Monday, September 21, 2009
Happy Engagement Day to my Honey!!
Nineteen years ago on this day, my sweet beloved took me to the beach.
After talking for quite awhile, he slipped off the bench we were sitting on, got down on one knee, opened a small jewelry box and asked me to be his wife. To share his life with him. To be his forever more.
I couldn't get the YES! out of my mouth fast enough!!! :)
Thus started the most wonderful part of my life, that of being my Honey's wife. Through it all, we've been a true couple. Always together. Always loving each other. Always lifting each other up. Always looking for ways to help each other. Always in love....ALWAYS!!! :)
So, happy engagement day to my Honey! I'm yours forever and I'm ever so thankful that the Lord brought us together and made us one.
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Wednesday, September 16, 2009
A Family Guide to the Bible by Christin Ditchfield....Book Review
Get to know your way around the Scripture wtih this family-friendly tour through the Bible.
I have to start out by saying...I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!! :) I think all families should have a copy of this book in their library. It's wonderful!!!
Christine Ditchfield starts the book out by writing about the history of the Bible. Where did it come from? She then proceeds to answer the question of how can we trust the Bible...that it is the word of God. Then she moves to the question of what it's all about.
Then she gets to the meat of this book. Each and every one of the sixty-six books of the Bible is given a synopsis.
This is how each chapter is broken down:
The Book (the name of the Bible book)
The Author (who authored this book of the Bible)
The Audience (who is this book directed towards)
The Setting (where in the world is this located and what time)
The Story (a short overview of the book)
The Message ( a brief synopsis of the entire book, with chapter and verse references)
The key verse for the book
More on this story in the Bible. This is wonderful...if you are researching a particular subject, person or time, you can find more references in this section.
A short words to know section identifies the most significant words contained in this Book.
The Did You Know section is the best! Some little snippet about each Book is included. Then the Making The Connection section gies you some background as to what is going on during this Book's writing.
I can't say enough good things about this book. It's engaging, informative and easy to read. I can see this one being in our family library for many years to come. I'm so thankful I had the opportunity to review such a fine book. And I thank Crossway Publishers for publishing it!
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Sunday, August 30, 2009
10 Things About Natalie!!
Today is my sweet second daughter's birthday. She's the big 10 today...double digits...where does the time go??!
In honor of her special day, here are my 10 things about Natalie...
1. She's loving and kind...completely....
2. She's takes care of her family
3. She does her jobs with a good attitude and promptness
4. She does her schoolwork to the very best of her ability
5. She is funny...and has a knack for one liners at just the right time
6. She's now taking dance lessons and so enjoys it
7. She's a true friend
8. She likes to write letters and have pen pals
9. She has the most beautiful smile
10. She still loves to cuddle and snuggle with her Mama...this makes her Mama smile!! :)
Happy Birthday my dear Natalie!!! I love you!!!
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Saturday, August 22, 2009
14 Things About Thomas
My one and only son is 14 today!!! My, how time has flown by. It seems only yesterday we were giving birth to him...at home..unassisted....and in awe of this little round headed man that God had given us to raise!
1. He's caring and loving
2. He's all boy...and I do mean...ALL boy!
3. He's gifted...mechanically, physically, mentally...just gifted
4. He's a great big brother..and little brother too! :)
5. He's my Super Boy
6. He still likes to cuddle...though it doesn't happen as often as I'd like
7. He has the cutest grin...especially when he's happy about something
8. He'll make an extraordinary husband and Daddy one day
9. He knows how to shoot a gun...and shoot it well
10. He is counting down the days until he turns 15 and can LEGALLY drive me around... ;)
11. He can herd cows like nobody's business
12. He's confident
13. He's intelligent
14. He'll always be my little boy
Happy Birthday, Thomas. I love you!!!!!
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Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Day 1 down, 179 to go! :)
Okay, so admittedly, I don't think the 180 day rule is a necessary part of our home education. Learning takes place any time, anywhere. Why does it have to be limited to 4 hours per day, 180 days per year? But, then, I realize that due to public school issues, there has to be some "rule" in place... ;)
Anyhow, we had a great first day! Took our traditional photos of each child in front of the chalkboard that read "First day of school 2009". Filled supply boxes with new pencils, glue, etc. And did light schooling. And loved it!
Each year, I'm reminded why I homeschool my children. Because I love them so! I can't imagine giving someone else the thrill and joy of watching them learn. Of seeing their eyes light up when they "get it". I just genuinely enjoy being with them and would not want to give up this time with them.
We read the first chapter in Little House in the Big Woods. It's comforting to be in Laura's little world again. Time was so different then.
I found a great site with free lapbook ideas and supplies to print!!!! Lapbook Lessons will be visited alot by me this year!! They even have a lapbook to print for Little House in the Big Woods!! How cool is that?! If you're into lapbooking, go check it out!! I'm glad I stocked up on printer ink! :)
The adjustment back to early mornings is proving to be harder than the adjustment to nights. The weather is just hot and humid here...makes for nights hard to sleep. I'm so looking forward to fall. Even my beloved...when he called during lunch yesterday...told me he can't wait for fall. Ahhh....he's finally on my side...he doesn't like the heat either! Cool....I say we move further north to get even further away from the heat!!! But, I realize that with that would come more cold..and he's not a big fan of really cold weather either....hmmm......I know...we could win the lottery and own homes in two places..... Sounds like a plan to me...course...the best part would be for Honey to be home with us all the time...
Okay..time to rouse my children and get this day started!!! :)
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Monday, August 10, 2009
New school year begins today!!
The big day has arrived!! It's time to begin our new school year!!
The table is laden with books. We'll look over all that's in store for us for the coming year. Some changes this year include getting back to unit studies (yeah!!) and perhaps an early graduation for Rebecca.
When I realized how many credits Rebecca needs to graduate, we began talking about her graduating next year...perhaps late summer. This would be a year early for her. We are talking about her future...what she wants to do post-graduation. We are looking into the CollegePlus option. It sure sounds like the best option available to her.
Thomas will begin the 9th grade this year...and is using Blessed Is The Man unit study. This looks to be a very well rounded study. I am looking forward to seeing him really take off with this study!
Natalie and Mary will be using the Prairie Primer. Personally, I am most happy about this! I used this unit study a few years ago with Rebecca and Thomas..and I'm quite happy to return to Laura's little world.
We'll be incorporating lapbooks, notebooking and general unit study things. School should be fun...and I think these changes away from the textbook/workbook approach we've been using will be a very welcome one.
I need to get some information sheets printed...so I bid you a good morning and have a wonderful day!!!
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Thursday, August 6, 2009
Exactly when did summer end? We worked late into the summer months finishing up our school year...and have taken a bit of a break. But, it seems our break is just about over.
We will begin our new school year on Monday. I have been doing some planning and have realized how close Rebecca is to meeting all of the requirements for graduation! She could finish as early as the end of this school year...or maybe at the end of summer. How exciting is that?! I love that about home education. No wasting time filling a seat in a school...she learns the material and moves on. I will never believe that there is a better way to earn an education.
Honey will be working his last night tomorrow night. It will be bittersweet. It's been nice to have lazy mornings with him. I LOVE waking up with him, and being able to stay right there together talking and perhaps falling back to sleep in his arms again. It will be nice in that we will have a more regular schedule. So, there are pros and cons...just seems like it is over quicker than I thought it would be.
Course..what isn't over quicker than I thought it would be?!
Summer heat..that's one thing that isn't... 
We need to make some more trips to the creek before summer is over. We had a good plan going until we got sidelined by other needs. I'd like to see us get back to going, maybe in the evenings after Honey gets home and we eat supper. We shall see...
Some farm needs must be tended to soon. This corral needs to be completed...though the going price for cows at this time is not great. But, it's a fine time to send a cow to the butcher and fill our freezer! We have two remaining hens. Skunks have been a real menace to our hens this year. We've never had such a problem as this. Toby and Thomas took out several skunks, but enough remained to eat most of our flock, including our handsome rooster. The two remaining hens are free-ranging and quite skiddish. I need to find a source for eggs...cause we sure can't eat store bought "eggs" any more!
It's time for eye exams around here too. New glasses for those of us who wear glasses, and checkups for all. It's sad that we have to travel out of our town to do this...as the one Dr in town who takes our insurance is not one we'll go to....been there, done that, not doing it again.
We celebrated a special day yesterday. August 5th marked 20 years since our first date. It was also 18 yrs, 7 months since we became one. That time sure has flown by. Guess it's true...time does truly fly when you're having fun. I can't imagine sharing my life with anyone else. God sure knew what He was doing when He joined us!
We have also returned to our monthly date nights. I have so missed this time alone with my Honey. We went out this past weekend and had such a good time. I am looking forward to next month's date!
Guess I'll post this and get some more school planning completed....
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Thursday, July 30, 2009
What He Must Be....If He Wants to Marry My Daughter (book review)
What will you say...
when that certain young man sits down in your living room, sweaty-palmed and tongue-tied, and asks permission to marry your daughter? What criteria should he meet before the two of them join together for life?
Fortunately, God has given us a clear picture of the role of the husband/father in the home, and in What He Must Be..If He Wants to Marry My Daughter Voddie Baucham breaks this picture down into ten desirable qualities. Not only should parents of young women seek these qualities in a son-in-law, but parents of young men should strive to cultivate these qualities in their sons.
Baucham, one of the architects of the Family Integrated Church movement, follows up on his popular book Family Driven Faith with this compelling, down-to-earth apologetic of biblical manhood.
And so this is where I began reading this book.
At first, I will admit, I expected this holier than thou attitude that is seen so many times in Christian circles. This unattainable goal for the absolutely perfectly raised man to perfectly court my daughters to marry them perfectly and then go on to have a perfect life together. I was most pleasantly surprised that this is not the theme of this book!
Many of the ten qualities the author lists in this book are thought-provoking and insightful. Things that I might not have thought of going into such an important decision. As we tell our children, after the decision to accept Christ as your personal savior, the decision of who you marry will have the greatest impact on the rest of your life.
I liked how he started out telling about a multigenerational vision. He gives examples and personal stories about being raised in a father-less home. Did you know that 70% of the hardened criminals in prison today have no father in the their life? 70%! That fact was astounding to me!
This book is appropriate for ALL readers. Now that I have finished it, my husband will be next, after him will come our oldest daughter. It would be a good read for young men as well as young women. It shows what a young man should strive to become as well as what young women should strive to find in her husband.
Like all books, there are some things I don't necessarily completely agree with, but unlike many books, this one doesn't have alot of "bones" to spit out...it's mostly meat.
I would highly recommend this book. And I would recommend parents read it long before their children are of marrying age. I would also recommend that both parents read it, then their children...and then discuss it as a family. That way, the entire family is "on the same page" so to speak on such an incredibly important facet of life.
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Saturday, July 18, 2009
Goings on....
This has been a whirlwind of a week....
It started out with a get together with friends...and friends of friends. It was sure a full house...but so much fun!
The next day, we had a really full house...full of children!!! We had a friend's 5 children here for a couple of days. She was in the hospital....33 weeks pregnant with a severe kidney infection. I've never seen a person in so much pain...and she handled it with grace. I pray no one ever suffers like that ever again.... She's not out of the woods yet...but the pain is much reduced...and the worst is over...
It was wonderful having a 2 year old sleeping between us again. I have missed that! During the night, his little hand hit Honey in the face...and I heard..."I didn't miss that". Ahhh, but he did...he misses it all as much as I do....
Anyhow, our week was filled with phone calls, cooking, running here and there...and just generally a busy week.
Today was the reading carnival...the end of the summer reading program through our local library. It's always a good time, and this year was no different. We then ran over to deliver a Burb load of food to our friends. She won't have to cook for some time! It felt sooooo good to bless them!!!
Came home to rest a bit...then had supper...then went to town for a fund raiser for our local crisis pregnancy center. Felt good to donate some funds there too.
We then went to Hardee's to get free milkshakes (earned by my babes with their summer reading...) Natalie can't eat store bought ice cream without getting a tummyache, so she didn't have hers. Rebecca exercises great personal restraint, so she didn't have hers either. So, Daddy and I got to have their milkshakes. We bought some curly fries also. A cheap, fun time! I just love being with my family...
On the way home, we stopped to see how the truck and tractor pull was going across the highway. It's so close, we can hear the motors working over there. Looked like it was still in full swing, so Honey brought us girls home and he and Thomas went back over to soak it up. They love engines..and the sounds they make....and all that goes with this stuff. I'm so thankful they are both so mechanically gifted.
It's time for bed...even though they aren't home yet. My eyes are getting heavy..and the girls are more than ready for slumber too. Maybe they'll read some of their new books, gained from the carnival today. They sure have a bunch of new reading material. It's a good thing...course, there's always those who take advantage of such things...but my children get books they'll actually read and enjoy...and then they'll pass them along to others.
The coming week will be busy too...Honey goes to the dentist on Monday. He's broken the inside of a tooth off (next to the filling)...this visit is to see what they can do for him..no pain yet and we'd like to keep it that way. Rebecca also has a birthday sleepover to attend...and we will be making visits to our friends....
We'll be heading back to school soon....and I soooo need to get to work on planning out our year...much to do...much to do.... :)
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Tuesday, July 7, 2009
A calf's birth post..
I just put a new post on my Homestead blog....
it's a pictorial of our new calf's birth yesterday....
A calf's birth in photos
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