Thursday, May 31, 2012

Thankful Thursday #3


Last week, I didn't have a Thankful Thursday, since I posted about my nephew's graduation. I have a few things to post about... well, ok, more than a few!

Last week we went out of state for my nephew's graduation. We had lots of great times with family, the kids got to see their cousins and we had a good time playing. On the first day, the cousins were in school, so we hiked around in my brother's "back yard", which was mostly forest and trees. Amongst all the leaves, was this tiny little beauty:
A SWEET FLOWER AMONGST THE TREES OF THE FOREST...
We were so glad to be at my nephew's graduation, and so proud of his accomplishment in graduating high school. He has struggled with his ADD in the past and had some rough years. But he came into his own, did excellent this past year and even got into college!

OUR FAMILY AFTER MY NEPHEW'S GRADUATION
On our drive home, we dealt with a very, very windy day going through 1 1/2 states. About an hour from home, I snapped this picture of my 3-year-old reading in the van. The kids did very well travelling during two ten-hour trips to and from my brother's house.
SWEET BETHY READING ON THE WAY HOME

Here are some things I was thankful for last week:
219. My brother's log cabin style home
220. Brushing my niece's hair for school (Just a ponytail!)
221. My cousin and her husband's hospitality letting us stay in their home too.
...224. Being at Peyton's graduation and able to cheer for him (see above pic)
225. Getting to meet and hold my great niece Evie
226. Seeing my niece Tiffany and her girls
227. Chatting, laughing and telling stories with family
....
230. Swimming at the local pool with cousins and second cousins
231. Snuggling with Bethany in a towel at the pool
232. Tired kids
233. My cousin's daughter Bethany and my Mallory getting to sleep together in a princess tent- so fun!

We had a fabulous time travelling, and getting to see family.

What are you thankful for today? Have you told God about it? I'm sure He'd love to hear from you!

Here are some awesome verses to remind us:


Colossians 4:2
"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."

1 Chronicles 16:34
"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."

Colossians 2:6-7
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."



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Read Thankful Thursday #1 here
Read Thankful Thursday #2 here

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Wordless Wednesday: Graduation trip!

(Well, almost wordless!)

This past week, our family of six endured a trip across a few states to attend my nephew's graduation! Here are some photo highlights...
MY NEPHEW AND NIECE'S TREE HOUSE...
MY BROTHER TAUGHT CALEB TO SHOOT
HIS CROSSBOW.
THE CLASS READY FOR CEREMONY TO BEGIN.
MY NEPHEW'S SR. PICTURE DURING THE SLIDE SHOW.
MY BROTHER AND NEPHEW AFTER GRAD
WE HAVE A NEW GRADUATE! 
TWO OF MY GIRLS PLAYING WITH MY COUSINS' GIRLS...
MET MY GREAT-NIECE EVIE!
THE CAKE
MY MOM AND UNCLE HANGING OUT AT THE PARTY
MY CUTE NIECE MADDIE STRIKING A POSE.
COUSIN'S DAUGHTER RACHEL PLAYING WITH MY BETHANY.
CUTE NEPHEW CALVIN
COUSIN AND HER FAMILY
NEPHEW AND HIS COUSIN AT THE PARTY
NEPHEWS, NIECES AND THEIR COUSINS
I CLEANED BETHY ALL UP AND THEN
DADDY DROPPED HIS CAKE PLATE ON HER!
FUN DRESS-UP WITH COUSINS...
We had a great time visiting family, chatting and chatting, getting outside, going to the pool (forgot my camera), and just being together. My kids enjoyed getting to know their cousins better, getting to know my cousin's kids better and hanging out with my brother when the kids had their last day of school. I got to shoot the crossbow too!


Acts 10:2
"He (Cornelius) and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly."


Ephesians 3:14-18


"For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

"What would you do..."

"...For a Klondike Bar?!"

I know, it's an unusual song to begin a blog message with, but bear with me. I have an interesting, funny story to tell.


This past Wednesday, our family learned of a dear friend from church that was dying-- heard first thing in the morning. It made for a long, tough day... I was busy all day with laundry, homeschool, the usual cleaning, cooking, straightening... ( and chickens dying too...) I didn't nap that Wednesday, although I did lie down with our youngest daughter and rest. She slept sooo sweetly on my arm, it was hard to pull myself away.

My son had a baseball game that night, and my husband had music practice at church. We dropped him at church, since he had brought our minivan in for service and had left his car there after he picked up the van. We (4 kids and I) went to the baseball game, which was very windy, chilly and busy. I kept track of my two little girls while helping in the dugout. We went home about 8:20 and I got the three girls to bed. I waited a little while for my hubby and son to get home. When they did, my son told me that they lost the baseball game. :( Oh well, you win some and you lose some...  My husband and I talked for a little while about our friend, things that had happened at work, how the near widow was... sigh.

It was the 16th of the month, and we went, with heavy hearts, to the grocery store. We needed to stock the partially empty pantry and fridge, since we were running out of the usual staples. I grabbed my coupon binder, purse and canvas bags. We had told our 13-year-old daughter that we were off to the store and left her with a phone nearby in case an emergency arose.

When we arrived at the store, it was about 10:00. We are known for being "night owls" and have found it a lovely quiet time to shop in the evenings without small children. We joke that it is a "date night" where we enjoy the music and laughing at the store with each other. As we arrived at the store, my hubby's phone rang. It was his father, so I went into the store and shopped the first few aisles without him.

In our local supermarket, the lights dim at 10:00, so it was partially dark as I wound my way through the aisles. My hubby joined me as I gathered items we needed, a few things we wanted, and found coupons for several items from my binder. When we were in the dairy section, Joshua got another phone call and it was a fellow pastor from church. We giggled about listening to the Eagles singing, "Standin' On a Corner in Winslow, Arizona" and the other old music that they play over the store speaker. We passed the ice cream, gathered some coconut ice milk (since I had a coupon) and went to the toilet paper aisle, when the phone call ended.

As we went to the check-out lanes, my sweetie mentioned that he'd seen the Klondike bars were on sale, and that sounded good. We went to the registers, and the checker informed us that we had to go through the U-Scan since she was the only checker available to help everyone. So, we winced and began the process of the self checkout. I don't mind the self checkout normally, but when you have over 100 items to purchase, it is a drag. We agreed and slowly scanned each item, placed them in our own bags, and then I ran to grab Klondike bars at my hubby's urging. After they were scanned, Joshua went to pay by credit card (since we get rewards that way). As he went to sign on the signature pad, he pulled it to adjust the angle and broke it. We all three (checker included) tried to get the signature pad to work. No luck. Checker called the night foreman, he couldn't do anything.

Then she tells us the bad news... We have to cancel the order and scan everything again. Sigh. She offers to run it all through a checkout lane this time, so we traipsed over and began unloading our full cart again. As we unloaded, the checker offers to give us free ice cream. So the Klondike Bars, in the package of six were FREE.

After loading our bags into the car at nearly 11:30, I began to giggle about the Klondike Bars we were eating on the way home. What would you do... for a free Klondike Bar? Would you check out your groceries twice? We giggled about it on the way home, and decided that we had fun and were glad to be done. I'm glad that my hubby was with me, so I didn't have to endure that crazy process alone! We hoped we were a light in the lost world to the frazzled checker that helped us late that evening!

---------------------------------------
John 8:12
"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”



Genesis 42: 6-10

"Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the person who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. “Where do you come from?” he asked.
“From the land of Canaan,” they replied, “to buy food.”
Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. Then he remembered his dreamsabout them and said to them, “You are spies! You have come to see where our land is unprotected.”
10 “No, my lord, ” they answered. “Your servants have come to buy food11 We are all the sons of one man. Your servants are honest men, not spies. ”"

Monday, May 28, 2012

Music Monday: "Home Run"

Memorial Day to us always means attending the local college world series tournament. We've been attending each week of Memorial Day for years, we love it! It is almost like major league baseball to us-- thousands of local friends, family and fans show up for the games.
My daughter and her cousin at the tournament in 2003

We made a CD of songs to play when we go to and from the games, and baseball songs that we like. One such song is called "Home Run" by Geoff Moore.

Home Run
(really long intro)
PLAY BALL!!
(more intro)

The lights go on, another game day 
I grabbed my bat, I'm headed for the plate
but the first pitch was a curve, and I was done!

(umpire) STRIKE ONE!

stepped out of the box, looked the pitcher in the eye
you could read his lips, they poked your mind.
So I gave my way and said, "let's see what you can do"

(umpire) STRIKE TWO!

Gotta keep my eye on the ball, swing straight and true and follow through.
Don't be afraid, what-ever the call!
Because we're never alone, our coach is there to cheer us on.
well, it's the wind-up,
here comes that ball,
You got a brilliant swing, watch it till, it's goin, goin, it's gone!

ho, ohho, ohh, oh,
ho, ohho, ohh, oh, 
ho, ohho, ohh, home run

ho, ohho, ohh, oh,
ho, ohho, ohh, oh, 
ho, ohho, i need a home run!

you know life can be like a baseball game, 
We're on the same team, but were not all the same.
That's why we've got to learn to play together.

I didn't join this team to sit on the bench, 
I'm goin deep, swingin for the fence.
I got some friends on base, I gotta get home!

Gotta keep your eye on the ball
swing straight and through, and follow through.
Don't be afraid, what-ever the call.
Because we're never alone,
Our coach is there to cheer us on.

Well it's the wind-up, 
Here come's that ball,
You got a brilliant swing,
Watch it till it's goin goin, it's gone!
come on!

ho, ohho, ohh, oh,
ho, ohho, ohh, oh, 
ho, ohho, ohh, home run!
i want a home run

ho, ohho, ohh, oh,
ho, ohho, ohh, oh, 
ho, ohho, i want a home run!

We are not the first to play this game, 
or stand over this plate.
We are surrounded by the legacy.
and the're sittin in the stands,
I see them wavin their hands.
sayin, "go, go all the way!"

(umpire) it's goin, it's going it's going, 
it's outta here! that baby is gone (gone)

Come on now, 

ho, ohho, ohh, oh,
ho, ohho, ohh, oh, 
ho, ohho, ohh, home run

ho, ohho, ohh, oh,
ho, ohho, ohh, oh, 
ho, ohho, ohh, home run

are you ready? come on!

(different variation's may vary from this point on.)

ho, ohho, ohh, oh,
ho, ohho, ohh, oh, 
ho, ohho, ohh, home run

ho, ohho, ohh, oh,
ho, ohho, ohh, oh, 
ho, ohho, ohh, home run
(repeat)

ho, ohho, ohh, oh,
ho, ohho, ohh, oh, 
ho, ohho, I
 want a home run! 


lyrics found here


You can listen to this song on YouTube here.


John 14:2

 "My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?" (Jesus speaking)

Mark 5:19

"Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”

2 Corinthians 5:9
"So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it."

Friday, May 25, 2012

Why are we homeschooling?

I have people ask me this question from time to time, "Why are you homeschooling?" There are many reasons. I have not been disappointed in our local schools or any teacher in particular.

Here is my basic list of reasons:
1. Spiritual- We want to be able to teach my children about God, the Bible, instill faith and character in them.

2. Academics- We can give them a better quality education, teach to their interests, and the one-on-one relationship is the best way to learn. (any educator can't dispute that!)

3. Family- We desire that they be closer to siblings, see Dad at lunch and when he is available (day off during the week), take vacations whenever we want, be friends with their siblings, work and do jobs at home together during the day.

4. Protection- from what they might learn in school, bad friends, guns, violence, bullies, teasing-- gives them a higher self-image and ensures a better level of safety.

5. Learning- I/ we can see the joys, am able to help them learn, don't miss the a-ha! moment when they figure out "I can read!" or "I get it!"; less homework

6. Duty- We believe God tells us to educate them in His ways and the ways of the world... Deut. 6 (see below) and I know them the best as their mother.

7. Joy- no school fear or worry, no bullies, harassment, peer pressure

8. Opportunities- to develop their gifts and talents, interests, can volunteer and even develop their own business as a teen.

9. Experience- Public schools are constantly cutting funding-- cutting out music, labs, computers and more. I can provide all of those things and more for my students at home.

10. World- gives them a support system to explore the world and be a light to the lost people. They can explore the river, beach, volunteer, sing any song in a nursing home, go on mission trips, bike ride, learn to shop and spend money in a wise manner, etc., etc.,
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Government schooling is the most radical adventure on history. It kills the family by monopolizing the best times of childhood and by teaching disrespect for home and parents."- John Taylor Gotto
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I know homeschooling can be a "hot topic" with others. I just want to be ready to give an answer for why I do what I am doing (1 Peter 3, see below). I feel that God has called our family to homeschool our children. We don't know that we will always be homeschooling, but we really do enjoy it (most days!) I am using my college degree (Elementary/ Early Childhood Education) as their mother, but not all homeschooling parents have education degrees. Many are just parents that care what their kids are learning, feel called to have their kids at home, and many want to teach them about God.

Deuteronomy 6: 5-9
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."



1 Peter 3:14-16

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.”15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Nephew Graduating?!

Instead of Thankful Thursday this week, I am posting in honor of my nephew Peyton. He is graduating high school today, and we will be there to see it! I'll have pictures next week of our trip! Enjoy my trip down memory lane...
KINDERGARTEN GRADUATION (SO CUTE!)
This week, my oldest nephew Peyton is graduating from high school. How can that be?!

The phrase "life goes by in a blur" comes to mind. I remember when he was born, and getting to hold him when he was a few months old. (My brother & sister-in-law lived out of state)

TINY PEYTON...
Super Peyton!

 We saw him again for a family wedding when he was almost a year old. My parents (his grandparents) gave Peyton a "Bumble Ball" (see pic below). He was so cute when it made his chubby cheeks jiggle... after he put it in his mouth. We giggled as he did that... cute lil' guy!
Busy big 2 year old with my sister... visiting family.
Another time at Christmas, he and his family came, and he endured some silliness with his aunts and big sister... getting a mohawk in his hair with clips. Ha! (See above pic)

This is the same boy who was in my wedding. Peyton looked so cute in his tux with shorts. I made the mistake of giving him his gift for being our ring-bearer the night before the wedding. He loved the car that I gave him, and carried it everywhere! He even carried it under the pillow up the aisle, gave the pillow to anyone that would take it, and walked back down the aisle (while my Dad and I waited to come up, and the every guest stood!)
Can you see the white car under the pillow?

Another memory I have from my wedding morning is when my smart nephew "read" me the book I had given him,
"Chicka Chicka Boom Boom". Apparently he loved that book and had it memorized!
The energetic ring bearer being corralled by the fancy flower girl....

We got the family together not too long after Peyton got a new baby brother, and visited. We went to a local water park. Peyton had gone down a big water slide, and wanted to go down again with Grandma. He knew it was kinda scary, so the little man told the attendant, "Be nice to my Grandma! Don't hurt her!"
On the left is little Peyton who was protective of Grandma...

We visited my brother and his family one summer at their home. We went to the zoo with Rebekah and 8-year-old Peyton wanted to come along. We'd been visiting the zoo about an hour, and Peyton says, "We need to go home." "We do? Why?" I said. "Because, I gotta check my email," he said. "No you don't!" I told him. Then he nagged me about it until we left. Apparently his email was a new thing...
Silly faces at the zoo...
On another trip they made to our state, I remember playing in the park with him, watching him play football with his brothers and cousins. I remember him hiking with us to a waterfall, and afterward giving me a rock to take home in my car.... Ok?!... I didn't take it out until I got home. :-D
Stop taking my picture!

One Christmas, their family was visiting. Peyton got a shiny new scooter that year for Christmas. My husband and I went on a walk that brisk winter afternoon. Peyton was riding his new scooter since the weather was nice. Suddenly, he totally crashed, just yard-saled on the pavement. While we were getting ready to rush over, he jumps up and says, "I'M OKAY!!" lol

On Thanksgiving 2009, we visited their family and Peyton
(in the foreground)
helped my two "big" kids ride horses!
Peyton was an assistant DJ in my sister's wedding. He just had to play the playlist. My sister got mad when he kept taking requests and playing other songs! He had braces then, and had grown about a foot since I had seen him last.

He played football, grew some more, ate lots and turned into quite a nice young man. Even though he struggled in school when he was younger, he finally hit his stride the past few years. He is a great kid... Peyton, we're proud of you!


Some verses that remind me of Peyton...
Isaiah 26:4
"Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal."

Psalm 23:4
"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil for you are with me;  your rod and your staff, they comfort me."


"Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."Congratulations, Peyton! We love you!

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Kindergarten: Number/ Water weeks

This is in place of a Works For Me Wednesday, or a Wordless Wednesday this week! It is a Word-full Wednesday!
One of my favorite books to read during this week..
In our last two weeks of Kindergarten, we had completed the alphabet with one letter per week. After Z week, we had a Numbers week, one number per day. We talked about one on Monday, Two on Tuesday, and so on. Mallory had a great time making things that related to each number, writing numerals, counting by twos and fives, and doing lots of math & matching games.
Bubbles on the back deck...
For our water week, we had lots of water play outside, including watercolor painting on the easel on the back deck, "painting" with water and brushes-- the house, deck, picnic table, etc., We also blew bubbles, played float and sink in the kitchen sink, wash dolls, discussed water safety, and on went on a Friday Field Trip!
Ice cube painting!
One art activity that we did was ice cube painting. My little girls really enjoyed that! We just used regular construction paper, powdered tempera paint (bought years ago at an Art Store closing sale!), toothpicks and an ice cube on each paper. I gave each girl a scoop of each of the three primary colors, and let them swirl, mix and blend colors with their ice cube. If it was too cold for their little fingers, then they used the toothpick. The artwork was very colorful!

On our Friday field trip, we went to the local River Trail for a walk, observation and to use our five senses. We saw and heard birds, saw fish, felt the cool river/ lake water, smelled the fresh air and fish, and saw lots of leaves, sticks, grass and trees. We had a great time! We were walking down close to the water on one lake and happened upon another homeschooler and his uncle (?) fishing. They were very kind to us, let the kids fish with a drop line and hook near the edge of the railing, and the man even let Caleb help reel in a big carp! They had caught three other carp and a catfish, all with Wonder Bread! The kids had a great time, my son said that fishing was the best!

Caleb holding the fish he helped reel in!
On the walk back to the car...
Mallory holding a little fish on the way back to the car...
It was a great way to end our water week and our school year! My kids all want to go fishing again-- maybe this summer!
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