21 Rules of this House

I found this on the internet and I am going to post it in every room of this house!!! I love being a mommy and I love my munchkins . . . but they are still learning and growing!! I hope they can get this in them! Maybe it will make life a little less hectic around here!


The 21 Rules Of This House
by Gregg Harris

1. We obey God.
2. We love, honor and pray for one another.
3. We tell the truth.
4. We consider one another's interests ahead of our own.
5. We speak quietly and respectfully with one another.
6. We do not hurt one another with unkind words or deeds.
7. When someone needs correction, we correct him in love.
8. When someone is sorry, we forgive him.
9. When someone is sad, we comfort him.
10. When someone is happy, we rejoice with him.
11. When we have something nice to share, we share it.
12. When we have work to do, we do it without complaining.
13. We take good care of everything that God has given us.
14. We do not create unnecessary work for others.
15. When we open something, we close it.
16. When we take something out, we put it away.
17. When we turn something on, we turn it off.
18. When we make a mess, we clean it up.
19. When we do not know what to do, we ask.
20. When we go out, we act just as if we were in this house.
21. When we disobey or forget any of the 21 Rules of This House, we accept
the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

WHAT HAVE WE BEEN UP TO??

We have been doing a lot to stay busy . . . besides NOT sleeping! Here are a FEW of the highlights.


We have all been adjusting to having a new member of the family! The older children think it's so cool to have a baby in the house and the younger one . . . he knows what it means to get into trouble for being careless around his infant sister. He is adjusting too!! Cater loves his baby sis though and just wishes she could wrestle like him and Daddy and Camden.


Carley and Camden have been in sports this past spring. Carley did girls fast pitch softball. It was her first time playing a team sport and she LOVED it! She did awesome too. She started out a little nervous when she would get up to bat. But by the end of the season she was hitting like a pro and making it to base!! She wants to play in the fall, so look out girls . . . here she comes!!



Camden played basketball and Shannon coached his team. Camden did AWESOME!! He was the tallest kid in the league and had the second highest score of any of the players in the entire league!! He is definitely a talented athlete! He made the all stars team. His team WON against the kid that had the highest scoring points for the entire season! Camden did awesome!!


We have had LOTS of homeschool events that took place at the end of the school year. At our talent show Carley played a piano solo, "This Little Light of Mine." She did awesome!


We had tragedy strike our family about 2 months ago. Shannon's brother Brian's wife Christy had an anyerism. She is 28 years young and is 30 weeks pregnant with their first baby. She is on the road to recovery. This has taken up a significant amount of time for us. We will be going to VA to help out the family for appx 6 weeks or so when she is released from rehab. We know that with God's help and healing power she will make a full recovery.


In May we celebrated the life of Camden Andrew Hogan for the seventh time!! HE is such a joy!! His friends came t the park and we had cake, presents and games!! He was so happy to be the center of attention!!


Then yesterday we celebrated the life of Carter Scott Hogan for the third time!! What a sweet blessing he is in our family! He kept calling himself "The Birthday Boy" all day. Then when he woke up the next day, he reminded us that he is STILL "The Birthday Boy!" He makes us laugh everyday!!!


That was a little of the highlights! I hope to post at least once a week now! Caydence likes to watch the computer screen while I type!! Thanks for your patience!!

25 Random Things About ME!

I posted this on my Facebook for all my friends to see. I thought maybe some strangers may want to see it as well! So here are 25 Random things about me!! Maybe you'll learn something about me you never knew! Now it;s your turn! Post!!

1. I love love love homeschooling my kids!! I wish everyone could experience the fulfillment that I have in doing this!
2. I think that ALL parents should take responsibility for their children's education . . . even if they don't homeschool!! (I know it's not for everyone) There really is no one to blame . . . and please don't use socialization as a reason NOT to homeschool . . . you have to take responsibility for that too!! You have to socialize your kids!! No one else is going to!!
3. I also think EVERYONE should take complete responsibility for their own health!! Trusting what the doctor tells ya . . . it can get you DEAD!!! Do your own research!!
4. I also think that all people . . . Christians in particular . . . should take responsibility for their own spiritual walk!! Ya can't blame the preacher for not preaching "what pertains to you!!" Go find out what THE WORD says . . . and do it!!
5. I think my husband is the smartest person I have ever met!! He can figure anything out!! He can do anything . . . someone PLEASE hire him already!!
6. I hate video games . . . but I let my kids play them for a limited time per day! I am such a push-over!!
7. I think home birth is THE MOST amazing thing!! I am sooo glad I have a CHOICE!! It may not be your first choice, but again . . . I take responsibility!!
8. Someday I might just take up the career of midwifery!! Maybe . . . who knows??
9. I hate it when my toe nails aren't painted!! I live in FL and where flip-flops year around!! What can I say!
10. I think large families are fascinating! That is why I want one!! (My definition of large is 4+ children) . . . I don't know if I will be done after four . . . MAYBE one more . . . we'll see!
11. I wish I would have been a better student in high school . . . I made up for it in college, but I missed out on some good stuff!! BUT thankfully my God is a God of second chances!! Now I am learning along side of my kiddos!! I love my life!!
12. I wish that my house was cleaner and more organized!! BUT I have given up the crazy-ness of that all to be at home with my kids!! The house and it's orderliness is way down on the list of priorities!! My kids are more toward the top!!
13. I have really enjoyed reading other peoples list of 25 Random Things!! Sometimes I just laugh out loud!!!
14. I secretly wish the animals that live in my house would mysteriously disappear!! The kids would be horrified (that is they they are still around) but . . . I am tired of cleaning up after animals . . . sorry to the animal lovers out there!! I am not one, but my daughter is . . . so we have a dog and a bunny!!
15. I think my college days were the most fun times of my life . . . I hope my kids get to have a similar experience!! Those we the good ol' days!!! Carefree . . . . it was great!
16. I love coffee!! I just wish it wasn't so bad for ya!! I don't have to have to caffeine. I just like the way it tastes!! So when it is cold outside, i make decaf and tell myself "at least it's decaf!!"
17. I make homemade antibiotics . . . sounds hippy, Right Robin?? See my blog for the recipe www.jamielhoganblogspot.com It kills everything . . . even strep!!
18. I wish I had the money and energy to have a farm and raise all my own dairy, meat, and veggies . . . but I don't so I will settle for the toxic waste that is sold in grocery stores around the country!! One of my fave lines from the movie "Over the Hedge" is "If it tastes this good, it MUST be good for you!!" Funny!! SOOOO not true!!
19. I wish we didn't own a TV!! It is waste of time . . . but I can't get anyone in the house to agree with me, so we settle for fasting from it from Memorial Day to Labor Day . . . thanks Thompsons!!
20. I have been to Africa several times. I lived there for a year . . . yes my hubby & 2 older kids were with me . . . no I didn't live in a mud hut!! LOL
21. I wish all people in America would take a trip to a Third World Country!! Pictures don't do it justice . . . you can't smell the smells or hear the cries!! That is when you can say life isn't fair!!!
22. I wish people would follow rules!! That is one of my pet peeves!!
23. I used to be an aggressive driver! Then I moved to Ghana, where driving is . . . very stressful . . . now, I am rarely in too much of a hurry to let someone go in front of me!!
24. I feel sorry for people that win the lottery and mess up their lives!!
25. I LOVE MY LIFE!!!! Jesus has blessed me with SOOOO much richness!! Words can't describe it all!! I thank GOD everyday for bringing me HERE!! ". . . for such a time as this!!"

Life is so busy!!

I just love this blogging thing! Becky introduced me to it almost a year ago and I really love to post what we are up to! But life is getting the best of me right now!! Things are so hectic and it doesn't seem like it is going to slow down any time soon! I have a habit of thinking, "When we finish . . . . this event . . . things will calm down and they won't be so busy!!" But they never really do! So I am thinking that things are just going to stay busy!! Maybe if I think more along those lines . . . I'll get more done!! :o)

So here's a quick update:
Carley and Camden just finished up their Christmas program at church. They did awesome, of course! Carley did a dance with the cheerleaders. She looked so cute in her little costume! Camden was in the choir. He got to say a line to a bible verse and hold up a card that had letters spelling a word on it. It was so cute because he held us his "E" backwards!! So did half the rest of the children!! It was so Camden!! This was his first time in the Christmas program and he did a great job!!

The kids have also been invited to a plethora of birthday parties this month!!! It's crazy! One of them have a party almost every weekend! Those December babies have to make sure they aren't overlooked with the Christmas season so they make sure everyone gets a big shin-dig party!! FUN . . . but busy!

This week Carley has her fist piano recital! That is exciting and the piano has been in constant use!! She is excited and nervous all at the same time!! I am so proud of her! She has practiced and she will do great!!

We also went on a trip to Ft Lauderdale about 2 weeks ago! That put me behind more than anything!!! The kids had fun and we all got to see the family again!! The kids loved going to the "Swamp Safari" and getting to hold a baby alligator!! I even held it!! I have a pic! I have been so busy, that I haven't even downloaded the pics off the camera yet!!

. . . AND between all of this . . . Christmas is next week!! Yeah that's right next week in like 9 days and I am not finished shopping! SO I am trying to find time to check off my "to do" lists that keep choking me!!

I must confess that my house is in shambles and I am beginning to get ANNOYED with it!! It seems like we are bursting at the seems! All the Christmas decor is out and makes for a cluttered garage for now!! The clutter is . . . everywhere, really! I never had clutter before!! I think it is a combination between living in a small house with all these kiddos AND not moving in almost 4 years!! (That is what helped me keep the clutter down before . . . when you move, you throw stuff away in order to NOT have to move it!!) . . . and now we are going to add another baby to the cluttered mess! I told my Hunny . . . We have got to make room for this baby!! So, I am tossing stuff left and right!! Thanks to Flylady.net I have a plan of attack on the clutter and I plan to take it one area of the house at a time!! I am going crazy!! . . . . But not for long . . . I am on the prowl and if it is dusty or is still in it's box . . . it probably means we don't NEED it!! :o) I will post on my progress!!

Somewhere within all this mess my husband and I have found some time to seek the Lord MORE and listen to Him MORE!! Shannon has been job searching for several months now and we are taking the time to seek God in ways we never have before! Just being intentional and diligent in seeking Him has made such a difference in my heart and the way I see Him!! He has spoken to me because I have taken the time to sit and listen!! I am in awe at His providential hand!! He is Jehovah Jirah - my provider! I am so thankful for all he has done for us this Christmas season and always!!

I hope you have a great Christmas too!

Another Bunny Dies

I guess it is a good way for children to learn the cycle of life and death. Pets help them know that all creatures are born once and then eventually die. But it hurts all the same!

This morning we had another bunny die. But I am not sure I handled it all too well. I went outside to let the dog out and the bunny cage was open. Camden, our 6 year old, fed them yesterday and apparently he didn't shut the cage back tight. Usually Carley does it, and yesterday he helped her with her chores. I don't know when she got out, but she was stiff as could be in the middle of the yard. I could tell it had been awhile since it happened. The dog was out last night for quite a while and our guess is that she chased the bunny down in her instinctual way. I'm sure the dog was just playing, but Star, the bunny, was too fragile to "play."

When I saw her (THE BUNNY) in the yard, I immediately called for Shannon. Carley was still sleeping, so I thought we could dispose of the bunny before she saw what happened. He ran outside and got rid of her, but Carley looked out her window and saw him. In my desperate attempt to protect the kids from the trauma that they incurred the last time a bunny died, I lied to them (not knowing that Carley saw the whole thing out her bedroom window.) I told them that the bunny got out of the cage and must have run away (because dying seemed so much more traumatic to me!!). Carley asked what Daddy picked up in the yard. She said it looked like the bunny. Ugh!! I blew her off and tried to get away with it. She asked a few more times and I was feeling extremely guilty, so I told them the truth. They cried and mourned, but it was nothing like our last bunny death.

Why did I lie to them?? I didn't really think about it. Time just seemed to stand still, so I tried to protect them. The last time a bunny died was the first time we had a pet die and it was extremely traumatic for the children. They actually found her and didn't realize she was dead for several minutes. All I wanted was to protect them from that. They realized that I make mistakes too (if they hadn't figured that out already!!) and I prayed and asked them to forgive me . . . and they were eager to. I am glad for the conviction of the Holy Spirit and I am still asking myself, "WHY DID I DO THAT??"

The good thing is that we still have Hope, the other bunny. She will just have to get used to being alone.

Cheesy Enchilada Casserole

Tonight I made this recipe for the family and it was SOOOO good!! It was a hit too so I thought I would share it!! The best part is that it was made with simple ingredients, and it was EASY!!

Ingredients:
Ground Beef, browned
Enchilada sauce (or taco sauce or salsa, whatever you have)
Cheddar Cheese, shredded
Tortillas
3/4c Cream Cheese, softened*
3/4c Sour Cream*
*None of these ingredients were measured. These are approximate amounts. If you want more, add more!!

Mix sauce or salsa with ground beef and set aside. Mix soft cream cheese and sour cream and set aside. In a 9x13 pan you will layer the ingredients, similar to lasagna. The first layer is the ground beef mixture, then cheese, tortillas, cream cheese mixture and start over again adding as many layers as you would like. I used TONS of cheese on the very top and then baked till bubbly. I also only put one thick layer of the cream cheese mixture because it was rather hard to work with. I cooked it at 400 for about 20 minutes. It was so good!! The kids gobbled it up!

I also thought it might be good with a layer of rice and pinto beans! If you try it, let me know how it goes!!

Random Stuff

Things seem busier than usual . . . I always say that!! It seems that as the kids get older, things are just busier!!

My kids have had play dates everyday this week!! It is so unfortunate that they are so unsocialized (because we homeschool) and have no interaction with other children their own age. (that was totally sarcastic!!) So if they are not reading a book, they are playing with other children. That has made things very busy!!

I have been planning and organizing events and meetings for our homeschool group. That is quite a task! There is a lot of "red tape" when dealing with a large church like we have. I have also been putting cards, flyers and sign up sheets together. This (and blogging) are what I spend most of my late nights doing!!

Next week our church is doing VBS and my Hunny and I volunteer. That is one of the busiest weeks of my year!! The kids look forward to it all year. We always have fun too!

The week after that I am planning some big events for the HS group and Carley, the world's best big sister, will be at kids camp. I am going to miss her like crazy!!

That means that sometimes laundry doesn't get done like I would like and floors aren't mopped as often as I'd like!! I have convinced myself that in the end, my kids are going to be happy because I poured everything in to them and their education. I hope that the details of piled laundry and finger prints on glass doors fade in the background.

We are starting school on Aug 4, so I plan to slow it down some. I am excited about what is coming up with our homeschool group and that is all I can handle!!! God is going to have to help me every step of the way . . . . as He always does!!

I Need Help . . .

I am trying to upload my own videos from my camcorder to God Tube. I don't have a USB port on the camcorder, so I made a DVD. I wanted to insert it into my computer and then download . . . no luck!!!

I am about ready to toss the computer, camera, and everything with it . . . out the window . . . I guess you could say I'm frustrated!! When I get frustrated . . . I begin to grunt and groan in . . . well . . . frustration!! Any help you have to offer would be great!! I'm gonna try some more . . .

I'd like to share my video of Carter singing Jesus Loves Me!! It's sooooo cute!!

Vinegar is a GNAT-TRAP

Something was really tasty the last few days in the house because the gnats have been hanging out like crazy!! I was hoping they would just die off or something. Then today, I was cleaning and put some vinegar on the counter in a cup. All of a sudden there were like 20 gnats diving in for their last swim!! LOL! I never new that it would take care of my gnat problem! Cool!! I guess I "discovered" a new home remedy!