Tuesday, November 17, 2009 - How can it be?

I'm not sure how it can be the season for turkey's and shopping for Christmas presents; somehow it is.  I went Christmas shopping with my mom and sister last week--unbelieveable.  It doesn't seem possible.  Where has time gone?  Time sure does fly when you don't have alot of it.

We are finally adjusting to my working and juggling school.  We were so fortunate to have 12 years of schedule and routine.  Now every week is different; every day is different.  God is definately teaching us flexibility.  Mondays are my long days at work- thankfully Matt has taken over school on Mondays.  It sure has helped me.  The girls are loving it.  They say he is a "good little housewife".   

Sarah is wrapping up her last week of volleyball.  It will be sad to see it end but will also be good to have those three days freed up.  She has also been attending junior high youth group.  She loves it.  A good friend of mine has two kids attending--since both Kayla and I work on Tuesday nights, she is gracious enough to pick Sarah up and take her to youth group.  This weekend will be her first small group outing--hopefully we can make it work  with our schedule.  She is very excited about it.

Emma is a bit under the weather this week--a cold is trying its best to slow her down.  I will miss my work buddy--she loves going to work with me.  She wears her work shirt and loves to sit at the front desk and check people in.  Her sweet face brings lots of smiles to those walking through the doors.

Kayla is busy with school and work.  Last week she had a big project for chemistry.  She and her friend Valerie spent hours creating a model of an atom (or something to that effect) with a cake and gumdrops.  Her teacher LOVED it.  Kayla was so proud!  She is doing so well.  We are very proud of her focus and determination.

That's a little update on the girls.  I hope to post pictures soon of Emma's volcano and Sarah playing volleyball.  Unfortunately, Kayla forgot to take pic's of her chemistry project!

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Thursday, September 24, 2009 - So far so good....

A few weeks into school and I think things are going well.  The fact that every day & every week is different, is keeping me on my toes.  Juggling school and taxi-ing Kayla to and from school and work is continually changing my work schedule as well as our school schedule.  I really have to plan ahead for  what the next day holds more so than ever.  I have had a few bouts of being overwhelmed but God is so faithful to remind me in His strength and not my own.  It is definately a learning process. 

I've also had to realize that I can't do everything here at home by myself.  I have to rely on my family to help with the household chores.  I want to continue to take care of everything but I know I can't give 100% to everything; there isn't enough of me to go around.  The girls have been so wonderful in lending a hand.  They do their lists each day willingly and I've yet to hear a complaint.  I'm so thankful for them!  Matt does what he can as well but doesn't have the luxury of alot of extra time.  He does pitch in when he can.

Matt and I wanted to make sure he stayed connected with the kids even though he gets home way after they're in bed and is only home a few hours in the morning.  We bought them each a notebook.  They write to Matt each night before they go to bed; they can write whatever's on their hearts.  Matt then writes them back with whatever is on his heart.  This has been a wonderful way for them to stay connected.  God was definately responsible for that idea!  I know when they are all grown up and gone they will have those notebooks and will be able to read them and lovingly remember this time in their lives.  Matt and I have recently started our own notebook; it's wonderful because we don't have alot of time now to really talk and share our hearts. 

We're looking forward to some much needed time off  next month.  We will only have a few days but it will be so welcome!!

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Sunday, August 30, 2009 - New School Year

Wow,  haven't been on here to update our lives in awhile.  It's difficult to believe the summer is over.  Our summer was anything but relaxing.  There have been some significant changes in our lives...where do I begin? 

One of the most significant changes is me going back to work after being at home for 12 years.  I did work part-time several years ago, but that was a few nights in the evenings.  It wasn't anything I had anticipated doing although we had certainly prayed about it for months.  God brought a promising opportunity into our lives and it included me being proactive in the plan.  God brought Matt a new career and it included me as well.  It's pretty awesome that we are getting to work together and include our kids.  I'm still trying to figure out how I homeschool and work but I do know God has not told me to do anything different with the girls' education so I will do my very best.  Luckily, the job entails me making my own schedule and it's only a few hours a day.  And I am able to have the kids there with me if needed which is wonderful.  The downside is that Matt's schedule is continually changing but we are arranging ours around his which is one of the many benefits of homeschooling. 

This change has changed every aspect of our lives.  One of the biggest areas is my husband's health.  He has lost over 50 pounds!!  He looks like the man I married.  He has worked so hard and we are so proud of him.  He has changed his eating habits, is exercising, and completely re-vamped his lifestyle.  Kayla & Sarah are even working out.  Needless to say, we are a different family!

Kayla & Sarah started school last week. Kayla is a junior (wow) and Sarah 7th grade.  Emma will be starting 4th grade tomorrow.  Kayla is in the same options program she has been in for the last two years.  She is loving her classes; chemistry (not really loving this one but it's interesting), ASL (sign language), english 11, algebra 2, yearbook, world history. 

Sarah is liking her curriculum so far.  She has almost all new curriculum which is definately advanced; she is doing so well and impressing me every day.  She takes it all with ease.  I had offered for her to go to the options program Kayla attends but she said, "No mom, I love being at home.  I want to stay here".  I was surprised but flattered she loves being here.  It certainly blessed me. 

Emma is so excited to start school tomorrow.  Some of her curriculum is still enroute, but we will begin with what we have.  Luckily, we have the basics.  I am especially excited to begin a new science program with her. I have been pouring over it and am really thrilled.  It is called, Christian Kids Explore Earth & Space.  It looks wonderful!!  A fellow homeschool mom wrote the series and I cannot wait to dive into it.

So, that is a little synopsis of our lives at present.  I hope to get back to updated this blog...though I am juggling more than ever but trusting God with every minute of it!

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Sunday, May 3, 2009 - Prom

Kayla went her to homeschool's prom a couple weekends ago.  She attended with three of her very good friends; twins Lexi & Tori, and Valerie.  They had a great time together and all looked gorgeous! 

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Sunday, May 3, 2009 - Emma's 9th Birthday

Emma turned 9 on April 7th.  We had a great night with lots of Emma's friends, ice cream sundae's, and craft time.  Enjoy the pic's!

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Thursday, March 5, 2009 - Super 16th Birthday

I cannot believe my daughter is 16!!  Wow~  so amazing to think she is already that far along in life.  I'm so blessed to have a daugther who loves the Lord and desires His will for her life.  Kayla wanted a Hawaiian party and luckily her friend had tons of decorations leftover from her party this summer.  Kayla invited her friends from school and our wonderful family was there as well.  Enjoy the pics!

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Thursday, February 5, 2009 - You know your getting old when...

One of your children joins the workforce.    I can't believe it but it's happened.  Kayla is officially employed.  She has baby-sat quite often, weekly, but this is an actual job.  Wow!  Some friends of ours own a fitness center and they've hired her to work in the kids' club.  She is on her 1st official week.  She worked there the last couple weeks in the office to earn $$ for camp but Tuesday was her first official day on the job.  She is so thrilled.  She has wanted to start working but we were tenative to send her out to work for someone we don't know and trust.  God is so good to place this opportunity in her lap, working for people she knows.  It's exciting also that she will be doing something she loves to do; care for children.  She really enjoys it and I know this will be a great opportunity for her!!

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Monday, January 12, 2009 - Long Time No Blog..

It seems like it has been forever since I posted an entry.  I guess the holidays came and life became so busy. 

Kayla spent two weeks with grandparents helping out.  Papa Walt had major foot surgery and she dove in to help him wherever he went.  She even went to his doctor's appointment with him.  We are so thankful she has a heart to serve.  We missed her alot and were so glad to see her on Christmas Eve.  We spent Christmas there and had such a wonderful weekend.  We were able to visit with my grandmother and aunt's/uncles I hadn't seen in a long time.  We were so blessed!

It was back to reality last week as we wrapped up a two week winter break.  It was wonderful to have time off.  I don't normally give the kids that much time off all at once but it was definately welcome and needed. 

So it's back at it now full force.  Kayla's glad to be back at school.  Sarah and Emma aren't necessarily glad to be back in school but they are making the best of it.    I'm glad to be back into a routine, if there is such a thing with all that needs to be done. 

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Saturday, December 20, 2008 - Winter fun~

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Monday, November 24, 2008 - Homecoming '08

Kayla's "school" had their homecoming dance on Friday night.  Now, it's not really homecoming because the "school" is only 2 days a week and is all homeschoolers and of course they don't have any sports teams, but they call it that just the same.  Kayla went with 3 friends and had a blast.  They all got ready together and then danced the night away (well, it only lasted 2 hours but they felt like they did).  They then had a crazy sleepover which was thankfully not at our house.   

Kayla is very fortunate to have a great group of friends who were all able to be there, save one.  There are two sets of twins and one set of triplets!  (one of the triplets couldn't make it). 

Kayla also designed a beautiful shrug to go over her dress so she would ensure modesty.  She did an amazing job as usual.

Enjoy!

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Saturday, November 15, 2008 - New pic's

Here are a couple slide shows of the girls.  The ones with Kayla are from her youth group flag football game and the others are from a youth group event that her friends came to.  Sarah's are of her volleyball game today.  Enjoy! 

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Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - Newest project

We had some friends who had a baby recently and I asked Kayla to make them a blanket.  Not sure if you can see the design exactly, but they are little turtles.  She did a fabulous job!

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Saturday, November 1, 2008 - Sarah~

We received Sarah's volleyball pictures today.  They turned out so well.  She is loving playing and her team is improving more and more each week.

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Friday, October 24, 2008 - Sarah & Emma

I wanted to share a sample of the girls' work.  Emma is thrilled with cursive and has caught on so well.  Her cursive is beautiful and she's so proud.  Sarah is loving her art/sketching class and is doing really well with the mirror images.

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Monday, October 13, 2008 - Random thoughts~

Thanks to a blogger friend at The Incredible Journey, here are 6 random things about me. 

1.  It's 2:42 p.m. and I'm just now eating lunch.

2.  I'm watching Because of Winn Dixie with my 8 yr old.

3.  The first thing I think about in the mornings is having my coffee. 

4.  I spoke at a marriage conference this weekend.

5.  I can hardly wait until my sweet husband gets home..I miss him today.

6.  I burned myself on the neck somehow while fixing my hair. 

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Monday, September 29, 2008 - Girls weekend~

Matt was out of town this weekend so the girls and I decided to have a girls weekend.  On Friday night we camped out in the living room and watched movies.  We watched the Wizard of Oz and The Last Sin Eater.  We've seen both numerous times but truly enjoyed watching them again.  I haven't slept on the couch in awhile but the girls loved us all camping out sleeping in the living room.  The dog was a bit nervous not being in her usual spot and was up quite a bit during the night.  We slept in and just hung around the house Saturday.  I worked on lesson plans a bit and Kayla crocheted and did homework.  At least we accomplished something.    We then watched The Incredible Hulk.  The old series not the movie.  We really get a kick of the series and love watching it.  The girls think the clothes are hilarious as well as the "special effects". 

It was a great weekend with just the girls.  I hope there are more to come....

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Monday, September 22, 2008 - A weekend away~

My husband and I celebrated our 12th anniversary this weekend.  My sweet husband planned a surprise weekend getaway.  We went to Breckenridge.  Boy the mountains are gorgeous this time of year!  The lodge, where we stayed, was so pretty.  It overlooked the town of Breckenridge and the ski slopes.  We really enjoyed not being on a time schedule.  We browsed just about every shop and enjoyed some great food.  It was bittersweet driving back home yesterday but as always, it's good to be home. 

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Tuesday, September 16, 2008 - 5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

The girls and I tried this and it's so fun and delicious!  Great for kids~ they can do it themselves.

1 Coffee Mug
4 tablespoons flour(that's plain flour, not self-rising)
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons baking cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips(optional)
a small splash of vanilla

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well
Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.
Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla and mix again.
Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!  It won't spill over. 
Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.
EAT! (this can serve 2)

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Monday, September 8, 2008 - 2 weeks & counting~

We've finished our first two weeks of the school year.  It has gone so well; alot smoother than any other year.  I really believe it's due to all the planning I did all summer.  I've never had a year where I had everything so well planned out including projects and extra worksheets.  I even have Sarah's study guides and tests for history all ready.  It really has made a difference.  Instead of several hours of planning each weekend, it's only taking me around 20 minutes to cut and paste the lessons into their schedule for the week and print out projects.  Finally, after 11 years, it's a well oiled machine.    And wonderfully, it's still highly flexible because it's all laid out ready to be plugged in, I can still be flexible; actually more so than ever.  So thank you Lord for the nudge in this direction. 

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Friday, August 29, 2008 - Sarah's cookies

Sarah was learning in her Bible course about trusting God that He will keep His word.  She read about His promise in the rainbow.  So, she made rainbow cookies to further what she'd learned.  She did a great job--unfortunately, my camera's still not working so I had to take the pic with my phone. 

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