When I was young, I always thought that when I became older I would be really REALLY smart. It seemed that the old folks knew it ALL. I can safely say that I know a lot more than I knew when I was young. But oddly enough, the older I get, the more things I find that I don't know. When I was young, I didn't know what I didn't know. And now I know a LOT of things I don't know about 
Take for instance the issue of going to a church building. If someone had asked me when I was young, why I go to church, the simple answer would have been because my mother told me too. When I got a bit older, I would have said something about the Bible telling us not to forsake assemblies ourselves together. Then a friend posed a question: Do we HAVE to attend a church building weekly in order to assemble with other believers
I have to say that up to that point, I had NEVER heard of such a thing as NOT going to 'church'. 
I have realized that a lot of what I believe were (for me) traditions passed on from generation to generation in our culture. I had no idea if these things were biblical or not, and it never occured to me that I needed to question what I was taught. I looked to those older, presumably wiser and those with more education to teach me and what they said, of course, SEEMED to be biblical.
So now in my mature age, I see there are many things yet for me to learn. Looking back on the elders I grew up with, they seemed so wise and sure of themselves. I know I am wisER, yet I don't feel I have arrived at that place of feeling that suredness.
In the meantime, I'll do the best I know with the knowledge and understanding that I have. When I learn better, I'll do better.
A Professional Built the Titanic
An Amateur Built the Ark
(line from a movie we watched over the weekend - can't remember the name
)
Funny Eh
There's a nasty bug going around and everyone at my house has been affected except dear Hubby. The children bounced back after a week or so, but I'm still working it out. In taking care of the little ones, I neglected to take care of myself. So I'm pretty sure that's why I caught it. Please take care of yourselves dear friends.
I have taken on a new challenge of knitting socks. I have to say this is one of the most frustrating things I've ever attempted to do. Though not as frustrating as sewing garments. I've ripped apart this sock three times. At this point I will finish it in all it imperfections - nope, not starting over - no way.
I made a pair for Baby Boy (because he has the smallest foot), but he doesn't like the feel of them. I think its the wool that bothers him. So Daughter is wearing them and loving them. Hubby requested a pair and this is what I'm working on. I had planned on finishing them last weekend, but migraines changed my time tables. So hopefully I'll be able to finished them early next week. And hopefully they will be nice.
I found this sock tutorial which is the pattern I'm using. Actually its very close to the same color too. When I figure out how to get pictures here, I'll show you the finished product.
Things have finally calmed down a bit and we're back to 'normal'. We've resumed schooling and are finding our groove. Our operating hours are a bit different from most. But they suit our family. After all these years, I think I'm finally getting the hang of homeschooling. This only occurred after I STOPPED reading about what everyone else (even the 'experts') was doing. And I started praying in earnest for what God would have me do...and studying my family and what works for us.
We were using Math U See as our spine for math, but I kept having to tweak it (rebel that I am) 
For instance, it just makes more sense to me to spend time focusing on learning ALL addition facts than learning a few here and there sprinkled with other things in between. I'm sure that's because of my personality type. If I have to do something, I go for the gusto! Do it with all my might and get it over with, ta da!!! So while we were taking a break to learn subtraction facts, I found some e-books at Math Mammoth which seem to be a good fit (for now). Some of the books are for grade levels and some are according to topics. I had used one of them before to help oldest son over the hurdle with fractions. It was great in that it covered almost everything to do with fractions. The younger two are using a MM book and both told me that like it better than MUS. More importantly, I like them and they're learning and loving it.
We're using Rod and Staff readers for all the children. Daughter will finish her set sometime this month. I believe she's ready for a formal language arts program now that we have that learning-to-read time over. I have the older version of LLATL which looks pretty good to me, BUT we'll see how it works out. Baby Boy is still in the learning-to-read time and I will tell you a secret. Promise not to let this get out, but we are NOT doing phonics any more. We'll actually I throw in a bit in the natural course of a reading lesson, but no more formal phonics and workbooks.
In his reader is a list of new words (words to phonetically sound out and sight words). We go over the new words, I read the story to him, he reads with me and then he reads alone with me helping him with any words he struggles with. When he's comfortable, we move on to the next story. He's still struggling with handwriting, so I have him copy his new words and a few sentences (from the current story) each day. Voila ... handwriting and reading lessons done!
We're nearing the end of Farmer Boy which was a fun read. I was planning on reading the entire series, but still on the fence about it. These are wonderful books, but very wordy for my children with short attention spans. They seem to love the stories but would enjoy them more in a condensed form - what to do - what to do.
I'm not a science mom, but the children have requested it. So after looking about a bit, I'll order Exploring Creation with Astronomy for the younger two and Exploring Creation with Biology for my soon-to-be high schooler.
Its so hard to believe it, but I will have a high school student next year. We only have four more years before society thinks of him as an adult. There are so many things we want to teach him and academics, though important to us, are not at the top of the list. There are more important lessons that this young one needs to learn 
and I really feel an urgency at reaching him soon. But on the other hand, there are things that the government requires us to cover, so we'll have to get that in as well. Wouldn't it be nice to not have to worry about such things.
My one dilema (as far as school goes) is in finding an American history book that I like. This made sound awful, but... I don't like the secular books which rewrite history. AND I haven't found a Christian book that I care for either. They all seem to paint America's history as glorious when in fact there is some of our history that is quite shameful (for instance, slavery). I have trouble wrapping my mind around a slave owner being labeled a hero and great Christian. One book I read said that our treatment of the Indians wasn't so bad because after all they were always at war with each other any way, and we didn't treat them nearly as bad as they treated each other. Regarding slavery, they acknowledged that slavery did exist here, BUT that slavery has existed for a long time, even since bible time. This book seem to try to justify bad behavior by pointing out other bad or worse behavior.
What I am looking for may not exist yet. A book(s) that tells the facts, the good, the bad and the ugly and lets the reader draw their own conclusions. If you know of such a thing, please let me know.
I am horrible at keeping records, but will have to find something that works for me soon (especially for high school records). If I have all the books the children have worked through, then why do I need records? If children who have never been to school are reading and writing and doing math, isn't it obvious that we've been doing school. Ack, its the rebel in me, I suppose. And the fact that I'd rather be DOing rather that writing about what I plan to do or have done. Oh well, I must conform now (at least for my high schooler). And before you think I just fly by the seat of my pants, nope. I make a list for each child of what I'd like us to accomplish for the year. Then I look for materials to help us and dive in. How do you keep records? Any suggestions?
We got a call early this morning that Pastor Ralph passed away last night Its been an odd sort of day with lots of thoughts swirling through my head. Things like this have a way of changing my perspective. Yesterday I was researching what we'll be using for Big Boy's high school courses, writing my to-do list for homeschooling the children for the remainder of the school year, making a mental list of goals I'd like to achieve this year and searching for the grade forms so I can fax them to our umbrella school. I have checked off most of the things on my list and these were some of my last items. After the phone call, they don't seem as important as they did a few days ago.
The children had been praying for Pastor Ralph to be healed. SimplyMe has children with simple faith. After hearing the stories from the Bible all these years, the children thought that if they prayed, God would heal Pastor Ralph. Almost every night they would report that they were still praying for his healing. They had actually made plans about what they would do when they saw him at church after being healed. Baby Boy and Baby Girl both said they were going to run up to him and give him a BIG hug and tell him that they love him. Baby Girl said she would be so happy that she would probably cry. And today I had to tell them that he had gone on to be with the Lord. Baby Girl was actually surprised and (I think) a little angry and asked me what happened (as in this is not the way it was supposed to happen - I prayed and God was suppose to heal him). When Baby Boy found out, he came to me and said "I guess I'll see Pastor Ralph in Heaven with Jesus." And Big Boy went to cry alone.
I know that God is sovereign, but I have to admit I too, thought of all the passages I have read about faith and prayer and healing. We believed God for a healing miracle, but this was not to be. This thought crossed my mind... "why bother, God will do whatever He wants anyway." But I suppose this is where the lessons that I teach the children come back for me to learn. I 'bother' out of obedience. I pray, trust and believe because He told me to. The rest is up to Him. I will not understand His decisions, but understanding is not a prerequisite for obedience.
Our friend has stepped out of his earthly garment which was diseased and filled with pain. He is in a much better place than those of us left behind. He rejoices and we mourn. His struggles are over, but ours remain. He told my hubby once, that if the devil thought that this disease would make him doubt God, then he had another thing coming - that he would praise Him no matter what. We will do the same. Though we did not get the answer we wanted, yet we praise him. Through tears, heavy hearts and confusion we WILL praise Him.
PASLM 42:11 Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again--my Savior and my God! 
My hubby works at a church where there are lots of elderly people. Somehow we both have come to develop a love for these special folks. Many of them have been so kind to my family. There's one lady that has been sending sour dough bread home to us for years, along with her special jams, preserves and honey. Another sends whatever clothes she thinks the children might be able to wear. There's also the gentleman who is a very talented carpenter. I often joke with my husband that he needs to spend more time with this man so he can learn from him. Seriously, show this man a picture and he can make it.
Their talents are so varied, wonderful cooks, seamstresses, carpenters, plumbers, carpet layers, electricians, sound engineers, etc. It is my hope that my children can apprentence with some of them one day. Come to think of it, I would love to apprentence with them now if I had the time! I still don't understand why more of the young people at the church don't hang out with these seasoned, talented people. The people my age are usually working at jobs and the children just aren't interested. What a shame and what a loss
You should see the way their faces light up whenever someone shows an interest in them. I think they need to be needed, and they want so much to pass on what they have learned. One Sunday I asked one lady how to make giblet gravy and for the next half hour, she and her friend instructed me on how to make the perfect gravy. She told me she thought of me on Thanksgiving Day and wished I had come over so she could make gravy with me. How sweet One day my husband had to move a lot of chairs for them and the elderly carpenter saw him. He later made some type of contraption that made moving the furniture easier and faster. They seem to look for ways to be helpful and to put their skills to use. The elderly men are the ones who came to the church and worked to clear out the flood waters. Some of the older women sew sleeping bags and other items for the children's home her.
So this year, I wanted to do something for them. Just a little something that says that I am thinking of you and appreciate you. Since I interact more with the ladies, I decided to give them crochet and knitted dish cloths for Christmas. (this is part of why I haven't been online much lately) While my family and friends don't appreciate homemade items, I think that these sweet ladies will. Anyway I hope they will.
Our pastor and friend is at home but is not doing well at all. The deacons had asked that people not go and see him because he doesn't feel like receiving visitors. And now we hear that they don't expect him to last much longer. Hubby is hoping to see him on Friday, but the children and I will stay at home. He has often told my hubby that he really enjoys our children and loves our family. And the children are crazy about Pastor Ralph, so they are disappointed about not seeing him but they understand why. It makes me happy to hear them praying for him each night and to see the letters my daughter has written to him and to God about this situation.
The odd thing about this is that a little over a year ago, Pastor Ralph told his staff to be prepared for the enemy to attack them. He had just come in as the pastor and was going to follow the leading of God (and not the deacons) in whatever God wanted to do in and for the church. Not long afterwards, he became sick. Coincidence, ya think?? Every staff member has had crazy trials since then, but none to the extent of the pastor. Yet still he praises God and his faith remains strong. If you feel so led, please pray for our friend.
In other news, right before Thanksgiving, oldest son decided to run away from home rather than face punishment for disobedience. This silly child ran to hubby's work, spotted his father leaving and then tried to run back home before hubby got here. That didn't work, so he went to our neighbor across the street who called the police thinking someone was trying to break in. When he saw the police, he ran again. The police were constantly on the phone with us giving updates on his whereabouts and told us to keep looking out the windows because he was spotted around our house. The officer decided to drive by one more time and found him asleep in the front yard. He handcuffed him and brought him inside and gave him a nice long talk. Silly boy didn't think this through at all. It was really cold and all he had on was a sweater and light jacket. He took his backpack with three oranges and his Bible. This is my child that I am still in labor with. Please pray that I will deliver this child soon 
Daughter is doing fine. I am hoping to get her interested in more girlie things, but haven't found anything yet that she enjoys. I'm starting to think that I should just insist that she do some of them anyway. I never thought one would have to force a child to play, craft of have a hobby. Would I be a mean momma if I gave her a crafty kit and made her work on it. Or made them play games together? Builder Boy doesn't have enough hours in a day for all the things he's interested in. But my other two haven't found their interests yet. I wonder if daughter spent time with some of these things, would she grow to enjoy them. What does one do with children that seemingly have no interest other than foolishness??
In brighter news, there must be something about turning 10 years old. We have seen such a dramatic change in our little Builder Boy over the past few months. He has noticed that we are trusting him with more responsibilities and is happy about it. He used to be our quietest child, but now talks a LOT. I am thrilled that he enjoys spending time with me and sharing his heart with me. He has always be open to me, but struggled getting his words out. Not any more! And for those of you with late bloomers, take heart. What the experienced homeschoolers said was right . . . some children are just late bloomers. I had just about given up on phonics, but a few months ago, he asked for his phonics workbook and we've been working steadily through it AND he's getting it!
I have been spending more time with all the children, trying to minister to the individual needs of each one. I am seeing glimmers of hope that are encouraging. So I'm limiting myself online until I can get a handle on things here.
Just wanted to post a quick update. At the beginning of Thanksgiving, we had one child with a cold. By Saturday, we had all three children with colds and hubby and I at the beginning stages of catching the nasty bug. I'm sure it will be over soon as we're a bit wiser now on how to clear a cold out of the house. Years ago, we'd pass it around to each other time and again before finally being rid of it.
In other news, we have found out that our pastor and friend has pancreatic cancer. On Sunday we were told that the doctors also found a spot on his liver. He didn't make it to church because he was so weak. Last Sunday he told us that he is prepared no matter what. All of his affairs are in order, and more than anything his desire is that God be glorified. He has such a heart for people that even now he talks of the unsaved who sit in the pews and his desire to see them come to Christ. He has been at this church around two years, but has made such an impact on the people there. Many were in tears after hearing the update on Sunday. At this point, he is having trouble eating and sleeping and is very weak. This concerns us even more because he lives alone and has no family near. Of course our church family is doing all we can, but its not the same as someone being there for him around the clock.
If you feel led, please add Pastor Ralph to your prayer list. Of course we would like to see him healed on this side of Heaven, but ... 
Momma was not a collector of things, but she was a collector of people. That is how my family came to be. When her mom remarried, she collected a step father. When his family came to visit, they deposited his grandson, and mom had a step nephew who was more like a son to her. When her husband's family came to visit, she saw a little girl in need and collected her. She then had a daughter. When this daughter had a child and abandoned her (me) mom had another daughter. When the neighbors didn't know what to do to save their granddaughter and were watching her die, Momma took the child, carried her to one doctor after another and nursed her back to health. She then had another daughter. This child's family used to drop off her brother for Momma to babysit on the weekends while they partied. One weekend they never came back. Momma now had another son. When Momma's 'children' had children, she became a grandma. (sadly she passed before my children came along).
If you ever hear me speak of brothers, sisters or cousins, these are the people I'm speaking of. My family is like a patchwork quilt, a little from here, a little from there. Momma was the thread that held us all together.
I remember once Momma let me have a party and some friends came by to take down my bedroom furniture, so we would have room to dance. After the party, a few of the boys stayed behind to put my room back in order and Momma worried about them walking home so late. She invited them to stay and told me to let out the couch for them to have a comfy place to sleep. The next morning, she cooked breakfast for everyone and asked the boys how many waffles they wanted. The look on their faces was priceless when they saw the stack of waffles at each place. See in Momma's mind, the whole waffle iron contained one waffle. To them, each square was one waffle. So each boy had four times the amount of waffles they wanted, some 12 and some 16. Plus eggs, bacon and grits. I felt sorry for my friends, wondering how in the world were they going to eat it all. But somehow, they managed. They each gave her a hug and kiss and thanked her for such a great time. And Momma was a happy one that day, having all these hungry boys to feed and rave over her food.
Momma loved to cook and always cooked a lot more than needed to feed our family. Whenever anyone visited, she would ask if they were hungry. If they were, she'd tell them all the same thing: "I cooked it, but I'm not fixin' your plate. Go on in the back and get whatever you want." And countless people did just that in my Momma's kitchen. When my best girlfriend went on a diet, she decided that she couldn't eat much of Momma's food. But not wanting to offend Momma, she fixed herself a little saucer of food with a spoonful from each dish. Momma walked in and said, "That's not enough food to feed a bird. Girl you ain't EVER gonna be skinny. You got big bones. You're meant to carry more weight. You gonna make yourself sick. Now go on and fix yourself a real plate of food." Now this would offend most folks, but Gloria was like family and understood Momma and her bluntness. She simply said, "yes ma'am" and got a bit more.
Momma never formally invited anyone over. Everyone just knew they were welcomed anytime at Momma's house. Throughout the day and evening there was a constant flow of visitors. Some visited on the porch, others in the living room and others who'd sit in the kitchen and watch her cook. She was never too busy for company. And everyone felt at home there.
Momma wasn't rich, just a bit better off that a lot of our neighbors. But you couldn't beat my Momma in the giving department. There was a constant out flow from her house. Boxes of pecans and other goodies shipped to friends around the neighborhood and the country. She'd fuss at children climbing her fence to steal fruit and then tell them to just ask. Then she'd allow them to come in and pick as much as they wanted. I actually saw that you can't outgive God. For as much as Momma gave, we never had lack of anything we needed.
Its amazing the memories I have of life with Momma. She didn't play with me, I lived life with her. I have many memories of watching her cook, do laundry and hang it out, clean and more. I have memories of doing all of these things with her, except cooking. She wasn't having any of that. But I did spend a lot of time with her. Learning her ways, how to do things, how to get along with some hornery folks, just how to BE.
Momma was blunt and had a way with words 
She'd speak the truth whether you wanted to hear it or not. But she was never mean. She taught us to be careful in how you treat people who come to visit, for we'd never know if we were entertaining angels. She taught us to treat others as we wanted to be treated and leave vengence to the Lord. She taught us to be givers and let the Lord deal with those who misused the giving. She taught us to be careful who we hung out with.
Momma used to tell me that she had been a drinker in her younger years. She said that one day she decided that she wasn't going to do that anymore and she didn't touch a drink ever again. Even though she yearly made elderberry wine from her very own berry bush on the side of the house. She even put alcohol in some of it for her few friends that still drank and expected her to send them their annual bottle. She taught us that whatever we made up our minds to do, we could with the help of God. And she taught us to do the best that we could at whatever we had to do. That life was not about our likes, dislikes or feelings, but about doing what we should do according to the Word of God. She taught us fear God.
Momma was busy a lot. She grew apple, peach, black walnut and pecan trees in the back yard. She had elderberries and figs and chickens growing too. She sometimes have a vegetable garden, always had flower beds and plants. And one year, a grape vine. Her summers were spend canning and freezing in addition to regular household duties. When she was younger, she also sewed clothes for us girls to wear to school. She mended and tended to us all.
If anyone was sick in our neighborhood, Momma always sent us out with a plate of food for them. One summer one of our neighbors had no running water. Momma sent water to them and allow them to freeze pots of water to have cool water to drink. When they had no tv, we always invite them over for a Saturday movie night, complete with popcorn. Such was Momma.
I'm not sure why Momma stopped going to church when I was young. I remember her sending money for a long time, even when she stopped going. She always made sure we went though. But I can say that I have never met anyone who lived more of a Christian lifestyle than she did. People tell me that I'm a lot like her and I like hearing that, though I know that I'm still a work in progress and a long way from living as she did. I enjoy running into someone even today and they tell me of the fond memories of Momma.
I have beautiful crocheted, tatted, embroidered items she did when she was young. I have some of her cookware as well. The quilts she made are tattered from use though, but I have one I keep in storage. Some of the dishes I cook today are a reminder of her. I have the bookcase that I hated dusting as a kid, sitting in my hallway full of books. Momma wasn't rich and didn't leave a lot of things behind, but she impacted each life she touched and left me with much wisdom. She showed me rather than teach me how to live a life pleasing to God. She was truly a Proverbs 31 woman in every way. I am truly blessed to have had her in my life.
I am thankful for life with Momma, for the love and lessons learned at her side. Watching her build her family showed me that there is more than one way of having children. That love is not confined to biology. And today I have three children who were birthed from my prayers in a different way.
I am thankful for my sense of smell. Ahh new babies, flowers, the aroma of freshed baked bread and sweet potato pies and other yummies from the kitchen. There is a smell even today that reminds me of my cousin's electric train set. And I think of how he wouldn't let me touch it. Hey toddler's have to touch everything
I am thankful for my sense of sight. The first time I saw a mountain, I thought of the awesomeness of God. To view His creation is such a blessing.
I am thankful for my sense of touch. The softness of a baby's cheek, a hug, a backrub or footrub, furry critters.
I am thankful for my sense of taste. Too many things to even begin to mention.
I am thankful for my sense of hearing. To hear my loved ones' voices, birds singing, beautiful songs, a funny story.
I am thankful for the gift of memory, especially as I watch my mother lose her memories.
I am thankful for my sisters who I've never seen face to face. I am thankful God adopted me and now I have a family bigger than I ever dreamed of. So many sisters and brothers, aunts and uncles, and mamas and papas.
For Him not giving me what I deserve, I am thankful.
Do you know how you moms are when your babies are toddling. Remember how you would put your hand out to gently guide them away from danger or to prevent a fall and the baby never seemed to know. Ever think of how many times our Heavenly Father must have done this for us. How many times has His invisible hand guided us through life? How many times has he prevented a fall and we didn't even know it? For this, I am thankful.
For the obvious and not so obvious, for the seen and unseen, for all HE is and all HE does. For this and more I am thankful.
HAPPY THANKGIVING TO YOU ALL.
Today was a busy fun day. After doing several loads of laundry, vacuuming and mopping entire house, washing walls in children's rooms, doing daughter's hair and dropping off some things for my mother...we went to the riverfront to see The Nina. Its reported to be the most historically accurate replica of a Christopher Columbus ship ever built. The crew was so nice, answering questions and sharing interesting tidbits of information.
I got to meet Ms. Ellie who is the ship's cook. She is a 73 year old widow whose son encouraged her to join the crew after her husband died. We got to chat for a bit and she is so full of life and really is enjoying this season of life. She told me she absolutely loves being onboard, loves traveling and seeing new places. She's one of those elderly people that I would love to sit with, hear her stories and pick her brain.
We were shocked at how small the ship was. I can't imagine going across an ocean in such a small ship. If being woozy and feeling like you're going to upchuck are symptoms of seasickness, then I must have had it. Hubby told me the ship wasn't moving, but later he felt it too, though he and the children were fine.
They even had the smaller boat on board and told us it was build by the 14yo son on the family that built the Nina. How cool is that. Anyway all in all it was a good day. However, I think the children enjoyed running about the riverfront more than walking and learning about the ship. They were really hoping for a ride even though we told them the ship would not leave dock. I suppose they had been secretly calling those things that be not as those they were. 
I am saddened each time I hear a young lady asking advice on how to live with her husband in peace. For the most part I stay out of these conversations. How can I advise someone on how to live with a man that I have never met? I can add no more than what God says in his word.
The Bible tells us to submit to our own husbands as unto the Lord. I have seen ladies make the mistake of listening to and obeying someone other than their own husbands and suffering because of it. Or becoming bitter and discontented because their husband is not like Mrs. ABC's husband. Being in subjection to our own husbands means that my household and your may look different, but we are both in the will of God. If one woman's husband refuses to let her handle their family budget, thinking that is his job as the head of the family - that's okay. If your husband requires that you do this chore, that doesn't mean he is not leading. This just happens to be his preference and you are submissive if you do this job to the best of your ability.
I have seen instances of woman believing that their husbands were not leading them, when in fact they were. For instance, I heard someone IRL say that they asked their husband if he wanted them to wear dresses only. The husband responded that he didn't care one way or the other, that she should do whatever she was comfortable with. The wife became upset because her husband would not lead her, or so she thought. The fact is, he was leading her. He was delegating this area to her to make a choice.
There are different types of leaders. There are those who micro manage everything. There are those who just want the big picture and leave all the little stuff for their subordinates. Your husband may be one whose style is to oversee all operations or you may be married to someone who delegates certain areas to you. One husband may feel that you are stepping over the boundaries by making a decision on which curricula you will use. Another husband may be bothered by you questioning him about which is better.
We must stop comparing our husbands with others. If there is a problem, most likely its the way we look at things. We are commanded to follow our husband's lead whether we happen to agree or disagree with where and how he is leading. Remember the example of Sara obeying Abraham when he told her to pretend to be his sister? Can you imagine being part of a harem knowing that you're a married woman? Yikes! But she trusted God and He saw to it that she remained faithful to her marriage vows.
It is interesting to note that God uses terms like: submit, subjection and obey when speaking of wives. When it comes to husbands its things like love and honour.
It is our responsibility to study and learn our own husbands. Make sure your life is pleasing to God and to your own husband. And that is enough.
Ephesians 5:
22Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
28So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
29For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
30For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
31For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
32This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
33Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
Collosians 3:
18Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
19Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
1 Peter 3
1Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
2While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
3Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
4But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
5For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
6Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
7Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
My youngest two are working on three-digit addition with regrouping. Baby Boy was having some difficulty with this. I have tried to figure out what the problem was. There are days when all goes well, but most times he will miss most of the problems. I think part of the problem is too much on a page. I think it overwhelms and distracts him. So on Friday, I tried this:
I made a large grid of squares, four across and four down. In the first square on the third row, I wrote a plus sign. Then I put the sheet in a page protector. We use a dry-erase marker to write the problems on and solve them. (Did you know that you can put a white sheet of paper in a page protector and you'll have a small 'white board' - wipes right off with a towel) The top row of squares is to put the number you are 'carrying over.' The next two rows are for the numbers he's adding. And the last row is for the answer.
On Friday I'd write a problem, BB would solve it and I'd copy the answer onto the worksheet. He only missed one problem and asked that we always do his math this way. He said this was a lot easier. And he finished in a timely manner. Actually he made a game of it, trying to see how fast he could get back to me with an answer.
Just sharing in case someone else is struggling with addition and regrouping.
Remember me telling you about our anniversary. As I was writing that entry, I noted that my computer showed the date at the 18th. And I'm thinking that's odd, probably a glitch, I'll have Hubby reset the calendar when he gets a chance. The date had to be wrong because our anniversary was the day before on the 16th. Well it turns out that I was a day late. 
I know that our anniversary is on the 16th, but sometimes I don't notice it when it comes. Anyway we both had a nice chuckle over that one.
October 16 was our anniversary. My dear husband and I have been married for 27 years! I will share with you that he forgot until I wished him a happy anniversary. But you know what? That's okay! It didn't bother me one bit that he forgot. Why? Because this wonderful man blesses me daily. What could he possibly have done or given me today that would be any more special than what he does for me regularly.
My wonderful husband almost daily looks at me like I'm the most beautiful woman in the world AND he will tell me..."girl, you STILL look good and I mean that!" Now that sure can make a lady feel pretty. Where would I ever find a man who comes home after working hard all day and say to me, "I know you've had a rough day, so don't worry about cooking." And off he goes to the kitchen and cooks for us. Over the years, he has finally learned my style. Last week he brought me two pairs of very stylish yet comfy shoes... no special occasion, just because. He does these types of things all the time.
My dearie has a lot on his mind lately. He worries so much about providing a better life for us. He wants to be able to make our dreams come true. You know the big house, travels, blah blah blah. While it would be nice to have such things and not to have money worries, I am always careful to show hubby that I am content. I would live with this man anywhere and be happy. When I tell him this, he says it makes him want to bless me more. Isn't that funny. But I suppose that's love, eh.
In the beginning it was not so. We were both so young and foolish, coming into a marriage with preconceived notions of how married life should be. Neither of us comes from a family where marriage is the norm, so how could we have known what a godly marriage should be like. One thing we did know and that was that no matter what...we would stay together. We knew there had to be more to life than what our parents had known.
God has blessed me with a strong steady man, one who balances my whimsy. And yet he's just as goofy and young at heart as I am. Funny that over the years we have become so much more closer and more alike ... more one.
Thank you Father
Yesterday was my youngest son's tenth birthday. He asked for a certain toy and some bubble gum. Because we are running on a very tight budget at the moment, Hubby explained that he couldn't buy him the toy right now but would get the bubble gum for him. Baby Boy ran to me yelling excitedly, "Momma, Daddy's going to buy me some bubble gum!!" Instead of thinking of what he would miss, he was happy about what he was going to get. He's such an amazing 
boy.
Well God is SO good. Yesterday afternoon, the new neighbors behind us told me that as they were cleaning out the house, they found some toys. He asked me if I wanted them for my children and I said yes. When we brought it in, we found 2 very nice backpacks, a lazer tag game, one battery operated train set, one electric train set, various little people and two basketballs
After our birthday dinner complete with cake and ice cream, Hubby and I were talking about Baby Boy and the toy he requested. Hubby told me he was touched by Baby Boy's heart and had actually went after work to see if he could find the toy on sale, but couldn't. He said he's going to get it as soon as he can. And we remembered that a while back, BB had asked about us getting him a backpack and now he has one and Baby Girl too!
I have no doubt that BB is enjoying the 'gift' he got much better than the one he requested. And he'll soon get the one he requested as well.
Not only did I get to see God bless our family in a very special way, but my Heavenly Father showed me a lesson through BB. Sometimes HE answers yes, sometimes the answer is wait and sometimes the answer is no. Whatever HIS answer to me is, I pray that I accept it graciously, ever knowing that HE has my best interest in mind and all things will work out for my good.
If you are one of those ladies with a wonderful household schedule that works for you, my hat goes off to you. If you have taken the time to make a homemaking binder with all the bells and whistles, and it works for you, all I can say is WOW! 
I'd never heard of a homemaking binder until a few years ago. It seemed like a great way of becoming more organized in my household duties and keeping track of everything. So I bought a large three-ring binder and set it up according to instructions. I wrote out a schedule that looked great on paper. And then reality set in.
The room-by-room method did not work for me. If I pull out the vacuum, I like vacuuming the whole house. Same with mopping, dusting, etc. Since our house is small, it just didn't make sense (to me) to vacuum one room per day or do anything one room at a time. For instance, if the living room floor is dirty, then the dining room is too as they both open into each other. The hallway is right next to the dining room, so might as well go there and the bedrooms are off the hallway, so I might as well do them too. In tight quarters, it just makes sense to go all the way!
I almost gave up on scheduling household tasks until I found another sweet sister who had a site where she spoke of working out a system according to tasks rather than rooms. Aha, now that sounded like something I could do. So I re-worked my schedule by tasks, i.e., vacuuming day, mopping day, laundry day, etc. Again, this looked good on paper, but not so good in reality.
Though I could work with this scheduling system, I soon discovered that my children would not cooperate. They just couldn't understand why they could track dirt in only on the day before vacuuming/mopping day (and yes I did try to get them to not wear shoes inside. That works fine for when they're in to stay, but not for when they're running in for a water or bathroom break. They forget and so do I) And what was I to do, when the clothes piled up and needed to be washed before the scheduled laundry day. AND about when the floors were fine on floor day, but something else needed to be done. Our lives just don't work that way, I guess. Or my mind just can't wrap around this concept so good.
I am truly scheduling challenged as I can't seem to find ANY schedule that will work for me. So I have given up this grand endeavor and went back to what works for me. As I go through the day or at night, I make a mental note of things that need to be done. One thing I will change is I will now write out my to-do list as I have a few new responsibilities that are not part of my regular household stuff.
I would like to schedule things that are not routine day-to-day things, such as cleaning cupboards, behind frig, washing walls, etc. You know, the things that you don't see out in the open or think of until you move something or it gets really bad. Things that only need doing annually or seasonally. So if you have a list of such things and a schedule you'd be willing to share, I'd love to try it.
Here's an update on the dog situation (for anyone interested). On Monday on last week as I was in the kitchen preparing breakfast, I looked out the back door to see the dog had broken free and was trotting off. By the time I sat down in the living room to start our school work, lo and behold, I see the big fellow coming up the front steps and looking inside. He pawed the door a few times and sat and waited. I called Hubby who told me to put him in the back yard, so I did. I later managed to see the owner and told him his dog was in our yard and he said he didn't want him anymore (as if he ever really did).
So here we are with a pit bull in our yard and our little dog afraid to go outside now. Well to make a long story short. Our vet generously examined the dog and gave him shots for free!! We found a kind lady who runs a rescue organization and she picked him up this past Monday. She will keep him until they are able to find a home for him.
In other news, the insurance company made a mistake and we are covered with no lapse in coverage.
We had to move my mother in with family as she is no longer able to care for herself properly, and she has now accepted this and is actually enjoying having company all the time.
I've finally settled on a homeschooling plan for this year. I do believe it would be easier for me if there weren't so much to choose from that sounds so good.
So now maybe we can get back to sprucing up this house in hopes of selling and moving to a larger one.
Ahh, for the simple life
Warning - this is a vent.
Our new neighbors are really starting to get to me. There is a couple with at least five boys and one girl. After being in the house for one day, their children started climbing our fence to play with our children. We told them (and the stepfather) that we didn't allow the children to have company unless we were outside with them and that we'd appreciate it if they would stop climbing over the fence. Not only did we have to remind them many times about the fence thing, but they started coming over without asking us if it was okay. It seems that the parents are very happy to send the children away from them and we must seem like good baby sitters. How could people send their children off to play at a stranger's house.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH SOME PEOPLE
Three months ago, this family got a dog. One of the boys asked me if I would give them some food to feed their dog. He said they had run out of food and his stepfather would be buying some the next day. One day the dog jumped over our fence. Though this dog was filled with fleas and possibly ticks and was very dirty, we tried to help it back over. Now this is a pit bull mix, so I was very concerned about one of us getting bitten. I asked the little boy if his parents could come out and help him get his dog back. This child told me that his parents didn't like to come outside and that his mother says she is too busy watching the baby to be bothered with them. Neither parent came, but we managed to get the dog back to them.
After this incident, I was no longer upset with these children. I am upset with the parents and remembered something one of them said one day we were out cooling off with some water play. One of the children called my daughter and asked her who was spraying her. She answered, "my mom". The child said YOUR MOM???? as if he were shocked that a mom would interact with her children in such a way. I remembered the time the little girl asked my daughter where she got a certain top she was wearing. My daughter told her that her mom made it for her and the little girl said, "oooh you should tell your mom to make one for me." I haven't seen the little girl in weeks and wonder where she is. If I can get enough yarn and time, I think I will crochet something for her. Although I am a novice, I think she will enjoy having something unique made just for her.
Now this family is irking me again. They have a new dog, a beautiful male pit bull about 8 months old. The dog is tied to a utility pipe just outside their back door, which is about 4 feet from our back fence. They have tied him with something that looks like a cord from an iron or some other small appliance. The cord is only about 3 feet long, so the dog has to eat, sleep, urinate and poop in one tiny area. We had a severe electrical storm a few days ago and this poor animal was out in it with no shelter. After we saw that no one was going to help it, my dear hubby got some scrap wood and made a lean-to shelter against their back door. (we still wonder why no one would come to see what all that noise was about at their door) We took the shelter down after the storm so the dog could catch whatever breeze happened to blow by. Again, no one came to see why my hubby was fussing around their house. Duh
WHAT IS WRONG WITH SOME PEOPLE
Yesterday, the man came out while I was our playing with our pup and I asked him if they planned on keeping the dog (yep). I know I was bolding speaking the truth, though I was not minding my own business, but I told him that the dog looked like he was starving and asked him if he would mind if we gave him some scraps from time to time (nope, by all means, he says). He says that the dog was being used for fighting, and he took him (hmmm, I wonder??) He says that the previous owner didn't feed him (I wonder why HE won't either
). I also told him that a dog that size needs a good long walk daily, that he was so weak, he couldn't jump off the porch and that he needed to feed him more. I told him that my hubby put a shelter up for the dog during the storm. He says "oh, I wondered who did that."
WHAT IS WRONG WITH SOME PEOPLE
Why would adults who don't want to be 'bothered' by their own children, get a dog. Why would they proceed to chain the dog to the side of their house and let it starve to death in filth. Can't they smell the stench when they peer around the corner? Can't they see that this dog needs to eat, for goodness sakes, you can see his ribs and backbone clearly. Don't they know that dogs need exercise, puppies need to run and play. Can't they hear it barking, whining for help? 
WHAT IS WRONG WITH SOME PEOPLE
Since we have taken to feeding him, the dog now looks at our door each time we open it. He wags his tail each time we approach him with food and water. Though I have been afraid of pit bulls, I think this one would be a good dog for a family. My boys have both taken turns feeding it without any incident at all (though I am ALWAYS right there with them - I'm no dummy .) He seems so grateful for our help. Hubby bought a 20 pound bag of food just for him, but the other stray dogs come to eat it, so we'll have to stay near the next time we feed him as he is will let them take his food.
We have fostered dogs before, but can't afford to at this time. We found out that our insurance rate will go up if we get a pit bull. Plus this dog clearly needs veterinary care that we can't afford. I thought of calling the Humane Society, but hubby wants to wait a few more days and see if the family will do right by their dog, thinking maybe they just fell on hard times. If we do end up calling the Humane Society, this family will probably guess that we did it (but I don't mind that so much - this is a desperate situation). But the other thing is that the dog may be euthanized. This is not a no-kill shelter.
With all that's going on in our lives right now . . . well the good thing is that looking at this poor dog throughout the day gets my mind OFF of all that going on in our lives right now.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH SOME PEOPLE
I am NOT proud to say this, just being honest here . This type of behavior brings out the worse in me 
. I'd like to give this man a taste of his own medicine - chain HIM to the side of that house in this heat without food and water for a few days. Now I don't place animals on the same level as humans, but what these people are doing is just cruel.
Now that you have seen my dark side, will you still come by an visit ??