Posted in Journal

   This afternoon the children and I went for a walk.  The weather was beautiful, and the children always like to get out and go on a "nature walk" when we can.  This is the first time I have taken baby Benjamin on a walk down our trails.  I think he enjoyed it.  He was definitely relaxed!

   Yesterday I collected a bouquet of wildflowers on my walk, and made an arrangement for the dining table.  One of my daughters said they looked so pretty that they almost looked fake!

   Last night there was a full moon.  I always like it when the moon is so bright.  Out here in the country, where there are no lights except for a neighbor's street light which is hidden from us behind trees, you can really see the moon and stars.  When all the lights in the house are off, and I walk outside, it looks almost like daylight when the moon is full.  If you have ever watched an old Andy Griffith show and there is a scene outside at night, that is what it looks like.  It feels like an old movie!

"He made the moon for the seasons; The sun knows the place of its setting."

                                                                       Psalm 104:19

Posted in Journal

   As I sit down this evening to type, I nurse Benjamin who can't resist craning his head around from time to time to see what that tapping noise is.  He is sleepy and I know in a few minutes I can lay him down for the night.  These are such precious moments and I relish them.

   Today, just as we were finishing up seat work, Grandmama called (my mother-in-law) to see if she could come and get Amanda and Rachel, and have them spend the night at her house.  She has been teaching them how to sew their own dresses, and I am super-grateful that she is doing this!  I know how to sew a little, and have made a few pieces of clothing before, but it is not something, at this time in my life, that I feel I can make time for.  It is, however, something that I want my girls to know how to do, and so I really appreciate my mom-in-law being interested in doing this.  Another thing she wants to do is teach them how to quilt.  Hurray for that, too!  So this afternoon, away went our two "big girls" with Grandmama.  That left Joseph as the eldest one here (he's 11 going on 12 in a few weeks).  He got to be in charge of the others while I went walking on our property this afternoon.  Fortunately all was quiet in the house.  Of course I am always within earshot if anyone needs me, but it is always nice to be able to take an uneventful, uninterrupted walk!  The wildflowers are all in bloom around the pond, and the yellow daisies (black-eyed susans?) especially look so nice - like they were purposefully planted all around by someone.  I guess they were - by God!

   Now it is time to work on the cook book, before it gets any later!

Posted in Journal

   I have been trying for some time to "get around to" writing on this blog.  My children are all into blogging, and it is just the kind of thing I want to do,  except for the time factor!  It is as my father-in-law said after he spent a few days at our house babysitting the children when I had baby David (4 years ago):  "Just when I got the breakfast dishes cleaned up, it was time for lunch!"  Isn't that the way it is?  No matter how organized I try to be, and how quickly I try to work, there is always something else begging for my attention.  Pretty soon the day is approaching midnight, and I mumble, "man, I didn't even get on the computer today."

   One of the things I love about homeschooling is the constant learning that goes on, and the constant interaction with the children.  It is good to get the seatwork done and out of the way, but the most fun is when we all learn informally.  I love reading aloud, and so do my children. (They like to listen, that is.)  Currently my husband reads aloud most every night out of the book "Unlocking The Mysteries of Creation."  That is one fascinating book that I would recommend to everyone.  It will whet your appetite for Creation Science big time, and make you thirsty to study real science (as opposed to evolutionary theory).  I have been reading aloud The Story of The World series to the children and the Little House on the Prairie to Abby and Mary.  It is amazing what they learn just from listening to reading aloud.  And how easy it is!  All of my children who can read are reading their own books, and sometimes just go down to our "library" in the school room and pick something out.  By the way, sometimes we "do school" in the school room, but many times, the children will sit at the table in the dining area and work while I am working in the kitchen.  I am close by enough to answer questions and help, but still able to make bread or clean up or start yet another meal.  Speaking of kitchen work, I have some I must get to now.  Hopefully it won't be six months before I log in here again!  Let's see, after lunch clean up, I will need to nurse baby Ben, put Beth down for a nap, then I need to get into the garden and plant those collard greens and cabbage and lettuce, then go for a walk, then do supper, get little ones ready for bed, have family devotions, probably do some clean up (and get the children to do their chores)  THEN work on my cookbook, hopefully.  All of this, The Lord willing.  I love the Lord.  I praise Him continually for His mercies and grace.  Our God is an Awsome God.