Summer Time Evenings

Spring Gardening

The days of babes

Old Fashion Cooking. i

This past weekend we continued our 3rd year of apple butter making the old fashion way. Just a family tradition in the side yard of my parents home. 

The night before (Friday) we gather to peel the apples. 

Many hands make light work.

Saturday morning the fire is started around 6am. The apples begin to enter the cooper pot around 8:30am. 

We also made chili to eat for lunch while taking turns stirring. 

We stirred until 5 that night. The kids had a bake sale by the road just for fun. The adults took turns stirring and watching the little ones.

A fun Saturday together. 

Happy Fall

How is the weather where you are? Here in West Virginia we are experiencing more and more cooler mornings and cool evenings. It is so nice to sit on the porch and watch the kids play. 

Such a beautiful season fall is. One that begins preparing us for winter. 

We will be making apple butter in a few weeks. We have pumpkins growing in the garden. Mums on the porch. Leaves on the ground. Fall is most certainly here. 

Blessings,

4sons Farmhouse

-John Sloane Artwork

Rattlesnakes in the Hands of our Children

 "Rattlesnakes in the Hands of Our Children" 

Written by: Chera Guthrie

Would you hand your child a rattlesnake? Of course you wouldn’t! Rattlesnake bites can be deadly. What kind of question is that? I would never hand my child something I knew had the power to destroy them, would you?

For some time now the effects of technology on our children has weighed heavy on my mind. We see our children struggling to even know how to communicate. We see children together, but they might as well be home alone because there was no communication between them, instead they all set completely lost in their device, scrolling through Instagram, snapchatting, taking a selfie, or playing the latest, greatest game. We’ve seen a rise in depression and loneliness in this generation from the effects of it.  The only friendships some seem to create are virtual.

Now if those things were the only issues with technology there might would be an argument on the deadliness of it.

Lack of communication, Instagram, snapchat, taking a selfie, or playing a game may not be deadly altogether, but the effects of it very well can be if there are no limits set. When I was a child we didn’t deal with technology like we do today, and I thank God for it. I didn’t have to struggle with it, and my parents didn’t have to deal with having to protect us from that. The internet wasn’t in our home and I don’t recall even knowing there was such a thing until after I was married. Move forward a few generations and now technology basically controls our world. It’s everywhere, and it draws our children more than anything I know of. Many restaurants have it on their tables, you can now use it to order a cheeseburger at McDonald’s, many of the toys we buy our children are somehow connected to it. It has become our #1 babysitter. It is so dominant that we feel everything has to somehow be connected to it to really make our children happy. As a mother I agree with anyone that it’s tough dealing with it. I honestly wish it would just go away because it would make raising my children so much easier.

By now you may be asking yourself what any of this has to do with rattlesnakes, let me explain.

Here (your Childs name) is your first device, (iPhone, iPod, iPad, etc.) Congratulations! I know you are only twelve, but I went ahead and bought the latest device, with the latest technology on it. I know I can set restrictions on it, or even turn your internet off, but I want you to know that I trust you. I know many of your school friends, and possibly even some church friends have no restrictions and I don’t want you feeling left out. Their parents trust them, and I trust you. I know you can handle this! Now be careful because there are things you don’t need to see or become involved in, but again, I trust you. Here is your “rattlesnake“, enjoy.

Your child is now eighteen and has been addicted to pornography since he or she was thirteen. They’ve seen so much violence with the games they’ve played, the videos they’ve watched, and the filth they have seen has infiltrated their innocent minds. Freedom from it seems impossible! The battles they are fighting in their minds are driving them to the breaking point with sleepless nights, immorality, and some even thoughts of suicide. As a parent you wondered why your child seemed distant, depressed or secretive at times, but you put the blame on the adolescent years. You knew what a great child they was, and even tho from time to time you casually mentioned the dangers of the device, you felt they were strong enough to handle the temptations behind the screen. Instead they’ve been bitten by the “snake” that has proved to be deadly to so many innocent children.

In reality your child feels hurt because you handed them such a deadly device you trusted them with, and never set any restrictions or boundaries for them.

You’ve created a monster for them to fight, possibly for the rest of their lives. You want to be mad at them because you trusted them, but instead they broke that trust and looked up such things during those curious years…how dare they do that!! Parents, in reality I wouldn’t blame your child for crushing the device in front of you, and saying thanks!! Thanks for trusting me, by trusting me I’ve almost been destroyed. I struggle to think straight, I struggle to know what normal even is. The “rattlesnake” that I was bitten by almost proved to be deadly. Why didn’t you tell me how venomous the device could be? Dad and Mom, I will never get those pictures out of my mind. I wish you hadn’t trusted me so much. I wish you had set boundaries for me, had restrictions turned on, or completely turned the internet off. Dad and Mom you were right, I was a good kid, but good kids are curious and can’t hold a deadly snake without being bitten.

What price are you willing to pay for your child to fit in? Are you more concerned about hurting their feelings, or making them feel like you don’t trust them?

This was written from the heart of a mother that is trying to raise her children in a Godly, Christian home while dealing with technology. I find myself revisiting boundaries and restrictions often. My children don’t own phones, but my fourteen year old son has an iPad. We keep his internet turned completely off, and YouTube is definitely a no-no. We make sure there are no violent games, and I check his messages from friends almost daily, but I question myself often if that is enough.

If I thought my child was holding a rattlesnake I would do everything in my power to remove it from his hands before he was bitten.

If you are a Parent or guardian of a child and technology looms over your home, would you consider revisiting your boundaries and restrictions? If you have no boundaries, or restrictions can I remind you that what you’ve given your child is as harmful as the snake I mentioned. Consider the innocence of your child and the damage that this “bite” can do to him or her. Also, remember the snake doesn’t go to sleep at midnight.

“The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame .” Proverbs 29:15 KJV

Happenings on the Farmhouse

Life has been busy around here! 

Spring has brought rainy and hot days here in West Virginia. Today was 85. This is not typical spring for us, but I do enjoy the cooler mornings and evenings and warmer afternoons.

Many new and exciting things have been happening around the farmhouse. The first I want to share with you is our baby chicks. Our two older boys wanted some baby chicks, so we loaded up one Saturday morning and went off to the chick store. They had saved their money for this. They bought 7 Buff Orphingtons, chick feed, and shavings for their house. We had everything else.

They have grown quite a bit since we bought them. Here they were today outside getting some sun. For now as they are still so small, we keep them locked up tight so no critters can get to them. We bring them out and watch them and then put them back. This is until they are older and can free range.

The next thing I want to share with you, is our garden. We have everything planted now. The boys and I did the whole thing by ourselves. I have to brag on my older boys who are 10 and 8. They help me so much. Everything is growing well, and we are trying our best to keep it weeded! Here is a picture of our lettuce from today. 

The lettuce is not the only thing growing at our farmhouse. This baby of ours is almost 9 months old and is growing like a weed. We may have to grow 2 gardens to keep up with feeding him. HAHA. He sure does love to eat. The baby food stage is over now. He wants the real fruit and veggies. We love him so much, and so thankful God saw fit for us to have our 4th son. 

Hope spring is treating you well wherever you are. 

"My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest." -Isaiah 32:18

**I am working on a post about Modesty and what it means to me. I hope you will check back and read along with me. Blessings, Stacy at 4 Sons Farmhouse

Spring touches in the Home

Good Wednesday afternoon! My two little boys are down for a nap, so I am able to post. 

Here in West Virginia, we are still having snow. Thankfully it is just a dusting here and there. My boys have had two days this week where they have a delay in the morning. Going to school at 9:30 is very nice! I wish it were always that short of a day. I 

I think everyone is ready for spring days. Winter can be long. I know the Lord uses it to prepare us for the longer days in spring and summer. 

The smell of the clean air, the leaves budding from the trees, and the green grass. I just can't wait to get out in the warmth of spring.

Even though we still have a few more weeks until it's offically spring, I added some touches of spring around the home. I re use my decor from year to year, and buy just a few new things. My favorite store is Hobby Lobby. I can spend hours in there just looking. I think my boys have become a fan as well. They love looking too! One thing I also love about Hobby Lobby is the music. I know I am still a young woman (33) but the music in stores now just makes me want to run right back out and head for my quiet home. Walmart has started to really be the worst in the loud music. I can't seem to remember why I went in there. I am running from the music. I love the Christian instrumental music. I wish more stores would catch on to that!

Anyways, onto some pictures of my spring touches.

Some forsynthia and greenery on the kitchen table. I love the red check too! 

My plate wall in the dining room area are Pioneer Woman plates. Love her line of kitchen ware from Walmart. So pretty and affordable.

Calendars! I have had this LANG calendar holder for many many years. I bought at a primitive store probably 11 years ago. Each year I order a LANG calendar to hang. I like to look for ones that have the months that go along with each season. When I flipped to March just a few days ago, it was so pretty and "springy". My family loves this calendar. I have wanted to move it out of the kitchen area, but my husband has asked me to keep it here. It is nice for everyone to be able to write things down and we can all look at it, and keep up with events coming up. 

Living Room View

I added a greenery wreath to the mirror, and freshened up the pillows with covers.

The Bookcases 

I will be adding some more things around the home in the coming weeks. I will try and keep you up to date. I also have been working on updating our two older boy's rooms and we did a complete re model on their bathroom. I will try and keep this blog updated more often. It all depends on nap time around here :) 
Hope you're having a great week, and you are heading to church services tonight.
That is where we will be, Lord Willing.
**The book of James is where I am currently reading. You can find some much information on how our relationship with God and people should be**
"Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak. and slow to become angry, because ANGER does not produce the righteousness that God desires." James 1:19

New Look!

My great friend over at Simply Farmhouse gave me a blog update.  Her name is Teresa.  She does an amazing job! She is so talented, as well as so sweet and genuine.  A great blog to follow.  SIMPLY FARMHOUSE
Thank you again Teresa!

The beauty of staying home

There is something to be said about a baby sleeping in their bed. 

It just feels right to them. 

They are at such peace. 

Children need rest. They need a good schedule and a well ordered home to rest within.

Our children have all loved their bed. I see many children who are able to fall asleep any and everywhere. Restaurants, in the stroller, church. I have rarely had that happen with our boys. 

They like to be in their own bed. 

Babies and toddlers take naps every day. The baby takes 3 naps per day. I love that he is able to take all of them in his own bed. Our toddler son too. Daily, in the afternoon, we all lay down for a quiet nap.

At home.

Of course there are days, we must go out for groceries and such but I love being able to stay home.

It is my favorite place to be.

"Sleep is the best meditation." Dalai Lame