Thank you Lord! We finally have that warm spring day we've all been waiting for with great anticipation. I think it's peaking around 63 degrees today. I just came inside from playing a little game of H-O-R-S-E with Conman and his friend......I lost ofcourse. But, it felt good. Upon my return, my daugher exclaimed, "Mom! I didn't know you knew how to play that game!" LOL Oh brother, it's been a long winter. LOL
My girlfriends and I have been talking lately about how it always seems like this time of the year is the hardest.....right at the end of the winter. It's like everyone gets cabin fever. We get grumpy, edgy, impatient with eachother. We all need a break. Just something long enough to hold us over to the end of May.
THIS however, has been a great week so far. We have done very well to stay on task and get alot done with our studies. After the last couple of grumpy months, I felt the need to change our schedule a bit to go along with the changing seasons. So, I added a "recess" into our schedule, and I make them spend it outside. =] It's done us all some good. And helped to energize us for the afternoon work.
Here's our schedule for this week:
7:45am ~ Kids Awake, make beds, eat breakfast, brush teeth
8:30am ~ Bible Study - CBS, Bible reading, journal
9:00am ~ Math
9:45am ~ Rhetoric (Individual Reading, Vocabulary, Grammar, Writing)
11:00am ~ History - This week's historical topics are Roger Bacon, the Khans and the Mongol invasion of China, and Marco Polo.
12:00pm ~ Lunch
12:30pm ~ Recess
1:00pm ~ Science - Started the Human Body, Introduction to the Systems and the Cell. BriGuy started the Health LifePac for middle schoolers.
2:00pm ~ Spanish - still using our Warren Hardy Power Verbs Level I
2:30 on Homework and Extras
Tommorow with CBS in the morning we will adjust our schedule a little to manage a half-day.
Our Homeschooler's Fieldtrip Club just visited the Creation Museum last Monday. If you've never been before, it was well worth the hour and a half drive from our home town. As a school group, we paid only $14 for 13yo&Up, $11 for 5-12yo, and 4&Under were free. That price included the Planetarium presentation. Prices in Noah's Cafe weren't bad, although they did allow folks to bring their own lunches and eat them in the cafe if they wanted.
The purpose of the museum is to present history from a biblical perspective, in contrast to "Human Reason" and the evolution theory. As you walk through many different rooms and exhibits, you take a journey through the "7 C's of History... Creation, Corruption, Catastrophe, Confusion, Christ, Cross, and Consummation", beginning with two sections devoted to Biblical Authority and Relevance. There are several theaters throughout the facility showing state-of-the-art presentations on topics such as the Six Days of Creation, Men in White (two angels giving a young, confused girl all the reasons why her existence on earth is relevant and ordained by God....especially designed for young minds), The Last Adam, and Dinosaurs and Dragons. There are many hands-on activities for kids, and my kids loved the models of Noah's Ark and the simulations and explanations of the flood.
I was amazed at how much I learned. And I am humbled by the magnitude of our creation and the love of our Creator. When I was walking through with my kids I would find little questions dart up in my mind about this or that, "Okay, but what about...." (straight from the secular education I had as a child), and no sooner would I turn the corner, the question was answered. They left no room for doubt, which I love.
Later on that evening, I decided to initiate a discussion about the day with Adri (our foreign exchange student who is living with us for the school year, and who is not a believer)....she got a fieldtrip day from school. It was a good, deep, conversation, that I think we both enjoyed and learned alot from about eachother. What I realized was that even though it caused her to question many ways that she had been raised at home and taught in school, it did not GIVE her the faith to believe. After talking for almost an hour, she asked, "But WHY do you believe that?" It ended up being a good springboard into my personal testimony and I thank God for opening that door. We will continue to pray that the seeds planted while she is here with us, will one day take sprout and grow. We trust God that He does indeed have a divine purpose for her time here with us.
All in all, I sincerely recommend the Creation Museum for a faith-building, fun and enlightening one-day trip away. It is a great way to equip the Believer with answers from the Word, and to help prepare us for those times we need to defend our faith. It's really something you'll want to do again and again....it takes time to process all you take in. My husband who didn't get to go, is looking forward to making the next trip with us.
Gosh I'm terrible sometimes about my snooze button. I think I hit it three times this morning! I finally got up about 6:25am. Made lunch for honey. And said good-bye to he and Adri for the day. Today we have CBS.
7am ~ Grace arrived and went back to bed until 8am.
7:30am ~ Briar woke and got his shower. I got mine as well. Clara and Con got rolling with making beds, getting dressed, eating breakfast, etc.
8:30am ~ The kids had all their Bible Studies done so they went ahead and used the hour before departure to work on math.
9:45am ~ on our way
10am - Noon ~ CBS
12:30pm ~ Back at home to eat lunch. Honey showed up for lunchtime too. I ran up to make some deposits while he was here.
1:30pm ~ Honey left and we got started on history....two lessons today....Otto I and the Holy Roman Empire and Vladimer I of Russia. Both were very interesting, especially the beginnings of Russia. I didn't know that they were Vikings! The kids each made a drawing of there own design of an Eastern Orthodox Church cathedral. I need to take pictures of them to share. They did a great job!
3pm ~ Reading: Briar is close to the end of Sea of Monsters. Clara is starting The Little House on the Prairie. Connor loves the Matt Christopher book....he's reading Tough to Tackle. And Grace is in to the Magic Treehouse Books....she's reading Afternoon in the Amazon. Each are using different story starter for creative writing. They also had a couple postcards each to write and send for the postcard exchange club.
4pm ~ Time to go outside and take in some fresh air! It's a beautiful day...cold, but blue skies. Afterwards they came in and went their separate ways...tv, playstation, internet, bionicles....
6pm ~ Honey is working late tonight so we had sandwiches for dinner and then took off for the grocery store.
9pm ~ Arrived back home to unload the van. The kids had an extra 45 minutes before bed. We watched the Winter X Games for a while. I can't believe the stuff those guys can do with a snow board!!
You know, we have some real talented bloggers around here. I just spent the last 30 minutes or so just surfing some blogs and came across several that I just loved. What a great opportunity technology has afforded us in this day and age to be able to write and immediately publish your stories, poems, and commentaries. Don't you agree?
One that I really loved last year was JB's. She's gone on to do bigger and better things now, but I used to enjoy reading her teenage insights and short stories. She was very honest and transparent, and very creative.
Earlier, I came across, The Tack Room. Now this girl has some literary talent. She has several books in progress that she's shared. I think she's in high school, and she can write!! I admire her passion for historical fiction, and horses.
One of my favorites to visit is Small World. She is witty and though-provoking and funny and frank. She had a good article in the last issue of TOS too.
I'm thankful that my kids love to read. Their desire to write is only now budding. One day......we'll see. I love to write though. I can remember my grandmother always encouraging me to do more with it. I tucked her words away in my heart. When I was in high school, my best friend and I would love to stay up all night making up poems. After college, I started journaling, writing more poetry, devotionals, and articles for our church paper. In the last several years I've had an itch to write a book or two. I have several ideas for children's books. One in particular I've told my kids about and every year around this time they'll ask me, "Mom, is this the year you'll write it?" Gosh, God willing, I'd love to.
Bible Study is also a passion of mine. I taught and faciliated studies at our church for ten years. This year I needed a break and decided to take a Community Bible Study (CBS) with the kids. We're studying the Pentatuch. I love studying the Old Testament. I can't help but read it and want to find the way it connects to the New Testament. So many layers of rich symbolism. Maybe someday I can write a Bible Study too.
LOL........the thought just occurred to me........I turn 42 tomorrow!! I think I better get busy with it.
6:00am ~ Woke up, made a lunch for dh, saw Adri off to the bus stop, and kissed my honey goodbye
6:45am ~ First day of Yoga with my new mat (a Christmas gift from mom and dad) and DVD
7:30am ~ Just after finishing yoga, I hear alarm clocks go off upstairs and the kids jump in the shower....dd lays in bed for a few more zzz's
8:00am ~ I wish my youngest son Happy 9th Birthday and hand him a plate of fresh-out-of-the-pan chocolate chip pancakes. I asked him what he wanted for dinner tonight.....he wants breakfast for dinner too.....sausage, biscuits and gravy, and eggs...that's my boy!!
8:30am ~ Breakfast is over. School begins with 30 minutes of Bible Study for all
9:00am ~ Math for all four
10:00am ~ We start our "marathon history day" and try to catch up a little from being about a week behind on our schedule. Today we finished up our lesson on the Vikings (enriched with some good video clips from the historychannel.com website), tied it in to the next lesson on Alfred the Great, and finished up with Methodius and Cyril, Missionaries to the Slavs. LOL Somehow we managed to do all this in about two and a half hours AND we made Viking helmet/masks and practiced writing our "heathen names" in the runic alphabet... Clara the Caring...Briar the Sharp....Gracie the Graceful...and Connor the Courageous.....They don't sound too awful heathen-ish, but it was so much fun!!
12:30pm ~ Granny came by for lunch with Taco Bell for the birthday boy!!
1:15pm ~ Back to more history....this time the kids worked for an hour on the Worksheet 2 for Lessons 22-42. Tomorrow we review Worksheets 1 and 2 and get ready for the Semester Test on Thursday. They enjoy doing these things in teams. They'll start working two by two, then change partners, then all come together ....I love watching them hunting for the answers and helping eachother. =]
2:30pm ~ Science, Study of Fish. Although we are using 106 Days of Creation Studies and Considering God's Creation, I used several of the BrainPOP movies to introduce this theme. I'm trying it free for 5 days and so far I LOVE IT!! The kids really enjoyed it to. We started with Classification, then Six Kingdoms, then Vertibrates, and then Fish. Each movie (which is only 3-5 minutes long) comes with a POP Quiz. The choices are nearly endless (and they continue to add on more) in the areas of Science, Technology, English, Math, Arts,Literature, Health, and Social Studies.
Tomorrow we will work on fish anatomy and KY fish. I picked up some awesome posters from the Fish and Wildlife Dept. Plus, we'll be taking a trip to the fish section of Feeders Supply and the aquarium at the zoo for a couple little fieldtrips between now and next week. I'd really like to disect a fish if I can find one fresh and whole...
4:00pm ~ I ran up to the store to pickup a birthday cookie and ice cream while the kids finished up some homework. Honey is working until 6pm tonight so I didn't need to start dinner until 5:30 or so.
4:45pm ~ Returned from the store, made coffee, wrapped some presents, answered some email, made a phone call, paid a bill, straightened up the kitchen and living room, and looked at picture album with Connor from when he was born....one of my favorite things to do on their birthdays. =]
5:45pm ~ Started dinner, Honey got home and showered, we prayed together, and ate dinner
7:30pm ~ Celebrated Little Buddies birthday. He enjoyed opening his new transformer, devotional book, a couple movies, book light, and boxers. We followed it up with cookie and ice cream. Kids are watching the Ratatouille movie until 9:30pm and then heading to bed.
Present ~ Yey!!! I get to blog tonight!!! LOLOL Soon the kids will be heading to bed and I can sit down and do some of my study for CBS....
The is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Gosh I can't believe the last time I made an entry was almost 3 weeks ago!! I think that's the longest ever! I've missed it. And honestly, there's too much gone by for me to catch up (sad to say). I do want to say a sincere thank you, thank you, THANK YOUUUUU to those readers that have kept visiting in my absence. I really appreciate that! Let's see if I can hit a few highlights and then I wanted to share some from a poetry book I've blown the dust off recently. More on that in a moment, but first ~
Clara was baptized Easter Weekend. That was a wonderful day for our family. And she was so excited and precious to see. As I brought her up out of the water, she immediately wiped her face and smiled and hugged me. I'm trying to get some video that I can post soon. It was such a great experience for me too, as you might imagine...baptizing your own child. What a blessing!
We decided to take a spring break at the same time everyone else did (a much needed one). It was nice to just hang out and not have much planned. We did take a couple days to go up and visit my folks. We hadn't been up to their house since Thanksgiving. So, it was a good visit. The kids made some new friends in the neighborhood and got to play and ride bikes.
Briar's Boy Scouts are gearing up and conditioning for their trip to Virginia in June. It'll be Briar's first time solo so far from home. I know he'll do well though. He's gotten very excited lately. They had their new elections and his patrol leader asked him to be the assistant patrol leader ~ something he didn't expect. Plus, he's gotten five other boys from his troop to get on board with the Archaeology Merit Badge and together they will be working on a local site...volunteering 8+ hours to excavate, clean, sort and ready artifacts for display.
Summer Camps are on the calendar. For scouts, Briar will be in Virginia, Clara is going to horse camp, and Connor and I (and Briar as a Boy Scout service project) will attend Cub Scout camp. They will also attend their age level at church camp....White Mills Christian Camp about an hour and a half south.
Vacation is also on the calendar....first week of August. This year we are going with my siblings, their families, and our parents. Woo hoo!!! Destin, Florida!! Here we come!!!
I'm looking forward to the schedule slowing down. I have to admit. I feel like a piece of taffy on one of those taffy machines you see in Gatlinburg!! I've been pulled, stretched, heated, and cooled! And now I think I'm ready to just be wrapped and stuck in a box!! All kidding aside, I'm in much need of a rest. =]
And on that subject, thank you God for giving me my circle of GIRLFRIENDS!!! Our annual retreat is fast approaching and we have 16 going this year. I am so pumped!! This last week a couple of us chicks got together and planned out our theme and discussion times. I can't wait to get started on that. More to come ...
Okay, so I said I was going to share a little from a new-to-me, very old book I just blew the dust off and resurrected from my bookshelf (this is one we inherited from Bruce's dad's old library). I love it. It's small and quaint and loaded with ideas. This book is called Poems of Patriotism. It was written in 1942, by Edgar A. Guest. I think I love it so much because so much of it reminds me of what our nation is experiencing right now at war....even though it was written during WWII. I don't think our true desires, passions, and heart strings have changed much since. Our patriotism these days is experiencing a "second wind" as we are proud to fly our flags and speak up for freedom and those who can't fight for themselves. Even though I may not agree with everything that happens here in this country, I am proud to be an American. And I know how blessed we are to be here. Please enjoy as I share some verse over the next week.
I'm praising God today for my dear girlfriends! We met last evening at Qdoba's (my first time) and then walked over to Starbucks for coffee talk. We meet on the 4th Tuesday of the month. And I look forward every time to those few hours that we get to catch up, share struggles, encourage one another, and laugh. Although I know I gab as much as anyone, sometimes I just like to sit and observe the beautiful hearts that I'm blessed to be in the midst of. Each of them are so special and unique and gifted.
I can laugh out loud just thinking about how many different topics we can cover in one evening. lol .....marriage, work, exercising, eating healthy, family, kids, school, peer pressure for our kids, personal struggles, our spiritual walk, and prayer concerns. As of yet, I don't think there any limits to our conversations. I love it.
I guess I love knowing that, without anyone moving away (God willing), these will be my life long girlfriends. Last night as I sat and soaked in the scene, I tried to imagine us all doing the same thing 10 years from now....twenty years from now. And I smiled, and took a mental photograph of the moment. All those glowing faces, and beautiful smiles, and eager hearts.
There's just something special about a circle of friends who dare to do life together. We learn to be transparent, honest, and vulnerable. Each year the circle grows a little larger. The realness is infectious as we share our lives and Christ-love with eachother and those outside of our group. If I were outside, looking in, I'd think it would be most irresistible. I think I would long to have the same woven bonds that this circle has......how blessed I am.
Thank you Lisa, Cricket, Val-Gal, Anna, Kath, Cathy, Kelly, Sonya, Kate, Laura, Tracy, Lisa M., Sandie, and Jules. I love you guys!! And I cherish our friendship!
You know, it's hard to be a wife, mom, teacher, home maker, cook, and all the other things we do, AND be sick!! I rarely get to not feeling well, but this was marked as my week. I don't know what it is about the heat kicking on steady for a few day, it wreaks havoc on my sinuses!! Congestion, sneezing, coughing, headaches, soreness....okay, I guess I'm being a cry baby now. =] I do feel better though today. And today turned out to be a great day too.
I guess everything just "clicked" today. We got up at a good time....had breakfast....recited memory verses and discussed prayer requests....did chores....stayed on track with our studies. By noon we were all in the kitchen making butter!! It was so much fun! And VERY simple. Between Briar studying the 1800's and Connor and Grace into pioneer farming, we've been reading some very good books. One gave the daily chores for the kids on a farm in the 1860's. After reading the section a few days ago about making butter, I decided to surprise the kids with our own attempt. It's very easy. The recipe calls for heavy whipping cream, a glass jar with a good lid (we actually used a tupperware container with a large mouth), some salt for taste, and enough hands and energy to shake the container for 30 minutes. lol
We filled the container about 1/3 full with cream, closed it up, and set the timer. Each of us would shake for about 2-3 minutes and pass it on to the next (me and the four kids). It was very interesting because we could see each stage through the clear container. When we did this with a churn last spring up at Conner Prairie, you can't see ofcourse what the cream is actually doing. Anyway, first it whipped up the way whipping cream does. Then it seemed to get even heavier and began to separate after about 20 minutes. At the end of the 30 minutes, you end up with the butter and buttermilk.
You then pour off the buttermilk and add a little cold water to begin "rinsing" the butter. You keep doing this and pouring it off until the water is clear. At last, you have homemade, yummy, butter! All you do is add the salt to give it a little more flavor. I was surprised, but it was really delicious!! =] And the kids were so proud of themselves!! They couldn't wait to butter some bread for daddy when he got home. lol
On another note, I have to mention that we started Bible Study this week on Tuesday mornings. The kids are doing a study on the Fruit of the Spirit, and I am facilitating a women's study on the book Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World (the book I've talked about a few times lately). We've ended up with a wonderful group of ladies. All ages. Some with little babies, and some with grandkids and great grand kids. I love groups like this because we all have so much to gain by building relationships across the generations. Titus 2 women at our fingertips. And young women with zeal and vigor to keep the rest of us on our toes! I love being able to minister to and with women. I pray earnestly that God will meet each one of these gals wherever she may be, and lead her to a new level of love and devotion to the Lord. I'm anxious to see how God will work among us over the next 10 weeks.
Well, we've got a calmer weekend ahead. (Thank You Lord) I'm working on Part II of Lassoing the Will. Plan to have it posted soon.
God Bless you Friends!! And know, that if you've visited Home for Him today, you've been prayed for! Let His Son Shine!!
Today is my 41st birthday. It's one day after one of my best friends 40th birthday. We had her party on Saturday night. We've officially decided that the 40's, must be the new 30's, cause we just don't feel that old! lololol My husband left me a card this morning on the table. He wrote that I'm prettier now then ever....he knows just the right words, doesn't he?? Last night the kids made me one of my favorite cakes...a german chocolate cake. And my sister-in-law made me one of my favorite dinner's for tonight...lasagna. Yum!! My kids all made homemade cards, which I prefer handwritten notes then the store bought kind (plus, they're a whole lot cheaper!) All singing praises to mom and her 41st birthday.
Connor, the 8yo, was so sweet. He put a $5 bill in the card he made me. My husband told me this morning that he pondered several minutes over whether it should be the $1 bill or the $5. lololol I can just see him doing that.
I am so blessed to have this family of mine. Every day God shows me something new about each one of them. You'd think He'd run out of ideas....but He doesn't. Every day they surprise me with something new....some profound thought or idea....a hug and a kiss for no reason....a random act of kindness towards someone else....I am SO blessed.
I know I've shared this before, but I'm going to share it again. One of my life verses is Psalm 143:8,
"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way to go, and to You I will lift up my soul."
Everyday I wake, I put my feet on the floor, bend over to touch my toes (and wake up my muscles), and say those words. And everyday, God continues to send me a message of His unfailing love. No matter what the day brings, I put my trust in Him. He knows that, because He knows my heart. Even when I mess up, and fail miserbly, He knows that in my heart of hearts, I trust Him. I cry out for His guidance to show me the way to go with every step I take....physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. And I answer His blessings with worship. I lift up my soul to Him.
It's sort of a love dance we've had together since I met Him. Since the days when He was drawing me into a relationship with Him, He continues to teach me a new step ever so often....to add to the dance. At times the dance is slow and easy and quiet....almost still. And other times, the beat is so fast, I can hardly keep up. lololol (You didn't know God was a "rocker", did ya?? =])
Thank you Father for loving me the way you do. Thank you for giving me my husband, my sons, and my daughter. They are so precious to me. I pray You will bless our day together....teach us....guide us....and love us. Amen
We had our Christmas Tea at church last Thursday and Friday nights. I was trying to figure out how many years we've had them....I think it's around 10 or 11. I know that the second one I went to, I received a Precious Moments ornament of a little girl in a stocking. At the time, I was pregnant with Clara, so it made it extra special. She's 9yo now. I can't believe how much time has gone by! Anyway, the Tea was wonderful.
We had about 650 in attendance each night. I think we had around 130 hostesses per night as well. My friend Sonya and I teamed up and hostessed a table together both nights. It's good that way...you get the tag-team thing going. =]
I also was blessed to be able to MC in the gym both evenings. This was my second year for doing that. It's fun. Since my daughter came with me on Friday night, I had her come up to the mic with me to welcome everyone. She said the prayer to kick things off. I was real proud of her. She amazed me with how NOT nervous she was! Especially in front of 300 women for the first time!
Normally, the doors open at 5:30pm. There is an arts and crafts bizarre that goes on all evening. Ladies make their way to their seats by 6:45. Each area has an MC to keep things moving along. We have about 45 minutes at our tables, talking, sipping coffee or tea, and delighting in delicous desserts. Every table looks like something you'd see through the window of your favorite bakery. The ladies go all out with decorations -- some fine china and crystal, some fine paper products and plastic, elaborate centerpieces, all look beautiful!!
At 7:30 we close the tea time with a fun ornament exchange (my favorite part). I get to read one of those crazy right-left stories, everyone giggling and passing the whole time. It's fun just watching them. At last, the wrapped ornaments are opened. The ladies ooooo and aaahhhh. And all are dismissed to the auditorium.
This year we enjoyed the musical and comical talents of Christian humorous and singer, Kim Bolton. She was a hoot! If you ever get a chance to see her, please do. You will be blessed.
All was said and done by about 10pm. Final sales were tallied. Books signed. And hugs given to both new friends and old. Another year's event wonderfully orchestrated to kick-off the Christmas season, and get our hearts focused in the right direction.
I'm so disappointed!! John Christian Music Codes has gone off-line!! Poor guy....too much going on in his life right now. He's been offering his music codes now for four years, and I guess it just got to be too much. Unfortunately for me, I can't seem yet to find any comparable alternatives. I really loved Nicole Nordeman's I Am. I'll keep looking...
Okay, I need some prayer warriors....for some healing prayer....for myself. Before we went to the DR, I had been having alot of pain in the back of my neck and head. It was very hard to get any good sleep. And even harder to find comfortable positions to simply sit and talk to someone. I was always moving around trying to not feel so strained. Then, on the DR trip, I was talking to our team doctor about it and she diagnosed me within just a couple minutes. She said it was my "occipital nerve" (not sure on the spelling). Apparently, I had been so stressed out that it was really getting on my nerves. Ha!! I didn't even know that I was stressed out!! I guess since emotionally I seem to handle stress well, it transfers instead to my body...go figure! I've heard of that happening...duh!!
Anyway, she said to take 800mg of ibuprofen, 3 times a day, for a week (which worked out perfect on our trip!!). Since it's an anti-inflammatory, it would calm that nerve down, give it a chance to heal, and I'd get back to normal. So I did it! And it worked!....Until this week.
I've noticed I'm slowly getting worse again each day....and it makes me really tired all the time...I guess since I'm not getting the good sleep again. So, I'm back to taking the ibuprofen three times a day again. The only problem with that, is that I really don't want to rely on it that much. You know what I mean? Help!!
Please pray for the physical healing, but also for any areas of my life that I'm trying to control too much....does that make sense? My only guess is that I'm fretting more than I think I am over things that I know only God can manage. I know that He is a Sovereign God. And I know that His plan is perfect. Please pray that that knowledge will transfer to my faith.
I know that it's one thing to say that I believe in God....but it's quite another to really believe that His Promises are really fact. He sticks to His word. Amen? And there's so much going on in my life right now, that I need to remember that God is in control...therefore, I don't have to be. =] He does what He says He's going to do.
Blessed is she who has believed that what
the Lord has said to her will be accomplished! Luke 1:45
We arrived home today about 4pm from mom and dad's. We had a great weekend visiting with my family...my parents, two brothers and a sister, and their families...20 in all. Unfortunately, we don't get to all be together too often. So it's a real treat when we do. The cousins played games the entire time. We were blessed to have unusually warm weather too, so they got to take the balls outside for some football and soccer. Even some of the neighbor kids came over to join in. It was a good time of catching up, and looking forward to what the new year will bring. Our family vacation to Destin planned for next June was a big topic of conversation too.
The kids have been in bed for about an hour now and I've been working on our schedule for the coming week. Already, they've been asking me how many days we're taking off for Christmas. Normally, we take the week before and after Christmas off. Most likely, we'll do the same again this year. We're all anxious to get into the celebrating mode. I think we'll spend some time this week putting some lights up and decorating around the house. Our church has our annual Christmas Tea for the ladies this coming Thursday and Friday evenings. Clara and I are going to make it a Mom and Daughter Night Out on Friday....this will be her second year to come....she loves it!! So, she and I will go out this week to find a couple ornaments to exchange. The theme this year is "Keeping Christ in Christmas" .... I'm really looking forward to hearing the guest speaker.
Great news!! We got a call from Gilberto this evening. He is one of our friends in the DR. He and his family (mother Suen, father Manuel, and brother Angel) lived next door to Amable and his family. This was our second time to talk to them since our return...we called them last Sunday night. We actually had decided to take turns calling eachother every other month, but he had some wonderful news to share with us and he just couldn't wait! Last week he met with Pastor Victor from the church there in LaRamona. He has decided to start volunteering at the church. AND, he is going to be going out with Victor and Amable to share the gospel in the community. I am so very excited for he and his family!! He asked for our prayers to give him courage and strength to share the love of God in the poor areas of the town. God bless him!! God is STILL blessing us from the DR and we're not even there!! Several times Gilberto has asked when we will be returning to visit with his family and neighborhood. I hate having to say that it will be atleast another year...God willing...hopefully sooner.
Well, just a few random thoughts before bed...I'm too tired to think right now....ha!! That doesn't happen very often...
Just a quick update here....we got a little information about what our individual jobs will be. Please keep us all in your prayers. We're VERY excited and really looking forward to this great adventure. Pray also that my missing my kids won't interfere TOO much with my service.
They have Bruce working on the house every day. laying block. I will be working on the house a few days, assisting with dental procedures a couple days, and helping in the kitchen a couple days.
We will be leaving town at 7:25am Saturday morning, and arriving in Punta Cana in the afternoon where we will spend a little time at the future site for the new church praying and vision casting. We then will drive 2 hours to LaRomana, where we will check into the hotel we will be staying at all week. Sunday we will start with breakfast, go to the site where we will be building the house, walking through the community there (the barrio), followed by lunch, and followed by day at the beach. Thankfully, no one works there on Sunday's, so we can't either....=] I'm looking forward to hunting for sea shells and sharks teeth (for Briar), walking the white sandy beaches, and enjoying the beautiful turquoise waters.
After dinner, we will go to their church service and be introduced to the congregation. Bruce and I will be searching out the two little boys that he met two years ago when he went, Jonathon and Adoni. We are looking forward to seeing them.
We will pretty much be working each day 8am-4pm (that's American hours...the dental work may go later). Tuesday night we are going to a baseball game, and Thursday night we will go out to a well known Italian restaurant...go figure!!! =] I will be sure to take alot of pictures when I can and share them with everyone. Pray also that we are able to finish the project in one week!! That'll be important for the family who will be moving in.
Good Morning! I want to begin on a funny note by asking, have you seen that commercial with the guy and the girl sitting in a car in the drive-through of some fast food joint? I don't even remember what the commercial is for, but it's so funny. It reminded me of this whole blog-sphere we enjoy so much. The guy starts talking about his weblog and how he'll have to tell his "readers" about something. The girl replies, oh, you mean your grandma? The guys answers back that he definitely has more readers then his grandma. And the girl says, something like, yeah...sure. And the guys says, well, she did tell her best friend about it...she reads it too. I just thought it was so funny...being a fellow blogger myself and not knowing who the readers are, let alone how many there are. lololol
I guess if anything....I blog because I like to write. I blog because I like to tell a story. I blog because I want to encourage others in some way. So, I guess if it only reaches out to grandma and her best friend, then so be it!!
Current Events:
Our Yard Sale/Bake Sale was a success. It made for an extremely busy weekend with all the other activities. But, we (my mom-in-law and sis-in-law) got everything set out by 7:45ish both last Friday and Saturday and went to about 1pm. We sold the donated clothing and items and bake goods that friends had given. I made about $140 to put towards our DR trip. Praise God!! Every little bit counts.
Briar's Boy Scout Fundraiser ~ It was also a good weekend for the BS fundraiser. This is the third year they have parked cars for one of the university games, and this one was the homecoming. Get ready....this is awesome.....we had to make $4000.....we were hoping for $6000....and we made $7000!!!! Woo Hoo!! It was an ALL DAY commitment for everyone (boys and parents). But we packed 700 cars into to that parking lot, at $10 a car!!! The best news is that all the money goes to the scouts since the owner of the business donates the parking lot for our use. Yey Briar's Troop!!
My Girl Scout troop has gone on their second 5 mile hike. I'm very excited for them. We are shooting for one more 5 miler and then moving up to an all day 10 mile hike. Congrats Juniors!
Last Monday, we went on a very interesting fieldtrip with our club to Old Fort Harrod in Kentucky. We had about 13 familes join us and made a whole day of it. They have alot to see and do there. And, it's also very close to Perryville Battlefield and Shakertown (if you wanted to make a weekend trip out of it). Lots of history from the late 1700's and 1800's.
Clara started going to Small Group on Wednesday nights at church. She is loving the experience. She's so excited about getting to know the other 5 girls better. And, their studying the Bible together, which I'm really excited about.
Connor's Cub Scout den had a great first month of meetings. We've achieved several of the rank requirements, the Language and Culture Beltloop, and working constantly towards their Bobcat Trail. They are a WILD BUNCH of 7 year old boys, but we still seem to accomplish quite a bit at each meeting.
Daddy has finished one of the two remaining side jobs he's been working in the evening. Unfortunately, he ended up with strep throat a couple weeks and has been coughing and hacking every since. It slowed him down a little bit. But, he'll finish the other job in the next week to two weeks and be done with it for a while. We miss him when he's been gone in the evenings!
Well, I think that's all I have for now. I'll blog more later!!
I wanted to start today by "directing your attention to the side screen"...actually, the side margin. =] I've added a couple newbies to the mix. I know you may not always get a chance to scroll down to check out the side margin, but these are items that will be listed regularly for faith building, encouragement, and ideas....
A list of Bible Studies that I personally recommend. If you've been contemplating taking a step deeper in your faith-walk with regular study, whether individually or with a group, these are all wonderful. Some of the lighter nature. Some of the deeper. All of the Beth Moore's listed are video driven, but you can still reap much by taking them on your own without the videos. And those would be considered more of the "in-depth" studies. The last is actually a book written by a Christian author, Anne Ortlund. It's an older book, but filled with excellent insights and practical applications for the promising Proverbs 31 woman. As well as The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace....very bibilically based and challenging for every wife and mother. I've been blessed over the last ten years to facilitate and teach Bible studies at my church. It's a passion that God placed in my heart from the beginning of my walk with Him. And I've been blessed to be able to encourage and walk with other fellow sojourn-ettes in Christ.
A Week's Dinner Menu....Mainly, I know how it feels to go into a week without a clue as to what you're going to feed your family. =] I just thought I'd offer up our humble beginnings. Most are nothing special. Yes, we do have our "regular" dishes. But, I'm also a lover of trying something new too. The family likes to "rate" the meal on a scale from 1-to-5 (5 being the best). We try to stick to the rule that "If you want a treat, you gotta eat!", but on the new meals, I try to cut them a little slack. =] Especially if I think it'll be something border-line to their liking. In addition to the menu, I've also been trying to add a new recipe to the "What's Cookin'" link about every few weeks.
Other Regular Headings ~
Today's Faith Builders with a daily verse, a prayer engine for finding the right verse to pray for a loved one in need, and a daily devotional through Daily Wisdom
Links to my categories of blogging
Favorite Links I use often for help with school, home and faith
Reminder to Pray for our Troops with picture collage and two video links
Friends ~ other bloggers that I visit for schooling and homelife ideas, and spiritual fuel and encouragement.
Kids Current Reading List
My Current Reading List
My CD List
Well, have a blessed day in the Lord!! Seize every moment with anticipation and passion!
Home for Him,
Deborah
Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground....for I am your servant.
TODAY is the day we've been waiting and saving up for for months. TODAY is the day we leave for vacation...our first full week (actually 10 days) in the last two years!! WOOOO HOOOOO!! Hilton Head Island, land of slow pace, bicycle paths, dolphins and Loggerheads, Sand Dollars and Star Fish, fresh seafood in the restaurants, and a tremendous amount of plain old fashioned FUN for my family!!
If you get a chance, please send up a quick prayer for us today for God's protection and blessings on our trip and time spent with eachother. We will be spending two days in the Smoky Mountains hiking, shopping, and enjoying a scenic appetizer of the beautiful mountains and wildlife. Then, for 7 days we'll be kickin' back on the Atlantic Ocean, breathing to the beat of the (hopefully) easy waves caressing the shoreline. This will mark our first week spent on a beach together as a family.
I am praying for all the above, but also that we just bring glory to our Maker in all we do, say and think along the way. Amen!!
Also, if you could, please pray for our neighbor Gary and his family this week. His wife died in the hospital two days ago after finding out only 4 weeks ago that she had cancer in her lungs, brain and liver. her funeral will be on Saturday. He feels very comforted knowing that she'll feel no more pain at all and that she'll spend her eternity in heaven. But I also pray that he and his girls cling to God and family during this time and not to the worldly vices.
Well, so I'm "signing off" for about 10 days now. I'll be back with new pictures and experiences to share.
Bless you for visiting Home For Him today....I pray your day will be a grand adventure for you and YOUR family!!
Well, I'm slowly climbing back into the saddle again. The kids and I were gone for those 10 days and returned last Sunday night. (More to come on our trip....it's was awesome.) It took me several days to catch up on missed phone calls and emails. My daughter caught the nasty 24 hour flu bug (it reared it's ugly on Tuesday). Bless her heart, she was literally out of it, on her back, head in the trash can, for an entire day. Temperature, the whole 9 yards. I am so thankful for her that it was only for a day. The next day, she bounced out of bed like nothing had ever happened!! Thank You Lord!!
Yesterday was my turn to "fall off the horse". Yes, the flu bug attacked again! This time for me. I'd forgotten how bad you really feel when that happens. I have to say though, that I am SO proud of my children. Early in the morning, I called all four into the room and officially commissioned the oldest two to be "in charge" for the day (almost a scary thought =]). They were so good!! And so sweet!! They managed to feed breakfast and lunch, make sure everyone brushed their teeth, collect a beautiful bouquet of flowers for me, writes several wonderful Get Well cards, and encourage me everytime I seemed to arise from the dead!! My dh was wonderful too. Even though the truck broke down over in the middle of town, he managed to get a ride back to the house, pick up the van, call AAA to tow the truck back to the shop, and take the kids with him to a side-job for the night. I don't know for sure, but I think they got back home around 8:30pm.
I feel like I missed a whole day!! But, just as with Sis, this morning I awoke good as new. A little weak from a day without food, but good. So, I'm climbing back into the saddle again. We have a cookout tonight with all my GNO girlfriends and their families. And a quieter weekend ahead. (Except Daddy is working for a while on Saturday.)
We've decided to offically start back to school full time the week after Labor Day. Our local PS's have started back this week. This is yet ANOTHER reason I am so happy to homeschool. Thankfully, I've been working a little at a time this summer on getting last year's binders finished and closed. And this coming year's schedule is about ready. The kids are really getting excited.
This will be our second year to organize a Homeschooler's Fieldtrip Club....something the kids thought of last year. We've planned out a really fun schedule of trips for the second Monday of the month, Sept. - May. The response has been overwhelming really. We've already closed our first fieldtrip to a local nature preserve...over 100 will be in attendance. Wow!! It makes me proud to be a homeschooler! The trip will include three rotating nature classes (Rocks and Fossils, Woodland Ecology, and Forest Food Web). The morning will also include a self-guided hike through the 400 acre hiking trails, a tour of the historical structures on the property, and the museum (which has alot of local Native American history, and geological specimens). Other trips we have planned this year will be to the Louisville Glassworks factory, Fort Harrod, Stage One to see Narnia, the university Planetarium, the House of Reptiles and the Falls of the Ohio.
Yes, I have decided to take a friend-of-a-friend up on a deal to get a cut, color and highlights for $65, BUT that's not really what I was going to blog about...
I thought it might be a good idea to blog some Weekly Highlights....you know, like once a week give a summary of all the main happenings. It just seems that time goes flying by sometimes, and I look up and realized that there was so much I could've journaled about but now it's all passed!! I've also gotten off my once-a-week schedule with recipes and Family Life ABC's.
So, to begin with, my kids and I decided that this summer we were going to do an informal "home economics" class. Each week, I'd teach them to do something domestically "new and exciting". They're really getting a kick out of it. Briar and Connor have become a dishwasher unloading-and-loading team. They've all been brushing up on the garbage emptying and set-and-clearing the table (which have been long standing chores). Each have also taken their turn at cleaning their bathroom...mirror, sink, tub AND toilet. Briar has surprised me in his laundry-folding abilities. The other night, he actually sat there and matched socks while I read from our book!! And I didn't even ask him!!
This last week, all three learned how to make tea (we go through alot since it's summer and all...you know, the southern sweet tea.) Connor is making Kool-Aid on his own now. And Sissy, well, she's been baking and cooking up a storm!!! Daddy is loving the cake, cookies and jello!! (Unfortunately, he eats them too fast!) Plus, bless her sweet lil' heart, she brought me a cup of coffee in bed this morning....
I'm so proud of them. They're really trying hard to help around the house more. Now, if I can only get them to be as enthusiastic about their own rooms!!
We've gotten alot done to organize things for the coming school year. They all wanted to have a "report card" this year. So I have this great HS organizing program called K12Journal. I love it! It has taken a little time to get all the information entered into the program. But once it is, I can print off all kinds of reports....transcripts, grades, lesson plans, time schedules...it's wonderful!! And I can transfer info from one year to another so I don't have to keep entering the same subjects over and over. Anyway, we've gone through the file cabinet and all their files (goes along with my Summer Decluttering Campaign =]), bookshelves, and desks. I consolidated all their work from this last year to keep and put it in an accordian file for each of them. (Mainly, I keep just a sampling of their subjects and special projects they did.) Each will include a transcript, a listing of subjects with special comments from me, a listing of fieldtrips, reading journal, and then everything else. I am so excited!! I have to remind myself to blog our list of subjects and activities for the year ahead.
T minus 5 days and counting! The kids and I will be leaving for the cabin up north for a whole week. Yes, we're sad that Daddy can't come! He's right in the middle of two buildings with deadlines fast approaching. This cabin is a special place for me because it sits on 40 wooded acres. And because it's been in my family for over 100 years. To me, it's a part of our heritage and something that must be shared with my children. One day, they will be responsible for it. Anyhow, we love to go and hike, swim, explore, burn brush, go over to Lake Michigan for a day, and so much more. We don't have a phone or a TV. We just play games, read and make a fire to sit around alot. It brings back so many great memories with my cousins and my grandma and aunt. And all the times spent with my siblings and parents. It's in our blood!
In the words of the famous deep sea resident of Bikini Bottom ....Sponge Bog.....Oh Blue Tartar Sauce!! .....Literally, I mean.
Yes, last night at the dinner table, I was able to score some serious extra "cool mom points". We were having baked fish filets for dinner (which we do not have very often...that would be in the WAY different category for us), and I had taken a few extra moments to throw together some tartar sauce. (Believe me, it's really not that hard! =]) Anyway, upon gathering to the table the kids took one look and asked,
"What's that???"
"Baked fish!" I answered enthusiastically. "And doesn't it look yummy??"
"Well, what's thaaaat???" they asked pointing to the tartar sauce.
"Tartar Sauce..." I replied.
My youngest belted out, "You mean BLUUEEE tartar sauce don't you mom???" with a big grin.
And being the novel Sponge Bob fan that I am...
Well ,I thought......why not?? So I came back with a squirt of blue food coloring and doctored it up a bit.
Wow!! I can't believe how much better that fish tasted!! And I have a feeling we'll be able to talk about this one for a while.
Side Notes:
The New Dishwasher is a dream!!! The dishes have never looked SO SHINY!!
Our softball tourny is tonight. Wish us luck....it's single elimination. =]
We are the proud new owners of a 2002 Chevy Venture. It's maroon, and so beautiful. We spent 3 1/2 hours at the car dealership on Saturday and finally came to a "fair understanding". (We've been searching now for several weeks.) We sadly said goodbye to the 11 year old Lumina though....alot of good memories with that van. Buuutttttt, out with the old and in with the new! Right??Yeah!! Now we can feel safe about driving out-of-town!
The Kids Post Card Exchange group is still going strong over the summer. We just got a pc from a girl in Japan! And, we recently exchanged souvenir packages with some students from a school in Chili. I am loving the geography lessons with the kids. Not to mention the challenge for good penmanship.
The vacation plans for Hilton Head are in stone now. We're going the third week in September with a 2-day stop in Gatlinburg on the way down. Yippee!!!
The Summer De-cluttering Project is still going at full throttle. I've been working on the "picture drawer" that's been ignored now for about 12 years. I think I'm going to need about 4 new albums to get those organized. Also, I'm going through book shelves and curriculum.
We sold a few school items at Lisa's (Living is His Sonshine) yard sale last weekend....made 50 bucks. Every little bit counts, right?
Well, that's about all I have for right now. Hope your having a great day in the Lord!!
Since You are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of Your Name lead and guide me. Psalm 31:3
Hi! My name is Deborah, and I want to thank you for taking a moment out of your busy day to visit Home For Him. I hope in some small way that you find encouragement and ideas for not only your homeschooling experience, but also your walk with God. I live in Kentucky with my Honey of 17 years, our three adventureous kids, and our small zoo of two dogs, a cat, a bird and three reptiles. Together, we have a heart for serving, and a love for studying God's Word and learning about His creation. Welcome to our world!
The Serious and Organized One ~ "Bri Guy" likes to read, play soccer, listen to music, build bionicles, collect pocketknives, hang out with friends, go to CBS, and be with family.
The Creative Dreamer ~ "Sissy Lou" likes to write on her blog, love on her pets, rides horses, scrapbook, read, play soccer, be with her girlfriends, and study the Bible.
The Extreme Goof ~ "Con Man" likes to do math, play football and soccer, snowboard, make people laugh, build bionicles, play with his dogs, play with friends, build forts, and go to small group at church.
Deborah
She amazed me with how NOT nervous she was! Especially in front of 300 women for the first time! 
Every table looks like something you'd see through the window of your favorite bakery. The ladies go all out with decorations -- some fine china and crystal, some fine paper products and plastic, elaborate centerpieces, all look beautiful!!
Deborah
Deb
He's right in the middle of two buildings with deadlines fast approaching. This cabin is a special place for me because it sits on 40 wooded acres. And because it's been in my family for over 100 years. To me, it's a part of our heritage and something that must be shared with my children. One day, they will be responsible for it. Anyhow, we love to go and hike, swim, explore, burn brush, go over to Lake Michigan for a day, and so much more. We don't have a phone or a TV. We just play games, read and make a fire to sit around alot. It brings back so many great memories with my cousins and my grandma and aunt. And all the times spent with my siblings and parents. It's in our blood!
Buuutttttt, out with the old and in with the new! Right??Yeah!! Now we can feel safe about driving out-of-town!
