Dec. 4, 2009 - What's Everyone Up To?
(I NEVER watch 60 Minutes, but the other day, I happened to catch Andy Rooney as I was flipping to find Extreme Home Makeover. I thought it would be fun to write something as if Mr. Rooney were talking. Here is my lame attempt.)
Life must have us all in the fast lane. I sure miss the "old" days when we all had hours to kill on the computer. I miss the old days of blogging when I'd get 8 comments before noon. I really do. Perhaps with all the other avenues like Facebook and Twitter, the true bloggers are left in the dust while everyone else is wasting time elseware. I looked at my friends list yesterday and noticed that more than a few have moved on or no longer update their blogs here. *sniff, sniff*
Blogging does take time and effort. You have to think of something to write and then write it. And it helps if you have some good photos to post as well. And then there is the flip side of leaving comments. Currently, I have left some 6824 comments in the last 3 years. (Not that I keep track.
) It is a responsibility to leave comments, if you have a blog. Lately though, it is getting harder and harder to leave comments with fewer and fewer people updating their blogs. (I could go into a rant here, but I won't.)
So what am I to do? Why am I thinking about all of this? What is my point? Does anyone care? Please update your blog. It is your responsibility.
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Dec. 2, 2009 - Thanksgiving Weekend in Pictures
Here are some pictures of our weekend. The first group is from our Thanksgiving dinner with family. The football pictures are from the highschool state championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. The kids really enjoyed going for the second year in a row.
Dec. 1, 2009 - Poor Kitty
Nov. 30, 2009 - When It Rains It Pours
Just a quick note here. It has been an emotional weekend for us. Grandma fell on the way to the car after our wonderful family celebration on Thursday. She broke her ankle and had to have surgery on Friday. This is not easy when you are in your 80's. Today she was taken back to her nursing home to begin rehab. Grandpa had his oncology appointment and indeed does have chronic leukemia. He's probably had it for some years. No treatment plan is in place yet. Not sure he will cooperate, anyway. My biggest concern is for my mom who is their primary guardian and is not 100% herself on a good day. Oh my. All this we give up to Him and wait for His provision.
Other than that, life is good.
~Jenn
PS Hope to upload my photos from Thanksgiving soon and get some posted.
Monday, November 30, 2009 - The 12 Days of Christmas is coming!!!!
Now, for those of you who may be unfamiliar with this SHMILY Time tradition, The "Twelve Days of Christmas" isn't talkin' about "A Partridge in a Pear Tree. It's a twist that I'm sure your husband will enjoy!
It all started because my husband and I would wind up arguing during the holidays EVERY YEAR because it was so stressful. Spending time and money on friends and family seemed to get out of control no matter how much we tried to "get better" each year and would result in some sort of argument, so A few years ago, I decided I would something different... Twelve days before Christmas just happens to be my husband's birthday, so I surprised him each day, and got us all the way to Christmas day without an argument! I found it really hard to get angry with someone that I was so focused on loving and praying for!
THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS... SHMILY STYLE revolves around the act of love and anything leading up to it. Now, I know this "strikes a chord" with some of you and I know that sex is not the only thing that makes a marriage good... so please don't send me emails or leave comments telling me this. (In fact, if sex is the only thing good in a marriage that's not healthy either.) What I've found to be true however, is how "taboo" sex is, especially in Christian marriages. We don't talk about it or even acknowledge it's importance in our marriages, when the fact is... God created it... and it was His intention that it is good. I understand that we, as a society have ruined that in so many ways, on so many levels... but THAT is not God's fault, nor does it change what He intended for beautiful and fulfilling and to make a husband and wife as one. Because of what sex has become because of premarital sex, pornography, adultry and the like, we have somehow become "scared" to talk about sex in a Christian marriage as if it's "dirty".
Unfortunately, sex is also one of the first things we "take away" or avoid when things get rough in our marriage as well. Let's face it, when you're arguing with your spouse, do you feel like making love?... probably not... and when that happens, the enemy begins his work at destroying our marriage... Think back to when you were falling in love with your spouse... at some point in time, there was a physical attraction... and chances are good it was pretty "intense". Just because you may have been married for awhile, that does not mean that your love making should get boring, or non-existent. It doesn't matter what stage (or state) your marriage is in right now bring the spark back to your marriage, and start with THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS!
Note: If you are in a process of healing in your marriage, or there is a hurt that hasn't been dealth with or forgiven, then please take a moment to pray the SHMILY PRAYER. I realize that some hurts and problems need more time to heal, and so this year may not be the time for THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS... instead, you may want to tuck this idea away and continue to pray for God to restore your marriage, including the act of love making. (The Power of a Praying Wife is also an excellent book to begin praying every day for your husband.)With ALL that being said, THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS involves some planning, so take some time to be thinking about what you can do to begin a year that will hopefully start a life long tradition!
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It begins on December 14th (12 days before Christmas)... and is for 12 DAYS... 12 consecutive days (or nights)! This is especially fun because most people's traveling and visiting relatives is during these days (keeping in mind that this would be especially fun while visiting relatives because only you and husband will know what's going on...)
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This involves an investment in your "drawer of many blessings" drawer as well... and yes, you SHOULD have one of these drawers, so make room (throw out some clothes if you have to... your hubby would rather see you in these anyway!) Start saving money and get your drawer stocked up! You'll be able to "recycle" here so the money you spend here is worth it in the end. You're investing in your marriage and that is never money wasted. (Your size is NOT an excuse either! Please read, "He loves you... quit hiding!" if you're struggling with your outer appearance. Have all your "little blessings" bought by 14th and plan for each day's surprise, along with any evening you might be able to get a sitter and go out (with your "little blessing" on to tell him about over dinner), or a friend to watch the kids so you can stay in (and put your "gift" to use)!
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Make or get a card to give to your husband on the 13th. An idea would be:
- "To celebrate the next twelve days of Christmas I have planned a special "gift" for you each day with only you in mind! Anticipate what each will bring as we celebrate the next twelve days of Christmas... twelve you're sure not to forget!" (Don't forget to sign it, SHMILY!)
For some ideas, on what you can do for your Beloved, check out the SHMILY Time blog and please feel free to email me with more of your ideas to share with others (include your name and/or your blog address if you're willing to share that too!) AND you can sign up to join the SHMILY Time fan page on facebook too or THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS... SHMILY STYLE event on facebook!
Put the spark back into your marriage and tell others about THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS by posting the blinkie on your blog/website! May the Lord be glorified as we seek new ways to put the spark back into our marriage!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009 - Post from the Past: Thanking God for Our Thorns
One of my all time favorite stories I love to read each Thanksgiving... it's worth the read... and please feel free to share what thorns you'll be thankful for this Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - Post from the Past: Things to do for Thanksgiving
For those of you looking for some things to do for Thanksgiving (whether homeschooling or not)... check out some of the following ideas from a post from the past:
FREE Thanksgiving Unit Studies and More!
Please feel free to share any of the ideas or traditions you do in your home for Thanksgiving!
Nov. 23, 2009 - Christmas Resources
Wow! Time is going so fast. I can't believe it is almost December!!! I don't know about you, but I usually start adding Christmas into our homeschool right after Thanksgiving is over. I am hoping to do an interactive notebook this year of Christmas Around the World, but I will have to see if my printer is fixed in time. Unfortunately, it started leaking. Ugh!!! Well, I wanted to share some resources that I have put together for Christmas.
Here are my homeschool Christmas resources:
Christmas Lapbook
Christmas Around the World with Children
Christmas Unit Study
Reindeer Animal Study
Here are some other resources for Christmas:
An Organized Christmas
Gift Giving Guide- Do you still need to get a gift for someone? Here's help!
Make Christmas Cards
Hot Chocolate for the Holidays
I hope these resources help make your Christmas more enjoyable.
Click in the graphic for more details!
Nov. 23, 2009 - Thanksgiving Week, Here We Come!
Hello Friends,
As many of you, too, are scurrying around to prepare a lovely holiday of thanks on Thursday, I thought I'd take a moment to post some pictures from our weekend and wish you a lovely Thanksgiving. As I do not plan to post again until next week, I'll try to make this one count. *wink*
First up, some pictures, especially for those precious family members who read my blog. ( 
you)
Here we are, all five of us, in front of a giant fireplace at Bass Pro on Saturday up at Lake Michigan.
Although the kids "know", they did not want to pass up a chance to talk to the big guy.
We had a truly delicious lunch at the restaurant located inside Bass Pro, a big treat.
Next, we attended a lecture on Indiana ship wrecks at Indiana Dunes State Park. You may be surprised to know we even have a ship wreck in our history. I know I was! They pulled this 2 ton propeller up from the wreck.
The weather was unusually perfect for beach combing. We gathered from the many smooth, flat rocks and attempted to skip them, some more successful than others. We wrote messages in the sand with sticks and marveled how a month of non-stop rain changed the beach in the last month since we last visited. Jeff and Grace climbed a huge sand dune. We finished our day with some steamy, dreamy, creamy hot chocolate.
Yesterday after church, we put up the tree as promised.
Grace is sporting her new, ladies size 8 shoes! (She is only 10! 
)
I am looking forward to the week ahead. We plan to take Wednesday off to prepare. My goal is to have 2 really packed school days before then.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Jenn
Nov. 22, 2009 - Update: Planning my own history lessons
Vanessa asked for it, so here it is. I thought I would give a little update on my previous post and let you know how things are working out. So far things have been going very well. We began our history this year with the year 1850 and have just finished covering the Civil War and Reconstruction. I really like that we are going at our own pace this year because it has allowed us to study things in more depth that were of interest to everyone. We've also been able to add in some topics that may not have been covered in textbooks or unit studies had we chosen just one resource. I've used some information from several history readers, textbooks, and library books as well as some information from samples of unit studies that I've had on my computer for several years. I'm amazed how smoothly this has gone. The time is drawing near to have another session of prayer and see what God gives me for the balance of the school year, but thus far it has really been great.
As for other subjects the kids are all doing well with their pursuits. SOS Bible is working really well for the youngest and the older kids are loving their choices as well. They each have their own personalities and interests and it is good for them to have individualized programs of study in these areas. I cannot say enough good about Teaching Textbooks math! It is really working well for us. The older children needed some in-depth review of basic math skills before they go on to higher math so I'm thankful we made that choice, and so are they. Of course Apologia science courses are awesome. We found those a few years ago and have enjoyed using them. My oldest is loving it. I've never saw him so excited about a science curriculum before we began using Apologia. I think he is finally getting answers his questions on a level that he can understand, and in depth a little more than other curricula that we used in the past.
I cannot thank God enough for what he is doing in our school this year. I often wonder why we try to make a go of things on our own when He has the perfect plan for us if we will just ask!
Blessings,
Missy
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