Plans best laid still can go to the wayside if you are blonde and seem to get blonder as you get greyer. I had planned on getting four days of school done this week. Instead we got two done: Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday we had 8 appointments scheduled back to back for the kids to have well-child checks and dental checks, then I was going to the eye doctor. On Tuesday, the dental office called and said my insurance wouldn't cover it unless I rescheduled for next week. I went to do the other appointments and drove an hour into town to find out I was a day early for the well-child checks. Not funny. We did a bunch of errands and I got my eye exam done. We still didn't get home until close to 5:30. Then we had to turn around and do it again on Thursday so we could do the well-child checks. Blah! Friday our week was blown anyway, so I decided to go ahead and use it for house cleaning and preparing for the staff Christmas party. Life happens. Next week we probably won't get more than two days in either...
Dh and I sitting with some of our coworkers/friends at the staff Christmas party on Friday night.
In the School Room:
Since school was five days ago, I really can't remember too much off the top of my tired head about what happened in the two days...sorry. It is in my schedule, but I'm too delirious to get off of this chair and look it up.
Our fearless leaders dressed up silly to host the evening. She does not appreciate this picture, but since I copied it from my friends' page on Facebook, I guess it is already out there!
One thing we learned about this week was Hanukkah. We didn't plan to make a menorah ahead of time, so unfortunately we didn't have one. We found a lot of books to read about the holiday, and I found it to be really meaningful. I especially liked reading the Messianic significance of it from Robin Sampson's book, A Family Guide to the Biblical Holidays.
Our good friends, Jessie and Yvonne at the Christmas party. Below their son Micah in a dragon costume after we shared a meal together on Wednesday evening.
On the Mission Field:
Still praying a lot for vision and calling as to what to do next. From there we will work on raising our support to meet our needs and do as He calls us to do.
In the Literary Scene:
Now I'm reading the fourth and final book of the Galway Chronicles by Brock and Bodie Thoene. These books are great for cold winter nights, but dangerous to pick up during the day when I have children to take care of and who need my attention!
Feeding on His Faithfulness,
Carol
If you would like to join me in this theme, just write up your own weekly summary, using mine or your own categories. Then sign the Mr. Linky below. I'd love to read your weekly summaries too! I hope to post mine on each Friday or Saturday. At the latest it will be on Sunday. If you get yours done before I do, just leave your link in my cbox or comments from the week before. Be sure and check last week's Mr. Linky for any new ones who posted before I did! It is a great way to meet new people.
Has another week really gone by already? This week has held a lot of snow (18-20 inches or so) and a lot of stress about things that are happening and not happening in our lives. I got another letter from the state stating that my license needs to be renewed by January 31 - didn't say what the consequences would be, but not having a job right now really stresses me thinking that I could be making it very hard to regain my Colorado license in the future if I should so desire. To be honest, at times I feel almost abandoned by the Lord for not speaking clearly to me about this and other things we've been praying about lately. I am wondering why He chooses to leave us hanging so long right now.
Dh made the kids this dulcimer out of another cigar box this week. He's so talented. He also made a drum for a friend to give to her kids for Christmas this week.
In the School Room:
History can be so interesting. For example, I never thought about how the time zones came into being, but this year I found out that it was because of the transcontinental railroad needing a uniform time as it went across the country on which to make its schedules. It took about 50 years to get the states and local areas to adopt it and put it into law from the time that the railroad systems adopted it. People thought that they were trying to be God to have the time scheduled instead of the sun determining it.
Little Critter loves this little Vtech computer. He can be found dressed up in so many ways as some of the next few pics will show.
Many people all over the world were responsible for the spread of Christianity - much of this happened during the late 1700s and the 1800s. The stories about specific people are amazing to read.
Mysteries and Marvels of Science, put out by Usborne, is teaching me a lot about science that has been learned since I finished high school 23 years ago. The pics are really incredible. I hope the girls are learning a thing or two also!
Bubbies learned more about the letters C and D, and continues sounding out her first readers.
We read about Hannukah this week and are wishing we had a menorah to use to celebrate.
On the Mission Field:
To be honest, I didn't feel much of a missionary this week, except in my own home.
In the Literary Scene:
I finally finished reading Brock and Bodie Thoene's third book in the Galway Series Ashes of Remembrance.
Feeding on His Faithfulness,
Carol
If you would like to join me in this theme, just write up your own weekly summary, using mine or your own categories. Then sign the Mr. Linky below. I'd love to read your weekly summaries too! I hope to post mine on each Friday or Saturday. At the latest it will be on Sunday. If you get yours done before I do, just leave your link in my cbox or comments from the week before. Be sure and check last week's Mr. Linky for any new ones who posted before I did! It is a great way to meet new people
The next six months seem to hold a lot of unknown for our family. There will be no discipleship training school this year like we usually have in January. A couple of our good friends are moving overseas in the next couple of months. It seems like it will be a lonely isolated time. I know God can make good of it. We do have some things in our minds and hearts to do, but we want God to be in control, and so we eagerly await His direction and confirmation
On Monday evening we went into town and helped a missionary family with Frontier Ministries pray through the home they just purchased. The Lord gave them a surprise package last year when their son was born. They found out he has down's syndrome. Right now they are working stateside, but they hope to go back to Afghanistan in the next year or two.
Last Saturday night, dh and I went out to a movie. We hadn't had a date in a LONG time. We wanted to see Blindside, but it sold out while we were in line. We saw 2012 instead. It was nice to be able to talk in the truck and have a special time together.
In the School Room:
We had a nice full week this week. It was good to get a lot done. We are enjoying our readers and read-alouds, and I am learning along with them in science. Right now we are reading "The Terrible Wave" about the Johnstown disaster of a dam breaking in 1889. Amazing story.
I think Little Critter may end up not needing a kindergarten year. He enjoys so much learning along side his sister!
On the Mission Field:
We prayed the team of 8 off to New Mexico this morning. I am excited for them, and for what God is going to do in them and through them. They will be working with the Navajos until early January, then heading to northern India.
In the Literary Scene:
I finally finished reading Brock and Bodie Thoene's second book in the Galway Series Of Men and of Angels. I'm also reading a book called, "Funding Your Ministry". It seems like a great resource to teach us how to raise our missionary support in a godly, biblical way. Soon Tim and I will be reading this together.
Feeding on His Faithfulness,
Carol
If you would like to join me in this theme, just write up your own weekly summary, using mine or your own categories. Then sign the Mr. Linky below. I'd love to read your weekly summaries too! I hope to post mine on each Friday or Saturday. At the latest it will be on Sunday. If you get yours done before I do, just leave your link in my cbox or comments from the week before. Be sure and check last week's Mr. Linky for any new ones who posted before I did! It is a great way to meet new people.
Thanksgiving came and went. It was a good change of pace, but frankly all the free-time is leaving me a bit stir-crazy. I am a task-oriented person. I like to be with people, but if there isn't meaningful conversation happening or games or something, I kinda want to find some somewhere. I've found myself alone with the kids for a lot of the past 3 days (as usual), except when we were actually celebrating Thankgiving, and not having a schedule of, you got it, tasks, we've all been a bit off of our norm.
Snow Crystal roped some of the staff and students into playing Life.
Little Critter and Bubbies got Tom to play Ring Around the Roses.
Little Critter and Mountain Princess built towers to throw blocks at to knock down.
Time for dinner!
I had a couple of minor revelations today. One is that I need to think more in terms of my husband's and my calling as a couple and as a family, and not focus entirely on what my gifts/callings/passions are.
We had a "Christmas Before Thanksgiving" party last Saturday. It is an early Christmas for the outreach team. It was fun, but crowded!
Little Critter got his hair cut off. It changes his looks so much!
In the School Room:
We only did school 3 days this week, and right now it seems really long ago!
On the Mission Field:
The students looked at their spiritual gifts this week, and are looking toward their outreach at the end of this coming week. This week they will be preparing for outreach all week.
In the Literary Scene:
I am reading Brock and Bodie Thoene's second book in the Galway Series Of Men and of Angels.
Feeding on His Faithfulness,
Carol
If you would like to join me in this theme, just write up your own weekly summary, using mine or your own categories. Then sign the Mr. Linky below. I'd love to read your weekly summaries too! I hope to post mine on each Friday or Saturday. At the latest it will be on Sunday. If you get yours done before I do, just leave your link in my cbox or comments from the week before. Be sure and check last week's Mr. Linky for any new ones who posted before I did! It is a great way to meet new people.
The older girls are getting so much better at doing their work on their own. I have to be more diligent to check their work and do thier follow-up questions or narration.
I am thankful for...
Our suburban is bought and our insurance is paid up for six months. Also that we have siblings that pitch in and gift us with money when things are tight...
From the kitchen...
Tonight is Sunday Oven-fried Chicken - made gluten-free of course, with salad, mashed potatoes, and a veggie.
I am wearing...
Corduroy, off-white long-sleeved blouse with rose colored flowers, blue jeans, white socks. My hair is pulled back in a braid.
One of my favorite things...
Hearing from a faraway friend, and making plans for bigger and better things.
I am reading...
Of Men and Of Angels by Brock and Brodie Thoene
I am hoping...
That we can raise our monthly support to 100% of our needs.
I am creating...
Dreams of a better tomorrow.
I am hearing...
Music from the television in the basement. The kids are watching Tiny Heroes on video.
Around the house ...
I think all the kids are in the basement watching the movie. Soon we need to do spelling with the two oldest girls to finish school, and start supper.
I am going...
nowhere for the holidays.
A few plans for the rest of the week...
School tomorrow, then off on Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving. Will be celebrating the holiday with the community here and my immediate family.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
(coming soon)
caption.
I hope you enjoyed your peek into our mountain haven! Come again!
Feeding on His Faithfulness,
Carol
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I'm loving being with my kids. Every moment that I get with them fills my heart. It is so wonderful to hold my son in my arms and hear him say, "I wuv you, Mommy. You're adorable!" I also love watching and experiencing the moments that my five year old studies her first words and reads them. Each day she makes so much progress. My 10 and 12 year olds amaze me with how they are growing into young ladies more each day and becoming individuals. Life as a Mom is good.
The little ones like to snuggle in the rocking chair after their bath near the wood stove.
I just finished looking over my blog from a year ago. I am so glad that I am not in that place any longer! A year ago my Snow Crystal was having concentration problems, abdominal pain, seizures, weakness, and looked like a little holocaust survivor. She was depressed and talking about suicide. I praise God for all my friends who so faithfully prayed, and for the cure of becoming gluten-free again, and avoiding artificial additives. She is my healthy, happy, seizure-free young lady again. No more of any of those things, and her school work has improved dramatically this year. I am so grateful to the Lord!
In the School Room:
Mountain Princess, 12, and Snow Crystal, 10: Abraham Lincoln was shot again this week (we learned it a few weeks ago, but readressed the reasons this week). The aftermath of the civil war was anything but nice. Andrew Johnson may have had Abraham's roots, but he lacked some of Abe's other successful political prowess. Matter can be in the form of a solid, a liquid, a gas, and plasma. Old Yeller is my 10 year old's first school book to be taken on without my help, and she's doing a good job. She even stated that this is her favorite reader ever. Caddie Woodlawn continues to be a spunky little thing. Tall tales are fun because they exaggerate a story and hyperboles are perfect to put in them. Mountain Princess finished up decimals, fractions and percentages, and moved on to tesselations. (Did I learn about these in school? They are fun.) Snow Crystal is working on fractions now.
Bubbies, 5, learned about the clothing and culture of the French in the period just before Napoleon's time and about the French revolution. Birds have feathers, lay eggs, are warm-blooded, and most eat other animals. We examined an old robin's nest and found an unhatched egg. Robin nests are made of mud, twigs and grass. Numbers higher than ten are made with groups of ten and units. She finished the week by writing her numbers between twenty and thirty.
Little Critter, 3, is beginning to take himself to the potty and we are having much fewer peeing accidents. On the other hand, yesterday he pooped in the bathtub again. Good thing sister wasn't with him this time!
On the Mission Field:
One of my favorite speakers, Graeme from Australia, was here speaking on cultural differences. We had another India - style dinner too. The students have only two more weeks before they head out on outreach. They will spend their first month in New Mexico with the Navajo work there, then the final eight weeks in India. We saw the Lord bring in a bunch of money toward their outreach expenses. That is always fun to see.
In the Literary Scene:
I am reading Brock and Bodie Thoene's second book in the Galway Series Of Men and of Angels.
Feeding on His Faithfulness,
Carol
If you would like to join me in this theme, just write up your own weekly summary, using mine or your own categories. Then sign the Mr. Linky below. I'd love to read your weekly summaries too! I hope to post mine on each Friday or Saturday. At the latest it will be on Sunday. If you get yours done before I do, just leave your link in my cbox or comments from the week before. Be sure and check last week's Mr. Linky for any new ones who posted before I did! It is a great way to meet new people.
My baby boy turned 3 this week. I guess I am officially past babyhood in the is family. It is bittersweet, but I don't mind too much. On his birthday he came up to me in the morning and announced, "I turned big!" It was adorable. He is a huge boy, and I've already had to pull out his size 4T clothing. I'm reluctant to give up his size 3 clothes since they are so cute, but as I see the sleeve-length and leg-length getting shorter and shorter, I am coming to the conclusion that I must let go and move on!
The Lord continues to stir change in me, and yet I do not want to get ahead of Him. We've put out a fleece of direction, but it still hasn't given any answer for us. I think it is good to go about making change slowly to give us and our children time to accept it, especially since we like where we are at so much.
This is Little Critter on his 3rd birthday. Love the brownies on his face?
On the Homefront:
We are back to winter now. Everything is white and snowy again since Friday.
Tim (my dh) finished a project he's been working on for the past couple of months. It is a cigar box guitar. He loves to express his creativity by making musical instruments. It sounds pretty good too! In the past he has also made several kinds of drums and digeridoos.
This is dh with his cigar box guitar. He's handsome, isn't he?
In the School Room:
I was inspired by Lalaith's school wrapup on her daybook post at Avonlea Academy, so I'm going to try it instead of listing every gory detail:
Mountain Princess, 12, and Snow Crystal, 10: America is growing in leaps and bounds, with the beginning of department stores. Batteries in sequence make brighter light than ones that are parallel. Atoms make up all matter, but did you know that quirks and gluons make up protons and electrons? Will of Shades of Gray finally decided that good men were on both the Yankee and the Rebel side, and men who chose not to fight were honorable too. Caddie Woodlawn was a spunky little thing. To build a fire in the fireplace successfully, one needs a good source of air, kindling, and most importantly, a piece of egg carton. Poems are funner if you have a pattern to follow when writing one.
Bubbies, 5, learned that coffee and chocolate didn't become popular until the age of exploration. Until the late colonial years, food was pretty bland and mundane. Mammals have fur, give milk, and breathe air. Reading is challenging and rewarding, and gets easier if the same simple book is reviewed each day. Mathematics includes not only addition, but also taking away. A triangle has three sides and three corners. An eight can be made without lifting your pencil. Copywork is still drudgery.
Little Critter, 3, found that hitting his sister with a fork will put two pricks just below her eye like a snakebite. (I'm so glad it didn't get her eye!). Going to the bathroom is against his idea of a good time. Wet pants, on the other hand, makes mother unhappy. The letters each have a sound. "I" says itchy, itchy chickenpox.
On the Mission Field:
The school had Chris Austin here. He has been teaching team building and has been helping the students find their strengths and weaknesses.
In the Literary Scene:
I am still reading Brock and Bodie Thoene's second book in the Galway Series Of Men and of Angels.
Feeding on His Faithfulness,
Carol
If you would like to join me in this theme, just write up your own weekly summary, using mine or your own categories. Then sign the Mr. Linky below. I'd love to read your weekly summaries too! I hope to post mine on each Friday or Saturday. At the latest it will be on Sunday. If you get yours done before I do, just leave your link in my cbox or comments from the week before. Be sure and check last week's Mr. Linky for any new ones who posted before I did! It is a great way to meet new people.
We had a great week. School went very well. We are all past our sicknesses. No drama. I'm so grateful.
The Lord is speaking to me about being a better friend, about really listening and being there for people. I need to hear this, and so much want to do this. I am convicted of keeping my friends at armslength. I know it stems from being insecure in childhood and feeling like I didn't have any friends, so I stopped trying. There have been times when the Lord has brought me friends, and still I did not work hard at keeping them. I want to go beyond that in my life, and work harder at being there for my friends. If you want to be included in those who want my deeper friendship, just leave a comment, or email me. I'm going to try.
This is Snow Crystal working on a Christmas present.
On the Homefront:
We worked on keeping the house cleaner throughout the week, and found that to work well. I do laundry twice a week (Sundays or Mondays and Thursdays or Fridays). If the laundry isn't finished, I finish it the next day without adding more from the new day. This way I know all the laundry gets done twice a week and it isn't as much of a burden. The older girls are helping me a lot more too. For example, Snow Crystal is downstairs making cookies right now as I type. The weather was nice, and got nicer all week. Feels like summer except for all the snow still on the ground.
This is Snow Crystal following her "directions" of how to make her favorite cookies that she had to do for language arts yesteday.
In the School Room:
Bible: We continue to read Egermeier's Bible Story Book with Bubbies and the older girls listening in. We didn't do anything with our Biblical Holidays book. We also read a few stories from "I Heard Good News", which is a book full of short stories about how different countries and peoples received the gospel. I am thinking that for the older girls we might try to do some of the articles and activities that go with The Voice of the Martyrs magazine. You can find it at http://www.kidsofcourage.com. It looks like it would be a good thing for them to do.
History: We are now in the post-civil war era. In Landmark's History of America we learned how Montgomery Ward changed the way business was done for the rural American, and about Richard Sears' imput to this.
Science: We moved on to start learning about Alexander Graham Bell and his inventions.
Read-Aloud: We are ahead with the older girls, so took a break from read-alouds. I read The Light on Tern Rock with Bubbies.
Reader: Mountain Princess and Snow Crystal are reading Shades of Gray, by Carolyn Reeder. It is a good book about a boy who was orphaned during the civil war, and having to live with his mother's sister and family after the war.
Language Arts: The older girls worked on similies, topic sentences, writing a formal letter, and grammar. Bubbies reviewed the letter "S" and made a "P" and an "S" letter sheet (I get these from homeschoolshare.com). She read her first "reader" that comes with her curriculum. It is a cute little book called "Pam"). It was a proud moment for her to read it to her daddy one evening this week too.
Math: We had a great week again this week, and the girls continue to make progress in becoming independent.
Spanish: MP is using Rosetta Stone and seems to be learning and retaining a lot. SC is using The Complete Book of Spanish (workbook from Wal Mart). She'll get back to Rosetta next year.
On the Mission Field:
The school had Chris Stanton here. He suffered from acute mountain sickness for the first day, but finally recovered. I think they've been having a great time.
In the Literary Scene:
I am reading Brock and Bodie Thoene's second book in the Galway Series Of Men and of Angels, and I finished the first book too. Very good reading!
Feeding on His Faithfulness,
Carol
If you would like to join me in this theme, just write up your own weekly summary, using mine or your own categories. Then sign the Mr. Linky below. I'd love to read your weekly summaries too! I hope to post mine on each Friday or Saturday. At the latest it will be on Sunday. If you get yours done before I do, just leave your link in my cbox or comments from the week before. Be sure and check last week's Mr. Linky for any new ones who posted before I did! It is a great way to meet new people.
One thing have I desired of the Lord that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. To behold the beauty, the beauty of the Lord. To inquire in His temple, the temple of the Lord.
This is my everyday thoughts about being a mother to three little ladies (12, 10 and 5) and a three year old son. We serve God full-time, and I am a physician assistant. I have the most awesome husband in the world. I am trying to seek and serve God with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind and all my strength.
From the Heart:
