Hi everyone. Well, spring break is upon us! Although we only have one more left at home (and the granddaughter every other week)we are always looking to see what we can do. Every year, dh has taken off and we have gone away for the week. This year, we decided to do something different. Because of the loss of jobs, alot of 2 parent families are struggling this year to make ends meet. So, I figured if I have one 10 year old girl at home, why not a couple more?? I called around and found 2 girls whose parents I KNOW are having a hard time, and invited the girls to stay with us for 4 days. Then, I heard of another family with 2 boys who were scrambling for a sitter, and I took them in, they are 6 and 9. Then, there are a set of foster boys, 10, 12, 14, whose foster parents needed a break and they came, then the single child down the road needed some play mates and he comes for the afternoon, and then there are the twin boys (6 yr),and their 10 yr old brother, who are staying here because grandpa is really ill and parents needed to go. and another girl who just needed some playmate also. They came on sunday, went to church with us; and they will leave on wednesday, and I am having a blast! They built this huge, wonderful fort today in the back under the pines; they did all my animal chores; e all went down the road and helped a disable man clean up his horse pastures and build a lean to; we have blown out turkey eggs and they are decorating them; they are fixing some dyed eggs for the foster home; the older kids cook; and they all help clean and vacuum. They have been an absolute blessing for me! We have tons of games left over from the three oldest children of mine, and there is always a game of monopoly or kerplunk going. The girls are learning to crochet; while the boys are hauling rock away from the future barn area. we have played tag with squirt guns (only 50 cents at the dollar store) and have learned to play jaxs. we also have this 6 foot long, 3 feet wide plastic sewer pipe (new/clean) that they have had a swell time rolling each other in! I love kids. This has been a great time! What are you guys up to? In His Grace, Sissy

-- Sissy Barth (iblong2Him@ilovejesus.net), March 12, 2002

Answers

And they say angels don't exist!!! Funny thing how when you set out to be a blessing to someone else...you end up being the one blessed the most! Also, who knows what acts of kindness those children will show others as they grow up and remember this time.

-- Karen (mountains_mama2@hotmail.com), March 12, 2002.

Sissy; Where are you? I've got three boys I want to get rid of. I'll pay postage and handling. LOL.

Russ

-- (imashortguy@hotmail.com), March 12, 2002.

While it's just another week for me, I do have two children who are enjoying it in different ways. My son is taking his last spring break trip as a student and spending the week with some college and old HS buddies in Florida. They drove down (24 hours on the road) stopping only for fuel.

My newly married daughter and son-in-law are on their spring breaks from Indiana University Law School and IU's Kelly School of Business respectively to move into their new house. The mild winter allowed the builder to complete it two months early so, instead of a leisurely move through the month of May after their final exams as was planned they're scrambling to get everything done now so they can get back on schedule with school and work Monday. Better them than me-I hate moving. ;o)

My best friend Tim has two daughters in college and they're on interesting spring break trips as well. Sarah and some friends took a trip to Tennessee for a white water rafting expedition (which sounds like a lot of fun to me) while Stacey and her college softball team are on a road trip to California where they'll play all week to start their season.

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), March 12, 2002.

Counting the day...our family of 4 will be attending the horse drawn equipment sale/auction in Scottsville,Ky during our Spring Break. We will also be visiting in the Amish/Mennonite settlements in So. Ky.

-- sandi (msjazt@aol.com), March 12, 2002.

Break? What break? We get a break?

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), March 12, 2002.

I ditto with Soni, it seems the only break I'm familiar with is "break"fast and often I don't fit that in! :^) Enjoy yours with blessings!

-- Sharon (chessyemailaddy@notreal.com), March 12, 2002.

My wife is having a baby girl sometime between now and two weeks and I am helping. If bending my wife in half and saying 'push' is really considered helping.

Very nice of you to watch those children Ms. Barth; you truly are someone who is doing what they can to help others with their lives. Bless you.

-- j.r. guerra in s. tx. (jrguerra@boultinghousesimpson.com), March 12, 2002.

Hello Sissy,

I actually get my "break" during the winter. I usually do not have much work during that time. Right now, I am just beginning to get busy. I have a septic line to put in for one customer, a couple of trees to cut down for another, and 225 trees to plant for one more!

This on top of my trying to finish our house that I started building last year and get my gardens in. I also am working on my barn and getting it ready to keep some new animals that I want. Plus, it is time to start cutting next season's firewood!

Melitza, my wife is no better off either. Between cleaning, working in the garden, doing laundry, potty training our two year old daughter and helping me, she is also 4 months pregnant!

No, there is no "Spring Break" here!

Sincerely,

Ernest

-- http://communities.msn.com/livingoffthelandintheozarks (espresso42@hotmail.com), March 12, 2002.

I only have 1 son left at home, older son and daughter on there own (23 yrs old). My 15 old and I will be working on the farm, chicken houses to clean, chicken tractors to build, trees to cut.. you know the deal. DH has to work most of the week, but when he is off I have chores for him too. I would rather do this kind of stuff than do anywhere. My kinda fun!!!

-- Lesa in Va (Lemaradd@aol.com), March 12, 2002.

Sissy: I agree with "What Break?". I am trying to make sure we have water (what a luxury) and that the bathtub drains, (because the elbow freezes during cold weather) for some unknown as yet reason, and that the kids have heat, always an added feature when it gets to minus 50 at times with the windchill.(Minus 39ish right now) It sounds like your home is an ideal haven, though. I sometimes wish I had a place for the kids to go just so I could catch up on all the things that are vital for day-day survival. No such luck though. I'm glad to hear that there are stil people like yourselves around who can provide healthy alternatives for frazzled parents. Sometimes, as parents, we just get so overwhelmed by the necessities that we tend to forget that children grow up SO FAST, and pretty soon we are out of the little time we had. Bless you for being such a positive influence!!!!!!!!!! Judy

-- Judy Hill (hillsacres@sk.sympatico.ca), March 12, 2002.

you are an answer to prayer for those parents, i am sure. i'll be at home with my 4 kids-9 years old and under-for 10 days-and my husband is taking time off, too, so we can work on the farm. i agree with what spring break-but i look forward to it so we can take care of things that get behind during the school year (i'm a full time student, too).

-- laura (okgoatgal@hotmail.com), March 13, 2002.