I have been married to my best friend for 8 1/2 years. We have 5 children (with #6 on the way), ages 16, 7, 6, 5, & 21 months. I homeschool our 4 girls. I hope to make new friendships through this blog & share all God has done in my life. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/thepinkpetal/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:15:00 -0600 Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:15:00 -0600 A friend recently posted about things they do as a family for Christmas. So, I thought this would be the perfect time to share my own. There are many things we do this time of year that I would classify as a 'family tradition' but there is one that I'm so glad we implemented. The first year we were married I had read an article about a military family who, being low on funds, had adopted this tradition. At the time funds weren't low but I was very discouraged with how commercialized Christmas had become. I was looking for a way to downsize Christmas without giving up gift-giving all together. When I told my husband my idea, he was all for it. Now that our family is much bigger, it helps financially to know I won't go overboard. It's plain and simple. 3 gifts. Jesus received 3 gifts from the wise men and in turn we give each of our children 3 gifts, to remind them of the true meaning of Christmas. If you ask them, they know exactly why we do this. They know we are celebrating the birth of Jesus. The focus then turns to gift-giving instead of gift-receiving. I love hearing their ideas for something my husband might like or even one of their siblings. And they're usually right on. Over the years I have realized there are added benefits to this tradition. You don't overload your house with toys that won't be played with in a month or two. You don't overspend. It has helped our children learn to not be greedy. They actually think about what they want instead of making a list a mile long - and actually, up until this year, they never asked for anything. They appreciate what they get just a little bit more. You are teaching your children that it's not about what they get - it's the thought that counts. You are keeping Christmas focused on the birth of Our Savior. This is one tradition I'm so glad we started. I'd love to hear some of yours. We're always looking to make new memories with our kids. ~Kristine http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/thepinkpetal/752443/ Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:15:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/thepinkpetal/752443/ I have not written anything in a long time. I wasn't sure what to say, if anything. Life was busy, but who's isn't these day? So I wrote nothing. But recently I have felt to pick up my blog again, unsure of where to start. And then it hit me..... I started this blog because I felt God was changing things up in my life. One of those things being friendships. I have had a hard time, more than once this year, over the loss of, what I felt, was a good friendship. I tend to take things personally even though I try not to. It just breaks my heart that a friend would willingly end a friendship without trying to work things out. Because I think too much I wanted to know what the true meaning of friendship was. I decided a good place to start was Websters, which says: a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard a person who is on good terms with another; a person who is not hostile Those definitions lead me to believe I have lost two friendships, which was not really what I wanted to hear. So I decided a better place to turn was to the bible. The very first verse that came to mind was: A friend loves at all times. ~Proverbs 17:17 Which leads me back to my struggle......Have I lost these friends for good? I do trust God and I know He will help me walk through this, but it doesn't make the path any easier. It does, however, have me turning to Him for guidance and direction.........Maybe I should have been blogging all along. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/thepinkpetal/751042/ Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:35:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/thepinkpetal/751042/ FOR TODAY...October 5th Outside my window... beautiful New England foliage I am thinking... I have been blessed beyond belief! I am thankful for... my family I am wearing... jeans & t-shirt I am remembering... to be the woman that God wants me to be I am going... to be bringing my hubby lunch today I am reading... Passionate Housewives Desperate for God I am hoping... today is a productive day On my mind... where God wants to take me and wondering who He will put in my path From the learning rooms... teaching knowledge is not the same as teaching wisdom Noticing that... God did an amazing job with His creations Pondering these words... from my husband..."I am in this with you." From the kitchen... teaching my girls how to bake Around the house... working on some major re-organization before the new baby arrives One of my favorite things... pizza and movie night with my family To join ~The Simple Woman's Daybook~ visit http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/thepinkpetal/734909/ Sat, 10 Oct 2009 06:55:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/thepinkpetal/734909/ After being without our computer for more than 2 weeks I've had some extra time to pray, contemplate, and look into some new ventures. I had been considering changing curriculums for one of our daughters who has low vision. In talking with a friend and doing some serious praying I've been looking into changing our curriculum for all the girls. The hard part for me is to change mid-year. In my mind - I like to prepare things ahead of time - it makes more sense to start fresh with something new. But as I seek out our options I don't think God wants me to wait another year. So I continue to pray and seek His guidance, so I can be where he wants me to be. It feels like life is changing with the seasons. I pray God makes our home as beautiful as the New England colors outside my window. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/thepinkpetal/733697/ Tue, 6 Oct 2009 11:50:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/thepinkpetal/733697/ Linda (2nd Cup of Coffee) - created this little meme... I don't usually do the 'survey' thing but I thought it would be fun to give it a try. 1. What is something that you have changed your mind about either recently or over a number of years? My role as a mother. (ex: going back to work vs. staying home to raise my children, homeschooling vs. public school, etc....) 2. Choose either subject, but does your a) church b) job feel more like a dental chair experience or an easy chair (recliner) experience? My 'job' is to raise my beautiful children, so yes, sometimes it feels more like I'm pulling teeth.   3. Kisses or hugs? I actually typed "huts," which might have been a more interesting question. Depends on my mood. 4. What do you think is the biggest threat to families today? Lack of family time spent together. 5. A day after you grocery shop, you open a perishable item that is horribly spoiled. Do you take your receipt back to the store to be reimbursed or just throw it away and forget about it? Throw it away. I live almost 1/2 hour to the closest grocery store. 6. What personality trait (feel free to address good or bad or both) do you notice yourself adopting from your parents? At times it's my patience level, or lack thereof :). 7. How many slices of bread do you leave in the bottom of the bag when you throw it away? Two? Three? Just the heel? None? (I really want to know if you eat the heel.) I would throw the heel away but my oldest daughter & hubby eat it. 8. What mispronunciation or usage error really irritates you? 9. In honor of the uniqueness of today's date, what does the numeral 9 mean to you? (Any special life moments attached to the 9th? Are you the 9th kid in your family? Can you count by 9s really fast? etc.) Nope, nothing. 10. Does the general color palette in your closet match the colors you chose to decorate your home with? For the most part, yes. 11. When you're hanging out with friends in the kitchen, do you automatically ask to help, or do you sit there and chat until the host asks if you'd like to help? I'm not implying that the 2nd choice stems from rudeness or laziness, just not a first-response like it is for some people. I offer to help. 12. Let's end on a pleasant note: What do you enjoy about September the most? The colors of New England & the beautiful weather. Hope you'll play along too!  Copy the original text for the meme over @ 2nd Cup of Coffee http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/thepinkpetal/725278/ Wed, 9 Sep 2009 08:13:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/thepinkpetal/725278/ I have always believed - and even shared with my children - that "mistakes are ok as long as you learn from them".  If you don't learn then why or what needs to change for you to learn from the mistake?  It always seemed like a fairly easy lesson to teach my children. Then our youngest entered the picture . She is a joy, a blessing, and a delight........but sometimes she's far from easy.  I'll give you a little background. She's been walking since she was 8 months old and it opened up a whole word of things to get into. I know this sounds normal, but for us it feels a little extreme. All our other children were quiet, compliant, and yes, even easy.  I call her "Joy" - that's what she brings with her. Joy also tests my limits. She's a climber.......climbs on couches, up bunk bed ladders, tables, and more. No matter how many times she's told 'no' and removed from the object she's scaling she will jump right back at it in no time flat.  Almost 2 weeks ago she was sitting at the kitchen table with one of her older sisters. I thought they were coloring nicely until I heard the bang. She decided to try to reach across the table for something and her foot slipped of the table bench. When she fell she hit the kitchen chair before the floor. She actually broke her collar bone (remember she's only 17 months old). Since that happened 12 days ago (but who's counting) she has fallen from the same bench 3 more times - one of those times actually landing on her bad arm. I'm just wondering when she's going to learn from this? I'm so glad she brings us joy......when she's not climbing of course.   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/thepinkpetal/720960/ Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:04:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/thepinkpetal/720960/ One of our vacation days we took the kids to StoryLand in NH. I knew they were the perfect age & it would be a fun day. My girls are definately girly girls. They play dress up, pretend they're at the ball, and much, much more. When they met Cinderella they were quick to point out why this lady was "not the real Cinderella". They gave me an entire list of things the park had done wrong with picking out their version of this princess, but for some reason they were not bothered in the least by this imposter. They enjoyed meeting her and getting their picture taken with her but, to my surprise, the hightlight of their day was getting to ride in the pumpkin coach. Maybe it was because in all of their imaginative play they had never been able to experience it for real. Whatever their reason I will never forget their excitement. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/thepinkpetal/715521/ Sat, 8 Aug 2009 14:04:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/thepinkpetal/715521/ I always look forward to summer. I picture it as a time to relax & enjoy the kids, the great outdoors, and some great family fun. For some reason this summer seems more hectic than others & I thought I had cleared our schedules pretty well.  I think some of it is because of my pregnancy.  I feel sicker with this baby than with any of my other children. I am NOT complaining. (God showed me something many years ago with one of my other children & therefore I will never complain about being pregnant). I just seem to lack the energy it takes to get involved in the things I wanted to do this summer. Then a friend of mine, who owns a Christian school, asked me if I would come in and teach the kids how to crochet this summer. How can I turn that down, right? This week my husband is away for work & the kids are at VBS. By the end of the week I need to have all 7 of us packed so we can leave for vacation early Saturday morning. (No pressure!) I am so looking forward to a vacation where we can all just take a step back, stop running around, and enjoy each others company. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/thepinkpetal/707841/ Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:23:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/thepinkpetal/707841/ I am happy to announce we are expecting another bundle of joy to add to our clan.  I could not be happier.  And to make the news even better I'm due on my birthday.  I am truly blessed with a wonderful brood and I am looking forward to what this new little life will add to our family. Prayers are always welcome.  I have had a couple of miscarriages, one of which was twins, and I've had some difficult deliveries, but God has been faithful. I'm looking forward to my ultrasound on Wednesday just to confirm a heartbeat.  Then I will sleep a little easier.   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/thepinkpetal/704708/ Fri, 3 Jul 2009 08:46:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/thepinkpetal/704708/ For quite a few months now I have felt as if God is leading me in a new direction, creating a new path for my life. It started last fall when I felt God telling me to take a break from the ladies bible study I am involved with. Naturally I thought that was crazy. Why would God want me to stop studying His word? So instead of listening I signed up for the next bible study. I got a lot out of it (Esther by Beth Moore) but still felt like I was not supposed to be there. So, when it was over I decided I would listen this time. Then came other things.... getting my house in a more organized order, clearing more things off my plate..... I fully intended to listen even though I had no idea where He would be taking me.  Then came the hard part. I felt friendships were changing. It makes my heart sad when friendships don't always stay the way you want them to.  Sometimes it's subtle differences - big family vs. small family is one that comes to mind. To me something like that wouldn't make a difference, but some of my friends don't necessarily agree with our choices. So I felt God nudging me to start this blog & make new friends. Open myself up & see what He has in store for me. I am praying I will build some wonderful lasting friendships through this blog.     http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/thepinkpetal/703554/ Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:21:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/thepinkpetal/703554/