Quote from "Stepping Heavenward" by Mrs. E. Prentiss

"She says I shall now have one mouth more to fill and two feet the more to shoe, more disturbed nights, more laborious days, and less leisure or visiting, reading, music and drawing.

Well! This is one side of the story, to be sure, but I look at the other.

Here is a sweet, fragrant mouth to kiss; here are two more feet to make music with their pattering about my nursery. Here is a soul to train for God; and the body in which dwells is worthy of all it will cost, since it is the abode of a kingly tenant. I may see less of friends, but I have gained one dearer than them all, to whom, while I minister in Christ's name, I make a willing sacrifice of what little leisure for my own recreation my other dear darlings had left me. Yes, my precious baby, you are welcome to her time, her strength, her health, her tenderest cares, to her lifelong prayers! Oh, how rich I am, how truly, wondrously blest!"

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Lots of New Stuff

If I wrote each day as much as I'd like, my family would never eat!!  This is a quick update because I have to go throw dinner in the crock pot.  However, I started a new blog on my recipes because folks ask for them quite a bit.  Just go to Now Michelle's Cooking on my links and voila, you are there.  I'll add recipes as often as I can.  I have a few friends who have asked me to post what I cook every day so this is a way I can post it without driving my other facebook friends crazy :).

Also, if you don't mind and are going to order a book from Amazon anyway, please order through my blog site and it will earn me some school money for the kiddos.  Thanks so much!  Lastly, I'll be adding another blog hopefully titled Now Michelle's Saving Money.  I have a  lot of folks wonder how a family of 9 (my oldest is married so only 7 are at  home) that also watches 2 grandchildren during the week can eat on $600-$1000 a month (which includes toiletries, etc.) so I'll tell you the things I've learned on this great big family adventure.  The higher months are when I'm restocking my bulk supplies :). 


P.S.  The picture above is what my butter pecan cake ended up looking like.  My littlest fella got into the frosting while I let the cake cool.  He had a great time and I had little frosting left.  We improvised with leftover chocolate frosting from my children's cupcakes for Christmas and went light on the edges.  This little fella just makes me laugh which is much better than pulling my hair out.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Merry Christmas!!

2010 Tordoff Holiday Letter


Greetings to all in the strong and mighty name of Jesus Christ. I pray His perfect peace will surround you this hectic season. As I get older, it seems like these letters get written closer and closer together because time just seems to fly.

What a wonderful year this has been. We have been blessed with great health, a peaceful home and an abundance of joy in Christ.


John Russell, 17, is completing his senior year of home school requirements. He wants to take personal training & nutrition courses soon before he embarks into college life next fall. He enjoys getting together with friends, the PS3, and working out. We are proud of him and cannot wait to see what the Lord has for him in the coming year.

Nicholas, a sophomore, has grown a mile this year. He has also grown in the Lord. He's our quiet fella with a big heart to serve. He also enjoys the ps3, reading Tolkien, hanging out with his buddies, and running Abbie (our Siberian Husky). He is leaning towards the medical field when he finishes high school.

Timothy, 13, has had the most drama this year. He broke his arm skim boarding on our beach trip. He had his arms “set” in N.C. but it didn't set well so he became our “titanium man” after a plate and screws were inserted into his bones. He now enjoys tennis again and has a great sense of humor. He is just enjoying being a boy and hanging out with friends and family.

Praise, 11, is becoming quite a young woman. She loves to cook and be crafty. She has become such a social butterfly attending many girly events from church and landing a part in the Christmas play. She has made many new friends this year and loves tea parties.

Michael, 9, loves to ride his bike, swim, play Wii and eat. I've never seen a boy who loves food as much as this guy. Honestly, he's been like that since birth. Fortunately, he doesn't mind helping prepare food. He also takes tennis lessons with Timothy. We love his quirky sense of humor.

Emily, 5, is still our drama queen. However, she has definitely mellowed out this year. No longer does she tell complete strangers her opinion of their hair, piercings, or tattoos in disgusted tones. She seems to bring sunshine into every room with her. She is full of joy.

Christopher, 22 months, is no longer our wee butterball. He has run and climbed and played off most of his chubbiness. The children are still smitten with him and all his antics. He's quite a little actor and keeps us laughing. He loves food like Michael does and is always wanting “eat and juice”!

Brandon, Cindy, Rylie and Jackson are all doing well. Brandon, a great husband and daddy, traded counties in his job as a police officer this year. Cindy is a great wife and mom in college and working. They don't get bored often :).

The best gift the Lord has given my family, by far, is the gift of laughter. Chores may back up, illness enters the home, bills (need I say more), and any other stress may be thrown our way but it all becomes bearable and life is enjoyable with the laughter we share each day.

My hope for you all in this coming year is that you will be overwhelmed with the glory and awesomeness of Christ. If you don't know Him, I pray you will find Hm and become His child. If you do know Jesus, I pray you will live like a son/daughter of the great and glorious King. I pray you find peace, love and joy in Christ. Acts 16:24b says to ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

Merry Christmas to All
from the Tordoff Troop and
Blessings for a Wonderful New Year







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