individual piece may not be easily recognizable by itself; it may not be clear how it relates to the whole. Each piece helps us to see the big picture a little more clearly. Eventually, after enough pieces have been put together, we recognize the grand beauty of it all. Then, looking back on our experience, we see that the Savior had indeed come to be with us—not all at once but quietly, gently, almost unnoticed."

— Dieter Uchtdorf

 

I can’t believe that July has Officially arrived and is nearly half over. CRAZY! I had a wonderful birthday. Ashley texted and Jessica texted a couple times. Spent the night before with my family having a birthday partay and then the day of my birthday was relaxing. I put ribs in the slow cooker with some corn on the cob halves, potatoes and carrots. I also made a Strawberry Shortcake Trifle. DEEEELICIOUS! MMMMMM! House smelled YUMMILICIOUS! Food tasted deeelicious! My sister Michelle came over around 11 and my parents came over around 1 and we played cards. and played cards. and played cards. My parents stayed until 11. LOVE IT! We have plans to play Pinochle this Thursday, too! (after Curtis goes hometeaching and my Primary Presidency Meeting). FUN TIMES! I love being with my family!

Our Summer fun plan for this week is BOARD GAME FRIDAY! We are turning off all ELECTRICAL devices (except maybe the computer for music listening needs) and playing board games. I think we might keep this for during the school year as well. :) Hopefully it will help the children learn to ‘work’ together better. Curtis works everyday but Wednesday and Thursday. So, Today is our family’s Thursday. :) Next week his days off are Thursday and Friday. It isn’t as complicated as it seems but kind of it. :) Luckily I have it all in my calendar!! (shaded areas are days off and circled area is possible time off!)

Let me end my post by expressing my love for my family. :) I really do love them and have been so blessed from having them in my life. :) From my parents, my husband and his family (brothers and sisters  and in laws etc.) and the steps, the in laws and the Juniors and the Grands. We have been blessed!

 

Make it a great one!!

About Tammy: Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother of 7 (ages: G12, G11, B8, G6, B5, B2, G6mos). Stepmom of 2: ages B 25, G 22. Mother in law to two, Grandma to Peyton and Andrew (With another on the way - due in December!!) and blogger at BellaOnline!! Happy & Satisfied!!

Happy Monday!

God is anxiously waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as He always has. But He can't if you don't pray, and He can't if you don't dream. In short, He can't if you don't believe.

- Jeffrey R. Holland

It is July already – my birthday month – can’t believe it! Time flies by so fast these days. My goal for the children is to get a schedule that is workable for getting things done – chores, fun time, etc so the house stays picked up and doesn’t look like a tornado is going through it. I am going to have Kierstyn be a “trainer” so she can help train the younger ones to do some things. Hopefully this will help them learn more as opposed to fighting me about it. :) Make it more fun or something! I also want some time in there that we (even though Dad will be at work) can play games together. I have really great memories of playing games (board games) with family and my friends around the neighborhood. Good times!

 

Another thing I am working on this week is the food prep and final clean for Cori’s (my niece) Missionary Shower. She is leaving for the MTC on August 1st to the same mission I went to 22 years ago!! The Indiana Indianapolis Mission – Greatest Mission with the Greatest People on earth! :) Seriously – she will LOVE it!! I know that I did. Anyway, I am having a missionary shower for her so it can help her get the things that she needs! :) So excited for her!! She is going to be an AMAZING Missionary! Truly – she is a remarkable person. We went through the Temple on Saturday with her. AMAZING!! The Spirit was so strong. It was an incredible experience. She is awesome and I heart her!!

My birthday is on Wednesday – the 4th of July. YAY!! I am having my Party with the extended family on Tuesday and keeping things simple on Wednesday. I want to play cards with my parentitos and my sister and just hang out and be relaxed. I am going to make baby rack ribs in the crock pot with corn on the cob and potatoes. YUMMY!! I am also going to make a Strawberry Shortcake Trifle. DEEEELicious!! :) Can’t wait! My Niece Cori is making my birthday cake for the family party. Fun times!!

 

My goal this month is to have a POSITIVE ATTITUDE and to really work on strengthening my relationships with each of my children! This feels really important to me right now. Top Priority!!

 

 

Make it a great one!!

About Tammy: Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother of 7 (ages: G12, G11, B8, G6, B5, B2, G6mos). Stepmom of 2: ages B 25, G 22. Mother in law to two, Grandma to Peyton and Andrew (With another on the way - due in December!!) and blogger at BellaOnline!! Happy & Satisfied!!

Introductions, Please

"Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day."

—Alma 37:37

        

October 2003                                          November 2011

     

 

     

I am Tammy and I am a daughter, sister, wife, stepmother, mother, friend. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am a writer for Bella Online and have dabbled in guest writing for other groups as well. I LOVE writing and find it a good way to process my feelings and thoughts. :) I am married to my best friend – Curtis – we just had our 13th Anniversary and on July 25th we will have been married longer than he and his first wife. This makes me happy as now we can have all of our firsts together. :) He has two children from his previous marriage. Josh (and his wife Ashley and son Peyton and another due in December – WAHOOOOO!) lived with us for the first 4 years of our marriage and then moved in with his Mom. So we technically have never had ALONE time. So, I am looking forward to retirement – hahahaha. Josh was born in July after my Sophomore year of High School. Jessica was born the August after my Senior year. Jessica (& Carl and baby Andrew) lived with her Mom except for a brief 4 month (or less) period of time during her High School years. Curtis and I together have 7 children. Kierstyn   – 12 (she is away at YW Camp this week – I miss her), Kaity – 11 (she can’t wait to turn 12 so she can go to YW camp!!), Clayton – 9 (he is my allergic, asthmatic, rashy, squishy son!), Taryn – 6 (my drama queen, dancer girl), Quade – 5 (my happy unless he is angry, very, very angry son), Quentin –23 months (my petite, slow growing, cute as a button, smiley son) and last but certainly not least Alayna – 8 months (my loud, happy walking furniture, face squincher-upper girl). They are all precious (including the Steps and the Grandchildren). I love all of them and have been immensely blessed by having each one of them (including Ashley and Carl) in my life. 

I have been blessed with a wonderful family and the opportunity to stay home with my children. We have chosen to ‘school them at home’ using an online charter school called Mercury Online School. Previously we used K12 and enjoyed our experience there for over 3 years, but I found my Kindergartner (now 1st grader) wasn’t doing as well as I wanted her to. I also found that the older children weren’t getting as much out of K12 as they needed to be. With MOA they have teachers that they report to at least 1 time per week. Plus they get frequent interaction with other children their age in “discussion groups”, chats and emails. I love that. My goal this next year is to get them involved in some kind of groups so they have something to do at least one time a week with kids (other than Church sponsored activities.) So, I have big plans!

The purpose of this blog is to kind of journal our trek through life. I had another blog that I chronologged quite a bit of family history but it was hacked by a non-fan, shall we say, and I gave it up. So, it has been at least 2 years since I have blogged. I have missed the outlet. I figure it is Summer time and this is a good opportunity to get back in the habit again. Let’s get one thing straight from the beginning: I am not perfect – nor is my family perfect – nor do I try to claim for us/me to be. We are doing the best we can in the world WE live in.

Thanks for coming along for the ride.

Make it a great one!!

About Tammy: Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother of 7 (ages: G12, G11, B8, G6, B5, B2, G6mos). Stepmom of 2: ages B 25, G 22. Mother in law to two, Grandma to Peyton and Andrew (With another on the way - due in December!!) and blogger at BellaOnline!! Happy & Satisfied!!