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I woke up this morning to tornado watch and severe thunderstorm warning. My first thought was, o great another day blown. But you know, just because it is turmoil outside does not mean it has to be turmoil inside. Yes you have to be a bit more creative on days like this when kids cannot get outside to run off all their extra energy they have, and boy do mine have alot of energy! Days like this are great for catching up on reading that book you personally or as a family have been wanting to read but never seem to find the time to get to it. It's also a great day, to play board games (educational for sure, and definately just for fun ). How about writing and putting on a play or puppet show. For those of us that stress over the cleanliness of our homes........... and let's face it as homeschoolers our homes are never as clean as we would like them to be. But you can use days like this to empty out a room. Take all the furniture out and play tag, duck duck goose, hmmmmmm you could carefully play red rover red rover. Or even put on some music and exercise, dance. When done with all the fun, make a game out of wiping down walls, cleaning windows, cleaning the floor, then move the furniture back in. You just deep cleaned one room. ROFLOL How about a baking class on days like today, or a stock up cooking day. Prepare several meals and freeze them for future use. Get kids to peel, chop, measure ( math ) foods. Have them package and label the food. You've covered home ec. You can do a full day of crafts, sewing, knitting ( if you know how, which I don't ) crochet, create greeting cards you will need for the upcoming month. Check those birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Maybe even create the gifts you will need. As I write this it is very dark. Need lamps on to see anything. You could do movie night in the day with this darkness. You mom's can use the time to catch up on your blogging These are just a small few ideas, I'm sure you all can come up with a ton more. Depend on God to give you the best ideas for you and your family. He always knows what we need to keep that turmoil from getting inside. We live in a world full of turmoil outside, it's up to us to not allow that turmoil to entry in. Homeschooling is a way of life, there is no set time, day, or hour we have to do anything. Learning occurs at all times, even in turmoil times. For me the goal isn't just to teach the core curriculum to my children. If we can all learn to turn turmoil into peace and pass that lesson learned onto our children, we will have passed a great lesson on to them and given them memories of fun and laughter. |
, contact friends you haven't talked to in awhile either by phone, or via the internet. Or sit and hand write a letter to them. I have a very dear friend, mrs pooh, that sends me cards and notes, and they always seem to arrive just when I need them most. So don't overlook snail mail in encouraging and brightening someones day. |
As I sit here on this beautiful Sunday morning, blessings keep rolling thru my thoughts. I don't very often just sit and count my blessings, I really need to make this a habit. Counting my blessings gives me a whole different heart feeling, puts me in a better mood, and makes the day go smoother, even when the road bumps of life hit. I am able to handle those bumps more calmly if I count my blessings. I thought I would share a few of the blessings I am counting today. My children, all 9 of them are the best blessings anyone could have, even on those days when there are struggles. Those struggles are meant to teach us and them. Whether it's to learn patience, or to learn that although there are rules, rules can be adjusted. To learn that some rules can't be adjusted for safety reasons. To teach us to stand firm for what we believe and to research things that we aren't sure we believe. With my children comes the blessing of being able to homeschool. Spending time with my children, watching them finally get something they had long struggled with learning. I am so lost without my children, that I cannot imagine leaving their learning in a total strangers hands. Now this doesn't mean I don't long for days here and there where I get a break. A time to refresh, to look at things from a different view. As a mom that doesn't get that many "breaks" from her children, let me tell you this is important to do. Make time to take small breaks. Even if all it is is a run to the store by yourself. Or a time sitting out in the yard by yourself. God has blessed me with my friends. There are a few of you out there that are especially close to my heart, I thank God for you, for putting you in my life at just the right time. Each of you have brought something to me that no one else could of. My grandchildren, Alicia, Marco-Antonio, Elias and little girl due to make her appearance early August. All the children in my life bless me with laughter, curiosity, their amazement of discovery. I enjoy watching the changes my children and grandchildren go thru. Nature for me is a blessing, I love the outdoors. I love discovering plants that I am not familiar with, seeing birds and animals that I haven't seen before. I love the breeze blowing on my face, the sun warming me. I love watching all things grow. I enjoy seeing the many patterns in the sky that God paints for us daily. Being able to continue my education while staying home caring for my children is another blessing. Most of what I am learning I am enjoying, although business taxes is not one of my favorite topics lol. Having my home and being able to remodel it during a time when so many are losing their homes is a huge blessings. Having my health, when I don't really take the time to take care of myself as I should is another blessing. Yes I could sit here and complain about events in my life, but when I sit and complain, whine, do the why me routine, I feel ill. I literally feel physically ill. I lose my ambition, I lose my ability to think clearly, my body will start to ache all over. I would much rather not go thru that although some days I do give into the self pity party. Life is hard! But we don't have to make it harder by how we respond to it. For a couple of years I gave into the self pity party, or maybe I just got burned out. I wasn't happy, my children weren't happy. I want to be happy! I want my children to be happy and more importantly I want them to learn how to handle rough situations in a healthy manner. I need to learn to count my blessings daily. Many times a day if necessary to remind myself that God is in control and He doesn't intend harm to come to me. That all I face is for His glory. |
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This has got to be the longest winter in history! I have long grown tired of the snow and am chomping at the bit to get outside and get yard work done. Spring has given hints that it is arriving a day here and there with temps above 30. Then winter gets mad and says nope I'm still here and drops more snow and temps drop below 30 for a few days. But I am looking forward to the flowers and grass ( if I have any ) green leaves on the tree. The sound of children yelling and playing and running thru the yard. I can hardly wait to get my hands in the dirt and baby my plants and watch them grow. To feel the warm sun on my shoulders and face. And wonder if my 5 yo will finally recognize those little wiggly things in the dirt as worms or will he still go running thinking snake. LOL I'm looking forward to enjoying God's creation while camping with the kids. Sitting around a campfire roasting those lallos. (marshmallows or as my 7 yo calls them mushmellows) gazing at the stars. The many many wonders that God has given to us to enjoy. Maybe I can even get the 4 yo ( turned 4 today) to try his hand at fishing this year. Looking forward to getting more of the house remodeled. Got the new school room done, kitchen is next and will get torn out in a couple of weeks. I have been wanting that kitchen done since moving into this house 11 yrs ago. Spring is a time for new birth, new growth, refreshing one's self and our surroundings. And I am looking forward to all of it with great excitement! |
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My dad has been thru many tests. What they have figured out so far is................. they think he had sand in the kidney and bladder, irritating cause the blood in the urine. They also know he has a cyst in the ureters. But that it is non cancer type. They know there is a polyp in the lower intestine bowel area, that was spotted a year ago. They will be doing a procto in March to check this, but dr has assured my dad that he expects to find nothing wrong. PTL just little nuisances. God in His almighty wisdom kept us from taking my husband to Madison this week. The day we were to go Madison was in the midst of a snow storm, my husband although able to stand and take small steps, is not able to walk or stand on slippery surfaces. God knew ahead of time of the weather conditions and kept us from finding both child care or a ride for John. Isn't God great!!! We have been in a deep freeze here the last few days. Temps single digits or below zero with windchills of -20 and colder. So we have been busy once again doing deep cleaning of rooms. Getting rid of more clutter, organizing for everything to function better for us, and in between all this spending time bundled together in our fleece jammies and fleece blankets watching videos, and reading. We have also been playing and exploring board games that we were given for Christmas. I have also been looking for quick, easy, economical meals for the crockpot. Using the crockpot is such a time saver and allows time for other things. It also uses less dishes and pans, making clean up a snap! I am once again trying hard to get into a better cleaning routine with my children. Each year I find areas that are a burr in my side when it comes to keeping our home. I found Flylady a few years ago and have adapted her routines to fit our home and family. It's a great resource on getting the creative juices flowing, giving a spring board of where to start. And with this many children and this size of house ( 1500 sq ft.) You have to be creative. Especially when there is only 3 closets in the whole house. Really looking at items and figuring out what is really necessary, what is just wanted, and what shouldn't be here at all is refreshing. We have gotten rid of much in the past year. Figuring out how to store, organize, and make accessible the items being kept is a great challenge, and I love challenges lol. I am one that doesn't like piles sitting around, nor do I like to see a bunch of cardboard boxes stacked up in a corner. I like rooms to look inviting, to feel warm and inviting. One of the best things I did and got was deciding on storage in the entry way. We were going to have a closet built, but after much thought and prayer decided a closet would close in the feeling of the entry way. Again after much thought and prayer we decided on a cloak bench. This has hooks for hanging items, a mirrored back, giving added dimension to the room, a shelf above the hooks, and the seat is actually a chest. We can put shoes, hats, mittens, boots, scarves, etc inside this. Eliminating the clutter in the entry way, and also providing a place to help stop the endless search for needed items when trying to get ready to go somewhere. It was the perfect solution! It also provides a place for a child or even myself to go and read in a somewhat private place. We do call this little space, our reading nook. Well better go find something else to clean lol. Praying all are staying warm and healthy. God Bless!
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Last night the phone rings. It's my oldest son, Derek, the one that got married in October. He says mom Lydia has something to tell you. Lydia gets on and says Mom, we're pregnant! So I'm going to be grandma again this summer! This will make grandchild number 4. They are very excited! We are excited! I actually expected to hear from these two on Christmas that they were expecting. But hey, January is good also! LOL The funny thing is us girls have planned a weekend getaway for just girls. We are heading to the mall of america on the 8th coming home on the 10th. Guess what yall? We have a direction of shopping now! lol We get to do baby shopping! I love shopping for baby things! We will also be shopping for items for the new school room! Things that will help keep it organized, and functional. Today I awoke to snow again. ROFLOL Last week tornado, today snow! Crazy crazy weather. But it reminds me who is in control of everything! And how He can totally surprise us. January around here is usually blistering cold and somewhat snowy. God shook things up last week with the temps climbing into the 60's and presenting us with thunderstorms and a tornado. The new baby on it's way, the crazy weather reminded me of something else. We are to be always watchful. God knows our hearts desires, but His plan may not include what we want, or even what we expect. We need to learn how to count even the simplist of things as blessings. Like yesterday I found a 6 pack of 3 ring notebooks on sale for 4.88. They are normally 10.88! Or my 7 yo son, Jacob, who has always had a look of darkness about him, the last few weeks has started showing joy, and laughter in his eyes. The news of the baby coming. Now that is one that is really in need of being counted a blessing, so many of us take it for granted that after marriage babies automatically follow. But I know of several couples that never experience that joy. They either can't get pregnant, or have an extremely difficult time getting pregnant. Just because we expect things, doesn't mean it is in God's plan for us. Most of us, including myself, believe and expect our school days will go smoothly. We picture the family sitting around a table, or laying around on the floor, and everyone getting along and learning tons and tons. But in reality, that scenario is usually one of rarity. The norm is kids not wanting to wake up, not wanting to do chores, fighting with their siblings over books, space, even supplies. Kids not wanting to do math, or spelling or reading. But even those days are blessings if you stop to think about it. They are blessings in the fact that we have these precious gifts. They are blessings in the fact that we as mothers can learn things from the situation. Maybe we need to adjust our schedules, or adjust how we are schooling, adjust how we are spending time with these precious gifts. In the arguments our children are learning to be great debaters and negotiators. They are learning to stand up for what they believe in. And isn't that what we are to be teaching them? Yes the rough days can wear on us mom's every nerve. But it doesn't have to. That is our human sinful side's response to the situation. It's up to us to find the blessings and lessons in each and every situation. For me today I am going to try a little experiment today. You can join me if you wish. For the rest of the day, I am going to try and find the blessing or lesson in all that comes my way. I am going to keep track and see just how many blessings or lessons that occured today. I know I am going to be surprised in what I find. How about you? |
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It's Friday! Yippy! As I sit here typing this my children are doing a variety of things. One is reading, one is stacking blocks building castles, one is watching a video about killer whales, one is still with the grandparents. They still haven't figured out what is going on with my dad, but strongly suspect kidney stones. And two of my children are racing cars. We got our seat work out of the way early. And being Friday we tend to loose momentum most weeks on this day. LOL So what we usually do is take a break from our normal daily activities and do a what ever day. Whatever day is doing things we have put off, doing things we haven't done in awhile due to time restrictions, planning for upcoming months, after all spring will be here before we know it and it will be time to spend lots of time outside. As I am doing my whatevers I thought of something we started on the first of the New Year. And thought I would share with you. A little idea for you on the days that you want a change of pace, or feel you need to be doing something else, or need some ideas of which direction to go in learning. It seems this is the month that we look at things and want something different to do, or feel we need to add to what we are already doing, but not sure what. We have added a monthly events calendar in our home. I found it here at this link. http://www.teachercreated.com/free/calendars.php. Now some ideas to do with this. There are dates for authors birthdays, artists birthdays, dates of firsts, dates of endings, presidents birthdays, etc. We have added doing a couple of lapbooks or unit studies for a few of the dates. You can read books by the authors and learn about their style/genre of writing, you could do an online seach of the artists work, do biographies on the people. For the little ones you can use to teach the months of the year. And introduce history to them thru the events. You can add your own events and birthdays to the calendar and see what else happened in history on your day of birth. You can use for math by figuring out how long between one event to the next. Or if you share a birthday with someone on the calendar how much older are or would they be than you. You could use to find quotes of the people mentioned to do copywork. Handwriting gets better with lots and lots of practice. You could even try to replicate some of the scientists experiments. Use caution don't want to see anyone out there with a kite, key, and lightening all around them LOL. The possibilities are endless! If you are anything like me, every once in awhile you need something just a little different to do, but you get lost in the what. You could even cut up the calendar into individual squares, put all the squares into a bowl or hat. And when the kids ask what they can do, have them draw one out and research the topic. I hope this gives some of you some ideas you were looking for, or that it sparks some creative juices to flow for you. After 16 years of homeschooling I know I sometimes need someone to spark my creative juices. |
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This weather is the strangest weather! Just a few days ago we had below zero temps. Yesterday we reached a high of 65 and thunderstorms came. With the thunderstorms came tornados. That's right we were sitting here and the tornado siren sounded. We were all looking at each other going what on earth are those sounding for?!? It's January! Sure enough there was a tornado that touched down just 14 miles from us. That was good for us! It touched down one mile south of my parents home. Took out 6 farms in their little town. One farm being our favorite apple orchard. It has been pretty much leveled. Thankfully there were no deaths and only minor injuries related to these storms. The last report of a January tornado for Wisconsin was 40 years ago. The last for Illinois was 60 years ago. Thunderstorms although more common only occur here in Wisconsin in January about every 3-4 years lol. Today we reached our high temp at 8:30 this morning which was 58 degrees. We are down to 37 degrees and they are calling for snow this evening. Told ya strange weather! lol Tomorrows high is to only reach 35. Thirty degrees cooler than yesterday. The kids are going to go out this afternoon and do yard clean up, any stray trash, fallen branches that sort of thing. We are busy working on our unit of light and matter. Reading books from various authors. Mostly old books. Like from Horatio Alger, also they are working on a lap book on aviation and Martin Luther King. We will be starting a study on elections this month as well. Figured we might as well learn this process with the election being this year. Was going to wait on Turner to come home before really getting into the meaty work. But decided to go ahead and at least get the folders created and the booklets created. We find out today how much longer my dad will need assistance. I am also in the process of redoing our schedule just a bit. Although I am not tied to our schedule, I do need a blueprint. Need some sense of organization. When you have 8 little ones, ( 6 mine, 2 grandbabies), you have to have some organization and routine. Otherwise, chaos ensues and I end up with a headache at the end of the day. lol I have chores for everyone including the 4 yo grandson. We have lots of dr appts, that can really put a damper on productivity. There are some days that I am not sure if I am coming or going. I find tho when I have these days that I have neglected my time with the Lord. Giving Him my first moments of the day is really important, it helps the day go better. When I don't make time for Him, it seems we get very little accomplished. I am also trying this year to be less vocal. Trying to teach my children not to yell, and yet here is mom yelling above the crowd. Not a very good example. Over all I feel so blessed. I am able to stay home with my children, whom I love to be with, most the time. LOL. I am able to have my husband home 24/7, this wasn't by choice, but it is a good thing. Most of the time. Now if I can find him a job to do it would make it better. LOL We are able to drop everything and run and help my parents or friends or other family members when they need us. We can pack up and leave for a field trip anytime we choose. I can spend all day in my jammies or I can get dressed to the nines. It's my choice! Usually its my fleece jammies all day. They are comfy and warm! There are many things I would like to see my children learn and accomplish. But I know all I can do is guide and supply the resources and tools for them to learn. It is up to them and God to learn what they need to learn for the life God has planned for them. And watching the process has been so wonderful. Something I would miss out on if I had not followed God in homeschooling my children. The best advice I have ever been given since we started homeschooling is to pick the fights carefully, and don't sweat the small stuff. Peanut butter painting on the cupboard doors can be washed, mud on the floors can be mopped, but time lost with our children can never be regained. Like the tornado that came so out of character, our time with our children will disappear. I don't want my children to remember this time as a time of destruction and isolation. But a time of joy and excitement. A time of building valuable knowledge and relationships. How about you? |
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New Year's Eve found us with water pouring into the basement from under the subfloor of the basement bedroom. Called our oldest son to come and find the source. He found it all right. The pipes under the kitchen sink had broke loose and all water was draining straight into the basement. He fixed that but now we have the issue of how do we get all the water out from under the subfloor. As it appears in the open we mop it up followed by a bleach water mop up to help keep mold from forming. But Lord only knows what is growing under the floor. We plan on totally tearing this room out and rebuilding it but not real sure when our workers are going to be able to start. So in the mean time I am praying that mold and mildew from the water will stay down. Because short of me tearing out the flooring myself and then having no where to take it I need to be patient and wait on the workers. We have been in subzero zone for a couple of days now. This is what I truly dislike about winter. I get chilled it takes forever to warm back up. You know that old age thing. I am either roasting and can't get cooled or freezing and can't get warm there is no happy medium. I went to brush some debris off the couch before sitting the other day, and my rings went flying across the room! Noa, my 12 yo said, "Mom if you don't want to wear your rings, don't throw them, just give them to dad" lol. We are pretty much bunkered down in the house during these cold temps. Windchills of 10 - 14 below zero is not good outdoor playing weather. So we are cleaning, working on math tables, reading. We have watched a couple of videos and played Uno and Who Wants to be a Millionaire. Both games that we won in a drawing at a local gas station. Someone had put our names in. I didn't even realize there was a drawing going on until we were called to come pick up the prizes lol. We are also making tons of soup to eat and warm the body with during these freezing temps. Oatmeal for breakfast, that is a good body warming food. We love homemade soups in the winter time. We enjoy trying new soup recipes. Trying new combinations in soups. Great time to experiment! Over the last week we have gained 9 inches of snow. 6 inches came in one day. Trying to keep the ramp and sidewalks and drive free and clear of ice and snow has been a challenge. But is a must with John being in the wheelchair. Would hate to see him head out the door and get a lesson in flying without wings or an engine. ROFLOL Although if there were no injuries it could be entertaining to watch. LOL Please keep my husband in prayer. He is struggling right now with the progress he is making. For him it isn't enough or fast enough. The baclofen pump, although once they get it adjusted right will be a huge blessing, right now is a source of disappointment for him. Also pray for my dad who has been struggling with an infection, our 10 yo son is staying with my parents to do the farm chores since my dad can't do any heavy lifting right now. He returns to the dr on the 7th. If there are no changes he will be sent to specialists to try and find out just what exactly is going on. Turner is getting some great life skills tho thru all of this. Learning to care for farm animals and tractors, and other farm related chores.
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Well another year has come and gone! I can't believe how fast time flies! We had many events this year. Surgery for John, a new grandson, a new daughter thru marriage. But she is my daughter! We have watched children grow and learn, we have done more remodeling and there is still more to do. Been remodeling for 3 years now lol One room at a time, as finances allow. The next room to be done is our oldest son's bedroom, since he is now married, that will be my schoolroom! I so cannot wait! But will be patient and will wait for God's timing. The remodeling started out of necessity, needed wider doors for John to get thru with the wheelchair. Needed to modify the front entry so he could get into the house. And being in a house that is 107 years old, when you tear apart one room it affects the room/ rooms that are attached. Old plaster does not hold up well when it is being pounded against from another room lol. Thru the remodeling my children are learning how to drywall, lay flooring, how to stain and put up trim, and how to paint walls. The front entry is 6 different colors applied by 6 children with toothbrushes. They had a blast! And I have had so many compliments! Which I direct to my little artists. We are looking forward to being in a room where all our school supplies are in the same room with us. All of our resources are in the same room with us. We want it to have the look and feel of a one room school house. The children have been scouring thru books and magazines giving their suggestions for what we should have in the room. LOL They are so excited. We have discussed what we would like to accomplish in the New Year! My children want to travel more. They want to camp more. And they want to be able to go see friends more. I want to work on heart issues God has revealed to me thru December. Actually He revealed sooner but I was being stubborn and not listening lol. I also want my families focus to be on our Lord and Savior and doing His work in His time. Yes I would love to have all the remodeling done. Get rid of all the dust once and for all. But will not fret and whine if it doesn't get done in my timing. God knows all about our situation and He will take us on the right path thru everything, if we only listen and follow. Right now my focus is to be making sure my husband has what he needs. And training my children. Nothing more important than training my children to follow God. To be the best they can be, to be who God created them to be, which may not necessarily be the same as who they want to be LOL. I don't know about you, but I love watching my children gain successes, and yes I love seeing them struggle within themselves. The struggle shows they recognize there is someone guiding them and pushing them in a different direction then they want to go. That someone is God! Yes I am looking forward to many changes in 2008. Changes within myself, within my children, within our family unit, and within our lives as we currently know it. How about you? |
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Well we are under a winter storm advisory again. The storm is to hit tomorrow morning and last until tomorrow evening they are calling for us to get 6-8 inches of snow. I pray everyone had a blessed Christmas and that it was as relaxing and peaceful as our Christmas was. Today we did our morning chores, the children are still working on finishing up their Christmas symbols lapbook, they continue to work on their math copywork and their Bible copywork. As for me I am already thinking ahead to January and what we will study and how. I know we are to learn about New years celebrations around the world. And I know we will learn about snow and winter weather. After all that we learned and created this month I was thinking it would be nice to have a year round advent. Well not necessarily an advent but we really enjoyed the nightly singing, bible reading and craft and treat making time. So I will spend time praying about this and see what God shows me what we can do in this area. I also know that we are to focus more in the coming year on handicrafts. You know woodworking, sewing, quilting, food preserving, crocheting, embroidery. Maybe even painting and musical instruments. We are working toward becoming more self sufficient instead of relying on stores and store bought items. Instead of power tools using hand tools. I told you I have a yearning for the old ways lol. Our Noa will be 13 on the 5th. And I realize time is drawing short to teach her all she needs to know to be a wife and mom some day. So I also need to put more time into her as well. I want to be able to spend more one on one with her, which with our family circumstances is extremely difficult, but I know the Lord will help me with this. My parents are talking about moving out of state this coming spring. And although I will miss them I know they need to do this. They have said for years now they were going to move west, but so far my mom had not been able to leave her grand babies and now also her great grandbabies. But she now says it's time. Hmmmmmmmm new vacation destination! I believe the new year will bring about some big changes, and some big moves. I am praying that the doctors get my husbands tones under control. So he will be happier in the new year. And I pray that God keeps me centered on all that I am to be centered on. And to always have me remember to lean on Him in all things.
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Today we cleaned up for final time before family arrived. We made chili and put in crock pot. I made spinach dip to go with tortilla chips. Also made a pot of hashbrown soup, which is a very thick hearty soup, and very yummy. We presented the neighbor with his tin of goodies for shoveling our snow. Lit all the candles. Set the table up for buffet. It was a pleasant evening as we exchanged gifts. Most of ours that we gave were handmade. Remember all the goodies and crafts we made this month. We did buy grandpa a giant remote control for his tv. ROFLOL This remote takes 2 hands to handle. Pretty sure he won't need his glasses to see the numbers on this one! lol We were presented with 2 movies, and a gift card to a meat processing center. I can get beef for the freezer now! And we received a montage foto frame filled with my son's and his wife's wedding pictures. I love this. We all ate til we were busting at the seams, then ate more lol. We had lots of fun watching everyone open their gifts. This has been by far the best Christmas to date. When everyone left we read Matthew 2. We also read The Greatest Gift. We had made a birthday cake for Jesus. May I suggest if you have never done this advent activity please consider it for next year. We had so much fun. And we learned so much, we created some wonderful keepsake ornaments and decorations. We spent alot of time in just family time. And we did alot of soul searching. We had never celebrated advent before. But this will definately become a family tradition. Challenging ourselves to come up with different ornaments and treats to create. Challenging ourselves to live as God created us to live. And challenging ourselves to read and learn more and more of the Bible. May God Bless each and everyone who reads this in all you do today and in the coming year! |
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Ok so we didn't get our shopping completed last night. And tomorrow night family is coming to exchange gifts and have a meal. Jolene had to work til 2. We have the Contata at church tonight at 6:00 Ok it will be a fast trip but we have to go. It was snowing lightly when we left home got to the store 20 minutes from here. She had 1 thing to pick up I had 5. We got those picked up and had to go to the store right next door for 2 things the first store didn't have. By the time we came out it was like a cyclone outside and man was it freezing!!!! It is 3:45 still plenty of time to get home and dress for church and leave on time. It's only 20 minute drive all interstate driving. We stopped at mc d's before getting on the interstate. Got a drink, went thru drive thru. Entered the interstate at 4:00. Was on interstate 5 minutes and traffic came to a dead stop. Both lanes totally stopped. Took us 3 1/2 hours to get from that point to home. While waiting in traffic the wind picked up more and snow got heavier. After about 40 minutes we were able to get the attention of a semi driver to see if he knew what was going on. Yep he did. Two semi's had collided near the exit I needed. Let's just say knew then we were not going to make it to church. Once we got past the accident scene, which by the way neither driver was hurt. And believe me when I say God was with both those drivers, neither semi even remotely resembled a semi. not the tractor or the trailer. Well we were going along pretty good from that point should have taken 10 minutes to get home. Looked at my daughter told her hey we might make it home by 7, it was 15 til. I no more said this and it was like some one pulled a white sheet across the highway. Total white out. Blowing and drifting snow. You could barely crawl. Took us 45 minutes to get home from that point. But I look at it this way. There was a reason we stopped at mc d's. We found out the accident occured 10 minutes before we entered the interstate. There was a reason we were not to go to the cantata that evening. And there was a reason I was not to be home at 7. God not only protected those semi drivers but more than likely kept us from getting injured as well. Or kept us from going into a ditch. I look at things like this as protection from something from God. Once home we did our singing and read from Matthew 1. We made ginger bread men and women garland to grace our door frames. and gingerbread men cookies. And we discussed the events of the past couple of days. |
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Last night while shopping I decide to buy new lamps for the living room. It was well over due. The lamps no longer had the knobs on them to turn them on and off, one was bent from it's base, leaning in a precarious fashion. The lamp shades were splattered with paint from many many paint jobs in the house. One would rock on it's table threatening to fall off when any one walked past it. They were in sad sad shape. So I bought a floor lamp and a table lamp got them both with shades for 14.99. I considered this a blessing from God. Well today I went with my oldest daughter to finish up her Christmas shopping and I had to get a few more things since all the children were with me last night and I couldn't get then. Well she had to make a return to Penney's outlet. Now I had been looking for new living room furniture all year. My sister in law offered to buy us furniture for our anniversary this year, and actually she did buy us a couch but when it was delivered it was tore. And to replace it it had to be ordered. Well we decided not to order and just wait it out. Our living room furniture was also in sad shape, the couch upholstery was worn in many many areas, the stuffing in the rolled arms was no longer stuffed. The bed had broke 4 years ago so could no longer use the hide a bed. The recliners were in just as sad of shape. Well I had looked at leather many many times and wowza the price! But I knew leather would hold up much much better with all the young children then the upholstery does. Well anyway went with Jolene to Penney's and as she was returning her item I looked around. Found votive candles I had been searching for for .89 a box of 6. I snatched up a bunch of those. As I continued to look around found myself in the furniture department. And there barely visible was a light brown leather couch and chair set. The style of it would fit my decor and style in the home. But was afraid to look at the price. I had priced leather furniture before remember? LOL After circling for some time and being constantly drawn back to it. After walking away several times saying it's Christmas no way I can buy it now anyway and still being drawn back to it. And finally my daughter catching up to me and she too was drawn to it. We looked at the price. We looked at each other and back at the price. I even asked the sales clerk if the tag was correct and was assured it was. I just sat down on the couch looked at my daughter mouth hanging open. The cost of the couch and chair together was $ 468.00 for leather!!!! Now if that wasn't a good enough deal they had 30% off clearance off that price which took another 140.00 off!!! $320.00 for both the couch and the chair! I prayed Lord if this is what I'm supposed to get give me the peace to know this is from you! I was still in shock over the price. lol A sudden calm came over me. And just around the corner I almost fell due to tripping over a solid oak rocker. Price 39.00 after percent off. I bought all 3 pieces. Called my mom to come and haul it home for me. Called my husband and said Merry Christmas I'm bringing the family gift home with me. LOL Now normally before a large purchase like this I would talk to my husband who always gives me free reign since I handle the finances. But I still usually talk it over with him. When I got home told him what I paid after getting the new in and the old out. He was very happy I didn't wait to talk it over with him first. We never did get to the store for the rest of the items needed. LOL So after my mom left and Jolene left with her crew. We did our song and Bible reading. Read Isaiah 9. We discussed how God blesses us when we least expect it. Then we made 3-D manger scenes. Which the children have displayed in their bedrooms. During prayer we thanked God for the gift of our living room furniture and lamps. |
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Today we spent mopping floors, dusting, vacuuming, and making sure the house smelled good. I have the cinnamon ornaments, candy cane ornaments, on the tree giving off a nice smell. I also have my fabreeze plug in with the ginger bread smell floating out of them plugged in. And every room has apple/cinnamon candles in them. I love all the smells of this time of year. Pies baking, candies forming, fudge hardening. I don't think there is any other holiday I love the smells of more than Christmas. I love focusing on the birth of Christ. Even tho no one knows for sure exactly when Jesus was born I am sooooooo grateful that we have this time set aside to wish Him a Happy Birthday. To show our love for Him and our gratefulness to Him. Although we should be doing it daily, most including myself don't really take the time to really focus on Him. As for myself and my family I am going to try in all areas to focus more on our Savior each and every day. In blessing my home, that is a work of love not only for my family, but also for my Savior. I always try to teach my children that in all they do they should be doing as tho the Lord were standing right there watching them. Today I had an ah ha moment or rather a duh moment. LOL The Lord is standing right here watching everything we each do. And we need to remember that in all our tasks. Cleaning, bandaging, teaching, cooking, serving. God is watching our every move. And He is listening to our every word. I myself need to remember this when I grumble cause I have to clean a room again and again because 8 or 9 children have gone thru that room playing, having fun, and totaling out that room. Yes I have them help clean up any messes they make. But do you understand that feeling of cleaning a home looking at how nice it looks, how comfortable it feels and an hour later it looks like a heard of elephants just trampled thru? Or that mountain of laundry that never seems to get any smaller no matter how many loads a day. Each and every day, you do? Instead of grumbling I need to remember to be thankful for the washer and dryer to do the laundry with. And in a family this size they do get their work outs. I need to be thankful for the vacuum that quickly takes care of spilt popcorn or chips, or glitter. lol I need to be grateful for the oven, stove I have that makes light of the cooking chores, and wow does that get it's work out as well. My children are huge eaters! My microwave bit the dust. And although it was a nice convenience we won't be replacing it. We can warm food up on the stove just as easily if not easier when we know if one person gets something eventually everyone wants some too. Our song for today was Oh Come all Ye Faithful. We need to be faithful in doing all that we do unto the Lord. Faithful in remembering He is watching us and listening to us. Faithful in teaching but more importantly setting the example for our children that we do all that we do for our Lord. That all we have is because of the Lord. All we do is because of the Lord. And we need to be appreciative of all of it. Even the hard, repetitive work we have each day. We need to remember that our abilities to do any of it can be taken from us at any time. So we should never waste any of the time and skills we have been given. We made snowman necklaces and ornaments tonight out of elmers glue. These are really cute. But looking at the snowman reminded me the snow man is a symbol. The snowman brings us pleasure when we build him. But at the end of the season there will be no snowman. He stands proud in the yard, wearing his regal attire. Then the warm sun of spring or even a warm day of winter and he slowly starts to fade away. We need to make every moment count. Whether it's to show love, teach in the teachable moments, give grace, comfort, lend a listening ear. What ever it is that is set before us, we need to do with whole heartedness and joy. And not let the moments pass later to regret the time lost. |
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Ok I'm up to the 20th. I'm slowly getting caught up on my entries. Today was one of those days that I felt like I was on the fast track to no where. And our craft for today was again appropriate. Today the more homeblessing we did the more behind I felt. Of course with 8 children here ( our 5 plus our 3 grandbabies ) everything was a bit out of order anyway. lol I have days like this off and on. Usually happens when one of the children is sick. Lord help me when all come down with something at once. lol But today no one is sick, I'm still not 100% from whatever it was that hit me. And just over all feel like I have lead on my feet and in my backside. LOL I know tomorrow I will look back and see just how much we did accomplish or learn but today as I look around I have to wonder. I love having a houseful of kids. And we always seem to get tons and tons done. Older kids help younger kids, older kids cleaning with mom and a little one tagging along. Although right now our 10 yo son, Turner is at grandma and grandpa's cause grandpa has something going on with his kidneys or bladder. So Turner is helping with the animals. We sang Away in a Manger. One of my all time favorites. Such a humble beginning for our Savior. Nothing fancy, no elaborate crib, no soft plush blankets. And we are a society thinking we need all the up to date conveniences there is in the world. Actually for me I am yearning for a homesteading life in the country with animals, garden, and simplicity. Yes I would love the Laura Ingall's life. ROFLOL actually I wouldn't even mind dressing in pioneer period clothing especially in the winter, when it is sooooooooo hard for me to get warm. It would not bother me one bit if each of us only had 2 outfits to wear. One for everyday one for church. It wouldn't be a hardship to grow and preserve my own food. Actually I look forward to the day I can do this. Then I know what my children are eating and that it is healthy without al the preservatives and hormones that go into our food now a days. I yearn for simpler times, I yearn for my children to learn hard work, and the sense of accomplishment that can only come from that type of lifestyle. I yearn for the quilts on the beds, the cows mooing just outside my window. I yearn for the room for my children to run and scream. But most of all I yearn to live a life that brings Glory to our Lord. We made Candy Train ornaments. Like I said befitting this sometimes fast track life. and made nuts and bolts snack. We all need to slow down. Make sure we are focusing on the true meaning of Christmas, but not just at Christmas but everyday of every month. To really truly enjoy life.
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Today we are engulfed in fog. When I drove the kids to church for King's Kids there were many areas that I couldn't see past my windshield. It was eerie yet exciting to drive in this fog. I just kept trusting God would get us where we needed to go. Of course living in town you can't tell the thickness of fog. So on the country roads I have to travel between home and church there were areas I thought this is nuts! being out in this soupy stuff! But God guided us, we found our way safely to the church and back home. And once home we did our activities and tonights craft was perfect. First we sang Sleigh Ride. Then we read Zechariah's Song in Luke 1. And our craft as I said was perfect for this night. We made luminaries. We used lunch bags, some of the children used Christmas cookie cutters to trace around then the hole punch to make the design, other ones free hand drew a design then punched out. we put kitty liter in the bags with the tea light candles. We lined our sidewalk with these creations. Lighting the path to our door. Light in the darkness. Just as Jesus is to us. With the luminaries along our sidewalk even in the dense fog people can find the entrance to our home. And Jesus lights the world from the darkness that awaits those that don't accept Jesus. The brightest beacon in the darkest corners of life. The lighthouse in the troubled, rough seas. Jesus guides us along all the paths our lives take us on. Now we can either follow the light or we can turn from it and flounder in the darkness trying to find our own way. But remember we can do nothing without our Lord. Oh sure we can try, we may think we can do anything, that our way is always the best way. But in all reality, in all truthfulness, our way stinks! Truly! I know many times when I have tried to do things my way, everything seems to fall apart. When I have tried to do things MY way the more lost I feel. The more I try to do things MY way the more out of order my children seem to be. It is only when I look to the Light, that my life starts coming back in line, that my children appear to be settled and really are. When I go after the Light our schooling is smoother, and more productive. Baking even goes better. We can do all things thru Christ, we can do nothing but make a mess of things without Him. Tonight we made Chocolate Snowball Cocoa. This is a wonderful hot drink. Only one week to go. and still many things to do and get done. I think resting each evening with this cocoa is a wonderful wind down tool! |
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Today we sang Jingle bells, Then read Luke 1 Mary's song and the birth of John the Baptist. All the readings on the births of John and of Jesus makes me think of the birth of my children and grandchildren. We have 3 beautiful grandchildren so far. They belong to our oldest daughter Jolene. Her first born Alicia, now 8, was a true test of faith. My daughter's pregnancy with Alicia was not a pleasant one. She suffered much thru out her pregnancy. Due to ovarian cysts. Then when birth was emminent, labor was extremely hard. We have learned tho with the birth of all 3 of her children, that when Jolene asks for relief from the pain, the dr better get there quick cause it means baby is coming with or without dr. LOL. When Jolene was given the ok to go ahead and push with Alicia on the first push, Alicia went into shock. They lost her heart beat. The nurses flipped Jolene every which way, apllied oxygen, and called code blue. As we all waited to hear the beating of the heart I stood by my daughter praying please God not now, not at this point. Please don't take this child now. They called for an emergency C section, I still continued to pray not now. I got into my greens to go into the operating room. As we waited for all the prep and for Jolene to be transferred to surgery I heard it! One little beep. I looked up all movement had stopped in the room. It seemed like an eternity, then another beep. Slowly the babies heart beat came back. I looked at the clock, it had been 5 minutes. Jolene had no clue what was happening. She had no clue that babies heart beat wasn't being registered. She had no clue how close she came to not having her precious daughter. I have been blessed to be present at the birth of all 3 of my grandchildren. But as I remember these births and the births of my own children, I also think of the birth of many from the Bible, but especially the birth of Jesus. There Mary was, with only Joseph by her side. No doctors, no nurses. No equipement to tell her if baby was ok or not. No meds to take the edge off of the pain. And no hospital. No comfortable bed, if you can call those hospital beds comfortable. lol. And still she delivered that precious baby. She trusted God. She trusted all would be well. I have to admit, I was not at all sure all would be well with my oldest grandchild. But it was. My faith and trust in God waivered in those 5 minutes of silence. Birth is the most amazing thing. From creation to delivery it shows all of God's handiwork and it is a handiwork that only God can perform. Yes sometimes things go wrong, I myself have 3 precious babies in heaven. But it is only wrong in our eyes. We see it as wrong out of grief and pain of the loss. But all of it is in God's plan for us. There are reasons we are given these children only to have them taken back from us. We may never understand why. But we have to trust that it is for the good of the whole picture. Mary was blessed with her child but even she in the end felt the pain of having her child taken from her. Even tho Jesus was much older than losing a child to miscarriage or sids, or any other early cause, she still felt the pain and sorrow the rest of us have felt. I know this entry seems a bit dark for Christmas time. But I know there are many out there that are hurting due to this issue at this time of year. They are feeling the loss and pain, only faith and time can heal those wounds. I want you all to remember, those blessings that were taken back from you will be in heaven waiting for you. Standing right there with Jesus. I pray that God touches you and lifts your sorrow quickly. Gives you comfort as you have never known before. And I pray that you know you are not alone.
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Peace comes in so many forms. Peace from the absence of sound, peace in decisions made knowing you made those decisions with God's leading, peace from just being comfortable in all your doing. Although around here the first peace is rare, it does happen and when it does, I start worrying something is wrong lol. I haven't always had peace of mind, only after I found Jesus did that true peace come. And it was only a few short years ago that I found the peace of contentment. Not worrying about what others think or say. Oh sure it still hurts when someone says things bad about me, but I don't linger on it anymore. God is so great and merciful in our lives. We don't deserve the gift He gave us. But I am most appreciative of that precious gift. And it is because of that gift that I can find peace. Peace in all forms. Sometimes I have to go outside while the children are watching a movie to gain the peace from silence. Sometimes I have to go into prayer to gain that peace. Because we can allow alot of noise to fill our minds and hearts. We need to filter that noise out of our lives. Prayer is an awesome tool in accomplishing that. In our reading today Luke 1 we read that Zechariah had his voice taken from him after his vision in the temple. We read of Gabriel's visit to Mary. She didn't have peace right away after being told she had been chosen to be the mother of the Savior. And we read of Mary's visit to Elizabeth causing the baby in Elizabeths womb to leap. These people were blessed with many forms of peace, all in God's great design. I often sit and wonder how I would react in those circumstances. But you know, in a way we are all put into those types of circumstances. Not as important? maybe. But I was put in those circumstances each time God brought another child into our home. Each time God decided to remove a child or keep a child here permenately. When my dh suffered his spinal cord injury again I was placed in the circumstances of our forefathers. The circumstance I am referring to is our decisions, our faith being tested. It takes faith alot of faith to hear your going to become a parent at an old age and believe it will happen, it takes faith to hear your going to be a mother even tho you have not been with a man. It takes faith to take in someone one elses child and raise that child as your own, it takes faith to stand next to your husband when he can no longer walk. It also takes decision making. You have to decide if you will follow God. If you will allow Him to work in your life or will you fight Him. You have to decide that you will keep the children God wants you to keep, You have to decide if you will continue to love and care for your husband or wife when that person as you knew them has disappeared thru an illness or injury. And you have to decide if you are going to do all these things with a heavy heart or a heart that feels blessed. So many times I have heard my children are very blessed to have us. In all reality it is my husband and I that are blessed by being given the children God entrusted to us. Whether thru birth or adoption. As with Mary we were chosen out of many to receive these blessings. As with Mary not everything in the lives of our children are pleasant but they are necessary. And the outcome of it all depends on us. Our decisions, our faith. When asked what I want for Christmas? There is nothing I want. I have it all, my Savior, my Bible, my husband, my children, my home, my food, my clothing, my friends. Well ok I would like to have a food dehydrator, but if I never get it it's ok. I have all I want and need right here, year round, everyday. The most precious of all of these next to my Savior, is the smile on my children's faces as they make the fruit loop garland and other crafts, the tongue peeking out of the corner of their mouth as they work on math or handwriting, the scurry of feet as they search for clues or answers to their unit study. What more could I want or need? |
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Today was the day to reflect on Joy. True Joy. God teaches us that if we follow His plan we can find true Joy. Jesus Others Yourself. By putting Jesus first, Others second, and ourselves last we really can find true joy. Think about it. If we are focused on Jesus and then others and their needs, how can we wallow in our own pity? We will be to busy bringing joy to others therefore gaining true joy ourselves, to wallow in self pity. I love giving! When I know of a need, or a desire, if it is in my power to fulfill I will. It makes me so happy to see others light up when some or all of their burdens are lifted. Of course we have to be careful, watchful, in our giving. I mean some of these people on the corners with cardboard signs I hesitate with. So when prompted with total strangers to help them I will go to the closest fast food place and purchase a meal for them. Or I purchase hat, gloves, and scarves to give. We want to show love and kindness as Jesus does. But yes I believe we also need to be careful. I don't want to contribute to a drug addicts habits, or an alcoholics habits, but we can still meet needs for these people that have truly lost their way. A meal, something warm to wrap up in in the winter. I never give cash. I also try to keep tracts on hand to deliver with what ever I am giving. We have filled shoeboxes to be sent to Operation Christmas Child, We donate to the little red buckets, my children love dropping the coins into the buckets. Since our youngest 6 are adopted thru foster care, we have taken stuffed animals, and blankets to the local Department of Human Services. A little snuggle for scared children. There are soooooooooooo many ways to bring joy to others, to fill needs for others, we try to find one thing each year. Sometimes 2. By blessing others we ourselves are blessed beyond measure. Today we sang Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas, you know by giving your troubles truly do go miles away from you. And later you have time to reflect and alot of those troubles you thought you had were not troubles at all, maybe little annoyances, but not trouble. And those things that were troubles truly, you find you can now deal with more calmly and rationally. And most times you see you aren't so bad off as you thought you were. We also made angel ornaments instead of doing window painting. I love angels. One day while out shopping I saw a cloud in the shape of an angel. My 12 yo is still in awe over that cloud. And we made lemon bars, one of my favorite treats, next to chocolate chip cookies fresh from the oven. I pray that all that read this, will find at least one way to bless others. But let's not just do it at Christmas, lets bless others on a monthly basis. Be creative, make cards or a meal for a shut in, mow an elderly neighbors yard, rake leaves, go to a nursing home and read to one of the residents, there are so many things we can do that cost nothing or next to nothing for us. |
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With the snow and ice we have been having, God has blessed us this month with kind neighbors. Twice now we have had people show up just out of the blue to shovel and deice path ways. Kindness has not died away! One of the blessings was the gentleman next door that has only lived there 2 months. The other blessing came in the form of 2 young men that I have never seen before. They pulled up in a dodge mini van, pulled out their snow blower, shovel, and bag of ice. The job was done in record time! They loaded everything back up and left. Without saying one word! I am so grateful to these strangers! Our neighbor will be blessed back in gratitude from us with a tin of cookies and candies. It takes so little effort to bless someone. Most times it involves very little thought. Needs are usually right out in the open for all to see, if anyone cares to recognize the needs. Since our theme has been blessing others and taking focus off of ourselves, these little helpers that have showed up have been an immence teaching tool in our theme. They saw the need ( I think the huge ramp gave a clue Tonight we sang Oh Holy Night. and read Mark 1. John the Baptist prepares the way. We made personalized ornaments. A clear ball ornament and a little paint and imagination is all these little beauties take. And we made Chocolate Covered Pretzels. My children are very hands on learners and they can't stop talking about all we are doing. |