We are anticipating our return to our home for Christmas to be with family and friends.  This time next week we'll be deep into food and family love.  *sigh* I can hardly wait!!!  All these years it is easy to take for granted the same old routine but then, life steps in and things change, we can then see how wonderful the "same ol, same ol" really is!  Bring on the family!!  Even if we get a little crazy!  There's no place like home!

It will be quite the drive though.  That I am not looking forward to.  bleck.  If only airfare wasn't so expensive!  It is so we are driving.  Dh and I will take turns so we can arrive alive!  The boys will snooze most of the way as we will be driving through the night.  This is good as otherwise it gets REALLY long and boring.  Our butts will be permanently molded to the car's seats no doubt.   Then with all the rich foods we're sure to come back with a more "pear" shape.  That's awesome!  What a blessing!

I hope that in the midst of the festivities though, we will manage to keep a perspective.  The food, the fun, the gifts, these are all outward expressions (and sometimes worldly) of the greater good, the greater blessings in life.  To remember that Christ came into this world (though not on this exact date) to redeem us.  He came and GAVE to us a gift that never wears, never goes out of fashion, never breaks or needs new batteries or upgrades.  It's a one size fits ALL for certain.  No need to return or exchange.  It's always the right fit and it does even more!  This gift is LIVING!  It doesn't grow with us, it helps us to grow.  This gift is what gives us the very thing we lack~LIFE!  It is an all encompassing gift.  It meets all needs we could ever have, want or think of.  No, it can't grind the wheat or make pancakes but it can fill us to overflowing.  Abundant overflowing joy!  This kind of filling is what we so yearn for even though we may not admit it.  We spend a lot of time trying to fill this with other things.  We try to fill it with the things we'll find under our trees next week, sometimes we try with work, careers, credentials, civic groups, clubs, activities, bars, friends, music, TV, and even things that are destructive to ourselves.  We have all sorts of reasons and excuses for not accepting the GIFT.  Yes, we think we can do it on our own.  Even when we receive it we think we can manage it without the Manual.  We play at christianity wondering why we don't get anywhere.

I don't know, there are many things to write about in this topic but for now, this year, I am grateful to have received this free and wonderful gift from God.  I am thankful that when I opened it, it didn't need batteries (usually not included!) and it wasn't written in a language I can't follow.  It didn't have directions that go on and on and on and you need a degree in physics or engineering to even figure out step one.  No, this gift is not easy but it isn't something I have to worry about.  This gift is a person.  Jesus.  He told me to believe and take on His yoke.  That's it.  Heck, I don't even know how to put a yoke on (though I have worn many that have been heavy and hard) He promises to do it all.  How simple is that?  All I have to do is rest.  REST!!!! Can you believe it!?  I'm not there yet.  I do believe, but I don't know how to rest.  That is a topic for another post but let me ask, will you receive His gift this year?  You don't even have to wait until Christmas!  There are no bags with sirens on them and it's already available to you.  If you don't know how to receive this gift, ask me.  I'll tell you what He says, "whomsoever shall believe in me shall not perish but have everlasting life."  That's it.  That's all.  Nothing else to it.   Then, rest.  Let Him work His work and Himself into you.  That's what He wants to do.  You will grow faster and fuller and stronger if you read the Bible and pray.  Without these two, you will starve.  See, that's the only catch, you have to feed.  You gotta eat!  So how?  No, not pizza, though I wish it were that easy, no you have to read the Word.  Don't worry if it 's all weird at first, He is there and He will sort it out with you.  If you have questions, there are many believers around who will help.  Remember though, He is your first source.

Ok, so that's my thoughts for today.  Merry CHRIST mas.  May He evermore increase!!! 

Here we are!  We are moved in and unpacked and even have Christmas decorations up! Like I felt like upacking one more box! (actually several, Christmas is not just a tree and a wreath around here!).

Now that all is settled, it's time to make our real messes.  You know, the daily stuff.  We have been upacked and settled into our new home for quite a while now.  Funny how you can have more space and still make a mess! I guess it doesn't help to have 4 men under foot. My DH being the chief messer-upper!  I can make the kids clean up but how do you punish a grown man?  Maybe disconnect the computer or the TV! lol  Take away his golf clubs?

Anway, it is nice to have things in place.  In just two weeks we'll be heading home for Christmas.  I am looking forward to it.  I am asking family and friends to come to us though.  I do not want to drive 14 hrs and then spend a week driving all over to see everyone and then drive 14 hrs back home.  Forget it.  It's once a year and I should hope that any family and friends will want to come to us.  I guess if not then they really didn't want to see us.  With one family exception.  We will be driving to my in-laws for the K-Christmas.  That is a no brainer.  I am looking forward to it and to catch up with family.

Everyone else can drive to us. hee hee.  No really, I can only think of one family that it may be tough for.  They too have a little one and will also need to work the next day and we are like an hour from them.  I am thinking that maybe we will meet halfway for lunch or something.  We'll see.

I also have a friend who has a large family and we will go to see them.  I am very much looking forward to this as she has been a friend and spiritual mentor to me.  Her friendship invaluable, a rare gem.  They are an hour south of my folks so that will be a trip.  Oh well, time well spent to be lifted up with strong believers and enjoy sweet fellowship.  So that is only two days of driving and thankfully not back to back.  No way around it.  Just glad to have about 4-5 days between. 

I hope we can find Christmas in the chaos.  It will be interesting. a long drive from the 23rd to 24th just isn't my idea of fun.  On the other hand staying here in SC and not having any family or friends to christmas with seems lonely.  We will have to do Christmas with the boys here when we get back.  It gives us something to look forward to.  I won't have enough room to pack up our gifts and then the ones they will receive from family and our luggage in my small Forester so we will do it when we return.  Anyone else have this issue with Christmas?

Ok, lunch is over. Back to school!  Kids need to finish up!  Today we are going to make snowflakes.  This will be a GREAT intro to our science for the week.  We are going to study snowflake science.  This should be fun!

I may be unpopular today for my entry but I am really sad that a sworn Baby killer, Enemy of Israel, Homosexual supporter and otherwise all around Liberal has been elected.  Not that I'm a huge McCain fan either, I have often said this election was the lesser of "two evils".  I had just hoped the American people actually had enough brains to see through Obama's facade and to see him for who he really is. 

This new President is dangerous and mark my words, will do more to undermine family values than we ever imagined.  Get ready to have your wallets emptied and be supporting illegal immigrants and also to help those who need to be bailed out of their mortagages because they borrowed too much to begin with and should NEVER have been given a loan of such proportions.  Yup, if you can say "it's so hard, you know" or blame someone else for your problems, you can get a government handout as well.  That is unless you make over $50,00 a year combined income, then you are considered rich and will be taxed to high heaven.

I am much dismayed today.  We have a elected a man that morally is bankrupt.  Oh and let's not forget his associations to terrorists and those of questionable alliances to the USA.  In other words, they hate us but he loves them!  Go figure.  Oh, and his "church".  You know, the one he said he didn't really believe in?  Yeah, the one he has attended for 20 years and raised his kids in?  Yeah, that one.  the Black suppremecist church.  They hate white folk!  Why?  No clue.  I guess we are all guilty of slavery even though none of us or our grandparents were alive during that time and for most of us, our great grandparents arrived in the early 1900's. 

Yup, America has voted.  America is in a very dangerous place.  America is bankrupt in it's ethics, it's morality, and is out to please it's flesh.  How can we say times are tough?  We are paying less for gas now than in the past 5 years!!! 

America is selfish.  America doesn't know how to work.  America needs to get a clue.

These are my condensed opinions.  Feel free to disagree, if you think voting for a man who 3TIMES voted against a bill to provide medical care to babies born alive in botched abortions.  America needs to do it's homework.

It is October already and I can't believe it!!!  Time is flying away as it normally does.  Just so hard to believe how fast it does go!  We have purchased a new home here in sunny SC and will move in at teh end of the month!  We actually close on the 24th and can move in that weekend.  Just 4 days until my N's Birthday.  I imagine us having cake and ice cream while sitting on boxes!  It will be fun no matter what and what a great way to kick-off moving into our new home! With a party and our first memory! Sounds great to me!  I am going to buy the paper goods today.  I am so looking forward to getting into this home.

We just signed last night and tomorrow is our home inspection.  You know, this house is so beautiful I can't really believe it is going to be mine.  I feel guilty because it is so pretty and so nice.  The area is great, the house is great, *sigh*.  THANK YOU GOD!!!  I'm nervous though.  I don't deserve this house but that is the beauty of God, He often blesses us with the things of this world that we don't deserve.  I do not know for how long we will have this blessing but I plan to enjoy it while we do.  It is truly from His hand and I am grateful for this time.

My dad was here visiting last week.  So nice to share our new home with him.  I wish my mom could have come but she had already booked a trip to Russia long before we ever knew we were moving.  We will not see her until around Christmas.  She is really sad about that as she misses the boys so much.  We were invited to my Aunt and Uncle's house which is about 7-9 hrs from here for ThanksGiving.  My parents and brother and sister-in-law and my gram would meet us there, it's about 6 hrs from them.  I do not think we will be going.  We will barely be in our new home and if we are to be able to drive to CT for Christmas a month later, we are going to need the time to get as settled as soon as possible.  It's also a heck of a drive!!! With three kids, 8,5 and 1. Bleck!

Ok, so was ready to finish this and N just hit the keyboard and erased the whole thing. ARGH!!!!!

I am looking forward to these kids getting outside and getting rid of some of this energy! I only wish I had a smidgen of it.  If I could sell it I'd be rich!  We are on a 2nd floor apartment and there is nowhere for the kis to play that is convenient.  We have a nice place right now, more like a condo than anything and DH's company is paying our rent!! WOO HOO!! There just is no place without hauling everyone to play.  It's in the sun too so for the past few weeks it was not a place to be when it is in the upper 80's to 90's and humid kwim?  Now it's in the 70's and I imagine we will be heading over to that park area this afternoon.  If K will finish his math.

Off to Walmart soon. 

Well, I am now officially a transplant to South Carolina.  We arrived last Friday afternoon and unpacked the U-haul into our executive housing.  Sound so "official" doesn't it?  Sounds better than an "apartment" but that is what it is.  We are on the 2nd floor with 3 bedrooms.  Actually, these are very nice.  Each bedroom has a big walk-in closet and ours has a master private bath.  The kids and the spare guest room has a bathroom on that end.  There is also a laundry room, dining room and kitchen and living room.  Not super huge but overall very cozy. 

The ride down was long but once you get past NY and NJ it is a beautiful ride.  The mountains on the way down were just so BIG! Very lovely!  We were just down this way in May/June for our family vaca and loved the views then.  Funny how it all looks different when you are leaving family behind.

We have been house hunting and I must say, you folks (y'all) love your housing developments that's for sure! There are no zoning laws so a development is all that can protect you from ending up with Walmart in your backyard.  Some are more stacked than others and some just have no yard to speak of.  There are stately homes and what we call McMansions.   Some of the developments are VERY nice but also very expensive, especially if you want any kind of land with it.  Still, we have managed to find 6 houses that we are going to see.  I went out this week with our REaltor and looked through atleast 10-15 or so and we have narrowed it down to 6.  I have also been hunting online since June when we first decided to move.  So all in all we been hunting through several hundred houses.  My head is swimming.  My DH has also been out to view quite a few before we got here so I feel pretty good about the ones we will see together this weekend.  I so hope we can move forward.

So, I'm here.  I don't particularly like this area (Duncan/Spartanburg).  Perhaps it will grow on me.  I have always lived in New England so this is also a climate adjustment.  New England is just pretty, this is, well, not.  Landrum is nice, very nice with mountain views.  We are looking at a house out that way and though it doesn't have views, the ride out to it is really pretty.  The houses with the views are $700K- a million, not exactly my budget!!! HA! rotflmbo Wish it were.......oh well, that's what hikes are meant for right?

So, for all you SC folks, I hope you are not offended, I'm sure there is still so much for me to see and get used to.  You are VERY friendly though!  I called to make a hair appt. and ofcoarse I have no clue where this place is and you know, the woman there just talked and talked, you would have thought we'd known eachother forever!  I find that most places and it is really nice to feel so welcome to a place you have never seen or known before so THANK YOU!!!

Whenever you ladies who happen across my blog are out and about in your day just remember, that person you smile at or say hello to might be a transplant who needs to feel welcome.  They may be someone who left behind their loved ones and friends and feeling a bit overwhelmed and a bit sad and you may just be the one to be a ray of sunlight in their day and in their transition.

We just returned from our trip to Cape Cod and now the craziness begins!  The movers are due tomorrow and so is everything else in my life it seems.  Have you ever had one of those moments in life when you looked at everything around you and thought, Ok, so when does it get better?

I won't get into details but honestly, my heart is broken for my family.  Most of them are not saved and those who say they are really make me say, hmmmmm........  not a whole lot of evidence you know?  It just grieves me so.  Sorry folks, my heart is just really heavy tonight.  Hormones and stress not a good combo.

Happier note! We had a lovely week with plenty of sunshine.  We had quite a few family/friends come up and see us this week so it was busy but nice.  We have been going here for 12 years and this place is AWESOME!!! For $1,000 for the week ($500 for us as we share with my folks) we rent a 5 bedroom home with large living room, dining. kitchen, laundry room, big deck with grill, Private back yard, long driveway that goes through woods and connects to the bike trail and the Lake across the street!  We are literally 5 minutes from Coast Guard Beach and from the best sunsets on Earth at First Encounter Beach (think history lesson ladies~).  This has been such a blessing!!!  I know we will try like mad to keep this place in the years to come but it will take some doing as the commute is a bit much!

Wonderful week and wish it wasn't over.  The last few days just flew!  Now we begin our next adventure....stay tuned!

B

Well, sort of.  We "verbally" accepted an offer tonight.  The relocation company will now step in and buy it from us and they will sell it to the buyers.  I do not know how quickly this happens but it is in the works.  I am not sure if it is after the home inspection but that should happen in the next week.

Wow!  I never thought that would happen.  I mean, I knew the house would sell but it just was wierd.  Thinking of someone else calling this place home and using MY cabinets and things is just, well, weird to me.  I mean I'm happy because this couple is young and will really build their memories here.  She also loves my gardens and and how I've decorated.  (hmmm....I like this woman! lol!). They don't have any children yet so this will be so great for them to have a home and begin a family....*sigh*.  That is where we were.  When we bought our home our firstborn was just a few months old.  He was 6 mo when we moved in.  I've had two babies here since. 

I know, I'm probably over attached to this house.  I am very sentimental about places and I very much am a homebody.  I love being home and really making it HOME!! To me home is where your truly hang your heart.  I work hard to make our home inviting and relaxing/comfortable.  Finances don't always allow for all I'd like to do but it amazes me how God has consistantly provided for us over the years and how we find things on sale or are blessed with money as gifts from family and we just put it toward something we really would like or need.  There have been so many times over the years that have been God moments and they have all happened here.  So many prayers and so much growth.  I know you always take your memories with you and it doesn't matter where you live but that God lives in you that makes all the difference but still.......

Anyway, we are set to leave the first week of September and the new owners will move in shortly after.  So very strange.  I hope they will be a good fit for our neighbors.  We have the world's best neighbors here and I wish I could pack them up too and keep them where we are going.

So, until next time, keeps those fingers safely tapping and honey, I'll be up late tonight, I have Blogs to catch up on!

Well, in just a couple of weeks we will be leaving for a vacation to Cape Cod and then down to SC for good!  Well, atleast until God tells us otherwise!  It's coming so fast!  No news on selling our house here.  I think the market is slow in most places.  We may need to drop the price again.  Someone is going to get a steal on this house!  Oh well, it belongs to God anyway and if He wants less for it then that is His choice.  I know He will provide for us.

I was listening to The Pineapple Story by Otto Koning.  If you have not heard this before you MUST listen to it!  Funny but so very profound!  In the first disc he is talking about surrender and how really everything we have belongs to God, everything.  From this I have learned to realize that my house belongs to God too.  I don't need to stress over the sale of our home and how are we going to afford a rental home and the mortgage on this one, etc etc.  It will all work out!  God has a plan and it all belongs to Him and if He wants to be bothered with paying for 2 places that will be up to Him!  I have so much more peace!  Don't get me wrong, I still find myself going back to being concerned but then I remind myself of that truth, it is God's and He will work it out.  This doesn't mean it will be perfect or easy for us, it very well may be hard but we will not be crushed by it.  That is the key.  God promises to feed us, clothe us and take care of us.  I also happened to believe that when we put Him first, He has a way of blessing us beyond our wildest imaginations.

So, we are moving the beginning of September-ish.  We don't have an exact date yet because we don't have a rental yet.  Should by the end of next week and then we can line up the moving company and all that stuff.  YIKES! I am so grateful though that we will have a moving company do all the work! Oh this is going to be exciting!!!  I'm sad to be leaving our friends and family but I'm also happy to move on and see what the Lord has in store for us.  It truly is a big adventure!

Hope you all are having a blessed summer!

I just entered a contest to win a Planner.  Not just any planner! Those are a dime a dozen, this is the "do it all for you", cannot live without, homeschool planner of the year! (maybe century?).  The Old School House Store has it and you know, it really does look great!

I have always wanted to use a planner but cannot seem to find the right one for my kids.  It was easy for me to wing it because my children are so young and in CT there are no rules for keeping track of anything I do with the boys.  However, that is about to change! In South Carolina, I will be needing to show what we do, how often, how much, etc etc etc!  This little baby would make my life soooooo much easier.  I hope I win!

So, if you need a great planner, a one of a kind, do it all for you to keep you sane! Enter in the contest section.  All you need to do is leave your blog link and write a piece about it! Like me!

So, what I want to know is since this thing can organize the disorganized, can it mop my floors too?

We are officially at the start of summer, well by a few days anyway!  Today Pie turns 7mo old!  I can hardly believe it!  He's so cute and LOVE LOVE LOVES icecream.  I let him have a tiny taste here and there buy man does he want the whole thing.  Actually he wants everything we eat, potatoes, steak, all of it.  I've started him veggies, pulverized, you know how stage 1 or 2 are, liquid.  I make most of my own but you should see this kid.  NO STRAINED FOOD FOR HIM, HE WANTS Filet mignon! Oh well, I keep telling him when he has more than two teeth we can talk.

My other guys are doing great!  Lots of activity over the past week.  Friends, get togethers, etc.  It's been really busy but very nice.  This past Sunday was my husband's son's wife's (ok, did you keep up with that?) 30th Birthday party.  They have a son K's age and from what my DH said these boys didn't stop the entire time!!! my two guys were wiped out by the time they got home and into the tub but they had the best time!  I had another committment that day and couldn't make it so I missed out on the fun.  I ended up with a bad cold and cut my day short anyway, oh my throat was sooooo sore!  Now I'm feeling better but can't wait for the nasal congestion to go away!  I was glad to be able to stay home in the late afternoon with Pie and just rest.  A cup of tea and some rest were just what my cold needed.

Today has been scrubbing floors and cleaning out closets.  We have an Open House coming up and I want people to be able to open closets without having to sign a waiver! LOL  Oh the junk one can accumulate!  I think someone moved in their junk into my house when I wasn't looking.  It can't really all be ours can it???  Yup, guess it is.

So, as soon as the house sells we are outta here!  See Ya! Hasta la vista baby!  Gonzo, adios. Later Dude!  I'm looking forward to this great adventure.  I can't wait to see our new home (when we find it and buy it).  I also can't wait to meet new friends.  I will miss my old ones.  I know we will keep in touch and friendship never ends, it just changes.....the friends I have now will always be there for me and I for them.  I have one who I have known since childhood and she's in the Bahamas.  We STILL talk and chat and keep up with everything.  As a matter of fact, she called me the other day when I emailed her about us moving and she was floored because they may be moving to SC as well!! They will be about 2 hrs from us but STILL! compared to the Bahamas, it's like right next door! YAY!!!

I will miss so many others though.  I know they will come down to see us but it's not the same. 

Ok, so much for the sob story!  Lots to do!  K has day camp coming up in a few weeks, he is sooooo excited.  He had the best time at scout camp last year and can't wait for this year.  I will take N on some exciting trips that week so he feels like he's getting something special too.  No one is doing day camps for little guys that week, too bad or I'd sign him up.  I'll keep looking.  Perhaps a good VBS will pop up.

Hope you all have a FAB week!

Our home is officially on the market!  Waaaah!  I love our home!  Someone is going to buy a really great home!  We met with 3 Realtors this past week and I think the one we met this Saturday (today) is the one we are going with.  She was really nice and has sold every house that she has marketed in the past 4 years.  She was very professional, local and just an all-around nice person!  I had such a good feeling when we met today that our home would be represented truthfully, honestly and rightly.  I felt that she would be really great at showing our home and also to the potential buyers.  She really knew her stuff and was happy to point out all the positives of our home.  There really isn't anything negative about our home.  I wish I could post pics.  Perhaps DH will do that but in the meantime, as soon as she has it on her web-site I'll post a link so you can see pics there!

So, we will be hopefully having folks come out to see our lovely home over the next few weeks.  I hope it sells quickly.....we need to be heading to SC in August the latest!  All in God's timing.  He is never early and never late.

We've been looking online at realty in SC and OMG!!! So many beautiful homes!  For those of you there all I can say is WOW!  Except, you need to stick with hardwoods and forget Fuscia!  That went out in the 80's!!!  So many homes with Hot Pink walls!! Ewwww!!! Sorry for those of you who really like it,  Neon pink is not a color I like!  On the other hand, Cranberry and dark colors for contrast can look really nice!  I like earth tones really, guess I'm partial to those. 

Anyway, I'm happy to get the house listed and I do hope it sells fast.  It will be hard to say goodbye to everyone but I do believe this is God's calling on us.  Not sure why yet but it will all be revealed in His perfect timing too.  I look forward to church down there too.  I am excited to think about the friends that God will place in my life and in the lives of my family. 

Til later!

It's official! We are movign to South Carolina!  Boo hoo! No snow! That I will miss so very much!  We will be in the Upstate (as I've come to learn it is called, oh I'm sounding like a local already! LOL).  This is going to be a wild ride.  That is all I'm going to say on that!

We had a great vacation.  We visited with family and also went to Gettysburg, Luray Caverns and Punxsatawney!   We saw beautiful country and very remote places in mountains that never seem to end.  it was a great week and travelling in an RV was awesome!  So very nice to have a house on wheels.  We did a small one (22ft) not the big bus but it was perfect!  No buses needed!  This was cozy and just right!  I can see us doing this again for sure.  Although, the gas was not so good.  A pull behind would be ideal and I think with the boys being so young, we would do less miles and just enjoy the various campgrounds and activities more.

Raining today and hot weather on the way.  Summer is ready to get underway for sure.  It's our June heat wave on tap for the end of the week. Yuck.  Lord, are you sure You want me to head south? 

First, Ryan's Dedication day went perfect!  We had such a nice crowd of family and friends at our home and though it was strange at first gathering on our patio instead of at a church, it ended up wonderful!  We prayed together and a precious couple we have befriended shared some scriptures with everyone on parenting and how the Lord views families and the roles of parents and Dads.  It was such a pleasant day and the sun came out too!! It was supposed to be showery but it turned out beautiful!  I was so grateful to God for that and ofcoarse for being there with us and blessing me with such beautiful children and a faithful family and friends.  *sigh* "smile!"

So life has been going with the flow and we are planning a vacation to points beyond! Not sure where we'll end up but it will be great just to be together as a family and enjoying eachother's company.  My DH has been traveling quite a bit and after his last trip to SC, it looks liek we MAY move there.  They have offerred him a job there and it would/could be a great opportunity for him.  The cost of living is a heck of a lot less than here too.  He's looking into it and I'm feeling mixed feelings.  It's funny, when we looked at moving to VA I was really nervous but that seemed to end up being just a dream and financially not in our best interest but this, this is the real deal!  I'm nervous and scared but also excited too.  Hard to explain.  I am not wanting to leave our families though.  It will be so hard on the kids as they are joined at the hip to my parents.  My parents are going to have a tough time too.  Oh I don't look forward to that conversation!!!  No more ocean, no more summers at the Cape. *SNIFF *SNIFF.

My DH thinks it would be good to separate from them and have a chance to grow but at the same time, I reminded him how nice it is when the chips are down to have family.  We will have no one but eachother.  I hope my folks will consider moving down with us or in a year or two.  We'll see.  I really like our home here.  I will obey though.  If DH really thinks this is what is best then that is what is best.  EEK!  Not to mention they really limit their homeschoolers. YUCK! I know, for those of you who live there it's probably no biggy but for me, I have no regulations at all whatsoever!  I do as I please! No reviews, no testing, no nothing!! I like that!

So, that's that.  We are going to have a great time with our vaca and have lots of summer activities planned with scouting and stuff.  It will probably go by REALLY fast!

I am currently re-doing the classroom area for the boys and hopefully will be able to post pics when done.  I still can't figure that out.  I know, I know.  I'm so seriously behind the times. It's sad.  I wasn't always like this but computers and programs are just too hard for me! 

This Saturday is R's Baby Dedication!  I had put it off for some time due to us not having a home church to attend and host it at but in the end, we are doing it here at our home with friends and family.  I realized that if I never had him dedicated it would be just fine as it is not in the Bible to do this.  That was another reason we held off.  I didn't want to just be religious you know?  So, we are doing it here where those who love us and our kids will be here to pray with us and agree with us in prayer for our family and to ask God for His favor upon our family in raising little R.

So far the weather is supposed to be beautiful so I will be having it outside! YAY!!!  I am really looking forward to it now but have been so busy that I haven't even cleaned the house or put the menu together! EEK!  It will come together soon enough.  No point in stressing over it too soon as if I clean the house now it will be destroyed by Friday! lol and food has to wait until Friday anyway.

So, I'm thinking outloud and hoping for a great day. 

B

Well, I said I couldn't wait but I wish I had! No really.  I now know that I am exactly where I need to be.  As a result of this post and other things that should remain private, someone found something I had written anonymously on another board.  How they found it was not really the right thing to do but in the end they found it and I am responsible for what I said. 

I had said some very unkind things about these people (family members) because they had hurt me.  My pride was dented, my feelings hurt and instead of walking in the Spirit, I did what all of us humans do, I walked in my flesh.  I did not call them and tell them I was hurt, I went somewhere and vented.  I vented so much that really everything I posted had nothing to do with what had actually taken place.  It started out with that but ended in saying things just to be hurtful and get others to agree with me.  It was wrong and I am ashamed.

When this person sent it to me they were very upset, rightly so.  I do not blame them for being shocked that I would say such things.  To be honest, I can't believe I said them either.  As I re-read my post it was like some crazy person took over my mind and said things that I truly don't feel toward them.  It is a terrible thing to see when we can see our flesh so clearly after the fact. 

Now, this was a year ago and when I posted all that, I was spoken to very clearly by a good friend.  She corrected me and I had truly let it go and I knew that it wasn't true.  I had said that later but that doesn't matter.  I never deleted the post.  Oh I wish I had because it was deleted from my heart and from my mind but you know how it is, when something is in print, that remains.  I am not very computer smart and never thought that someone would find it, after all it would take someone to not just search my name but to try possible usernames.  I also knew it was just a rant and a vent and it was not taken serious after that.  Now, a year later, it was found and I have had to apologize for it.  Rightly so.

So, why am I putting this here?  So that if you read this you will hopefully learn what I have needed to learn and hopefully you will not  have to learn the hard way like myself.

First, in James we do indeed read:

12Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

 13Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

 14But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

 15Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

 16Do not err, my beloved brethren.

 17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

 18Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

 19Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

 20For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

 21Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

 22But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

 23For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

 24For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

 25But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

 26If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

 27Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

3:2For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

 3Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

 4Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

 5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

 6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

 7For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

 8But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

 9Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

 10Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

 11Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

 12Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

 13Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

 14But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

 15This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

 16For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

 17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

 18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace

I did not bridle my tongue.  Instead of taking my hurt to the One who can truly help, and if I had initially and not after the fact, none of this would have happened.  Instead I walked in my flesh and tried to work it out in my flesh and the result was definately not good.

Then we read in 1 Corinthians 13:

1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

 2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

 3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

 4Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

 5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

 6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

 7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

 8Charity never faileth:

9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

 10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

 11When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

 12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

I was not being loving or any of the things that love requires us to do when we feel hurt or slighted. I was clanging brass. I was going through a very rough time emotionally then, I was very depressed and it was evident how far I had gone away from the Truth by my posting my feelings and the things I had said.  One of the worst things is that these two people whom I hurt have been seriously hurt by others in their lives.  In this one moment I did something that reminded them of the very people that they loved who hurt them so deeply for so long. I dredged up the hurt that they carry around and instead of being a balm in their lives, I was salt on the wound.  Instead of showing them Jesus, I showed them flesh.  I know this side of Heaven that will happen but I am still so very sorry it did.

So, I know that being saved does not mean we are instantly perfect. I know that this is a process that involves learning and in my case, sometimes learning the hard way.

1. Job 5:17
   Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:
   Job 5:16-18 (in Context) Job 5 (Whole Chapter)
2. Proverbs 3:11
   My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
   Proverbs 3:10-12 (in Context) Proverbs 3 (Whole Chapter)
3. Hebrews 12:5
   And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
   Hebrews 12:4-6 (in Context) Hebrews 12 (Whole Chapter)
4. Hebrews 12:7
   If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
   Hebrews 12:6-8 (in Context) Hebrews 12 (Whole Chapter)
5. Hebrews 12:11
   Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
   Hebrews 12:10-12 (in Context) Hebrews 12 (Whole Chapter)

So, God took it seriously too and you know, back when I wrote that, He saw that there was unrighteousness in me.  This did not catch Him by surprise.  After all, that is why He died for me.  He knew that I would struggle in this area because of my own unresolved anger and pain.  He knew that I would need to be taught and corrected.  He has brought this out for a very distinct purpose.  To chasten me but I see something else here too.  Not only have I been in bondage to fear and insecurity, so have these two wonderful people.  They too have been wounded and they were starting to trust me.  Trust is a HUGE thing to them as they have not had many people to trust in their lives.  I just gave them one big huge reason to not trust me.  I gave place for the Devil and boy is he running with it!!

So, to de-fang the Lion whom seeks to devour your soul (and mine!) I have learned that I need to be on my guard more.  I need to let this be a time where God's Word has it's perfect work because I neeeeeeeeeeed this.  I do not want to allow this again.  I'm sure I will as I am human and will never be perfect this side of heaven.  All I can do is to keep reading these scriptures and asking God to work this into my life. Then apologize when I get it wrong.

Like Corrie Ten Boom, in my own strength there is nothing:

Romans 7:5
For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death

Romans 7:18
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
Romans 7:17-19 (in Context) Romans 7 (Whole Chapter)

Romans 7:25
I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Romans 7:24-25 (in Context) Romans 7 (Whole Chapter)

Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 8:1-3 (in Context) Romans 8 (Whole Chapter)

Romans 8:3
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Psalm 34:18
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit

Psalm 143:10
Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
Psalm 143:9-11 (in Context) Psalm 143 (Whole Chapter)

Proverbs 1:23
Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
Proverbs 1:22-24 (in Context) Proverbs 1 (Whole Chapter)

Proverbs 11:13
A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter

In the Spirit there is everything.  I cannot change myself, only God can change me and I know that is why this is brought about.  With Him, there will be change and hopefully, Satan will get it stuck in his eye!  I would love to see Redemption occur and complete forgiveness from them toward me and me toward them.  I can only do my part.  My part was to apologize, which I did and to now ask God to forgive me, which I did and His answer is Yes.  Now I can only pray that God will help me continue to learn as He teaches me and that He will also help them to heal.  I pray for them all the time.

So, that is what it means to be real.  That is what it means to be transparent and upfront about shortcomings as an opportunity arises to do so.  Like I said, I share this excerpt from my life with anyone who may happen across it as a warning to not let your flesh get the better of you, though it will because you are human too.  BUT! When you do, apologize and ask God to help you grow in this area.  I pray that we will all see the peaceable fruit of righteousness in our lives as we yield to our flesh and give it no more place in our lives. 

Now is the time to put away childish things and to grow up.  I didn't realize how much I needed to do this until this time.  Now I know, and now I will be wiser.

Colossians 4:6
Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man

Matthew 5:37
But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil

Ok so did you ever notice how 15 min. can seem like forever?  lol I sat down to do my Bible reading time and wow 15 minutes sure drageed on.  I don't mean that disrespectfully, it actually reminded me of how much I have taken the scriptures for granted and how familiar we can think they are.  Some countries would love to have 15min. with the Bible and they would consider it the best 15 min. of their lives.  Shame on me.

The second thing I got out of this time was that I really need to be in James.  I started in John and now through a series of events, I realize I need to bridle my tongue (and my heart).  I have recently volunteered for an assistant position in Scouting with my son's group.  The Cubmaster is moving on after many years as her youngest is now moving on to Boy Scouts so she is going to volunteer her time in that capacity.  I had thought last year of taking over her position but then found out I was pregnant so I decided not to do anything with that.  Now, it is time for someone to take her place and another person who I know very well has stepped up to take it.  I have volunteered to be her assistant.  Now, the Committe Leader, the Retiring Cubmaster, current Den Leaders, etc all think I would be great in this position but when speaking to the person taking over, she is hesitant.  I have tried to figure out why but instead I found myself in a place of pride trying to convince her that I should be the one she picks!  I didn't intend for that to come across that way and long story short, I really feel that I might have come across very arrogantly.  I apologized to her but her response was not very endearing.  I feel bad.  I never meant to come across that way and I told her this but you know how it is, once you "open mouth insert foot" it is very hard to get it out!

So, here I am realizing I'm a jerk and have not behaved rightly, have apologized but did not receive a very enthusiastic acceptance and I cannot seem to let it go and forgive myself! UGH!  I still think I have another person to apologize to as well as I might have broken a confidence indirectly.  Boy, in one moment my pride made me a really yucky person.  I know that it overall is not a big issue, thank goodness! But I really want to be trustworthy you know?  I have been a person that others can count on not to break their trust and feeling like I might have done the very thing I value most, makes me feel horrible.

So, bridling the tongue and heart are what I need most to re-learn right now.  I think it is a very good lesson.  I just wish I didn't have to learn it the hard way.  I just can't believe I acted like that.  What a creep.  I guess it is an indication of how much I am lonely these days and feeling very insecure. 

So, that is Day One.  Gee, I can hardly wait to see what happens next. Really. Sheesh! Bring it on though, change is good, reproof is good.

B

I keep getting from DH that my son is not the same as other boys his age in academics.  I consider my son to be very bright but lately it seems as though my DH is falling into the hopeless pit of comparison that I have only recently climbed out of.  He has been commenting on my son's handwriting and ability to reason and such.  He hates writing and he is a warehouse of useless information! Like me! lol  Really though, he is very smart about stuff and mostly and most importantly knows Jesus!  how much better is that???  He has asked to be saved at the tender age of 7 and is very much about God and faith.  That is the best thing.  I count this as the best knowledge of all.

2Cor. 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

This has been a verse that I have turned to recently and remind myself often.  I know it to be true but I can feel the tug by my husband's desires and my own pride to take matters into my own hands. UGH!  Please Lord help me to only measure myself by your standards and your commands.

B

I came across this challenge through ilovemy3angels blog.  You can get there via my friends link below as I have no clue how to do the link thing in my typing sorry.  I so need a smiley that does a *sigh*.  ANYWAY!  A friend of hers is issuing a challenge, well, not really a "challenge" per se but a really good way to reap a wonderful, positive habit of reading the scriptures on a daily basis! 

I spend time in the Word with my boys most mornings before we begin our school day however, what is missing is my own time.  Three boys, a household and life leaves me with not much in the way of time or energy.  Mostly it's an energy thing.  My mind is mostly mush by teh end of the day and in the morning it's not much better!! lol! Nighttime feedings are getting old here.

So, if you are like me and need something to hold you accountable, why not sign up for her Month of April Bible Reading Make a new Habit ?  She will have a drawing at the end of the Month and will give a prize to a random name drawn out of a "cyber hat" but in the end, we are all winners as we will have a new gift of discipline with reading the Word.  Hopefully during that time we will all not only have just a new habit but a new intimacy with Jesus that will change our lives.  That is a prize for eternity!

Give it a whirl~I am!

B

Well, have you ever had one of those days?  I know.....you have, we all get them sooner or later.  This week started with a HUGE frustration.  We ordered a new couch for our den (yay!) only when they delivered it, it didn't fit through my interior doorways (ACK!)  the width of my doors is 29", and yes, so is the couch, exactly.  So, in order to get the couch in we must rip out our door casings.  Why is it that one simple thing leads  to another MAJOR PROJECT????  Don't answer that.

SO! I have a couch in my kitchen.  I mean smack in the middle.  I really don't have anywhere to push it aside either (small kitchen).  I'm thinking it's comical now. "Hi, would you like some tea? Here have a seat on the couch!"  "Would you like to stay for dinner, have a seat on the couch, wait, better yet, it's a sleeper sofa, you may crawl in under the covers and I'll serve you dinner in bed!"  Actually, I thought if I could open it up in my dining area I would and let the kids have "breakfast in bed".  Anyway to make it funny.

I was really upset Monday.  DH was out of town and you know, everytime that man leaves something breaks or goes wrong.  So this was the dilemna.  Now, it's not a total loss, we needed to replace the trim around the doors between the ktichen and down to the den but had put it off because it involves 9 doors! Yikes!  But now it will all get done.  CHA-CHING!$ and the two "doorways" that are from the kitchen to the office and then the office to the hallway are really not doors, they would be considered archways.  Instead of having them cased like doorways, we are going to just have them plastered.  It will be a bit cheaper for that with the cost of wood and such.  Then we will never have to worry about this again as we will gain an inch or so on the width after.

So that is my little drama. Oh, and the washing machine broke tonight, the dryer isn't drying well and the dishwasher is going on the fritz.  Anyone offering a giveaway for new appliances? Hmmmm......

So, I'm in a better mood about it all, hormones, gotta love 'em.  They either make you want to strangle the world or hug it!

B

Rosetta Stone has been the #1 foreign language curriculum among homeschoolers for a while -- next week they are unleashing a brand new curriculum, and you can WIN the *all new* Rosetta Stone Homeschool Version 3… FOR FREE! 

This is a $219 program (and believe me it's worth every penny!) and the winner gets to pick from any of these 14 languages: Spanish (Spain or Latin America), English (American or British), Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Irish, Hebrew, or Russian.

This will also include a headset with microphone, and students will participate in lifelike conversations and actually produce language to advance through the program.  Rosetta Stone still incorporates listening, reading and writing as well, in addition to speaking.  Many homeschoolers requested grammar and vocabulary exercises, and with Rosetta Stone Homeschool Version 3, they're included!  For parents, the new Parent Administrative Tools are integrated into the program and allow parents to easily enroll students in any of 12 predetermined lesson plans, monitor student progress, and view and print reports. 

To win this most excellent program -- in the language of your choice -- copy these (blue) paragraphs and post it in (or as) your next blog post -- then to enter the contest, go to the original contest page HERE: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/JenIG/501132/  and leave a comment with the link showing where you blogged about it.  And please make sure the link works to get back to the original contest page when you post it.  And good luck!  The winner will be picked randomly on March 26, and will be notified thru the link they left to their blog pg.   And if you have more than one blog, you can post them and enter those separately for more chances to win.   Yay for free stuff!

I can hardly believe how the time has gone!  No real exciting news or announcements but just living.  That is actually encouraging! I am not complaining! Praise God that I have nothing to write that is tragic or what have you, only the wonderful happy news of living the blessing of life!

This is Resurrection Weekend and all week I've been drawn to the Cross.  The contemplation on Christ, the questions of His great Mercy toward me.  I don't think there are words that I can express.  I have just finished reading Tortured for Christ by Wurmbrand.  If you haven't read this book, you must.  You can find it at most Christian Bookstores but you may also find it and other books by the him and others at Voice of the Martyrs (www.persecution.org).  I was moved beyond words and emotion at what this man and others endure.  It is truly foreign to me living here in America where I am free to worship and speak as I please.  I was amazed that they could endure such hardships as our minds cannot know and yet FORGIVE!!!  Freely forgive.  I have a hard time forgiving someone who has hurt me or made me angry.  I have two such people in my life who have lied about me, maligned my family, taken us to court (we have won but still, time money and fear!), they have broken up my house (literally) and put my family in jeapoardy.  We also are related.  Yet, I can hardly bring myself to forgive and to LOVE.  How do you love someone who is unloveable? I now see that compared to what Christians face who are being tortured, my life and these two individuals are a cake-walk.  i have no right to not both freely forgive but to love as well.

In his book Wurmbrand makes a distinction though between loving the persecutors of our lived and speaking out about the unhealthy ideals that have caused it.  In his case it was Communism.  He spent his life warning about Communism and speaking against it  but loving the Communists.  I hope that in my life I can learn to speak about the illness and not the ill.  As we all so often quote, "Love the sinner and hate the sin".  But do we? Do we really love the sinner?  Do we really forgive them?  I wonder.

May God work His perfect work in us that we may truly be His children and love and forgive completely.  I am not rightly able to confess that I have this down in my life.  I pray to see through His eyes and with His heart toward others and circumstances that are not in my control but affect deeply my life and comfort.  I also praise Him this day for allowing me to be free and to learn these great lessons not from a prison with illness, pestilence and beatings beyond comprehension for just calling upon His name, but to learn from the comfort of a house church, regular church, the street or park or wherever I please to worship Him.  Thank you Jesus.  Thank you!

B

Go to this site and check it out!  You can teach science by singing!!  This is an amazing giveaway!!!

www.mamaarcher.com  (you'll need to type this into your web bar as this direct link is not working for some reason)

When you get to tge site scroll down a bit and you'll see the giveaway. 

I hope this works!  I am so blog illiterate!

B

Ok so it's Monday.  Enough said.  Actually, I'm having a great day so far.  I was able to clean the house this weekend so it's in pretty good shape, oh if only it could stay that way!

I am behind in my stuff for today but you know, I don't really care.  The sun is shining which we haven't seen in a week but it is oh so cold today.  Windy and 20F for a high.  Not too bad for February but the wind just makes me freeze.  The bright sunshine and the Blue Sky are such a tease!  It looks very inving outdoors but I know if I step out, WHAM! the cold air is going to take my breath away.  UGH, my son has scouts tonight,  you know what that means!!! Brrrrr......

So this morning we doubled up on English, finished History 1 and will begin History 2 tomorrow.  We had a great time in the Word this morning and spent a bit more time there than I had planned but oh well, that's the sweetest place to be.  We still need to get through Math and our reading of Pilgrim's Progress.  That should do it for today.  Science test tomorrow and spelling words to review for a quiz on Wednesday.

Now, my concerns.  Back in the Fall my husband had spotted a great little business for sale in Virginia.  I mean  the middle of nowhere VA.  He is a professional with his MBA and a fabulous worker and bread winner.  We are not rich by any means but we are doing well.  He works and I am able to be home with my boys and we have a nice home.  No Mc Mansion or anything formal, we have a nice Cape and it is very cozy.  I love our yard and where we live and that even though we are a bit rural, we have so many conveniences nearby.  I can be at Walmart, Stop and Shop or several other grocers or bigger name stores in 5 minutes or 15 at the most.  I can also be at a mall in less than 20 minutes or a major mall or city in less than an hour.  I can easily access Boston, Hartford or Providence in no time and I can be at Cape Cod in 2 1/2 hrs.  So what am I going on about all that for? Because we may move!!! My husband has been very unhappy at work.  Not because the job itself, he like what he does and he likes who he works for.  The problem is the time it requires him to be away from his family.  He is required to work really late most evenings so basically he sees his sons on weekends only.  I get maybe two hours each evening.  He wants more time and so do we.  So, being self employed is what he desires.  He has actually talked about that since we met 10 years ago. 

So, we may be heading out this weekend to check out this area.  My problem? I really like our home and this set-up will give us a large dwelling above the business but it's not a house.  Our land would be very small, basically a tiny backyard.  The living quarters need MANY updates that we would not be able to afford after purchasing the business.  I must say that the surrounding countryside is gorgeous from what I have seen in pics.  The town itself is teeny tiny and there are NO conveniences, besides us.  Our business is the Do-It-All for the surrounding neighbors. There are about 1200 people in the town, that's all. 

Now scenario number two is a business in VT that is along the same lines but the living is in a house!  The land sounds lovely as does the area BUT who wants winter 9 mo of the year?  If only I could combine them.

The biggest problem I have though is family.  Both our families are here and I am exceptionally close to mine.  My dad is 82 and long story short, these are the only grandkids he'll ever have a close bond with.  Who knows how long he'll live and to take these kids from him will break his heart. My mom is in an uproar about the whole thing.  I have told her what can I do?  She has basically told me I should tell my husband no.  I can't do that.  I believe the Bible is clear that I am to submit to my dh and let things be.  He knows how I feel, he loves my family too and he loves his own but to stay here and watch his boys grow without him is more than he can bear.  We would love to do something here but there aren't any opportunities that wouldn't be the same situation he is in already, just for less money.  The goal is time together as a family, to work together and be together.  These business opportunities provide work and living on the same premises so even when long hours are required, he is only a few steps away.

I am really torn up about it.  On the one hand I would love to have an adventure and to be together as a family like that.  On the other hand, I hate leaving my family and what if we end up hating it?  It's a big risk and it scares me.  We are too old to keep starting over.  Almost 50 will be tough if he can't make this work.  Not to mention we'd have no health insurance.

Ok, so that is the jist of where I'm at.  Yikes!

Today we were able to get so much school stuff done quickly! WooHOO I love these days!  Our day started with Bible then English where K did his Cumulative Review, History which is almost done (!), Math Review of lessons learned, and to make his astronomy notebook, so we got in some Arts and Crafts!  Sigh, if only all days went this well.  K received a 100% on his history test and did really well on his mathmatics system review.  We are using the Professor B's math program as we were really bored with BJU Math.  Much of this disk is review for K but that never hurts!  He enjoys it as it is computer based and has a notebook for reviewing and to further the lessons.

N worked on Seasons today.  He seems to understand but we will review next week.  He tends to identify the seasons by what weather occurs, for example instead of Winter he calls it snow season, Fall is leaf season and summer is beach season,  Spring is rain time.  I really want him to grasp the differences because we have rain in all seasons and snow sometimes in 3 of the seasons but sometimes not much at all.  You can see the confusion?  He is able to know it as in common knowledge but I want him to grasp it firmly so we will review next week.  He has finished with sequencing and he has also been writing.  He has learned to write his name but needs reminding of the letter formation and order.  I am more than please with this as he is only 4!!  I must admit that I felt compelled to teach him sooner as my girlfriend's daughter who is only 3 is writing her name and it is LONG!!!  I know, I know bad momma.  I'm glad though as it brought me to a scripture about comparing and the Bible says it is not wise.  Still, it let me think on some other skills to work with him on.  Now I approach it with a better attitude and if he isn't getting it or if he is struggling or not showing interest, I can let it ride and just offer him encouragement instead of feeling like he "must get it and get it right now!". 

R is doing well.  He is my little chunky muffin.  He napped all through school time and I took some pics of him sleeping.  He is a thumb sucker!!!! HA! just like his daddy.  Well, like his daddy used to be.  I should probably calrify that so no one thinks he still sucks his thumb! LOL I wish I knew how to post pics or I would.  Someday I'll figure it all out!

Well, it's off to get some house cleaning done and get these banshees working.  Right now K is pretending to be a bad doctor and is pretending to poison his brother N.  He just told me he's looking for the "tube" that leads right to the heart!!! Only he would come up with something like that! Honestly, where does he get it from???? Well atleast he's trying to revive him now. Sheesh! 

Til next time! Keep your kids away from the Science Channel!lol

On Ground Hog Day every year we have a party.  I set up a card table in my Front living room (the "pretty" room) and I use my formal linens and table wear.  We light a fire in the fireplace and set the ambiance with a glass of wine and candles.  Then I make Hamburgers and hot dogs and homemade potato salad, chips the works! We have an indoor BBQ! Then after the food we watch "GROUND HOG DAY" with Bill Murray.  Hilarious!  It's lots of fun and the kids get a kick out of it.  I sometimes have them make table favors for everyone.  One year it was groundhog bookmarks, another year it was groundhog pins, another sunglasses for eveyone from the Dollar Store.  this year we all bought little somethings for eachother and had to agree to keep it cheap.  It also had to be a summer theme.  My mom bought the guys (dad and dh) brightly colored disposable razors and bought the kids plastic cups with a beach scene and candy (like they needed that!),  For me she bought two little dishes that are starfished shape to hand onto for summer cookouts on the patio.

I bought her a little jar candle in watermelon scent, a crossword puzzle book for my dad to do outside on their deck, and for my DH I bought him a Snickers bar for after his run during lunch break.  Now he runs all year but oh well. It was all I could do on the cheap.

So, it is a lot of fun. If you haven't started a Ground Hog Day tradition with your family do it for next year!  My mom started it 12 or so years ago one winter when we were feeling blah.  I came home from work (was living with them then) and she had started dinner and when I walked into the house I was like ok, so you cooked tonight but where its it? She told me to go sit in the living room.  I was like huh?  There it all was.  We had so much fun we do it every year and sometimes we don't do the formal thing but use paper plates and the typical picnic table cloth.  The point is to make it fun and change it up from year to year.

I hope someone here will do it next year and post about it.  I'd love to hear of your adventures with Ground Hog Day.  Happy Spring!

Today we started our day with Bible time then moved into history and English.  K had a spelling test today and he passed 100%.  He worked on writing while doing his spelling test as I gave him different paper today and it required him to use smaller letters and to really watch placement.  We skipped science today and math.  I had too many interruptions.  Normally I don't allow it but today was "one of those days". 

N worked on sequencing today in preschool.  He has done very well and in some ways could begin Kindergarten work but I prefer to review and make sure he's really ready.  He just turned 4 in Oct. and so I will let him work slowly.  He has learned to write his name and though he needs reminding in technique, he does very well.

I'm feeling the winter blahs now.  I so can't wait until Spring and we can get outside in the air.  It will really be lovely the first day we get out without coats and OH when I can open my windows and let air in!!! AAAHHHH!!!  We will be going to a nearby Greenhouse soon so I can't wait!!  They have the loveliest plants and even have giant citrus trees!! the lemons on one are the size of softballs, NOT EXAGGERATING one bit! They have many exotic plants in bloom and I just need to sniff "green" stuff. kwim?

Tomorrow K is camping over at a nature center near here and should have a great time.  I can't wait to get some scrapping done!  Well, once I get my table cleaned up.  That may take all night to do.  Oh well.  Looking forward to starting!

I hope you all are staying warm where you are if it's cold and if it is sunny and warm where you are, I don't want to know about it! lol Or else I may track you down and visit!  Put the kettle on!

I had so wanted to write before Christmas but time got away as usual.  So I am writing in the "Tweener Time".  New Years is just a day away yet Chriustmas is long spent, atleast it seems to be long gone yet the wrapping and gifts are prolific throughout my house!  I thought I had everything squirrled away and dealt with however, a box belonging to some unopened treasure makes it's way into the house and plastic wrap and styrofoam seem to multiply larger than the item itself.  Let's not forget those twisties from the myriad of toys my sons were given.  Good grief!  Do they really think that every part of the toy needs to be secured to the point of not being able to be played with? 

Anway, I will not go on about the woes of the holiday explosion, after all that is not what the Holiday is about.  The gifts, toys, gadgets and gizmos that befall our homes are blessings.  They are a wonderful and exciting part of living in a culture and economy where we can afford the extras and enjoy them.  No, Christmas is not found in presents as the Grinch found out, it is found in the wonder of God's love.  Our salvation was secured that day for no one could stop what God planned to do. Our future fate sealed either to believe or to ignore what God promised would come to pass through the Word and through His prophets and host in the sky who proclaimed it was begun.  The plan of salvation started long before that night in Bethlehem, long before Mary met Gabriel.  It began in the beginning of creation when Adam sinned.  Perhaps even before the first star was made, God knew.  Christmas is a reminder that God sees all from beginning to end and has a  plan.  He's already aware of our sin, our shortcomings.  He knew and died anyway.  He knew our heartache and pains over other's sins and the fallout of those choices in our lives.  He knew that we would also be victims of sin and  injustice so He sent His Comforter, The Holy Spirit to uphold us when we can no longer find a way to breathe or wonder if we should. 

Yes, Christmas is all that and more.  When I think of Christmas I think of the past, the plan but in motion in the very first moments of time and space that we know of.  I also see the present, my life and it's unfolding and God's plan made just for me!  Praise Him!  I also see it for my children and anyone I meet.  It is real, it is now, it is waiting!!!  I also see my future and that of others.  How can we look at the manger and not see the cross?  How can we not see the Resurrection?  How can we not see the Soon and Coming King????  Yes, I look at Christmas and I see the future of the Rapture and the SEcond Coming, I also see souls not willing to bow before Him.  My heart breaks for the lost at Christmas and always but more so at Christmas and Easter as this is the time when it is so obvious, so open, so "Out There" practically screaming BELIEVE BELIEVE!!! yet they will not listen.  Oh silly, foolish souls! Don't wait another minute! Why waste such precious time?  I did for so many years and now He is here in my life, He is my best friend, He is my everything!  Oh how did I live before?  I didn't, I was dead.  The walking dead only I didn't know it.  Now, oh life abundant!  Prayers heard and answered, my heart of stone changed!  A gift of Mercy!

I do so hope that amidst your explosion of wrapping and gift chaos you too will see the precious gems given to you!  Salvation, family, children, home, food, love and holding this all together is Christ!  On Christmas my father almost died from a blockage in his heart.  We were blessed to have it taken care of on Christmas Eve and he was home with us the next day! What a gift!  I have had a Christmas time of loss though, and I can say that it was more painful than I care to remember.  In it though was Christ.  He held my hand and my heart and carried me through the pain.  He has left in its wake a deep compassion for hurting people.  He is the one who gives and takes away but yet, He always gives again.  He never leaves us empty.  He has given me more children in the place of the one taken home to Him but He gave me more than this, He gave me compassion, mercy and strength to now give to others.  I will see my child again and what wonders that precious soul now already sees! 

Life is full of happy times and awful times.  Some of us seem to get more of one type than others do.  I hope that if this finds you in any extreme of joy or sadness you will think on the Coming of Christ in all of it's forms and what that means for you.  1st Coming was to show us His enormous love for us, His authority over this world and His great compassion toward us in wanting us to know Him and to die for our sin.  He would not and could not leave us in our state of death and separation.  The second coming/Rapture is also to benefit us.  We, when we become His own, are not appointed unto wrath and so He will come for us before the terrible time of tribulation.  The actual Second Coming is when He will set up His Kingdom and put an end to suffering once and for all and send each soul to the place of their choosing.  Mind you, the choice is made in this life, not in the one to follow.  So, what does this mean to you?  I guess that depends on your point of belief.  If you don't believe, it is mere dribble, nothing that soothes your heart or pain or purpose.  If you are a believer, than you can be encouraged by remembering your destiny.  If you are seeking, than you have a choice to make.  You must choose which camp you will join.  The scoffer or the destined to Heaven?  If you don't know what it means to have a relationship with Jesus, I invite you to e-mail me and I'll help you get to know Him.  If you already know Him, then I hope this Holiday season between Christmas and Easter finds you blessed and growing in your walk with Him.  I hope that you too can see the reminderof why He came and did what he did and to reach out to those around you who can't.

On another blog I entered a contest and had to write about my sons.  I wanted to post it here as I think I want the world to know how much I love being a mother and having my boys.  Enjoy!

Oh my. I have looked at this for so long in their catalog. My sons and I received a Vision Forum catalog this past year and all we have done is drool! Not only are the items they carry quality and enriching, their committment to the ideals behind them is astonishing in this day and age. But, enough about Vision Forum, this isn’t supposed to be an add for them though I could do that quite easily.

You asked us as mother’s to write about what makes our boys so precious to us. To “win” this item we must write about our sons. Well, I have not read through the other responses that are here and seeing as this is Thursday morning, I hope I am not too late.

If you visit my blog, you will find a post there that speaks on how angry I was with my sons. I have three now, at the time I was pregnant with my 4th child. Yes, one baby is in Heaven rejoicing with Jesus. Anway, on that particular day my sons had about driven me over the edge. When I re-read my post I cringe. Not because I don’t believe we all have those days, but because I didn’t take the time to give the whole truth. We do all have those days but the truth is, our children are such a marvelous blessing to us. I also have a step-son who is now 20 years old. He is living independently and it is a joy to see him thriving. You see, he was adopted and his biological mother was an addict. He has had many years of “problems” and the physical harm he has put us in has been really scary at times. Through those years of dealing with his mental illness, I thought surely God didn’t intend for us to live like this and would intervene. He did, but not how I thought He would or should. Instead, He worked in me. He has shown me how to love a person who is difficult to love. He showed me that love is not always sappy feelings but is a choice made moment by moment in each situation. Love is choosing the good for another even when they hurt us, use us or even abuse us. Love is setting boundaries for our safety and sanity but also for the one who is in the wrong. Love is willing to forgive even when there is no apology or repentance. Love reduces our pride and teaches us humility. In this, I have seen God redeem my stubbornness and has delivered my step-son. He is so happy now. Happiness is not something he knew growing up. His particular illnesses and conditions don’t allow much true joy, now, he is learning to stand on his own two feet and that he is worthwhile and does have something to give this world. He is exploring his gifts and faith and seeing that he too can be a man of integrity. How different from the many weekends of bringing him to hospitals trying to find help for him, the institutions, the meds, the dark days of seeing him thrashing about on the floor or destroying the house because he didn’t get his way. Now, we have peace in our home when he is here. Why? Prayer and obedience to God’s word. Even when I wanted to run away and give up on him, I bent my knee and bowed my heart before God and submitted to His way. It is never easy to do this in such extremes, but it can be hard even when we don’t have extremes. Humility is a tough road and not always easy but it is so worth the trip and the rewards are life-altering. That was my first experience as a mom, not even to my own flesh and blood, but well worth it. The lessons learned there are what teaches me now with the boys God has further given to me. I will continue to write on them as they are the ones in my sphere at present.

My sons are beautiful, handsome, creative and fun! They have the best senses of humor! Kyle loves to talk to others and is so relational. He is innocent in his understanding and amazing in his ability to communicate to others. He is sensitive, sweet and oh so very charming. I wish I could put a video up of him to show you how delightful he is. Nathan is whom we refer to as “A Party Waiting to Happen!” that is his personality to a “T”. He was born prematurely at 33wks and has lived on the edge since! Oh the stories I could tell!! They both live this life with a twinkle in their eyes and a smile on their lips. I smile just sitting here thinking on them. Let’s not forget my newest little bundle either! Ryan is just coming up on one month of age and he is already fun. The smiles and the coos, the quiet times nursing (when we get quiet moments! lol). To hold a little baby again and to have him is more than I can express. I never thought I’d be blessed this way again but God had different plans and I am so grateful that He did!

But is this all there is? I could write all day about our adventures, our fun times together, our simple daily laughs and yes, also our darker moments. The disclipline, the whining, oh the whining! The areas of struggle they have with obeying, getting along, responsibility, etc. The usual. My boys are 7, 4 and 1 month, they are still learning. So am I.

That is where the real blessing is. My boys are many wonderful things but I at times am not. God has trusted me with raising these sons to become men. What do I know about being a man? Nothing really. Yes, I have a wonderful husband who will take the charge but at these tender ages and being the one they spend the most time with, I bear the load. To create men of Faith, honor, integrity, courage, truth, wow! It is down right daunting most days and I tremble before God with that load. In this my weaknesses are exposed, I lay bare before God with my sinful nature and my selfishness wrapped around my like a garment. I can only beg Him for help as these are His future men, His precious creations entrusted to a woman who by her old nature could do much harm but in God’s Grace is learning differently.

To me, having sons is a great challenge to understand the mysteries o