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Darcy's Story by Aylmer Where the Heart Is by Letts Prarie Brides by Ford,Goodnight, Grote, & Rognlie Homeschooling All the Way through High School by Mason Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe by Wilson Reaping the Harvest by Waring 90 Minutes in Heaven by Piper The Princess by Wick Approval Addiction by Meyers The Faces of Poverty by Beiting Conversational Peace by Kassian The Reading Group by Noble A Journey into Prayer by Christenson The Teenage Years of Jesus Christ by Ross Most of my reading is usually children's books, homeschooling books (history and such), or daily Bible reading. I must say that I am proud of myself for reading 13 'grown up' books and 1 'teen' book this year. My oldest son is so far past me in the books that he has read but I am thinking I might be able to catch up when he has a job and kids of his own. hee hee |
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Government I Timothy 2:1-6 (NIV) I urge then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men-the testimony given in its proper time. This morning as we started our day, I told the boys who won the presidential election. It would have been too late to let them stay up and experience all the election results so we discussed it this morning. I had printed out a map of the Electoral College votes and circled which states were Republican in red and the Democrats in blue. We have been studying a unit on the government this fall because of the significance of the election year. We have learned so much and it has been exciting to relate our knowledge to what is happening. The kids do not watch the news but there were a few times that they heard some things and it was so great when they understood what was being talked about and having the foundational understandings of our government. Today we discussed that even though we will not agree with all the choices our leaders make it is still our responsibility to pray for them. It is also our responsibility to respect and honor them as leaders. We discussed how we do not have to agree and that we can even strongly disagree but how speaking badly of them does not help. Our culture loves to complain and gripe about our leaders. However, our power in our freedom is to make our voice heard through our vote, our political action, our freedom of speech about what we believe, and where we put our money (or where we don’t put it as in the case of a boycott.) Martin Luther King Jr. gave us a good example of an effective boycott. Did you know that in 1955 in I am not calling for any kind of boycott right now, although I have boycotted some businesses when I did not agree with things. The boycotts I participated in were resolved sooner that a year and I did not have to walk to work in all kinds of weather! My main point is that we live in a great democracy and I love the freedom that we have but we also have a great responsibility with it. I am glad the American people took on their responsibility and voted! Will the American people now take their responsibility to pray for our leaders and stay active in our government? |
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Right now the kids and I have been reading George Muller by Benge for our family read aloud. We are only reading 1 chapter a day because of time constraints. However, everyday I am looking forward to what God is going to do. I hope this inspirational story is helping my children grow in their faith as well as my own. George truly does rely on God to supply all his needs! Starting with his tuition and living expenses at the university to his income to feed and provide for his wife and children. Now that God has guided George to open an orphanage he has even more mouths to feed and a greater opportunity for God to show His provision and His love! Family While I do feel a strong desire to protect my children it is also important that as they grow and mature to teach them and make them aware of the evil in the world. When this is done bit by bit as they become mature my hope is that they will have an understanding of people and the world so that they can see things from other’s viewpoints as well as their own. I do want my children to try and understand first before they judge. I also want them to be able to have discernment and wisdom in life. I want them to not be naïve but I do want them to be pure. I once heard this phrase ‘innocent of the world but not naïve about it.’ That statement sums up one of the big things I am trying to impart as my children mature. Now, I say that but at the same time I have protected, sheltered, and been very careful about not letting them be exposed to too much before they are ready. So in my book they are still young but I do see them growing up quickly and I hope that I have the wisdom to know just how much to loosen those apron strings at each season of their childhood so that they will be ready and equipped to launch into adulthood with a firm foundation of faith, knowledge and understanding. |
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I have been feeling bogged down by some problems going on around me and sometimes I have a hard time focusing my thoughts on other things. I have tried reading but it is of no use since I have no idea what I read and I am still thinking about some problems that I have no power to solve. So..... I thought I needed some brain activity that could be fun and make me think about other things. I really enjoy helping the kids with crossword puzzles in their vocabulary books, Wordly Wise, so I thought I would give it a try. I didn't want it to be too difficult where I would get too frustrated. To be fun it needed to be achievable and a little challenging also. In the magazine section of the store there are different puzzle books and as I gagged past all the word find puzzles (I REALLY do not enjoy word finds) I saw their are some easy crossword puzzle books so I gave one a try and I love it! I can achieve success in a fairly short amount of time and yet there are always some challeges and I have even learned some new words. One example is 'Oslo.' I did not know that Oslo is a Norwegian metropolis.
We shall wait and see if this becomes a crossword habit or if I branch out and try some Sudoku! |
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Healing..... Well, I have had 2 surgeries four weeks apart and I am just now getting back on track so to speak. The first surgery was difficult and it was not planned but I took it slow and I thought the healing was progressing nicely. The next surgery I thought I was ready for and even though it was not as intense as the first it has been a stuggle to get over it. I knew there would be physical healing time needed but I really was not aware how it would hit me emotionally and mentally. I has been frustrating not to have my usually energy level and that has effected all aspects of my being. So I am trying to be patient and to remember that this "funk" will pass. |
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AS a busy homeschooling mom I do not have as much time to read as I would like. It has always been a goal of mine to try and keep up with my kids but that has never happened! My three boys are all wonderful and vigorous readers. So first I adjusted my goal to keep up with them in only the books that I assigned to them. I have not been able to meet that goal either. So now my goal is to try and keep up with the youngest two boys in their assigned reading and occasionally read the same book as my oldest child. I had an ideal idea that my sons and I would have wonderful discussions about all the great books they are required to read. There are so many issues to discuss from books that I wanted to be able to mentor them through some of the tougher life issues as they would come up in stories. Through discussion I hope that they will gain a better understanding of the world and also grow in maturity. I also want them to really consider other people's points of view that are different from their own. As they get older there are many things in this world that are not so black and white but very grey. I want them to learn to listen and be curious about other's view so that they will be careful about making judgements on others. Thankfully I have a great tool that helps me. My special tool is the Instructor's Guide from Sonlight Curriculum! In the IG (instructor's guide) they have put notes and questions for each book. This is truly a treasure to me and to my son even though he doesn't realize it. So even though I am not able to read all the books that my oldest son reads I can still have a good conversation with him about it and use it for an avenue to a deeper discussion about life issues. So, for now I am trying to keep up with the assigned reading of my younger two and their is always that hope of reading more of the older son's list. Even if I fail I have a great back up! Thanks sonlight! |
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As a mom of three boys I have decided that I have super powers. I previously thought that I was an ordinary person but experience has taught me that indeed I do have super powers. For a short time I thought that my super powers were being able to pick up trash off the floor and put it in the waste basket or being able to take out the trash when it is full. After further research I found that my boys also have these talents as long as I tell them to do it. However, the trash was still on the floor with no one's notice. That is when I discovered my real super power. I have the power to see when things are out of place. This not only includes trash but also any item that is not in its proper place. I am learning that other mothers also have this super power. One mother was so tired of picking up a certain toy that she left it there to see who would notice and pick it up. Well, can you believe the toy stayed there for two weeks! Family members of all ages would walk past it and the toy stayed put until the mother could no longer stand it and picked it up herself. I am hoping that because my children share the same genetic makeup as I do that the super power of vision will develop in their lives. So, I want you to know that I am trying to train them in this. My son did a wonderful cooking project and after he was finished his job was to clean up his mess. He managed to put a few things in the sink and then left. A few moments later he was called back to the kitchen to finish the job and he asked "What are you talking about? I already cleaned up!" So to help this wonderful son in training I told him that I saw 7 items that were not put away. Then he was to figure out which ones they were, put them away and call me for inspection when he had finished. This was extremely helpful and he was able to see 5 of them. So as you can see, I am trying to help my boys develop super vision and I really think this will benenfit them in their marraige in the future. So what super power do you have and which ones are you trying to develop in your family members? |
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Lots of people say they have a favorite color. I remember a time in my life when I also had a favorite color and it would not change often. In Kindergarten my favorite color was pink. Yellow was a favorite for many years and still is. Black and royal blue were favorites my last years in high school. Teal was my favorite in college. For years now (about 15) I have not been able to choose a favorite. I have lots of favorites but I cannot narrow it down to one. Also I cannot say that every shade or hue of that color is my favorite. I am picky that way! So here are some of them: Navy, purple, yellow, black, royal blue, other blues (but not light blue) cream and certain pinks and certain greens if I am in the mood for green. One color that has never made it on my list is red! That must shock many of you that LOVE red. I love red for other people. My best friend loves red and when I think of red in regards to her or others it makes me smile. I like red and I really like dark red at certain times of the year but I do not call it a favorite. I do greatly appreciate red and have a great respect for its place on the color wheel! A color that I thought I disliked greatly was rust. YUCK! But I recently tried on a sweater that was rust and it made me look so good that I bought it (on clearance $10.) I have also been using a rust ink in some of my favorite stamping projects and it looks fabulous. Who knew? I will still claim not to like rust but I don't feel it as stongly. (In my mind I see some really ugly rust carpet.) So what are some of your favorite colors or are you able to just pick one? |
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1. Spring 2. black and white wedding pictures of my parents and grandparents. 3. Leaves on our very tiny baby tree (our only tree) 4. my boys' messy hair in the morning (beauty is in the eye of the beholder) 5. flowers I received as a gift 6. the bedspread we received as a wedding present (16 years & still looking good) 7. my great grandmother's china cabinet
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On Sunday evenings at dinner my family has a discussion question. This Sunday I forgot to ask the question and so my boys not only reminded me but requested it. The question was 'If you had to give up sight, hearing, the ability to speak, or the ability to walk, which would you choose?' We pondered this question for a while and then the responses started. The funny thing is that we all chose to give up speaking. Now in realilty none of us could do this! It might be easier for a few but for others it would be incredibly hard! The most amusing part for me was listening to my family members tell what they thought I would have chosen. My boys thought that I would give up hearing b/c I do LOVE peace and quiet. My husband thought I would give up walking b/c he did not think I could live without speaking. He did not mean that I am a chatter bug because I can be very quiet. However, if I am around people that I feel comfortable with then I like to express my thoughts and views and be understood. We all decided the reason we could make this choice was b/c we can still communicate in other ways. We could learn sign language, write and type. I am thinking that we would be so busy signing that we could not eat? Hmm..... new weight loss program? Well, I am so thankful that we are able to do all four of these gifts (abilities) and that we can enjoy God's world through sight, sound, talking, singing and movement! |
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These last few weeks have been rather difficult in the area of attitudes and conflict. However, now that I am on the other side I am so thankful for these difficult times. Why, you ask? Because when I go through these times the Lord can always use them for good. (Rom 8:28) I have been praying that the Lord would give me wisdom and guidance (2 things I ask for frequently) and I think I have received some of both. I was discussing with my husband the different issues of attitudes and struggles and as we talked and prayed I have a clearer direction for where we need to focus. I really like the part of homeschooling where the parents can decide the what, how, how much and the why of what the children are learning. I specifically mean looking at each individual with their own unique strenths and weaknesses and deciding: why are we doing this, how much are we going to require of this child, how can he use his strengths and also build up the areas where he is weak. I also like cheering on the child when he has accomplished something and not comparing it to a grade or what their peer did but really seeing the growth in that individual. So I am thankful for the struggles because if life was just rosy everyday of our homeschooling I would not only be prideful but I also might miss out of what each boy really needs to focus on at the present time. |
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Have you seen the movie Water? It is an Indian film about an eight year old girl who becomes a widow. The story is based in 1938 in India and shows how the Hindu culture of India at that time dealt with widows. The girl is forced to live with 14 other widows and they are meant to live lives of self deprivation. They say in the movie that when a woman's husband dies she is half dead too. The eight year old does not understand this about her culture. She is lively, sweet and spunky and she must face some harsh realities of the restricted life she is now a part of. This movie is rated PG-13 and is not appropriate for young children. Water was nominated for an Oscar and I do recommend it but please know you need to be ready for a heavy film. |
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As I was driving home on a cold, dark and wet night and I decided to take the back road into our neighborhood. All of a sudden a bunny ran across the road in front of me. No, I did not hit him. The bunny was safe but then there were more. So I slowed down to 10mph. I continued to drive and see the bunnies. They were disturbed by the headlights and running for safety. Their white tails looked so cute! It made me smile and was a good way to end the day! |
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My hubby and I watched the movie Astronaut Farmer last night. It was very interesting the way we had some similar and different views about this film. One of our similar views was that Farmer was out of balance with his dream and it taking over and possibly ruining his life. My hubby enjoyed this movie more than I becuse there were just too many things about it that bothered me. I was very bothered that Farmer was putting his family in risk of losing their home with no back up for plan for finances or anything else. He also risked his life for his dream when his family would have been the one to suffer that loss alone and distitute. He made no provisions for his family or for the future. HIs wife was fantastic and somewhat unrealistic in how she most always supported him and believed in him. Wouldn't that be wonderful if we could all be like that? However, he needed help to get his head into reality. The main thing I did not like about this movie was the story was not realistic and I could not see it really happening. I think the message the movie was trying to make was not to let others kill your dream or tell you what you can not do. Although, that message is good to a degree it was way out of balance! What about your family being more important than something you want to achieve? What about doing what is best for the whole family and not just one person? As the man and the leader of that home I do not think he was making good choices. I do have to say that the family relationships were very close in this movie but I am not sure that was realistic either. What if his son had not shared his interest in space? What if his son only wanted to raise horses? What kind of affect would that have had on their relationship? So those are my thoughts. |
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Wow! It has been a really long time since I have posted!! Well, life did get very busy and a bit overwhelming. In March I accepted the position of being co-director of our homeschool co-op and so needless to say it has been a busy year. It has been exciting to see how God is stretching me and teaching me things. He has put me with a wonderful team of ladies that work very hard to make all of this work. The first semester was a bit heavy for all of us especially when trying to balance out every thing else in our lives. One very cool thing has been seeing everyone pull together as a team. Another totally cool thing has been getting to see how the director and I are different and how well we work together. The director is a friend I have know for a very long time but it has been interesting how she has learned more about me and I hope vice versa. So as we are ending the fall semester I am proud of what we have accomplished. Yes, yes, there are many things to work on and lots of room for growth but right now I just want to relish in the fact the we have completed the fall semester and I want to celebrate our progress! |
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* my sweet husband * when my kids smile * chocolate *good friends * the telephone that lets me talk to a good friend far away * greeting cards *tex-mex food * cooking with other ladies for our church youth *preschool kids when their eyes sparkle with excitment * a good night sleep in a comfy bed * a clean kitchen before bedtime *the wind * Knowing that God loves me!!! |
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A Good Year is a movie set in Provence, France. The scenery is very beautiful and I can imagine myself living at the vineyard. Uncle Henry is played by Albert Finney and Max is played by Russell Crowe. Max is a succesful business man and has not seen his uncle in ten years. Max inherits the French vineyard from his uncle and this causes some disruption to his life. Circumstances cause Max to spend time at the vineyard and through this he begins to remember many pleasant memories. Uncle Max had a great influence on his life and his best memories were at the vineyard. This movie had a lot of subtle humor which would be easily missed by many. I watched this movie twice and I was able to catch much more of the humor the second time around. |
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I have been looking at some fun stuff on other blogs: fun tote bags, cute aprons, cheerful skirts and even some elegant pillows. These things inspire me to pull my sewing machine out of hiding and to get creative! However, my real life gets in the way. I think and ask myself, "What are some of my favorite hobbies from the past?" Well, I used to sew. In fact I was pretty good at it. I hand tailored a suit in college. I sewed my own wedding dress and all the bridesmaid dresses as well. When I was skinny and cute I sewed several outfits for myself. My season of life changed and my figure did too. Sewing wasn't as much fun when I really needed a good night sleep, a hot bath, and some quiet time alone. So years later I began to stamp. I really enjoyed the colors, patterns and creativity of it. Then I began homeschooling and doing neuro-therapy with one of my sons. So stamping took a back burner as well. I tried scrapbooking which I also enjoyed and then we were fixing our house, selling it, and moving. All three of these hobbies brought out the same enjoyment of working with colors, patterns, style, and putting it all together in a unique way. I am happy that I can still be inspired and knowing that the creative side of me still lives deep inside my soul. I can also admit that I am too tired and busy right now. I have the responsibility of the typical home chores and feeding the family, homeschooling my 3 boys, neuro-therapy with my son, co-op responsibilities, kids activites, and church activities as well. So for now I will just take a nap if I can fit it in and dream of all the wonderful creations I could put together. Each season of my life brings new surprises! The joy of the Lord is my strength! |
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Wow, I turned 40 years old! I can't believe it. I was really dreading it and becoming very depressed about it. Then my husband flew my best friend into town for my birthday weekend and it was so fun! I was so busy enjoying myself that I could not be sad or depressed! We traveled up the road to try to find a Tea Room for lunch and do some antique looking. When we arrived that part of town was having a Jazz and Art Festival. We had fun looking in the stores and we even received a free 5 minute massage at one of the vendor booths. Our lunch ended up being a stand in line and wait, wait, wait for our food because there were so many people. We were thankful to get to eat and sit down in an air-conditioned place so we really can't complain. After that we toured a historic home that was beautiful with all the original furniture. A spunky senior citizen gave the tour and it made us both wonder what we would be doing when we reach that season in our lives. My best friend and I do communicate via telephone but the personal visit is far superior! We were able to have a wonderful day of uninterrupted conversation and fun. I think this is the best present my husband has ever given me! |
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Ruby Bridges is a film by Disney based on the experience of a six year old girl in New Orleans during the 1960s. She is one of the first black children to attend a "white" school. This film shows some of the struggles and attitudes of that time. I enjoyed that this film focused on the strong faith of Ruby and her family. I appreciated that it did not cover up the Christian beliefs of her family and that it even showed the strength that she gained from her Christian faith. There was a point in the film when the Ruby was struggling with fear and the mother spoke with her and then sent her off to pray. The mother did check in on her daughter but to me it showed how each person has to personally get their comfort and strength from Jesus. Another strong point was how Ruby was grounded in her faith and she had a firm and stable knowledge that she was loved by her family and her God. A children's phycologist began to work with Ruby to help her cope with the stress of the situation and Ruby was able to be a light of truth to the Dr. about how we should pray for our enemies and forgive them. I would not allow a small child to watch this movie because of the disturbing negative comments made the crowd as Ruby walked into the school each day. However, for children that are old enough to discuss and understand the issues of prejudice there are many good messages that this movie communicates. |