Home Made Laundry Soap

Last Saturday was soap day.

We make our own laundry soap using FelsNaptha bars, washing soda and borax.  Our receipe is found on Budget 101--laundry sauce.

I love it because it is inexpensive, makes a lot and is compact.  I have seen other receipes that are made in big buckets.  This is more concentrated and uses the same ingredients.  It only takes a tablespoon and is good at getting out stains.

First we shave the bar of soap and place it in boiling water.  We then add the other ingredients and let it sit and cool.  After that, it is time for the mixer.

I use he kitchen aid to mix it.

It is looking great!

Our finished product.  This is a double batch which can be precarious in my kitchen aid but I love having this much on hand.  This does over 120 loads.  Pretty amazing, huh?

Love clean wash at a fraction of the cost....an extra added benefit....my allergy kids have no reaction to this soap like they do other ones.

Sounds like a win-win situation to me!

Adoption News

Long awaited movement on our I-800a. Yesterday, we received our approval from Homeland Security!

It took a long time to be assigned an officer but we had our paperwork fairly quick after a requested home study change.  We received our notice in yesterday's mail....jumped in the car to take it to Concord for the State seal.

It is now being overnighted to our currier in hopes he is able to take it the New York China Embassy on Thursday.  It will have a one week turn around.

We are now working on our next leg of paperwork.

Grateful for the good news!

Volksmarching

I have been reminiscing.....

We celebrated our 27th anniversary this past week...27 years ago we then we boarded a plane after saying good bye to family and headed to Germany.  Darrell was a soldier and I was still in college hoping to finish and become a teacher.

We had each other and a sense of adventure and loved exploring the country side of Germany.  We did most of this with our own 2 feet.  Each weekend we would take a hike....literally through Volksmarching!  We would hike 10k or 20k's taking in the country side, getting to know the locals and eating yummy food.  Each weekend, we would explore a new town, hike and then always wind up at the fest at the end.  We would listen to the band crank out German folk music as well as American music....I remember hearing the Yellow Rose of Texas in many a fest tent.

I miss those walks.  

I leaned a lot about the people and the land.  I remember being passed by older ladies in shoes my grandmother wore to church going up the side of a mountain.  My awe of them and their backbone to climb non-stop pushed me a bit harder up those hills.

We explored towns, saw castles on the hill and walked through fields of mustard or vineyards.

Many sweet memories with our friends Scott and Carla walking those paths through the cool woods in the summer or the open fields in the winter....brrr.

We've tried a few Volksmarching here in the states but they just aren't the same....we were served orange slices, and other fruit.  There were no fest tents with music playing or he excitement of the people we had learned to love.  They even have them locally here in New Hampshrie but they are come when you wish...get your stamps at the library...

Oh, how fun it would be to do another one some day....for now I have fond memories of the people and places we explored.

Brandon

This boy has had a week and a half this week....on Monday night he hurt his foot but we weren't sure...it looked like a prick in his foot and we thought is was a wood splinter.  We looked and saw nothing and soaked it.

The next morning we made an appointment and went to the doctors who also could not find any thing. She put him on antibiotics and told us to come back in 2 days for a recheck.

We went home, soaked it and brought out the crutches...it was still painful.

When we went back on Thursday, we had X-rays done.  He has a needle in his foot...yes, a needle as in sewing needle.

We saw the surgeon that night--  he extended his hours for us. He took X-rays too.  We were able to see the needle--eye and all.

The surgeon scheduled surgery first thing in the morning.  He had it yesterday early.....it is out!  He is so brave!

We were grateful to the Swist family for taking the other kids...they had a blast.

We were suppose to be traveling today to Dan's and Mitchell's celebration but are now on recovery mode at home.  We will miss you Danekers!  Congrats on the Eagle Scout and Phd.!

27 Years Ago Today I Married My Best Friend

Twenty seven years ago I married my best friend Louisa.

It's funny when I look back, I can't remember what my plans for the future were back then.

I do know that:

I never pictured myself getting out of the Army or giving up my commission to spend more time with my growing family...but God did.

I never pictured my bride home educating our children...but God did.

I never pictured myself with nine children (soon to be eleven)...but God did.

I never pictured my family being part of a home fellowship...but God did.

Maybe it's time I set my plans aside and let my Lord and Savior lead with His plan...because His plan is way better then any plan I could ever make.

Happy Anniversary Louisa it's hard to believe it's been 27 short years together.

Lets buckle up because I look forward to see what God's plan for the next 27 years will be. 

Love you Darrell

His Sweet Heart

We were doing some work for our adoption this morning when this sweet boy showed his heart for his new brothers by giving a donation of his hard earned money towards their adoption.

Love our children's hearts!

More Pictures from the Weekend

Spirit gets new shoes.... First a trim and then hot fit for her shoes.