Celebrating the "Beautiful Mystery".....
Nov. 4, 2009
Good to know....

I thought I better capture this on film so  I could actually look back on it from time to time:) 

Confessions of a homeschooling Mom-

It didn't feel very joyful yesterday when it seemed like a lion was left loose in my kitchen. All 3 boys were not being their cooperative selves- imagine that. Alot was going on and none of it was good.. and I??? lost it. For a split second it occured to me that for YEARS now I could have  been  having everyday free and all to myself while these rowdy boys would be someones elses problem. What was I thinking? I really didn't know. The split second didin't last long. I KNOW why I want them here. The time we have shared over the last 17 years hold many precious memories and I really am grateful for  all of them- even the not so good ones which lead me back to why I am doing this in the first place....So I asked them if they really wanted to be here, they all said yes. I told them  that actions speak louder than words and I would be able to tell. And everything suddenly changed. For the good.


Comments (1) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

Nov. 3, 2009
First deer with a bow!!!

I was all snuggled in my chair last night when  a text came from my brother that he was outside....thats always good news ,so I went to the door and this is what I found: A VERY happy buddy !!! Uncle Chub was with him when he brought this one down. ( And as we learned in that last deer post, they are easier to photgraph when they are down)Boy, it's good to know that if times get tough here, we got some great hunters to feed us:)

great shot, didn't go far...

Nick wrote "frajule" on this box we were moving. I think there were beanie babies in it:)

 

and this blurry pic is the last of the peppers. Not bad for a November harvest. I thought I better just get them all picked before the frost gets them....


Comments (2) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

Nov. 2, 2009
Moving.....

My sister bought a house so the  boys and I helped her move all day Friday. I would say she falls under the category of  a packrat.... however I WAS very interested in these.... This box is filled with letters- every one I ever wrote her along with some from other people. ( We are 12 years apart so she was only 6 whenI went to college- thus the many letters....) I did get sidetracked for a little while reading some of them and I must say I wish I would have saved all my letters! I am the opposite- I get rid of anything not nailed down.  I do have a few things I have kept through the years.. I'm gonna go back and dig through that box again sometime.

.

Devan and I went back again on Sat. and helped get things arranged. When I left we had the kitchen, living room, Sierra and Nicks rooms totally done.

Life group here last night......James.


Comments (1) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

Oct. 27, 2009
deer season 2009

Not often that you see a smile this big on this guy:) He was out by himself and managed to take this one down:)

This little visitor was at the camp everyday!!

loooks like he's waiting for his dinner plate...

I was on the phone with Dillan when the  bear stood up at this window- Dillan was right on the other side of it!!!

Allie and her deer......

It's raining, it's pouring......good day to stay inside and maybe even have  second cup of coffee...


Comments (7) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

Oct. 26, 2009
Do we play any role in the way God's will is unwrapped?No easy answers

Is the future determined or is it dynamic in that we are able to alter it by our reponses to it?

 Does praying ever change Gods mind? Keith had a bag of dominos with him yesterday, each one representing an issue we are having. He noted that we had all carried our own bag of dominos into the room as well....thats alot of issues... alot of times in the midst of our issue we think to ourselves "If I were God in this situation I would do.........." although God desires a relationship with us, we are not on an equal playing level. God always does what is best- we do not....

There are examples in the Bible where God did change his mind. He was ready to take Hezekiah, and ended up giving him 15 more years because he asked. Incidently, Hezekiah had been a really good king who would have left a great legacy- until his added 15 years...God negotiated with Abraham concerning the Sodom and Gomorrah, thus changing his first declaration to destroy the entire city.

God does desire to answer our prayers, but the answer in every situation is HIM.

As He becomes our focus we create the future together.

It was a lazy , laid back weekend here. I read a good book, which I would post a pic of if my  sd drive was working.... Friday night it rained and we stayed in. Sat. M took Devan to his game, then we went out to lunch. Ashley came up Sat. night from visiting Ariel in Philly. So she was here for church sun. It was the first she had seen the new building.... after a quick stop to see my sisters new house, we enjoyed a great meal - all on the table when we got home- including flowers!!!! (this role reversal is getting kinda funny!) Then, I was off to Giant to pick up burger to add to deer meat, and to head back to church to pick up Eric from his fall retreat. Went for a walk with Dee, then out to Steves to butcher Dillans deer. Done in time to go to Mt. Calvarys trunk or treat for their awana, upwards and community outreach. After a bit of a "lesson" (we'll leave it at that:) on both sides Devan and Cade went as thing 1 and 2. They were cute , and yes a pic would be nice...

and now ,here we are at Monday again...gotta get this day started so...have a great one!!!


Comments (2) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

Oct. 23, 2009
Walking the trail...

Took my passel of kids to the Conewago Trail yesterday. It was  a beautiful walk.

Just found out that Lilah won't be coming Fridays for awhile (Butch got cut to 32 hrs again) which means I will have a day OFF every week, starting next week.

Called Dillan 2x yesterday, hadn't seen anything by lunch and by supper, he had seen 1 but no luck. Steve and Allie however......blue skies are shinning on them:)

Have to take G-ma to the hairdresser this morning....

It's all the same old, same old around here-


Comments (1) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

Oct. 21, 2009
Ever feel like someone is watchin you??

Devan did this yesterday, he's so creative... or is he watching too much tv? Both!

Nothing new here.... we've had some beautiful fall days. The leaves are changing and the  boys are loving having to rake:)

Dillan leaves tonight with Steve to go hunting for a few days. He's excited:) Hope he brings one back for us!

Mark(ie) has been hanging around home a little more latley....even ate supper here last night! the other night he flew in the door and asked if he could get on the computer RIGHT NOW! I asked what the rush was and he said he had to "hoe his strawberries"- he's been playing farmville on facebook. I laughed... Now I have 2 more playing farmville- any guesses???


Comments (3) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

Oct. 20, 2009
Tuesday.....

Well, Greg said I need to update this blog sooooo.....

Spent the weekend in Lynchburg with Ashley.That was fun. Left at 4:30 am to get there in time for convo to hear Sean Hannity- only to find out he was sick.....Karl Rove filled in for him. They ended up getting him on the phone at the end and he felt  really bad about having to cancel. He said he'd come back before Christmas and do a freedom concert and bring Micheal W. Smith, so thats cool. I'm sure we'll go for that.

We met up with Ashley on her way to classes and I ended up going with her- FUN!!!! ohhhhhh, come to think of it I forgot all the notes I took!!!! Ashley , don't throw them away!!!!!

Ashley asked M to look at thier dryer as it was shorting out on them.... they needed a new one:( so we picked one up at Lowes- luckily I had the coupon I had gotten in th email last week! yeah for coupons!!

Saturday we went to the homecoming parade and the football game , then out to dinner at the Texas Roadhouse...

It was a great weekend, can't wait to do it again!!

 


Comments (1) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

Oct. 15, 2009
Doesn't this look yummy????

.... it wasn't..... really , it wasn't.... sure looked like it would be but.....the salad I got at Macaroni Grill was fantastic however...

another busy one today, making a HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIC cake.... even though he is sick.... not sure how our plans for this evening will work out now. Making applesauce and doing some fun fall projects with my little charges....

Packing for a weekend at Liberty. We are leaving at 4 am  tomorow to get down there in time for Convo- Shawn Hannity is speaking.....


Comments (4) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

Oct. 13, 2009
Happy Birthday Kacy!!!!!! and my fil!!

She's growing up....... Have great day Juneie:)

and a VERY happy Birthday to this fine gentleman standing to the right of the picture. A more wonderful man, you may never find.... he's a gem!!!


Comments (1) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

Oct. 12, 2009
Do you smell like smoke??????

you should......... Jude 23 says "Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgement". We can't snatch people if we are not close to the fire, and when you're close to the fire- you smell like smoke.... This weekends "No easy answers" question was "Is there a hell?" From the emails he read, it was very clear that we are in a seeker friendly church, how awesome that they are not only able to ask their questions honestly but find the TRUTH in the answers given. If you want to hear this message or the one from last week"Does God care?" click on the website below to hear the podcsast. This weekends will be available on Thurs.

http://www.lcbcchurch.com/

signs of fall........

 slow, laid back day today. I have R &L ... no Lita. Lilah has school this afternoon. We are not doing school . I really should be going through my closets and switching my clothes and gettting rid of at least 1 big trashbag.........


Comments (0) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

Oct. 7, 2009
The Burger KING is at the door!!!!!!

 

 complete with a bag of burger king fast food and here to do a ROOM RAID on Devan are Mr. Chad Herman (pastor for the 56 program at church) and Jason, the camera guy......

Devan was completly shocked and didn't know quite what to do with his guests.

chad tells Devan he needs to wear the king mask back to his room...

then Chad goes from one thing to the next, picking it up and questioning Devan about it..... in a VERY humerous fashion...here he is asking about the cowboy hat....

and his upwards football uniform......

his legos.....

camera guy...

and what is under the bed????? He also raided the closet after I walked away. They will show this video next weekend during 56. They usually are waiting for a kid as they get off their school bus to do the "room raid".....

Now for the "rest of the story"....

This was all supposed to happen last wed. Devan got up and decided to take a shower at 9:30 - they were coming at 10.....he, of course DIDN'T know.... he goes in the bathroom and comes out min. later in MY bathrobe saying the water ws not gettig hot, so he was just going to wait till later. He sits down to do his schoolwork and Dillan , Eric and I just look at each other like "Oh my word!!!!!!"- he is going to be in that bathrobe when they come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dillan and Eric had a moment of compassion come over them like they have never  shown   before or since and tried to get him to just get dressed......Devan didn't budge... so I quick call my neighbor, Jen and ask her advice- should I just tell him he HAS to get dressed OR should I just let it go and let the chips fall where they may..... as I was talking to her, Jason called and rescheduled it for today. So, poor Devan did not have to be completly embarrassed afterall (I was leaning toward letting him stay in the robe:)


Comments (4) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

Oct. 6, 2009

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/video/video.php?v=1237719226681

Did anyone else see this clip??? amazing woman.... we should all aspire....


Comments (0) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

Oct. 6, 2009
Long time, No Moms night......

Sorry to put the pressure on you Bonni but... those of you who know Bonni know what I'm talking about. She has the gift of encouragment.... the right words to put you back on track, and to get you re-motivated.Dee and I  enjoyed the night out. We left a little early because we were -ready- imagine that? M asked when I'd be home and I said 9:30 ........thankfully,I had the presence of mind to add  the " ish." It ended up being  "ish "(10:20 or so)   We stopped at the Trolley for a cherry coke and to kill some time before the meeting. That was fun- we never get to just sit and talk-ya know (ha ha ) The house was already full when we got there. Some people I knew, some I didn't. One friend I hoped would be there, was... she is one of those poeple that no matter how long between converstaions- we just pick right up where we left off.... how awesome is that....got alot of new ideas and listened to alot of issues other people are having. It puts things in perspective...Dee and I discussed our questions that don't seem to have any good answers all the way home.

 Bonni had this meeting to "fullfill an obligation" for her co-op.....Thanks for putting up with us ... no pressure Bonni, but when's the next one???:) Maybe I'll start another one? I hosted one years ago..... food for thought.

M and M left for Pitt. agian this morning- just till tomorrow afternoon...My dad is taking Devan with him to the cider press this afternoon. And me??? I'm calling AT&T for like the 4th month in  a row- and probably a dozen calls total.....If ever there is  a company that cannot get thing sstraight- they get the prize. It is beyond me. then again..... alot of things are....


Comments (1) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

Oct. 5, 2009
Monday again.....

Dr. Suess was here this weekend....... he forgot to take thing 1 and 2 with him when he left....who knows?.... maybe they will do what "things" do and fly through here and clean everything up.....that would be great.....

Started a new series at church this weekend. It's called "No easy answers". Kinda cool what they are doing. They told us to email them  all of our hard questions - all of the "why this or that?" Now, they are going to spend the next 7 weeks reading them and addressing them. He mentioned yesterday NOT to email anymore questions because they have been totally swamped. Sometimes there just are no easy answers.....


Comments (1) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

Oct. 2, 2009
Here they are......

How simple are these to make....

I love them!!!!

Gma Jean gave me my first ever lotto ticket........ I didn't win:(.. I was rootin for that $50,000- wheww!! that would be nice! Oh well.


Comments (2) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

Oct. 1, 2009
Here it is.......

To: You know who you are....

http://www.wgal.com/video/21164152/index.html

Here you go...... this is what you wanted, no more complaining:)

 

Left to walk this morning as usual..... only we never did walk..... went inside and had a wonderful breakfast instead (I could get used to this......:) Thanks Dee and Greg. You guys are great!!

We saw the neatest decorative tall, thin boxes that would hold any tall flowers or grasses at a craft stand at the goat races on Sat. We took pics of them because they are such a great gift idea.... I had no idea I would be a recipient of not just 1 but 3 of them. They arrived last night around 9pm via some very important people. I am going to paint them today and then I will post pics.....

 


Comments (0) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

Sep. 30, 2009
Fun day...

So, M took us to my favorite place in town....:)

We have to take a million pic's when Eric is in it, nothing suits him...

 Whose is whose???

and ... anyone guessing the drink of  choice????


Comments (2) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

Sep. 30, 2009
Misc. stuff.....

the girls snapped all the ends of fthe beans and loaded them into the jars.... and they thought it was fun....:)

New Uppercase living..... The wall is yellow , I took and retook the picture. Either it turned out a very bad yellow color or this....so use your imaginations- I know you have them:) and picture the wall yellow  and you'll have it:) the mirrors I got at the Goodwill for $7.99 each..

Jen picked this one out for me.. I love it! She thought it would be fitting for all the time I spend with the kids here in the kitchen and she's right! Thanks Jen!

M is going to put a thin molding frame around this  phrase eventually.... and he's going to finish the crown molding and he's going to....... and he's......:)


Comments (4) Post A Comment! Permanent Link

Sep. 28, 2009
Sunday night at the fire.....

Chicken on the fire, wings, hot dogs, pasta salad, Steves baked beans ...(or are they Dawns????- haha )

Jim and Tracy stopped by on their way home from a month out west. Always great to have them here!

Steve comparing  his out west pics to theirs.....

Thanks Hope and Chub!! and Julia and Jena:)


Comments (0) Post A Comment! Permanent Link