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I just wanted to drop in real quick and send a hello. Life has kept me busy with many projects. Praise the Lord for that. The winters here are kinda long (for me at least) and keeping busy, helps. Our Christmas was super yet very simple. A few days before Christmas, my dh's First Ssgt knocks on the door and brings us a huge box of Christmas Dinner goodies. That was so very thoughtful of them to look out for us like that. (We were really touched, we felt so blessed) There was a catch though...he had 2 boxes because another family had declined theirs, and he wasn't taking these 2 boxes home with him...so we "had" to accept. The funny part was because of the Lord's grace this year we were blessed enough to buy our family quite a feast prior to ever realizing were were getting a dinner box. So now we had 3 meals, all ready for Christmas! So anyway we thought for a second about what to do and decided to call our church office just before they closed (this was the Friday before Christmas.) We talked to the Assistant Pastor and asked if they knew of any families that needed a Christmas meal. He didn't quite understand but said yes bring the food to the Christmas Eve Service. Well we did, (both boxes) and ended up also serving in the children's ministry that night (because they were short handed.) It turns out there were 2 families in need at the church, and the pastors didn't really connect the 2 situations until they saw the boxes and the families they went home with. Then they realized as did we that the Lord was at work in the backround (as usual.) And I believe the whole situation increased the faith of our pastors who work so hard yet get so busy and sometimes miss God's backround work. It was such a blessing to just slip out of church that night knowing the Lord is so sovereign. That really made our Chirstmas!

New Years was fun as well as we were invited to our friends property to go sledding and to have a nice dinner. The kids had a blast rocketing down that steep hill. I of course being a mother, just about had a heart attack watching them!! The week after, my dh left for a short week long trip to another stateside base to attend an AF conference. We missed him, however we were thankful it was short. We also recieved a ton of snow the week he was gone (that I had to shovel) and 2 of our 5 children came down ill with some stomach thing! Sigh! It's always interesting when they leave! Any military family can attest to that. LOL!!

Well I will add another post on top of this one to share an ultra yummy recipe I made for dinner the other day. It was healthy, tasty and all my kiddos ate every bite! My 3 yo son even said, "mom my favorite part was... the meal." LOL!! Well you had to have been there. We thought it was really funny. One last thing... at the end of the month I will be undergoing some intense dental surgery and I would love your prayers. I hate needles and dental pain. LOL! Thankfully my sweet dh will be taking leave to take care of me and the family while I recover. For those that knew I was severly ill over the last few months-- I am still in recover mode but I am doing better, taking a high end multi vitamin has helped a lot! (Of all things.)

Blessings and take care,

~Renee~

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Hey there,

It's been another small break in blogging due to health issues. For many months I have been fighting a severe Staph infection, and the antibiotics have been fighting both me and the infection! LOL!! It's been a rough road at times. Anyhow, I wanted to upload my winter/Christmas template, and type a quick note to wish everyone who reads this a Merry Christmas, and many blessings. The Lord is so good... whatever comes our way in life the Lord is faithful to take us through it and use our circumstances good and/or bad to shape and mold us. He also allows us to come along side others who might be in that same situation down the road and offer peace and grace to them. What a blessing!

~Renee~ 

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Well it’s been an even longer time of no blogging! I have been feeling led back to this so I am planning on easing back into blogging. For now I have updated all my graphics to reflect the season, curriculum additions, etc and hopefully start fresh. This last year has been filled with activity and growth especially on the homeschooling front and our family’s faith in Christ. My husband and I have been working our way through the bible verse by verse and it has lead to such great conversations and growth. Over the summer we took some great day/field trips which I hope to include on here asap. I am keeping this short this evening so that I may go and bake some cookies with my girls as we prepare for a visit from family.

Blessings in Him,

~Renee~

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Long Time No Blog…

I know it’s been quite a while since I last blogged. I felt I needed to take a bit of a hiatus from things, kind of like a fast from computers, phones, and TV. I felt it building up over the course of the last three years, as they were challenging. I was spiritually and emotionally spent. During my hiatus my husband and I took up reading the bible and lifting up our day in prayer together every morning before sunrise. It has been a wonderful time to connect with each other as well as our Heavenly Father. He has begun to fill us up again, deep inside. It’s like taking a long drink of cool water on a hot day. It’s been very refreshing. We also finally found a church home where we feel God’s magnificence and glory abundantly.

Homeschooling has been going fine. We surge some days and others we barely get anything beyond the basics done. This was an area I could feel was over taking me emotionally. I felt cornered and hopeless. I felt that our homeschooling journey would not be successful, with three little ones under three in tow. My oldest two have been great and very patient through it all. I basically had to give it all over to the Lord and claim His promises that “He would work out all things for the good of those who love Him.” Every morning I have to trust that He will fill in the gaps and allow me to overcome my perfectionism in this area. If I keep it in perspective, and look at the big picture, they are learning a lot. We have our basics, which I can take as much time on as I want, like bible, grammar, spelling, reading, writing and math. If they don’t get it we can keep trying until they do get it. When we can’t get to history and science, I have them open up good resource books and just look through and read them. We watch science and history shows, and discuss that period of time and look up the things that sounded interesting as a way of filling in the “gaps.” Best of all their characters are flourishing. They have so much honesty and integrity; it fills my heart with joy. That’s not to say they don’t have their days, because they do. LOL! So when I look at it like that, I feel much better. Boy is it ever hard to let go of the “traditional school” approach, and just adopt a more natural approach. My dear sweet husband gave me great wisdom in this area… he said, “You have to let go of the expectation.” He thought I was going to hang up the phone on him! LOL! Actually…it made me think, and pray.

The conclusion I have come to is that homeschooling is a frame of mind, a perspective. 

I will post again as soon as I can. It will most likely not be everyday though. Unless I surprise myself! I’ve updated my blog look to reflect the season, and will change it again next month for winter.

~Renee~

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Have you ever felt this way? I know I have many times! So, I am wondering can you come up with one for your situation. If so, it would be really fun to see what you write. Let me know if you do. 

 

 

 

If You Give A Mom A Muffin by:

Kathy Fictorie

 

IF YOU GIVE A MOM A MUFFIN, If you give a mom a muffin, She'll want a cup of coffee to go with it. She pour herself some. The coffee will get spilled by her three year old. She'll wipe it up. Wiping the floor, she will find some dirty socks. She'll remember she has to do some laundry. When she puts the laundry in the washer, She'll trip over some snow boots and bump into the freezer. Bumping into the freezer will remind her she has to plan supper for tonight. She will get out a pound of hamburger. She'll look for her cookbook. (101 Things To Make With a Pound of Hamburger.) The cookbook is sitting under a pile of mail. She will see the phone bill which is due tomorrow. She will look for the checkbook. The checkbook is in her purse that is being dumped out by her two year old. She'll smell something funny. She'll change the two year old. While she is changing the two year old the phone will ring. (Of course!) Her five year old will answer it and hang up. She remembers that she wants to phone a friend to come over for coffee on Friday. Thinking of coffee will remind her that she was going to have a cup. She will pour herself some. And chances are, If she has a cup of coffee, Her kids will have eaten the muffin that went with it. ----- (Based on "If you give a mouse a cookie" by Laura Numeroff) 

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I was tagged by my buddy 5ChatterBugs...I suppose I need to list 6 things about myself. Hmmm….

1. I accepted Christ as my Savior at age 7. Though I have had many stumbles (or complete flops!) along the way, He always lifts me up and helps me to dust off.
2. I met my sweet husband when I was 14. His best friend was my “boyfriend” and we were trying to set Chris (my dh) up with my best friend!! LOL!! I guess things didn’t work out the other way…instead the Lord set Chris and I up. YAY!!
3. My dh and I lost our first pregnancy, before we were married. (Yah, I know…) I was 16 weeks along. We felt very strongly that the little one we lost was a girl. As sad as that time was…we have 5 children now! God is good!!
4. I never graduated high school. My senior year I was kicked out of the house I was living at (my “best friends”) because I was pregnant. So my boyfriend and I got a place to live together, got married a few days after I turned 18, and we both got full time jobs.
5. When I first started homeschooling…I thought it was only going to be until my oldest finished second grade…Well he’s in “third” going into “fourth” next year and we aren’t stopping!! LOL!!
6. My dh and I tried to have our 3^rd child for 2 years….ironically it wasn’t until we relented to the calling from the Lord to homeschool that we ended up pregnant. Then pregnant again, and again. Hence the 5 children! Hmmm…I wonder… LOL!!  

I hope you found these interesting enough… now it’s your turn… MommyChurch, layla7, Titus2Mommy, and Janet.

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10 Things I’ve learned/noticed about living E. WA (This is all written in fun, mind you.)

 

~There is such a thing as “freezing fog.”~

 (What is that all about?!)

 

~I like the snow, but not the ice that follows!~

 

~You have to wait until late June early July for local fresh produce~

(I’m used to March and April)

 

~Yellow jackets, lots of Yellow jackets!!~

(Stinging, biting, chewing in your face, foul little beasts!) ACK! (I know the Lord has a purpose for them too)

 

~Below 25 is considered cold and above 50 is considered warm.~

(HUH!?) (For me below it drops 50 and its getting cold!!)

 

~65 degrees and above is shorts, BBQS, and car washing weather!~

(I’m just glad I can wear a ¾ sleeve shirt and maybe capris in the house)

 

~They drive slow in the summer warmth and fast in the snow and ice!~

(I know…I am still trying to figure that one out too)

 

~People call this area a “high desert”~

(I’ve lived in AZ, this is no desert.)

 

~People also tell me to beware of the “extreme” heat!~

(Puh-leeze! I do not consider upper 90’s and possibly a rare 100 extreme!)

 

~If you have a CA license plate all the nice drivers suddenly become rude, and the cops scan your plates more!~

(Needless to say we’ve changed our plates! LOL!)  

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Long Time No Write

 

Oh, wow! I haven’t been around in a while! I do apologize to those who like to read my blog. Life has just had me strung up by my toenails lately! I have been trying to apply a routine to our daily lives, one that has not seen the light of day in a while. I was just so emotionally exhausted after having baby #5 and move #3 that I could not seem to get a solid routine down. Now I will not say that it is solid yet, but everyday it is getting better. I love being creative and so of course I would rather create, decorate, garden, or just play all day but I am really praying and trying to maintain order for myself, and the kids. My sweet dh started up online collage courses again, and so I really feel it is best of me to maintain a structure to our day (the kids and I) so that dh can come home after work and gym time, eat a good meal, visit with us, read the “Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe” to us, then be off to study. It just helps his flow as much as ours when the kids have had their schooling, the house is tidy (at least mostly), meals are on time, and clean clothes are ready for him after his workout. Of course all of this could not be possible without much needed prayer and the Lord’s merciful hand on all of us.

 

With the arrival of spring finally here, in temperature that is, we are all feeling a little less beaten down by cold and being cooped up.  (Mind you, my definition of spring has had to be radically altered from our previous assignments; California and Arizona!) It has actually reached temps into the upper 60’s recently! Whoo-Hoo!! For those of you in warmer states reading this, don’t laugh and don a parka!! LOL!! There are beautiful flowers peaking out from the soil, buds on the trees, and green grass in abundance. I have also noticed a parallel in spring’s arrival with our family’s own spiritual spring. It just seems that with a long period of cold winter temps and minimal growth, finally the buds are appearing, and the grass is a little greener. The Lord is beginning to answer much anticipated prayers, and we seem to be growing right along with that. I am aware that sometimes it is easy to feel spiritual growth when prayers are being answered, however the growth noticed, has been along side of the answers, if not even preceding them. There is such warmth in noticing growth as God our Father intended.

 

Our homeschooling journey has been progressing slowly but surely. There are times when I truly have a problem with all of this. Things going slowly that is. At times I can get so racked with guilt. However I am reminded from my ever loving dh, that he sees things getting done, and that the Lord is not the author of guilt. I do know that in my heart, and I know that He is in control of everything our lives stand for so I try and remain content. Thankfully the last two weeks have begun to turn around to a time of more “schooling.” Our 16 month old Jacob had been driving my bonkers with his refusal to take naps, and consistent screaming. We had tried to transition him into a toddler bed so that our almost 5 month old Sophia could have the crib. Well let’s just say that did not work out so well. Jacob fell out of bed twice and would not sleep in his bed peacefully at nap time again. Hence school came to a halt. We managed to figure out that he wanted his crib back and so we went ahead and gave it back to him. For the time being we put Sophia in the pack and play and that seems to be working out. Praise Him, and the little wisps of wisdom He gives us! Tomorrow I think I will write out our little routines for all to see, and for me to share with others who might need a little inspiration in their day.

 

As for now I must bid you farewell so that I might start dinner; Parmesan Crisp Chicken w/risotto and sautéed zucchini. If anyone wants the recipe let me know.

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My thoughts today,

 

Today is the first official day of spring. I suppose that brings some comfort, knowing that warm sunny days are on their way. However, living in Eastern Washington, has proved difficult concerning the weather. My family is originally from California, then moved to AZ, in 2004 for a year. We are used to warmer temps and sunny days. This place is beautiful, so I suppose that beauty has a price. Living in AZ was difficult because of the extreme prolonged heat, now we find this extreme prolonged cold challenging. I must sound fussy and hard to please, but that is not the case. I really do try to make the best of our situations, and have come to the conclusion that my husband and I just miss “home.” Home is where our family is, home to us is where we have the opportunity to go to many beautiful, or fun places most weekends. Home is where I can help my children in planting a garden today; home is where family Bar-B-Q’s are just around the corner. Home is where the kids can play outside most days with out freezing into frostbitten kidsicles, (or getting heat stroke after 5 minutes as was the case in AZ). With all the cold and snow here we are socked in until spring thaw, which I am told is not for a while still, so “don’t hold your breath.” LOL!! I must give much respect to the “natives” who can deal with the cold and ice gracefully. I am trying to remain prayerful, and optimistic. I am reminded of Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” With that said, I believe that there is a plan and purpose for us being here, and it will be good. We still plan on putting in for a new assignment when our time is up here, but remain faithful that the Lord is in control and will ultimately guide us on our path. With this, we as a family look forward to spring’s “warm” arrival out here. We look forward to sunny days, Bar-B-Ques, planting a garden, going on road trips, and leaving our doors and windows open. I believe this past year has been a year of learning patience, and perseverance, not only because of the weather but I’ll save that for another day.

 

 

Romans 5:3-5

“…but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

 

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