"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." Colossians 2: 6-7
Good morning! There is so much to be thankful for today. I hope this inspires you to take a moment and give Him thanks today.
I am thankful that it looks as if I will be able to kick this bug without a trip to the doctor. This is a huge praise. Thank you, Lord, for Zicam, Airborne, and Muscinex!
I am thankful for last night's discussion of Psalm 23 and how the Lord is our Shepherd and all that means. Jerry did a fantastic job of fleshing that out using examples from the rest of Scripture.
I am thankful for the rain. The ground was starting to get cracks like last summer when it was so dry. I like wet Mays. Plus, this will help us get our lessons done, this last month of school.
I am thankful for another chance to go see my grandma in the nursing home this week. The kids and I are excited to bring her a little joy today.
I am thankful for my hard working husband who picked up the slack this week when I was dragging. Thanks to him, the laundry is caught up and in good shape.
I am thankful to have a little time with my husband tonight when the kids are at Karate. We are going to Starbucks with our Sonlight catalog! (Whohoo!)
I am thankful that others count me worthy to be their friend.
Now, get out there and make the most of your day for Him!
Good morning. I think I turned a corner last night and am feeling more like a human. The pollen count is out of sight, so that could be another reason for my ailment. I am still taking my immune support vitamins until this goes away. Anyway, here are a couple pictures I took this morning.
This is my spring look for my kitchen window. It sure beats the winter look of plastic wrap!
And here is what showed up at my back door this morning for babysitting... Argh! Ahoy, mates!
Hello. Well, we are now all sick except my sweet husband. Thankfully we seem to be in different stages of this thing. I coughed all night and feel like going back to bed, however, I am thankful for the strength that I need to keep going today for life must go on.
What life you ask? Well, I am babysitting today and tomorrow. Lessons will have to get done too, as we took yesterday off for a Christian service day. Tomorrow night we work in the nursery. The only thing that might be put off is visiting my grandma on Thursday. I so wanted to go see her again this week. Yesterday she was doing much better at cooperating with her therapy. We will go on Sunday regardless. It's Mother's Day after all!
I hope you all have a great day. I'll be watching a long movie this afternoon...
This week at Olympians ,the Wednesday night Bible club our kids go to, the theme was Beach Party. I took these pictures just before leaving. They came home just as worked up and as usual it took awhile to get them to sleep! In fact, this is how they've been acting since spring got here. Everyday is a party in their minds. And I am the party pooper making them finish the school year strong!
Have a great weekend. If you'd like to see more Show & Tell posts, see Mary aka Canadagirl.
17Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls, 18(AH) yet I will rejoice in the LORD; (AI) I will take joy in the God of my salvation. 19GOD, the Lord, is my strength; (AJ) he makes my feet like the deer’s;
he makes me(AK) tread on my(AL) high places.
Habakkuk 3: 17-19
I am thankful that the above verse is true. Our situation doesn't change the fact that Jesus is Supreme and is just in doing what pleases Him. We don't make Jesus Supreme. He is.
I am thankful for my mother. What an example she is to me of love and compassion towards her dear parents who need and rely on her so much. She has stepped up to the plate and is giving it her all. I pray that I can do the same for her one day.
I am thankful for the chance to use my gifts in the service of Jesus. I was running away from my gifts, not wanting them, wanting a different gift! How silly I was. I have finally submitted my will and am embracing my gifts as gifts and not a curse! (Maybe I will explain that one day.)
Even though I do not agree with the Economic Stimulus checks, I am thankful that one is on it's way to me. I am so thankful. Thank you! (Now I wish we had more kids.
I am thankful that this school year is about over. We are ready for a break.
I am thankful that the weather is going to get back into the 70's soon. That means more time to work on the flower beds. I have some dreams cooking.
Thanks for taking the time to read my list. I pray that you have a wonderful day.
Apr. 30, 2008~ Wordless Wednesday: Caught in Action ~
Note: This is not my photo. I found it on Photobucket, so I assume it is free to use, because it is a photo sharing website, right?
Last night, when it was dark, we finally caught our own little bandit red-handed eating the suet cake I had just put out that day for the birds. We knew someone other than the birds had been eating it. I thought it was the squirrels. We've had one entire suet cage disappear. So now we have to figure out another plan to feed the Woodpeckers. It was too dark to get a photo last night, so I resorted to Photobucket.
Have a great day!
Hello and thanks for asking about how Grandma is doing. The kids and I went for a visit yesterday and found her better than I had imagined, yet still she has a GI bacterial infection that keeps her close to her bathroom right now. She seems a little depressed and wants to go home, but I would expect that. I am trying not to be fearful for her life, yet at the same time I am aware that all of our days are numbered.
My dear mom remains faithfully by her side day after day. I know she is really weary, but won't think of leaving. And I am sure it was a great help to Grandma yesterday as the nursing staff can't be there to help her to the bathroom at the drop of a hat, if you know what I mean! Dear Grandpa is doing his best to be a constant presence. I was able to bring him some meals for his freezer, which is something I am happy to do. All in all, if they get the right medicine to help her infection go away and she is strong enough to continue with her therapies, I am still hopeful that she will make it home in the original time frame of 3 weeks. IF.
Blessings to you all.
Please continue to pray for my grandma. She now has an infection and is feeling really bad, not eating either. I am going to see her today. I'll post more when I am able.
Several friends have asked me how to add smilies to your cbox, so I thought there might be a few left who would really like them, but are afraid to ask. Truly this is very simple. Denise from Heartnsoul told me ages ago how to do it and then for some reason, I did not get around to it.
First you need a cbox! (Click on my cbox to do this if you need to.) All you have to do is go to cbox, log in and on the left hand side is a category that says, "Smilies". Click on that. Then a table comes up with all your smilies. To add a smilie, you need the smilie url. I found mine at photobucket. Just be careful what you search for so you don't get an inappropriate eyeful. My searches are very basic, for example, I typed in "smilies and chores" to get my cleaning smilies. Add the url or direct link to the table and a special code you give that smilie, for example, I used ((( for rainbow and :cat: for the cat smilie. Hit the save button and then your have it done. I can't wait to see your collection.
Good morning. Thank you to all of you who stopped by to say you are praying for my family. Prayers are appreciated! Our visit yesterday could not have been more delightful. My sweet children took it on themselves to prepare a little entertainment.
Ryan wrote a puppet show for he and his nana to perform.
Grace wrote a lovely song about Heaven for Kirsten to sing.
Grandma and Grandpa enjoyed checking out the puppets afterwards.
We are looking forward to next week's visit. If you'd like to read about how to make a rehab room special, please read Nancy's blog. She truly inspired me. Thank you Nancy. The Lord sent me your way just when I needed it most.
Thankful for another week at home with my family. Not something I take for granted these days.
Thankful for warm, sunny weather. Yesterday my 10 year old said that he is forgetting what it feels like to go outside and be cold. Yes!
I am thankful for new mercies. I just wish I did not need them every day!
I am thankful that my grandma, who has been in the hospital this week, gets 3 weeks of rehab to help her get stronger. We're going to visit her (Thursday) today. If you think of her, pray that she will not be discouraged being away from Grandpa for so long. Pray for my mom to have strength to help them through this.
I was tagged by new blog friend from Under HIS Construction for a new meme challenge-The Budget Busters Challenge. I am supposed to list the 5 things that can keep me from staying on budget and then I tag 3 other blog friends. Oh this is hard, because now you all will know my vices! (Like you don't already know everything!)
Here is my list...
1. Fast food stops. Some weeks are better than others. And some weeks I am just stopping because I have the cash on hand and am craving it. But, I blow at least $20 a week on this bad habit. That's $80 a month, $960 a year!
2. Going back to the grocery store for things I forgot or just ran out of room in my cart or patience while at the store with 3 bored kids. We always seem to run out of crucial things, like deli meat for my dh's lunch or fruit or something. Those little trips eat up a lot of time and money.
3. This time of the year I could blow tons of money at a garden center, wait, I just did that this weekend! Well, we did budget for that, but I still feel the need for more and more. I want a shade garden, a plant for the front porch, a hanging basket for the front tree, etc. This has replaced my need to spend money at the wild bird store in the winter. Thankfully, I earn cash for such passions, but I have to keep within my budget or these things will break the bank.
4. BOOKS! Do I have to say anything else?
5. Lastly, I'd have to say trips to Starbucks are certainly a potential budget buster. Thankfully, I am under control here, but it is a temptation I face.
I am not going to specifically tag anyone, but if you are reading this and want to play along (it's a good exercise to think about), then tag, you're it!
I have only a few seconds to write. Today was amazing. Not the best, most descriptive word, I know. The slide show above will do all the talking for me! Today I realized a dream, to have raised beds for gardening. My sweet husband! What a hard worker!
Waking up to a lot of talk about the 5.2 earthquake that shook the area this morning. Made me want to write my thankful list without delay.
Thank you, Lord, that no one was hurt this morning. The last quake I remember happening here was when I was a youngster in 1987. That one was a 5.0 earthquake. This morning I woke up to the bed shaking and the windows rattling like a strong gust of wind coming through. My first words this morning to Jeff were, "What was that?"
Thank you, Lord, for the time Jeff and I had last night cleaning out the Sunday School closet. The work is nearly finished. It was a pleasant time working together. I am so grateful that we have a ministry together. It is our hope that our whole family will work together next year in First Grade Sunday School.
Thank you, Lord, for my new keyboard. There just happened to be a brand new one at the bakery that was not needed. (Thanks Mom!) The on-screen keyboard was just too slow! But, I was thankful that I could at least use something to reach the outside world from my computer!
And finally, thank you, Lord, for the weekend coming. My dear husband has two days off in a row, no wedding cakes, no taxes, no anything! So, we are going to get the garden ready!
Also, I am not planning to do a Show & Tell today, but will post pictures of the garden boxes soon.
Have a great weekend!
Our keyboard got a drink of water tonight. Children remorseful. I will be back when dh brings home a replacement. On-screen keyboard is a drag. Children for hire to buy new one. Any takers?
Who doesn't enjoy saving money? Well, today I am going to talk about CVS. That's right, the drugstore that I have avoided for years fearing for my wallet's contents. And here is a disclaimer, I am new at The CVS Game. I've yet to make a killer deal or "steal" as the lingo goes. What this post is about is to give you, the frugal minded, something to think about by passing on some great sites that deal with how to make CVS Extra Care Bucks work for you. And if you are already a CVS game pro, please, please, please share with me some of your wisdom.
First stop, CVS 101 with Money Saving Mom
Then here to see some scenarios.
And here, a lady, whom I admire, who is making CVS work for her family.
"Those who walk by faith in the goodness of the Lord shall in due time walk in the sight of that goodness." Matthew Henry
Good Monday morning to you all. There are only 2 more days of this tax-ing season, important information to the wife of a CPA who wants her husband back full time. Two more. We can do it.
Today marks our return to lessons, as well. I calculate that we have about 30 days of school left. Somehow, by the grace of God, we have remained diligent through another year of home educating. Wow. It does amaze me that the Lord thinks I can do this huge job! (Not on my own, though.) My prayer is that we will finish strong. We've kind of fallen away from my original plans. Time to get back to work.
Yesterday was a bit of a challenging day. As most of you know, Jeff and I stepped back into our old jobs at our beloved church a few weeks ago with much joy. If I were to give this opportunity to trust Him a title it would perhaps be, "When We Are Weak, He is Strong." Each week, we see the Lord providing and blessing us in ways that are only possible because we are weak and He is the LORD. Totally amazes me that He wants to use a couple of sinners like Jeff and me in this way. When I submitted my fears and objections at His feet, He changed my heart instantly. I joyfully serve Him each week. Awesome stuff.
But I did not get to why yesterday was so good. We knew we were in bigger trouble than usual when we woke up to a child throwing up. That immediately reduced our teaching team by one half. Makes us pretty weak! Not to worry, our oldest son who has many gifts, stepped up and offered to go help his daddy. I heard he really was an asset, too. Perhaps I need to recruit him for next year? And then, Jeff was able to find 2 substitutes as well, so they were only down about 3 small group leaders. Praise the Lord.
Yes, we had a sick girl yesterday morning. Thankfully, she seems to have made a quick recovery. I am not sure what happened. Not to gross anyone out, but it was not typical throw up. Made me think it was really from mucous, not a stomach thing. So if no one else gets it, then I will be certain it was just a lot of gunk that needed to get out!
This week our family time is at a premium with Jeff's working and other family commitments. I think something is going to have to get cut so that we can have at least one evening together. Working can't go, so that leaves us with a difficult choice. Something to pray about. Next year will not be so hectic.
OK, this post has wandered on long enough. Time to get the kids up and working! I pray for each and every one who reads this post that you would bring glory to our Lord through your words, actions and thoughts today.
The HSB Front Porch is having a contest and you can win a $50 gift certificate just for blogging about The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Spring Promo before midnight April 30, 2008. Subscribe now to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and receive 25 BONUS gifts valued at over $550! The Winter Promo sold out, don't miss out on the free gifts this time!
They are also giving away a $150 gift certificate to the Schoolhouse Store. All print subscribers (new or renewing) between April 3 - 30, 2008 will be automatically entered into a drawing. No purchase neccessary to win. To enter without subscribing, please send a postcard with your name, address, telephone number, and email address to: The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Spring Promo Contest PO BOX 8426 Gray, TN 37615
Jenn here. Let me tell you why I love The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. It changed my life. It changed my homeschool! Really. Before I found the magazine, I was seriously close to burnout and quitting. I did not have the support I needed. Yes, I had a few friends I could call, but they were stressed out themselves. But those avenues were still leaving me with a void, until I found The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. Not only did it lead me to blogging, but, I found encouragement for the long haul. Each time I receive my copy, it is like receiving a new shipment of homeschool enrichment. Truly, if you can afford to buy this resource, do it! You won't be sorry. (There is only one thing I can think of that would make The Old Schoolhouse better and that would be for it to be a monthly publication! ) Now, go spread the word! We owe it to them for all they give to us hosting this community!
Hello. My name is Jenn and I am striving to be a servant of Jesus Christ. I am a wife of 13 years to my best friend and a stay at home mom of 3 wonderful home educated children ages 10, 8, 6 here in beautiful Central Indiana. Titus 2:5 says to older women that we are to teach younger women "to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." This blog is my way of encouraging others to be Busy At Home.
Now, get out there and make the most of your day for Him!
Argh! Ahoy, mates! 
Note: This is not my photo. I found it on Photobucket, so I assume it is free to use, because it is a photo sharing website, right? 
My Grandma Lucille
I was tagged by new blog friend from 
