About Me

  I am a mid-west mom of 4, 3 of those munchkins arriving 3 years in a row.

I was pregnant 8 times in our first 8 years of marriage, so you can imagine
that the words spoken most often at my house are……

“Hello”, “Goodbye” and “I’m Pregnant.” 

I guess if I was being truthful, you’d also hear the words:
”I said No!” and “I need FIRST time obedience” as well.

All this, set to the backdrop of , “It’s MIIIIINE“.   

I have a 3 and 4 year old, what do you expect?  :)         

Being a stay at home mom is wonderful, but really, does the phone have to ring the same time the baby is crying, the toddlers are fighting, I am changing the 2nd poopy diaper in 10 minutes (deja’ poo), the pot on the stove is boiling over, someone is knocking on the door,  AND the dog is barking?!

This blog is a peek into my life….. I am addicted to photos of my kids, new recipes and I love to “talk shop” with other momma’s.  I am into natural remedies, limiting TV time to promote reading, “Slow obedience is NO obedience”, and making all those little moments count. 

 So here I am, is anyone out there listening to me??????

Find us on facebook and join the fun!!!!

59 thoughts on “About Me”

    • Aww! Thanks Kate! After getting pregnant 3 years in a row, I was ready for something “different”….boudoir maternity session it was! I am glad to have a new reader. :) Thanks for taking the time to stop in and peek in my world. ~T

      Reply

  2. I would love to send you a personal e-mail about how God spoke to me last week, and how reading your blog sealed the deal for me.

    Reply

    • Thanks Brandy! I am so glad you stopped over!!!! I am your newest follower, adding you to my favorites tab even. :) I have a feeling your site will be dangerous to my ever growing pile of “To Try” recipes, last count? Over 250 print offs.

      Reply

  6. I just discovered your blog via The Country Cook. Your kids are adorable. I had 3 kids under 4 at one time, so have some idea of how hectic it can be. Enjoy them, cherish them while they are young. Tims flies by faster than you can blink. I am now a grandma of an amazingly boistrous almost 2 year old little boy who is learning to say “tank ooo” (thank you) and gat gog (hot dog). Look forward to reading your blog and trying some of your recipes.

    Tania

    Reply

  7. Hi Tonya
    I’ve been reading your blog for a few months now (referred by my sister kate/buckwheat)
    and i just wanted to say that i really appreciate how open and honest you are about all things financial. kate and i grew up in a household where anything financial was taboo to talk about, especially in public. It’s a hard thing to get over and reading other people’s experiences (like yours) is a huge help in our growth!
    Anna

    Reply

    • Thanks, Anna! I was unsure what the response would be to me sharing about our year of financial discipline, but it was very freeing to write it and thankfully, well recieved! Isn’t it funny some of the things parents choose as “taboo”? Oh well, just something you can choose to do differently with your little ones! I just love Kate to pieces, great to hear from you….T

      Reply

  8. I only found your blog yesterday, but have been absolutely taken with your wonderful and honest writing about you family and the lovely photos. You have true talent! I believe the Lord led me through my random searches to your story and I will continue to follow and be encouraged by it. Just wondering if there is an easy way to go to the beginning and work my way forward? I would love to go through the whole blog that way. I can identify with you in so many ways, even though I am older, especially in your love of cooking and trying new recipes. I thought I was the only one who has stacks and stacks of recipes to try-LOL! I look forward to reading more-God bless you and your special family.

    Reply

  9. Tonya,

    I feel really silly this morning! First of all, I didn’t mean to sign in yesterday as “Anonymous”-yes that is my comment just above. And after exploring the blog a bit more I found the drop-down box on the right that let me go all the way back to the beginning posts of 2010. I have since read completely through and am now “in love” with your little family! Hope to see more posts soon. You are such an inspiration!

    Reply

    • Don’t feel silly! As I wrote you back, I was really contemplating how to make it easier for my readers to go clear back to blog beginnings, but sounds like you figured it out for me! I forgot about the archives drop down! LOL :)

      Reply

  10. Pingback: 2011 in review «

  11. Beautiful family. Ohio girl myself. Moved here to south Florida after living in the mid west 40 years. Nice to meet you Tonya. I found you on fb. Look forward to your posts.

    Sherri @ The Kitchen Prescription

    Reply

  14. Tonya,
    Love a women who knows what she likes and is not afraid to speak her mind! Your blog is delightful, your family is beautiful and I love that when I clicked on ‘marriage’ God’s word was splashed all over…love it!! Regards (from a non native southern peach) Michelle

    Reply

  15. I discovered you and you sound like me with the “slow obedience”. Thanks for sharing the quirky life of being a mom. I look forward to many more stories:)

    Reply

  17. I just found your blog and i am now a subscriber! i have had 7 pregnancies (4 children and 3 miscarriages) in 8 years, so i know where you’re coming from! i surrently have 4 children under 6 and a 13 year old!

    Reply

  19. I just stumbled across your blog from a link on one of my favourite bloggers (Life as a Lofthouse) and after looking around your page, I have a feeling you’re blog will make it under my ‘favourite’ category rather quick! ;) Being a young mom, I love talking ‘kids’ and FOOD! So keep up the wonderful job you’re doing. And thanks for sharing your little part of the world with us :)

    Reply

  20. hi there l<3veee your pic:s of the kids and u with ur belly!! im a mother of 3 and realy want a 4th trying to talk my husband into it but dont want to push him i know deep down he dose realy want another but dont think he wants one right now as our youngest is not
    1 yet … me on the other hand love having the kids close .. we have a 6 1/2 year old a 2 1/2 year old and an almost 1 year old ;) love my kids there my everything i live for them so y not :) would there be anything u could tell me befor we both make that choice i know in my heart im not done and im a beliver in the lord so what ever he has planed for us i think will happen…? xx

    Reply

  21. Pingback: Recipe Review! « Steph's Blessings

  22. Hello my friend! How are you? You have been on my mind these past few days. You are in my thoughts and prayers and I would ask that you please lift hubby and I up in yours. We could use them right now! :/

    Reply

  23. Hey, I was at the Encounter in July when you shared. I dont know why but I am trying to set up a facebook page for all the ladies that go to the Encounter. Without sharing a whole lot of detail over your blog I was wondering if you could help me? Im not sure if this is a God thing that he had me stumble onto your page or not but here I am. If you have the time or any interest please email me :-) God bless!

    Reply

  26. Just had to say…Love the “deja poo”!!! couldnt relate more at this moment in time! So funny! Wonderful family Tonya, may God continue to bless you guys!

    Reply

  27. I LOVE your photos!! We are needing Christmas family photos ( My hubby, and two boys, and I ) and I’m sooo picky that it has been hard to find the perfect photographer…until we found your site!! :) Do you still have time/able to do a family photo shoot for Christmas?

    Reply

  28. I am reading here in the Netherlands (Holland). I was trying to find inspiration on whether to go for number 4 or not. We have little boy of 7, little girls of 5 and 2. However my husband has just clarified his feelings and doesn’t want any more children. He wants to give the 3 we have his all. I see his point of view but I still feel there is one baby waiting in those clouds waiting to come down, and now won’t. I will read your blogs to remind me of what might have been… thank you. Your blog is very beautiful to read.

    Reply

  29. I’m confused and don’t know where to ask a cooking question so I will ask here. Saw your recipe on Pioneer Woman’s site today–the beans and ground beef Western beans thing. When you add all the different beans do you rinse and drain them first or just add the whole can the way they are?
    Thanks,
    Sal’s Girl

    Reply

    • Hi, Sal’s Girl! You know, the original recipe did NOT say to drain and rinse, so I didn’t either. It made me cringe, but in the end it all tasted so good I figured it didn’t hurt anything to add the ‘juice’. :)

      Reply

  30. Pingback: Super Sweet Bloggers Award | Mama Miyuki Easy Pantsy

  32. Holy cow! I think I might be a new, rabid fan. You have four kids? You feel overwhelmed? You can disagree with people and still have a civil discourse about your opinion? You vacationed in Branson MO? I grew up there! Me, too – all over the place! Okay, we’re not the same – but you and I could seriously get along.

    Reply

  33. Tonya, I was just reading your random blog post( love them by the way and think you NEED to do another!) and came past the one where you said you grew up Mennonite!? Wow! What a small world. My hubby was in and out of that growing up and his older brother still is! My mom so wanted to be and my Dad wanted nothing of it! It has a been a crazy life!:) I did think when I read your phone etiquette post that your maiden named that way! Oh well, I just thought I would share that random thought of mine with you! Ok?! well, I guess that is it for now!:)
    Love and Hugs,
    Kristina<3
    P.S. I am realizing that I need to proof read my comments to you before I post them. I have noticed that I push the "post comment" button a little to fast and have spelled things totally wrong! Ahhh! Oh well.:)

    Reply

  35. Hello our names are Darin and Amanda. We just had a healthy beautiful baby boy . Breastfeeding is not viable for us and we decided to make our own formula. When the drs heard about it at the hospital they became very rude and refused to do circumsion or provide pediatric care. We would love any information you could provide us concerning this. We are currently still at the hospital and will be released Mar 23. Thank you for your reply, sincerely Darin and Amanda. ps Hutchinson Ks is our home.

    Reply

  36. Hi!! So nice to “meet” you. I was sent here by Marsha from The Better Baker. She suggested your blog to me and I’m so glad she did! I am wife of 8 years and have four children (7yr, 5yr, 4yr, and 2yr). I’m a full time stay at home mommy during the day and nights and weekends I’m a professional wedding and portrait photographer. In my “free time” I blog about Faith, Family Food and CraFts over at http://www.artistic31mama.com. I’m a new follower and am soooo looking forward to reading more of your posts!! Have a great week!

    Reply

    • Welcome, Faith! Oh how I love Mrs. B! Sounds like you and I have a lot in common. Except I am no pro photographer, just an aspiring hobbyist! :) Thanks for stopping by and leaving such great comments, I will be sure to come visit you soon.
      Hugs, T

      Reply

  37. Hi Tonya! Fantastic blog, I came across it recently and have been really enjoying reading through! Looks like you and your family have a ton of fun together!
    I don’t suppose you would be interested in sharing this over at Glipho? We’re a new social blogging site with an active, creative community of bloggers, many of whom are stay at home parents themselves- I know they would love to read through your adventures here! If you get a minute, perhaps you could take a quick visit to http://glipho.com and see what you think. You can import posts from here to Glipho too, it’s quite easy and won’t affect your existing blog at all! It’s simply a new way to share your stories with a fun community.

    Thanks for your time, and for the entertaining blog! I look forward to reading more!

    All the best,

    Teo

    Reply

  39. Hi, I could not help but comment on what I have just read on you front page about having 4 children. It was fantastic, inspirational, brilliant and brought more than one tear to my eye. We are battling with the decision to have our 4th and I think you just made it easier. I absolutely loved every word and well done for putting such a lovely spin on big families which is sometimes frowned upon. It’s very sad that one of the reasons I am dubeous about having a 4th is through fear of what people will say. I wish everyone had lovely kind inspiring words like you x good luck with your beautiful family x x

    Reply

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