• Aug. 9, 2007
Our Trip to Farish!!!!!!!!!!!

This was such a fun trip!  God blessed us with a reservation for a cabin that you usually have to book 3 months in advance.  Jason helped the kids catch some fish!  We caught and released them!  They were so proud! 

This is Melissa holding her rod!  Amazing how, even when fishing, she looks so girly!  This is my girly girl through and through!  She caught the first fish!

Now this is the way to fish!  Michael is having a great time fishing, drinking water and soaking up the rays!  Could these kids be any cutier?

 

Rebecca caught the next fish of the day!  She was the most diligent fisherman next to her daddy!  Not a bad catch!

This is how all the kids did their fishing.  They sat in their chairs!  Yes, even Kevin!  He can hold a rod with the best of them.

Michael is enjoying roasting marshmellows on the fire!  It was so much fun even if it was a little messy!

Melissa was enjoying eating her very melted marshmellow!  She likes them very toasty without burning!  She needed a shower to get the marshmellow from her hari!

Rebecca, in true grown up fashion, had fun with the marshmellows without making the mess!  But she still gives us the silly poses! 

Anybody out there watch the Bridge to Teribithia?  How about read the book?  Well, this is Rebecca sitting on her lookout point in Teribithia!  They had such a great time making up the story to fit them!

THis is Melissa in Teribithia!  When I went to see the kids down there I asked Melissa what she was doing.  She tells me that she is scraping mold off the rock to make it look like they are cleaning and not prepared for an attack!  Behind her is a stock pile of rocks to keep their enemys at bay!

Of course, Kevin had to be a part of things too!  He is posing with his walking stick in this picture.  He helped with gathering rocks for their saftey as well!

I can only assume that Michael is pulling bark off this tree to stock pile it for beef jerky!  The kids had quite a pile when we left.  I thought it was their campfire but they told me that it was jerky!  Very resourseful!

This is all the kids in Teribithia!  They didn't want to leave.  They wanted to keep it as their very own special place.  I told them to make their Teribithia whereever they are.  This was a great trip! 

We had such a great time!  The Lord blessed us with lots of fun.  We also went hiking alot!  The kids can hike me under the table!  I wouldn't miss this for the world!  I love having my family and doing things together!  What a blessing God gave us when He gave us our families!  Life is so much richer and fuller with my kids!  Have a great week everyone!  Tanya

 

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• Jun. 25, 2007
Garden of the gods!!!!!!!

 Stacy and I went to the Garden of the Gods with the kids.  We did some climbing and exploring!  It was a great day!

 

 Kevin and Kyle are holding tight to their leafy toliet paper!  Yes, you heard right!  They are very large leaves and they are very soft!   The kids thought this was a very interesting idea!  Luckily for us, we didn't have to use them.

 

 All of our cuties standing in what looks like a cave!  Aren't they adorable.  They got so dirty but loved every minute of it!  Stacy and I watched the getting dirty part.  We are a little old to go home with red dirt all over our bottoms!

 

 I posed Kevin up on this rock.  He was scared he was going to fall.  But he did a great job!

 

 This is Michael's pose.   He climbed up by himself but was also scared of falling.  I made him get up there anyway!

 

Rebecca has no fear of climbing or posing on anything.  She is getting so big! 

 

 THis is the picture that inspired the rest of the rock pictures!  Doesn't she look like the most ladylike outdoors girl you ever saw! 

 

We really had a great time hiking.  We stopped to eat lunch and then hiked some more.  The kids found poop and tracks!  We looked at birds and lots of plants!  What a way to do school.  This state is great for outdoor excersions!  Hope everyone enjoys the pictures!

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• Mar. 27, 2007
Hello to All!!!!!!!!!

Hello everyone!  It has been a crazy year.  This week is spring break and we are taking a break from all of our normal activities!  We are doing school and we are cleaning house.  I know, not very exciting!  But sometimes it is nice for things to be boring.  We are having a friend over tonight.  Her husband is in Iraq and we try to have her over regularly.  Anyway, the kids are doing well with school this year.  Melissa is reading chapter books.  She is doing some pretty tough math too!  But she is doing very well.  We are proud of her progress.  Michael is learning to read!  He is picking it up far better than I could have hoped.  I am glad that I waited until this year to start teaching him.  It has been a painless process.  Kevin is learning to color in the lines, learning his letters, and learning his colors.  He will start school with us next year.  He is sooooooooo ready!  Rebecca is growing up much faster than I want her to.  Today we had a discussion about money.  She wants to use her savings bonds to go visit family.  I had to explain to her that her Mammie and Grandma didn't want her to use that money for the visit.  They wanted that money for her to go to college and start her life.  She asked me if you could just spend your own money to buy a van instead of having to make payments!  Isn't it funny that children understand the mind of God better than adults sometimes.  Of course, we wouldn't have our van if we had to pay for it all at once.  She has decided that she is going to save and buy her van with cash.  Smart girl!  Anyway, other than the usual business, nothing new is going on.  I hope everyone is having a great year!  God is so good!  He takes wonderful care of us!  Enjoy your week!  OK mom, I posted, I expect a comment from you! 

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• Jan. 26, 2007
Hiking up Helen Hunt Falls!

Hi All! 

Jenn and I decided that it was a beautiful day and we didn't want to waste it so we hiked up Helen Hunt falls for school yesteday!  Oh, it was slippery but lots of fun!  What a great way to spend the day!

This is a picture of all our kids on the bridge before we hiked up!  They were having such a good time.  They even brought  notebooks to sketch what they saw!

This is the kids hiking down.  Notice how they shed theire heavy jackets?!  It gets hot when you are hiking even in the snow!

This is the water flowing in a whole in the snow!  It is beautiful!  And amazing !  God is awesome!

If you look closely, you can see the frozen falls!  It flows in some places and freezes in others.  It was truly beautiful!  Homeschooling is awesome!

 

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• Jan. 24, 2007
I can't believe that it is 2007!

I don't know about anyone else but it just feels like time is flying by!  The older I get, the faster it goes.  Rebecca is going to be 10 next month.  I just can't believe it!  She will get her first ID card.  She is just getting so grown up!  All my kids are.  I almost have Kevin potty trained.  What will I do without a diaper bag!  But there are so many good things going on.  Jason is starting college.  He is on a plan to finish his bachelor's degree in a year and a half.  I am so proud of him!  A friend and I are teaching preschool for a co-op.  And what is funny, I am looking forward to it!  I think it will be fun.  I am starting a book club too!  I decided to read War and Peace, so I decided to see how many of my friends wanted to join me.  We will see if we actually make it through the book.  I have joined Curves too!  I am determined to take better care of myself and get in better shape.  I am going to the gym at least 3 times a week!  I am sore but I love going!  And best of all, God is still good!  He never changes and He never forsakes me!  I am just so very grateful for my life!  I just wanted to count my blessings!  They are many!  I hope everyone is having a wonderful year.  And if you are struggling, count your blessings.  It won't make things instantly better, but it will remind you that God is in control everyday!  Have a wonderful week!  God bless!  Tanya

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• Oct. 10, 2006
It's been a while!

I know it has been a while since I last posted.  We are so super busy!  We are moving into a bigger house!  Praise God!  We went to South Dakota for vacation and had a wonderful time.  I could sooooo live there!  Do you ever do devotions with your kids and end up teaching yourself?  My latest lesson was on why we should obey God instead of asking for forgivness later.  My oh my, that was for me!  Sometimes I wonder how I can serve such an awesome God and still make so many mistakes!  Boy, I am so glad that perfection is not a requirement to be saved!  I would never make it!  But the story is so very true.  For parents and children alike.  There are always consequenses for our sin.  It doesn't matter if you are 2 or 100.  And you can say you are sorry and God always forgives us but if we do what He asks of us in the first place we don't have the consequenses!  Such a simple lesson but not so easy to follow!  Anyway, I am so grateful to be homeschooling.  I would never learn so much any other way.  I have learned how much I don't know.  I hope every one is having a wonderful year!  God is so good! 

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• Aug. 11, 2006
Job Interviews!

Hi everyone!  We have kicked off our official school year this week!  I am using Konos this year and we are really enjoying it!  So far anyway!  So we are working on attentiveness and yesterday we were learning about body language as well.  So we did job interviews.  The girls did a job interview where they were attentive to their apperance and walked with confidence and then they did one where they did not care about there appearance and they were unsure of themselves.  We had a blast!  I hope everyone enjoys the pictures!  Tanya

 

 

This is Rebecca.  She was trying to be an artist.  Needless to say, she didn't get the job and I didn't buy any of her art work! 

 

Melissa came to interview to be a wedding planner.  I asked her if she had ever planned a wedding before and she told me she had.  She said that her father had died and when her mother planned to remarry she planned the wedding for her!  I couldn't believe that she came up with that!  She had all kinds of big ideas.  She still doesn't know if she got the job or not!

 

This is Rebecca trying out for the wedding planner job.  She told me she planned a wedding for about 40.  They didn't want anything to big.  The theme was roses!  She even planted a garden for this particular bride because she had plenty of notice to get it done before the wedding!  The girls keep asking me who got the job.  I still haven't decided.  Maybe I will give it to both of them.  They both did a great job!

This is Melissa interviewing for the artist position.  I asked her what kind of art she painted and she told me the messy crazy kind!  When I shook her hand at the end of the interview I asked her why her hand was wet and she told me it was because the paint hadn't dried from the last painting she did!  She did not get this job either!

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• Jun. 23, 2006
Convention

Hi all!  It has been a while since I posted so I thought I should get to it.  I got back from convention a couple of days ago.  It is the first convention I have been to and I had alot of fun.  I learned alot to.  I have to say, I have never been around so many nice people in my life.  We went to the curriculum sale and it was crowded!  But it was still fun because no one got mad or pushed and argued!  I have never seen so many homeschooling products in one place.  A girl could really go nuts in there.  As for the work shops, they were very informative.  I really enjoyed the Genesis workshop.  Anything that shows how wonderful and true God is, I enjoy.  And I really liked the workshop on the meek and quiet homeschooler.  That is my new prayer.  I want to be meek and quiet.  I  know that it will help my family be happy and besides, it just makes good sense.  Now for those of you that know me, you know that meek and quiet is an oxy moron for me, but I know that God can change me so that is what I am striving for.  I hope that all of you moms got to go to something like this.  If not I pray that you will next year.  I am renewed in my homeschool purpose.  And if I ever thought I was alone I know now I am not by any stretch of the imagination.  God bless everyone and have a wonderful week!  Tanya

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• May. 2, 2006
Did I mention that I love homeschooling?!!!!!!

I went for a walk with a friend of mine this evening and guess what we got to see?  A den  of foxes.  We got to watch the mother and her five kits playing and having a grand old time.  If my kids were in school I probably wouldn't have been out for a walk with all of them at that time of night.  They would have been in bed.  But it was just so cool!!!!!!!!  And the kids loved it.  It was like God had them all come out at that exact time for me and my kids!  Actually I believe that he did just that!  Isn't God great!  People think I am crazy for homeschooling but I think they are crazy not to.  You miss so much if you don't homeschool!  Arn't we blessed to teach and experience life with our kids?  What a great thing!  I am so glad that God got my attention and I chose to homeschool.  I think it is for my kids but now I wonder if it isn't for me?  Anyway, just thought I would let everyone know how awsome my evening was!  God bless everyone tongiht!  I have to go tuck my angels in!   Tanya

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• Apr. 16, 2006
He is Risen!

The most exciting words that could ever be spoken.  He is Risen!  He is alive.  And He is saving us a place in heaven!  What could be wrong in this world that knowing that Jesus died and took our sins away couldn't fix!  Our Pastor said this morning that we have something great to celebrate today!  It should be the best day of the year.  Thank you Jesus for dying for my sins!  This is a truly wonderful day!  I hope everyone remembers why we celebrate today.  God is so awesome!  I am sure that we are all feeling grateful today.  Have a wonderful Easter everyone!  Tanya

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• Apr. 6, 2006
Matthew William Clemens

Hi all!  I know that it has been a long time since I have posted and I am sorry.  Tonight I want to write about my beautiful son.  Matthew died 8 years ago today.  He was on life support for 2 months before he died.  He was a beautiful child and my gift from God.  Watching him die was the hardest thing that I have ever done in my whole life.  But I wouldn't take back a second of it.  It makes me think, how did God do it?  How did God send His son to die for sinners.  I didn't want to give my son up to heaven but God gave His son up to us.  Thank you God for always loving us.  We don't desevere it but thank you so very much.  God had truly helped me through this time.  Every time I think I am alone He shows me that I am not.  He used my mom in a mighty way.  She has been my rock.  When I was sad and crying she loved me.  She never gave in to her overwhelming sadness that I am sure that she felt.  She helped me to find my way.  She always remembers.  When the world has forgotten what happened mom remebers.  She makes me feel like there is someone out there that is thinking and praying for us.  Thanks mom!  You are my hero.  Matthew is blessed to have such a Grandmother.  I hope everyone has a blessed week.  Remember, no matter what you are going through, God will take care of you.  He always helps us through.  Praise God!  Tanya

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• Mar. 14, 2006
Don't Wait! Serve God Now!

  These are the words that my 6 year old daughter told a friend of mine today at swimming.  When her brother asked her where she learned it she said that her Sunday School teacher told her about a man that kept putting off serving God until he got very old and died.  The lesson, "  Don't Wait!  Serve God Now!"  What joy it brings to my heart to hear that my daughter not only listened to what she was taught but thought it was important to share with others!  Simple words with a very powerful message!  She asks me how she can serve God.  If only I had such a wonderful attitude!  So I am putting my daughters words out there for all of us busy adults!  Let's serve God now!!!!!!  Thanks Melissa for reminding me!  YOu are such a joy to your mom!!! 

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• Feb. 17, 2006
Remembering God!

Wow!  What a rough couple of weeks.  I feel like I am so behind I will never catch up.  We have had a lot of sickness in this house lately.  So I have been stuck here.  I have to say though that it has given me some time to think.  It is so easy to be going about the Lords work that you forget about the Lord.  I know that is what I have done lately.  How can I forget my Lord?  I just don't know how it happens but when I look up from being busy I realize that I talk a good talk but my walk isn't where it should be.  Anyone else out there have that problem?  So I am going to start over today and make the Lord the most important part of the day.  I am going to praise my God for being alive instead of complaining that things aren't going the way that I want them to.  Thank you Lord for being my God, savior and king!  I would be so lost without You!  I hope today we all take a look at our lives and make sure that we aren't so busy working for God that we forget Him.  We are nothing without Him and all the things that we do nothing without Him!  Have a wonderful God filled day today out there in cyberland!  Love your God and love your familiy!  Thanks to everyone who prayed for my family during our tough weekend.  Tanya

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• Feb. 5, 2006
Hard Weekend!!!!!

  Hi All!  This has been a tough weekend.  Yesterday would have been my son's 8th birthday.  We lost him when he was 2 months old.  Even though I know that he is better off in heaven with God I still miss him!  I think about what he would have been like.  What would his favorite subject have been, what fun thing would he have wanted to do for his birthday?  Well, I know that God knows best about these things.  And my son is so much better off where he is.  I will see him soon I know.  A life time seems like a long time but compared to eternity it is just a drop in the bucket.  And then we got news that Jason's grandfather passed away.  He was sick so it wasn't totally unexpected, but it is still hard for Jason.  He really did love his grandfather.  And he isn't going to be able to make it for the funeral.  So please everyone pray for my family.  We will be fine.  God is bigger than any hurt but prayer always helps.  I am so glad that my God is so big even though we are so small.  Sorry not the happy posts that I usually write but sometimes life just gets in the way.  I am still joyful just not in the joking mood. 

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• Jan. 31, 2006
It's Too Early!!!!!!!!

OK, does anyone else think that it is too early to be up?  I think they should pass a law that you can't get up until 8 am.  But of course no one listens to me.  Maybe I am so tired because I went out to dinner after my HOME meeting and didn't get in until almost one.  Even though I knew I had to be up early to go to enrichment classes.  Well, I guess as my dad use to tell me, if I am going to stay up that late I need to suck it up and function anyway.  So we are getting ready for classes.  I hate being late so I have to really get moving.  Can I just say that I am so blessed to be alive and able to go do things with my kids today!  All joking aside, if I never get to sleep again so that I can experience my children to the fullest that is fine.  What an opportunity I have to teach and train them!  They are all bright eyed and bushy tailed this morning.  My husband is already on his way to work.  So I guess I should stop whinning and get moving.  I hope everyone has a wonderful day.  Remeber to put God first.  You will never be sorry! 

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• Jan. 26, 2006
Ice Cream Field Trip

  Hi all!  We went on our first group field trip today and it was awesome!  We went to the Marble Slab Creamery.  The owner took us back and showed us how he makes his ice cream.  He also gave us a little history on the ice cream cup and bowl.  It was Great!  He gave everyone a discount and was so patient with all the kids.  He thinks us homeschoolers are great.  We ate lots of ice cream and didn't even make to much of a mess.  God is so very good!  My kids missed this field trip in Florida and got to go here.  He always gives us more than we deserve.  Anyway, it was a sucess and I am glad that we went.  Can't wait to get the planning done on the Museum field trip for next month.  Have a great week  everyone! 

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• Jan. 25, 2006
The Gym!!!!!!

Hi all.  Yesterday was wonderful.  We had a wonderful time at classes.  We learned some German and laid on the floor to read books.  It was great!  I am tired though.  And I have talked my friends into getting up and heading for the gym in the mornings.  I must be crazy!!!!!!!!!  So do you think they will still like me after this morning?  I am not sure that I like myself. I could sit here with a nice warm cup of coffee and instead I am headed out the door to the gym.  Oh well.  It will be good for us.  And if we all lose a little weight maybe I will be a hero!  I will get school done at some point.  But if I have learned anything about homeschooling it is a lifestyle not a couple of hours at home.  There is a learning opportunity everywhere and we are the priveleged ones that get to show it to our kids.  So today I will teach the children that excersie is very important to a healthy lifestyle and the 2nd and more important lesson, we all have to do things that we don't want to do.  Great lessons don't you think!  I hope everyone has a great day.  Remember to say thanks to God for everything.  He really is good and gives us so very much to be thankful for!   Tanya

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• Jan. 24, 2006
Enrichment Classes

  Well, today is the first day of enrichment classes!  I went to bed at 12 and got up at 5.  I think I will need some motrin today!  But the kids are so excited to do these classes.  It can only be good for them.  I have volunteered to help so I will be close at hand.  I am really excited to see them start Intro to German.  What a great age to start learning a language!  Rebecca will get to read in one of her classes and that is the class that she is looking forward to the most.  I am looking forward to being around a whole bunch of chrisian homeschooling moms and kids.  What could be better?  As for the newest member of the familily, Buddy enjoys peeing on the floor and chasing the kids.  I must be crazy!!!!!!!!!!!    By the way, I love these smilies.  They are so fun!  Well, until next time enjoy the smilies!!!!!!!!

 

                         

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• Jan. 23, 2006
Our New Dog!!!!!!!

         Hi All!  I can't believe we did it but we got a  dog.  A puppy to be more exact.  I never thought  I would be  this crazy but anyway...  He is 4 months old and just as cute as he can  be.  He is part  Lhasa/pekenise.  He isn't going to be a big dog but he is the perfect size for this family.  He loves the kids.  He chases them round and round.    Then they chase him.    He is adorable and we love him.  He will make me crazy due to my already busy schedule but watching my kids with him is worth it.  Oh, we named him Buddy.  Isn't that a great name.  I get a picture of him on here soon.   Just thought everyone in cyber land should know about my fun new guy.  Tanya

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• Jan. 20, 2006
Moving To Colorado Springs

  We haven't been in the Colorado Springs area very long but it was a hard move for us.  We left a really great church and a much warmer state to come here.  But it has been a very positive move for us.  God always takes us in the right direction.  Jason got a promotion and the kids are thriving in school.  I am doing better than I ever dreamed.  I have helped start this group and things are going so well.  I feel like God is working in my life every day.  Not the way I would have picked but He is making me a better person.  And I do have to say, it is beautiful here!  There is no shortage of things to do and lots of great homeschooling opportunities.  I have learned more here than I have any place I have ever gone.    The kids love the snow and all the things that we have to do.  It is just a reminder to me that God always uses every situation to make something good for those who love Him.  We can always learn and grow no matter what is on the horizon.  I am grateful to God for the life He has allowed me to live.  It hasn't been easy but wow!  what a ride.  We are all healthy and happy.  God is so Good!  Tanya

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