• Dec. 12, 2009
Where did childhoods go when boys played with toy guns and not recalled toys made in China
Better yet - they all survived!
I remember many afternoons playing Army with my big brother and other neighborhood boys, in the street nonetheless. We knew to get out of the way if a car came. And, we knew not to point the toy gun at anyone's face. The smell of hot caps just recently fired is still fresh in my memory. My only regret is that, as a girl, they always pinned a uniform on me that read: "Nurse," which would have been o.k., but I had to beg them to pretend to get hurt so I would have a purpose of playing.
We shot off model rockets with grasshopper or little ant passengers inside that ended up in a cornfield near my Grandpa's house or on someone's roof which had to be retrieved. My brother even had a pocket knife. And, yes, we enjoyed bottle rockets on occasion.
But, we knew how to use these toys. No one ever got hurt out of malice. I'm sure there were children with mishaps, but we didn't even put an eye out with a bb gun or an archery arrow - That's what a target was for. We climbed trees, much to my dad's disapproval, and never even fell and broke a bone. Instead, I remember long hours of relaxing sitting atop our nearby tree.
Were we just lucky? Perhaps. Or, perhaps angels were looking out for us, for which I am very grateful.
But, today there is no happy medium between dangerous play and playing with safe toys that are later recalled due to some danger or too much lead or such. Today toys are recalled before they can even be placed into the hands of a child as a gift that was already purchased. Most of these toys are made in China. But, then most of the items we use and enjoy today are made in China.
We don't know if toys are really more unsafe nowadays or if we just didn't know they were unsafe when we were kids. But, kids in today's world are really missing out with some good hard-core fun!
There is a place that still brings old fashioned fun to life for children while learning about history and heroes. A place where chilvary still lives. That place is the Vision Forum where you can order toys such as a bow & arrow, swords, toy rifles, army toys, rockets & even a Red Ryder bb gun (the kind on the popular A Christmas Story movie).
Of course use caution and teach your children how to play responsibly with these toys. I don't suggest you just let a child run wildly unsupervised with a potential weapon. Teach them how to use them properly. Teach them about history as they play and about defending what they stand for. You probably won't "shoot an eye out!" And, we might just give a little hope for the next generation to have a childhood full of memories while we're forming men who will stand up for their sisters, their brides and their family, the stuff heroes are made of.
(0 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Dec. 10, 2009
My Polar Express miracle moment
PLEASE READ MY OTHER HOMESCHOOL ARTICLES
Time went on, and I was sitting in a bookstore reading the Polar Express to my 2 or 3 year old daughter. I had never read this story before, and as I read about how all things are possible if you only believe, I couldn't help but notice how Biblical that is as well as how it related to my loss and desire to have my womb filled with life again. My eyes filled with tears as I attempted to read the last part of the story to my daughter.
As I read and cried, and tried to be audible to my daughter who was listening to the story, I noticed a little girl watching me read. She just sat there staring at my daughter as if she wanted to sit in my lap - As if she wanted me to read to her. She had the hair color, skin and eye color of a child who could belong to me. I noticed no parents or adults around - Just her. I looked up with tears in my eyes trying to hide my emotion as she kept staring at my daughter and had an urgency about her as if she wanted to just sit there and listen to me read to her. Finally, she looked at my daughter and asked, "What's her name?" I told her and asked in response: "What's your name?"
She responded: "Micah!"
Gulp! I looked at her with tears welling up even more and said, "that's a pretty name." As the words came out of my mouth I couldn't help but think I had never before met a little girl named Micah, though since this time I have had two friends name their child this. It was if I was glimpsing into the other side of this world into heaven. It was as if I was gazing into the eyes of the little baby I had lost. And, her response was strange for a girl so young. She replied with maturity as she commented that she knew her name was pretty. But, it wasn't a little girl's typical response. She sat there awhile longer as I tried to fight back more tears. Eventually, she got up and went to another aisle. I never saw an adult claim her or leave with her. I never saw her leave the store. I don't know where she went when she left my presence.
I know The Polar Express story in and of itself holds no magic. But, the correlation to scriptures does. It is a lesson on faith and believing. I know that it is quite likely that this little girl, Micah's parents were just a few aisles away, and that she was nothing more than a little girl wanting to hear a Christmas story. But, to me It was as if while I read the words from the Polar Express: "Simply Believe" God opened up heaven's window for a moment and let me reach out and almost touch the Micah I had lost.
The reality of my Polar Express miracle become more and more real to me as the years go on. I did not know it at the time, but would find out later that as I sat reading this story in that bookstore that day and saw that child named Micah, I was pregnant again. Her "magic" however, did not hold that baby in my womb as I would go on to lose that baby too. In addition to this, as my daughter (whom I was reading to that day) grows, her stature is very similar to this little girl named Micah.
Yes, to me, I will always believe that I saw through the window of heaven that day as I read the Polar Express. I can hear the sleigh bells as I reminisce my Polar Express miracle from God.
(0 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Dec. 3, 2009
No, you can't have the sugar cube till you eat your beans...."No, is not the right answer!"
Please read my other homeschool articles
My 3 year old provides a lot of comical material for blogging. Last night was no exception. She was having a tea party, and I broke out the sugar cubes. Later, she ate dinner. Well, she ate part of dinner. She left most of her green beans. Which, actually is odd for her as she loves green beans - That is if they're dipped in Ranch dressing (I don't ask, whatever it takes to get down the greens).
Some time had passed & she came to me announcing that she wanted another sugar cube. I told her that she could have another sugar cube after she finished her green beans. She kept persisting & I kept my answer the same. To which she finally exclaimed:
"No is not the right answer!" "Yes is the right answer, mommy!"
She makes me laugh. But, my answer remained "no."
(0 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Nov. 30, 2009
Stores should have warning signs on their doors: Caution mommies do not bring children
Please read my homeschool articles
All stores should have warning signs on their doors: "Caution - mommies - do not bring children" - At least, if you want to have a productive, happy shopping visit.
Tonight, I was attempting to run a "quick" errand of running into Deals & picking up an item I needed. It should have been a very quick in/out visit. But, I had all 3 children with me - as I usually do - And, I piled them out of the van for my fast in/out visit. Before we even got out of the van, my oldest daughter mentioned she didn't want to go in the store. My 3 year old was complaining that she did not want to wear her jacket (which was a very pretty warm sweater she was wearing over a sleeveless ballet outfit, and it was a fairly cold night). We entered the store with my 3 year old complaining, walked down a couple aisles not finding what I was looking for with my 3 year old asking for me to hold her (something I can no longer do with ease as she is getting bigger & I am getting older). I also had my wallet & car keys on one hand making it awkward to pick her up. She kept complaning about that until I went to reach for her hand and decided we should leave since the store didn't have what I came in for in the first place. When I reached for her hand, this little beautiful child let out a horrific scream saying, "No - I don't want to go with you - I don't want to hold your hand, and she continued!"
There I was in the middle of Deals with my little darling screaming at the top of her lungs as if I was attempting to kidnap her. Embarassed and humiliated with images flying through my head as to what everyone else in the store must be thinking, I stayed calm & kept asking her to hold my hand as we calmly make it out of the store.
I still have no idea what made her scream or say what she said, but I do know that all stores should come with a fair warning: MOMMIES BRING CHILDREN INTO THE STORE AT YOUR OWN RISK OF DEALING WITH UNUSUAL FITS AND BEING THRUST INTO THE SCHOOL OF LEARNING HOW TO DEVELOP BETTER PARENTING SKILLS IN THE MIDST OF PUBLIC CRISIS SCENES! O.K., so maybe the sign is too much to fit onto neon lights. But, it's a lesson learned for this mommy.
(0 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Nov. 29, 2009
O.K., Santa can't bring me that......But, the elves could do it!
CHECK OUT MY HOMESCHOOL ARTICLES TOO!
A few years ago when my son was asking for a very detailed complete diorama of the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang movie scene sets complete with each and every scene - The castle, the birthday party, the island - the cars - the laboratory shed filled with inventions - the house - the junkyard (he wanted it all in finite detail), I sat down with him and explained that he needed to probably come up with a back up request (because mommy couldn't figure out how to make something that elaborate).
Before we had children, my husband and I sat down and discussed what we would do with holidays in regard to which ones to celebrate and how we would go about celebrating them with our children. As Christians, we wanted Christmas to be centered on Christ. But, at the same time; we didn't want our children to miss out on the magical excitement of Christmas morning when the room is filled with presents & the jumping up and down, tearing into wrapping paper excitement begins. We did not want them to look back in their adulthood & despise the fact that they were kept from enjoying simple pleasures of childhood. Also, we did not want to lie to our children about Santa only later to disclose to them that Santa isn't really a real person. Oh, but - by the way - Jesus is! Honestly, which one would they believe if we had lied to them about the other.
So, we decided we would do the "Santa" presents on Christmas morning only we just wouldn't make a big deal out of who brought them. We never gave credit to Santa, but never said mommy & daddy had put them there either. As the days went on, our son questioned more and more and we disclosed more and more leading us to this one day when I sat with him to discuss the fact that he needed to ask for something other than this complex gift he had requested.
I weighed it out for him - Real - Make Believe. Elmo - Real or make believe? Mommy - Real or make believe? Blue's Clues - real or make believe? Jesus - Real or make believe? We went down the line with him answering correctly with each one. I asked - Santa - Real or make believe? He finally answered?
Santa is make believe - Jesus is real. I know Santa can't make this gift I'm asking for.
To which, I breathed a sigh of relief & sat back in my chair, but before a smile could even cross my face, I heard him say:
"But, the elves could do it!"
(0 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Nov. 27, 2009
Just pray, Be patient in the name of God.....Or, flippancy?
PLEASE CHECK OUT MY HOMESCHOOL ARTICLES
As I sit typing this, I sit in frustration. Once again, we are told to be patient, wait & pray! We've been there before in my husband's quest to be a full or even a part-time worship leader with a church. But, sometimes it appears to me as if "just pray" and "be patient" are used in the name of God way too flippantly.
A talented musician and singer, my husband toured the Midwest in bands for years before giving his life back over to his childhood calling of living to glorify his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He left the music scene, walked away from playing in bars, put down his guitar and saxophone and went back to church to seek God's will for his life. He had no intention of picking up his guitar again. Until God opened a door.
A few years ago, he went to apply for a salesman position at a music store. While he was there for the interview, the manager offered him a position - But, not as a salesman....As a music teacher of guitar. He had done this before & took the position after much prayer & consideration as he did not want to slip back into playing music for the world. So, he began teaching with no intention of compromising. He took on students who wanted to learn praise & worship or at very worst, lyrically wholesome songs.
This part-time teaching position mushroomed into a full-time job, and he is becoming burnt out to be honest. In the meantime, he has been seeking to lead worship as a worship leader at a church. We have had a few different opportunities. Each one has ended in very strange series of events, mostly having to do with egos in a few individuals within the church.
A few months ago, he heard of a church who was looking for a worship leader. He checked into it and has been leading worship now for a few months on and off whenever they need someone. The pastor, however, is continuing to look for a full/part-time worship leader and has referred to my husband as the interim worship leader. When he talked with me, he told me to be in serious prayer about where God is leading them - If they end up hiring my husband or someone else. He keeps telling me to pray. But, I'm beginning to feel like the boy in the scenario where a girl he intends on marrying refers to him as simply "my very good friend," with no intention of commitment to marry.
Next week, a young candidate will lead worship - This coming after my husband was asked to lead that week as they had not heard from this candidate. So, the opportunity to lead was given and then snatched away to give someone else an opportunity. But, my husband is scheduled to lead the following two weeks, and has been told there will be many more opportunities for him to lead.
In the meantime, my husband has tried to make it clear that he really wants this position. Every time, we are told to be patient & pray to see where God is leading the church.
Are they really seeking God's lead, because if they are it seems clear to me that my husband is the number 1 choice. If they are truly waiting on God's lead, I will be patient - again - and, wait for God to move.
(0 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Sep. 18, 2009
The night daddy's band opened for Building 429 & Todd Agnew
Please check out my homeschool articles
Tonight was a wonderful night for daddy, otherwise known as my husband, John. John is a fantastically talented musician who, from the age of 4 or 5 - when he watched the Beatles on television - has wanted to play guitar on stage, travel and get paid for it.
He had his shot at this for a few years before we met. Unfortunately, these years drew him further and further tugging him away from his commitment and love to be with his God and Savior. During these years, he found himself being drawn back to church, at which point he made a very difficult decision to lay down his guitar in exchange for serving God with all his life.
Shortly after this life-changing decision, we met. We married & eventually had children. John never picked up his guitar to even so much as play hardly ever. Until one day shortly after the birth of our first daughter, doors began to open up for him to teach guitar. He accepted this opportunity only if he could choose the songs he taught so they were not all out horrible worldly songs & he preferred teaching praise & worship. That is what he did. Soon, a worship leader position opened up for him at a church that was being founded. He accepted only to find that things changed & he was now sharing the position with someone else. He humbled himself. After a little over a year, the pastor took a position elsewhere & we sought a new place to worship. John, then got involved with the worship team at another church, which he has come to love & in addition to this, recently he has been privileged to worship alongside Kent Henry on Thursday mornings in a prayer room. Doors are opening up again for John in the realm of music. But, this time - there is no compromise. It is solely for Christ. Yet, there is still that longing in John to play before people as he once did, of course, on a smaller scale than the Beatles he saw on TV all those years ago. Still, John - in his musical talents - is a performer, an entertainer. And, apparently, for a talented entertainer to not be on stage is much more tortuous than a shy person being made to give a speech.
So, tonight was an honor. John got to play in the Brandon Salter Band who was an opening act for Kimber Rising, Building 429 and Todd Agnew (well-known Christian artists).
Here's some video from this evening. If you keep watching this one, you will notice that a little ways into the video, while they are singing "Shine your light on me....," there is a beautiful sunset in the background.
This next video is just a fun shot from the side-stage. And, the final clip is one that begins with special effects that are really sweet to the ears:
(0 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Sep. 11, 2009
Freedoms are never free: A remembrance of 9-11 on Patriot's Day
Photo Source: AP Press
Please read my other homeschooling articles too!
I'm sure everyone has a story as to where they were on September 11, 2001 (that is, if they're old enough to remember the day). I was 4 months pregnant with my oldest daughter. My son was 15 months old and had just started saying the word "Airplane" which came out more like "A-e-r-payne."
Having no idea what was happening and not knowing who Bin Laden was, early the morning of 9-11-01 (before the attack took place), I woke up from a dream that I was in a tall building being chased by a man, in a white shiek style covering, because of my Christian beliefs. As I woke up, I kept hearing a name I never really heard before (Bin Laden) and I saw images of white ash covered bombed out buildings in my dream. I immediately began praying until I could somewhat peacefully go back to sleep. Later, when I woke up and turned on the TV for my son to watch Elmo, I watched as the second plane crashed into the building & I immediately felt as though I had just been there in those buildings. The images that followed were the exact images I had seen in my dream. I always wondered why my prayers didn't stop this attack. But, I've also always felt as though my prayers & the prayers of many others who were awoken that morning in the same manner, averted more tragedy than what ended up taking place.
I remember standing in front of the TV trying to block the pictures from my toddler so he would not begin to associate the fun new word he had just learned (airplane) with fire and crashes. I stood in shock and horror as I rewound the Elmo video for my son to watch & I stared at the television feeling as though I had just stepped out of those fire-bombed buildings which my husband and I had walked passed a few years earlier never imagining they would ever be gone.
Remember today & never forget that our freedom will never be free.
And, on a side note: I was weaning my son because I was expecting a new baby in a few months at the time. This day - September 11, 2001; was the last day he chose to nurse. They say the world won't stop if you decide to quit nursing. Well, in his case I guess it did.
(0 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Aug. 25, 2009
First Day of School
Check out my other homeschool articles
We started our homeschool year again yesterday. The kids were excited - well, most of the children were excited: 
My second grader is the most happy girl in the world when school starts:
We started the day by walking and learning our memory verses. Then, we did a lesson on creation - how God made everything out of nothing. We drew with white crayons & then painted a thin layer of black paint over top and watched the picture appear. We also learned about molecules & how they move food coloring through the water & allow vanillin molecules to move through the balloon, so we can still smell the vanilla.
It was a good first day of school. My son even exclaimed that math was actually fun!!! Hope the rest of the year goes so well.
(1 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Aug. 13, 2009
Mom's birthday: She's turning *******Beep*******
Please check out my other homeschool articles
This week was my birthday. My son, at the age of 9, realized that I no longer want to be reminded of my age. He very cleverly put together a card that he read to me, saying "Today mom is turning *****bleep**** - that has been bleeped out because you don't want to know!" Hah! So funny.
My husband gathered all 3 children into the kitchen and actually made me a birthday cake. And, I must say - it was delicious! I give up when I try to make cakes because somehow in the frosting of them, I ruin them. But, not him. With 3 kids, they made me a precious and delicious cake:
Really, we didn't do anything spectacular or overwhelmingly important, but it was nice. And, it wasn't so bad turning ******bleep******* years old!
(0 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Aug. 7, 2009
Have a Six Flags Day!
Please check out my other homeschool articles
Yesterday, we had a Six Flags Day! Whatever that means - If you haven't been there for sometime, that is the greeting you hear all day long from employees of the park. We had an overall wonderful day. We had prayed for nice weather, and we couldn't have received a better day - high of 87 degrees, and a cool breeze when the sun went down. With the Six Flags Reading program tickets & a 2 year old, who was free to enter, we only had to pay for one adult. I had a coupon from Cold Stone Creamery for this, so we paid approx. $30 to enter the park, after the $15 to park our van. Throughout the day, we really did well with not spending much as well. We were determined not to go broke and spend our children's college education fund while using their free reading program tickets. So, we packed a picnic lunch & bought very little inside the park. We ended up buying a large lemonade for $5.00 (because John was so very thirsty) and then an ice cream for about $5.00 which we enjoyed while watching the Glow in the Park Parade. We all shared both the lemonade & the ice cream (with 5 spoons).
We were surprised, however, to see that they don't allow outside food or drink in the park. While, we understood the food ban, it's almost inhumane to not allow outside water to be brought in - though, we saw many people passed through with their water intact who were not stopped & we were among those people when we returned to the park after our picnic lunch. But, because of the "no outside drink policy," a person can get pretty thirsty throughout the day. While there are a few drinking fountains, they are few and far between, they do sell water bottles. These water bottles are $3.25. I have heard that Six Flags is hurting and close to bankruptcy. It occurred to me that if they would charge, perhaps, $1.00 for water instead of $3.25, they might sell a lot of water & actually make more money than they do by charging $3.25 a pop. As it was, had they charged $1.00 for each water bottle, I would have bought 5 waters to go around. But, at the $3.25 price, I felt as if a boycot was in order.
My children joined the ranks of many other homeschoolers last year and began "Reading for Six Flags." This means they read a certain number of hours and received free Six Flags tickets. These tickets can only be used for a certain amount of time, ending August 9. So, we set out to enjoy our children's reading tickets. This is no small task as John is always working & hard to get any time off.
When we entered the parking lot, which costs $15.00 unless you want the valet preferred parking for $10.00 more, the person at the booth took our money, handed us a receipt and then asked us to "Have a Six Flags Day!" As we pulled away, we questioned each other as to exactly what that means, to have a Six Flags Day!
We found a great parking space not too far from the gate considering we didn't pay the preferred parking price, and proceeded into the park. Now, keep in mind that the idea of waiting in long lines in the heat of St. Louis August days during an entire day trapsing around a black-topped park with very little shady areas, is not my idea of fun. And, now to add to the excitement, they blast music on speakers located almost everywhere throughout the park. It is very noisy in places. I'm more of a "sit on a sandy beach & listen to the ocean" kind of a thrill seeker. So, the words, "Have a Six Flags Day!" did not sound very appealing to me. Though, I was determined to make it happy for the family since we don't get many days like this spent with my husband along as he is usually at work.
With a smile on my face, we proceeded through the metal detector, through the ticket booth to purchase a ticket for my husband (the only one without a free reading pass, or free teacher pass or free 2 year old price. We then, proceeded through the actual entrance gates & were immediately greeted with people dressed in Warner Brother characters attire, and the picture taking began. This was fun, as it was evidence that at one point during the day, my hair was actually combed & bangs straightened.
We headed for the top of the park to work our way back down toward the entrance & then hit the water park later in the day. We had our suits on underneath our clothes as we had memories of the last time we had attempted the water park & used the changing areas - All, I will say is YUCK! Not doing that again. Hence, the suits worn under our clothing all day long.
First stop was Bugs Bunny National Park where our youngest (the 2 year old) could enjoy rides before becoming too tired. We soon found out that our 2 year old is even more terrified of heights than we had originally thought. The first ride was the hot air balloon ride. The ride goes up, around & you can twirl it all the while. As soon as the ride went up, she began to get upset. Thankfully, her brother was sitting next to her and comforted her the rest of the ride, when she was more than happy to exit. She then, wanted to play on the playground while her brother & sister rode more kiddie rides. We also rode the little train and experienced our first height issues for the first time during the day. Seems my 7 year old is 54" tall, or at least she is with her crocs on. My 9 year old, however, is only 52". So, the 7 year old was turned away from a spinning Taz ride for being too tall, upset we rode the little train as a diversion. Later, the 9 year old experienced upset when he was told he was too short to drive the bumper cars alone & had to ride as a passenger as his taller, 7 year old sister drove.
Next, we hit the best ride in the park. The weather was heating up just enough that this ride felt wonderful. And, there was surprisingly no line. Not only that, but our 2 year old wanted to ride the Tidal Wave. The height requirement for this ride is 36" with an adult. Right on the line, my 2 year old was excited to ride. My husband ended up putting his shirt over her head as the splash hit which was wonderful because as the tidal wave of water came splashing up drenching us all, my 2 year old shouted, "That was fun!" Older children in front of us turned around to see this little person who was more excited than they were with the thrill of the ride. At this point, we were all completely drenched, but feeling refreshed from the heat.
A little more time, and we were hungry. Not wanting to pay park prices for food for 5 people, I had packed a picnic lunch. So, we made our way to the front gate & back out into the parking lot for lunch. Right in front of the spot where we parked was a shady area with beautiful trees. We put our blanket down & thoroughly enjoyed our pennies-on-the-dollar lunch. We saved a fortune by bringing the picnic lunch, and then made our way back into the park to cover the other side of rides before hitting the water park.
The water park ended up being very relaxing, but didn't look as if it would be at first. There were tons of people, and no spaces to set our stuff. And, unless you wanted to reserve your own private cabana for $150.00+ (this is the price you pay for shade, 4 inner tubes, 1 $12.00 locker rental and 4 water bottles-or soda), there was absolutely no shade to be found. Needless to say, we didn't go the cabana route. Unaware of the cost, we did step underneath one cabana simply to take outer clothing off & put the suit on the 2 year old, then left the cabana later finding out what we would have spent. Thankfully, a man was kind enough to offer his chair that wasn't being used next to him, so we all piled our things next to this chair. As time went on, the crowd thinned out, the sun began to go down a bit to take the edge off of the heat, and it was one of the most peaceful places in the park.
A Colossal Hug!
We left there right at closing time for the Hurricane Harbor section (8:00 p.m.) and headed for the Colossal Wheel (a huge ferris wheel). My son, who has inherited my extreme fear of heights, was very nervous about riding on it. So was I, but my 7 year old wanted so badly to ride it, the I talked myself into the fact that it was a beautiful evening & it would be fun. When we got on, my son was very scared but calmed down about the 2nd or 3rd time around the circle. My 2 year old, however, clung to me & shook almost the entire time. Guess two of my children got my lack of love for heights.
Look at the gorgeous sunset
behind the gorgeous girl!
To finish up the night, we stayed for the Glow In The Park Parade. This was amazing. Yes, they had some strange inclusions in the parade, but they also had dancers, drummers, and these really cool puppeteers who held sticks and made 4 puppets move looking as though there were a total of 5 dancers per line. All of this was complete with glow-in-the-dark costumes. Very cool and worth the time. It was concluded with a parade of Looney Tunes characters. So cute!
We finished the night off by going out to Applebees & then home. The downside of the day was that we were almost home when all of a sudden, our 7 year old just began throwing up - out of the blue. So, now my new van has lost that new car smell, and we spent extra time giving baths & showers & cleaning out a van. But, today she seems perfectly fine!
So, whatever it means to have a Six Flags Day, I'd say we had more like a 10 Flags Day! And, all I have left to say is, "Have a Six Flags Day!"
(0 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Jul. 25, 2009
You learn a lot about a person hiking up the mountain
Our family just returned home after a trip to Gatlinburg, TN. We were there for a week with extended family in a large mountain house. We gather like this once a year, though this is the first time we tackled the mountains. We are usually more beach friendly. But, it was closer for everyone.
Among other activities, one day we hiked up the mountains to a waterfall called Laurel Falls. Now, this hike is nothing even close to a true mountain trek. This trip up the mountainside is actually paved making it wheelchair & stroller friendly. This is a good thing when you have a child in a stroller. Still, it's a hike.
Click here for cute video from our trip
And, there's more
A trip to a mountain house is a great bonding experience for the entire extended family, especially for those of us who are terrified of heights. One night, we shared a lot of deep emotions shared with siblings, cousins, nephews, nieces, etc. It was comforting to find how everyone interprets their upbringing and relationships within the same family. On our last night there, we enjoyed music. My husband, my sister and her husband and my brother all played guitar and harmonica to bring the family together with a really enjoyable jam session. It started as a way of entertaining the younger children as we waited for others to arrive back for dinner. It turned into a time of praise & worship and also a special song we re-wrote lyrics for to share with our parents who had paid for the trip but were not able to join us because of my dad's heart surgery and recovery process.
See, Tennessee is bear country. There have been several sitings of black bears. There were some on the trail we hiked up the mountain. There was one on our driveway at the mountain house. There was also a log that looked very much like a bear. On the website for the mountainhouse, they even feature a picture of a black bear standing on top of the swimming pool cover, looking at the pool rules sign. So, we took the words to the song, "The Bear Went Over The Mountain" and changed it with words that included our experiences with bears & video recorded it to share with my parents to thank them for the vacation. It was a time of bonding and fun with the entire extended family - old and young alike.
Follow me on Facebook:
(0 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Jul. 15, 2009
Mommy - I'm gonna stay to you forever!
Eliana attached to my leg!
Please check out my other articles!
This week my older two children have been at Camp Invention all day every day. So, it's just been the 2 year old and me. We don't get a lot of time alone, together - just the two of us. So, it's been a nice change of pace during these camp days.
Today, when I was driving to go pick up the older two children, I heard my little 2 year old say:
"Mommy - I'm gonna stay to you forever!"
Oh, I said, "you're going to stay with me forever?" She said, "Yes, I am!" Then, she said, "I'm gonna stay with you to-ever!"
My heard melted! My little 2 year old miracle baby, whom I waited 4 years to have after experiencing 3 losses - wants to stay with me forever! I love what she said, and I love her 2-year old incorrect English way of saying it.
Now, I realize that in reality, the day will come when she feels the calling to move out of my house & make a household of her own. I realize that's my job as a mother. It's my job to mold her and teach her - to give her a solid foundation and a springboard from which someday she is successfully launched into this world. When that day comes, I hope she will make an impact for Christ on everyone she encounters. I hope she will marry a Godly man and have children whom she raises in a Christian home with Christian values. I hope I'm laying the foundation for her to make that day happen.
But, while she is being taught and gently molded into who Christ wants her to be, I will enjoy the moment she spoke from the backseat, strapped safely in her little carseat:
"Mommy - I'm gonna stay to you forever!"
(0 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Jul. 9, 2009
Goodbye to a trustworthy car!
Please read my other homeschool articles
Goodbye faithful friend!
Today we said goodbye to a faithful friend. No - we didn't lose a person close to us. We donated our vehicle. Maybe we're overly emotionally wired, but tears were shed as we waved goodbye to this car.
This car was a great little car for us. My husband and I purchased it on the eve of Thanksgiving in 1994. We were married and had no children at the time. Our main consideration was only to purchase a workable vehicle that could hold an entire mobile disc jockey system to tote back and forth to Joyful Sounds jobs (Joyful Sounds is the name of our mobile Christian disc jockey service which provides lyrically appropriate music mostly for weddings). Our other main concern that cold November night was to purchase a vehicle that would replace my 1978 burgundy white pin-stripped Camaro that had begun to stall at its own whim. After plunking over a thousand dollars of repairs into it, we were afraid it wouldn't even make it home from the car dealership. So, there we sat negotiating a deal on this 1994 Ford Escort 2-door hatchback.
It had been a Hertz rental car that they put out on the market for 3 months and then sold (common procedure). So, we were purchasing an essentially brand new 1994 vehicle. We made a good deal and drove it home that night. As we drove home, I cried all the way home as I had just said goodbye to the car of my youth - the Camaro. This was my car that gave me freedom as I entered into my adult years. The one thought that comforted me as we drove away from my Camaro inside this new teal Ford Escort was that perhaps someday I would bring my babies home from the hospital in this new car.
In 2000, we did bring home our first baby in this Escort. Then welcomed another baby in 2002 whom we also brought home inside this wonderful little car. I loved the little car. It could buzz in and out of parking spaces and through traffic. I loved how my babies were at my arm's reach. I could hold the steering wheel and a bottle to comfort my newborn at the same time without taking my eyes off the road. I loved that the backseat had no doors which my children could open to fall out of or get fingers pinched, or trap their head in windows. I loved the space that this little car provided even though it looked so small. It eventually actually held 3 carseats side-by-side (though, finding the proper boosters that were narrow enough was nothing short of a miracle).
Escort packed with beach balls and children
I really enjoyed this little car. I felt as though it was my faithful friend - one who rarely let me down as it transported us to and fro so many memorable places.
But, at a little over 189,000 miles this car was beginning to cost us hefty whenever it did need a repair. Things were actually looking pretty good after the new water pump was put in, but in the process the mechanics broke off a bolt that attaches the cylinder box. After this, the car began to smell like oil. It had run quite roughly for quite sometime at stopsigns, and the check engine light would come on when driven on the highway. So, I had learned all the side roads to avoid highway driving as much as possible. The children learned that we pray whenever we enter the car for our safety and there were many times shouts of praise when we would arrive home safely. We took nothing for granted whenever arriving somewhere safely with no car repairs necessary! But, now it would smell like oil whenever we got in.
So, we were faced with a decision. We had noticed that a car dealership was making huge price cuts on closeout models. Because of the economy, they had not sold as many as they had purchased. We had to decide before the offer was no longer valid - do we continue to run the Escort till it completely dies, or do we purchase a new vehicle. It was a grueling decision as we have not had a car payment for close to 15 years. A person would think we were saving money that entire time, but that was not the case. So, we did not know what to do. This new vehicle comes with a 5 star safety record, which we were excited about - now with 3 children to consider. We finally came to the conclusion that safety was important and that we were probably spending close to what the new car payment would be on repairs.
So, I now drive a brand new Kia Sedona van packed with safety features that we hope we never have to put to a test.
And, today - we say goodbye to our 1994 Ford Escort faithful vehicle friend! Goodbye, Escort! I hope the Cash4Kids program suits you well. I hope that in the end, someone can actually get a few more years of good service out of you.
Thank you God, for leading us to such a good little car and for keeping us safe whenever we would drive it.
(1 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Jul. 8, 2009
No - I don't have to be super!
Please read my other homeschool articles
In her sleep the other day, my 2 year old screamed out "No - I don't have to be super!" It was plain and precisely audible. I laughed when I heard it wondering what she was dreaming about. What a funny thing for a 2 year old to say, especially in her sleep.
As I thought about this statement throughout the day, I thought more and realized that her sleepy words rang so true in my life. As a mom and wife, I quite often feel pressure to make everyone happy. When my toddler is screaming at me, I feel pressure to make it stop and satisfy her need. I feel pressure when my husband is leaving for work and needs a sandwich to take with him. I feel pressure when my children are needing clothes to wear or help getting a bath. I feel pressure when I hear, "mom, I'm hungry!" I feel pressure as a writer to get my articles out in a timely manner and such that they make sense to the reader. I feel pressure as an Ebay seller to get the items photographed, listed with a proper description & then shipped out safely to make the customer happy. I feel pressure as a Christian homeschooling mom to instill in my children God's values and words and to give them the best possible education they could receive. I constantly feel pressure to make others around me satisfied, needs met & happy.
Perhaps I am a people pleaser. Perhaps I just like peace and quiet so any squeaky wheel makes me uncomfortable and want to make things run smoothly. Or, maybe I want to be a super hero of sorts. Maybe I want to be the hero in my children's eyes. Maybe I want to be a hero to my husband. Maybe I want to be a superhero to the world looking on. Maybe I want others to think I am something more than human and wonderful. In reality, I'm limited to my humaness and the hours and minutes within the course of a day. I can only do what my Lord, Jesus Christ, empowers me to do.
The Bible says, "I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength. Apart from Him, I can do nothing!"
If Christ empowers me to complete something, it will get done. Otherwise, I can only do the best I can do.
So, today I scream along with my 2 year old - "No - I don't have to be super!"
(0 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Jun. 25, 2009
Goodbye Icons of My Youth
Check out my other Articles please
I can't believe it! I haven't even been able to get over the idea that the woman who influenced my hair style as a teenager is no longer alive. The passing of Farrah Fawcett is surreal to me. O.K., so if I'm showing my age with that one, I'll really show my age with the next idea is that - I didn't even get a chance to breathe in the idea that Farrah is gone & I hear that Micheal Jackson has passed this side of heaven as well. I can't believe it! I remember trying to do a perfect moon walk & watched him in old clips as a young cute, adorable talented Michael - the boy - sang ABC, etc. I just cannot believe it!
All this coming on the heels of Ed McMahon passing last night. No more, "Heeeeeeere's Johnny!"
It all makes me very aware of my continually aging body. While I really don't consider myself old, events like this make me feel that way. And, as I try to soak in the tragic news, my children rush around as though nothing bad happened today at all. I watch their innocence and their bodies so young and full of life & I realize my purpose.
I know someday we will all say goodbye to this earth. Our bodies will return to the dust. It is my belief, as I am told in the Bible - that all who believe in Jesus will receive eternal life. While I am far from deserving of that kind of reward, I believe it to be true because I believe God is not a liar. And, it was God who said that through scriptures. It's amazing to me to think that someday I will have the honor of standing before the God who made me simply because I believed in his son. I do not believe I will stand. I believe that I will be brought to my face on the ground in honor and awe of being given the opportunity to stand in the presence of the God who created everything. It is for that hope that I continue, though today in tears of sadness and disbelief that these icons of my youth are now gone.
(0 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Jun. 23, 2009
All that dancing is paying off
Please also check out my other homeschool articles
I'm bursting at the seams to share this with someone! My daughter competed in her very first dance competition over the weekend. It was a Christian dance competition. This means that the judges are Christian and the music and costumes were appropriate and hopefully brought praise to our Lord! Even though the judges were Christian and encouraging, they were still judges and expected excellence. At the end of each dance, the dancers would stand in front of the panel of judges and receive their critiques. I would have been a bundle of nerves and in tears with the least bit of comment that wasn't favorable. But, these girls stood there with poise & listened to their critiques at the end of their dances. They even thanked the judges.
The competition was for girls ages 8+. An exception was made for my daughter, age 7, since she was part of a dance group called Kingdom Dancers. This is a dance ministry from My King Studios in O'Fallon, Missouri. I've been so excited that my daughter has had the opportunity at such a young age to minister through her dance.
This was a very well done event & we are so happy we were privileged to be a part of it. And, of course, it's always fun to win. My daughter's studio came away with 3 trophies, 2 of which were presented for one of the dances my daughter danced. They came away with best overall dance, among two other trophies.
I'm so excited that my daughter is able to share her talent of dance at such a young age in a manner that brings praise to Jesus. I must admit, I enjoyed watching my daughter dance with her cute little smile. One of the highlights for me was when one of the judges specifically commented on how much fun my daughter seemed to be having as she danced before her Lord. What more could a dance mom desire?
Trophy for overall best dance
(1 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Jun. 23, 2009
And the rains came, then the heat - Will we ever get this garden in the ground?
Please check out my other homeschool articles
Rain, rain go away!
We've been trying to get this garden into the ground in our yard for sometime now. We started the seeds in containers on our deck with soil that had sat for a year or more which we tilled, weeded and planted seeds into. We planted corn, lettuce, peppers, peas and herbs - chives, oregano and corriander (don't know what corriander is used for, but we have it. I obviously don't even know how to spell it correctly).
We plotted out a piece of the yard that we are planning on making into our garden. We painted the fences & prepared to get these plants into the ground. And, then the rains came. It rained almost every day for a month. Certainly, it rained every day which my husband was able to help work on the garden. So, we do not yet have these plants in the ground.
Now, we've got a week of intense heat. Too hot for anyone to enjoy unless they're on a beach. So, it's all we can do to get outside to water these plants. When we did yesterday, we noticed that petunias were popping up in our corn and lettuce. Hah! Who would have thought. I did have some deep, encouraging thoughts on the topic. But, right there in our little container garden - up popped petunias! And, after I weeded the poor little corn stalk, it looks like more petunias are posed to bloom soon.
Here's our petunia in the corn pot.
Here's our petunia in the lettuce!
(1 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Jun. 22, 2009
Surpise Sick Children, PJ-Clad Toddlers, Low Tire Pressure Warnings & Other Nightmares for my Monday Morning of Bible Bee Memory Verses and VBS
Please check out my other articles
Last week was Joshua Generation Camp. This was fabulous! It was a VBS-type setting where the kids learned about Israel and our Jewish-Christian background. They even learned the Hebrew alphabet. This was so exciting that they were able to take part in something so amazing!
This week is another VBS. This time the theme is Boomerang Express - It all comes back to Jesus. Before I tell of my morning; however, I have to back track to Father's Day. My oldest daughter woke up at 3:00 a.m. throwing up. I have to tell you, a person just hasn't really lived till they've stepped in a pool of throw-up in the middle of the night. By evening, she was up eating soup & had no fever, so I thought she would be fine to attend VBS in the morning....That was this morning.
I left the house with just enough time to get the children to VBS on time, with the first-day registration and all. When I got in the van, I noticed my low-tire pressure light was on. It had been on during the weekend, but I had it filled up with air & thought all was taken care of. It wasn't. So, I drove to VBS with all 3 kids - the youngest still in PJs - and opened up the doors of the van, piling out two of the three children. I was not far from the front door, so I left the side van door open for the PJ-clad toddler to remain strapped in place while I ran the other two kids into the church. When I opened the door to the church, I realized the line for registration was too long, so I told the children I was going to go get their sister out of the van afterall. When I arrived back inside the church (not even 2 minutes later), my children were nowhere to be found - and, the registration line was growing longer. I searched until I found my son who was without his sister. I told him to go get his sister as we needed to wait in line for our name tags, etc. He left & several minutes later returned leading his sister out by the hand toward me. As she got closer, I noticed the paper she was holding was all wet. Inquisitively, my eyes started at the paper she was holding & moved up her wet arm, to her wet lock of hair, wet face, wet outfit and Yikes! It hit me - the child had thrown up AGAIN! In the amount of time it took me to run to get the toddler out of the van and for my son to locate his sister, she had thrown up all over herself. So, now I'm standing in line at VBS with 3 children - one in PJs, one covered from head to toe in throw-up and a son who is now completely disgusted and panicked that he will also get sick since he had touched his sister's hand, leading her out towards me. I got my son a wet wipe for his hand & wiped down his sister.
I have now been in line 2 or 3 times waiting to register for the first day of VBS as the line continued to grow longer. By now, I could hear the VBS starting with talking from the sanctuary. I told my son to stay put, wait in line & do not move as I rushed my throw-up covered daughter out the door to the van, with my PJ-clad toddler in my arms. I strapped the toddler back into her carseat & told my throw-up covered daughter to wait right there till I get done with the registration line for my son. She didn't wait. But, I was able to find an angel of a woman who grabbed my son, listened to my nightmare morning & said she would take care of everything. I then left the church building, went to the van where my throw-up covered daughter was inside the van - not waiting outside as I had requested. But, I decided not to squabble over details.
I then listened to my phone message from my husband who had called the van dealership and found out we could not get it to be worked on until Wednesday morning, so I headed for JiffyLube again to get my tire filled back up with air. Thank God for Jiffy Lube!
I got the girls home and managed to pick up my son on time when VBS ended for the day.
In the meantime, we are attempting to learn memory verses from the Bible to compete in a Bible Bee being held in September. Let me tell you, this is intense learning. I don't know how we'll do when all is said and done with the competition, but I decided in the course of it, that my children are going to learn these scriptures regardless as it is my responsibility as their parent to instill scripture in their hearts. So, this afternoon, they rattled off scriptures from Genesis & we will continue to review what we have learned or stumbled through so far. We have managed to make it up through the book of John in the New Testament and up to the book of I Samuel in the Old Testament. I'm hoping they will do more than just learn words. I'm hoping these scriptures will stick with them as they live out their lives this side of heaven and someday help them when they are the parent of nightmare mornings like mine was today.
(1 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
• Jun. 12, 2009
From Heart Cath Lab to Open Heart Surgery to Pacemaker
Please check out my other articles too
On Monday, my dad underwent open heart surgery to repair two valves that were causing congestive heart failure pneumonia. I sent out prayer requests to everyone I know - well, practically.....The surgery went well & the recovery has gone fairly smoothly with the exception of a lung collapse he experienced when they took out his respirator after surgery.
Then, came last night. His afibrilation (that's an irregular heart beat that I probably misspelled) went wild.
So, today at around 3:00 p.m. CST my dad will get a pacemaker put into his chest.
This dad may need heart repair from a physical standpoint. But, there's nothing wrong with his heart on a spiritual level.
My dad, at the age of 78, is about to undergo a procedure to put a pacemaker into his chest. All this after having open-heart surgery on Monday. And, on Monday, the thought of handing my godly father over to a surgeon for a few hours who was to stop his heart for an hour so he could repair it was mind-numbing. The thought of the possibility of saying goodbye to my father is even more earth-shattering.
My dad, like so many others, worked a large part of my childhood. I would see him when he arrived home at the end of the day beat tired kicking our toys out of his path. As I grew, I saw my dad's heart. Yes, the heart that will be repaired soon in surgery.
His true heart needs no repair. This man has been an elder at his church for years. He always stood up for me when necessary. He took me out to eat once to tell me how much more I was worth than how the boy I was dating was treating me. I went home that day and broke up with that boy. I am now happily married to a godly man. Thanks to my dad. I can't imagine my life with the other. My dad says very little, so when he speaks I know to listen.
His heart needs physical repair. And, he will soon undergo the insertion of a pacemaker and then continue to recover from open heart surgery. But, his heart is spiritually the biggest heart that could ever hold me, his daughter
(2 Comments)
(Post A
Comment!)
(Permanent Link)
Last Page • Next Page
