You know, it really makes me feel loved when friends notice that I haven't blogged in a while , thanks Jenn. So I think I'll put together a mish-mash kind of blog, and maybe at least one of the topics will seem interesting to you.
First off, did you know they are changing the HSB platform soon? I get their monthly emails, and it talked about how they are changing the platforms for HSB and HSB2 (the homesteader one). I'm looking forward to seeing what all the changes are, and how it will impact HSB. I hope it's all for the good, and truthfully it does sound like it. Here is a link if you want to read about it yourself. I do like trying new things with computers and blogs, so I'm actually looking forward to it. I think it will be fun.
We had a great day yesterday. It was homeschool park day, and that's always fun. The kids get lots of exercise, and get to play with their friends. And I get some great fellowship with the moms. I really enjoy our weekly play times. Then my sister and niece showed up towards the end of the time. My niece is borrowing Sarah's portable DVD player for her time in the hospital with her surgery, and this was the only time they had to come get it.
The park we meet at is right next to our little zoo out here. So my niece, Sarah and Paulie decided to go to the zoo real quick. My sister didn't want to go, so I stayed in the park with her. I prefer going to the zoo in a lesurely fashion, they weren't going lesurely. So we hung out at the park and just chatted about upcoming events and such. The kids had such a blast at the zoo, and each got a small stuffed animal to remember it by (and of course pictures, which were taken the old fashion way so I have to scan them, don't know when that will ever get done). Then we all went out to lunch together. It was our last time to see them before the surgery, and it was a fun, blessed time.
Today I'm making some hambruger gravy and mashed potatoes, with a veggie and homemade dinner rolls for supper. And I'm going to try a new oatmeal cookie recipe today too. I've just started making oatmeal kind of cookies recently, I usually don't make them. So I've been trying different ones, and the first one wasn't too good. So I'm trying a new one this afternoon. If it turns out good, I'll put a link out for where I found the recipe.
I'm also crocheting a lot. I haven't read anything since the Love Comes Softly series. I tend to do that. I sort of gorge myself on reading at the beginning of summer, then I get tired of it in the middle, then I go back toward the end. Anyway, since I'm not reading much, I am crocheting a lot. Of course I'm working on my shawl, but I've also been working on crocheting some coasters for our coffe table we brought back out. I have two done, but I want to make a set of four. So once I have all four done, I'll post some pictures.
Well, that's about it. I have about an hour before I have to start the cookies and dinner rolls, so I think I'll end this entry. And hopefully next time I'll have some pictures to share.
Well, I think we have finally worked through our emotions on not buying a house this summer. My heart was really set on setting up a new house this summer. I was planning on packing & moving, and looking forward to painting and setting up 'my' house. Once that fell through, I went into a bit of a funk dealing with it. I was just blah and bored. I just wasn't doing what I wanted to do, which was move, and it was hard to get motivated to do anything. But I kept giving it to the Lord, and getting the things done around here that needed to get done. Then finally on Tuesday I bought a piece of wood for our broken bedroom window (to hold it open) and I put a new screen in the window, and that helped tremendously. I know that sounds strange, so I'll explain. I was putting off doing anything in this house we rent because I felt it wasn't our home anymore. I didn't want to put a lot of time or energy in it, I wanted to do that in my own home. Then our house feel through, and with it came the very real possibility that we won't be buying or moving at all. I still didn't want to think of this house, that has been our home for almost 2 years, as a good home anymore. I was getting irritated by little things that use to never bother me. The home hadn't changed at all, but my outlook on the home had. I was focusing on all the things I didn't like about this home, and refused to continue to make it 'my' home. That all changed on Tuesday.
After our play day at the park, I made myself go to Home Depot and buy some wood and have it cut to size to fit our broken window in the bedroom, and to fix the screen. I had been putting it off for a long time, then figured, we're moving, why bother. Not the best attitude to have. After my time with the Lord, He reminded me, even if we moved, we shouldn't leave the window screen in that kind of condition. Plus I needed to accept that this is still our home, and I should be working on it as I've done for the past year and a half. Though it seems small, it was a big step for me. I worked on the screen in the afternoon, then Paul brought up some ideas for some new bookcases we need for the house. We still have about 5 boxes of books in the garage that we could never unpack before. We've decided to save up some money and get another bookcase and unpack those books. We are living in this house, and we are going to continue to make it our home. And if the Lord brings a house for us to buy, then great, but we are not going to stop our living in this home, waiting for that to happen. We feel better already.
But in the midst of working on the screen, I wasn't bent over properly and my back started hurting. Nothing too bad, and it seemed to be fine by night time. Wednesday morning I woke up and when I bent over to get a t-shirt out of my dresser drawer, I felt my back muscles pull. I still went for my morning work, and did my work out, but as the day progressed, I felt it get tighter and tighter. It wasn't too bad when I went to sleep last night, but today it's still hurting me a bit. Of course I did over do it a bit too much this morning. My thought was to get a dinner done early, when my back was feeling o.k., so we would have a dinner tonight, unlike last night. So what do I do? I make chicken pasta salad for dinner, salsa, french bread, egg salad for lunch, ran to WM and picked up some milk & cheese, and a new fan for Paulie's room. I cleaned up our old fan and put together the new fan, so our house is nice and cool now. So I got a lot more done than I planned, but now I can rest the rest of the day. My back does still feel sore, but hopefully it will continue to heal.
Our VBS will be starting July 13th, and like last year, I'm helping make some things on the computer, besides helping at the VBS too with administration. It feels good to get busy with some other things, and since I really shouldn't be on my feet too much (ok, well except for this morning ), it's been keeping me busy on the couch. I'm also continuing to work on my shawl which is now the size for a baby. I don't really like big crochet projects, I like to finish things quickly, so this is a bit hard. But I really like how it's looking and I really want to use it this fall, so I keep plugging along. I do a few rows every day. Once I get off the computer today, I'll do some more.
We are staying home this year for 4th of July. We weren't sure if we should go to my family's house or not. But my sister, who usually has the 4th of July party, has to work all weekend. And we've been wondering how our town here celebrates it, so we were praying, trying to decide what to do. Then Sarah, who helps out with VBS too, joined up to help build a float that will be in our local parade. She was also asked if she would want to be in the parade too. She was quite excited, and that helped us decide to stay here in town. I really like that she is stepping up to help with things, and I really would like to see the fireworks out here. It will be different, but fun.
We'll have a few weeks to relax after the 4th and VBS, then I'll start looking at our school stuff, and start lessons in the middle of August. Even though it's not the summer we had planned, it's still going to be a full, fun summer. Now if I can just get my back to feel better, I could actually enjoy it a bit more.
Well, so many have been asking me, and really I should have blogged about it sooner, but just didn't want to. We lost the house we put an offer on. It was a module home, meaning it was built in a factory, then they are moved in two pieces to the property, secured to each other and to the foundation. With the type of loan we have to get it stipulated that the house could only have been moved once, from the factory to this address. After much searching, we found out that it had been moved more than once, so we couldn't get the loan. It is hard and a huge let down. I was so ready to be fixing up my new home all summer, but we trust in the Lord. Obviously this is not the house He had for us.
We are still looking, though I will admit, not as regularly. Doing this whole house offer and such, we found out that interest rates are going back up. We have now come to the sad conclusion that the window of opportunity we had to by a home is slowly (well actually quickly) closing. With the interest rates low, we could get more of the type of home we wanted, not in a tight neighbor, with a nice view. But now that the rates are rising, we are about at the point where the only thing we can afford is a tight neighborhood house, and we are not sure we want that. So, though we are still looking to see what's out there, and of course continuing to pray, we do wonder if we are just suppose to keep renting and not own a home. Which, besides the let down of not setting up a new home this summer, renting is o.k. with us. Oh, of course we would like to own, but we have never owned, and we are doing just fine. Regardless of what we think anyway, it's in the Lord's hands, and we are trusting that He will show us the direction He has for us.
So now that our summer has taken a completely different direction, I'm trying to figure out exactly what I want to do. I did finish reading the Love Comes Softly series last night, it was great. Thankfully our library had all the books, so I didn't need to buy them. It really was a good story line, and I'm glad I got to read it. I don't think I'll be starting any kind of new series anything soon. When I start a series, I get totally wrapped up in it and just keep reading and reading. When I read just a fiction book, and it's not in a series, I tend to slow down a bit. So I have a couple of non-series books I might read.
But I have also started a crochet project. I'm crocheting my own shawl. Reading a series set in the 1800's where all the woman are always wrapping themselves in shawls before stepping outside has really got me wanting one. I chose cotton yarn because I prefer the feel, and I found a pretty simple pattern online I'm trying. I've just started it today, and right now it's only the size of a Barbie shawl . But at least it's started, and it does seem pretty simple. Hopefully I'll actually finish it. And of couse I'll share pictures when I do.
I'm keeping busy helping out with the beginning stages of VBS at our church this summer. The actual VBS isn't until July, but I'm helping with computer work, registration, things like that. There are some other family things we have planned, so we'll keep busy. Just getting use to the fact that we won't be packing, moving and setting up a new house this summer.
So that's about it for now. Thanks for all your prayers. I'm going to have to start dinner soon, then off to church tonight. Have a blessed weekend.
We had a great anniversary weekend this past weekend. We went out to eat more times that I should admit , we went to the movies, went shopping, went for mountain drives and just enjoyed being together. Our hotel room was very nice, and the view was beautiful. We bought some different things that each of us have been wanting, and those were our gifts to each other. The weather was great, except for the drive home, it rained horribly hard. I thought we were going to have to pull over at one point, it was so hard. But we made it through and it was fine. It truly was a fun, blessed weekend, and I'm so sorry it's over.
The kids had a blast with my parents, and from all the reports from different family members, our kids behaved themselves perfectly. (Proud mama here ). They keep telling us different stories of their time with my family, which are fun to hear. They came home happy and thoroughly exhausted. We all went to bed pretty early last night. There's a slide show of some pictures of our weekend at the end of this entry.
It was nice to have a bit of relaxing, fun time, because I think this summer is going to be real busy. We put an offer on a house last Wednesday. There was some issues that arose at one point, and we thought we were going to have to pull our offer back. It was a long 2 hours, but then it all turned around and the offer stayed. They have since 'accepted' our offer with a small counter offer to keep a couple of the appliances. Which for us is no big deal, we are just shocked they accepted the price we offered. There are still some foundational verifications that need to be done, and a home inspection. So things could still fall through. But if those two inspections pass (which I think they should) we could be closing on our very first home on July 10th!!! I can't believe how quick this is going, I don't even have any boxes to start packing things. We will be in two houses at the same time for about 2 weeks. We need it, because we need to clean, paint and get some new carpeting in the new house. That way we can work, without having to move things around. It's going to be a very busy time, and my family will be with my niece for her surgery, so they can't help with anything until August. And the week after we sign our church is having it's VBS, which most of my friends will be working at. So, I'm not sure how much help we will have at the beginning when we want to paint & clean, but I leave it all in the Lord's hands. We just want His will done, in His timing. I am excited, but not real excited yet. I'm waiting for the inspections to be done, once those are passed, then I'll get really excited.
Ok, I must run to the library, so I will leave you with a slide show.
I married the most wonderful man I have ever met. We have had 15 wonderful, awesome, fun years and I can't wait for 15 more. I am blessed beyond words that the Lord brought Paul into my life, and I continue to thank Him always for that blessing. I love you babe, you are the best husband and father.
This weekend will be pretty mellow, until Sunday night. Then it's our yearly homeschool graduation party. It's at the local athletic club, with indoor and outdoor pools. We have a little ceremony where all the kids get completion certificates and then a potluck dinner. After that the kids have tons of fun in the swimming pools. Last year it was too cold to use the outside pool, and this year looks like it will be the same. But at least there is an indoor one, and the kids have a blast anyway. Us parents have a lot of fun too, and this year I just might actually go swimming.
That is going to be great, but I'm really looking forward to next weekend. Do you see on my ticker? Only six more days until our 15th wedding anniversary!!! Our anniversary is on a Thursday, so that actual day we probably wont' do anything. But that's o.k., because we have big plans for that weekend. My parents are going to pick up the kids late Friday afternoon and keep them all weekend. They won't bring them back until Sunday afternoon, wow. So they will spend the weekend with Nana and Grandpa Bob having fun, going places and just plain being spoiled. My kids can't wait, they are so excited to spend two nights with my parents.
On Friday night Paul and I are going to go out for a sub sandwich and a drive in movie. Yep, and actual drive in movie. I haven't been to one since I was a teenager. They have two different theaters around here, so we are hoping that there will be something we really want to see that night. It would be a blast to go to a drive in. Then we'll leave early Saturday and go to a neighboring town about an hour away. We thought of going farther, but decided we didn't want to waste our weekend driving. So this way we will be out of town, in a town we've hardly ever been too, and it will seem like a mini-vacation. We are going all out and we got a Marriott suite hotel room. This thing has two tv's (like we need two of them) a full kitchen, and a separate sitting room. Goodness it looks big, but truthfully it wasn't that much more expensive than normal hotel rooms. There are a couple of different restaurants we want to eat at and of course swim at the hotel. Other than that, no real plans set. Just see what's down there, what we want to do, and do it. It's going to be so nice and relaxing, I just can't wait. I can't belive it's only a week away.
And I can't believe Paul and I will be married for 15 years next week. My, it has gone fast. But it's been great. He is the best husband I could ever want, and I love him so much. He takes care of us so well, and I am so proud of him for all he sacrifices for us. Babe I love you.
This blog is so I can share my journey with the Lord, my journey as a wife and mother, and my journey as a homeschool mom. I pray that you will see the Lord in my life through happy and sad times, and that this blog glorifies the Lord.
This is an award and tag free zone, thank you.
, thanks 
So we hung out at the park and just chatted about upcoming events and such. The kids had such a blast at the zoo, and each got a small stuffed animal to remember it by (and of course pictures, which were taken the old fashion way 
so I have to scan them, don't know when that will ever get done). Then we all went out to lunch together. It was our last time to see them before the surgery, and it was a fun, blessed time.
But I kept giving it to the Lord, and getting the things done around here that needed to get done. Then finally on Tuesday I bought a piece of wood for our broken bedroom window (to hold it open) and I put a new screen in the window, and that helped tremendously. I know that sounds strange, so I'll explain. I was putting off doing anything in this house we rent because I felt it wasn't our home anymore. I didn't want to put a lot of time or energy in it, I wanted to do that in my own home. Then our house feel through, and with it came the very real possibility that we won't be buying or moving at all. I still didn't want to think of this house, that has been our home for almost 2 years, as a good home anymore. I was getting irritated by little things that use to never bother me. The home hadn't changed at all, but my outlook on the home had. 
I still went for my morning work, and did my work out, but as the day progressed, I felt it get tighter and tighter. It wasn't too bad when I went to sleep last night, but today it's still hurting me a bit. Of course I did over do it a bit too much this morning. My thought was to get a dinner done early, when my back was feeling o.k., so we would have a dinner tonight, unlike last night. So what do I do? I make chicken pasta salad for dinner, salsa, french bread, egg salad for lunch, ran to WM and picked up some milk & cheese, and a new fan for Paulie's room. I cleaned up our old fan and put together the new fan, so our house is nice and cool now. 
So I got a lot more done than I planned, but now I can rest the rest of the day. My back does still feel sore, but hopefully it will continue to heal.
There was some issues that arose at one point, and we thought we were going to have to pull our offer back. It was a long 2 hours, but then it all turned around and the offer stayed. They have since 'accepted' our offer with a small counter offer to keep a couple of the appliances. Which for us is no big deal, we are just shocked they accepted the price we offered. There are still some foundational verifications that need to be done, and a home inspection. So things could still fall through. But if those two inspections pass (which I think they should) we could be closing on our very first home on July 10th!!! 
I can't believe how quick this is going, I don't even have any boxes to start packing things. We will be in two houses at the same time for about 2 weeks. We need it, because we need to clean, paint and get some new carpeting in the new house. That way we can work, without having to move things around. It's going to be a very busy time, and my family will be with my niece for her surgery, so they can't help with anything until August. And the week after we sign our church is having it's VBS, which most of my friends will be working at. So, I'm not sure how much help we will have at the beginning when we want to paint & clean, but I leave it all in the Lord's hands. We just want His will done, in His timing. I am excited, but not real excited yet. I'm waiting for the inspections to be done, once those are passed, then I'll get really excited. 
