but then as I finished typing it, I realized I didn't really want to publish it. Typing it out helped me think through some things, and I guess that's all I needed to do it for. But not for sharing with you all, sorry.
There is a lot going on right now with us, and me in particular. I would ask for your prayers on guidance, direction and compassion for others. Besides some personal things I need to work through, there is some discord among a group of my friends. Never good or fun, and yes, I am in the middle. I can't explain any of it, but do ask for your prayers.
We have been busy, but it's a good busy. Lessons have been going well this week. Some attitudes, but mainly it's smooth sailing. In three weeks we have our first school break. We are taking a week off for Thanksgiving, I seriously can't wait. We've been schooling for three months straight, except for maybe one day off, and maybe one half day. I just want some days I don't have to wake up and think lessons, grading, schooling. It all gets a bit much sometimes. And I think this year, since I'm starting to keep track of Sarah's grades for her highschool transcripts, it's more time consuming. I'm in a bit of a flow with it all, but still, I'm looking forward to the break. So are the kids. Truly they are doing great, and attitudes are doing well. But I know they could use a break too.
We got to go outside for one more park day with our homeschool group. This week we are in the 50's and today we hit 60! That is almost unheard of around here this time of year. It's been so nice though. I've sat outside a couple of times today, just to enjoy the weather. It will only last a couple of more days, and once the sun goes down, the temps drop pretty fast. But I will take all I can get.
I'm almost done with the Christmas gifts I'm making. I can't actually believe I'll be done this early. I should finish the last of it tonight while watching the World Series with hubby. Then I can start working on our yearly letter, family pictures (already taken) and Christmas cards. Goodness, it's shocking for me even to write how much I have done. I'm really hoping to just enjoy this holiday. Bake cookies and snacks for the kids and for Paul to take to work, play with the kids outside in the snow, and just relax. Not run around trying to finish everything up at the last minute. I'm not done with it all yet, so we'll see how it goes and if I can really accomplish it or not.
Well, I guess that is enough of an update for now. Sarah is at the mall with her friend, and I have to go pick them up soon (ahhh the teenage years ), plus hubby will be home soon and of course the World Series tonight. Really hoping the Philies will beat the Yankees tonight and continue the series. As the little kid in the movie Angels in the Outfield use to always say, "It could happen."
It's Saturday night and usually we are at church (we like to go to our church's Saturday night services). But only Paul went to help with the ushing, then he'll come home. We are all a bit under the weather. Sarah is dealing with a cold, Paulie pulled a muscle in his neck, and Paul and I are just tired and blah. I sometimes feel like a cold is coming on, then it goes away, hope it keeps going away. We were really looking forward to the baseball game tonight, but that was canceled. Yes, we're having a bit of a bummer of a night.
I'm also getting frustrated with my website. I want to update it. I want to change the look and feel of it, but I just can't figure out how I want it to look. I really like the technical aspect of putting together a website, but I'm just not artistic enough for the graphical part of it. And truly at this point, I wonder if that means I shouldn't be trying to develop websites. Because if I can't figure out what looks good together, how can I design websites? Obviously something I need to take to the Lord in prayer and see what He wants me to do.
Still having a hard time watching my daughter go through some girlfriend issues. I find I'm getting more upset than she does sometimes. I can understand that friendships change, but when the friends (and their moms) say that the friendships are the same (when plainly they are not), it irritates me so bad. If the girls don't want to be friends with my daughter anymore, fine. But don't say you do, then never invite her anywhere and flaunt the new friendships (which my daughter is excluded from) in her face. Sarah is dealing with it better than I do sometimes. And I'm sure the Lord will use this in her life. But I hate having to watch it. And I want to just pull her from everything, and give the moms a piece of my mind.
But I keep giving it to the Lord and talking with my husband about it. Obviously I'm trying very hard not to react on my emtions, but to act on the Word of God. But it's not always easy. Mama bear wants to come out and pounce.
Hmm, i just re-read this entry and so far it is a bit of a downer, sorry. It's hard to type happy, fun blogs when you are not feeling the best, but lets see if I can lighten things up a bit.
Paul's back is healed, I'm so blessed by that. It's not easy watching your husband hurting so much. And of course husbands don't like to not be able to work. But it was great that he had two days of doing school with the kids. They are doing well, and it was such an encouragement for the kids and for Paul to be working together. And it was so sweet to see. Here's a picture of their time working together.
Other than that, not much else has been going on. We've been busy with park time, getting as much outdoor park time in as we can before the cold weather hits. We've cleaned out the kids winter clothes, and took a big load of old clothes, boots & toys and donated them to the local thrift store. We were going to go shopping this weekend for the new winter items they need, but obviously with how we feel, that will be postponed until next week sometime. We had a great time at the library this week. Sarah, who wants to be a librarian, is having fun learning more and more about libraries and how they work and the Dewey Decimal System, things like that. Of course talking to her about the old card catalogs is funny, since she's only used the online catalogs. Showing my age again.
Well, we decided to watch National Treasure, so I should probably get off the computer. I also want to work on my Christmas gifts. I'm almost done with them. So since tonight (or today) hasn't gone like we thought it would, it would be a nice way to end the day. Watching a movie with the family and working on crafts. Always fun.
I never thought having my 14 year old daughter go to a weekly teen girls bible study would keep me so busy. Driving her every week is starting to tire me out. Well, the fact that its on one of the busiest days of the week for me, Mondays, and the very next day is park day, just makes for a busy beginning of the week. But I am so blessed that she is going, and enjoying herself so much. There's only three girls that go, but we pray that in the future more will start joining. She's having a great time.
Paul pulled is back last week and had to take two days off of work. He's doing much better now, but it took a lot longer for his back to get better this time. He really didn't like having to take two days off, but being his job is so physical, there really wasn't any choice. With no insurance, we couldn't afford to allow it to get worse. Thankfully, we didn't have to go to the doctor, the Lord, rest and not moving around too much did it.
I've been busy with Christmas crafts I'm trying to finish up. I'm over half way done, and I think I'll finish them all by the end of October, beginning of November. I've never been this far ahead with Christmas crafts, and I'm pretty excited about it.
My neck and shoulder has been hurting me the past few weeks. It's the same issue I've had for years, that I went to physical therapy for a couple of years ago. The doctor warned me then that I had to be careful of my computer use, and I've gone way overboard on the computer the past few weeks. Truthfully, what started it was being on Facebook playing some of the games like Farmville & Cafe World. The mini, continuous movements it took to play the games are the exact movements that aggravate my shoulder. Plus, truthfully, I think the Lord was wanting me to get off them anyway. They were taking up way too much of my time. So today I stopped playing them, shut down the games. I've been on the computer today, but since I haven't been playing those games, even though I've been using the computer, my shoulder isn't feeling nearly as bad. Just confirmation that I'm not suppose to be playing those games.
School is going well. We seem to be flowing nicely with it, and I'm truly blessed by that. Paulie's math has been making him really have to work, and I am happy to see how he's growing in his knowledge of his math and reading. Sarah is doing so well with her work, and learning good time management. Plus she's got a weekly group babysitting job until December that she's really enjoying. Her and her friend are babysitting a group of kids while their parents go to a weekly DVD study. She's doing well with the kids, plus making some extra money, she likes that. She's had a few friends 'issues' (typical girl stuff, clicks and junk), but has worked through them with the Lord, and all seems to be fine. It's so hard for them at this age. She's so not into the boys & clothes thing, and some girls just don't want to hang around her because of that. She's standing firm, not changing, but it's still hard. But like I said, it seems to be better.
Well, I guess that's about it. It's about time that I have to head out and pick Sarah up from her bible study. Wanted to get an entry out though, I know it's been a while. Thanks for not giving up on reading my blog, even with such long times between entries. Maybe now that I've broken away from those games I'll have more time to blog.
Yep we got our first snow of the season. Now, that doesn't mean it is winter here or anything like that, just that our falls are always very interesting. We still have green leaves on the trees and green grass. For us, the snow was only about 1/4 of an inch, and it was gone by afternoon. For my parents, whose elevation is about 1000ft higher than ours, they got 4-5 inches, and it's still on the ground. But today is sunny, we'll be in the high 40's, the next couple of days, in the mid to high 50's then next week around 60. After living out here in the Northwest mountains for 6 years, none of this surprises us. It's just how it is out here. I'm always thankful that it goes away so fast, and warms up so nicely. I'm not quite ready for winter yet. So here are the pictures of our first snow fall this year.
I like to organize, but I don't like to clean! There, I said it. Its funny how many people are surprised that I don't like to clean. I tend to be what some call a neat freak, a clean freak, blah, blah, blah. Because when something gets spilled, I expect my kids to clean it up right away. I clean up right after cooking and baking, I wash, dry, fold and put away my cloths all on the same day and the kids have to clean up their room each and every night before going to bed, no exceptions. But I don't like cleaning, that's why I have them do all of that. If the tinyest piece of food drops on the floor, I have the kids wet a paper towel and wipe it up, why? Because I don't like cleaning. And that tiny spot then gets dirty, tracked to other spots and the next thing you know, I have to mop the whole floor. We have the kids clean their rooms every night before bed, why? Because I don't like cleaning, and if it gets out of hand, I have to help them clean. I do all my laundry in one day, why? Because I don't like cleaning, and I don't want to have to put piles of cloths away later. Does that make sense? I don't know if it does to anyone else, but it does to me. I just as soon do a little now, than a lot later, but I don't like cleaning.
Now organizing, that is a different issue though, I like organizing. I like seeing areas in my house that need a bit of organization. I would love to have tons of baskets, shelves, bookcases and the like to have a completely neat and organized house, but alas I don't. So I try to make do with what we do have, without going out and buying those pretty baskets with material in them, though I really want some. I really don't like areas to get to unorganized for us, and when it does, it begins to bother me and my hubby. So the other day I realized my laundry room shelves were so disorganized. We don't have lots of cabinet space in this house, so the top shelf sort of became a catch all for me. Anything I couldn't find a place for got shoved up there, and it was starting to look bad. I had some kitchen items I didn't use much, like cookie cutters, that I didn't have drawer space for (only 3 drawers in our whole kitchen ), some knives and other cookware. I found an old rubbermaid container and a covered bowl that wasn't used much and neatly put all those items in them and on the shelf. In a sense made some new drawers. Threw out some things, put some things in the cabinet in the garage and before I knew it, it looked all nice and organized. I can actually use the things up there easily and I know what it up there now. Call me crazy if you want, but that was fun for me. Here are the before and after pics.
That's what was going through my mind the other day, computer geek.....Jesus freak. I was thinking, which to I verbally connect myself with more? See when I'm talking with people, and if we get on the subject of technology, computers etc... I proudly proclaim I'm a computer geek. I say it a lot, I'm proud of it, and I like being one. So I say it a lot when I'm talking about technology. But it got me thinking, do I say I'm a Jesus freak just as easy? Or even if I don't use those exact words, do I say I love Jesus with all my heart in what I say? Am I proud of being a Jesus freak? Do I like being a Jesus freak? Yes I am proud of it, and yes I like being one, so why don't I proclaim it just as easily?
So I started thinking of a 'what if' kind of conversation. Let's say I'm talking with a friend, and we start talking about a verse, or the Lord or just the bible in general, and I picture myself saying proudly, "I'm a Jesus freak." It just doesn't seem right, it seems like I would be being prideful, boasting in my walk with the Lord, coming across like I think I'm better than the other person. Coming across like I think my walk in the Lord is perfect (which is far from the truth). Coming across like I think I know everything there is about the Lord. But yet I don't think those things when I say I'm a computer geek. I'm not boasting about it, I'm just stating a fact. I don't think I'm saying I know everything there is about computers, because far from it, I don't. I don't think I'm saying I'm better than someone else because I enjoy computers so much. When I say it, my only intention is to let people know something I like doing a lot. So why do I feel that way about speaking about how much I love the Lord? Why do I think that if I tell them I'm a Jesus freak they'll start watching me more, waiting for me to fumble and fall, which I eventually will. Do I think people are now watching me to see if I fumble and fall in computers? Truly, I don't care if they are, mistakes happen, I'm not perfect. And like I said, I don't claim to know everything about computers, I just claim to like them. Why can't I feel that content in stating how much I love the Lord? Why can't I feel just as content that mistakes happen, I'm not perfect, I'll fumble and fall in the Lord? Why can I so easily proclaim a hobby I like, without a second thought, but I can't just as easily (or even more easily) proclaim my love for my Lord and Savior?
Then that got me thinking even more. I've been dealing with a lot of computer/web site issues for the past month or so. A lot. So I've been doing a lot of extra working, studying, surfing the net trying to find answers etc... When I have a problem with not understanding a technological issue, I don't give up until I find the answer. I study and study, work and work, until what needs to be accomplished is. But, do I give that much time and study to God's Word? When I have a problem in my life do I do a lot of extra studying, reading and praying to find the answer? Do I not give up until I find the answer? Does it take all my extra time (like a computer problem does) to find the answer? I have to say, right now, no, I don't give as much time in studying the Word when issues arise in my life that I give when computer issues arise. Why is that? Why is it so much easier to work on one thing, but not on another? Why is it so hard for me to be and want to be in God's Word?
I don't know that I have an answer to any of this right now, actually I know I don't have an answer to it. Not sure that I'm looking for an answer either, though feel free to leave your thoughts. It's just what's been on my mind the past couple of days and I felt like writing it out. Is the Lord showing me my priorities are out of sync? I'm sure He is with my studying, but I'm still stuck on the proclaiming I'm a Jesus freak thing. I guess I need to go pray and read until I find the answers.
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.
We are taking a week off for Thanksgiving, I seriously can't wait. We've been schooling for three months straight, except for maybe one day off, and maybe one half day. I just want some days I don't have to wake up and think lessons, grading, schooling. It all gets a bit much sometimes. And I think this year, since I'm starting to keep track of Sarah's grades for her highschool transcripts, it's more time consuming. I'm in a bit of a flow with it all, but still, I'm looking forward to the break. So are the kids. Truly they are doing great, and attitudes are doing well. But I know they could use a break too.
That is almost unheard of around here this time of year. It's been so nice though. I've sat outside a couple of times today, just to enjoy the weather. It will only last a couple of more days, and once the sun goes down, the temps drop pretty fast. But I will take all I can get.
), plus hubby will be home soon and of course the World Series tonight. Really hoping the Philies will beat the Yankees tonight and continue the series. As the little kid in the movie Angels in the Outfield use to always say, "It could happen." 
Yes, we're having a bit of a bummer of a night.
