Homeschooling using Ambleside Online and enjoying it. Learning lots of life lessons. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/spike/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Fri, 30 May 2008 13:24:00 -0500 Fri, 30 May 2008 13:24:00 -0500 Oh, now I'm organizing inside & out!!  Inside and out of my blog.... Today I've pondered about scrapbooking.... and blogging... and how to scrapbook my blog.  That would cover my world!!!  Ok, I've checked it out and tried to find options and ideas....  and I want to get rid of my scrapbook circles and needless stuff.... Check out Blog2Print The idea of making a scrapbook of my blog sounds great!!!  I tried to make a test of this blog but they will not take homeschool blogger...  so they do take google blogger and I tested it on a firend!!!  (Aimee check it out :)...  alas, I'm looking into making the conversion.... Another reason to convert is I'm looking for more options on comments from you guys!!!!  I'd don've have the paramaters to make adjustments here....    I laughed and laughed when asked about how our little bugs did on our trip.... bug who wrote that?????  That's my musing right now!!!  With bookshelves in some order... the sunroom shuffled and more on the shelves... the utility room is in recovery... I'm schooling today... thinking of the grands.... and moving my blog!!!! http://grace2u-s2.blogspot.com/ Grace!! ss     http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/spike/540562/ Fri, 30 May 2008 13:24:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/spike/540562/ I'm setteling out a bit!  The Expedite is getting full...  Each of the girls have claimed one of the baskets.  I'm busily filling each spot and trying to maintain some order... Ladybug is sooo close to loosing those Peter Pan teeth!!!  She has four that are wiggly.. and one that will fall out any day!! Back on the Expedite....  Check out this one....  Ooooooo Find it here!!  http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/paints-stains-finishes/look-colorful-ikea-expedite--032349 Stuff & More Stuff!!  It's just stuff!!! Grace!  ss   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/spike/540226/ Thu, 29 May 2008 21:14:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/spike/540226/ With stickers on their hands... "This one is for you, Mama." "I don't want a sticker."  fixing dinner... ginger salmon, green beans & Lovebug made the cheese rolls... "But it says 'Mom'."  I'm swept off my feet!!!  She read it!!  I'm enjoying my "mom" sticker!!  Grace! ss http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/spike/540218/ Thu, 29 May 2008 21:05:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/spike/540218/ I thought I was winning...  The Library was taking shape.  All the years book lining up together.  Hubbie figured our the lighting and it is so cool!  The shelves are amazinly full... Monday we headed with Daddy back to Ikea.  We studied the bookshelves and this other stoage system...  My defining point was I wanted storage with baskets... so the book shelves were eleminated..  We cam home with the Expidite for the sunroom.... Now, I enjoyed organizing my library... but now I need to organize my whole world...  and I am not winning.  (I think it is easier to move!!)  Projects imagined & supplies acquired only to sit yet in bags stowed away....  capri sun bags, indian dresses, sand & shells for a frame that lacks that good beach pic.... and so much ods and ends...   It would be easier to eleminate it all!!! But that is easier done without being seen.   So now I'm just shuffling.  Fruit box turnover! Alas, These items are lost in my chaos... Search the Scriptures-  a great devo taking you thru the entire Bible.  Alas in all my hunt I've not uncovered it.  Now I'm searching every nook & crany. Homestead Pickerf Folk Songs- I know this is somewhere.. and at one point was even on top.  Now it must be burried.  Praying the God of the Universe brings His order to my chaos!!  Off to seek Him!!  Grace! ss http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/spike/539356/ Wed, 28 May 2008 14:49:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/spike/539356/ It is done!!  What follows is the never ending task to organize my Chicago Red Library!! Tuesday I was so thankul Jamie took the trip with us!  We made the drive to Ikea.  Bookshelves were my aim... and my debate was white or red....  With that option, I just have to go red!!!  God paved the way wtih a great trip & no probles & moving traffic heading home at 5:40.  Talking to Daddy in the car presented a challenge to NOT MENTION IKEA!!!  They could talk about the dentist that morning or the plans for tomorrow.... Lovebug was caught when Daddy asked "Where are you?"  "In the car"  Where have you been?"  it is 9p....  "Daddy, I cannot tell you." Now the girls refer to our extra room as our Library :0  (It is also known as our guest room & when we are officially sick... the tv room.) Wednesday I could not get the boxes out of the car.  Too heavy!!  Piece by piece the girs and I labored to prepare for assembly.  Our afternoon's work was getting them together.  I had help hammering & fitting all together... Thursday & Friday I have moved and arranged our library of books.  I actually have my AO1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10 books marked!!!! School is done.  The week has been fun.  And now to enjoy a long Memorial weekend!!  Surprise Daddy!!!! Grace!  ss http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/spike/537383/ Sat, 24 May 2008 11:57:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/spike/537383/ "Older men declare war.  But it is youth that must fight and die.  And it is youth that must inherit the tribulation, the sorrow, and the triumphs that are the aftermath of war." Herbert Hoover, 1944 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/spike/536972/ Fri, 23 May 2008 13:48:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/spike/536972/ This week I've been reminded of Haiti Blue!!! I painted my sunroom what we call Haiti Blue.  As the girls and I had some free time, we enjoyed a project.  I've looked for a photo of that event without finding one!  Hubbie??.... **Found One!!!  July 2004!  Lovebug is 4 & Ladybug is 2!!! We'll we've created a bit of free time this week :)  Pinched between schooling & friend celebrating end of the year.  Lovebug nearly gave it away chattering to Daddy.  It is very hard for a child to keep a secret.   Hummm... what did we enjoy this time??!!!  :)  Grace!! ss http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/spike/536965/ Fri, 23 May 2008 13:29:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/spike/536965/ Today is my Memom Estelle's birthday!!!  Tomorrow is my brothers birthday!!!  Happy Birthday Eric!!! Looking back to 1998!!  I had to dig up thes photos!!  I'm thrilled to post them!  Hubbie must be taking the photo...  We'd celebrate our 5th anniversary that year!!  Memom did not get to meet my girls!!  Since my eldest carries her name sake, I think of Memom often.  Just this week we gathered with her sister's family...  She always cooked up a storm when we'd come to Sour Lake!!  She was a great cook!  There were chicken & dumplings.. always!  and a roast, greens, and a salad.... she'd have to cook for days!!!  Then she made chocolate pies & coconut!  Her peach cobler was my daddys favorite, I think!   When I was in my teens I remember her teaching me to cook!!!  My favorite then was her cinnamon rolls!!!  As a little one I climbed in a chair to play in bubbles at the sink!!  Oh....  I think my girls will have to do this tomorrow!!!  She'd also would hide the dishes in the oven!!  I caughter her one time and was diligent in the hunt thereafter! I'm thankful to Jesus for my family!!  Then & now!!  Miss ya Mom & Dad!!  All my Love!! ss     http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/spike/536707/ Thu, 22 May 2008 22:40:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/spike/536707/ Last week I heard the coolest song and just had to look it up!!  I downloaded it!!! Cinderella by Steven Curtis Chapman... mezmorized me!!!  I played it over and over... and I think hubbie thought I was trying to give him a guilt trip!!  Not so!  It just fits our little girls!! Tonight this song brought tears to my eyes...  I receiveved and email to Pray for Steven Curtis Chapman..  Hey guys, If you are a fan of Steven Curtis Chapman's music like I am or even if you are not, please pray for his family today. Yesterday one of his teenage sons ran over his 5yo daughter (sister) in the driveway and she was killed. What a horrible tragedy. Here is a link to an article I found about it. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/05/22/1211182968194.html Pray for everyone involved.. Oh... I pray God's healing in horrible grief.  God knew her days!!  She did not surprise Him!  He called her home to Him....   Only God can heal the broken hearted. Here's Steven Curtis Chapman's Cinderella...    Here's a memorial to Maria & a video w/ her..  http://tinyurl.com/68ee4a   This is the background story to his song... http://tinyurl.com/6jsfb9  Praying for my girls tonight!!!  Grace! ss http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/spike/536660/ Thu, 22 May 2008 22:26:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/spike/536660/ Year End!!   Sweet & Sour!!  The girls gave their year end Choir Recital.  They sang and smiled... and had a good show of their year's work...  They ended on a sweet note... with cupcakes!!  Yum!! Here's their lullaby... All the Pretty Little Horses:  I hope you enjoy this snipit of their program!!  This is my first try video to post!!! We started the venture on a very sour note!!  Lovebug was dressed and ready...  Alas, Ladybug had an official melt down... just as it was time to be gone.  Tears... "I don't have any capris  (tears)  Those don't fit. (tears)  The shirt is too big. (tears) I won't wear it." More tears....  Oh, I don't think she'll ever out grow these clothes issues!!!  They sound way too familiar!!!  With many tears she had to go the car to find her shirt & shoes to finish dressing.  Tears and more tears and on our way across town.  I do hope to wade thru the tears....  maybe like grass she'll get tall enough to see thru... by the time it was all over... she was thrilled with her too big shirt!!  She'll probably wear it tomorrow too!!!  Somehow the sour is yet with me.  It is like a bitterness that I wish was gone.  I'm thankfull tomorrow is a new day... I pray I'll not make the same mistakes....  better managing time would have helped...  I pray God give me the grace to love & teach my girls... God's wisdom to guide our paths...  His word to light our way....  and hope & faith that He goes with me....  In my weakness may He be strong.  Praying He'll give me sweetness for this lingering bitterness.  May I yet cling to Him!!  Grace! ss  Here's the sweetness... and the sour is only a memory..... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/spike/534896/ Mon, 19 May 2008 23:13:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/spike/534896/