Starting this blog is an interesting task. Thought I would begin by telling you, why "the Soul of the Shoe"? Two of my all-time favorite books are "Cheaper by the Dozen" and the sequel, "Bells on their toes" written by two of the children in this 1940's family. I loved these books and have read them multiple times! Kindred spirits, I guess!! Anyway, the Gilbreth family had a summer place on Nantucket and "Father named the cottage "The Shoe" in honor of Mother,who, he said, reminded him of the old woman who lived in one." I thought that was so fun, that when we bought This place with it's three and a half acres and need for a name, "The Shoe" seemed perfect, considering our household of ten children! And there are days when this "old woman" truly does not know what to do!!! Soul is the spiritual nature in relation to God. In my mind, that is the most important thing in our family. How do we relate to God and others. So there you are!
My husband Allen and I have been married 35 years and have ten children ranging in age between 33 and 9. Four of them are married and three of those have children. One of our daughters, though not yet married, has a home of her own. One son is in college and four are yet at home. I will introduce them all gradually as they come into the story. They are great kids and have made this mother's heart very full. We also have a very lovable Yorkshire terrier named Max and a not-so-lovable cockatiel named Mo.

We are a busy, crafty group and have a lot of fun together. Most of my children are very musical, unlike me...more like their father. I will be sharing some of the fun ideas that we have in our home and family life, hoping to bless you in some way with the many blessings God has given to us!

Diana