Hello!

So its time for an update for friends and family! We have not had a whole lot happen, life pretty much stays the same. The kids are doing good in school! We have not done any fun projects recently, I have been focusing on getting the basics done. I hope to feel up to Wacky Wednesdays soon. 

Aldarion has moved back home! It has been nice to have him home. We still do not see him much since he works weird hours some days, but we enjoy it when we do see him.  

Marcan is doing good, were using a program called etap for his school, along with Khan Academy. He is doing great. He wants to finish school a year early, so we will see how it goes. He is now 16 and looking for his first job! Larry has been helping with math and thats been awesome! He has made progress where I was unable to! 

Melista is doing good. She is doing a variety of things for school. Very eclectic! She is growing into an awesome young lady. She is doing great in school, I love watching her grow and learn and be an independent person. She is still very shy but thats ok.

Nic is doing good, he is using an online school this year. I think it will be the last year. He has been doing it for a few years and has done good but its becoming a pain. He is growing up and is an awesome cook! makes killer home made spaghetti sauce.

Sebastian is great! Growing, learning, some things are finally clicking in his head! I love to watch him learn. His enthusiasm is contagious! He is such a loveable kid and he loves everyone.

Emma is good, no longer my baby. she is growing so fast, I am not ready for her to no longer be my baby, but I guess I dont get a choice. She is no longer a baby. She is learning a lot, learning to read,  and do math and write. I love watching her play. She has a very nurturing side to her.She loves to "doctor" any cuts or scratches anyone gets. She gets out the first aid kit and knows how to use the salves, herbs, and all that stuff. 

Mom is still with us. She is doing ok. No more health issues popping up currently. 

Larry and I are doing good. Focusing on surviving, healing our family, and just enjoying life, and paying bills.

I took a break from business due to my health. I am slowly getting it going again. Very slowly as I become stronger, or try to. We have membership at local fitness center and go work out as often as possible, I also use the Wii fit and exercise daily trying to improve my core muscles in hopes of it helping my pain in my back some. and in hopes of loosing weight that being on steroids caused! I hate steroids!  

In the process of getting my business going again we have redone my web sites, combining them into 1 site for everything. I am getting more traffic this way and more business happening. Also changed the newsletter for business. It is now called "The Cleaver Leaf, Getting to the root of things" Larry came up with the name. I still have the topics I had planned in it minus Wacky Wednesday. I want to keep it separate.  I also linked my autism blog to business, "Under the umbrella and still getting wet" It can all be accessed at www.renaissanceofnaturalhealth.com  Instead of having a store be a part of the site you can link to my Etsy site through the web site under "Essence Through The Ages"I would love to get some comments and feed back either on the site, the guestbook or email me.  You can sign up for the new news letter on the site or by emailing me at renaissancenh@gmail.com with "Cleaver Leaf" in the subject line. if you are interested in my flyer program to make cash or product/consultations/discounts email me to let me know. You can also put my logo up linking to my site for discounts. Just let me know your going to. 

We finally got snow! LOTS of snow! We couldn't get out of our driveway for a couple days. We can finally get out and were being told more snow to come! Im not even sure I dare try to go to Church tomorrow. So we are doing a wait and see thing.  

I think thats about it. No new pics right now, sorry. I will get some soon. I  do have some of everyone having a Lemonaid(think tea party) with Emma, it was fun. Marcan was very embarrassed but still did it for his little sister, those pics will be up soon!

Hope to hear from friends, family soon. Love you all! I will try to keep up with the blog better, I know I have been slacking badly!

            The Huffman Family

2012! starts out great!

January is starting out to be awesome! After 5 years, tears, prayers, struggles, and basically being a single momma my husband is home! yup Larry is back. we have worked with a therapist for family therapy and it was approved for him to come home a week ago! I spent a lot of time knowing what the Lord wanted me to do, knowing he can make anything happen but being unsure how we would heal and work through everything, but here I am now seeing how the Lord can do anything! I am so grateful. were still working through some things, and will always have obstacles inour path Iam sure, but I know that if we work together, including the Lord inour life, our famiy and marriage we can work through anything and be better off. Larry moved in last weekend. The kids were excited. When bubba was told we were at home, he looked at Larry and said "why are you here ten instead of moving your stuff?" It was funy. Baby E. oves her daddy and clings big time. She reverts at times, instead of 6 you would think she was 1 or 2. We expected that, the therapist said to expect regression in the kids in some areas. It is nice to have my husband and best friend back home. I no longer feel like 1/2 of me is gone. We both learneda lot over the last few years, I am amzed daily by the things I see inLarry, changes, and by the love I feel from and for him. We talk alot with the kids, and still have therapy as a family. I want to make sure everything is worked through the right way, and that when any issues coke up they are talked about, and the kids know they cancome to me or Larry at any time over anything.
We have had a lot of family time, and plan on more! Larry works near home now, and thats nice. We have not done much other than get to know eachother more, have family time, work on the house! Larry has changed my roomaround for me and is helping me get it set up the way I want.  I have more shelf space in my room now! and hope to get all my herbs into jars labeled and on shelfs so I can get to them easier!  many thimgs I have not been able to do because of my health ar being caught up on ow with Larry here to do it. Thats been nice because things have driven me crazy here.  W e have work to do to stay a family, but so worth i.
What else, oh ya I gave inand have been getting the epidural suggested for my sciatica. Its a series of 3 injections, I have had 2 and have one to go. the first helped a lot, the second not so much so far, but we will see what happens after number 3 is done. I cant drive for 8 hours after each injection, lol doing good to walk after, my legs turns to rubber. I hope it helps a lot cause next is surgeryand I dont wanna do that.
I do not know if I mentioned it already but I finished my Reflexology course! Iam working on my temperament course now and started my master herbs course! ok time to get some sleep. would. ove to hear from family and friends.
oh heres a few oics of kids and life here
Jaelene

Sharing some of our Summer Fun

July is here and brought unreal heat! Ok actually the heat started early in June, its been icky! We have had a pretty lazy summer so far. not bad though. Kids have gone to camp! As usual loved it! This was Loo's last year of grade school camp, next year its Jr.High! She could have done Jr High this year but did not want to so she didn't! She had fun! Each camper gets a CD with the kids pictures on it and them singing songs! I love listening and watching! And it is such a good experience for them. Oh ys camp would be KBC
The kids come home with a stronger Testimony! Singing Good Songs about Jesus, And happy! Bubba- Peekachu and Boo both staffed and camped this year! I love to know they can and see the enthusiasm it brings when they do. A week serving others, learning about Jesus is always awesome! Sir N was going to go but did not, but has plans to go in a few weeks.
During 1 week I had Peek a chu, and Loo at camp. Since the younger kids are left out and we decided not to even try family camp this year I took Sir N, Chubs and Baby E all camping over night at the Lake near us! it was very nice! I enjoyed it a lot. We got the tent set up! Kids all helped do it, I needed to rest a few so Sir N being his awesome self unpacked the bedding, made the bed in the tent and then I rested a few, while I did that he and Chubs and Baby E all unpacked the van! It was awesome to watch, he set everything up for camping and cooking dinner. We got the fire going and Sir Cooked dinner! It was his first time to cook camping! He did great! and was so proud of himself! I am pretty proud of him as well! Chubs and Baby E helped by stacking the fire wood nice and neat and collecting small twigs to start the fire with. After dinner was done and cleaned up we just sat around talking, looking at the Lake, listening to the noises. When the kids decided that it was time to get in the tent for the night we all climbed into VERY SMALL tent! 1 Man or 2 scout size tent with me and 3 kids! Sir N had made the bed so our feet were near the door and we had enough room side by side that way, but I was folded in half all night, lol! Momma sandwich! Any way we climbed in for the night and had prayer, I had my Android and had downloaded all the Scriptures and Friend magazine for the month! So we laid there taking turns reading scriptures, stories and enjoying it for over an hour! One at a time the kids fell asleep and I read until all were out but me and Sir N. We talked a while and read more and he finally fell asleep!.
Chubs awake early the next morning as always! He peeked out of the tent and there was someone walking the Lake and it scared him, so he woke me panicked. Got him calmed from that and everyone was awake. We started breakfast and hung around a while, then my awesome kids helped clean up camp, pack it all up and load it! and home we went! My mom had taken a jug and pre made our pancake mix for us, it made it so much easier than ever! I am remembering that from now on! Pre make it!
We are planning another trip this week! With a bigger tent that L bought so I could take them camping easier. So we will have the smaller tent if older kids want to sleep in it and the larger for me and younger kids or all the kids. I have an awesome camp chair with a foot rest attached that L bought me so my foot wont be hanging if I sit outside! It is nice! Keeps my foot up so it does not hurt so badly!
We are trying to get in a camping trip a week or at least a few day trips to the Lake each week through the summer. Being so close to the Lake we can go easily. Unfortunately the heat makes it sooo hot that it is hard to do at times. I bought smores stuff for our next trip! Cant wait! I found dairy free chocolate so it wont hurt Chubs or my tummies to eat! I love Aldi's they have it at a good price and its good chocolate.
I just realized how long it has been since I updated here! WOW! We finished a school year, I am planning the next! Hope it will be better than last year was! I have some awesome things planned so far so hopefully it will be good!
In May L was released. He lives about 45 min from us. We are just going day by day. He has made some amazing changes in himself, sorta. Most are not changes, things I always saw in him but he kept hidden. And he now shows all the time, along with some changes. He was very lucky and got an awesome job he loves and is learning a lot at it! I am proud of him. We talk daily, he talks to the kids, they are loving being able to talk to him when they want. We talk a lot, and all thats happened is talked about as well, working through things. I know it has been said I am ignoring whats happened by some, pretending it has not happened. But the reality is that is so far from true! Everything thats happened is very out there, talked about, comes up and worked through all the time. Others would know and see it if they chose to see, talk and give a chance. But everyone has to make up their own minds. We are all good, going day by day, one emotion at a time. I do know that I see amazing changes, and am proud of L for all he has done to make the changes, for taking responsibility for what he has done, and for growing into a better person. Now I wish others would give him a chance to show them the difference, but if they choose not to it is ok and understandable.
This is sooo long, gonna add another post in a few days to add more! For now I hope everyone is having an awesome summer!

Busy Busy Busy

Yes Busy is what we are! School is going for the kids. We are still trying to get settled into routine that will work for us. The kids have a full load so far. We are going to do a 4 day schedule instead of 5. We have always preferred it that way. Last year we did not do it that way and it was harder. So we are going to 4 this year. I am back working. Still recovering from surgery but feeling up to working some, plus I cant pay bills if I am not working. So I am working. I am in school also. I am learning a lot. My hobby I have had for so long making personal care products- shampoo, hair care, body, face, muscle rubs, massage oils, creams, salves, house hold cleaners and all that has grown into a business. I am still working on the web site. Hope to finish soon. I wanted it completed already but its hard to get it done. I have had a few orders! I am going to a show next Saturday, a friend has a booth selling stuff. I will be there trying to sell stuff and get the word out. I am trying to spread the word. I am making everyone I know an offer. If you refer someone to my site and they either purchase product or I see them as for a client as a healer I will either give a discount to the referring person or a portion of what I make. So if anyone is interested let me know. I am giving website info to people and to those who want paper I am sending brochures to them to have out. The Healer part is a different web site than the product part. Its not as far along as the other. As I do my schooling seeing clients is part of learning. So I am spreading the word on that also. Setting up a site and doing lots of praying! The awesome part about being a Natural Healer is that so much can be done by phone, IM, web cam, email or in person. I cant do hands on if your not in front of me but I can help a lot in other ways. My main focus at this time is Nutritional Healing. I have learned much about healing through nutrition. And also Typing- Temperaments. Interesting stuff.
We have some new additions to the family! 4 adorable chicks!!!! They are so cute. I will snap pics soon. So add to the chaos and mess in my home from 10 people living it, 4 chicks!
I am going to be teaching Boo Home Study Seminary this year. We start this week! Scary and intimidating and I will learn a lot from it. I did not know until Wednesday its a Stake Calling, I will be set apart tomorrow. I am glad for that. I will so need that extra Blessing to help me with it.
Its late I have to be up early tomorrow. I will post again soon, possibly tomorrow. When I do I will be posting links to the web sites. If anyone is interested in helping spread the word let me know, and if your interested in either purchasing or the healing part let me know as well.

school assignments for kids

I had my hysterectomy Friday and am doing good. Pretty much sticking to my room. I am up and around some, not much. The kids are hanging out in the schoolroom next to my room. They have been working on school.
Last week they had their first art class and assignment. Thought I would share their art work with everyone. Baby E is not a student but she thinks she is so she did her best drawing also! For 3 I think she did awesome!
Enjoy