I am still around.  And, still without internet.  There are definate pro's and con's.  The pro's..... I am getting so much done around the house.  The con's........I am behind in responding to emails.  But, if someone really needs me, they can call, right?  LOL!!!

We are getting ready for Abby's birthday party tomorrow.  Her birthday was actually May 14, but there has been something going on every weekend that we could not change.  She is used to not celebrating her birthday when it actually happens, so it is no big deal to her.  We have invited a few families to grill out with us at Moss Wright Park tomorrow.  Hopefully, the storms will hold off until after her grill out.  Instead of cupcakes, she has requested a big cookie.  I am making it in a rectangle pan, so we are doing half peanut butter and half chocolate chip.  Should be yummy!!!!!

Jason is loving his new job.  We are so blessed!!!!!  He is very happy (and a few pound heavier, LOL!!).  Really, he is used to actually working out in the sweltering heat many hours a day.  Now, he is in the AC all day and working at a desk.  Now he (and myself) will have to be much more faithful to the Y if we truly want to get the weight off.

Speaking of weight, I am no longer looking at pounds.  I am going by inches.  After working out at the Y  for several days straight and watching what I ate, I weighed the same, but my clothes were a bit looser.  So, my goal by my birthday is to be wearing a size 12 very comfortably.  I have a little less than 5 months.  Hopefully I can do this.  Then my goal for the big birthday next year (40) is a size 6.  I know I can do it!!!! Especially since my hubby has made me cheerleading coach.  (Okay Mom and Laura, don't choke on your Diet Mountain Dew).

I have two very busy weeks ahead with my skin care business.  I have my meetings go to the next two Tuesday nights along with two facials this coming week and some the next weeks as well.  I also have one definate and another possible recruit.  So, business is booming!!!  I will be in that Mary Kay car before you know it!!!

Have a great weekend!

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Back in 2005, I signed up to sell  Skin care under a very dishonest consultant back in SC.  Since that time, I have moved on with my business.  I have re-signed under a new unit out here in middle TN and am loving it.  However, this former consultant found out that I am selling here and has tried to make some trouble for me.  So, to pacify the situation, I am taking the blogs that had references to my skin care websight out. If you are interested in products, then please email me at  lorianngordon@marykay.com 

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Yep, our internet went out last Thursday.  I am actually at hubby's job checking emails and such.  Hopefully we will be back in the real world soon. LOL!

I haven't drawn names for the lip gloss yet.  I haven't forgot.  I will do it in the next day or so, when I have more time on here.

More updates about camp and such in a few days!

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It seems that for whatever reason,God has chosen to take us out of our comfort zone.  I guess He wants to see what we are truly made of and just how far we will go to stay faithful to Him.  You see, over the past few months, Jason has been going from  temporary job to job just trying to make ends meet.  It is very tough to have  job security  after many years and then have none. It is very tough to see bills come in the mail and to know that "if" you had not been laid off, these bill would have been paid a while back.  It is tough to see your chidlren wanting to do things and not being able to because of a situation that we as humans could do nothing about. It is tough to want to give to someone and not be able to because we ourselves have nothing to give.

It would have been so easy to have packed back up and to go back to the Carolinas when this happened.  Jason could have went back with his old company where he had been for almost 10 years.  We could have found a house, reestablished old friendships and connections with homeschoolers, and just felt a bit more secure.  However,we chose not to do that.  We have chosen to make it work here.  Why?  We came back here for one purpose, our church.  Back in the Carolinas, we never could find a church like we were used to having here.  For almost 3 years we searched and searched and it just couldn't be found.  There were relationships established in our church that just could not be imitated anywhere else.  There was a "spirit" of worship here that you just couldn't find elsewhere.  There was a sense of belonging and home that just can't be replaced.  No where in God's Word does He say that serving Him would be easy.  I recent;ly read a quote from some one that said something like this~  How can God truly see what you want to do for Him unless He gives you a reason to prove it?  I feel like we have been proving just how true and loyal we are going to be to Him.  We know that it is His will for us to be here, and , we could have went back to the Carolina's still saved, but miserable because we would not have been in His perfect will.  We have asked our children many times over the past few months "had you rather be back in SC in a fancy house with dad still working at ___, or had you rather be here like we are?"  Each one says "here".  Now, we have many friends and family back in the Carolinas.  This is nothing at all against them. They know that we love them and miss them very much.  However, they also know where are heart truly has been and where we have belonged.

So, with all of that said, it seems that things are finally looking up a bit.  We are so thankful for the opportunities that have been given to us over the past several weeks just ot make ends meet, so to speak.  While we have not been able to be as faithful givers in certains situations as we have in the past, we know that God is getting ready to expand our horizons so that we can truly bless others in many ways. Jason was offered a position with a Christian School in our area and has accepted.  He is their Athletic Director/Admissions Counselor.  He is absolutely loving it.  Today is his 4th day on the job.  He told me this morning how nice it is not to be getting up at 4 for work and not knowing what time he will be home that night.  He will be very active with our children while they are there some, which is something he has always wanted.  I will also be working there one day a week as their music director.  I will teach music all day on Fridays starting in September.  We are planning for our oldest to attend school there full time and our younger two to go with me on Fridays for their fine arts classes. 

We know that we have been hired with TFS, but that is a very long process.  It could be a year before the rest of the housing is bought and we are matched with the right individuals.   That is okay.  We will cross that bridge when and if we get there.  Right now, we are just very thankful for the door that God has opened up for our family.  We can't wait to see just what is ahead!

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I forgot to talk about my middle son's concert at Rocketown back on  May 17th.  His band, InsideOut, performed there for a 30 minute concert that afternoon.  They perform Christian music that they write and some cover songs.  Imust say that I am extremely proud of my "little drummer boy".  He is a phenominal drummer who will definately go places in life AS LONG as he keeps his priorities straight.  Here are some pictures from the afternoon.

This one is his berfor performance nervous look.  Ain't he handsome?

This one is a serious one from the band.  I personally like them better when they show of their handsome smiles.

Kyle with friends Paige and Skylar

You can't see his face, but he is playing his heart out.  He actually broke a drum stick during this song.

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Well, Kyle came home on Saturday.  His tales from camp were much more amusing, to say the least.  A counselor planted a "thong" in his duffle bag as a practical joke.  Excuse me?  What planet are you from? Girls wanted his telephone number.  One girl even tried to play footsie with him. Keep in mind, he is 14 years old!!!!

My husband, who had the idea to send them to camp (no disrespect intended, dear) has finally realized that perhaps this was not the best move to make.  (Gee, wonder where he has heard that before. LOL!!)  He has decided that if they go to camp next summer, then we will be there to be their counselors.  (Hey, I don't want to counsel a bunch of youth!!!!)

Our oldest son left today and will be back on Friday.  When he returns, I will spend the next three weeks teaching my children how to behave like normal human beings again to each other and to teach them civilized living again.  What fun!!!!  There should be a rolling eyes icon here.  Hey, I sort of like this one. LOL!! 

Stay tuned for another camp update at the end of the week.  I can only imagine what will be on the senior high girls agenda for young and handsome guys. LOL!!!!

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As I had mentioned a few days earlier, Abby sang at the Grand Ole Opry last Thursday evening.  It was for our homeschool accountability group, Family Christian Academy's annueal graduation ceremony.

She did an awesome job!!!  It was really neat to have security clearance to back stage at The Opry. It was neat to have a dressing room with the huge light bulbs around the mirrors.  It was also exciting to walk down the dark hall, go through the door, then boom, on stage looking out at a couple thousand seats. 

It was certainly an experience the she (nor her accompanist) will ever forget.

Hubby says the pictures are aweful and blurry because of the bad photographer (him, LOL!!!) 

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Tonight is a big night for Abby. She gets to sing at The Grand Old Opry.  Our homeschool umbrella school is holding graduation ceremonies tonight, and she is singing during the program.  There will "only" be about 3000 people there, so I am sure she will be just a bit nervous.  I am feeling pretty sick to my stomach right now, as I am playing the piano for her.  However, how many times in one's life can they say they have performed on stage at the Grand Ole Opry?   She is singing Consider the Lilies By Joel Hemphill.   It is such a classic and has a beautiful message to it.

After tonight, I will have one junior high student and two high school student in our homeschool.  I feel really old all of a sudden. LOL!!!

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Well, today Abby came home from camp.  She really didn''t have that great of a time (awe!)  I also took 8 14-15 years old down as well.  My middle child was in that group.  I will be so glad when these two weeks are over and we are back to normal around here.

Honestly, there is not one positive experience that I can say has come from camp.  Abby came home whiney and tired full of stories of snobby girls and pouting friends. Oh yeah, and the boys crazy girls.  She is so not in to boys (that God!!!)   We have taught her that relationships are not acceptable until you are ready for marriage.  We have been a bit more strict on this policy with her than the boys, but she is so obedient when it comes to this area that it is not an issue. 

So, I can't  wait to hear what all Kyle has to say about camp (this is where the rolling eyes icon should come in)  .  The youth from our church that went this week are all very Godly and mannerly.  I really "feel" better about this part of the week than Abby's group. Not that there was anything wrong with Abby's group that went, she is just still rather young.  Then, next week, Conner will be gone from M-F.  However, he is very grounded now (finally), so he is really the least one I worry about.

Changing the subject.....over the next few weeks, I am going to run a contest here for you readers.  I am going to offer some Mary Kay.  Ijsut have to decide which products to give away. 

Any suggestions?  I am thinking either a lip gloss or lip stick. 

Have a great night!

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I am up and awake before anyone else (well, Jason has laready left for work).  We took Abby to camp yesterday.  I did better than I thought I would.  I think she will have a great time.  The counselors were extra nice and she is bunking with her two best friends.  I will go and pick her up and noon Wednesday and take Kyle and his friends from church at the same time.

I plan to surprise Abby and have her room decorated when she returns.  I am making her new curtains and have a new curtain holder/shelf for her room as well.  I was hoping to be able to but her a new bedspread, but that will have to wait a few weeks, I am afraid.

The boys just need to straighten up their rooms.  Don't they always?  LOL!!

I am getting ready to head out to the grocery store.  The boys will sleep until noon.  I may just let them today. 

Our youth pastor spoke at church last night to our graduates.  His message was relaly good.  It has given our whole family something to think about and to dream about. 

Going to get groceries!

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Starting Sunday, my children start leaving for church camp.  This is a totally new experiance for us, as our children (or my youngest two) have never done this before.  While I am wanting Abby to stay home another year, her daddy wants her to go.  Aren't we supposed to submit with a cheerful heart?  I think I need to write this about 100 times or so. LOL!!!!  I'm trying!

So, Abby's BFF as they call it (or Best Friend Forever for you who may not be up on all of this lingo) has decided that she wants a skort for camp  tomatch one of Abby's   BTW...  my sewing business is   www.homeschoolblogger.com/sewmodest     Anyhoo, so, they call me and give me measurements at about 9:45 last night.  Then, they may be going out of town until Saturday night, which means she needs it before they go today.  Isn't that funny!!!!  I can do it.  I know I can.  Actually, I have made so many skorts I feel like I am making them in my sleep sometimes.  And besides, God is blessing us financially through it, so I am not complaining.  I just need to get to cutting and sewing. Luckily, I already had the fabric she wants in stock here at the house.

So,Abby leaves on Sunday and comes back on Wednesday.  The, Kyle leaves on Wednesday and comes back on Saturday.  Then Conner leaves of Monday and comes home on Friday.  Then, after that, hopefully life will be back to normal. Are we normal???  Don't think so. LOL!!!!

Have a great weekend!

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Subway apologized.  They are making a new contest for home schoolers.  We were out.  We were hungry.  In the distance, I saw the yellow glow.  I caved.  It was good!!!!!!  Mom and children are happy and full!!!!!

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It can be so easy in the "world wide web" to get lost in things that really aren't that godly.  We get rapped up in the drama of other women complaining about their lives, husbands, children, that God is glorified very little.  That type of co-dependent lifestyle is not a spiritually healthy one, or a Biblical one.

Titus 2 tell us our roles as wifes and mothers.  Proverbs 31 plans out our days for us.  James tells us how to be successful Christians  The rest of the Word tells us of the great heroes of the Bible and how they lived their lives when they were and were not obedient to the laws and Christ.  Shouldn't that be where we learn from daily?

However, I love communication with women.  We can teach younger women (both in age and spiritual maturity) online.  We can gleen much online as well.  However, the key factors are to ask yourself if what you are reading is truly lining up with God';s Word and if it is making you a better person in your homelife and relationships. 

Also, you must be disciplined with your time online.  It doesn't matter whether you have the godliest of sights to go to, or the most wholesome blog to read if dishes are piled up and the toddler is eating last nights supper off of the floor where it wasn't swept. 

I am learning this lesson right now.  Time management.  Dying to flesh.  Ouch!!!!!

I have decided that for me, I don't necessarily need a schedule, but I do need a routine.  And, based on what is happening in life, my routine may change daily.  That is okay, as long as whatever is on the list for the day gets accomplished.  Some days it doesn't.  Why didn't it?  Was it a true emergnecy where something came up that couldn't get avoided?  Or, was it an online discussion that came up that REALLY just had to have your imput for four hours?   Let me ask you this.  If your husband did his job the way you do yours, would he still be employed?  This is a question that I finally asked myself earlier this week and I was so embarrassed at the answer. 

Also, do you spend more time online fixing others, or in the Word and with the Lord allowing Him to fix you?  Oh Lord, forgive me where I have failed you and my family because of an internet sight that I thought needed me.

I have found very few internet sights to actually be worthy of my time.   I would like to share two with you.  One is  www.CMOMB.com (which stand for Christian Moms of Many Blessings)    It is a very wholesome and Godly message board that I am thrilled to be a part of.  There is very little fluff (well, we do fluff with each other at times, LOL!! )   Mostly iron sharpens iron mentality.  And don't think you can go there and whine about your husband or undisciplined children without a spiritual spanking either. Also, I love  www.titus2.com  This is also a very godly sight that you can gleen so much from.

So, with all this being said, I am off to finish my job for the day.

Blessings!

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Yes, I suppose I am offended at Subway at the moment.  We give them a very good business.  I am disappointed that they would choose to leave out homeschoolers in this contest.  I am sure a homeschooler probably would have won it.  (Isn't that cocky sounding? LOL!)  

I do see their point.   What in the world would a family do with an outdoor area that large?  Well, our family would have either donated it to our church who happens to be building a new church www.gpcministries.net ,  or we would have donated to our accountabiliity school   www.familychristianacademy.com .   They should have realized that there would be some people out there who may take it personally or not like this contest.  They should have thought ahead and had an alternate prize for a home educating family that might have won.  However, they didn't.

So, we can either have one of a few attitudes.  We can simple not care or we can say "I am never going back there again".    I chose the latter.  I said I would give Jersey Mikes my business.  I really do like them better anyhow.   We also have Quiznos.  And, If Jersey Mikes and Quiznos are smart, they will do something at this time to involve homeschoolers and really boost their business.(reminds me to send them an email, LOL!!)

Which, I did email Subway and ask them why they choose to exclude homeschoolers?   I never received a response.

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Preparing Sons four tape set. $10 ppd

Manager of His Home tape set $10

A Time to Build Rod and Staff 6th grade reader $7 ppd

Rod and Staff 8th grade reader and Teachers Edition $15 ppd

Rod and Staff Science 7th/8th grade Investigating God's Orderly World Student and Teachers manual $15 ppd

Unit Study on Christmas by Amanda Bennett $6ppd

ABeka Language 6th grade student workbook and Teachers Edition $25ppd

BJU Earth Science Student book $7 ppd

BJU Lifescience Student Book $7 ppd

More to come!

Let me know if you want to see a picture of any of these

I accept paypal that is funded or I will need for you to pay the fees. Thanks so much!

You may comtact me at my_tn_farmlife@gardener.com

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I am giving my children the next three weeks off of school.  I am allowing them to sleep til noon if they wish.  Won't they think I am the bomb?  (Isn't that the teenage term for awesome? LOL!!!!)

Today I am organizing my homeschool books.  There is a book consignment sale going on this weekend.  I have PLENTY to put in the sale.  Hopefully I will see a good financial return in this endevour.

This afternoon I plan to cut out and make Abby a few new skorts.  She needs them desperately.  I have already made her three for this summer.  Three more will be a nice variety for her.  The problem is finding shirts that are actually decent.  She is at the in between stages ( 16 girls or junior).  Do you guys find that the junior t-shirts are just too tight and vulgar looking?   Maybe I am just looking in the wrong places,but I am very disappointed in the choices out there for young ladies this year.

I am also cleaning out closets.  I am not longer interested in putting things aside to sell.  It is all going to Goodwill.  I want it out of the house!!!!  I need breathing room, and I feel like I am being smothered to death by clothes. 

I was studying Ephesians 1 and 2 this morning.  I did not have my KJV Bible (Jason has it is his van), so I grabbed a different translation that we have.  One thing that stood out to me in this reading was that Jews and Gentiles were referred to as different races.  In today's time, different skin color is what we call different races.  In NT times, it was different "religions" or beliefs.  I find that to be very interesting.  I will definately look this up in my bible and see what the KJV has to say in those scriptures. 

Have a blessed day!

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Psalm 25:9  " The meek will he guide in judgement, and the meek will he teach his way."  Ain't that good????

I have been thinking about this most of today.  First off, what is meek?  Of course, I can not find my dictionary right now, or my Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit book, but if my memory is correct, being meek is being quiet, teachable, polite, joyful, full of love, and many more descriptive terms for the word.  I would not describe someone who is brash, rude, bold, opinionated, stern, or having a know it all spirit as meek, would you?  First off today, I have been thinking about the things that I do that would not be considered meek.  What about when someone cuts me off driving, first off, let me assure you, my initial thoughts are not meek.  They are rather opinionated. LOL!!!!  Or, when someone is perhaps a bit rude to my children.  That really burns me up.  How do I react?  Don't get me wrong, I do not think we are to be doormats as Christians.  However, I do think there is a godly way to get our point across that perhaps we do not care for what one is doing without reacting in a way that could be considered anything other than meek.  Then I think about the internet.  How many times have my responses been snippy or short because I have been running short on time and I wanted to get that one thought in? How many feeling have I hurt because I have not been gentle with my words online?  Even when it is something I feel so passionate about, does that give me the right to be forceful with my typing (words)?  Absolutely not!!!!!   How can I expect the Lord to teach me His way when I am not meek?  I have learned so much from this verse today.  I pray that the Lord will speak to each and every heart that reads this and that we all can be receptive to his way of living and learning.

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