Heirloom Expo

In September, the older girls and I (and baby) went to the National Heirloom Expo in Santa Rosa – about an hour north of San Francisco.  I had it penciled onto my calendar for awhile, but because it was in the middle of the week and so far away...I had to think about it.  I made the final decision that morning.
 
We were so glad we went!  We had a nice time of (uninterrupted!) girl conversation on the way.  The weather was absolutely gorgeous, as was the scenery.
 
The Expo is centered around the pure food movement, heirloom vegetables, and anti-GMO activism.  While my garden is pitiful, I love gardening and have a great desire to be able to provide food for my family this way.

Chickens and lambs hanging out together.

Girls with Shoshanna Pearl Easling

One of the highlights for us was hearing and meeting Shoshanna Easling from the Bulk Herb Store.

They have a very informative and helpful website. (I highly recommend their Mama's Milk Tea!  I have been drinking it religiously since the day I gave birth to Keoni. At 7.5 months he is still exclusively breastfed and that big boy is doing great!)

Shoshanna demonstrated how easy it is to incorporate herbs into your everyday life and everyday eating.  From salad dressings to medicinal salves to baby food...it was really fabulous.  If only we were guaranteed the herbs would give us the energy level that Shoshanna has!  

She was very personable, and so kind to the girls.  When Kainoa asked her what top things she would recommend to have on hand, some things she mentioned were peppermint (tummy aches), bentonite clay, plantain (bug bites/stings).  The girls and I were very inspired to start a serious herb garden.  Check out their website at the Bulk Herb Store.

There were some fabulously creative uses of recycled materials

Sproul; A Season of Mourning

Shannon Macfarlane Sproul 


RC Sproul Jr. is a homeschooling father of 8.  He recently lost his wonderful wife, Denise, to cancer.

Keith heard him speak years ago.  In the course of the session, RC talked about his family.  

He mentioned a particular child of theirs... and the privilege of caring daily for this child with special needs...

Of loving her....and the heartache of her not being able to ‘talk’ to them....

But having that hope... and knowing... that one day, she WILL be able to talk to them, and express her heart.....when they are all in the presence of the Lord.

Take a moment to read this short post.  You can click here.

Then, hug your children (and your spouse!)...

show them grace...

worship the Lord....

and pray for this precious family.

Moments in our months

I was going to call this 'Moments in my daze...'
That's what it feels like sometimes.

Time just flies with all these little ones.
Little ones becoming big ones.

Even though we make great efforts to place boundaries on our time - to not sign up for too many activities - to keep our evenings for our family.

Still......time flies.

Still.....I feel so busy.

There is always so much that needs to be done. 
Another load of laundry...another meal to be made....
another diaper to be changed....another attitude to be dealt with....

I am purposing to capture more moments. 
Not just on camera.
In my mind...in my heart.....

Kawika (3)

Koa (9) who is laying little eggs?

Kili (5)

'Mom, what happened?'

Little ones baking with Kainoa (11), our resident baker!

Keoni (seven weeks)

Everyone got awarded their new belts

Lunch time!

Self directed nap time

Kaleo (17) with Keoni

Keoni joins us for evening family devotions.

Moments in our Day

Since I have started taking pictures with my phone, the quality of the photos has gone downhill.  

The tradeoff, though, is that I take a lot more pictures... and can capture a lot more moments...usually one-handed ...while nursing the baby or changing a diaper : )

These are some random moments of our day.....

4 weeks

Not sure about that Superhero on the right

Kapena likes to 'climb' up doorways

5 weeks

Roasted marshmallows - always a good way to end the day!