About Us
James and I had this dreamy idea when we got married 26 years ago that we would have a bunch of kids and raise them in the country. James would have a little CPA firm and I would homeschool the kids in blessed peace and tranquility.
As naive as that dream was, we pretty much did it! Yes, we are ridiculously un-talented at raising farm animals and I gave up the garden years ago. But we found our stride and have made it work using the talents God did give us.
We live with our 9 kids in a 95 year old Texas farmhouse that we have renovated and added onto. James does have that CPA firm we dreamed of and is also in his third year of law school. Even though his office is on the back of our property and I could walk over there anytime, we mostly communicate during the week by emails and texts….never imagined THAT 26 years ago!
I, Lisa, homeschool the kids, blog and run an etsy shop, Shop 24. I try to keep a daily schedule, but it never quite gets done. I’m definitely a little ODC, as in if I walk into any room in my house and something has been moved even the tiniest bit, I notice it right away. It could drive us all crazy, but we make the best of it. And it does help when we’re redoing a room, which we do quite often, to have that sense of detail.
The kids are in varying stages of growth and maturity.
Grace is 22. She is a graduate of our little homeschool and she lives here with us. She works for James and manages a small video business. She has written 2 books, “Firmament: Radialloy“, and “Never“. We are so blessed to have her with us until she marries and starts a family of her own.
Jacob is 21. He graduated from high school in 2010. He is currently a second year law student at Oak Brook College of Law. He loves CGI and computer programming for animators. It’s amazing to see what our offspring can do, despite our own limitations. Jacob blesses me every day with his respectful attitude and his love for the Lord.
Hope just turned 19 and is about to graduate from high school. She is a delightful girl and such a bright light in our family. Being able to watch her grow into a woman has been one of the great experiences of my life. She loves to write and draw and help others. Her attitude of selflessness is such a joy!
Faith is 17 and every bit of it. She has a strong sense of style and she was the first child to ask if she could learn to drive (we didn’t say yes, but she asked). She inspires us all with her creativity and ingenuity. If any of us are getting rid of something we know to ask Faith if she wants it before we toss it out. She is likely to make something with it or tear it apart and use the pieces to make a funky piece of jewelry. She was born with an old soul, yet she’s the most playful.
Patience (15) is the ball of energy in our family. She has an off the charts metabolism which gives her energy to spare, but also makes it a challenge for her to keep weight on. Her gluten and sugar intolerances have challenged her to find creative ways to eat with the family and gain weight. She loves photography (which you can see on her Instagram). She is her Daddy’s best helper and her attitude of joy no matter what she’s going through encourages us all to be more joyful.
Noah is 14 and growing way too fast for his Mom’s liking. He, like the other boys, loves Legos. After school he works out in the fields or building fences. He’s quiet, but when he does talk he’s got a lot to say. He’s a dreamer and sometimes it’s just a little too much when he experiments on things. He has so many ideas about what he wants to do that he has no real direction, so he just tries everything from making balloon shapes to building with scraps in Mom’s workshop. He’s a neat kid.
Adam at 11 has always had my heart. He has had a tough time since he was born, crying constantly for months. Nothing soothed him and even though it was a hard time, it caused us to become close. Things have always been a little bit harder for Adam. He doesn’t get sarcasm at all, which is the language we speak in our home. He is extremely literal and he’s very smart. He’s great at school and loves reading. Every time I spend a few minutes with Adam I think, “This kid’s going to be an amazing man.”
Elijah is the quiet guy around here. At 9, he is just happy to be putting together science set in his room or drawing a picture. If I didn’t go looking for him he would just do something by himself all day and not cause a bit of trouble. At the dinner table he will just sit quietly, not even trying to enter the conversation and from the looks of it, not even listening. Then all of a sudden he will say one little thing that is so hilarious we will all be in stitches not knowing which is funnier…what he said or realizing that he was listening all along. ‘
Levi is 5 and the last of the Pennington Bunch. He started school this year and was already ahead for his age. He’s spent the past few years sitting next to me while I taught the other kids so he’s got a bit of an attitude, “Mommy, I already know that book.” I will set the attitude straight then move on to the next book…why teach it to him again? He is the family entertainment with his little sayings and ideas. Right now he has plans to build a boat. I’m not sure why. We don’t have any water nearby.
The best part of our lives together is that we love the Lord Jesus Christ. He is our Savior and the Holy Spirit is our guide. We believe that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God and we live by its teachings. It’s not always peace and tranquility, but we get pretty darn close.
I hope you are blessed by visiting our site. We love having visitors both on the blog and in person!
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Penningtons,
I love your new website – wonderful web design! It is interesting to read about your family. Many blessings,
Sarah for the Bryants
I am the last of eight children and feel tremendously blessed to have had experience the joys of a large family.
You are an inspiration.
You have a great blog. I love what you have done to your living room – the painted piano and the lockers are superb! Thanks for the inspiration!
Blessings.
Hi,
I just found your blog and the post on your painted floors. I can’t wait to do some of my floors! I am in Texas too. I was a homeschool mom but those days are over for me. Can’t wait to catch up on your previous posts. Sherilan
Oh, NOW I see why your kitchen is so big! LOL! Nine kids? Well, the picture that I see of you looks so lovely, you look like such a nice, big, happy family! God bless you!
Best regards,
Gloria
It sounds like you are a fabulous home, really. And what a great experience for your family.
Thank you for stopping by today and for sharing fabric advice.
-Rene
Hello Penningtons!
I’m a KBR subscriber, but I first saw your family in Hidden Wisdom… Anyhow I have enjoyed looking at your blogs!
I also really like the movie about your brother making cookies! That was so funny!
Keep Living for the Lord!
Blessings,
Shiloh
Big Sister x7
nice to meet you! i found your blog through the HHH on tuckers take tennessee. you have a lovely family.
You commented on Amy’s blog “Raising Arrows” and I clicked your link to “Pumpkins on the Porch”.
As a homeschooling mama, I think I’ll be enjoying your blog a great deal!
May God bless you!
So thankful I found you through a friends a blog. I have a big family….not in comparison to yours but 4 of my own and one 5 year old that has been with us for a while now. My prayer is that I will find joy in my day and less stress…..I can’t wait to read through your Blog/Life to see how you make that happen. The greatest gift I could have would be to hear my children say it was fun growing up in a big family….right now….i’m not sure that would be the case.
I attended the Mom2Mom meeting lastnight and I just wanted to let you know that I thoroughly enjoyed everything that you shared. It is wonderful to see someone in the flesh who has walked down this road before you and lived to tell good things about it. I really appreciate you sharing your wisdom and sense of humor. I have been applying some of the things you shared and they have had good results. The one thing that you said that hit home more than anything is “consistency” and “follow thru”. You said we talk everything to death and I just realized lastnight that talking is not a consequence. It really doesn’t matter what the consequence as long as it’s something that will make them miserable. Today I don’t feel frustrated like I normally do. I feel empowered and I haven’t had to be mean to get my point across. Thank you so much.
Wow, your marriage and family are both so amazing. A true testimony. My husband and I are both born and bred Texans, just transported from big city to 70 acres in the country. WOAH. A big change, but we’re adjusting and loving the space.
I’m subscribing and can’t wait to get to know you more! I’m coming over from Gina’s since I’m entering the contest and hope to meet you in July (*wink*)
Leigh
It’s lovely here and nice to meet you!
Yeah for Jesus and homeschooling! I came across your blog and love the trophy painting and bicycle decal (love my Cricut as well). I just graduated my last child from homeschooling. Check out my blog sometime.
Fondly, Tami
http://www.thisandthatfromtami.blogspot.com
I absolutely love all your party decorations. You are so talented! I love the cooler and how you embellished the glasses with your cricut. I’m thinking of doing some in pink for my daughter’s next b-day party. Thanks for the idea!
Hi Lisa,
Good luck in the OMTWI! I don’t know which one is yours either but they are all up and they look great!
Holy Cow… 9 kids and you still have time to do this?
Amazing!
Susan
and now I’m following you!
Susan
Hey, folks! This blog is one of my favorites!!!!
I am new to your site, and so excited that I found you. We just moved to Cibolo Texas, from Illinois. I am a former homeschooler, and blog junkie
Hill Country is one of my favorite places to visit! It is so beautiful there. Blessings! Paula
Thanks for visiting my blog! What a beautiful family and great blog you have!
Hello and thank you for your blog. I have so enjoyed it! It’s nice to see someone on the same page. I too have nine children (ages 3 to 16). No twins. We wear dresses, homeschool, don’t do halloween and the three year old is still in diapers! My house keeping skills aren’t as smooth as yours though. We have added your march around the house to our cleaning up routine. It’s helped. Life is exciting, isn’t it? God bless!
Just found your blog & Etsy shop through The Country Chic Cottage – I’m a mom to 6 incredible blessings – also a homeschooler – and also living in San Antonio – not in the country yet… but it’s our goal!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your shop – I’ll be shopping there for my wish list! Can’t wait to read through everything to snag some tidbits from you – I’ll try not to stalk you!!!
Many blessings,
Terri – and the clan!
I love this blog. I look so forward to the posts. So encouraging! I love this kids’ blog as well.
Glad to have found you (because of your book bunting)! I’m a homeschooling mom as well. My oldest 2 have graduated and are in college and I have a sophmore and a 6th grader as well. Looking forward to seeing more from you!
Blessings,
Angie @ Knick of Time
Angie @ Knick of Time Interiors´s last [type] ..{Primping in the Ladies’ Room}
Hi! Just wanted to say that I stumbled upon ur blog through facebook, and we the Penningtons too! And we live in The Hill Country of Texas! Nice blog!
I just found your blog because a friend told me about some painting techniques. I wondered if we could be kin. I live in Alabama and would like to pursue our possible link. Where I live there are sooooo many Penningtons and I was told that we are all kin. Hope to hear from you.
Your blog and shop are precious. Love that you love Jesus!
Ever since I saw your turqouise piano last week I’ve been dreaming of finding one and painting it. You are my hero
LOL.
Bugs & Sunshine´s last [type] ..Motherhood As A Ministry?
I just found your site from The Graphics Fairy. I browsed the organization tag and had to laugh. I can totally relate. I have 11 ages 15-7 months, no twins, same parents, no adopted. And I never have anything to wear for and event either!
I love your blog! My Mom recently told me about it (right after our first son was born, 4 months ago) and I love reading your posts! I’m an only child aspiring for a large family similar to yours (que sinister laughter here at the idea of a quiet only child with a large family) I’ve been starting to organize and implement some of the ideas you’ve mentioned here. I love it! And I love the Bible verses you sprinkle in, they definitely help on days that I’m basically sitting around nursing and not doing much else. (somehow reading devotions on my computer just isn’t the same as my physical Bible. I know, I’m weird) I’ve been really challenged in my thinking, (Faith Points), and I love it! I admit it-if I was ever in Texas, in Costco, and I saw you, I’d likely run up to you, give you a hug, and start chatting. …and you’d likely be standing there, wondering how you could get away, who is this weird lady, and “wait til I write about this crazy lady in my blog!” And all that would be totally fair… ^_^
Two questions!
1.) what’s the age gap between your kids? All planned? Unplanned?
2.) what church do ya’all go to? How do you get everyone dressed and ready at once? O_o
May the Lord continue to bless you and keep you!!! I just found your blog, and it is such a gem to me in my life stage. I am blessed to have a loving and God fearing husband, and 3 lil girls (5, 2.5, and 5 months), and we just began homeschooling! We live in a very liberal area, and I have been so encouraged to keep running the race well by all you posts! I was raised in a very secular environment, so by God’s grace HE has been building me up in what a godly home life looks like.Thank you for helping to edify the body of Christ!
i wanted to subscribe to your blog , but i didnt see a place to put my email! i figure anyone w/ 9 kids on a farm probably has a lot to teach me!
I just found your blog and so happy I did! Wow, 9 kids….you are amazing! I absolutely love the Hill Country and would love to live in that area. I’m near DFW airport and yes, I’m a Native Texan.
I look forward to learning more about you. Stop by and say hi when you can!
Pat
Pat´s last [type] ..~ Your Bank Account ~
I found you on Twitter. I am from Robert Lee, Texas, just north of San Angelo. I love you blog design, very pretty.
I absolutely loved reading this page. Your family is precious.
Allison @ House of Hepworths´s last [type] ..Well hello there new people!
Dear the Pennington,
English is not my mother tongue, so I might have taken it wrong, or even explained my opinion in a very limited way..
Love your blog but I did not paid well attention when I read it before, so I clicked on a title presented at the left column, thinking it was a post of you, but it turned out to be a post of the advertiser using your blog, that is ‘the blog her’. I respect that your blog is allowed for any vendors to advertise, however, I am a bit surprised that the article I was led onto, was written by an atheist, a very contradict to your belief. Despite the fact that I do respect the freedom you have in your country.. just thought that your blog is your blog and aren’t you supposed to have the right to be selective on who can or cant advertise in your blog.
People like me who happened to pay less attention than I should have been, can be misled to the wrong page, which has very strong and compelling points, but very misleading, whoaa…
Well, I know I am not of the same background like you so I may not understand the freedom you have and the way you respect it, and you could find my opinion doesn’t go along with yours and I respect that and still love your blog. Bless you…
Touching…….inspiring……down to earth…….after reading this I would love to spend a day with y’all and have an opportunity feel the warmth and enery that I can feel in your writing- not asking- just saying it would be a blessing
Thank you for your blog~ I so appreciate your honesty, being able to enjoy the moments in time and mostly, your love for Christ. I appreciate the encouragement that I get and read in your postings. I also enjoy your FB page, and the pics of all the home reno’s and creative ideas.
I live in Interior Alaska where there aren’t many places to get creative ideas, so seeing the pictures of your ideas and accomplishments really inspires me~
Thanks Again!~
Joetta Colquette
I have a Noah, too. Your description of your Noah, makes me wonder if what name you give a child affects their constitution. My Noah is now 28, an environmental engineer (after years of experiments which, thankfully, did not destroy life, limb or home) and yes, his particular interest is water treatment. Love your blog.