"Wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere."
James 3:17

PURE: "Will this decision lead to anything immoral?"

PEACE LOVING: "Does this create unnecessary conflict with anyone?"

CONSIDERATE: "Will this decision cause unnecessary hurt to another?"

WILLING TO YIELD: "Am I making this decision out of rebellion or an independent spirit?"

FULL OF MERCY: "Am I seeking revenge or wanting to show someone up?"

GOOD FRUIT; "Is this end result good for all involved?"

IMPARTIAL: "Does this decision favor someone solely because of position, power or prestige?"

SINCERE: "Are the motives I portray to others my true motives?"

I borrowed this from a friend's post.. BUT I know she would want me to share

Thursday we went with 3 other families to the monarch groves.  We heard the docent speak on the butterflies and saw so many of them flying everywhwere and alight on trees in amazing numbers.  Toby and I hung out at the little docent / gift trailer.  But I still got to hear most of the talk.  I didn't realize quite a few things about the butterflies.  They winter here and mate, then fly north to milkweed to lay their eggs for the caterpillar eats the milkweed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty6sTQesxMU

(couldn't paste this short  closeup video of the butterfly laying her eggs in my post)

We then walked the short distance to the beach.  For some reason there was a lake of water on a large area of the beach we hadn't seen there before, about two feet deep.  The kids had a lot of fun playing there while the moms watched and wondered.  Kiera had to watch Emily. Toby stayed near the edge.

Coleman and Emily got too wet and were very uncomfortable for the drive home, but we don't live too far.

Em is just falling asleep at 11:43 p.m. after a long nap waiting for Coleman at boy scouts.  She can't stop eating bread and butter. She loves Thomas the Train and was delighted to check out Thomas magazines from the library.  She has great stories, and generous 'gramma', and several 'personal' friends.  She has great fine motor skills and today she drew an object, (animal or spaceship?) then colored it in, WITHOUT going out of the lines.  She is not yet 4 1/2.  She is also writing many letters and enjoying the new learn to read program I got (shouldn't have bought-too expensive), but she is reading many words and really excited about reading.  She was using the letter/word blocks today.  Reading aloud is going really well, tho we don't read as much as I did with K/C when they were small.  She absolutely LOVES to cut and we have to really pay attention, though she was funny one day.  She got a stuffed bunny from GW and loves it.  She was at the table  with her scissors saying "I am NOT going to cut you, bunny.  Mama, I am not going to cut this bunny)  Of course, she cut the tag off, but that didn't count....

Best get her into bed...

Michele

www.homeschoolfreebieoftheday.com

Visit there by Nov 15 and download some cool old Thanksgiving PDF's -- hope you get there in time

Sign up for the email news to remind you to visit their site daily for free downloads.  I have bought products from them in the past.  They are a pretty good value especially considering all the free stuff they give out.

You probably all know about the gutenbergproject free book downloads www.gutenberg.org

www.librivox.org for free audio books

www.blackgold.org  Search for the Rosetta Stone Spanish program in their online library - don't have the direct link right now.

http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2008/11/12/ml_infinite-patience/

I hope that the links I give here are inspirational to others as they are to me.  I wish I could post everything I would like to...

I hope that if you are moved to, you will leave me a comment ( to encourage me, to not forget to keep my posts rolling in : d )

Love Michele

Kids seemed to need a 'down' day today.  Lots of character training has been going on lately.  Em fell asleep on the couch.  She and Toby joined K / C on the trampoline off and on.  Much of the day has been spent there.  Not in wild play, but in relationship building.  In true rest from the wearies of life (yes, I think even young'uns are affected with everyday life stress).   And the day began noisy and hectic but then seemed to just settle down.

Blessings,

Michele 

Empty me .. of the selfishness inside, every vain ambition, and the poison of my pride, every foolish thing my heart holds to.  Empty me of me so I can be ... filled with You.  Cause everything is a lesser thing, compared to You, so I surrender all...

• Mothering
• Homeschooling
• Organization
• Moving
• Being a Proverbs 31 woman
• Home care
• Relationships
• Stress
• Children
• Husband
• Friends
• Activities
• Plans
• Health
• Autism
• on and on

http://www.homesteadblogger.com/mamahen/116899/

Thanks mamahen !    

We don't 'do' Halloween for a variety of reasons, and haven't for many years.  Andrew still likes the date.

Coleman went to his friend's, ate too much candy and soda, and came home late.  Dad didn't really want to pick him up.... either did I.  I am pretty tired by 10:30.

Not doing Halloween is a chance to give your reasons for abstaining, which can be good.  We really just treat it like any other day.  And don't get people to the door due to our rural geographical location and locked gates.

A regular "where did the day go?" day ...  in no rigid order

• after getting up (usually 6:30), take the dogs out, let the cats out, make tea and/or coffee and try to get some personal devotions in.  If I am not too tired, I get up before the littles do (which I prefer).
• wake up Kiera  and sometimes Coleman and Dad, if they are not awake on their own
• get food together
• work on the dishes
• start the laundry
• everybody is getting something to eat and drink
• meet with Brooke on her days here
• family bible study / devotions (I have started the big kids on their own online devotional as well)
• work on math and grammar, drawing, writing
• work on household tasks (ie chores) make the bed
• try to check email and weather  on the computer if Coleman isn't on there
• get Toby in and finished with the bath (or baths) Get him dressed
• get Toby food and drink when he requests it
• pay bills, go to bank, stop and shop, including farm supply items (maybe 2-3 times per month)
• talk about the economy and other current events
• take Coleman to friends' to play
• work on topic study, science or geography
• keep working on the laundry
• trampoline
• reading out loud - reading program materials
• sweep the patio and sidewalks (maybe once a week)
• changing Toby - work on Toby's behavior program goals t/o the day
• work on positive reinforcement and teaching manners, character, and appropriate responses
• take the dogs out several times a day
• let the cats in and out : \
• clean up innumerable messes of all kinds (mostly Toby and Emily)
• computer time
• water the plants outside
• READ in between - all kinds of books, mags, mail, my notes, kids work, blogs
• take care of the animals outside
• go to do errands
• go to the library
• go to hs coop activity, every week or two
• food preparation
• coffee drinking : )
• go to Filly Fellowship (every other Friday) every Friday in summer
• get ready for football practice (or game) and go (3 days per week; game on Sat)
• go to Boy Scouts every other Wed night

I wonder how many times a day I  walk back and forth through our house .... ?  That better count as some exercise, I hope.

To fully describe all of this would take too long, and probably put most of us to sleep. 

Some exciting details include Toby's now proficient ability to take OFF the lids he loves to spin.  This can include items which still have contents, of which most end up all over.   Watching Toby is interesting if he decides to hang out by the front gate.  He also spends some time in his car seat every day, whether we are gone or not.  This is a favored place, though he is learning to sit in a regular seatbelt.  

http://www.crosswalk.com/11583324/page1/

Article by Kim Lundberg at Crosswalk.  Also in HSE mag.

Yesterday we went to the lake to meet our small homeschool coop at the group camp of one of the HSC whole state hs camps.  it was fun.  I met some new people.  Talked to an old friend. The kids had some fun in the water.  Alas, no photos...

It is always interesting to go places with my crew.  The dynamics are very unpredictable.  Toby and Emily head straight for the only small family on the beach.  Emily jumps right in to play with the family's two small children and their sand toys.  Toby begins pacing back and forth on the edge of the water.  The mom is sitting on a chair right in the water's edge. Em is still using two of their toys. They don't seem to mind ... too much.  I forgot our life jackets so had to watch them carefully.  And keep Toby from going too far or touching the mom on the way by..

wow over half of my post just disappeared before my eyes.  I didn't do anything...

I was saying...that I have become used to getting inside stranger's personal circles.  Some don't seem to mind.  Others do.  I see the looks that wonder why I am tagging Toby and leaving Em behind (not too far) with K/C.  Occasionally, a friend.  He has no social stigmas and may hug you, grab your leg or somewhere else..., wipe his hands on you. sit on you, or (the ever present worry), run away.   I may face  a major meltdown by trying to change his intended pursuit.  Which will inevitably have a potential to bring on a meltdown.   I have done a few explanations  that flopped. One woman never said a word, just stood up, brushed off her pants and stomped off.

Back to the lake ... mom and kids move up on the sand with their gramma.  Em still has 2 of their sand toys.  She doesn't notice them leave.  K/C are getting after Em whenever she goes too deep in the water. The family leaves - they take their toys.  Em doesn't notice; she is writing in the sand with a stick now.  A mother strolls up with a toddler and 2 small children who go into the water.  They begin screaming with delite.  Toby begins to get upset, charging towards them.  I explain ... for the mom, not him, "The are just having fun, it's ok".  He doesn't get better. We begin the hike up the sandy hill to the van, taking Emily with us, calling to K/C as we go.  They are very wet now and cold and soon come up after us.  (The sandy hill is the bottom of the lake which is now just a large pond due to the severe drought ..)

We begin to search for clothes, finding only parts of leftover clothes from various other recent activities.  Em has already wet her first set of clothes trying to get to the campsite bathroom on time (not quite), so she wears Toby's shirt.  K / C both found some clothes and Toby never really got wet. 

I'll skip the rest of the story ..though it was interesting... it's late.  Take care, Michele

Hello friends and family.

I thought you might be interested in this weblog entry:
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/JenofAvonlea/555994/

Just staying up late and visiting new friends, but this post is one to remember.  The Lord has been convicting me on so many things lately.  I am blessed He finds it worthwhile to do so.

Love blogging but I better get some rest ...  Tomorrow is Monday after all.  I love homeschooling.

I love my kids.  Yes, with all of its imperfections, I love my life.  Thank You Lord.  Amen

Keep Your Eyes on Jesus,

Michele

Kevin and Coleman are watching baseball on tv.  Kiera is in her bedroom with the door locked to get peace while she is blogging.  She has a trying time to concentrate around here when it is noisy.  She has finally taken to doing her math and other work in there too.

Emmy fell asleep early - wow, we went to the part and Kevin BBQ'd while Kiera and I watched the littles and Coleman played first with Dad and then with some friends.  Emmy played HARD, pushing the merry go round by herself and with some little person's help with quite a few kids on it. (She insisted)  Then running around the play structures with a borrowed paper plate mask with a kitty on it, playing kitty (pink, of course). 

I had an awesome opportunity to describe autism to three younger boys, about early teens I think.  I was happy they were interested.  

I just finished cleaning up Toby and Dad the kitchen after Toby spilled out the whole bottle of sea kelp.  A good healthy thing for him to be licking off his hands.  There was so much of it on the floor... Dad ? "What was that stuff?"  "Sea kelp" " I thought it smelled fishy."

Toby is eating cheerios right now (I hope) as I don't hear him... be right back... he's fine, just fascinated by a Fiji water bottle (small). It is square.  He can still spin it.. ... on it's bottle top, wow

Today, we had to really scrounge for hay for Sunny and I had to forage for the goats, so tomorrow is hay fetching for sure.   I worked quite abit on the house this morning as we went to Santa Barbara yesterday for Coleman's football game.   Man, it is very almost impossible to keep up with the laundry here lately.  If I get the loads in the garage all done, the bins inside are full (sigh), but well, it is part of the job description.  

I made lentil soup this morning from some sprouted lentils before Kevin and Coleman decided to BBQ at the park. So we'll have those tomorrow. 

Oh, and I did remember to check my oil today.  Will someone remind me to get it changed? I am trying to go out less, so it really isn't on my list anymore, but I better get it on there.   Living where we do puts a strain on your gas budget for sure.

Better get ready for bed.  Take care now,

Michele

I have been praying for my niece Justine, my brother Calvin's daughter, since she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer at only 13 years old ....  at the end of the summer.

You can read her story at www.caringbridge.org/visit/justinehofland 

I have been so thankful she has had so many people praying and caring for her.  And for her family too.  People who care are trying to do fundraising things to help with the cost as the treatment will continue for a long time and it is a long trip to WA from MT and back.

I wish I were closer to my family so often and I wish I could do more to help them.

I meant to post this before but I forgot. 

We however, will not be able to attend due to finance constraints.  All the reports I have had about these classes were favorable.

Russ McGlenn, http://www.tccsa.tc/adventure/   Adventure Safari

Yea!, I can get comments !   ..... now what are all of you waiting for?

Love Michele