Life Victorious!

An interesting, amazing summer!

2009-07-23T09:09:00.000-07:00

Summer 2009 is turning out to be quite interesting, filled with unexpected blessings and adventures! In addition to our little herd of sheep, flock of chickens, and a llama, we have acquired two dairy goats and two livestock guardian dogs, which are Great Pyrenees. Pictures of these newest additions are coming soon! As far as the dairy goats, we are LOVING learning a new skill in milking a goat, and are enjoying the fruits of our labor. We get over a gallon a day of fresh, vitamin-packed goat's milk, and it is surprisingly delicious!

Then, just a couple weeks ago, we found out that Carrie and Paul are expecting a new little Zkiab in February 2010! Of course, they are aiming for February 14th, because all of their anniversaries and special days have to be on a holiday ;) ;) We are thrilled to be an aunt and uncle again, and our littles are thrilled to have another cousin! Congrats, Paul and Carrie!

And last week, we were privileged to begin cleaning and doing small repairs on another pro-life mission home. We had a blast as the young adult group Gravity joined us in the cleaning... and once again, they did an amazing job. Pictures of this to come soon as well!

We'll keep you posted on any new adventures, which are sure to come!

Precious time with the Reed family and Carrie and Brycen!!

2009-07-23T08:59:00.000-07:00

2009-07-23T08:49:00.000-07:00

Sheepies and llama

2009-07-23T08:43:00.000-07:00

Gorgeous prairie storm!

2009-05-28T07:19:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day!!!

2009-05-11T15:51:00.000-07:00

The "neifs" with their Aunt! I was so blessed to have my sister stay with us over Mother's Day!

2009-05-11T15:47:00.000-07:00

Our fruit orchard is starting to bloom...

2009-05-11T15:38:00.000-07:00

Our barn... and the 'ladies'...

2009-05-11T15:33:00.000-07:00

Below is a picture of our barn. We transfered our 27 HUGE chicks into the barn (it was time, believe me!) and they are now getting a acquainted with the "big ladies" through partitioned chicken wire. They are loving their new home, and trying out their wings. Also pictured are our adult layer hens... We are selling some of our young and healthy white orpington chicks, if you are interested, to make room for some different breeds!

2009-05-11T15:19:00.000-07:00

Playmobil on the porch... the weather is so gorgeous now (finally!) that the kids played on the front porch...

2009-05-11T15:09:00.000-07:00

Gardening at the Machina's!

2009-05-11T15:05:00.000-07:00

We are so excited that we get to take part in gardening with our friends/neighbors!! "Auntie Rachel" showed John Paul and Nate how to hoe rows for the seeds, as we prepared the organic garden. John Paul planted some garlic. And of course, there were stilt lessons from Juliana Poppins, our fav nanny :)

2009-05-11T14:49:00.000-07:00

A White Easter!!

2009-05-11T14:41:00.000-07:00

2009-05-11T14:30:00.000-07:00

We have a new hobby!

2009-05-11T14:28:00.000-07:00

We decided to "break out" Maryanna's new child's loom that she got for her birthday... but once her mommy tried the weaving, she was HOOKED! So consequently, I now have a real loom and am excited to get started making material... pictures to come!

Maryanna weaving...

2009-05-11T14:16:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the fights get so serious, that it's time for war paint. Max goes all out...

2009-05-11T14:11:00.000-07:00

So cute... how could we possibly think about serving these up on a plate?

2009-05-11T14:02:00.000-07:00

Cutie pie... Marie at 3 months

2009-03-30T15:22:00.000-07:00

We got chicks! The kids counted one by one, as they were put into their new brooding box.

2009-03-30T15:14:00.000-07:00

This has got to be a rooster... here is the one "rare chick that we don't know the gender" that the hachery includes in the batch!

2009-03-30T15:08:00.000-07:00

Getting adjusted to their new home...

2009-03-30T14:42:00.000-07:00

Blizzard of 2009! Pictures from outside our windows...

2009-03-30T13:48:00.000-07:00

Our "community garden"... Gardening 101 with Rachel!

2009-03-25T20:07:00.000-07:00

2009 is off to an exciting start... We are really enjoying the peacefulness of the prairie, and the endless possibilities and freedoms we are experiencing with 80 acres. The kids can run and play to their little hearts' content. We are so blessed to live so close to some wonderful friends, the Machina family. Out here, 2 miles away is considered a next door neighbor! They are going the "whole hog" with getting into "country life"... and we decided to join forces in getting a vegetable garden started on their property. We have learned so much already. So far, there are seedlings and sprouts growing. We are excited to help plant the sprouts into their outside garden soil and begin putting our kiddos to work weeding and harvesting.

We also have acquired 10 hens who are laying delicious eggs. We just ordered some more little chickies, which will be arriving shortly... We'll post some more pictures soon!

Preparations for beginning the garden...

2009-03-25T19:57:00.000-07:00

Planting seeds...

2009-03-25T19:00:00.000-07:00

2009-03-25T18:47:00.000-07:00

Watering the seeds and waiting for sprouts!

2009-03-25T18:18:00.000-07:00

Someone's looking very kissable...

2009-03-25T18:13:00.000-07:00

When things get a little out of hand... the Zkiabs having way too much at Nate and Max's b-day party!

2009-03-25T18:00:00.000-07:00

Happy 6th birthday, Nate! We celebrated his b-day at "Froots", at Nate's request.

2009-03-25T17:51:00.000-07:00

We awoke one morning to find an unbelievable winter wonderland... Everything was covered with crystal, shimmery ice that glistened in the sun!

2009-03-25T17:37:00.000-07:00

Paper making project... fun science!

2009-03-25T17:24:00.000-07:00

2009-03-25T17:10:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th birthday, Max! Max and Anthony helped make Max's own cake... strawberry!

2009-03-25T17:05:00.000-07:00

Ready for presents!

2009-03-25T16:59:00.000-07:00

Anthony testing out Max's new blocks

2009-03-25T16:51:00.000-07:00

Happy 9th birthday, Maryanna!

2009-03-25T16:44:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Maryanna's birthday at Boriello Brothers pizza with Shal's parents...

2009-03-25T16:30:00.000-07:00

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Masters Family!!

2009-01-02T08:03:00.000-08:00

Welcome, Marie Josephine Amanda!

2008-12-15T07:15:00.000-08:00

We joyfully announce the birth of Marie Josephine Amanda! She was born Thursday, December 11, 2008, at 10:25 a.m. She was 7 lbs 6 oz and 19 1/4 inches long. We are all absolutely smitten with her! We thank God for this most amazing Christmas present! The following are pictures from her birth... Enjoy!

2008-12-15T07:11:00.000-08:00

2008-12-14T15:52:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving from the Masters family... and some news!

2008-11-24T23:23:00.000-08:00

We hope you have a joyful, warm Thanksgiving full of blessings! It has been quite a year for many families. For us, 2008 has brought many trials and changes, but we have so much to be thankful for. We also wanted to share that we are moving... again! It is time for us to move away from the mission, and we are moving into a cozy country cottage, still in the boonies, but still hoping we get to see our friends and family as often as possible! We'll keep you posted on the move, the new baby, and anything else dramatic that comes up! ;) Many blessings...

The Masters children on a beautiful Colorado autumn day!

2008-11-24T23:18:00.000-08:00

A couple updates from the summer...

2008-10-22T18:25:00.001-07:00

Where did the summer go? With moving and "fixer-upper-ing" the months flew by and in all the hustle and bustle we misplaced the camera cord to our good camera that hooks up to the computer... so I've posted a couple "phone pictures"... (sigh) but at least you can see a little of what's been going on out here for the past several months! We're praying to St. Anthony that we can find the cord for the camera, especially before baby arrives! Enjoy!

The view from here... Sunset in the country!

2008-10-22T18:23:00.000-07:00

A couple of home school creations crafted by Nate!

2008-10-22T18:22:00.000-07:00

Painting the deck at the mission...

2008-10-22T18:19:00.000-07:00

John Paul celebrates his 7th birthday!

2008-10-22T18:11:00.000-07:00

Geography is going well...

2008-10-17T12:26:00.000-07:00

Yesterday when driving by two flags, an American and a Colorado flag, I asked the kids what those flags represented... for the first one, they all called out "The American flag!" I said "That's right! And what's the other one for? The one with the 'C'?" There was a resounding cry from the back seat from several of the children... "CHINA!"

Oh my.

A New Introduction

2008-09-26T09:17:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, Nate asked, "Where are we going?" I said "We are going to meet Daddy after work." Nate said, "But we already know him!"

Our 10th Anniversary!

2008-08-11T21:30:00.000-07:00

Maryanna celebrates her 1st Communion May 25th, Feast of Corpus Christi!

2008-05-28T12:28:00.000-07:00

My favorite name

2008-05-21T20:41:00.000-07:00

Sunday, it was the Feast of Holy Trinity, and our parish had a celebration. We all put on name tags, but Nate wanted to make sure he made mine for me. He came up with the sticker you see below... he told me, "I want everyone to know your name." My name, indeed. Is there any better?

2008-05-21T20:35:00.000-07:00

2008-05-08T19:03:00.000-07:00

One step forward, two steps back... (sigh!)

2008-05-08T18:42:00.000-07:00

I would love to say we made tons of progress the last few days, however, my nausea (a.k.a morning/all-day sickness) has really increased and rendered me quite useless recently! I am trying to remember how I did this 5 other times, but I guess I blocked those experiences from my memory... except a faint memory of laying on the couch, hearing noises upstairs, and hoping no one was sticking anything into an electrical outlet. I am trying very hard not to feel jealous of those well-meaning honest women who tell me things like, "Morning sickness? Oh, not really... I do feel a little tired, though" or frown when I think of the ones that have told me, "Oh, that goes away after like the 3rd child." Somehow, no matter how much protein I eat, or what special formulas I try, alas, my tummy just doesn't like the hCG hormone. Lately, I've had to try to trick myself into going to the Ellicott house by saying to myself, "The weird smells of a fixer-upper really don't bother me..." At the very least, I have discovered this can be some great "offer-it-up" stuff! Anybody have any special intentions? I'm SURE this feeling is spiritually valuable...

Outlet day... we replaced most of the dingy outlets with nice shiny new ones!

2008-05-01T18:20:00.001-07:00

Let the extreme makeover begin!!

2008-04-30T15:02:00.001-07:00

Below are the first pictures we took of the home we'll be moving into (temporarily) in Ellicott. This home is right across the street from the soon-to-be Blessed Sacrament chapel, and kitty-corner from the main house where Maternity of Mary takes in pregnant mothers in need. We thought we'd start off from some nice raw pictures of "before" the extreme makeover, where we will paint and repair the home to get it ready for our stay, as well as get it ready for future families in Maternity of Mary's transition program who may need a home. Stay tuned for more! We'll keep you updated on our progress...

Pictures of the outside of the fixer-upper home in Ellicott

2008-04-30T14:56:00.000-07:00

Maryanna's first piano recital!

2008-04-30T14:54:00.000-07:00

Stay tuned for adventures in Ellicott!

2008-04-27T13:59:00.000-07:00

We are about to embark on the adventure of our lives... we are going to become a missionary family serving the Maternity of Mary community for expectant mothers in need! Right now, we are in the process of fixing up a super fixer-upper in Ellicott, which will become our temporary home until we are able to build. Please feel free to join in with us, especially if you have handy-man skills!

Before and after pictures are coming... stay tuned!

Announcing... a new Masters on the way!

2008-04-13T14:23:00.000-07:00

Baby Masters #6 is on the way, providing mommy with some nice, healthy morning sickness! :) Please pray for a safe and healthy pregnancy! The due date should be somewhere in early December...

Even Honest Abe Uses Integrity Home Loan!

2008-03-07T15:32:00.000-08:00

Her place among the siblings...

2008-01-30T13:08:00.000-08:00

Maryanna said today, "I'm the onlyest girl."

A chocolate candy cane

2008-01-24T16:15:00.000-08:00

Today we went to Mass where the Bishop was presiding. Max watched quietly as the Bishop walked up the aisle, staff in hand, and took his place on the altar. It was then that Max said, loud and clear, "He has a candy cane!"

Happy New Year!!

2008-01-18T07:24:00.000-08:00

We wish you many blessings in 2008 and beyond... We can tell this is going to be an exciting year, especially in the "sanctity of human life" arena. Many awesome things are happening, and we'll keep you posted!

Merry Christmas!!!

2007-12-24T17:51:00.000-08:00

Rejoice! Christ, our Savior, is born!

We wish you a very merry and blessed Christmas, and God's abundant blessings in 2008!

Love from the Masters Family

Motivation

2007-12-07T20:44:00.000-08:00

This evening, I called Nate up from the basement because it was bedtime.

Me: "Nate, come upstairs. It's time to go to bed."

Nate: (Looking up at me with a grin) "I'm too tired."

Me: "Maybe I need to come down there and motivate you."

Nate: "What does that mean, carry me?"

Happy Thanksgiving!

2007-11-23T13:35:00.000-08:00

I thought this little story was awesome:

One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family. On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, 'How was the trip?' 'It was great, Dad.' 'Did you see how poor people live?' the father asked. 'Oh yeah,' said the son. 'So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?' asked the father. The son answered: 'I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.' The boy's father was speechless. Then his son added, 'Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are.'

Let's give thanks for all we HAVE!!! We are thankful for all of our wonderful friends and family, and for our loving, awesome God!!

A new color

2007-11-19T22:16:00.000-08:00

Today, Max was counting some colored marbles. "Red... bwoo... gween... yeyow... orange... chocolate..." I guess chocolate's a new color! Sounds good to me...

Happy birthday, Anthony!!

2007-11-16T21:56:00.001-08:00

Anthony turned 1 yesterday, the 15th! It's hard to believe it's already been a year since "Tookie" came into the world... (not sure how that nickname started!) When presented with his birthday cake, he didn't timidly dip his finger into the frosting like his siblings did. He simply picked up the whole piece and shoved it into his mouth. Wow.

Dogs in heaven?

2007-11-12T10:34:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Maryanna told me several times she wished she were a dog. I finally said, "But if you were a dog, you couldn't be with me in heaven!" She said, "But I would be a holy dog!"

A matter of conscience...

2007-11-08T09:57:00.000-08:00

This morning, while preparing Maryanna to receive her First Reconciliation, I asked the kids a question about conscience: "If you saw a candy bar in Mommy's dresser drawer, and it was chocolate and looked really good, what would your conscience be telling you?" John Paul answered, "Eat it."

AAA?

2007-11-07T19:31:00.000-08:00

Upon driving on the way to ConQuest (an awesome boys' group) this evening, and driving past the AAA Travel Insurance Store, John Paul asked if that's where Corey buys batteries.

This really happens!

2007-11-07T17:00:00.001-08:00

... veeerrrryyyy occasionally. Yes, here is Nate, peaceful and sleeping like an angel.

Welcome!

2007-11-06T15:58:00.000-08:00

Greetings! And welcome to our blog! It's time we start sharing some of our joys, chaos, ramblings, and other items of note with you! We'll have "latest quotes," latest pictures, latest entreprenuerial endeavors (oh good gracious, I thought we were done with those), latest discoveries, insights, moments of truth and light, and a glimpse of life in the Masters' family! Please feel free to post your comments... we love to hear from you!