Our daughter is starting Jr. High School this year, so we've decided to rearrange and add a few things to our homeschool room which reflect this new transition in her life.  She is a Jonas Brothers nut, so we added a bulletin board above a brand new desk, with what else?  That's right . . . Jonas brothers posters.  I don't mind, as they are great role models and men of purity.  I used to work with their Dad (Kevin Sr.) back in Dallas when I was a Pastor's Admin., and he was the Worship Leader.  He was also the Worship Leader when I was at CFNI, so I am confident that if dd had to choose posters of someone to put on her bulletin board, she couldn't have chosen better!  I'll post pictures when I can :-)

Here is her line-up of Curriculum for 7th Grade:

Bible 
(1) The Narrow Way, by Pearables (2) Scripture Memory System by Simply Charlotte Mason.

Math 
Rightstart Math, from Activitie For Learning

Science 
(1) Apologia General Science (2) Creation Journaling

Grammar
(1) Book 3 of Spelling Wisdom, from Simply Charlotte Mason (2) Notebook for copywork and dictation
(2) Word Roots B1, from Critical Thinking Company

History/Geography 
(1) Story Of The World Vol. 3 (2) Book Of Centuries Timeline from Simply Charlotte Mason

Reading/Poetry 
(1) Little House On The Prairie Series, by Laura Ingalls Wilder (2) Poet Study

Art 
Picture Study Module #1, from Simply Charlotte Mason - John James Audubon; Claude Monet; Mary Cassatt; Christian Riese Lassen; Maxfield Parrish; P. Buckley Moss
 
Music 
(1) Composer Study Module #1, from Simply Charlotte Mason - Bach; Mozart; Chopin; Strauss; Tchaikovsky; Stravinsky (2) Piano Lessons from 2 different teachers this year (one that focus' on classical, and another which focus' on music/songwriting). (3) Hymn Study Module #1, From Simply Charlotte Mason - I Sing the Mighty Power of God; Great Is Thy Faithfulness; To God Be the Glory; Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise; Crown Him with Many Crowns; O Come, All Ye Faithful

Typing 
Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing (computer program)

Foreign Language 
Greek/Latin, from English From The Roots Up

Personal Development 
Beautiful Girlhood Book and Journal

EXTRA
Pure One is also cast in a local musical which will have her in rehearsals/shows from September through Christmas.

We'll begin on September 2nd and go till May 29th, with school days Monday -Thursday, so we can keep Friday's free for Field Trips. It feels so good to have everything organized and ready to go for her new step to the Jr. High years.  She is ready, I am ready and we are thanking the Lord that we have the freedom to homeschool in the United States of America. It is a freedom we do not take for granted.

Any other Jr. High Homeschool Moms in here?  Any special things you've done to make the transition from Elementary to Jr. High special? I'd love to hear :-)

<>< Kelly

I haven't had much time for blogging the past 6 months, so thank you for your patience with our slow posts.  It's been wonderfully busy here at our house, and most of our online connecting these days is done through Facebook , as we've found that to be a safer and private alternative :-)  Every now and then I like to come back here though, to my favorite blogging spot, and give updates.  I hope you and your family are doing well and enjoying the beautiful Spring weather. 

This weekend was wonderful!  On Friday night we had our family movie night and watched The Game Plan, which is about a single Dad that is totally consumed with himself and his major league baseball career, until a little girl knocks on his door and reveals she is his daughter.  His life is completely changed after that, and I won't say more in case you haven't seen it yet.   I thought it was cute! :-) 

Saturday we had Pure One's piano recital, and got to see our great friends, Paul and Pam, as their dd is now taking lessons with Mrs. J.  It felt like "old home" week as we got to hug the necks of so many we love, but do not get the chance to see often.  Afterwards several of the families went to a restaurant that was in the same center, and we sat for a few hours chatting and catching up. 

Sunday we had church, then right after the church barbecue fundraiser (yum), and then we came home to get the house ready for Spring (raking and mowing yard, putting up trampoline and hammock, etc.).  Then we went kite-flying in the park, and ended our day with a bonfire, and smores (yummmm).  It was one of those weekends, that when it is bedtime and everyone is tucked in, you look at one another and go GOSH life is good! 

Thank you Lord for a good life:  health, family, a great church family, life-giving friendships, great weather, kites, a roof over our heads, money in our pockets, and above all YOU. 

Blessings From Our Home To Your's and HAPPY SPRING!! :-)

Posted in Prayer

This prayer was forwarded to me from my friend Kristine, whom has been a dear friend of mine for over 15 years.  We went to the same church in TX, were married around the same time, had our babies around the same time, bought our first houses  . . . etc.  We've been through many of life's changes together, and one thing is for sure . . . our foundation in Christ and friendship has been strong.  Thank you for this awesome prayer, and I just had to share it in return  You are a blessing dear sis :-)

Dear Lord, I thank you for this day. I
thank You for my being able to see and to hear this
morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God
and an understanding God. You have done so much for me
and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for
everything I have done, said or thought that was not
pleasing to you. I ask now for Your forgiveness.

             Please keep me safe from all danger and
harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude
and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each
and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from
You.

             Let me not whine and whimper over things
I have no control over. Let me continue to see sin
through God's eyes and acknowledge it as evil. And
when I sin, let me repent, and confess with my mouth
my wrongdoing, and receive the forgiveness of God.

             And when this world closes in on me, let
me remember Jesus' example -- to slip away and find a
quiet place to pray. It's the best response when I'm
pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't
pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do
Your will.

             Continue to bless me that I may be a
blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the
weak. Keep me uplifted that I may have words of
encouragement for others. I pray for those who are
lost and can't find their way. I pray for those who
are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who
don't know You intimately.  I pray for those who don't
believe. But I thank you that I believe.

             I believe that God changes people and
God changes things. I pray for all my sisters and
brothers. For each and every family member in their
households, and friends. I pray for peace, love, and joy in their
homes, that they are out of debt and all their needs
are met.

             I pray that every eye that reads this
knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation
greater than God. Every battle is in Your hands for
You to fight I pray that these words be received into
the hearts of every eye that sees them and every mouth
that confesses them willingly..

             This is my prayer.
             In Jesus' Mighty Name, Amen. 

Feel free to pass it on . . . .  :-)

Posted in The Beauty Of Gods Provision

To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time for every purpose, under Heaven

A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep

To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time for every purpose, under Heaven

A time to build up,a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together

To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time for every purpose, under Heaven

A time of love, a time of hate
A time of war, a time of peace
A time you may embrace, a time to refrain from embracing

To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time for every purpose, under Heaven

A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time to love, a time to hate
A time for peace, I swear it's not too late

I remember that song by the Byrds, and also the passage in Ecclesiastes 3 so well (the above is a bit of a mix). It really is true that there are different seasons in each person's life, and we must be willing to accept those changes, to move on to the next stages of our journey in Christ and life.   Sometimes transitions are smooth, and sometimes they are gut-wrenchingly hard.  

My Mom uses the phrase " When the grace umbrella moves we better move with it or we'll get pummeled by the downfall."  In Exodus 13:21 The Lord went ahead of the Israelites as a "cloud of pillar by day and a pillar of fire by night, to give them light so they could travel."  One day they were moving forward and the next they were told to go back and camp near Pi Hahirath.  It may have seemed that they were taking two steps forward and one step back, but as long as the Lord was leading them they were safe.  Sometimes we have to trust God even when we can't see ahead.  We don't always know the season's we are about to embark upon, but one thing is for sure . . . as long as our hearts and spirits are fixated on Christ, as our solid foundation, there will be no shifting sand.

There are lots of changes going on in our life right now - some pleasant, and some not.  We've just come out of a very hard, but incredibly fruitful season, and have entered a new one.  The seasons must change, and we must be ready to embrace all that God has for us to learn in each one.  He is our ROCK, our fortress, our deliverer and in Him we will trust. I love that oldie, but goodie hymn . . .

Refrain:
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

  ~ Edward Mote (1797-1874) ~

It is a great reminder that the world will change, and doubts, struggles and the cares of this world will try to invade, but as long as our faith is in Christ, our anchor is strong. He will never leave us or forsake us, and He is always the light that makes our path straight.  Thank you Lord for your grace, mercy and love towards us.  We don't ever want to step outside of your will or the covering which you have placed over our lives.  It is in YOU we trust during this season of change.

<>< Kelly

Posted in Family Life

I have only a few minutes to step in from our bloggy break and share the latest.  Forgive me for the bullet list.  It seems the most efficient way to update for us now, with everything going on. 

• Pure One ~ is still loving being in JBQ (Junior Bible Quiz) competitions, and attends weekly practices. She just had her first semi-professional audition and is now a cast member for an amazing and inspirational musical that will be in performance the first three weeks of March.  She is overjoyed and excited about the opportunity, along with embracing the responsibility.  She is also "pluggin" away at daily piano practice and weekly lessons, and now venturing into composing her own songs.  January thru May is our "fierce focus" on homeschooling, so she is also doing well in her studies - faithful to complete her work on schedule. Add to that 3-4 times a week family workout routines at the health club, along with her participation in the children's Worship team.  WOW, it is a full schedule, but also very life-giving and  peaceful. 
  
• Hubby ~ recently had some job opportunities come up, and we are believing for God's perfect will regarding his work.  It has been a long road with the lay-off last year, and then starting his own business, with little-to-no money. This has definately been a "dig-down-deep" and persevere year for him, and for all of us, in the midst of very hard circumstances.  We've had quite a bit of those "check the couches for change" moments which have been so humbling, yet we have seen God's mighty hand of provision and even abundant blessing through it all.  Please keep Hubby in your prayers as he goes through the final interviews with 4 wonderful companies.  We need a miracle in our finances, and are believing the right job will come to fruition in God's perfect timing.  He has never ever forsaken us. Hubby is also loving working out 3-4 times a week, and watching muscles magically reappear on his arms and chest that were hidden through the years.  I'm really proud of him in every way, and so glad he is persevering through all the trials that have come our way, with God getting the glory! :-)
  
• Kelly ~ I've been "pluggin" away and enjoying teaching Pure One full time.  My favorite is our morning Bible studies from the Narrow Way, by Pearables, which seem to help us keep our focus in the midst of crazy schedules. Now I know why God had us in a place of rest last season, to get us ready for this very busy one :-).  Starting off our day in God's word is priceless!   I am still in Choir at church, with weekly practices and then ministry on Sundays, along with writing for the church newsletter.  In addition I am still freelance writing for a home-education magazine (writing curriculum reviews), and working on a book. I am absolutely LOVING our  family workouts, at the gym.  It seems that all those years of working out when I was in HS and College haven't gone to waste and my muscles are just thanking me for getting back in the "groove" again.  Ya gotta love that endorphine rush in the middle of the workout that lasts for hours (good sigh). Then . . . and you are not gonna believe this! LOL . . .  my girlfriend and I brought our daughter's to an audition last week . . . and we decided at the last minute to audition for the adult cast, and wound up BOTH getting two of the female lead parts!!!   Both of us are extremely humbled yet overjoyed at being able to be in the production together.  Just knowing that so many will be coming to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ through this production is enough to keep us humble and focused on Him through it all.  That is truly what it is all about!  We will be having rehearsals 3-4 times a week (depending on scenes).  So the month of February and all of March (till  Easter) is filled to the rim.  We have eight performances in March (4 each weekend). WOW - pinch me!

Some closing thoughts:  to think that last year at this time I was laid up with a broken leg/ankle and couldn't walk until April.  With extra rehabilitation going until September. I had just lost two dear friends in a homeschooling co-op conundrum in March, shunned by our small house-church family because of the co-op condundrum (heavy heartbreaking sigh here) However . . .Since God is the restorer of all things . . . all things that were taken away have been/are being restored in amazing ways. The two friendships are gone, sad to say (you really find out who your true friends are when hard times hit), but others have been made new and restored.  My best friend of over 12 years and I lost contact 4 years ago due to a simple misunderstanding, and now we are completely restored and enjoying one another again in a new and fresh way, which is healthy, strong, and solid.  We have been given an amazing church family that supports, truly loves, encourages and always challenges us in our walk, along with some of the best friends I have ever had coming into my life for the first time.  Forgiveness has been such a major part in the restoration process.  And as we learned to forgive, we also learned that blessings follow!!   As we approach Easter & Passover we remember that Christ came to redeem the world from sin, and we can humbly say how blessed we are to have experienced His grace and redemption power, as we watch the devastating effects of 2007 turn into abundant fruit-bearing in 2008. We can only look forward to the rest of our year with great anticipation and JOY! By His Grace!!

We hope your families are doing well and enjoying the snuggly winter weather (or Palm trees for our Florida friends). God's grace is always amazing and we pray that you are experiencing the JOY of walking in his grace today.  Love and Blessings From Minnesota,

<>< Kelly

Hi Everyone and HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008!! ,

We've been so wonderfully busy outside the home that there hasn't been time to properly blog all that has happened in the last month.  Our apologies to those who are so faithful to stop by and check in on us - we love and appreciate you so much, and are so sorry that there wasn't anything new and fresh to see here :-)   We do hope you had a wonderful Christmas and New Years with your families.  We've gotten such lovely cards, letters and gifts from our friends and family, and we must share that this was "by far" the best ending of a year that we have ever had!!  Bar none!!  God is so good and faithful, and I am in awe of all that He brought us through in 2007.  It was a very hard year for us - one of the hardest!  But also one that was very blessed and filled with new life, friendship and great JOY. We have witnessed firsthand the powerful resurrecting life that God can only give through his son Jesus Christ . . . into each life. Words could never describe the depth of our love for Him (whew, it brings tears to my eyes when I think about it). But definately tears of joy.

Our love to you from Minnesota. We will try to update when we can.  

Continuing Our Bloggy Break For Now,

Kelly, Hubby and Pure One

This weekend we started taking Christmas pictures, so we wanted to share the latest one of our dd.

Posted in Family Life

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend even though it was just the three of us here at the house.  Through the years we have become so used to being away from family that it just comes natural to celebrate the holidays with just the three of us.  When we lived in Connecticut we spent two Thanksgivings in Plymouth, Massachusett's, which was an extraordinary time of history and site-seeing. I highly recommend it to all families who want to experience an authentic Thanksgiving experience, from a historical standpoint.  Dinner at the John Carver Inn is bar-none :-)

My pictures of Plymouth didn't turn out very well , so here are some links:
1) Picture of Mayflower II HERE
2) Plymouth Rock (look how little it is!) HERE
3) Plimoth Plantation HERE

(Spoiler warning:  pictures below of Macy's 8th floor Holiday display in MN.  If you haven't seen it this year you may not want to look at these pictures )

Back to our weekend . . . after we went to eat at Dangerfields (Oh I can't tell you how great it was not to have to do dishes and cooking on Thanksgiving), we rented some Christmas movies and then headed back to the house for a time of Christmas decorating, which ensued all weekend.  On Saturday we ventured to downtown Minneapolis where we went to the 8th floor Macy's display (pictures below). What a treat!  Even though we had to stand in line for over an hour, it was well worth the time just to experience the theme for this year "The Nutcracker."  Afterwards we did a bit of shopping, grabbed some hot drinks and apple fritters, and headed downstairs to view the Holidazzle Parade. It was a weekend full of fun, great family memories with just the three of us, and refreshing rest.  Although we missed our extended family in Dallas and New York, we really have come to appreciate what God has given us, even in our small unit of just Hubby, Pure One and I. 

Thank you to our sweet friends who invited us over to their homes for Thanksgiving.  Not only are we blessed with extended family, but a great church family here in Minnesota, who have taken us under their wing and helped us to feel VERY loved and welcome after a long, hard and very trying year.  We look forward to our times together, but for this one weekend it needed to be us three, and I am learning that is okay. Spoken from a very social person who used to have a hard time if 20 people weren't around at gatherings. It is in those quiet moments where I have begun to find my greatest joy. 

WE hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, whether you were around 20-50 of your closest friends and family or just 3.  We hope it was a joyful day to remember.

Posted in Friendship

HAPPY THANKSGIVING
From Minnesota

Posted in Family Life

I just realized it has been awhile since I've posted, so thought I would share a few milestones that have happened in the last month with you. 

Firstly this weekend was our dd's first JBQ tournament (Junior Bible Quiz), and all the churches in our district, which were participating in this program, came together for the first competition of the year.  Our dd's team ended up taking 1st, and the other team at our church took 2nd place, which they were both humbled and incredibly blessed to have achieved.  You see . . . Our church is brand new to JBQ, and the kiddos had well over 100 scriptures to learn between September and now.  We didn't even think they would be able to place at all because of the short amount of time to prepare for competition, but God's favor, as well as the kiddos hard work paid off, and now they are all pumped and ready to start memorizing more for the next competition. It is really a great way to help our kiddos memorize the word of God and get blessed in return.

Secondly, we took the plunge and finally became members of a church here in Minnesota.  It took awhile for us to get comfy and find the church home we have been looking for, and we came across some great churches along the way, but we can proudly say we are finally home!  Whoohooo. We have all found our place of ministry within this Body, as well as a place of refuge. 

Hubby's helping the church offices with computers as well as aiding Worship through Computer Presentations; DD is in the worship group (Sunday's) for Children's Church and competing in JBQ on Wed. nights; and I am in the choir as well as freelance writing articles for the monthly newsletter.  It has been a looooong 5 year search, with plenty of blunders along the way, and many valuable life lessons. We know now to be extra cautious when committing ourselves to a group of believer's, as it is important to be rightly knitted (joined) and not just fitted :-). We feel extra blessed to be able to rest, find peace and enjoy the community God has called us to, for such a time as this.  His timing is always perfect :-)    

This week is our 15th Wedding Anniversary, and I was just spending a few moments thinking about these precious years we have had together as husband and wife (warning: mushy-gushy moments ahead!!) They haven't all been hunky-dorey, and in fact have had their fair share of trials, tests and tears, but as we both talked last night and reminisced, we realized just how very blessed we are to have the marriage we do and the close friendship with one another.  We are a one-income family that has chosen to live a middle-American lifestyle instead of a lavish two-income one, so we can raise our daughter in the admonition of the Lord. Because of this we aren't able to go on a Carribean Cruise or European Adventure for our 15th anniversary, and quite frankly we can't even go and stay in a hotel for a few nights, however we are overly joyed to be able to belly-laugh out loud with one another, share tender moments, joke and play around, and genuinely adore being around one another, living everyday together through every season God has brought our way.  There is such comfort in knowing we can trust one another, and even in the silent moments there is such warmth.  How rare that is now adays in a world where people try on spouses for size and then throw them away when they get bored, or the least little way of opposition comes their way. I remember our pre-marital counselor asked us a question during one of our meetings.  Hubby and I had only been dating six months, and it went something like this:

Counselor:  Hubby-to-be, do you love Kelly enough to die for her today?
Hubby: (with great amourous zeal) OH YES, YES YES . . . I would die for her today!
Counselor:  Kelly do you love Hubby enough to die for him today?
Kelly:  (again with amourous zeal) Oh Yes absolutely!
Counselor:  Okay you two, since you love one another so much you would die for one another today . . . let me ask another question.

Hubby-to-be and Kelly look at each other with glee, as if they have passed the test already

Counselor: Hubby-to-be, and Kelly . . . (long pause) do you LOVE one another enough to LIVE for one another everyday for the rest of your lives?

blank stares and silence

Counselor: Ya see, anyone can say they want to die for one another when they are in love -- easy simple done quickly -- but to truly live for one another everyday is the true test of love! Laying down your lives for one another daily is what true Love is.

Wise words indeed, and we can honestly say now, after 15 years of marriage that we have LIVED for one another everyday in Christ.  And let me tell ya . . . it ain't easy!  I look back now on our counseling session and I just grin thinking of how naive we were as two lovebirds that couldn't wait to get married. How simple life was back then.  Now . . . 1 beautiful child later (and hope to have more), 2 multi-state job transfers, 7 residences, 2 lay-off's, many trials, tears, victories and one broken leg later . . . we are still in love!  How THANKFUL we are to have one another, and even if our anniversary was spent at Don Pablo's instead of Cabo San Lucas, we enjoyed every moment together, because it was just us - Hubby and me - laughing, giggling and grinning from ear to ear, holding hands and looking into one another's eyes with a greater love, greater understanding and greater ability to truly live for and love one another everyday, no matter where God takes us and what we have to go through together.  HAPPY ANNIVERSARY HUBBY!

That's it for now.  Have a wonderful THANKGIVING week, and can't wait to hear about a few of your milestones! GOD IS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD!

Posted in The Tagged Corner

 My friend Christin tagged me, and here is what she wrote:
You've been tagged! In your spare blogging time, all you have to do is:
Post "Seven True Things" about yourself with a link back to me, and tag seven new bloggers, leaving them these instructions!

Here are seven (pretty boring) things you may or may not know about me:

(1)
 I finally braved it and went back to singing again after a loooooong 12 year sabbatical.

(2) 
I LOVE life right now!

(3)
What a joy it is to use my writing skills for Freelance work.

(4)
Schedules used to bug me, but now I actually love having a productive, yet peaceful routine.

(5)
We are in awe of the beautiful friendships we have in our life right now - very healthy and life-giving!

(6)
I am counting calories after years of giving up.  It is time to lose the weight folks! LOL

(7) 
I LOVE my hubby!

______________________________________________________________

So here are seven of my online friends who I am tagging in return:
Becky at Lamere Academy, Dianna at Through The Eyes of Happy Apple, Christa at Fairfield Academy Corner, Mel over at Home's Cool With One,  Christina over at It's All In How You Look At It, Judi over at JudyTupp's space, and Rachel over at Solid Rock Homeschool

Dear Subscribers, this month's Read Thru The Bible Schedule has been sent. If you are not a current subscriber, but would like to be included in this wonderful FREE program, please send an email to Kellyque@juno.com . 

Blessings to you as you read God's word.

Posted in Family Life

What a beautiful week it has been here in Minnesota.  The sun has been shining, and the cool Autumn air warrants a light jacket, as the kiddos play in the leaves and Father's get the yards ready for the long winter's slumber.  There is something so majestic about Autumn, and it has always been one of my favorites.  This time we were able to celebrate its beauty with my Mom, who flew up to Minnesota from Dallas, to celebrate Pure One's 12th birthday.

She called me two weeks ago and said she bought the ticket and wanted to surprise Pure One.  Then on the 24th, after church, we called dd to come over to a corner just outside her JBQ room.  When she saw Grandma she started to cry.  It was such a touching moment and as soon as I upload the pictures I will add them to this post.   The next day we celebrated her family birthday party at Rainforest Cafe, at MOA (Mall of America).  Our friends Mel and Hannah surprised us and joined us for the evening, which made it even more special.  Afterwards Hannah and Pure One rode the amusement park rides until the park nearly closed.  They ran and ran and giggled and hollered.  What a great evening of fun!

The next day we celebrated Pure One's birthday again by having a party just for she and her closest girlfriends. The theme was a "Tween Spa & Pampering Evening," but it ended up morphing into something altogether different, with the girls designing their own pizza's and cupcakes, playing lots of games and just enjoying one another (more giggles and hollerin :-).  My friend Mel blessed us by bringing over a wonderful line of skin products for the girls to pamper their hands, called Artistry.  Let me tell ya . . . it smelled wonderful!  Then the girls painted their nails.  All in all it was a great night, and the celebration didn't stop there . . . .

all of the girls making silly faces for the camera :-)

On Saturday we ventured out to a local Apple orchard.  Mom hadn't been to one since she lived in New York (Texas isn't known for it's apples - LOL). She had a blast feeling like a kid again.  

Sunday was church and Home Life Group (which was absolutely fantastic btw!).  The Lord has knitted us with some great families and we are so blessed to be able to have the authentic relationships we have been praying for.  I love the transparency and vulnerability that is shown to one another.  I am still working on that in my own life, as I have been a bit more guarded than normal due to some situations that happened last Spring, but I love how God is working in all of our lives and we get to watch it all unfold together - being a testament of one another's lives.

Mom leaves tomorrow (boo hoo :-( ), however our time with her has been extra special.  Thank you Mom for a wonderful week full of blessings, lots of love and snuggle time.  May the Lord bless you in return, and give you safe travels back to cowboy land (tee hee).  YEEEEEE HAAWWWW

P.S - I'll post pictures as soon as I can, and HAPPY birthday to my SIL Kim, whose b'day was October 28th.

Posted in Wordless Wednesday

This was our home when we lived in Connecticut.  This time of year (Autumn) we always miss New England and its spectacular beauty.  We would go on road trips just to take pictures of the leaves and see what was behind the next bend in the road (good sigh).  We love Minnesota and all that God has given us here, but we can't help reminiscing about our time in Connecticut.

Like this picture of an old factory with a waterfall beside it!  To see this in person is stunning, and the picture really doesn't do it justice, but we came across this on one of our casual car rides out in the countryside of CT.  There was always a postcard picture at every turn.

Thank you Lord that we were able to live there, even if it was only for a few years.  You are so gracious!

For more wordless, or "not-so wordless" Wednesday's go HERE

all photos on this site copyright ksm 2007, unless otherwise noted, permission must be granted before using in any other format, whether printed or online. Thank you :-)

Posted in The Beauty Of Gods Provision

I woke up today very weepy for some reason.  I couldn't shake it, so I went downstairs and put on some worship music.  Usually when I get this way the Lord is pressing on my heart to intercede for someone.  I needed to find out who that person was, so I spent some good quality time with the Lord, albeit short, but quality none-the-less, yet I still didn't know who I was weeping for .  Weepy, weepy why I am so weepy?  Deep well of tears flowing! I decide to make a doctor appointment because I had a problem that popped up with my shoulder, which was causing quite a bit of pain.

So I went about my day as normal and then headed for my doctor's appointment at 3:30 p.m. I couldn't shake this weepiness, and it got stronger as I headed to the doc's office.  Then as soon as my doctor walked in the office I knew why . . . it all became so clear . . .

I was weeping for him! 

His head was shaven, eyes sunken in, cheek bones protruding and he looked thinner than I have ever seen him.  He is about my age, and this once strong, healthy, man - an avid runner, was now a lifeless shell.  He wouldn't tell me what was going on and avoided eye-contact and any potential for conversation altogether, so I patiently kept quiet and listened carefully for God's leading - being ever so careful, as I shared why I was in his office that day.  At the end of my appointment, when I was able to fully capture his gaze, I looked him in the eye and said, "It's Cancer isn't it?"  He said yes and bowed his head slightly, eyes down.  He allowed me to ask questions, and then slowly began to open up and share his story with me.  As an avid runner he was very "in-tune" to his body and when his hip started hurting he went to get it checked.  After some lengthy lab photos he found out he had a few tumors that were in his hip. It is an aggressive Lymphoma Cancer which has had him on Chemotherapy since the summer. I shared a few words with him and let him know we were praying for him and that he is to expect victory. There was so much more on my heart to share with him, but not enough time. He was very grateful for our conversation and thanked me. 

However it didn't end there . . . as soon as I got home Hubby was there and I shared with him what happened.  He led me to the living room and we went right into intercession for this man who the Lord wanted to reach in a mighty way.  When we were done the weepiness ended and joy returned.  Although we are going to continue to pray for our dear doc, we know God is already working on his behalf.  When God calls the intercessors it isn't always with an alarm and loud shout . . . sometimes it comes through weeping. That sweet, precious oil that flows from the throne room of God into the depths of our spirits, trickling ever so gently until it flows freely.  I am humbled and so honored to be able to pray for this man that God has brought into our lives.  We are believing for his complete healing, restoration and ultimate salvation and testimony of faith within the medical community.  To God Be The Glory.

The next time you feel weepy, maybe God is pulling you to pray for someone . . .ask Him and He will show you. We forget that sometimes when we go through suffering or pain it can be for a higher purpose, and in this case I believe the Lord allowed me to have a need to go to the doc so I could reach him and let him know there is hope in the midst of his horrible trial with cancer. 

There is a precious and very wise woman at our church who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, and she asked the Lord, "Why?  Why at this time in my life when things are so wonderful, and I am serving you so faithfully?" He said to her . . . "You said Lord do whatever it  takes to bring my son back to YOU." 

We forget that our bodies are the Lord's, and sometimes, yes sometimes He will allow sickness or disease, and even suffering so that in the end he can bring beauty, healing and restoration of all things.  ;-)

 ". . . for he saith, At an acceptable time I hearkened unto thee, And in a day of salvation did I succor thee: behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation: giving no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our ministration be not blamed; but in everything commending ourselves, as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings; in pureness, in knowledge, in long suffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love unfeigned, in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left . . . " 2 Corinthians 6:2-7

Are you willing to do whatever it takes?  Whew . . . sobering, pure, hard reality, yet in pain and suffering we also see God's amazing grace, through faith. He is with us through it all, never leaving us alone and showing forth His amazing comfort through the Holy Spirit, holding us close . . . ever close, until the day of complete restoration.

God is so faithful, true and good and He LOVES each one! After all . . . He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ so we could have everlasting life.  The ultimate sacrifice!

<>< Kelly

Posted in Wordless Wednesday

In the crisp cool air, 'neath the leaf-blown scape, arose a sun-touched portrait in Stillwater. <>< Kelly

For more wordless Wednesday go HERE


all photos on this site copyright ksm 2007, unless otherwise noted, permission must be granted before using in any other format, whether printed or online. Thank you :-)

leaves provided by http://ritvasgallery.com

Posted in GUEST BOOK

May the Lord richly bless you and your family

Posted in Family Life

This is my sister Kim, her husband Kevin, and their kiddos (from left to right: Matt, Jen, Michelle and Josh).  I have two sisters named Kim - one is by blood and the other by marriage, but they are both loved dearly.  We had the great opportunity to join Kim and Kevin in Steamboat Springs, Colorado one year for a mini vacation, around Thanksgiving.  They live in Dallas so don't get to see snow very often.  Kevin is an architect and Kim is in real estate.  Both love the Lord and are heavily involved in their churches.  From time to time you may have seen pictures of Jen and Michelle on our blog, because they have come to stay with us a few summers.  It is hard to believe Jen has started college this year - IKES!  We are so proud of her, but can't believe how fast she has grown up.  Okay Jen I'll stop embarrassing you now, but you know it is an Aunt's great priveledge to brag about her niece right?  We hope to see you guys up here for Christmas.

LOVE and Miss you ALL!

Oh I found another one that I just had to post . . .
They are just the cutest Family!

Posted in Family Life

I was just thinking how I haven't posted many pictures of my extended family.  So in an effort to introduce you to them, here is the first picture of my brother Steve and his wife Kim.  They are such a neat couple and we love getting together with them when we get the chance to make it to Dallas.  Steve plays the guitar and is in the worship band at his church, as well as a Home Fellowship Leader.  He radiates the love of the Lord and when you look into his eyes you feel like melting - they are so tender and loving.

This picture of Kim doesn't do her justice, as she was in the middle of a blink  here - LOL. They have three kiddos (Lauren, Ryan and Ian).  Kim is an amazing woman with many gifts and talents, and I just love getting the chance to sit down and talk with her.  Such passion for the Lord!  I am so blessed that both my brother and sister (who you will meet another day), are serving the Lord and raising children who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I just wish we all didn't live so far away from one another.

We miss you Steve and Kim!

Posted in Organizing Tips and Reports

We weren't sure where to put this playlist, so before giving it an official home here on our blog we thought we'd ask you, our special bloggy friend, what you thought.  Do you think music on blogs is distracting or a pleasant addition? Do you think people should have softer music only, or music that reflects their personalities?

Depending on responses we will either keep this pinky playlist, and find a special spot, or say bye bye to it.  YOU PICK :-)  We'll have this mini poll Open until the end of October. Thanks for your help.  <>< Kelly