Josh and I went to Tennessee with our families the last week of October.  Some things we did was shopping in Gatlinburg, Josh bought me a shirt there.

went to the Smoky Mountain National Park, went to an apple orchard and had some yummy apple fritters

hiked part of The Apalachian trail  

The cabin we stayed at was really pretty and we had a lot of fun. 

This is us on the porch at the cabin.

We also spent time at his Aunt and Uncle's house and they are really nice and their house is awesome. 

Here's Josh sleeping there.  He had a cold most of the time we were there.

One place we drove around, it was so pretty!

On our last day there we had our anniversary.  Josh gave me a charm bracelet that I wanted and a charm, and a he wrote a card for me.  I gave him a tennis outfit, a dress shirt and a jar of kisses and huges with lots of little notes of things I love about Josh mixed in with them.  That night we went to an Italian restaurant.  It was really good and they gave you a ton of food. 

We had a really good time.  Now we are getting ready for the holidays.

Queen Esther one of my favorite Bible heroes after all I was named after her. so I thought I would put some of her story on here, lets start at the beginning,                  

Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus who reigned over one hundred and twenty seven provinces, from India to Ethiopia),  in those days when King Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the citadel, that in the third year of his reign he made a feast for all officials and servants the powers of Persia and Media, the nobles and the princes of the provinces being before him when- when he showed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the splendor of  his excellent majesty for many days, one hundred and eighty days in all.  And wnen these days were completed, the king made a feast lasting seven days for all the people who were present in Shushan the citadel, from great to small, in the court of the garden of the king's palace. There were white and blue linen and curtains fastened with cords of fine linen and purple on silver rods and marble pillars; and the couches were of gold silver on a mosaic pavement of alabaster, turquoise, and white and black marble. And they served drinks in golden vessels, each vessel being different from the other, with royal wine in abundance, according to the generosity of the king.  In accordance with the law, the drinking was not compulsory; for so the king had ordered all the officers of his household, that they should do according to each man's pleasure. Queen Vashti also made a feast for the women in the royal palace which belonged to King Ahasuerus. On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus, to bring Queen Vashti before the king, wearing her royal crown, in order to show her beauty to the people and the officials, for she was beautiful to behold. But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's command brought by his eunuchs; therefore the king was furious, and his anger burned within him.  Then the king said to the wise men who understood the times (for this was the king's manner toward all who knew law and justice, those closest to him being Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who had access to the king's presence, and who ranked highest in the kingdom): What shall we do to Queen Vashti, according to law, because she did not obey the command of King Ahasuerus brought to her by the eunuchs? And Memucan answered before the king and the princes: Queen Vashti has not only wronged the king, but also all the princes, and all the people who are in allthe provinces of King Ahasuerus.  For the queen's behavior will become known to all women, so that they will despise their husbands in their eyes, when they report, King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought in before him but she did not come.'  This very day the noble ladies of Persia and Media will say to all the king's officials that they have heard of the behavior of the queen.  Thus there will be excessive contempt and wrath. If it pleases the king, let a royal decree go out from him, and let it be recorded in the laws of the Persians and the Medes, so that it will not be altered, that Vashti shall come no more before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she. "When the king's decree which he will make is proclaimed throughout all his empire (for it is great), all wives will honor their husbands, both great and small." And the reply pleased the king and the princes, and the king did according to the word of Memucan.  Then he sent letters to all the king's provinces, th each province in its own script, and to every people in their own language,  that each man should be master in his own house, and speak in the language of his own people.

well thats how it all started I will post more soon or you can just read it in the Bible.

                        God Bless

                               E.R.B

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love,  I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy,  and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.  Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself,  is not puffed up;  does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.  But whether there are prophecies, they will fail;  whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.  For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child;  but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is LOVE .

Don't you love the love chapter!! I just like to read it. I hope you like

it too? God Bless.

               E.R.B.

Hi I'm back, One of my favorite books of the Bible is Proverbs so I think I will put some verses from Proverbs on here.  Lets see let me find some good ones ah here is a good one

  Proverbs 19:15 

 Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, And an idle person will suffer hunger.   Here's another one

 Proverbs 16:31

The silver-haired head is a crown of glory,  If it is found in the way of righteousness.

I could put a lot more verses here but I gess this will do for now.

                  God Bless

                              E.R.B

Wow! I haven't posted since 2006.  I never even think about blogging for some reason.  I don't know why. And any way I never know what to say.  But I will try to keep up my blog from now on.And I will try to think of some thing interesting to say.  Here is a encouraging  verse chapter for you think about today.   

                                             PSALM 23

The Lord is my sheperd I shall not want.  He makes me to lie down in green pastures;  He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

Well I gess that was a chapter oh well.

                      God Bless,

                          E.R.B.

Hello Friends!  I have missed you!  So much has happened this last month and I thought I'd like to get my blogging buddies caught up, if they were so inclined to care.  :)  (Of course you do!)

Pretty much every year the Balloon Classic can be viewed right from my front yard!  It is so neat to see the balloons go over the house. 

My ash trees are starting to turn---well, a little more than starting!  I love this color!

For a great bunch of ideas on Fall Leaf activities and such, go check out Teri's site.

At the beginning of September, we headed out to the Lone Star state to see my Father-in-law.  He was having some health issues and we knew we needed to get back there and visit him.  It was a wonderful time!  We saw many of my husband's family and extended family and I even met some I didn't know.  What a blessing!  The trip is always a hard one; too many miles to drive, but the hospitality was wonderful and the food was as good as always.  Speaking of the Lone Star state, I've never seen anyplace so proud of their flag and their state emblem!  There are "Lone Stars" on purdy much ever'thang and you can even get Texas shaped waffles at the hotel breakfast bar!  (Wouldn't Colorado shaped waffles be a bit boring?  Oh, ha!  I guess we already have Colorado shaped waffles!  :)

                       Heading south--Spanish Peaks with new snow on them!

We got home nearly unscathed, a little bit of coughing and such but the rainy weather was nice and we managed to stay relatively cool for the most part.  After 10 days at home however, we had to turn around and head back--"Papa" passed on to his heavenly home.  We drove back for the service and this time saw the rest of the family and had a bittersweet reunion. 

Aren't these cool?  Brush stroke clouds.  This was on our way to Daingerfield, TX.

Now we are back home again and realize that we were gone almost as much as we were home last month.  Two of us had birthdays while on the trips.  One of us is another year closer to "50" and I have a 13 year old.  We literally have hit the ground running, and are still trying to get everyone well.  The flu or whatever we have keeps bouncing back and forth.  Other than that, it is SO good to be home!! 

Now, if we can just shake these Texas accents we'll be all the way back to normal, y'all!

Nancy

Homeschooling Is Life!

P.S., Teri over at Knowledge House posted a really nice review of Haircuts For Little Men.  Teri has some awesome resources, a super newsletter and be sure to check out ALL her websites!  Homeschool Patriot is great!

  You can read it right here.   And, Friendship Alley has a great review with photos!  The author won a copy of my ebook and posted her before and after pics.  I'm impressed!  She did a great job, didn't she?

Last Friday was my 18th birthday/manhood ceremony. It started with me having my picture taken with my 125 closest friends.

(it took too long but was nice seeing people I hadn't seen in a long time) After that the ceremony started. It consisted of ten men that have or has had influence on my life giving me a speech on some aspect of manhood or Christianity.

My dad closed with his speech and prayer. Then there was supposed to be a picture slide show for me but the equipment at the church didn't work so we ate cake and ice cream and played volley ball instead.

*

My present from my parents was an awesome sword with my name engraved on the blade.

The next day was my actual birthday. I spent the morning opening cards and playing with my nephews who came for the party.  We all (family and LaMeres) went to Olive Garden for lunch, then came back to my house to swim and play video games.

*

 ~Josh

*Announcement:  Adena, you are the winner!  Thanks so much for the great comment.  It reminded me a bit of Sampson and Delilah. 

Adena, please contact me at nancy baetz at msn dot com --- your download bounced!  If I don't hear from you in about 48 hrs, I'll choose another winner.  Thanks!

Everyone who entered--or not--you are all welcome to a discounted copy of the *prize* Ebook, "Haircuts For Little Men." Just go to my website. 

 Tell a friend!  Enjoy!!!  Offer good till the end of August.  :)

___________________________________________________________________

I can't believe how quickly this summer is zipping by!  We've had so much rain that it never really felt like summer to me.  But instead of discussing the weather, again, just a quick update on our homeschooling progress and then on to the giveaway!

To tell you the truth, stuff happens so quickly here at home that I just don't even have time to chronicle all of them, at least as much as I used to.  My oldest daughter has a part time job now, and it is very exciting!  She is learning to be an ABA Therapist, and she really loves it.  She is also taking a class at the local community college on a scholarship she won (for her photography) in the county fair.  You can search ABA therapy on your favorite search engine.  :)  For a great book to read on a family who is going through autism, read Facing Autism by Lynn Hamilton.

We are planning for a big celebration later this year for her 18th birthday/homeschooling celebration and I certainly am up for any great ideas anyone might want to send my way!  How have YOU celebrated your child's homeschooling "career" without a cap and gown type of graduation ceremony?  I'd love to hear from you!

My younger three children are off and running too...in many different directions.  They still amaze me with all of their interests and abilities, and I am still trying to get "my ideas" of education into those thick I mean sweet little heads of theirs.  My oldest son is working hard to move up the ranks in Scouts and hopefully get his Eagle Scout in the future.  I've got a singer on my hands who needs an outlet for that...and we are working on getting her into a chorale.  My youngest would just love it if he could do experiments with magnets all day...or basically any kind of hands-on science.  That and cooking. 

Right now while I am grabbing a few moments at the computer my girls are cleaning fiber--Navajo Churro wool that was given to them.  It is gorgous when it is all cleaned and washed!  My youngest daughter is working on some grammar work, well, she was earlier.  The days go so fast and it seems like we never get everything that I want to do finished.  My blest laid plans.  LOL!

Between those things and our upcoming art show, and the fact that our van is broken down and various other "opportunities" that have knocked on our door lately, I guess I will just repeat my motto:

Homeschooling Is Life!

Nancy

P.S. Can't forget about the giveaway!  And a hearty THANKS to Molly over at Econobusters for mentioning this. I'm giving away yet another copy of my eBook "Haircuts For Little Men." 

Anyone who comments will be entered.  Actually, I will give two more of these away before the end of the month.  Usually I just pick some random comment, sometimes I give one away to EVERYONE who comments, depending on my mood.  This time, if you make me LAUGH a whole bunch, you will be the one.  I always need a laugh, or two or three.  I have to have a way to contact you too, or check back often so you can see if you won!

p.s. if you have never heard of "Haircuts For Little Men," it is an eBook tutorial on how to do a simple, basic haircut for the little (and big) guys in your life.  Just check out my website:  nancybaetz.com and read about it for yourself.  Save money, have fun learning a new skill!  And win a copy for FREE right here.

N.

Josh had a piano recital in May and after it was over he played Bella's Lullaby for me.  Then we went to a graduation party.  It was a fun night.

I haven't been blogging much because I'm on facebook but I'll try to keep up with this better too.