One of my favorite blogs, Simple Mom, is doing an awesome giveaway! Check it out here!

Jeffery, excitedly: Mama, Jesus is coming to pick us up soon!

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Me (after changing his sheets for the third morning in a row): Jeffery, how can we help you not wet the bed every night?

Jeffery, thinking: Have me sleep in the bathtub?

---

Jessica, applying a sermon in one of her many "stories": I told my boss, 'Didn't I make it clear to you I won't work on Sundays?'

(No wonder Uncle Juju says she would make good management material!)

----

Jessica: Are we going to pick Daddy up at the ternimal? (meaning the FedEx terminal where he works)

----

Jessica, telling Daddy about science class: Things with metal in them are magnetical.

....salvation and holiness of heart......a wonderful, handsome husband that takes such good care of us...three beautiful children that bring me such joy...a country in which I have the privilege to vote...good relationships with in-laws (speaking for my husband and for me)...great family and friends.

I could go on and on, but I just wanted to try Gratituesday for the first time, too.

No, not my first time to plan a menu, but the first time to do this link. Hope I can do it right. I don't list lunches because they are either leftovers or PBJ or something totally not planned so they don't merit a space in Menu PLAN Monday.

Monday

Breakfast: Bacon, Eggs, Toast, Fried Apples

Dinner: Garlic Lime Chicken, Baked Potatoes, Peas

Tuesday

Breakfast: Waffles

Dinner: Bean Soup (or as my husband says, Soup Beans), Corn Muffins

Wednesday

Breakfast: Granola, Yogurt

Dinner: Chicken Enchiladas, Homemade Tortilla Chips

Thursday

Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs, Toast

Dinner: Crockpot Pizza, Rolls, Green Beans

Friday

Breakfast: Baked Oatmeal

Dinner: Chicken with Stuffing (big chicken week, I guess--I'm using up what's in my freezer), Mashed Potatoes, Carrots

Saturday

Breakfast: Leftovers

Dinner: Leftovers (got some Sweet and Sour Meatballs left in the freezer just in case we don't have any)

OUT for dessert (trying to break my weekly going out to eat habit slowly :-)

Sunday

Breakfast: Muffins (not sure what kind yet) or leftovers

Dinner: my mom's house and our traditional Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes, Noodles, Rolls, 2 types of veggies, cottage cheese and applesauce

Hello all! Yes, I know you're out there because you tell me you read my blog. However, I don't get many comments so I don't really know. So, this is just something mindless and totally unproductive (except for me--it will tell me who is lurking out there), but hopefully fun. I got the idea from Anne Elliott's blog and decided to continue it.

Go ahead and copy and paste to your blog with your answers, then leave a comment on my blog with the link to your entry. Here goes mine:

1. What is your occupation right now? Full-time homekeeper which includes being wife, mama, teacher to my kids and a few piano students and a little phone work to add to the grocery budget...oh, I clean and do laundry, too!
2. What color are your socks right now? pink
3. What are you listening to right now? lastfm...specifically "Give me Jesus" by Janet Paschal
4. What was the last thing that you ate? Grilled cheese and last-of-the-crop garden tomato sandwich
5. Can you drive a stick shift? I don't know...never tried.
6. Last person you spoke to on the phone? my mom 
7. Do you like the person who sent this to you? n/a since it isn't on e-mail
8. How old are you today? 27
9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV? don't have a TV
10. What is your favorite drink? flavored iced tea or a Caribou Coffee cooler
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? nope
12. Favorite food? Italian
13. What is the last movie you watched? I can't remember...it was in high school probably
14. Favorite day of the year? Christmas, followed by Valentine's Day
15. How do you vent anger? I don't think I vent anger
16. What was your favorite toy as a child? books
17. What is your favorite season? spring
18. Cherries or Blueberries? Blueberries! Love 'em.
19. Who is the most likely to respond? Hopefully you ;-)
20. Who is least likely to respond? hopefully not you ;-)
21. Living arrangements? our little 2 bedroom, c. 1924 home with my sweetheart and 3 babies
22. When was the last time you cried? a few days ago, I think
23. What is on the floor of your closet? right now, lots of junk...we're remodeling my bedroom
24. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending to? I'm sending it to everyone, so....
25. What did you do last night? Went to prayer meeting at church
26. What are you most afraid of? losing peopke I love
27. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburger? Cheese
28. Favorite dog breed? I don't care for dogs. 
29. Favorite day of the week? Sunday....I love to worship God, but it's also a day spent with extended family
30. How many states have you lived in? 2--Indiana and Ohio
31. Diamonds or pearls? both...when I get to Heaven...don't wear either now
32. What is your favorite flower? Roses---long story here, but suffice to say that they are special

O.K your turn! Hope to hear from you soon!

As a rule, I don't get very involved in politics or news in general. If something important is happening, my husband, who is constantly tapped in to some technology (he owns a laptop and an Iphone) or driving and listening to talk shows and radio news; lets me know. In my defense, it's not because I am dumb or don't care, I just have more important things to do than keep up with news stories. :-)

However, Presidential elections always grab my attention, especially this one because it is SO crucial for us as Christians. Actually it's crucial for anyone who respects and wishes to uphold morality at all in our country. I won't go into all my views, but there is ample proof that Obama is not a candiate for which a Christian should vote. Two main reasons that come to my mind are: 1) His votes in the Senate have either been pro-choice (or as I prefer to say, anti-life) or present (meaning he gave no vote or opinion). and 2) Instead of simply being against the war and wanting to bring troops home, he has refused to even support the troops. In my mind, that is equivalent to my voting for (should he be elected, God forbid!) the removal of Secret Service for him simply because I did not vote for him to be in office. (Which, by the way, would be wrong on my part no matter how much I don't want him to be our President.)

O.K. enough about Obama. Although I have had my doubts about McCain, I was determined to vote for him simply because I don't want to vote for Obama. The "lesser of the two evils" thing, you know? Then, Sarah Palin was added to the ticket. As a recovering feminist (in ideaologies only--I've always loved femininity), I immediately put up my guard, especially when I found she claimed to be a feminist. Then I started looking at her actions. Some interesting things that my doctor shared with me about her that I haven't verified, but trust that my doctor was telling the truth since she is a very religious and pro-life person: 1. As Governor, she still nurses her baby and has left meetings to change diapers. Also, her husband has been present at many of her meetings. 2) She was speaking in Texas during this last pregnancy when her water broke. She finished her speech, flew back to Alaska and had her baby--which by the way, as you know has Down's syndrome, was likely a surprise, but has not been aborted, unwanted or even hired out to a nanny as far as I know.

In light of this, it alarms me that at a crucial time for our country, the "conservative Christians" are bailing out of voting for McCain simply because he has a woman running mate. They maintain that women are to be keepers at home and not in rule over any man, etc. While I believe those things are Biblical and worth upholding and did struggle with this for awhile in my own mind, I feel that the Lord finally showed me that He would be pleased with my voting for a ticket on which a woman is running. Candy from www.keepingthehome.com  has written on this subject and I just found it this morning and it is in line with what the Lord has been showing me. Read her thoughts here. The only thing I would disagree with is that Sarah Palin is actually NOT in violation of I Tim. 2 because the mandate that women are not to teach or usurp authority over a man is a mandate for the church (not the government or secular school)and in the setting of teaching the Bible. Government, being a man-made institution, may not be subject to the laws of the institutions God has ordained, namely the church and the home. I'm still thinking about that one, though. :-)

Please, if you are an American, it is your duty and privilege to VOTE. If you are a Christian, it is your duty and privilege to VOTE for what is right. Let's lay aside extra-Biblical prejudices and VOTE for the right man---and the right woman.

Disclaimer: Please do not flame me. I still believe that we are given the liberty of expressing our opinions in America. If anything I have stated is not factual, I will repeal it upon being given undeniable proof. This will likely be the only political post on my blog, so keep on reading.

Most of you know about our latest arrival, but I'm just now getting around to posting photos. Just in case you didn't hear all the stats: Jerrod Blake Self was born September 7 at 6:10 A.M. weighing in at 7 pounds, 12 ounces and measuring 20 inches long. We are having a blast--howbeit a chaotic one--with a new baby in the house.

We are counting down in the Self family for two important events of 2008! The first one is SCHOOL STARTING! Yay! We are excited howbeit a bit overwhelmed. Tuesday, August 26 is our first official day. We have lesson plans and schedules laid out, but the house is still a mess from remodeling and lazy summer days. So, we have plenty to do between now and Tuesday.

The next countdown is for the arrival of our newest family member. We have finally decided to go ahead with Jerrod Blake, so thanks for all the suggestions. He will be named after his two uncles--my brother and my husband's brother. The doctor tells me I will probably not go full term and any time after next week is fine with her. We are hoping for Labor Day weekend (fitting, huh?) since my husband has more time off around that day. However, God knows just when to send them.

In case you didn't know about it, I wanted to alert everyone to a great contest for an Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Planner giveaway. Here's a note from Denice, who has it on her blog:

I just wanted to let all of you wonderful ladies know that you have a
chance to receive the new Homeschool Planner.

I have just written a review of The Homeschool Planner that is put out
by The Old Schoolhouse magazine. They have have generously offered
this planner free to whoever wins my contest. There are three ways to
be entered into the contest, which ends next Tues., Aug. 19th. So
please go to my blog below to read all the details!!!

I KNOW you will love this planner! It will certainly be a blessing to
your school year! It's the best I've ever had!

Blessings!
Denice
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/BackAtTheRanch

Be sure to check it out!

Jennifer

We are enjoying our summer immensely although Jessica and I are already getting the "itch" to start school again. I can't wait to go schoolbook shopping next month!

We have all entered the summer reading program at the library. Jessica's already over 40 books and Jeffery's over 20 (poor guy has to wait for someone to read to him). They each won a prize already, although Mom and Dad haven't won anything yet. Jessica loves Magic Schoolbus books right now and Jeffery likes Bob the Builder and Clifford. Jeff and I have been reading some of T. Davis Bunn's books for fiction. I've read some non-fiction by Kevin Leman most recently. Jury's still out on his ideas....

Part of the summer reading program is the special programs they do. The kids have seen a magician/card thrower (in the Guinness Book of World Records) and a juggler.  Next week is a mad scientist. Jeffery tried his hand (or I should say "head") at juggling only he started with one Rubiks cube. After he stopped crying and we cleaned up the blood, he thought is was really cool that a Rubiks cube becomes a round ball when broken. Did you know that those come apart in individual little colored squares?

We are STILL doing the potty training thing. Today was interesting when Jeffery stood up on his chair at lunch, looked down at his leaking monster truck underwear, and solemnly said, "I have that little feeling". The "feeling" we had talked about was when he felt like he was GOING to potty, but at least he recognized it--even if it was a little late. He has done really well, with only one other accident besides that one.

My little sister just celebrated her one month anniversary yesterday. They are really happy, and they had a beautiful wedding. When I get my pictures uploaded on the computer, I will put some on the blog. The kids were adorable (in my totally unbiased opinion!). Joanna was gorgeous as always. It was a very nice ceremony and reception.

I just had to let you know about a few goodies I read this month. I finished Ted Dekker's Lost Books series. A little out there and weird like Dekker always is but awesome underlying message! I can't wait for Sinner to come out (due out in Sept. or Oct.) to cap off the whole series.

On the totally opposite end of the spectrum , I FINALLY got "Passionate Housewives Desperate for God" by Stacey McDonald and Jenny Chancey. I knew I'd love it, and I wasn't disappointed. I didn't love it just because it told me what I wanted to hear, though. It was upfront and honest about the truth, yet so hopeful and encouraging. At one point in the book, I just broke down and cried.

I know I probably read a few others, but those are the ones that jumped out at me and stuck with me. I'm in the middle of a old book right now written for parents. I copied some great quotes from the first chapter, but the following chapter was a little disappointing. I'll keep reading and let you know next time.

Yes, you all guessed it! We are adding another little Self sometime in September. The ultrasound was on Monday and we got a few 3D pictures this time so we could see some of his facial features. Yes, I said "his". Much to our surprise, we are having another boy. We all expected a girl for some reason. I'm glad we decided to find out or I would have been calling our poor little guy "she" up until delivery. :-) Yes, I know ultrasounds can be wrong, but we have a pretty definite picture of the evidence.  Most importantly, everything looks good with the baby's health. Jeff's looking forward to having another driver and Jessica and I are looking forward to future "girls' nights" with just the two of us while the guys are off doing their "guy things". Jeffery is just glad he got his wish for a "brudder". His biggest goal for our baby is to carry it out and put it on the four wheeler as soon as he's born. Our only problem is we do not have a boy's name picked out. As you know, we are all Js, and that narrows it down quite a bit. Feel free to put your vote in the comment box. I think I've looked at all the baby names sites on the web, and nothing is really clicking yet.

Only 3 more days of school and the "official" work of kindergarten will be over for our first homeschooler. She has done really well despite my bumblings, and I'm excited for next year even though it will be a bigger challenge. Much to my carefully concealed delight, Jessica is getting much more interested in the piano. I left some books on her level sitting on the piano and she picked them up and started playing out of them. She picks out songs she likes by ear. We're even working on a trio with Jeffery for the spring recital. Now, THAT should be interesting! :-) Speaking of Jeffery, we're trying potty training again. Hope it sticks this time.

I know I haven't been keeping up with the latest on our reading lists. With my Borders Rewards from e-rewards, I got a free book so I got Book 3 of the Lost Books (Ted Dekker), Renegade, for Jeff. He's already read it, and I will read it as soon as I'm done with my current book. I am reading "Created to Be His Helpmeet" again by Debi Pearl. It is always convicting even when I think I'm doing a great job on my marriage. It is not for the faint of heart since she is very blunt, and of course I don't agree with everything, but I would highly recommend it for every woman that is married or thinking about getting married and especially for one that is thinking of getting un-married. I also have "Passionate Housewives..." on order, so I'm hoping I come up with a great coupon between now and the time it comes in, 'cause I can't wait to read it. Jessica's reading the first book of the Mandie series. Those were my favorite books as a child, so I'm glad she's getting interested in them. Jeffery's favorite right now is "Three Billy Goats Gruff". Everyone in our family and extended family groans when they see him bringing it to them to read. We're a little tired of "trip-trapping" and trolls.

Life is full of bittersweet moments:those times that are special but are so fleeting and characterized by mixed emotions. Some I've had lately.....enjoying the mother-daughter banquet with my now 6-year-old who sits like a little lady (most of the time) and is finally gaining interest in table manners, lying sick in bed while my precious husband cleaned up a puke mess and calmed the scared child back to sleep, watching my 2yo son playing his inkpen trumpet beside his daddy on the front seat of the church, hearing my baby sister's excited wedding and first home plans and trying not to think of her not being around much longer, seeing my third little son rubbing his eyes with little fists in my womb and being told that everything looks great. I could go on and on, and so could you. Let's enjoy each moment! They pass so quickly.

I received this link on my homeschool group and thought I'd share. Encouragement for all of us "non-conventional" schoolers.

http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/wp-content/themes/179/aschool012008.html

Hello everyone!

I cannot believe it has been so long since I've updated this blog. Time has flown by. Since March hit, it seems like we are rushing from one big event to another. We had a nice Easter and even took time to color eggs--twice. Well, once was with Memaw, but the kids loved it. Then I had a bridal shower for my sister. My little sister will be getting married and moving far away in just a little over a month!  I'm happy for her, but I'm sure going to miss her. This month we had revival services for a week during which the kids got strep throat, so we missed a few services. Exciting news for Jessica was losing her two bottom teeth--my baby is growing up! She will be six next week. We are looking forward to a short vacation the next week. Only 13 days of school left and we will officially be out of our first official year of school--wow, just typing that makes it look official.

I've saved the best news for last to see who really reads my blog.  I'm bad at lurking and reading but not commenting on others' blogs, so I can't say much to you. Anyway, somewhere on this page, there is a clue to the biggest current news of the Self family. Kind of like finding the toothpick in Taste of Home (my favorite cooking magazine!) except it shouldn't be that tiny. Let me know when you spot it!

Jennifer

For those of you who don't know, I just wanted to announce that my new writing blog, though managed by a very html-challenged person, is up and running. Please stop by and visit and don't be afraid to be ruthless in your comments. I'm up for tough editors!

www.homeschoolblogger.com/breathingsofmyheart

I didn't keep up with my husband's reading this month. I think he read one of the fiction books I read, but other than that, he's just been keeping busy with other things.

Jessica has discovered the Ramona books by Beverly Clearly. She read Ramona the Pest and has started on Ramona and Her Mother.

We are reading Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne as a family along with the loads from the kids' bookshelves and school-related reading.

I ended up having to take most of my "to-read" books back to the library last month, but I did finish The Well-Trained Mind by Jessie Wise and Susan Wise Bauer. Although we don't follow the classical approach exclusively, I did get some insight from the book and may use their recommended reading lists. I also re-read Reb Bradley's Child Training Tips. Very needed as my blind spots have been creeping in again. Other than that, most of my reading has been fictional/recreational this month. I guess I needed a break from deep thinking for awhile.  I did read Ted Dekker's Chosen and Infidel. I read Lori Wick's White Chocolate Moments (a birthday gift from my sister) and Brandilyn Collins' Web of Lies (any arachnaphobiacs out there?).

As always the KJV Bible is a big part of our lives and our reading. Jessica's favorite book is Job. She was asking me about baptism today, and decided that she wanted to wait until she was older and wasn't afraid to duck her head under water in Memaw's pool!  We've been memorizing Psalm 100 in Bible class. I've been enjoying Carolyn Mahaney's mp3 downloads on To Teach What is Good. I think I have two more to go.

I guess I got a little off the subject of reading. I don't have a to read list yet, but I'll let you know what I actually got to at the end of March.

I love Valentine's Day! I don't give in to all the commercialism, but I do like to celebrate love especially since I'm a Christian and have experienced the ultimate love of Calvary. I also like to celebrate romantic love since marrying the most wonderful man in the world 8 1/2 years ago. Now that we have children, we get the whole family involved most years. Here's what we did today---it all revolved around food:

The kids and I had heart shaped pancakes for breakfast. I was going to make them pink, but I found out too late that all the red food coloring was gone from Christmas time. I made our favorite Veggie Chicken Wraps for lunch--both for us and for my sweetie's lunch box. Jeff brought roses home for Jessica. She remembered that he got her some flowers last Valentine's Day and asked me last night, "Do you think Daddy is going to get me anything for Valentine's Day?" Jeff and I had already made plans for a special date for us on Saturday night, but he went ahead and brought the roses for her. She loved it! I think he started a tradition. I had piano lessons tonight, but afterwards, we grilled steaks with an awesome new marinade from Taste of Home magazine.We used china and red napkins tied with pink gingham ribbon. After clean up, we piled in the car and went to Coldstone's for ice cream. I got my free birthday one and had coupons for the kids', so it wasn't a total splurge.  Jeffery fell asleep on the way home, and I have to get Jessica to bed soon, too.

Before I go, I've been tagged by homekeepingheart so here goes:

Here are the rules:

(1) Link to the person that tagged you.
(2) Post the rules on your blog.
(3) Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
(4) Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
(5) Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

1. I automatically edit when I read something. Too bad it doesn't work for my own writing!

2. I try to think of the next three things I have to do to keep me focused. On a good day, it goes like this: I'm going to do a load of laundry, make some phone calls and do Bible with the kids. On a bad day, it's more like this: I'm going to lift the covers off of myself. Then I'm going to put my feet on the floor. Then I'm going to hit the snooze button on my alarm clock.

3. I hate unloading the dishwasher. Sometimes I will do a sinkful of dishes by hand just to escape the inevitable putting away a whole load at a time.

4. I like to do crossword puzzles, but if no pencil is available, I will skip even the most tempting Monday edition puzzle. I simply cannot do them in ink.

5. I can't sleep well unless I have my nightly bath and the book I'm currently reading. A bit of chocolate is a nice touch, too.

6. I love holidays, birthdays and special occasions and usually celebrate them in little ways for at least a week-Christmas is a whole month of course.

O.K. I tag : 

EEEEMommy
trustingdaily
JacqueDixonSoulRestES
youngmommy
jenn4him
WisdomBuilders

I think this is funny, but it is sarcastic. Don't take it too seriously! :-)

http://www.secular-homeschooling.com/001/bitter_homeschooler.html

Books are very important to any homeschool family and we are no exception. I have decided to  post our reading list from last month and what we hope to read next month. This is not an exhaustive list, but it is all I can remember right now. It should go without saying that the Bible is the only infallible Book, so no other book can be recommended 100% for perfect content and that that is our first Book on the reading list.

Besides all the favorites from the kids' bookshelves and school reading, we are reading Missionary Stories with the Millers by Mildred A. Martin together as a family.

Jeff has been reading repair manuals for his Ipod repair business, but he has done some recreational reading as well. He read/listened to the complete Ted Dekker trilogy again and read the two new Lost Books by Dekker as well, Chosen and Infidel.

Jennifer usually prefers non-fiction but has done some recreational fiction reading as well. It has been awhile since I've read the Ted Dekker trilogy, so in anticipation of reading the new Lost Books, I re-read it. Wow! It always grips me anew with the horror of evil, the depths of sacrifice and love Christ went through for us, and the depth of love and sacrifice He expects us to have for the Bride He is still wooing. Of course, Dekker keeps one's interest, but the spiritual lessons I gleaned were so simple yet so profound. I rarely read books over, but Dekker is an exception.

My other recent reads--the ones that really taught me:

Parenting - Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp (again a re-read, but oh so needed!)

Frugality - The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn (yes, I am reading straight through the whole thing--I've learned a lot and discarded some)

Here is my To Read/Currently Reading List:

Meal Planning and Hospitality - If Teacups Could Talk by Emilie Barnes

Keeping the Home - Houseworks by Cynthia Townley Ewer

Homeschooling - The Well-Trained Mind by Jessie Wise and Susan Wise Bauer

Parenting - Sacred Parenting by Gary L. Thomas

Recreational - Chosen by Ted Dekker and Infidel by Ted Dekker

I'll let you know how it goes!

By the way, a question for you veteran parent/homeschoolers along the line of books:

Is A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens (the Illustrated Classic Edition) too graphic or violent for preschoolers? I have a copy that was given to me and wondered about family reading time. Please feel free to give me honest opinions. If I've read this book, I remember very little about it! I will read it first before sharing, but I'd still like your opinions.