Last night I made homemade pizza, Kendra-style, for my family for dinner. This is the BEST pizza we've ever had. The kids can't eat enough of it. We decided to watch a Veggie Tales movie while we ate our pizza since pizza isn't too messy and I had stuff on the table.

**

During the movie, Abigail wanted MORE pizza. Mike was going to get it for her and he asked her if she wanted cheese or pepperoni. Abigail decided to get the pizza herself and got up and left the living room with her plate. Alison stands up and says in a very loud, Alison voice, "she wants PEPPERINA."

AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! I just blogged a BUNCH and it's ALLLLLLLLL GONNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

**

I'm not typing it all again. :(

Hello, friends. :)

**

Today will be a short post but I thought I should write while I have a few things on my mind. I always have good intentions but then forget what I had planned on writing about and then it just doesn't get done.

**

First thing: Today in school Ethan was reviewing things he had learned about sentences. Usually the directions say to rewrite the given sentence remembering to do "this" and "this." (I don't want to tell you what those two things are yet.) Anyway, today's directions said to rewrite the given sentence remembering the two important rules. I asked Ethan if he remembered what those two rules were. He said, "You start "it" with a BIG ONE and you end it with a POLKA DOT!" I cracked up. (He meant capital letter and period.)

**

Second thing: I don't mind mending holes in clothes. I don't like getting out the sewing box and finding some string, cutting it, threading the needles, etc. So, holey clothes stack up and eventually I'm desparate for something in the stack and am frustrated at having to rush to get my needle ready. So I finally decided that I had a good idea and I'd pass it along to you. RIGHT NOW go thread a needle and put it in a safe place (like your jewelry box). Then when you need it, it's already ready and you can sew that hole right away. I did it!

**

Third thing: Yesterday at a meeting there was a very nice devotion. It was quite long but I was left thinking about one certain part. Sometimes we are waiting on the Lord and listening and He gives us dots. We collect the dots,  connect those dots, and we run with them. Sometimes the Lord wants us to collect the dots and NOT connect them but instead KEEP ON collecting them. Today I'm waiting on DOTS. I'm going to try my hardest to not assume I've got it figured out and start running. I'm going to keep on collecting and wait.

**

Today I'm thankful for frozen fruit bars, my wonderful husband who finished taking down the living room/hallway border without me asking, and for the fresh air outside.

Hello. Today is Wednesday. Normally this isn't my favorite day of the week but today I am seeing it as HALFWAY to the weekend. Although we don't have anything planned as a family, I feel like the days are longer on the weekend and that not as much is expected of me since I don't HAVE to homeschool on the weekend.

** (I put these stars in because it bothers me that when I hit enter it doesn't make a new paragraph.)

I haven't been myself lately... lots of ups and downs. Today I am feeling great though. I am going to make myself some coffee, which I never do, and start school earlier than normal. I'm going do laundry, which I don't enjoy, and I'm going to take down the border in my living room.

**

Abigail hasn't been feeling the greatest the past few days. She's snoring VERY LOUDLY for the past 3 nights and has complained more about her lungs hurting (asthma). We didn't pick up her refill of her prescription but will do that soon. She has also been complaining a little about her ears but not enough to take her to the doctor. It is hard when one of your kids is sick. You wish you could help them immediately but sometimes it takes a lot of time.

**

I really have nothing to say today but felt the need to write since it's been so long. I think I'll end it here for today.

**

Today I'm thankful for warm, cozy blankets, Kenny G Christmas music, and that the Lord provides for all of our needs in ways we can't plan.

**

Have a super day, friends.

Hello, friends. How are you today?? I was going to just leave the computer but decided it had been a while since I posted anything. We've been our usual business... some days crazy and some days slow. Some days fun and some days difficult.

We went to (Mitch) Lynds Fruit Farm in Pataskala and got our pumpkins and picked apples.

Last night we carved them.

I forgot to write a few weeks ago that I have discovered a major fear of mine. I am afraid of being lost on a country road ALONE in the car and not having a map to find my way. I drove myself to Bible study a few weeks ago at our Pastor's house and somehow missed the turn. It was just getting dark and my cell phone minutes were almost gone (prepaid Tracfone.) Thankfully I found my way and all was well but it made me realize that I don't like being out on a country road in the car by myself. I know though that I won't make that mistake again... or will I????

I also made a few cakes this past month:

For a wedding shower

For another wedding shower

For a Cancer fundraiser

Today I am thankful for my family, LOTS of cell phone minutes, and the beautiful red bush next door.

Hello everyone out there in blogger land. It has been a while since I posted. My usual reasons apply again: NOTHING to write, then too much to write that I don't know where to begin, then busy, then dealing with different issues and not in the mood. But today I have decided to just get back to it and not try to cover these past weeks but to just start from today.

*****

Today if I wrote how I was really feeling then you would not want to read this blog. Although the weather is beautiful and my kids are super and we've done great in school this week my mood is very low. I will not talk about it though because I only want to be encouraging today.

Today my verse is John 14:27- Peace I leave with you, My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

No matter what major or minor issues you may be going through the Lord is the giver of peace. All we have to do is allow Him to give it. How often do we have to remind ourselves, "DUH!!!!!!! GO TO THE LORD!!!! STOP TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING YOURSELF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Well, maybe you don't, but I surely do.

*****

Today I am encouraged knowing that the Lord loves me and cares about my little issues. I hope you will be encouraged, too!!

*****

Today I am thankful for my new medicine that helps my migraines go away much quicker (although it does increase my heart palpitations but I'll figure that out later), my lovely children who are so entertaining and encouraging to me, and the Lord loving stupid, silly me!!

We have a countdown on our white board in our school room and we are getting excited. The school room is cleaned and organized. Books are on the shelf. My planner is filled out. I still have to clean out the desks and make sure we all have our school supplies in the right spot... in the desks and not in the bedrooms, under chairs, in bags, etc.

A few of my friends have posted their curriculum for the year so I will do the same also. Here it goes:

Group Subjects:

Abeka Health, Safety, and Manners 3

The Story of the World: Ancient Times (LOVE THIS!!!!! We started this already but will finish it this school year)

Blake, age 4 3/4, kindergarten:

Teach Your Child to Read with 100 Easy Lessons

Scholastic Phonics Ready Readers

Handwriting Without Tears

Complete Book of Everything K

Abeka Discovering God's World (with Ethan)

Swim/Gym/Art at the YMCA (winter and spring only)

Ethan, age 6, grade 1

Abeka Language 1

Abeka Letters and Sounds 1

Abeka Writing with Phonics 1

Grade 1 Reading Text (old public school text books)

Math U See Alpha

Abeka Discovering God's World

Swim/Gym/Art at the YMCA (in the winter and spring only)

Abigail, age 8, grade 3

Abeka Language 3

Abeka Writing with Phonics- Cursive

Check the Deck: Stack the Deck Writing Program

Grade 4 Reading Text (old public school text books)

Math U See Gamma

Abeka Exploring God's World

Swim/Gym/Art at the YMCA (winter and spring only)

Ballet Lessons

Hello there. I won't be AmyMomofFour anymore. I don't think it's possible to change to AmyMomofFive. I'd have to totally make a new site and then give a new address to everyone. Forget it. I'll just stay the same.

**

I can't wait to start school. I don't have us officially starting until September 2. Should we wait until then if we are all ready to start now???? I don't know. Abigail wanted to start school over a month ago. She begged me for a math lesson one day. LOL

**

We have a mini camping vacation planned for Labor Day Weekend. I can't wait to get away. It's very rugged but it will be great to get away to the middle of nowhere and just be together with extended family.

**

Also, we have a family trip planned to Edisto Beach, SC the third week of September. I really can't wait for that. Every two years my parents, my family, and my sisters and their families go away for a week together. Since we only go every two years it is LOADS of fun. The kids are all a little older this time too so it "might" be more relaxing.

**

Abigail had her 8th birthday this past Friday. It was a great evening... especially since the night before she had a seizure and fell to the ground, hitting her face on a chair leg and giving herself a major shiner. Anyway, here is a pic of her cake.

**

**

Well, back to cleaning. I stopped to post on here but I need to get back to work. Hope everyone has a successful school year this year.

Hi. I was trying to figure out how to create and new template because the ones on here are very boring. I don't have time to sit and concentrate right now.

**

But... I did want to share something funny. While I was sitting here trying to figure it out all four of my kids have put on matching shirts... actually two matched and the other two matched... and they are all running around in their undies and t-shirts. Very silly especially for the two older ones who have become very modest.

**

Today I am thankful for giggling kiddos, strawberry yogurt, and the Lord's peace.

**

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPHANIE!!!!! Love ya!! (BNLAL)

Hello. Today is Alison's Day. What does that mean????? Well, I decided to start something new in our home. Every month of the year the kids will get to have "their day" on the number of the day that they were born. Example, Alison was born on the 11th of a month. So... every 11th of each month is her day. She gets to pick the meals, the games, the tv show, etc. AND in the evening she gets to go out alone with either Mike or I. I'm not sure what I'll do with Alison today as I have a board meeting tonight for church. Maybe I'll take her to the meeting and then we'll go somewhere. Hmmm.

Anyway, the kids are excited about our new plan. This will ensure them regular individual attention and also they can feel special in their home being able to pick their favorites.

I'm VERY excited to start school. I ordered the last of my books a few days ago. I can't wait until they come in the mail. I ordered with my sisters so we could all save on shipping. I got a few books in the mail last week just before I left town for a funeral so I didn't have lots of time to look through them. I am going to fill in my planner today with the books I have. I switched Sciene this year to Abeka and I think it looks great!!! I got them each their appropriate level of science instead of doing it together but I think it will be more fun and interesting for them to have their own. Plus... more one on one. Abigail and Ethan will do History and Health/Safety together.

Today I'm thankful for wonderful scented oil plug ins from Bath & Body works because my a/c stinks. AND I'm thankful for a nice warm bed. I slept like a log last night.

Hi. I'm tired today. I stayed up late playing GoStop and now I'm tired. The kids have been so good this week. Have they been good?? Or have I just been patient?? Either way, our house has been peaceful this week. They've been a joy and we seem to be getting through our day smoothly.

**

Today I am babysitting Madeline & Braden (Dawn's kids) for a few hours. If only I were watching Brooke's kids too I'd have watched all of my nieces & nephews this week. All of the kids are getting so much older that it's not really a big deal or stressful to watch a bunch at a time. Most of them play together nicely. Of course there is an occasional issue but in general time goes by quickly and they all have fun.

**

I am so excited to be receiving my curriculum soon. I ordered all of my Abeka stuff and it should be here before I know it. I've already started my planner book and have my history mapped out for this school year. I think today or tomorrow I'll order my math u see stuff (and Dawn's & Brooke's to save on shipping) AND my writing book from Stack the Deck. I'm very excited to start back up. Abigail is in third grade. Ethan is in first grade.

**

I better get it cleaned up down here, make lunch, and get my dinner in the oven. It is still early but I want to SLOWLY bake my chicken all day long. I went to a friends house on Friday for a playdate and she had made the most DELICIOUS chicken in her oven. She added NOTHING to it... no salt, water, pepper.... nothing. It was SOOOOOO tasty. I'm going to attempt to make it just like she did.

**

Today I'm thankful for a FLY-FREE house (was visiting a home yesterday with lots of flies and they kept crashing into my face, my neck, my hair, etc.) and also for Alison's precious voice. She is so sweet. I love hearing her talk. :)

**

Have a SUPER day!!

Hi there. I am failing at updating this blog. I have such good intentions. The biggest reason is that my computer is giving me MAJOR problems these days. Nothing that can't be fixed. I have a SUPER brother-in-law and Dad who know LOTS about computers and save me money by helping me figure out my issues. Well, not MY issues but the issues of my computer. LOL.

**

Hopefully in the next few days I'll be up and running like new. My computer freezes up a lot so when I'm on here I have to pick and choose what I'll be doing.

**

Yesterday I took my kids to the Ohio State Fair. I was a little nervous because I knew it would be crowded and very difficult to keep my eye on FOUR kiddos and make sure they didn't get kidnapped. Alison was in the stroller so that helped out. Dawn and Brooke also went with their kids. It was fun for the kids. Too bad we didn't have more money to spend though. I think they would have loved to ride the rides ALL DAY LONG and forget about all the animals.

**

The good news about the fair was that from 9:00am-9:30am you got in free yesterday since it was opening day. We did have a great, inexpensive day. I actually think we might go back again, this time with Mike and we'll probably let the kids go on more rides.

**

Another super thing about the fair is that I was running late and in order to get in free I had to be on time. What is so great about that you ask??? Well, I was FORCED to go on the freeway instead of the backroads I had planned on. It was not bad at all on the way there even though I was in the end of rush hour. Also, I was following Dawn so that gave me a little extra security. I had time on the way home but with all the chaos near the fair I decided to follow Dawn home on the freeway. That was a little scarier. It was crazy and there was more lane changing required.

**

Anyway, the Lord helped us be safe and the day turned out to be very enjoyable. The storms didn't show up like they were supposed to. We just had a nice, refreshing sprinkle. It was very overcast so we didn't even apply sunscreen. Best of all, my kids were SUPER!!! I had no discipline problems at all. I sure was proud of them.

**

I took some pictures but don't want to chance putting them on my computer for fear of it freezing up. Maybe later I will do it when I have time to fix any problems that might occur.

**

Today I am thankful for my FOUR PRECIOUS CHILDREN who I don't deserve but I truly thank the Lord for letting them by "mine" here on this earth. I am also thankful for my sisters for being such good friends to me and for wanting to spend the day with me. I am sometimes surprised that all sisters aren't as close as us. I just figured this was the way it was with everyone but I realize that we really do have a special relationship.

Today I started my day off with God's word in an effort to be more patient and focused. I just opened the Bible and let the Lord lead me. Here is what I read:

**

Rescue me, O Lord, from evil men; protect me from men of violence, who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up  war every day.

**

Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from men of violence who plan to trip my feet.

**

O Lord, I say to you, "You are my God," Hear, O Lord my cry for mercy. O Sovereign Lord, my strong deliverer, who shields my head in the day of battle.

**

(Psalm 140: 1-2, 4, 6-7)

**

AND I read:

**

O Lord, I call to you; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to you. May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the ifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Let not myheart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies. Let a righteous man strike me- it is a kindness; let him rebuke me-it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it.

**

But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge- do not give me over to death.

**

(Psalm 141: 1-5, 8)

**

I am always so excited when the Lord gives me great scripture to read. I highlighted the parts that were most meaningful to me today. I will be strong in the Lord today.

WOW.... I'm on a roll.

I just thought of something I wanted to share. I am in a major rut when it comes to dinners. Half of the kids like the food and the other half don't. I came up with a great idea this past weekend.

I went online and found some new recipes and printed them off. I'll try 4 new recipes each week. If the majority of the kids (3) like it, then it will go into a binder. After I have come up with a good selection in the binder I will then let each kid pick one meal each week before we do grocery shopping.

So far we've tried two new recipes and they were both BIG HITS!!!! I'll share what they were and some pics at another time.

Hugs,

Amy

Hi. I was thinking about my title from my last blog... Waited Too Long. I was thinking about how I had so much to write about that my mind was frozen and I couldn't get it all out. I was thinking about how there was just way too much to catch up on and I wouldn't have the time to write it all.

That got me thinking about the Lord. Sometimes I fail to keep in touch with the Lord. A day goes by where I have been so distracted by things around me that I haven't spent any time with the Lord. How awesome it is that no matter how much time goes by the Lord is walking with me all along and I don't have to catch up on everything. It is important to have daily time in the Word and prayer with the Lord so don't get me wrong here. What I'm trying to say is that the Lord alread knows what we want to say and what we've done. We don't have to agonize over things because the Lord was/is there and already knows everything. We don't have to give an entire background and history of something.

Okay, funny conversation between me and Blake:

Blake: "Hey, Mom. What's the name of that big kitty that has all the little kitties an puppies.?"

Me: "Blake, I have no idea what you're talking about."

Blake: "You know, that big kitty that has all the little kitties and pupplies in it.??"

Me: "Sorry Blake, I really don't know what you are talking about."

Blake: "Oh wait!!! I know!!! It's the Kitty Foundation. We should go there and get a puppy for Siam & Lilia (our cats.)"

Me: "OHHHHHHHHHHHH, you mean the HUMAINE SOCIETY!!!!!"

Blake was confusing the humaine society with the KIDNEY foundation. LOL

See ya.

The problem is, I waited too long to write on this blog and now I don't know everything I had planned on writing about. The longer I wait to write, the more I don't WANT to write. I'm not going to try to go back and remember everything. I'll just start from the present. My past week or so has been depressing anyway.

Yesterday I was able to go on a road trip with a college friend of mine, Amy. Although the trip was great and we talked nonstop it was bittersweet as we were going to attend a viewing for the father of Amy's college roommate. The weather was beautiful and the conversation was great. I have been struggling the past week or so and really need some "friend" time. Amy is such an encouragement to me and I am thankful to have her as my friend.

I attend a Ladies Bible Study every Thursday evening. This past Thursday I learned two important things. The first is to never say unkind things about your spouse. You may be getting things off of your chest but you are hurting the testimony of your spouse. This is especially true for people who don't know your spouse. What little they hear you complain about will register in someone's head as FACT. And others don't always forget like we do.

The second thing I learned is to just give in and not  "right fight." Sometimes we feel like we must keep on going until we have proven we are right. Most of the time it is regarding unimportant things. WHO CARES if we are right. WHO CARES if we are wrong. Do these things matter to Jesus??? If I think more highly of others than myself then I don't need to be right.

That is all for today.

I've been busy but have many things I want to post. I'll be back later to post a blog and a few pics. I picked a new template so that everyone would know I'm still alive!!

I posted already today so be sure to check it out.

Hi, Kendra. :)

Well, I'm feeling A LOT more relaxed today. I have spent the last few weeks in and out of the house. Going from this activity to another activity. One meeting to another. This party to that party. Up to my elbows in CAKE, laundry, school, MESSY HOUSE!!!!

Yesterday my friend Amanda got married. I was so happy for her and thankful I was able to share in her joyous day. (I had dreamed that she didn't invite me to the wedding.) I made the wedding cake which was LOTS of FUN for me (really... I'm not kidding) but it also comes with a little stress and nervousness since it is such an important event and you want everything to be perfect. The cake turned out nicely but there were a few things I wasn't happy with. Here's a picture of the cake:

Here's a picture of Amanda and her husband Josh. She was beautiful and looked VERY happy. She has really been through some hard days and has been an encouragement to me.

Mike started feeling really sick during the reception so I DROVE HOME ALL THE WAY FROM DAYTON.... ON THE FREEWAY!!! If you know me then you know that was huge. I'm afraid of the freeways.

I finally was able to see my house again today. We cleaned the floors last night and I'm getting things back in order for school tomorrow. Ethan had his 6th birthday party last Saturday and I hadn't put the downstairs back in order from that. We had to do school at the kitchen table last week.

Anyway, I've got too much going on in my mind right now and can't organize my thoughts to write. SOOOOOO I'll write again soon and I won't be rambling as much.

We started our Co-op yesterday. It was very stressful for the first half hour but then it was okay. I got in the building later than I needed to. I had to make a few stops before heading up to make announcements to the group. We started late as usual. AND I am teaching the first hour so I have to get down to my room quickly. That is hard because I have to take Alison to the nursery.

Anyway, enough about that.  My class was AWESOME yesterday. I am teaching "Can-Do Cooks" to the 5-6 year olds. It's probably more appropriate for the 3-4 year old class but this is where the need was. Each week we will have a theme and make a food snack to go along with it. We started our class by going around the table and telling our names, how old we were, and what we like. Then we gathered on the floor and I read two books about spiders. THEN.. the fun part. We made spiders!!!!!! AND ATE THEM!!!!!!! We frosted vanilla wafers with chocolate. Then we added pretzel stick legs. Lastly we added two red candy eyes. Here are some pics!! Hope you enjoy.

The whole class (one girl absent) frosting their cookies!

Jordan with her spider!

Lukas with his spider!

Braden with his spider. (He didn't want to smile.)

Kaleb with his spider!

Ethan with his spider! (He gave his a few extra eyes!!)

Gabe with his spider!

I had to make (and eat) one too!!

Next week our theme is TRAINS!!