This past week, as I was chatting with my pastor's wife, she shared with me that two of her daughters recorded a song on YouTube. I'm finally taking the time to watch it this afternoon - and all I can say is w-o-w. This is one talented homeschooling family! Bethany, who is playing the piano, wrote & composed the song and Emily, her sister, is the vocalist.

PLEASE be sure to scroll down and turn my playlist OFF before you listen - I sure don't want Kenny to interfere with this songbird.

 Listen and be blessed.

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Time is getting away from me and blogging is fast moving to the back burner of life these days. I've been really pondering the purpose of this blog lately. Many of you know I'm of the serious variety. When I created this blog, I had aspirations of posting our homeschooling experiences, some of which have actually damaged our family in the past.  I soon realized the timidity within me and I'm not so inclined to share my heart here anymore. Many others are debating the very things on my heart and doing a mighty fine job at it, I must say. We've been down a long homeschooling road. I've always aspired to write a book and someday I will. I already have the title but I feel like it will change over time as I mature in the Lord. 

As a result of my timidity, my blog has turned into something that represents the whimsical side of me. Oh how I truly love my template and it's served an incredible purpose - but I know the Lord is moving me. My real heart is still within the covers of a real journal here at home. I think that's probably where it needs to stay - for now.

God bless you today ~ Angela

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"You know Momma, horses caaan be pink if you spray paint them."

~ Laura, age 5, lover of horses and all things pink.

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JoJo posted a challenge to make a silly story with a list of words she provided on her Saturday post. I read through the words and thought it would be fun if Sarah or Douglas made one up. Sarah grinned from ear to ear when I gave her the words. She's always wanting to blog something! 

Rump Roast

by Sarah (age: 12)

I was standing in the mud with my good slippers on thinking of what to cook for dinner. I had already brused my teeth with my new blue and pink toothbrush this morning. As I walked silently back into the house Mamma said I could make anything I wanted to make for dinner. I was thinking about making something with pickle juice because I love it so much. Mamma asked me to gather all the dirty clothes so I walked back to the end of the house and gathered them. When I was done, she said it was time to get started on dinner. My heart sank. I didn't know what to cook. Rump Roast! I could cook that. "Yes, you may", Mamma answered. Oh good. I took great caution putting it in the oven.

Silly Putty always had something I liked about it and while the roast was cooking I found some to pass the time. Time passed and passed. Soon it was 4:00, next it was 5:00 and the roast was still cooking. I put the putty down and picked up a magazine. I flipped through the pages and saw a beautiful house that looked like an old Pittsburg house. All of a sudden Mamma called my name and the roast was on the counter smoking. The roast was BURNT!

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I've been making a Thankfulness list each day this week to help keep God's goodness in the forefront of my mind. As a result, the week has been more positive as I'm constantly praising the Lord throughout the day. We truly have so much for which to praise Him.

* We're still praising the Lord for Phillip's new position. He's had a good week and we've gotten a glimpse of what life will look like on a daily basis. He was actually working from h-o-m-e yesterday. We were all so humbly grateful to wake up, have breakfast together, and even attend Bible Study/AWANA last night together. The kids kept saying, "I'm just so glad Daddy is with us, tonight!" I was too.

* As a result of the changes with Phillip's work, we are praising the Lord for the opportunity to be more involved in our church, homeschooling co-ops, homeschooling sports, Christian fellowship, AWANA, etc. The Lord's timing is always perfect - we've seen His mighty hand in the timing of our lives and the lives of our children as we live out this journey. I will always stand amazed at how perfect He truly is. Why do I fret? He's so faithful.

God bless you today ~

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My sweet friend Charity is hosting a contest/giveaway in honor of her 1-Year Blog Anniversary. She's asked us to share our story of the longest/oldest friend and what we value most about that friendship. She's offering a special Friendship Package to the winning entry. Hop over and share your Friendship story!

~*~*~*~*~

My Friendship Story

One of my oldest, dearest friends is Tami. Just the other day, as we emailed back and forth, I reminded her of what a faithful friend she has been all these so-many years. We've been friends for over 25 years. We were in Jr. High together, but really became close friends in High School. We've shared so many memories together I doubt very seriously one book could contain them all. What I have valued most about our friendship is that we have always given each other grace. I remember one time, we argued an e-n-t-i-r-e class period throwing passing notes back and forth. I'm surprised we didn't get kicked out of class for that one. Through thick and thin, ups & downs, triumphs & heartache, we've always been a phone call or email away. We have the kind of friendship that picks up where it was left off without skipping a beat, even if that beat is a year. Now that we're reaching the ripe ole age of 40-something, I see what a blessing it is to have a friend - a real friend. They are few and far between. A real friend knows who you are and loves you anyway. She gives you the grace to grow.

Thank you, Tami. Your friendship is a blessing.

I love you ~

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I shutter to think about the times she's probably looked up to me - The times she's actually taken that "oh-so wise Big Sister advice" when all the while, in so many ways, she's been more level-headed than I ever thought about being. She's one of those middles, you know the type - balanced, steady. There's so many things I admire about her - many things she doesn't even see in herself.

When we were little, she and I would play school all the live-long day. Mother boasts to this day about her singing the ABC's and knowing how to add and subtract before she was three. By the time she'd reached the age to finally attend real school, Montesorri kindergarten was absolutely boring. Things got harder, though, as she diligently trudged through a tough nursing school program during her college years. Today, she has blossomed into an accomplished, mature, beautiful woman who loves the Lord.

When I called this morning to send her birthday wishes, I discovered she'll be in our neck of the woods this evening on business. (yay!) We plan to meet her for a birthday dinner. Oh, will the kids be ever so excited when they hear the news!

She's pictured here with my girls, who love her so dearly.

Happy Birthday Jocelyn

You are loved....

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Today I'm thankful for my Beloved, Phillip.

He's not perfect, but he's perfect for me.

He knows me. He's got me figured out.

He's one of the very few people I honestly trust.

He makes me a better person.

He's my friend.

Many years ago, we were encouraged to pray together (out loud). At first it was awkward. Though we were married, I wondered if I knew him well enough to actually pray with him. It sounds weird to actually type that, but the longer I live, the more I realize that so many couples really don't know each other at all. Praying together can be that missing link, in my opinion. It's intimate. It's real. And it's beautiful. Today, I'm thankful we took that giant, awkward step to pray together. When we're apart, we miss it. When life seems too crazy, it's the first thing we want to do when our heads hit the pillow at night. Try it. And then write me. Your testimony will encourage others.

Blessings ~ Angela

*Phillip does not sit around posing for pictures. I steal them when I can - shutterbug that I am. This one was taken at the state park last weekend as he watched the kids swim. 

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Hi Friends ~

It's been over a week now that we stole away to spend time with hubby. We headed home Monday morning, only to make a U-turn in Jackson when Phillip called to inform us the steering went out on his truck. So we're here for week two and so very glad to be spending extra time as a family.

We found a beautiful state park with a nice swimming hole. Only the most adventurous can stand the freezing cold water, but it's nice to be out of the hotel no matter what we're doing. Last Sunday, we went for a drive down to Gulfport and frolicked at the beach. It was very beautiful and not what I expected at all. Yes, you can definitely see remnants of a disaster, but what I saw most was regrowth and beauty. I had nothing with which to compare my observations as I'd never been to Gulfport - or Biloxi, etc., but I was pleasantly surprised to see vacant lots with debris cleared away, new shopping centers, and beautiful southern-style homes being rebuilt right along the water.

And, an update on Phillip's promotion/career & and our traveling status. Just yesterday, we learned that Phillip WILL be promoted to project manager overseeing Wal-Mart remodels all over the country. His first project will be in Washington (state). He will travel there by plane now and oversee things from a different perspective now. There will be times we travel as a family, especially if the location is a "desirable summer spot" and an easy drive.

God bless you today ~ Angela

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About three weeks ago, we went down to visit Phillip for a week while he was on a job in San Antonio. We made a trip to the Alamo and the Riverwalk along with a gajillion other folks who were there for Spring Break. We've never had to stand in line to get into the Alamo! Phillip had time to pop over to RiverCenter Mall for a Starbucks run with time to spare. Needless to say, we stood in line more that day than anything else, but if you're going to stand around outside in San Antonio, Texas for any length of time, I'd say March is the month to do it. A cool front had made it that far south and it was very pleasant.

The Alamo

Downtown San Antonio

A river really does run through it...

A boat ride down at the RiverWalk

RiverWalk: Boat View

Mommy & Lollie

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