Jul. 24, 2008 - Strawberry pick'in.

Big M, myself, my sister in law and nephew went to our local Strawberry field. Big M thought it was 'totally awsome' as he put it!

Showing off his find of the day--notice it's the FIRST berry?

It's sooo heavy but he's gotta use his 'guns' to keep it up like his cousin!

We are going to do this every year.

Don't feel bad that Little E was not with--he was at the pet store with daddy looking at bunnies and birds.

Jul. 22, 2008 - Gram Cube building.

My youngest found my Gram Cubes in our Homeschool closet. He insisted on playing with them. I was amazed that he was able to put these together for they are really small. One side of the cube has a connector. He figured it out!

Jul. 20, 2008 - Fishing in Ohio.

The boys had an awsome time in Ohio fishing on the family pond. Both boys caught Big Mouth Bass and Blue Gills. (Notice the wet pants on Little E? No time to go potty!)

Fishing til' the break of dawn......

Here's a view of the 'mighty pond'. Boys wore their life jackets in the beginning until mom and dad felt comfortable.

Mom and dad were exhausted from the endless fishing and swimming. Boys sure do wear me out!!!!!!!

Jul. 18, 2008 - Future Snake Wrangler.

Here's our future Snake Wrangler. He loves these 'creepy' things sooo much. Daddy BKR says we can have one someday...what an awsome daddy!

Jul. 16, 2008 - Back from vacation.

Just got back from a family trip to Ohio. I need a day or two to 'recoup' and gather my photos.....

Be back soon

Jul. 7, 2008 - BIG Snappers!

Here we caught some baby snappers!

Jul. 3, 2008 - Have a good one!

Jul. 2, 2008 - The BIG catch

Here are the boys ready for their fishing saturday!

We spent an awsome day with Scott and Bridget, Nana Chris, Great Grandma Arlene, Papa Steve and Aunty Bug-Nut.

Here's some fishing shots:

BigM was totally excited when his little brother caught 'the big one'.

BigM's big catch!

Uncle Scott and BigM swapping fishing stories. Nice rod Uncle Scott!

After the fishing spree we went back to Papa's for some dinner and gift opening.

The next day we had another awsome party with the BKR family.

BigM said: "This was the best birthday I ever had in my whole life!"

Jun. 30, 2008 - Homeschooling can be abusive?

Ingraham dominates "interview" with homeschool detractor-click here to watch video.

This FOX discussion between Laura Ingraham and education expert, Dr. William Bainbridge regarding the California ruling, is a bit over the top in regards to manners; but it was interesting to watch Bainbridge assert that there needs to be a line between "responsible parenting and child abuse" and then in the same breath claim that homeschooling 16 or 17 year olds can be abusive and a violation of the child's fourteenth amendment right of equal protection. He believes that "no parents should have unfettered control of their child's education."

The ridiculous point he's trying to make, if only Ingraham would let him, is that no parent is competent to teach all the the subjects a high schooler needs and therefore the child is deprived of their rights. He then remarks that if homeschooling parents are smart enough to teach their kids then they should be able to figure out a way to get their kids into a private or charter school. I guess that statement is supposed to prove just how incompetent we really are. This wouldn't even be worth talking about, except that these are the "experts" that legislators love to call on to testify in favor of increasing regulation on homeschoolers; so it's good to know what they're saying.

Watching this video reminds me all over again why I gave up watching television, especially news shows. If homeschooling is abusive because of incompetent parents, then watching television is absolute torture because of incompetent "experts".

Jun. 30, 2008 - Happy birthday!

Happy Birthday to my little man--BigM. I can't believe you are already 4! You are very special to everyone and we love you!

Thanks to all who helped us celebrate

Jun. 27, 2008 - Ya' Think?

I think a plastic pool is in the near future--what do you think?

Jun. 25, 2008 - The BIG one....

Here's our BIG catch of the day:

As I was skimming the pond with my net Little E says: "Mama, I have a frog!"

At first glance I thought it was a tadpole--but upon further investigation I realized it was a fully formed frog! We have NEVER seen a frog this small--even Daddy BKR is amazed!

Jun. 24, 2008 - Simple minded.

Life thru the eyes of my boys......so simple and sweet. Everything is an adventure.

Jun. 20, 2008 - For us moms who ever have 'that doubt'....Nancy Campbell

Enclosed is an article from ABOVE RUBIES.

STORING UP TREASURE

 1 Timothy 6:19, "Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."

The above Scripture encourages us to lay up in store for the time to come. In the context, it is actually speaking to those who have riches in this world, exhorting them to be rich in good works and generous to the needy. But I do believe this message is for all of us. I think it is one of the greatest exhortations we can have, don't you?

 Every moment of our lives we should be "laying up in store" for the eternal kingdom. We cannot take any material possessions out of this world. It is all vanity. 1 Timothy 6:7 says, "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." We will only take what we lay up in heaven.

We need to remind ourselves again of Matthew 6:19-21, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will you heart be also."

I have always been challenged by the statement,

"Life is a dressing room for eternity."

Everything we do and say, either builds for this world, or for the eternal world.

I think we will have a lot of surprises in heaven. I remember reading about a man of God who had a vision of the eternal realm. He said that he saw that the people who were closest to the throne of God were mothers and intercessors. Our liberal society does not have time for these ministries. Even the Christian world does not always affirm them. They don't receive the limelight. But they are powerful in God's eyes.

Dear mother, I want to remind you that as you sacrificially pour out your life for your children, as you mother and nurture them in the ways of God, as you pour out your heart in prayer for them--you are laying up treasure for eternity! Your mothering is never wasted. It builds for eternity. You are preparing your children for the heavenly realm. And you lay up heavenly treasure for yourself as you do it.

You may feel inferior because you think you are wasting your education as you lay down your career for motherhood. You may feel sorry for yourself because you are not making money like your neighbor who is choosing her career over motherhood. You may feel insecure because you don't feel that you are accomplishing great things in your home. Many times I feel like I have not taken a 'step forward' in my life. I feel like AMY HAS BEEN LOST. The truth is-even when I am saddend by my lack of talents, freedom, and money the LORD has given me a chance for a 'real life' doing what I do best--doing what he wants me to do: Mother my children.

Financial burdens are within our doors. We are on one income. Of course the decision to not place my boys in childcare or school does not lessen this burden. I am unable to work outside the home like most moms. Sometimes I want to just throw them in another situation to bring in the cash. This is not what the Lord wants for me or my family. Why did he fill my heart with the homeschool bug? Because it's what he believes is best for my family. To nurture/protect and get them ready for eternity.

So--enough stress. God always provides for us. We have enough--and whenever I want 'more' I just need to look around and see what I already have

Don't listen to these deceptions and negatives. As you mother your children in your home, you are in the perfect will of God. You are building for eternity. You are laying up store for the time to come.

You are building a big mansion for yourself up there! This is certainly not a waste of time!

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

She's the best!

Jun. 18, 2008 - A concern.

Today my boys and I explored the pond and decided to 'hit' the new park.

While enjoying ourselves 2 kids joined us. Their mom was chatting with another woman paying no mind to what they were doing.

The son (7 or so) was climbing up the slide, climbing on top of the unit, climbing to the top rafter of the swings and dangling. He was doing some pretty intense tricks. I was starting to get nervous. The little girl chatted with me saying he does it all the time and 'breaks his face'. She then wanderd off barefoot to a mound of dirt.

Just then the mother got up and screamed at her kids. I thought split pea was going to fly out of her mouth while her head was spinning. She was nasty and rude in my opinion. Of course I've been there...but when you hear it from someone else.............

She then sat back down and continued her conversation. 3 minutes later she's at it again. Scolding-yelling-sitting down. At one point she asked her son if he took his medicine.

What's wrong with this picture? I wanted to say "Hey, why don't you pay attention to your kids-or play with them?" They were yearning for it. Of course they got an unhealthy dose of 'mom'.

It doesn't end here. BigM found a dragonfly and gently loved it for some time. I coaxed him into letting it be. He placed it on the ground and walked away. Just then the boy ran to it and started looking at the creature. "Off with his wing!" He yelled. I was sickend. I spun around to see him tickling his sister's face with it. My oldest just stood there-I don't think he knew what to think.

While I was praying for the wingless soul I heard LittleE yell "Reindeer!" To my surprise there was a doe--grazing for food. It was an awsome sight, but before I could take it all in the little girl snatched the fishing net out of my wagon and started chasing it. My 2 boys started crying...my oldest wondering where it went.

I quickly snatched my kids (and net) and threw them in the wagon. "Lets go home to eat then we'll come back." As we were leaving the 2 kids followed us up the street....until mama started screaming.

Finishing lunch we walked outside. I see the boy running madly down the street---no mom to follow---only little sister. I walked to the mailbox where she met me. SHE opened my mailbox and took the mail out. Her mom started screaming. She raised the flag then left.

I am stunned and amazed. This is a prime example of parenting gone wrong. I am not perfect--but I spend every second monitoring my boys and teaching them along the way. I love being with them. Yes, my life is structured around them--not the other way around. Yes, it's frustrating sometimes and I'd like to structure them around ME--but that's not how it's going to be in our household. I firmly believe that's what makes my kids so sensitive and gentle to others.

The rest of the afternoon was spent discussing behavior--good and bad.

Jun. 16, 2008 - We've got crabs!

Today my boys and I got 'the crabs'....this is the biggest one.

"Oh s**t!"

Our bucket full of tadpoles and crabs.

Proud to have crabs!

Tadpole madness!

Baby tad.

Jun. 13, 2008 - Breast man...

Here is a family friendly photo of my two boys standing next to a gorilla statue:

Now it gets a little 'suggestive'.........

Ok, this is cute.

Huh????

Ok, time to gooooo!

Breast fed kid at his best

Jun. 12, 2008 - Ponderous.

Here's the quote from a 1914 issue of Women's World. I love how it starts:

Suppose you are a housewife. Your home is small. Your means are limited. Your "things to do with" are meager. Your children are trying. Your work is hard and monotonous....There you have a stream of events bearing you down. If you yield you become nervous, irritable, discontented, perhaps eventually careless and slovenly, a physical wreck and spiritual misery. And now, suppose you make up your mind not to yield. Suppose you say to yourself, "I will think beautiful thoughts. I will make my surroundings cheerful. I will be happy and strong and brave and make my husband and children even as I am." That you reply, is easier said than done. It is very hard. Wait!...it is not so hard as you imagine. Cease pitying yourself. Say, when you awake in the morning, "The world is beautiful. There are many great, noble, unconquerable souls. I am one of them....I shall make this house glow with peace and good will."

I love to watch Little House. The simple life that Caroline (Ma) endures is heartfilled. Sure, she has her trying times with money, crop problems, and so forth--but her focus is her family. Her home is small--not full of things to dust. The family's clothing is a few shirts and dresses--not a pile up of laundry. She finds the time to bake, pray, read the bible and give to the community.

I really wish life was like this. I take pride in my home--almost too much. Things are hung and laid out to my liking. It has to be clean all the time. Pride to me is MORE. The more I have the more content I feel. What's wrong with this picture?  Society today is like this...it was embedded in my brain.

So, how do we change? I find the more I get rid of the better. I have opted to not include myself in various groups. My focus is the kids. I've been working on letting the house go and am trying to rearrange my mind. For instance lightly cleaning during the week and heavily clean every 2 weeks while the kids are away with daddy somewhere.

I am not buying anymore frivolous things--things I need to feel complete (such as a house decor.) Money is to be spent on things we NEED...not WANT.

I am trying to go to bed early so I can rise early to meditate and pray. I miss The Lord. I miss hearing his voice. "Yes, I know I need to listion--but the laundry Lord--and the dust!"

Motherhood is joyous as is marriage. It feels like a whirlwind most of the time and I am missing what truly matters--ME-MY HUSBAND-MY KIDS. I am stressing my family out. My husband wants more time spent together relaxing. My kids want a fun mom. With a tweak of the mind and some heavy prayers I can accomplish this......

Jun. 11, 2008 - Hurried life....

This is so true for me lately. I feel like the world is spinning. I wish I could see thru the eyes of my sons...everything is a 'wonder'....the spider, the feather from the pillow billowing through the air, the clouds----EVERYTHING. Reality does not exist for them-or does it? Perhaps we are the ones living life foolishly.....not enjoying the simple things GOD has created for us. What exactly is 'reality'? PAIN? SUFFERING? BOREDOM? STRESS? FATIGUE?

I pray today that GOD helps me to relax.  I pray he helps me to enjoy life-seeing it thru the eyes of my children.

Jun. 10, 2008 - An itch I can't scratch.

Hidden in these pictures is the culprit...the Poison Ivy I've brushed against. Yup, it's day 4 of this hellish feat. My arms, legs, hips and neck are raw.

 These pictures were taken over a month ago--so the plants are pretty small. I've weeded like crazy--really bonded with 'nature'...almost too much I guess

Side of house-garden pathway.

Side of Second driveway.

Side of backyard.

Backyard.

To this day we have not found the bush. The good news is I've perfected the remedy: Rubbing alcohol-hot water-and tea tree oil.

The sad news: I look awful. Daddy BKR keeps pressing me to go to the doctor. I refuse. They will give me a steroid shot that will grow hair on my body in 'unpleasurable' areas. My oldest son keeps pulling my arm hairs (a habit he's created for a self soothing effect.) My youngest wants to be held and nursed. My poor skin has had no break.

Yup, I can't wait. The next camping trip--Daddy BKR better pray he does not get 'bit'-or I will tell him he has the 'plague'.  Watch it man!