Saving the Little Lambs

Sheep are really rather silly!  They jump over imaginary obstacles, panic easily, and mindlessly follow the first sheep that makes a break for it.  They really are followers. A tame hand-reared (poddy) lamb or sheep can be used to lead the rest of the flock to the sheep … Read More…

Large Family Stress Reduction: Getting Ahead Part 2

In my last installment in this series, Large family crisis reduction: getting ahead {part 1}, we discussed the basic ideas behind doing things ahead, or, as Don Aslett puts it, creating a “frontlog” instead of a “backlog.” Of course there are times when even the best of plans … Read More…

Five Things That Steal Motherly Joy and How to Avoid Them

Did you know that motherhood is supposed to be joyful? I know that this is not a popular perspective. There are so many embittered souls who are willing to share one horror story after another, or who say, “Just wait until…” He makes the barren woman abide in … Read More…

The Power of a Nap

People ask me how I have not only survived but thrived while mothering 15 children. First of all, I tell them I couldn’t do anything without the Lord. If it weren’t for Him I would be such a dark, horrific mess, but He walks with me, and He … Read More…

Are Large Families Poor?

There is a prosperity that only includes what you own, but it doesn’t touch who you are. It’s true–in our home of currently 11 people, we are a messy, noisy bunch, and we are not afraid to express ourselves! There is usually so much going on that it … Read More…

Good Moms Know How to Ignore

If you don’t develop the art of ignoring, you will crash and burn as a mother. Oh, yes, I believe in keeping a neat house, of doing things ahead, and of making life simple, but if you looked deep into my psyche and tried to learn the secrets … Read More…

Is “The Pill” Evil?

When I was a child there were only two, or sometimes three, channels to turn to on the television set, so when the news came on there was no escape!  Even though I would have done almost anything to avoid such boring adult dribble, my parents insisted in … Read More…

Keeping Track With Our Un-Spiral Spirals {Free Download}

Using  cheap spirals for daily assignments for my children was a genius idea (I first read about it on Sarah Mackenzie’s blog, Amongst Lovely Things). It kept us focused, gave us a feeling of accomplishment, and helped us to order our days better so that there was plenty … Read More…