This past week has been a tough week with the kids.  The baby is learning to run.  He has been getting into all kinds of things!  He bounces from one thing to the next, and , no matter how much you baby proof, he seems to find all the things he isn't supposed to touch.  The oldest is at that stage where he wants to start growing up and maturing, but he still wants to hang onto certain childish ways.  The middle child has been feeling... well, like the middle child.  She has been feeling left out.

As mothers, we are called on to discipline, love, encourage, train, correct, instruct, prepare, guide, sooth, and comfort.  When people list off the duties of a Mom, they often list cooking, cleaning, changing diapers, sewing, etc.  The first list often gets overlooked.  My Mom told me one day that her generation was taught that good parenting was making sure your kids were clothed, bathed, fed and sent to school.  Nothing was said of being involved in the child's emotional and spiritual well-being OR training them for what lies ahead.

Throughout this week, I began feeling frustrated with the emotional dedication parenting takes.  "Am I doing a good job?  Am I making a real difference?"  Then, out of nowhere, two respected ladies of our church walked up to me yesterday.  They both complimented me on how the children were being raised.  One mentioned how when she was raising her children she could never close the bathroom door for fear of what trouble her kids would get in to.  I thought of all the showers I have taken with the door closed because I don't have to worry about that.  The other mom was our Pastor's mother.  Wow!

Everyone seems to be seeing the friut my children are producing.  Maybe sometimes I forget to notice all the wonderful things about my kids because I am so busy training, loving, disciplining, and comforting.  Maybe I need to take time to stop and smell the... fruit.

Here is another lovely video on beginning lapbooking, more states study resources, and choas in the Woon home.

A friend helped me compile this list of sites we visit for lapbooking.

http://www.homeschoolshare.com (This one is the best!)

http://www.lapbooklessons.com (How to lapbook videos)

http://www.notebookingnook.com (Free Notebooking Pages)

http://www.lapbooklessons.com/Blogroll

http://www.handsofachild.com/shop/ (the best pre-made lapbook company)

http://knowledgeboxcentral.com/ (pre-prepared lapbook company )

http://liveandlearnpress.com/ (Another lapbook company. Booklets are in color.)

http://www.txchess.com/minibooks.htm (mini books)

http://www.squidoo.com/lapbooking (very good for beginners)

www.DiscoverAmerica.notlong.com

This morning started out with a dump truck and  a mini excavator.  Yes, we started our addition on our home.  So far... so good.

The bad thing is that it is hard to keep my son focused in school with all that cool equipment around!

Another big accomplishment today: I finally got all the sod removed in our new garden area.  I am running behind on getting the garden ready.  I still have alot of prep work, but the hardest part is done!

Nope, we haven't started yet.

We are wanting to add a Master Bedroom suite.  Right now we have 3 bedrooms and one bath, though our bedroom can't technically be called a bedroom... it has no closet.

Funny thing happened.  We were planning on doing our addition on our home without pulling any permits because they are such a hassle and very expensive.  We are on such a tight building budget already!  Then the Pastor preached last Wed. night on being subject to the ordinances of man.

Then Jason's devotion Thursday morning...

 Mat 17:24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute 
money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
 Mat 17:25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus 
prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of 
the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
 Mat 17:26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then 
are the children free.
 Mat 17:27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, 
and cast a hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou 
hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and 
give unto them for me and thee.

 Jesus was in the lineage of David and tribute was not required of the 
children of kings.  However, Jesus was more concerned with offending 
people (being a stumbling block that would turn them away from 
Christianity.)  He submitted himself willingly.

 1Pe 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: 
whether it be to the king, as supreme;
 1Pe 2:14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the 
punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
 1Pe 2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to 
silence the ignorance of foolish men:
 1Pe 2:16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, 
but as the servants of God.

 Rom 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no 
power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
 Rom 13:2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance 
of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves ****ation.
 Rom 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt 
thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou 
shalt have praise of the same:
 Rom 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do 
that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for 
he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth 
evil.
 Rom 13:5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also 
for conscience sake.
 Rom 13:6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's 
ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
 Rom 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is 
due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

 Gee whiz, Batman!  Foiled again by the Word of God!!!! :-)

 Anyway, we are pulling permits which will drag things out a lot, but our 
conscience will be clear and we will be blessed by our God.  He will 
supply the money if He wants us to do this.

We had our first week of co-ops.  It was chaotic and exhausting.  The first class always is!  The kids made cookie maps of the Civil War, Stretchers, played taps on recorders, homemade bugles, and drums, and learned about the causes of the war.

Yes, I'm always busy.  I have to force myself to slow down.  Here are just some fun pics of our family having fun.  (I'm behind the camera, as usual.)

The Regional Fair was a couple of weeks ago.  Ben did well, but he didn't place.  We learned a lot.  Next year will be even better!  Here is his project.