Still plugging away at life, looking for hope and mercy. Finding it when I need it! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/looking4mercy/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Thu, 9 Mar 2006 14:08:00 -0600 Thu, 9 Mar 2006 14:08:00 -0600 Well, it is exciting to see how God works in our lives inspite of ourselves.   I am always amazed at how selfish I really am, as opposed to how unselfish I think I am.   Thank goodness HE lets us see ourselves as we are, a little at a time, not in one whole ball of wax.   Tonight is our homeschool support group's education fair.  Kind of like a science fair, except you can bring anything not just science projects.  As it turns our, we did a whole dinosaur display. Samuel is so proud of it.  It is a good job, for a first grader.  We are still not finish with our study, we still have more books to read, and of course, go to NYC to the museum.    Chloë may have an apprentice job with a possibility of full time position in a dance studio!!!  It is something she has been hoping for for a long time!  I hope it works out!  But in the end, its all in God's hand.   Well, off to get cookies for the Fair.  NO JACKETS TODAY!!!  .  its about 50 degrees outside.  Just a sweatshirt/sweater needed!!  Anyway.  Be holy & obedient.  ~madeleine http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/looking4mercy/97282/ Thu, 9 Mar 2006 14:08:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/looking4mercy/97282/   So, Samuel is truly enjoying Reilly & Daisy. They love/tolerate him.  Like when they are sleeping on the recliner, and he can't stand it anymore, and joins them.  Yeah, they love/tolerate that.    Chloë has a terribly case of senioritis.  I am almost as guilty. of having senioritis mom syndrome.  And what is with our support group not being able to agree with what color the graduation gowns will be??  Its a graduation gown, by no means a fashion statement.  Pick a color and move on!   I know I am being a bit short, I need to be more patient with petty things, I suppose.  Santification takes a life time.   On another note, we might be getting a new car.  Wait, a newer car...BIG difference.  I don't know if we still can, but if we do, its a Suburban.  AKA gas gussler.  We have a volvo wagon now, I love it, but its getting old and tired.  Chloë keeps telling us to put it out of it's misery.  What does a 17 year old know, except when she drives it, she is in a volvo station wagon.  Not cool.    Off to make dinner.  You all be holy, I will certainly be trying.  ~ madeleine http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/looking4mercy/88632/ Wed, 22 Feb 2006 15:18:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/looking4mercy/88632/ Reilly & Daisy.  They really are delightful.  They have their moments, but thats ok too.    On another note, We were making a preliminary list of people for Chloë' graduation picnic.  How do we know this many people??!!??!  The ceremony itself will be June 10.  There are going to be about 15 kids graduating.  When Lance graduated 3 years ago, he was the only one.  God is good.   We went out to breakfast this morning, my mom my sisters & I.  It was nice to just hang, all us girls.  Then they came back to my house to see Daisy.  My mom wants her.  lol. But my dad is not a dog person, by any stretch of the imagination.   Anyway, we will see what the Lord has in store for us.  I am patiently/impatiently waiting for peace in this home.  Lord grant me mercy for all my failures.   Back to the ole grindstone......madeleine http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/looking4mercy/85326/ Thu, 16 Feb 2006 14:10:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/looking4mercy/85326/ We are getting another beagle!!!!! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/looking4mercy/82825/ Sat, 11 Feb 2006 23:01:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/looking4mercy/82825/ So, I am trying not to smile too much.    School has become that reality again.  Yeah we are going through the year's hump, but we will get over it soon.  I was signing up for us to volunteer at this year's curriculum fair for our state, and my daughter commented, that if I buy anything while there this year, it will be for Samuel only.  WOW TALK ABOUT SHOCKER!!!  My 2 oldest will be out of school this year!  I thank God for Samuel & hopefully we wil be able to adopt, or maybe miracle of miracles, we can have our own! .  If he wasn't around, my kids would be out of high school, and I would be 38.  :::sigh::: but God is great.   So, we are expecting 10 - 12 inches of snow tomorrow.  I'm not sure how to think about it.  Part of me is excited, you know, a good snow storm.  The other part of me is like....ugh.  All the coats, gloves, hats scarves, and raw cold.  Again.  Well, we will just be thankful we have a warm home & plenty of food.  Bring it on.   God has been really working in my life with my submission lately.  Well, He is trying to work, I am not being as good about letting Him.  Coming from a hispanic family, knowing & growing up in a matriarcal society is the right thing.  Not quite what the Lord requires.  My poor dear husband.  He is ever so patient.  after 21 years, I have achived about 1/4 mile of that race.        Yeah.  Not good.  I pray God soften my heart.   On that note, I should go.  I have chores to do.  You all be holy~ madeleine     http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/looking4mercy/82251/ Fri, 10 Feb 2006 19:54:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/looking4mercy/82251/ Ok, so I am probably the only ridiculous homeschool mom on this blog thing who LOVES football.  This week has been such a turmoil.  I don't want to even read the paper to see what the commentators are saying, and yet every morning I run to the sports page after devotionals.   Some one needs to pray for me.   I have been wearing my Pittsburgh jersey ALL week, and I get the funniest comments or looks.  Like the time John & I went out to dinner, and I had my nice skirt & lovely shoes, and my jersey.  It totally matched, but I was the one wearing the jersey, not John.  Yeah.  BTW, I have been a Steelers fan since like, 1979, not just jumped on the band wagon this season like so many people assume....   The kids are trying to figure out what to do for the summer. I think Lance is looking to go to a Native Americans children's home in Nebraska.  Hope he can get in.  Chloe is actually thinking of working in a Central American orphanage for a year.  If she does I will miss her something awful, but I will be so happy.  Praying for God's will.  Samuel on the other hand is looking forward to the pool.  lol.   I was listening to Michael Card's CD, I think it is on the book of Romans?  Maybe Hebrews.  It is so good.  I have most of his stuff because he really captures the heart of worship.  He is my favorite.  Its been so long since I have been to one of his concerts.  Maybe about 8 years.  I hope he comes around here soon, again.   Well, 2 more days, and I will be weeping , or you won't be able to slap the smile off my face .   Until next time, be holy ~ madeleine http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/looking4mercy/78241/ Fri, 3 Feb 2006 19:11:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/looking4mercy/78241/ Today is our 21st Anniversary!!!  And let me say that if it wasn't for Jesus, we would have never made it this far! You need to understand that I was a 17 year old in high school, and John was a 19 year old in college when we got married.  No I was not expecting, just crazy circumstances.  And for us to have beaten the odds so far, and still be crazy about each other, ( okay and drive each other carzy, too)its all Jesus.   So guess what John gave me today??!!??!!  Go ahead and guess!!!  A BEN ROETHLISBERGER PITTSBURG STEELERS JERSEY!!!!!!!  See, he well knows me & loves me..  Its so beautiful. I gave him a Quick Verse Bible study program 2006 for the computer.  Wow.  It would seem that the gifts are reversed. lol.  Yeah, you can tell where we are in life. .   On the same note, and yet different....     Welcome to Steelers Country.     GO STEELERS!!!!!         http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/looking4mercy/72173/ Mon, 23 Jan 2006 15:44:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/looking4mercy/72173/ Have you ever felt like you are ready to move?  I am ready to move out of this state.  I love it here, but I am so tired of how expensive it is to live here.  I have the smallest kitchen known to man kind.  And to move to a bigger house in NJ is just not an option.    There.  I am now going to confess my sin.  I am complaining.  Lord, let me be thankful for where I am and what I have.  Let me "bloom where I am planted".  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/looking4mercy/67726/ Fri, 13 Jan 2006 13:29:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/looking4mercy/67726/ Well, here it is.  Its the New Year!!  It seems like just a week ago, we were celebrationg 2005.  Life is good and God is great.   Well, Christmas was incredibly painful.  I was flat on my back for a week.  Christmas was spent crying from the pain.  But none the less, it was lovely. We were all at my parents, and my mommy took care of me.  I know I'm 38, but when she comes puts me on her bed, and sees to my comfort, well, like I said before, life is good.   So, John gave me my favorite gift for Christmas!!  First, something from Samaritan's Purse!!!  I loved it.  Then, a Vera Bradley pocketbook & matching wallet.    New Years was good.  We went to friend's, and Joh proceeded to fall asleep on the couch.  But another guy did the same thing right next to him, and then the host did it, so it was ok, I guess.  Us wives just shrugged our shoulders, and kept on talking.   School start this week, and I can't wait.  Can't wait for the routine (in theory) again.  This is it.  Chloe graduates in June.  Where she will end up going to college is still up in the air.  Oklahoma Baptist & Southwest Baptist have already accepted her.  Now we just have to figure out finances.    Little one needs to go to bed.  Good night ~ mad http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/looking4mercy/62427/ Sun, 1 Jan 2006 21:02:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/looking4mercy/62427/ It has been a really neat Christmas season this year.  Chloë's Nutcracker performances are done, and thought they were terribly cumbersome, I'm glad she did them.  My Aunt is here from El Salvador for a month!  She speaks no English, and it has been fun having her.  My mom is going to miss her when she leaves.  We have dragged her all over.  She is so sweet & kind.  She is also about 4'8".  Which makes her about 4 inches taller them my 7 year old. lol.   Lance brought his new girlfriend home last weekend.  She seemed delightful, though she seemed terrified.  Sheesh, no one should have that kind of power over someone enough to terrify them.  I tried to make her feel comfortable.  We even went out, just the girls and went to go see Pride & Prejudice.  WHAT A GREAT MOVIE!!  After the movie, we just sat there and dreamed a little.   Yes, I found my Mr. Darcy.  The girls are still hoping...  By the way, the theater was packed, and there were only 2 guys on the whole place!! ...wonder why??lol.   I am ready for Christmas.  Well, almost ready.  I just need some stocking stuffers, like candy & clementines...   Tomorrow, we go into the city for our annual family Christmas in the city day.  It should be fun.  It is the lastest we have ever done it.  Still, its before Christmas!  Anyway, on that note, I should go to bed.  May His blessing be poured out on you & your loved ones, now & always.  ~ madeleine     http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/looking4mercy/59290/ Thu, 22 Dec 2005 20:17:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/looking4mercy/59290/