Jun. 13, 2006 - Tropical Storm Alberto
We are currently going through TS Alberto. It's not a big deal at all. Just a wind, and lots of rain. We REALLY need the rain. My grass was brown, and now it's green. **LOL** However, flooding is an issue. We are praying that this relieves some of the fires, and mess that the lack of rain has caused. I am very surprised at how early this has started. Normally we don't have much of anything until August or September. I am a little nervous about our hurricane season. I believe we have enough insurance. We got more added on this Spring. We have been targetting several times with different hurricanes, so I figure this year has a good chance of some hurricane getting us. I hope that this doesn't happen, but I also hope I am prepared if it does. We are ready to get water, and food on Wednesday. We have very little, and if we lose electricity, we will need more.
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Jun. 9, 2006 - Hayley's coming home!
Today we go get Hayley for camp. I know it's only been a week, but we sure have missed her. Her camp has an online site where we can send email, and get pictures. It's been neat seeing what has been going on. They put on a show about what they learned during the week. They do great skits. It's always something that even I look forward to. We'll be excited to get her today.
She loves going to this camp, and after doing research, I am happy to send her. However, Amanda and I miss her so much. Amanda is so bored, and realizes how much she does. **sad** Next year, Amanda gets to go, and for a week...well I will understand how I will feel when they marry. Lord, please let them stay in Tallahassee!
With Amanda's gymnastics they have offered us to get corporate sponsors. That helps so much with all the different fee's. I am going to start going out and seeing what I can do.
However, we are also trying to get corporate sponsors for our families of deployed soldiers within our division.
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Jun. 8, 2006 - Scripturally, Historically, Theologically
It has been on my heart for over a year to reach families with a message. There is a great book called "Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions". I think the name says it all. It is written by George Barna. Check out www.barna.org. He has really refueled my passion to reach parents. He talks about how parents and churches are failing our futures by not teaching the scriptures through theology and as history. Too often church is too fun, and it's almost like a romper room. Our children are now associating scripture as stories, and not history. I am enjoying seeing parents have their lights turn on. I am biased as a rep, but NestFamily has taught this goal with such success. Having a great tool that is visual, auditory, and hands on, I can tell you I am so amazed at how much scripture they have learned. However, without tooting my own horn, I will say that my DH and I play a large roll in this as well. We go over theology, and the history of scriptures. My 6 and 10 year old are learning about the Northern and Southern Kingdoms. I also highly recommend the Heart of Wisdom studies. We are going to use the Adam to Abraham study starting in Sept. We have used others from there. Well, I have to run and do some errands. I am looking forward to some feedback.
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Jun. 7, 2006 - Send a brick
Illegal immigration seems to be such a hot topic lately. Even amoungst us homeschoolers. I have often wondered with so many things "What can I do to help?" In the elections we get petitions, vote, and support in various ways. With the troops, we are doing several fundraisers, and sending our own troop for the cause. However, the border was a challenge. We don't live near the border, and it wasn't reasonable for us to drive 2 days to go there. I also am not sure that it's safe. So, when I heard about this "Send A Brick" campaign, I thought it was a great idea! What are all those officials going to do with those bricks? How neat. I like ingenious idea's like that. Oh, I would love to know if any of you have used Heart of Wisdom's study on Adam to Messiah. Any feedback would be great.
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Jun. 5, 2006 - The pictures
These are pictures of the girls. Hayley and Amanda love to fly with their dad. The other one is of Amanda (an avid gymnast) with an Olympian Dmitri Bilozerchev. Well, now you can see our tiny crew.
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Jun. 5, 2006 - Some pictures
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Jun. 5, 2006 - He made it!
David passed the 5 minute swim test for the swat team. He said it was very challenging. Ugh. I am always amazed at what he can do. He truly is my hero. Hayley is off to camp today for the week. It's just me and Amanda (not correct grammar, but how we've been saying it all week!). She has lots of plans for us. We have swimming, tea parties, movies, and anything else she can think of. Well, I have been trying my little heart out to get into the NCHE homeschool event. I love working in North Carolina with homeschool friends from the past. I have gotten the pleasure of working in the state the last couple of years, and met some really neat ones. One lady was Wendy Coleman. She was truly incredible, and taught me a lot about true joy. Wendy has cancer and is being attacked brutally by it. It is my understanding that she is physically almost ready to go home and see her Savior. Her smile was memorable, and her laugh was glorious. I am looking forward to seeing her again one day soon. However, please pray for her children, and husband. Her husband was as well, a wonderful man. I have never met such a couple. I do not know if Wendy is still here on earth, but she was still a blessing in my life.
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Jun. 4, 2006 - Hmmm another study to consider
Well, the Lord is working on me. We are truly re-evaluating what we are doing for "school" next year. We already have so many great resources, but I really feel lead to do Heart Of Wisdom's Adam-Messiah. A lot of the reason is because of David being in Iraq, and what great Old Testament history is there! What great prophecy to study in Daniel! Also, we have never done a study with history starting at the beginning of time (only American history). So, we are going to finish our books that are currently being worked on, and just do HOW, and math. I want to send Dad as much as we can, and show him how much we are learning that pertains to him. We are so proud of him. Tomorrow he's going to be taking a test for the swat team with the sheriffs office. He has to tread water for 5 minutes with full combat gear. Ugh. I know he could do it, too! Hayley is leaving for camp tomorrow for a 1 week. It's a great Christian camp for girls. She has enjoyed this camp for 3 years now. Amanda can't wait to go. Well, we gotta go do some stuff to get ready for bed. Bye all
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Jun. 2, 2006 - Bringing my girls to work
I love that I have such a great job. I look at NestFamily as a ministry opportunity. I get to share tools with families that WILL grow their children spiritually. My girls love sharing these as well. I thought it was the sweetest when this weekend I took them to a Creation Event and Hayley (10) wanted to share all the scripture knowledge she has learned because Nest encouraged her to read her Bible. As a Mom I felt so great that I helped my daughter love the Word. I also loved that I was involved with a company that is helping us to grow in this area. I love that I get to be a homeschool Mom, and yet our family gets to impact so many others. God really showed me what a blessed path He has for me. I am looking forward to each day with my girls. One of my concerns I had about David deploying was being able to travel. Now, I feel so much better, because most of my events are homeschool events. They like going with me, and they love sharing their knowledge and love for the Lord. I think God will have great plans for us. I am learning to not under estimate what God has planned for me!
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May. 31, 2006 - So many changes..
I haven't posted in a while because life has been swamped. David is not deploying early fall. We are spending time getting ready for that, like making DVD's and CD's of DH reading books, etc. I am going to start taking pictures of him with the girls so that we can do a collage when he leaves to put in their room. Hayley has turned 10, and I can't believe how much my baby has grown. She is turning into a little lady before my very eyes. What a beautiful girl. I am so blessed to be her mom. I love the choices she is making, and her questions. Changes are coming, and I have a feeling they will be a welcome thing. Being a mother, whose husband will be deploying, homeschools her children, and has a successful business that allows her to stay home, poses challenges. I would love any prayer that you are willing to bless me with.
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Mar. 4, 2006 - Almost Spring
We are so excited about the weather changes, and all the new things that God creates for us during this time. It's such a beautiful time. Things are full speed ahead with all of the kids activities and the things that David and I do. I am trying to get a family support group for the reserves in N. Florida started. I am hoping to do some fun things with the wives, and kids. I sure would love your prayer for that. With Nest, I am trying to work on a theme for this year. Transforming Kids into Spiritual Champions. Now, I can't take the credit for that title. It's a book by George Barna (barna.org). It really captured my attention for my children, and I hope it does for others as well. It was really powerful (at least, I thought so). I am thankful David is home a little longer than we thought. I am not going to speculate how long, as anyone in the military knows that deployments change OFTEN! The girls are happy he is home as well. He leaves Saturday for 2 weeks for Ft Stuart, and that will give them a small taste of Dad being gone for a long time. This isn't our first, second or third ( it's our 4/5th??) deployment, but the girls don't really remember what it's like with him gone. I am praying over them now, to have a good experience with this. That God will use this for His glory, and hopefully for their good as well.
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Feb. 6, 2006 - Another though for the day
We never go to a regular theatre. If we are going to go, it's the $1 movie, where I don't feel like I lost much if we need to just up and leave the movie.
Well, we took the risk, and saw Chronicles of Narnia, and the End of the Spear.
These were both great, great, great movies!
I was so amazed at how Narnia was so well done, and had an accurate portrail of the scriptures. I am thankful my money spoke. I would enjoy more movies with this tone.
Same thing with End of the Spear. What a great opportunity to share how missionaries risk their lives to spread the Gospel of Jesus. I recommend everyone see this. It really is a must see.
We will buy both of these movies. With most things being against our faith, I am thankful for these opportunities.
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Feb. 6, 2006 - Choices, Choices, Choices
There really is soooo much great curriculum out there. I decided to hold off on the Heart of Wisdom, only because we already have a few great studies in our home. We haven't even gotten to them yet. Ugh. Soooo, we will not waste what God has so generously provided ( money ) and use what we already have. I can't think of the name of the study, but they are very thorough, and very good. We are really enjoying Edhelper.com. We are working on a book report from there, right now. I am so thankful for such an inexpensive study.
Oh, just an FYI...It looks like David doesn't leave until Dec. We are so happy (especially Hayley) that he will be home for almost another year. Now, if we can just get the time to Wild Adventures, we will be much happier! I know that Hayley will be with spending time with Dad!
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Jan. 29, 2006 - The Military Rollercoaster
We are getting ready for David's deployment to Iraq. This has been a challenge on us. Not because of where he's going, but because of the hurry up and wait game. It gets a bit emotional. We are so thankful that we are homeschooling, and offering our daughters the ability to spend more time with their dad.
I am starting a heart of wisdom study on Adam to Abraham. I was wondering if anyone else has tried it. What's your thoughts?
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Jan. 4, 2006 - Does anyone else feel like??
I am not sure how typical I am, but boy do I feel bogged down. I only have two children, but my daily activities make me feel like I have 10. My girls have piano, gymnastics, swimming, GA's, and church. We literally have something to do 6 days a week. Since swimming is a 5 day activity, I just told my 1 daughter that it is now a 3 day activity. I will tell the coach "that is just the way it is going to be!". We need to have another day off. I am seriously contimplating no more GA's, but it's a great social activity for the girls, with great teaching in so many different area's. Would love feedback on what your thoughts are. Are you running ragged, or do you think there is, truely, value in this?
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Jan. 3, 2006 - Like to introduce you, to us! The Osborne Family
I am Jennie Osborne. I am the wife of David Osborne, and the mom of Hayley and Amanda. We have been homeschooling for a few years now, and have seen how God has moved, changed, and strengthen our family. It's been incredible, to say the least. We have just found out that David will be leaving for Iraq in March. We would love it, if your prayers, and thoughts would be with him. We ask that of us as well. Hayley (9) is such a daddy's girl, and is having such a hard time with that. My girls are so wonderful for me, and such a blessing in my life. I love that Hayley is a girly girl. She loves horses (Michelle Eichorn, Black Beauty was a great book to put in your last kit!), butterflies, and all the other girly things. Amanda (6) is into gymnastics, and is very competitive. She is a true mommy's girl. And me, Jennie (don't ask!). Well, I would say I am the jack-of-most-trades. I am a homeschool mom, very traditional person, and yet, a successful business person (www.jensnest.com). I love getting idea's from other moms. Now, lets see how this blog things works.
Jennie Osborne
