I am a homeschooling Mom who wants to be more like Jesus and less like me! I homeschooled for 10 years and have now graduated both my sons. I now mentor other homeschool Moms, write and pursue my art. My prayer is that I will be a blessing to others in this life and to our Lord, Jesus Christ. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/MoreOfHim/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:55:00 -0500 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:55:00 -0500 I have been blogging here for over 2 years.  Actually, longer than that.  I used to have another blog that some of you may remember called Angelstar.  This past June I graduated my last child from homeschooling so my season of homeschooling is now over.  I have continued to keep up this blog with what's happening in my life because I've made so many wonderful friends here and it's been a way to keep in touch. I actually have had 2 other blogs that I've maintained as well as this one.  I've decided that it is taking too much of my time to try and maintain  three different blogs, so I've consolidated down to one and I'm hoping that you'll continue to follow me on More of Him-Less of Me.  I know it's not always easy to jump from one blog to another, but I do hope that you'll come and visit me.  Also, remember that I have a website that has a lot of encouraging homeschool articles for you to read.  I also will soon be offering my organizer I've created for sale as well as other things for homeschool Moms.  I will have some of my creations that I've made for sale.  Be watching for all these new things and while you're visiting my website, be sure and sign my guest book letting me know you've dropped by.                            God bless you - Julie http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/MoreOfHim/740242/ Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:55:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/MoreOfHim/740242/ This is a blast from the past - 1968 to be exact. I'm the little squirt in the front with the striped dress and hat. This is in the days when being dressed up really meant something. My leotards (that's what we called them in my day instead of tights) were lacy and white and I had on black, patent leather shoes. I also had a little draw-string purse that matched that dress and hat. I had white gloves, too, because no woman or girl who had any class would be seen out without gloves. I had so many pairs of gloves in different colors to go with different outfits. Notice my sister on the right - now that's stylish! Purse, gloves, belt, hat and shoes all matched! Grey and yellow were very popular during that time - as well as grey and pink. My Mother looks quite stylish and fancy, too, in her black and white outfit and white gloves. See those glasses? They were bright red! I remember how much she loved those glasses. She also had "cat-eye" sunglasses that were white with rhinestones. They were very cool. My Dad is in his probably one and only suit. He was not the dress-up kind of guy. He worked hard and only dressed up when he absolutely had to. Did you see that skinny tie? I'm not sure, but I think we were in Cheyenne for a wedding. I do know that we are in my Grandmother's house standing in front of her piano. That was the place to take pictures. I have many pictures of my family standing in the same spot over the years. Funny how we do that. I do the same thing now in my own home. We have "the spot" to take pictures! lol I think what made me think want to take a look back is because of all the changes I'm seeing in our society. All the little niceties are far and few between. You don't see women wearing gloves and hats anymore, or matching purses and shoes, much. This is not a huge deal - in fact - I'm so glad we don't have to always wear a dress to church or dress up to go to the grocery store. I think what bothers me is the lack of respect, morals, and common decency that is so prevalent in our society. I see people on tv talking like guttersnipes (as my Grandmother would say, meaning a person of the lowest moral station) and I see commercials for things that are best left to the bedroom between married couples. I may or may not be thanked for holding open a door for someone and I may or may not get the door slammed shut when I'm about to walk through behind a person. It depends a lot on the age of the person; older people tend to be more polite as they were raised to be. It used to be that you were considered very immoral and not of good social or moral standing if you didn't worship at your church of choice on Sunday. I can remember a time when you were looked at sideways if you said you weren't a Christian or Jewish. It was expected that you were a believer in the one, true God or you were just not in the norm. People knew that the communists and socialist weren't right. We knew that America was the greatest nation on earth and we were thankful we were born here. We stood and put our hand over our heart when we saluted the flag. We were patriotic and cared about our country - we weren't ashamed of it. We knew we were blessed and were so thankful. We treated our troops with the honor they deserved for risking their lives for our country. Will we ever be able to go back to how it was or has too much been accepted in our society? I don't know but I have hope. I do know that without the Lord blessing our country we have no hope at all. Our young people don't understand what our country was founded on - the principles of the Bible - and they think there should be a separation of church and state. They don't understand that this isn't even in the Constitution. It's been used so much that it's just an accepted thing now by most people. I'm praying for our country and our world. I hope you'll join me. God bless you - Julie http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/MoreOfHim/737787/ Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:31:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/MoreOfHim/737787/ It's been a crazy kind of week here. Earlier in the week, I had an appointment with my nurse practitioner and I came away very frustrated by the whole experience. I changed to her about 2 months ago after having my primary care doctor say just one too many dumb and irritating things. I couldn't take it anymore. He could be mean and petty and I had decided it was too much for me, but I digress. I know I've been having thyroid issues. When you've gone through all the thyroid stuff I have, you know In the interim, I'm "self-medicating". I have thyroid medicine from another time my levels went out of whack and I'm taking them. I started two days ago and all ready I'm feeling so much better. I mean, who knows my own body better than me, I ask you? I have to say, I miss my Endocrinologist because they understood so much and didn't question me when I told them I felt wonky. The blood test always proved my feelings and they didn't dismiss me and say I had to live that way. I wish they still took my insurance. My back is feeling a bit better. I'm sleeping a little better and able to move easier. I'm SO thankful! I know that the Lord has heard my prayers and all the other prayers that have gone up on my behalf. I thank you for your prayers. Yes, it's still painful, but not like it was and I'm so grateful! Tomorrow my nephew, his wife and their two little baby girls are coming to visit us! They were up this way and called to see if they could come by. Absolutely!! I can't wait to see them and those precious babies! I have been picking up cute little things for those girls and now can give them directly to them. I just love finding those things for them and they are not put-off by the fact that they came from a garage sale or thrift store. I always wash them up and they are just adorable. I find the cutest things!! I spent the day grocery shopping because I knew I would need to feed them and then came home to clean and cook. I'm going to have a fruit platter to snack on, then I'm making my Barbeque Meatballs, my Baked Beans and either a salad or a green veggie to go with them - I haven't decided yet. I always love cooking for my family and including extended family is even better!! I will be doing an update on the Studio with picture of how it looks now. I haven't been out there to do anything for weeks now because of my back pain, but hoping this next week I will be able to start working on my art/quilting/scrapbooking/etc., again. I sure miss it when I can't! I'm so tired tonight and I need to get up and finish up some things before they get here, so I better head off to bed. Thank you again for your sweet comments and prayers- they mean so much to me!                                 God bless you - Julie http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/MoreOfHim/736883/ Sat, 17 Oct 2009 10:13:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/MoreOfHim/736883/ I love Fall. Truly. After the horrid heat of such a hot summer, the crisp, cool air is SO welcome. I actually had to put 2 extra quilts on the bed last night because it got so cold. My poor cocker-spaniel, who didn't have a quilt, was sitting in my chair, shivering because he was so cold. I guess I'll have to cover him up before going to bed, or put his sweater on him. LOL It's tough living in a house with a woman who's thyroid levels are not quite right and is having hot flashes from it. I'm not feeling well. I was so tired yesterday, I laid in bed for a long time hoping for a nap, but instead read a really, really good book. I really needed just to read a good novel that would take me away from everything and let me escape. I did sleep well last night, but still not feeling very good today. I don't know what the problem is. The flu, my thyroid levels, stress, or the fact that my back is still hurting me 24/7. I did do a couple things today, but not much. Mostly read and did some writing on my laptop while sitting in my recliner. Speaking of my back, I heard my neurologist today. He told me the same thing my pain management doctor told me - I have a herniated disc. However, he also added that one of the discs is desenegrating and I have a lot of "wear and tear" on my lower discs. This was not happy news. He told me that he will send my MRI results to a neurosurgeon to see what they think. If surgery is not an option at this time, he will see about helping me to manage the pain better without drugging me completely out, which I hate. Me - I'm going to pray for a miracle. I'm going to pray that the Lord would heal these poor discs and make them whole again. I'm certainly coveting your prayers, too! Tomorrow is my hubby's birthday. He will be 64 years old. So hard to believe. He sure doesn't look it, but I know there are days when he really feels it. lol Like me, he is dealing with his own health issues. My mother-in-law will come over and we'll probably go out for lunch and then have cake. That's her favorite part. The minute she hits the door tomorrow she'll be wanting to know when we're going to cut that cake! LOL She's so funny. It really is true that as we get older, we become more child-like. I definitely see that in her. I have a new Bible study at my church that starts on Friday. I just got my book and haven't felt good enough to start the study. I'm hoping tomorrow I can sit down and work on it and also feel good enough by Friday evening to go. It's really neat because it's a once a month study. I have always done the once a week studies, but at this time of my life, I know that's not possible for me to do, so this study was a nice option for me. Next year, I'm hoping I can return to the weekly Bible study. I'm so tired, so heading off to bed with another book. My youngest son came home tonight with some books I had on hold at the library and they are perfect for night-time reading. I'll snuggle under my quilts, put some jazz music on in the background and, hopefully, fall to sleep very soon. God bless you - Julie http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/MoreOfHim/733925/ Tue, 6 Oct 2009 23:33:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/MoreOfHim/733925/ Remember this?  Here's the inside of that little shed I was talking about.  Not much to look at, but a lot of potential! Here's where we left off.  The little shed all sheet-rocked by my wonderful son. Now take a look at this!! Isn't it gorgeous?  My two sons painted the shed my favorite color (purple) and put the light up on the ceiling.  The walls are a pale lavender color (it looks a lot darker in the picture than it really is) and the floor is a dark purple.  These are actually some Disney colors by Behr.  My sister's room was painted this beautiful lavender when she was young and I have never forgotten that gorgeous color.  It was calming and makes me think of some of the best years of my childhood - when my sister was still home before marrying. Take a look at this!!  It's my "Hobbit door".  I wanted a really pretty doorknob on the door and was going to put it where the handle had been on the door - to the left.  However, my oldest son thought I should put it in the middle like a hobbit door.  Fit's me perfectly - I'm about the size of a hobbit.  LOL  Isn't that just too cute?  The door is painted the same dark purple as the floor. Here's the view from my little building.  Can you see the hummingbird at the feeder?  Isn't that awesome?  Look at the view of those mountains!! Very inspiring and wonderful since this building that I've longed and dreamed about for years is going to be. . .                                                                           MY STUDIO!!!!                                                    God bless you - Julie http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/MoreOfHim/732848/ Sat, 3 Oct 2009 19:22:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/MoreOfHim/732848/ Look at this little shed.  It doesn't look like it, but it's an answer to prayer - a dream come true. My mother-in-law gifted me this shed when she moved from her house and didn't want to leave this little shed behind when it was something that would make me so happy. Here's the inside of the shed.  It had been used as a tool shed by my mother-in-law and sort of a catch-all type of building.  It just has the insulation up and that's about it! But look on the floor . . . is that sheet-rock? Hmmm . . . here's my son busy at work.  Here's a picture of my hubby "supervising" my youngest son.  Actually, he's just out there talking to my son.  My son wouldn't let anyone help him.  He took this project on as a sort of personal mission.  Let me add here that my son has NEVER done anything like this, but he researched it and figured it all out.  He's very handy and can always figure things out and he is my "go to" guy when I want something made or fixed.  He's a genius when it come to these kind of things! Here he is putting the mud on the seams after taping them off. Here's the shed all sheet-rocked!  Isn't that amazing?  My son did a fantastic job and it's like a real room now. However, it's not complete yet.  Watch for more pictures of the finished room and what it's going to be when it's finished!!                                                   God bless you - Julie http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/MoreOfHim/732843/ Sat, 3 Oct 2009 01:04:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/MoreOfHim/732843/ The week started out really nice. My oldest son cooked out on Labor Day and we had my mother-in-law over, too, as well as my son's friend. He cooked hamburgers, chicken, salmon and lots of veggies. It was excellent and healthy. Then the guys played horseshoes and batmitton and just had a great time. Tuesday, I cleaned house, did laundry, and did things that needed to be done. Wednesday, I went to the dentist (oh, horror!) and had two fillings done in my front teeth. I'm so thankful that I found those little cavaties behind my teeth. It was kind of a fluke that I found them and I'm very thankful that I did. I would have hated to have had those cavaties go into my roots. As it was, they were an easy fix and I don't have to worry about them now. Here's where my day goes down the toilet. I went to see the therapist and they were really busy (as always) but they are also short handed. They put me on the bike (I had to remind them that I can't go all the way around because of my knee) then had me do leg lifts. Fine. Then the Physical therapist comes over and starts working on my knee! Okay - I'm there for my back!! I remind him of that. He asks how I've been, I tell him I've been in pain and he asks if I brought my pool stuff. No, I tell him. I keep getting urine tract infections from their pool. He looks at me really weird and then says no one has ever said that before. We were having this conversation in front of another patient. I could tell this upset him but we go on. He then has me lie on my back and he starts moving my right leg about. He pulls on it once and I tell him that it really hurts. He then moves the leg around again - back and forth, back and forth - and then suddenly gives it a HUGE jerk and I move about 6-7 inches down the table and feel a lightening bolt feeling through my lower back. I cry out and he stops. I then start crying. (I never do this unless it is very, very painful!). He wants me to turn on my side. I say, I can't because of the pain. He insists. I tell him, I can't. He insists. I tell him I can't and to go away and come back. I lie there and cry for a long time, but finally get moved over onto my side. Still crying. He came over and rubbed and had one of his helpers pull gently on my left leg. I'm still crying. He then puts the heat and the machine on my back. Everything is still painful, but not as much so - until I go to get up. I thought I would die. It hurt so bad. I had to have one of the guys come and help me down because I was afraid to get off the table by myself. I finally stand, but realize there is no way I can take a step. They grab a chair and I sit. After a while, I try again to stand and walk. It's very slow and I finally take the first, excruciating step. I am telling you, I thought I would collapse from the pain. The girl has to help me out and it takes me forever to get to my car and get it, at which point, I start to cry again from the pain. I have been taking pain pills like crazy ever since and sitting in my recliner with a heating pad trying just to not cough or move too much. It's horrible!! I called my Neurologist today about it, my pain management doctor about it and then the physical therapy place about it. I'm scared that he did something to my all ready damaged discs. I'm angry and upset with him for being so careless that he just didn't pay attention to my chart and be careful before he tried to pull my leg out of it's socket. I'm praying that I don't have a horrible weekend full of pain - or end up in the emergency room because of this. I'm thankful for my recliner, my heating pad and Advil! I don't think I will be going back to this physical therapy place. I would never feel comfortable letting him work on me again. Prayers are very much welcome and needed!! I know that the hand of the Lord can totally heal me and help me. I'm also thankful that I have the Lord, Jesus! God bless you - Julie http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/MoreOfHim/731812/ Sat, 12 Sep 2009 01:12:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/MoreOfHim/731812/ I thought it was about time that I bring y'all up to date on what's been happening in my little world. I have been okay, but have required a much needed break. Since I can't really do that in real life, I had to break away from something for awhile and that included my blog. I really miss when I don't blog, but honestly, I've been so meloncholy about everything, I hate to just "put that out there" and bum you all out. I really don't like sounding like a "whine bucket" because, let's face it, we all have things in our life to whine about. Who needs to read about my issues?! However, I'm feeling the need to share. I know that if I share, then you all can pray for me. I need those prayers. First of all, you know I had been hurt by my physical therapist. I have been hurting ever since that happened. My pain management doctor felt that I should have an MRI to see if there was any damage and since my neurologist was having one done anyway, I was able to send the report over to my pain management NP. She called today and said I now have a herniated disc. Yep - that physical therapist did damage. I'm in worse shape now than when I started on this journey of trying to get help for my back. I've had buldging discs, but not herniated. So, I'm pretty upset. They said I could get an epideral to help with the swelling, but like I told her, the side affects for me are so bad, I'm not sure I want to do that again. She said I didn't have to - it would just take longer to get better. I am not allowed to lift anything, I have to take it easy, and no swimming. In other words, I have to put my life completely on hold. Plus, now my back is worse. I'm very angry and want to do something about this physical therapist. No way should a person who is all ready in pain be subjected to more pain and damage. If anyone has dealt with this sort of issue, I would certainly like your recommendations regarding this. Second, I still have the bladder infection from the pool at the physical therapy clinic. I mean, I've had this for weeks and weeks! It keeps mutating into something new and then I have to take a new antibiotic. I find this totally unbelieveable! Obviously, I'm pretty down on physical therapy! We are still dealing with stuff with my hubby's Mom and her husband. I really don't want to get involved in what's happening, but suffice to say, it's stressful and overwhelming at times. My mother-in-law is doing really quite well right now, so we are thankful, and we do have things really worked out as far as taking care of her and all that. It's not a big deal at all and we feel privileged to be able to help her out. It's other stuff that's making things so hard - lets just say outside forces are making things difficult. Hubby and I are pretty exhausted with everything that's going on and, of course, me being in pain and him having his health issues, doesn't make it easier. There have been other extended family issues, too, and, I guess, tonight I'm just feeling a bit sorry for myself and just SO tired. **************************************************** On a happier note, our weather is finally getting cooler. I absolutely adore Fall and the crisp, cool nights make me very content. Tonight, there is a scent of wood-fire in the air. Oh, the joys of the fall season-the smells, the cheerful colors, and the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. Despite all my issues and all the stress we have been going through, I am thankful. Our Pastor was talking on Sunday about this very thing. He was sharing out of 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. This is the passage of scripture where Paul talks about the thorn that Satan harrasses him with. He asks the Lord to take this from him, but then the Lord tells him, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Paul then says, "For the sake of Christ then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamaties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." My pains - physical and emotional - are making me weak, however, this allows the Lord to work through me - to show HIS strength, HIS glory. Yes, it is difficult at times, but when I look at being a vessel that the Lord can use, it calms my heart and I remember that I am in the palm of His hand. Am I praying for healing? You betcha! I, like Paul, would be so grateful to have this "thorn" taken from me. It's a burden - it's exhausting being in pain 24-7. However, as Jesus said, "Not my will, but thy will." This doesn't mean I don't covet your prayers - I do!! I would be so grateful for your prayers for my healing - for relief from this pain; in fact, God calls us to pray for one another. Knowing that you are out there praying for me, gives me strength, too. Your kind comments and emails always lift my Spirit. You all are such a blessing to me! How wonderful to know that we are praying for one another! I will update you soon. I have SO many pictures and other uplifting things to share. I just really needed to share all this tonight. To share my burden, if you will. I thank you for taking your time to read this and to care. It really does bless my heart!                               God bless you - Julie http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/MoreOfHim/731809/ Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:07:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/MoreOfHim/731809/ We've been busy with life but do get some quiet days (like today) which are so wonderful.  We have been busy with appointments, taking care of extended family, and just life in general.  I'm reminded of what God tells us in the Bible.  I have always understood this scripture, but now I really understand it to the very being of my soul.  1For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: 2a time to be born, and a time to die;a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; 3a time to kill, and a time to heal;a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4a time to weep, and a time to laugh;a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6a time to seek, and a time to lose;a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7a time to tear, and a time to sew;a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.  8a time to love, and a time to hate;a time for war, and a time for peace.  Ecc.  3:1-8 I never thought that I would have so many responsibilities with my extended family members at this time in my life.  Mind you, it's not a problem, it just takes some getting used to, especially when you've had your time and life all planned out.  What is that old joke:  "Want to make God laugh?  Tell him your plans."  I'm in a place of surrender.  At first, I balked, telling God, "Hey! I homeschooled my children when you called me to do that.  I put my art business on hold and did what you called me to do.  Now, I'm done homeschooling and you give me all this other stuff to deal with?  What about ME?"  After getting now where with that attitude, I'm now surrendering to whatever plans the Lord has for me.  After all, if it had been up to me, I would never have homeschooled in the first place.  I had to surrender to God on that and it was the best thing I ever did.  I will surrender myself now to whatever God has in mind for me.                                           God bless you - Julie http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/MoreOfHim/724319/ Sat, 5 Sep 2009 22:10:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/MoreOfHim/724319/ Last week, Tyndale sent me their book, "Robot Wars - Death Trap" by Sigmund Brouwer, and asked me to review it. Here's a little about the author: Sigmund Brouwer Whether writing youth or adult fiction, Sigmund Brouwer is a best-selling author of more than 40 fast-paced novels. Some of his works encourage young reluctant readers into the world of books, and others provide adults with riveting tales. His youth series include Mars Diaries; Short Cuts Extreme Sports; Lightning on Ice; CyberQuest; The Winds of Light; Dr. Drabble: Genius Inventor; and The Accidental Detectives. His adult fiction titles include Out of the Shadows, Morning Star, Thunder Voice, Double Helix, and Blood Ties. Sigmund's diverse background surfaces in the characters of his books as he inspires kids to get excited about reading. He grew up in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, and developed an early interest in sports like hockey, racquetball, and biking. His poor performance in high school English classes led him to receive a degree in commerce from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and not to pursue writing. When a professor in his undergraduate English course encouraged him to write, Sigmund did, and he eventually received a degree in journalism from Carleton College in Ottawa. After publishing several articles for U.S. and Canadian magazines, he turned to writing books for kids reluctant to read. In 1993, he cofounded The Young Writers' Institute with home education expert and author Debra Bell and conducts writing camps and seminars for more than 10,000 children every year. His commitment to his faith is an integral part of his creative goals, and Sigmund cites C. S. Lewis as one of his greatest writing influences. Although there is no overt Christian agenda in his novels, the deliberate underpinning of morality and redemption make his books more than tools of escape. He quotes C. S. Lewis, "There is no Christian way to write, just as there is no Christian way to boil an egg." Sigmund is married to Christian recording artist Cindy Morgan; the couple has two daughters. He writes five pages per day on his laptop, whether he is in an airport, hotel, or dividing his time between family homes in Red Deer and Nashville. Robot Wars - Death Trap (Book One) is about a teen-age boy named Tyce and his life on Mars in an experimental community. Tyce is a virtual reality specialist in that he can play very well and has since he was very young. He also enjoys looking at the galaxy from the special telescope they have in the community. Soon these simple pleasures take a back seat to the life threating issue of the community losing oxygen - and fast! I really enjoyed this book. It kept you guessing with each page and just when I thought things were resolved, another issue would crop up. There were also many surprising revelations in the book about Tyce and other members of the community. I'm sure this book is geared more for the tween/teen set, but honestly, I really enjoyed the book and am anxious to read Book Two to know what happens next to Tyce, his family and this experimental community on Mars! I also like that the book talked about God in a very real way. It's very real in it's sense of what God means to us and how we can turn to Him. The author made it a normal part of the story and it didn't feel forced. I highly recommend this book to others. It's definitely a science fiction book, but I really believe that anyone would enjoy it, whether they enjoy the science fiction genre or not. You can find a link to this book in my Amazon widget on my sidebar. I never put books there that I haven't read and truly enjoyed. You can click on the book and it will take you to Amazon where you'll find this book and others in the series. I hope you'll read this book, too. Trust me, you'll really enjoy it!                                          God bless you - Julie http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/MoreOfHim/720693/ Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:58:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/MoreOfHim/720693/