http://sweetlymodest.blogspot.com/

I think the blog name really could say it ALL.  Sweetly modest...where do you see that much, today?  You really don't.  But; if you go check out the blog that I mentioned, above...that is JUST what you will find.  Check out the wonderful GIVE AWAYS that are found at this blog.  Everything I have seen there is so much of what we DO NEED TODAY. 

Heidi at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ReviewsbyHeidi/ would like us to share what we like about ADVENTURE LAND at Magic Kingdom - ummm...EVERYTHING!  This is probably our favorite part of the park.  I love the simplicity of the stories gone by...

Woody and Bullseye

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - WOW - This was in Jan '07 and our kids have changed soooooo much!!

Splash Mountain with Bre'r Rabbit - There's Mark with his hands up in the very back! ~ This was closed when we went with the kids for construction repairs.

We really like the Pirates of the Caribbean ride!

 I regret that when we went in Jan '07 with the kids - we didn't go on this, (Jungle Cruise) but; in Aug '08 when Mark and I went - we did!  It was a nice, relaxing, refreshing ride in the summer.

I love the VIEW in Adventureland from the Swiss Family Robinson Tree - Here it is looking to the left - (the castle)

And

to the right (Space Mountain)

I've been away - and - I've said it again...but; I'm seriously considering if I should even keep up a blog.  I get very little traffic.  I REALLY ENJOY visiting other blogs and reading them, but; that's about it.  I have a few faithful friends who stop in once in awhile.  I just think that I have nothing interesting to share.  My girls started a blog, but; they haven't been on since they started theirs...so...perhaps we'll wait until they are older.  Much to think about.

I'll give it some more time, because --- life has been full and busy. 

My Gram is very ill.  She is failing.  She's in the Lord's hands and His will is perfect - I need to keep trusting in that. 

EPCOT - MEXICO

Have I told you - the day we were at EPCOT - our first day at DISNEY - it rained, but; NO ON cared. 

Our FIRST characters at DISNEY!!  The kids first trip - EVER - Jan. 2007

Rachel would LOVE to go to MEXICO, someday...this was the next best thing for her. 

One of our FAVORITE things - and - it might sound corny was:  At every country we sampled some sort of FOOD (as a family) we wanted to try MANY DIFFERENT things.  It was a very fun experience, especially, for the kids!

EPCOT - Love it!

INNOVENTIONS - Do NOT love it!

I almost feel guilty typing that answer - because; well - I just LOOOOOOVE Disney.  I would have to say that is one of our very least favorite aspects of Disney.  Sorry...it just is.

At Epcot - we LOVE to visit the other countries (all in one day) *wink*. 

Not much to share this time...

It's been awhile since I have blogged.  Ever since I started this journey, I just felt like I didn't have much to share.  I get very few people who stop by.  It's a pretty boring blog. This is not a pity-party.  It's the truth. 

My reason for not blogging, lately...is that my Gram just recently found out she has breast cancer.  It's been hard on all of us.  I'm very close to her.  She's in the hospital.  She had a mastectomy.  She's not been doing well, since the operation. 

If you think of it - I'd appreciate your prayers for Gram.  Her name is Lois.

Charity

http://homeschooling-reviews.blogspot.com/2009/01/times-tales-made-easy-giveaway.html

Check out the wonderful giveaway on this blog!

I've been thinking about this product for quite some time and hope and pray that my name is drawn.

If you're looking for an answer to how to get the times tables to "click" with your children - this might just the answer you are hoping for. 

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

CPSC Clarifies Requirements of New Children’s Product Safety Laws Taking Effect in February
Guidance Intended for Resellers of Children’s Products, Thrift and Consignment Stores

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In February 2009, new requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) take effect. Manufacturers, importers and retailers are expected to comply with the new Congressionally-mandated laws. Beginning February 10, 2009, children’s products cannot be sold if they contain more than 600 parts per million (ppm) total lead. Certain children’s products manufactured on or after February 10, 2009 cannot be sold if they contain more than 0.1% of certain specific phthalates or if they fail to meet new mandatory standards for toys.

Under the new law, children’s products with more than 600 ppm total lead cannot lawfully be sold in the United States on or after February 10, 2009, even if they were manufactured before that date. The total lead limit drops to 300 ppm on August 14, 2009.

The new law requires that domestic manufacturers and importers certify that children’s products made after February 10 meet all the new safety standards and the lead ban. Sellers of used children’s products, such as thrift stores and consignment stores, are not required to certify that those products meet the new lead limits, phthalates standard or new toy standards.

The new safety law does not require resellers to test children’s products in inventory for compliance with the lead limit before they are sold. However, resellers cannot sell children’s products that exceed the lead limit and therefore should avoid products that are likely to have lead content, unless they have testing or other information to indicate the products being sold have less than the new limit. Those resellers that do sell products in violation of the new limits could face civil and/or criminal penalties.

When the CPSIA was signed into law on August 14, 2008, it became unlawful to sell recalled products. All resellers should check the CPSC Web site (www.cpsc.gov) for information on recalled products before taking into inventory or selling a product. The selling of recalled products also could carry civil and/or criminal penalties.

While CPSC expects every company to comply fully with the new laws resellers should pay special attention to certain product categories. Among these are recalled children’s products, particularly cribs and play yards; children’s products that may contain lead, such as children’s jewelry and painted wooden or metal toys; flimsily made toys that are easily breakable into small parts; toys that lack the required age warnings; and dolls and stuffed toys that have buttons, eyes, noses or other small parts that are not securely fastened and could present a choking hazard for young children.

The agency has underway a number of rulemaking proposals intended to provide guidance on the new lead limit requirements. Please visit the CPSC website at www.cpsc.gov for more information.

---

Send the link for this page to a friend! The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit CPSC's web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. To join a CPSC email subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.

Our assignment this week is to share where we enjoy a good DISNEY photo opportunity...

Check out the other great ideas with people participating at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ReviewsbyHeidi/

*Photos from January 2007 trip*

OK - So...I'm not sure - "if" it's OK to take pictures there...but; I like to take pictures in the "gift shops" and THIS is one of my very favorites @ EPCOT, in "Norway" - Love it!

This photo was our VERY first siting of a CHARACTER and I LOVE to take photo opportunities of the CHARACTERS - "NOT" at Magic Kingdom.  I just feel like you get more of an opportunity and others are not waiting in REALLY long lines, at the other parks.  This was in "MEXICO", at Epcot. 

I enjoy pictures while we are "on the ride" - OR - "getting on a ride"

Disney AT NIGHT has great photo opportunities - this was just before the MK fireworks display.  You have to have a VERY steady hand for night shots to be sooo still and or have a WONDERFUL camera.  If not...they can be very blurry. 

ENJOY!

Heidi at -  www.homeschoolblogger.com/ReviewsbyHeidi  asked us last week - are we planners....ummm...I know - that she knows - MY ANSWER. Here it is for anyone else who might come here to read my blog - YEP!  I am a big planner - and - I tried to plan quite a bit of our 2 Disney trips.  Here's the deal, though.  I don't want to be sooooo planned - that I miss something that "might come up" or that could be an incredible "spontaneous moment".

So...Yes - I do plan when we go to Disney.  I get out the books, make the plans, track the walking plan on the maps, mark the rides and attractions we want to make sure to see - BUT; I also stay as "flexible" as possible to allow for --- "WHATEVER".

Disney is a place where you believe - ANYTHING can happen...and I want to take in as much as possible. 

The Sale of Children's Books to be Banned

   Oh, how I wish this were a joke!  But it is a grim and looming,

  almost Orwellian, reality.

  Effective February 10th, in the United States, the sale of

  all children's books (books intended for children ages 12 and

  under) is to be PROHIBITED.  Every single book printed prior

  to the ruling is affected, whether new or used.  New books in

  production are required to include a "lead-free" certification

  and will be the only books that are legal to offer for sale.

   What does this mean to the homeschooling family?

   Well, or one, curriculum fairs across the country will be

  cancelled as book vendors scramble to figure out how to comply

  with the new ruling.  Complete book inventories will have to be

  destroyed -- the ruling even prohibits giving away the books!

  Local thrift stores will be hard hit -- most will likely have to

  close their doors -- yes, even Goodwill and Salvation Army.

   Clothing, toys and books -- even CDs and DVDs are included in the

  ruling.  Thrift stores will no longer be able to accept or process

  anything (including clothing) that would be intended for a child.

   No more library sales.  Libraries will not be permitted to give

  away or sell book donations.  It is unsure yet, however, how

  the libraries' shelves themselves will be impacted (the ruling

  doesn't explicitly mention "loaning" books, just selling or

  giving them away).  The key word, however, is "distribution" --

  libraries may well be required to destroy books from their shelves.

   (The ruling that originally passed was about toys, but the EPA has

  since made a statement that clothing, books and media are included

  in "children's toys".)

   Just how serious is this new law?

   Amazon.com has already notified all vendors of their need to comply.

  No book can be sold at the Amazon site that was printed prior to

  compliance.  And the "compliance" must be coordinated at the manu-

  facturing stage.  At the time of this article there is no clause

  to be able to grandfather-in older books or even rare out-of-print

  books.  It can cost between $500 and $1500 to test a book for lead.

   I happen to own a children's bookstore specializing in living books

  from the 1950s and '60s.  My punishment for selling a book after

  February 10th?  Up to $100,000 and 5 years in jail.  And yes, it is

  a felony charge.  For selling a SINGLE book.

   (Although I don't think the S.W.A.T. team scenario would become a

  reality overnight, at the same time I would be leery of blatantly

  violating Federal law.)

   So what can you do to help save your local used bookstore that

  sells children’s books?  Or that homeschool curriculum business?

  Or your EBay business selling children's items?

   ACT NOW before the quickly approaching deadlines:

   1) Email or call the CPSIA - the office of the CPSC ombudsman at

     888-531-9070.  http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/newleg.aspx

      Comments on Component Parts Testing accepted through January 30,

     2009.  Or email: Sec102ComponentPartsTesting@cpsc.gov

   2) Contact your local representatives. For their contact informa-

     tion, just enter your zip code.

     http://capwiz.com/americanapparel/dbq/officials/

   3) Make your voice heard by voting on this issue!  The top 3 in

     each category will be presented to President-elect Obama.

     http://change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia

   4) Sign the petition.

     http://ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA/index.html

   5) Spread the word!  Forward this article.  Send an email.  Write

     about this on your blog.  Tell others about this issue and

     encourage them to do the same.

I have been to Disney 3 times. 

I went in 1986 with my school marching band - no decked out photos from that visit.

We went in 2007 with our 3 children - and were very casual that trip.

My husband, Mark and I just went in August of 2008 and the only "decked out" pictures of us were at the Polynesian Resort when we went to to the luau for our 16th wedding anniversary. 

Love you, Rachel --- Mama

When I look back and reflect on the goodness of our Lord - I am overwhelmed.  There are soooo many good things that the Lord has done in our lives this year.  I believe the family highlight has been that the Lord has kept His promise and given us HIS LAND.  It is a prayer we have prayed for many years. 

Our camper and lot/site

Our daughter, Sarah - baptized at age 8 (July 4, 2008) in Lake Ontario at our family church camp

One of the MANY GORGEOUS sunsets at camp.  It truly is a bit of heaven.

A "typical" day at the lake/at family camp - where the Lord blessed us this year with "HIS LAND" - We can't wait to go back in 2009 when the season opens.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow - Praise Him all creatures here below - Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts - Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost - AMEN

Heidi at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ReviewsbyHeidi/ gave me an I love your blog AWARD - Thank you, Heidi!!  I don't get many visitors, but; I do enjoy blogging when I can.  I've really started to enjoy adding pictures, now that I know how! - LOL

The rules for sharing this award are: 

*Pick 7 blogs I love and list them here...

*I don't know how to take the I LOVE YOUR BLOG award...it's on Heidi's blog...so...if you know how to take it, please do and post it on your blog. 

*Link back to my blog in your post - since I'm the one who gave you the award.

*Choose 7 blogs you love to read and pass this award on to them

*Let those people know you have given them this award via a post on their blog, email or however you can to get in contact with them...

I LOVE MANY and ALL of the blogs Heidi mentioned...but; I'm going to try and list some others I enjoy. 

I really enjoy visiting - MELISSA at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/melissal89/

I think that CHRISTY is the sweetest gal and I enjoy visiting her at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sharpcrew/

I enjoy reading another MELISSA'S blog when I can... at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/theincrediblejourney/

** I had put a blog here from "KIM" and I've just recently happened upon it...and I can't find the URL...oh, I feel so bad.  Melissa from TIJ told me I accidentelly cut and pasted her HSB address under this, too and I don't know where hers is.  I'm thinking I found her via Ruth or Heidi?? ** - Kim, If I did post on your board - and you come here and can't find your blog address...PLEASE feel free to add it here for others to check out and enjoy! **

I recently found TRACEY at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/journeymomma/ and have enjoyed her blog - especially during this Christmas season. 

A very sweet blog is also at:  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/psalms16vs2/ and I'm hoping ot add her to my friends - I enjoyed coming across this blog, too of JOANNE.

An internet friend of mine for a few years is ALLANA - I do enjoy visiting her blog and hearing how the Lord is stretching her and helping her to grow in her walk with Him. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Ally78/

Congratulations, Ladies - Be blessed! - Charity

How my mama face was when she saw that Rachel was just BEAMING from her 3 nights of Nutcracker performances...Mark and I were ELATED!!  It was a thrill.  I have seen The Nutcracker before and ever since Rachel was very little she dreamed of an experience like this.  To see your child living one of their dreams - there really are no words...

We are looking forward to some down time and some quiet during the Christmas season and into the New Year. 

*On a side note:  I have to figure out how to make my pictures not have red-eye with 4 out of the 5 of us with light, blue eyes.  Yep, just me with brown. 

For months...RACHEL (dd) has been preparing to dance with the MOSCOW BALLET in their performance of THE NUTCRACKER.  Last night was closing night and the whole experience was a thrill - a dancer's dream come true.  Thank you, Lord.

For our assignment at Heidi's http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ReviewsbyHeidi/ we are to share a picture of a DISNEY CHRISTMAS - PERFECT!! - We left for DISNEY the day after Christmas (2006) - what a WONDERFUL time of year - LOVE the decorations and the costumes are all Christmas-like...we REALLY liked all the GINGERBREAD HOUSES around the parks.  I would NEVER go to Disney during the week or on the actual day of Christmas that is the single most popular day to go with sooooooooo many people.  On this particular trip we actually didn't get TO DISNEY until January 2nd.  It was a PERFECT time of year to go!  We LOVED it!

God invites us to burden Him with what burdens us.

No one is more secure than those who are in God's hands.

If you walk with God today, you can be confident about tomorrow.

When we have nothing left, we'll find that God is enough!

Jesus longs to hold you, care for you, meet your needs, and for you to put your trust in Him.

I am strong and I will survive!

Today, I will remember that I am not alone.  I have help in many forms, and I will do what I can.

The storms of our life prove the strength of our anchor.

It's OK to need comforthing rather than pretending you have to be strong and ignore the need.

When the time comes, you can look into your heart and find the strength you need - each and every time. 

Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.  - Matthew 6:34

God gives grace just when we need it.

God loves us too much to let us stay where we are.

No one else can do the work God has for you!

If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.

When everything turns agains you, remember that Jesus is praying for you.

Don't forget to count your victories - one by one!

Courage comes and goes.  Hold on for the next supply. - Thomas Merton

I think life gives us more than we can handle.  But, if we let Him, God will be there to catch us when we fall over the edge of the cliff.

If you keep in tune with Christ, you cna sing even when all is dark.

The refiner is never far from the mouth of the furnace when His gold is in the fire.

Help me find courage enough to live this day and meet the challenges it brings.

But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.  My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure.  - Psalm 71:14-15

Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded, declares the Lord...So there is hope for your future, declares the Lord. - Jeremiah 31:16-17

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.  - Ephesians 1:18-19

FOR THERE IS HOPE OF A TREE, IF IT IS TO BE CUT DOWN THAT IT WILL SPROUT AGAIN, AND THAT THE TENDER BRANCH THEREOF WILL NOT CEASE. - Job 14:7

I was looking ahead to this Friday's meme from Heidi - on DISNEY - can't wait...

I'm going to attempt to put a picture of Mark and me at Disney - the anniversary trip that I'm so very thankful for - that we took in August for our 16th wedding anniversary!  Can't wait to go...again...and again...and again...yes, I'm obsessed.