I am being threatened with a call to the blog police for not posting anything original in I don't know how long. Well, in my defense, as one of my favorite sayings goes, "It's better to keep quiet and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt," or something like that. I had nothing profound to report. Hence my lack of blogginess. But now that we are past the first of the month I can at least report on our previous month. Here goes.
In November:
We did a couple of foam crafts from the Oriental Trading Company. These are great, and sooo cheap. Once you sign up for their catalog you will be inundated with junk mail, but if you are ever looking for something for a birthday party or a kids' church club, they are a great resource!
We enjoyed lunch at our favorite, In-N-Out Burger. Those of you living outside of CA, NV, and AZ, sorry, you are missing out on a treat. Come visit us, and we'll take you out for the best fast-food burger in the country. All fresh ingredients, nothing frozen. Started in 1948 by a Christian couple, In-N-Out was always closed on Sundays. Their burger wrappers and cups had Bible verses printed on them. Now they only print the references Jn. 3:16 or Pr. 3:5 or Rev. 3:20, very small. Do you think a lost person will see that and realize his need for Christ? My guess is that he would think it is some sort of technical printer's code. lol. Too bad. But they still beat McDonalds and Burger King hands down!
The girls made a movie! (For the safety-conscious, yes, Elisabeth did unplug the toaster before sticking the tongs in there.)
We learned about inertia and transfer of energy.
We faithfully met for Ladies' Coffee Hour (but only on school days ). This time (below) we had a few guests. During today's Coffee Hour I read to the girls Jonathan Edwards' "Thirteen Resolutions to Live By", and mentioned that he lived in the early 1700's. I also mentioned his famous sermon, "Sinners In the Hands of an Angry God," and one of my daughters, who was NOT paying very close attention, asked me if I was there when he preached it. This was not the same one who thought the War of 1812 was still going on in 1918. LOL! Are we blonde, or what??
We helped Grammy in the kitchen.
Some of us practiced being photogenic, LOL!
We had a great big picnic! Thanksgiving is the only time of year when everyone in my family can get together, and being outside is such a nice arrangement for the hosts. Lots of wild kids, you know. So we had a delicious lasagna dinner at a park close to my parents' place. Note: Some of us were wearing short sleeves. This was so funny -- the two little black girls wanted to be in the photo, and they decided to join our family. Their mama said they make at least three new friends every single day. Hee hee! I'll leave it up to you to figure out who's who. (My dad is missing.)
Okay, I'll give you a hint -- these two guys are my awesome brothers. Yes, I am the oldest sibling. You don't have to tell me I look it!
We watched Jupiter and Venus cozy up to the moon:
And, we spent our own Thanksgiving right here in our own little home, after the fact. It was SUCH a lovely, sunny day! Dad took the girls to the park in the morning for a rousing game of pitch and bat, then he took off on a long, exploratory bike ride. I spent the day measuring, stirring, mixing, peeling, cooking, baking, and washing, and that evening we had our feast.
Since we don't observe Christmas, we decided a while back to give gifts to the girls for Thanksgiving, something each of them could be truly thankful for: a new winter coat or nightie or something else needed. Due to the Lord's blessing on our family, the girls really aren't desperate for anything this year, so instead we just bought a Monopoly game and the latest release in our favorite family read-aloud series, The Methuselah Chronicles. We're looking forward to some fun evenings together!
Several years ago we began a book of remembrance. Every year on Thanksgiving , each of us names some thing(s) for which we thank God, and I write those things down in a journal. For the memories' sake it is a lot of fun to go back and read the previous years' entries, and it's fun, too, to see how the girls have matured in their thankfulness. For example, a daughter who, three years ago, said she was thankful for her nice warm bed now says she is thankful for missionaries like the D____'s and the T____'s, who are willing to take the gospel to China (closed to missionaries, hence the blanks, for their security) and Indonesia, places she doesn't want to go. I chuckled and told her there are probably also some people who are thankful for people like us, who are willing to take the gospel to the desert.
It kind of appears that we took the month off school, doesn't it? We didn't! We'll try to make our December Month in Review a bit more homeschool-ish.
It had been one of those weeks. Funerals, lesson plans, grocery shopping, Thanksgiving preparations, Dad's appoinment to get set up for another eye surgery, and all three kids had colds. It was also my turn among the deacon's wives to prepare the communion table for the special Lord's supper we'd be celebrating at church the week of Thanksgiving. My husband watched the children so I could run errands one evening. I had a three hour window to get everything done before Charlene Darling needed to nurse.
As I checked out at Walgreens with some juice for communion, I realized [too late] that I had not brought my wallet. The saleslady--which had up to this point been friendly--stated flatly, "I bet you don't have your driver's license either." Embarrassed, I left my items there and went to the car, hoping that my wallet had slipped out of the bag. Once again, I was so busy with lots of smaller things that I forgot something very important.
As I drove off, I mentally clicked off all the things I still needed to get done, recalled a similar incident from last week , and reminded myself of a Southern pearl of wisdom: being flaky is only good if you're a biscuit.
"...Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?"--
Luke 2:49
This is the time of year when we often complain of not having enough time to get things done, of being overwhelmed with to-do lists, of being stretched in too many directions at once, as the above story all too clearly shows. How many of us have stressed trying to get ready for a get-together, snapped at everyone in the house, and then arrive with our game-face on, ready to be the life of the party? It's all too easy to be overcome with busy-ness. I'm thankful for a loving God [and my strong Christian husband!] who reminds me that I need to be more focused on the Father's business.
We can often let "traditions of men" dictate our employment at this season. I don't mean our jobs, I mean how we employ the use of our time and energies. Are we focusing on the parties, shopping, cooking, Christmas play practices, and other "stuff" that we fill Christmas with? Not that such activities are bad. What joy to share the joy of that Greatest Gift of all with friends and family! However, it's important to connect each commitment meaningfully to the Christ about whom this season is supposed to honor. And it doesn't hurt a bit to trim down those activity lists!
The first advent of Christ caused great rejoicing of the angels, the shepherds, the wise men, Simeon and Anna. I want to rejoice with them! My schedule had better make time for connecting with the Master. I want to be like Jeremiah:
Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts. Jeremiah 15:16
Posted By Abundant Blessings Homeschool in
Thoughts
This is Third Day's Call My Name. The lyrics are included.
I LOVE Third Day!!!! They have several songs that I enjoy. I've ordered their CD and can't wait for it to arrive so I don't have to be limited to listening to them while online! :) The end of the song is the best....this man's voice is great!!!
Here's another of my favorites...
This is Cry Out To Jesus....the words speak for itself...
To everyone who's lost someone they love
Long before it was their time
You feel like the days you had were not enough
when you said goodbye
And to all of the people with burdens and pains
Keeping you back from your life
You believe that there's nothing and there is no one
Who can make it right
Chorus:
There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
And love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus
For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on
They've lost all of their faith in love
And they've done all they can to make it right again
Still it's not enough
For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains
You try to give up but you come back again
Just remember that you're not alone in your shame
And your suffering
Chorus:
When you're lonely
And it feels like the whole world is falling on you
You just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
To the widow who suffers with being alone
Wiping the tears from her eyes
For the children around the world without a home
Say a prayer tonight
Posted By Abundant Blessings Homeschool in
Thoughts
I love this song...the video not so much...but here are the lyrics so you can sing along. I find myself singing this song during the day ALOT...just ask my babes! :)
Walking, stumbling on these shadowfeet
toward home, a land that i've never seen
I am changing, less and less asleep
made of different stuff than when i began
and i have sensed it all along
fast approaching is the day
[CHORUS]
when the world has fallen out from under me
I'll be found in you, still standing
when the sky rolls up and mountains fall on their knees
when time and space are through
I'll be found in you
Theres distraction buzzing in my head
saying in the shadows it's easier to stay
but I've heard rumours of true reality
whispers of a well-lit way
[CHORUS]
You make all things new
You make all things new
You make all things new
You make all things
You make all things
[CHORUS 2]
When the world has fallen out from under me
I'll be found in you, still standing
Every fear and accusation under my feet
when time and space are through
I'll be found in you
when time and space are through
I'll be found in you
when time and space are through
I'll be found in you
Dec. 2, 2008 - Kindergarteners - A Whole School Load of Them
Posted By Gena Suarez, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
A public school dedicated to just kindergarten. The idea of kindergarten being vitally important to every child's educational career is growing. Along with that idea is that the state is the one who needs to be in control, making sure every five year old is up to their academic standard before they head off to 1st grade. Then, when they don't accomplish that goal, they will set up all kinds of remedial helps that wind up tearing a child down when all they needed was just a little more time, a little more patience, and a whole lot less pressure. Keep them home, where they belong.
Thursday, December 4, 2008 - Only 11 more nights... SHMILY Time ideas
Posted By Amy Verlennich
The 12 Days of Christmas is approaching fast! Here are a few ideas you could do. Please email me with any you wouldn't mind sharing, or go to THE SHMILY TIME facebook group, join the group and share there!
The S.H.M.I.L.Y. Box (great gift to give to your hubby on Christmas to begin saving for next year! You could write a SHMILY note saying that you'll do it all again next year!)
Outside my Window... COLD and Dark-- Ready for another SMALL snow, just enough to cover everything dead....
I am thinking...Some Christmas plans-- how to make the house look "nice" but not cluttered-- It seems when the Christmas items come out I feel CLUTTERED. (It really doesn't help with having babies/toddlers with large toys out---but that is just life--I know that)
From the learning rooms...This will be a RELAXED month--
I am planning to get in the 3 R's (Reading, Phonics, Handwriting and Math)
After that-- I think we may work on an indepth advent study-- from here---
As always, I do hope plan to get a fair amount of reading aloud on the couch in (with the fireplace going)!
I am thankful for... my dear husband-- he has been so good to me this week-- in so many ways--
From the kitchen...Nothing special --- I enjoyed doing Thanksgiving-- and I do need to get some REAL plans together for both the holiday (treats and gifts) and also our aim at eating MUCH healthier (alhtough I bet that will wait until January)
I am wearing...black stretchy pants and a black turtleneck (not very pretty)-- I need to make getting dressed and so forth more of a morning priority on ALL days---
I am reading...My Bible- Hebrews. Also started reading- Be Fruitful and Multiply..... eye opening to say the least!! (I am not getting very far in this--need to make reading more of a priority)
I am hoping...to find a goat in milk soon-- that is my current goal-- to find a goat that is IN milk. As it is-- it doesn't look like Precious and Skippy have accomplished ANYTHING-- she has had no signs of "heat" but they are together 24/7 so maybe in March we'll be pleasantly surprised!?!
I am creating... some plans for Christmas .....
I am hearing...Preaching on the Radio- I think it is David Jermiah?
Around the house...Putting out some white lights-- and a VERY FEW Christmas decorations (nativity, advent wreath, 3 candles) .
One of my favorite things...When Rebekah smiles at me-- she really started out VERY fussy--but she is slowly coming around-- and is happier and happier each day-- and has really been giving us all many SMILES lately!!
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...just taking one day at a time!!
Monday- Quiet day at home!!
Tuesday-- Animal auction-- we were given 2 female bunnies-- may get a buck? Also taking back 4 chickens that we got about 2 months ago that haven't laid an egg!!
Wednesday- Friday-- QUIET days at home!!..
Saturday-- headed to my parents to help them cut and split and stack some wood. We have been wanting to do this for some time (Zachary really enjoys helping Grandma in this way)-- so we finally set a date--
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
No picture today---- sorry--
MY Snapfish account is not working like it used to--- It will only let me cut and past thumbnail picture---not the REAL picture-- Photobucket drive me so-- I'm not sure what I'm going to do!?!
I am the wife to one, James, and the mother of six here on earth and one in the presence of the Lord, with another due Sept./08'. We are in our tenth year of homeschooling. We are conservative Christians striving to walk closer to Him daily.
). This time (below) we had a few guests. During today's Coffee Hour I read to the girls Jonathan Edwards' "Thirteen Resolutions to Live By", and mentioned that he lived in the early 1700's. I also mentioned his famous sermon, "Sinners In the Hands of an Angry God," and one of my daughters, who was NOT paying very close attention, asked me if I was there when he preached it. This was not the same one who thought the War of 1812 was still going on in 1918. LOL! Are we blonde, or what??
This was so funny -- the two little black girls wanted to be in the photo, and they decided to join our family. Their mama said they make at least three new friends every single day. Hee hee! I'll leave it up to you to figure out who's who. (My dad is missing.)
so-- I'm not sure what I'm going to do!?!
