If you'd like to read my thoughts on September 11th, where I was that day and how I feel about it ... I made a post about it last year and this is the link ...
I will Never Forget
Year after year this day in history shakes me up. It makes me fearful. It makes me worry. Year after year I wonder if we'll ever have another Sept. 11th and that thought has me paralyzed in fear. If it weren't for my faith in God I would probably never leave my house. I'd keep my children locked up behind the safety of our doors. I'd remain in that paralyzing fear all the time.
It is ONLY because of God that I have the strength and the power to walk out of my door every day. To know that no matter what happens in this life, no matter what evil enters our comfy little life, no matter who our enemies are -- I can draw strength and hope from the Lord!
"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Isaiah 40:31
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Blessed
Aww ... ya'll really do love me! Thanks so much for all the sweet comments after my desperate plea went out to all the lurkers on this blog! I'm so thankful for so many awesome friends and family who take real interest in our lives. {And I promise I will remember that I too need to stop lurking and start showing ya'll some blog love too!}
Anyway, I just wanted to share a couple little stories that have really helped me remember how truly blessed I am. For those that know me well, you know that I have the tendency to over think things (Lynn, stop laughing!) ... and that I always over analyze and often times even question my own decisions.
So homeschooling has been no exception. I've often thought that I'm not equipped to do this, or that the Lord made a mistake by calling me to this, or what if we made the wrong choice ...
But two little things that happened recently have helped encourage me on this journey.
First, as I've mentioned before I try to go outside on the deck each morning before the girls awake to have some quiet time with the Lord ... read my Bible, spend time praying, etc ...
Some days the girls will show up out there with me. It depends how early they wake up.
So one morning H came out. Then after saying good morning she said she'd be right back and came back out holding a book and her little devotional Bible. She then sat down and said that she too was going to read her Bible with me. WOW, I was so encouraged!
I thought back to past years when I've rushed through our morning, trying to get out the door on time and I've never given any time to the Lord. I thought about the fact that because we are homeschooling, and have more time in the morning to ease into our day, it gives us time to really make our quiet time a priority. And it really encouraged my heart to see H doing the same thing and learning through my example! Thank you Lord!
The next thing that happened was on Monday. Mondays are one of Bob's days off so we have decided that Mondays will be our family field trip day. Now since it's still been pretty warm here we decided to go to the beach this Monday. The weather was beautiful and there was hardly anyone there (mostly older people who stared at us like 'why aren't those kids in school?!').
Even the water and the waves were perfect. For a long time the girls played together in the water. For once they were really getting along well and were just laughing and splashing and having a wonderful time. I sat in my chair thinking that I really didn't want to go in the water. I didn't want to get my hair wet or get cold or do anything but sit and relax. But the more I watched the fun the girls were having the more I had the desire to join them.
Finally I got up and ventured into the water. Like I said, it was beautiful, clear, no seaweed, and no jellyfish -- it hadn't been that nice all summer! Needless to say I ended up spending the next hour playing and splashing with the girls in the water. We rode the waves, we swam, we got our swimsuits all full of sand ... it was the most fun I've had in awhile. I felt like a kid again! It was amazing. And to think ... if they had been in school all day I probably would have cleaned my house that day! Another memory made, another chance to thank the Lord for the relationship He is building between us and our children. Thank You Lord!
Now I know these two things are not major events in the grand scheme of life. I simply wanted to share the fact that we can and should take every chance we can to create memories with our kids. They are growing up at an alarming rate and all too soon they will no longer choose to sit in our laps or hold our hands to cross the street.
I'm choosing to be thankful for every day and to use the moments I'm given to enjoy my children. And I'm so thankful that the Lord chose me to be my children's 'teacher' ... I may not be perfect or always do it right, but I can ride the waves and read my Bible and try to teach them about life along the way.
Anyway, I just wanted to share a couple little stories that have really helped me remember how truly blessed I am. For those that know me well, you know that I have the tendency to over think things (Lynn, stop laughing!) ... and that I always over analyze and often times even question my own decisions.
So homeschooling has been no exception. I've often thought that I'm not equipped to do this, or that the Lord made a mistake by calling me to this, or what if we made the wrong choice ...
But two little things that happened recently have helped encourage me on this journey.
First, as I've mentioned before I try to go outside on the deck each morning before the girls awake to have some quiet time with the Lord ... read my Bible, spend time praying, etc ...
Some days the girls will show up out there with me. It depends how early they wake up.
So one morning H came out. Then after saying good morning she said she'd be right back and came back out holding a book and her little devotional Bible. She then sat down and said that she too was going to read her Bible with me. WOW, I was so encouraged!
I thought back to past years when I've rushed through our morning, trying to get out the door on time and I've never given any time to the Lord. I thought about the fact that because we are homeschooling, and have more time in the morning to ease into our day, it gives us time to really make our quiet time a priority. And it really encouraged my heart to see H doing the same thing and learning through my example! Thank you Lord!
The next thing that happened was on Monday. Mondays are one of Bob's days off so we have decided that Mondays will be our family field trip day. Now since it's still been pretty warm here we decided to go to the beach this Monday. The weather was beautiful and there was hardly anyone there (mostly older people who stared at us like 'why aren't those kids in school?!').
Even the water and the waves were perfect. For a long time the girls played together in the water. For once they were really getting along well and were just laughing and splashing and having a wonderful time. I sat in my chair thinking that I really didn't want to go in the water. I didn't want to get my hair wet or get cold or do anything but sit and relax. But the more I watched the fun the girls were having the more I had the desire to join them.
Finally I got up and ventured into the water. Like I said, it was beautiful, clear, no seaweed, and no jellyfish -- it hadn't been that nice all summer! Needless to say I ended up spending the next hour playing and splashing with the girls in the water. We rode the waves, we swam, we got our swimsuits all full of sand ... it was the most fun I've had in awhile. I felt like a kid again! It was amazing. And to think ... if they had been in school all day I probably would have cleaned my house that day! Another memory made, another chance to thank the Lord for the relationship He is building between us and our children. Thank You Lord!
Now I know these two things are not major events in the grand scheme of life. I simply wanted to share the fact that we can and should take every chance we can to create memories with our kids. They are growing up at an alarming rate and all too soon they will no longer choose to sit in our laps or hold our hands to cross the street.
I'm choosing to be thankful for every day and to use the moments I'm given to enjoy my children. And I'm so thankful that the Lord chose me to be my children's 'teacher' ... I may not be perfect or always do it right, but I can ride the waves and read my Bible and try to teach them about life along the way.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Hello out there!!!???
Is anyone still reading my blog?
Anyone?
Beuller ... Beuller ... Beuller????
I know I'm just as guilty of not adding comments to my favorite blogs ... but ya know after say 3 or 4 blog posts with NO comments a girl starts to wonder if there's anyone out there who's still reading!
So stop by and say hi from time to time, let me feel the blog love!
{{Is it this background??? Is it difficult to view or slow to load?? I could go back to using a more simplified one if needed ... }}
Anyone?
Beuller ... Beuller ... Beuller????
I know I'm just as guilty of not adding comments to my favorite blogs ... but ya know after say 3 or 4 blog posts with NO comments a girl starts to wonder if there's anyone out there who's still reading!
So stop by and say hi from time to time, let me feel the blog love!
{{Is it this background??? Is it difficult to view or slow to load?? I could go back to using a more simplified one if needed ... }}
Monday, September 8, 2008
Home School Snack Time
I am so very thankful that my children's Grandparents are so supportive of our homeschooling efforts. My Mom, and Bob's Mom and Dad are always here for us ... supporting us, praying for us, offering their help to us, etc...
My Mother in Law is a preschool director and my Father in law is an amazing artist ... so they always have so many great ideas to assist us in our homeschool journey.
My Mother in Law decided this year to support us by providing a structured, healthy snack for every school day. She and the girls worked together one day to come up with a calendar with all the snacks for the whole month written on it. Then, she went out and shopped for all the items we would need. She presented the calendar and a bag full of food to us at the beginning of the month.
I am so thankful for her help and support in this way! Having everything bought and planned has helped tremendously! First of all it means that the girls always know they have something to look forward to in the middle of their school morning. Second, it helps having it planned so they don't just go raid the pantry whenever they feel hungry. Third, all the snacks are healthy! This helps me know that I am doing something very good for my family.
Here is just a small idea of what we are doing for snacks this month:
whole wheat fig newtons
cheerios and raisins
peaches (canned) and popcorn
etc ...
And here is everything she bought for the month ...
My Mother in Law is a preschool director and my Father in law is an amazing artist ... so they always have so many great ideas to assist us in our homeschool journey.
My Mother in Law decided this year to support us by providing a structured, healthy snack for every school day. She and the girls worked together one day to come up with a calendar with all the snacks for the whole month written on it. Then, she went out and shopped for all the items we would need. She presented the calendar and a bag full of food to us at the beginning of the month.
I am so thankful for her help and support in this way! Having everything bought and planned has helped tremendously! First of all it means that the girls always know they have something to look forward to in the middle of their school morning. Second, it helps having it planned so they don't just go raid the pantry whenever they feel hungry. Third, all the snacks are healthy! This helps me know that I am doing something very good for my family.
Here is just a small idea of what we are doing for snacks this month:
whole wheat fig newtons
cheerios and raisins
peaches (canned) and popcorn
etc ...
And here is everything she bought for the month ...
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Fresh from my garden
I admit it. I'm not much of a gardener. I rarely make the time to tend to the flowers that I plant and many times things die out before the summer is over. So this summer I planted some bulbs thinking they would be easy to grow. They were.
I planted gladiolis and dahlias. Here is a vase of the prettiest blooms I got. The picture doesn't do them justice ... the colors were so beautiful and vibrant!
I planted gladiolis and dahlias. Here is a vase of the prettiest blooms I got. The picture doesn't do them justice ... the colors were so beautiful and vibrant!
Tubing
This summer Bob decided to buy a tube for pulling behind his Dad's boat. The girls finally got a chance to go out on it a couple weeks ago. They LOVED it! J was a little more timid, but H kept motioning her thumb up for FASTER, FASTER!!
Here is H:
And J:
We are really going to miss all this wonderful summer fun!
Here is H:
And J:
We are really going to miss all this wonderful summer fun!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Like Dandelion Dust
oh. my. goodness.
Every time I read another Karen Kingsbury book I love her as an author even more! Remember how I said I was taking f o r e v e r to read through my book choices?? Well not this book! I have been so enthralled by it that I've been unable to put it down!
It has drama and adventure and kept me on the edge of my seat ... and of course it drew out tons of emotion at the end. {That is lots of tears from me, no surprise!}
I give it a big fat 5 STARS!
Every time I read another Karen Kingsbury book I love her as an author even more! Remember how I said I was taking f o r e v e r to read through my book choices?? Well not this book! I have been so enthralled by it that I've been unable to put it down!
It has drama and adventure and kept me on the edge of my seat ... and of course it drew out tons of emotion at the end. {That is lots of tears from me, no surprise!}
I give it a big fat 5 STARS!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Library
September is National Library Card Sign up Month.
Do you have your own library card? If you don't, you should visit your local library as soon as possible to obtain one! Even children as young as five can obtain their very own library card. It is a wonderful experience for kids to have their own card, pick out their own books, and check them out at the desk all by themselves. What a lesson in responsibility!!
When my oldest was five we couldn't wait to rush out and get her a library card of her very own. Somehow when the youngest turned five that milestone seemed to slip through the cracks and we totally forgot! So tomorrow I plan to take both girls to our local library. J will get her first card and we all will enjoy choosing some books to read.
I am seriously giddy with excitement! I love books, I love to read, and I love that my girls love it too! This may sound funny but it always amazes me that the library is FREE!! Such a wonderful resource to enjoy at no cost!
Do you have your own library card? If you don't, you should visit your local library as soon as possible to obtain one! Even children as young as five can obtain their very own library card. It is a wonderful experience for kids to have their own card, pick out their own books, and check them out at the desk all by themselves. What a lesson in responsibility!!
When my oldest was five we couldn't wait to rush out and get her a library card of her very own. Somehow when the youngest turned five that milestone seemed to slip through the cracks and we totally forgot! So tomorrow I plan to take both girls to our local library. J will get her first card and we all will enjoy choosing some books to read.
I am seriously giddy with excitement! I love books, I love to read, and I love that my girls love it too! This may sound funny but it always amazes me that the library is FREE!! Such a wonderful resource to enjoy at no cost!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
First day of school
Today was our first day of school for the 08-09 school year! Tuesday mornings are our science co-op class ... so it was perfect for a first day of school.
We gave the girls each a back to school bag ... filled with crayons, markers, pencils, clipboards, and such - plus a couple of new reading books. They were thrilled to jump out of bed and check out the new things in the bags!
I really can't believe that my 'baby' is now in Kindergartner! Poor thing, she was bit by a mosquito right next to her eye last night, so her right eye is slightly swollen in her first day photos. Her smile is still beautiful though!
H is now is second grade ... seriously, where does the time go?
J coloring a page at co-op ...
H and some other home school friends working on their pages at co-op ...
We gave the girls each a back to school bag ... filled with crayons, markers, pencils, clipboards, and such - plus a couple of new reading books. They were thrilled to jump out of bed and check out the new things in the bags!
I really can't believe that my 'baby' is now in Kindergartner! Poor thing, she was bit by a mosquito right next to her eye last night, so her right eye is slightly swollen in her first day photos. Her smile is still beautiful though!
H is now is second grade ... seriously, where does the time go?
J coloring a page at co-op ...
H and some other home school friends working on their pages at co-op ...
Monday, September 1, 2008
Our completed Summer Reading List
I am so proud to share our completed summer reading list with you. I have to say that I was most impressed by my hubby and my daughter H this summer. I admit that I lacked in reading enough books to J (I know, I'm a bad Mom!) ... and also that although I had big intentions for all the books that I wanted to read - I just couldn't keep my eyes open long enough to get through that many!
We were so busy this summer, doing so many fun things, that by evening I was barely getting through one or two pages before I'd fall asleep!
Bob, on the other hand, suddenly became a reader this summer, and since he's a night owl anyway he was able to fly through 7 books since June!
H, my awesome little bookworm, sped through 20 chapter books this summer!!!!! 20!! Isn't she amazing?!
I only completed 3 books, and have 3 that are still ongoing. Oh well, I'm so proud of my family doing so well!
All together we read 48 books this summer. It's not even one per day when you break it down, but I still think that it's pretty good considering how busy we were! I'm going to post our list here and then start a new fall reading list. So keep watching for that!
Here is our complete list (Bob's books have a #, mine have ** and the rest were the girls choices.):
Summer Reading 2008
- # Gumbo Limbo by Tom Corcoran
- Schnitzel is Lost
- Who's Making that Mess?
- Junie B. Jones has a Peep in her Pocket
- Junie B. First Grader Boss of Lunch
- ** Like Dandelion Dust by Karen Kingsbury
- Junie B. First Grader Shipwreck
- Junie B. First Grader Boo and I mean it!
- A new Duck
- It's Not Easy Being a Bunny
- # Swine Not?
- # Sail
- # Step on a Crack
- # 4th of July
- # Beach Road
- # Uncas of the Mohegan-Pequot
- Midnight on the Moon from the M T series
- Sunset of the Sabertooth from the M T series
- Afternoon on the Amazon from the M T series
- Night of the Ninjas from the M T series
- ** The Postcard by Beverly Lewis
- The Moon Jumpers
- Mr. Peabody's Apples
- Junie B. First Grader One Man Band
- Junie B. Jones is a party animal
- Junie B. Jones is (almost) a flower girl
- **50 Veteran Homeschoolers Share ... Things We Wish We'd Known
- **On Every Side by Karen Kingsbury
- Junie B. Jones and that Meanie Jim's Birthday
- Junie B. Jones and the Yucky Blucky Fruitcake
- Pirates Past Noon from the M T series
- Mummies in the Morning from the M T series
- The Knight At Dawn from the M T series
- Dinosaurs Before Dark from the Magic treehouse series
- Amelia Bedelia
- Fidgety Fish
- Junie B. Jones has a Monster Under her Bed
- Ten Little Fish
- Stanley, Flat Again!
- **Coming Home by David Lewis
- Unicorn Wings
- The Crayon Box that Talked
- Frederick
- Moose's Loose Tooth
- One Hungry Cat
- Fancy Nancy at the Museum
- Junie B. Jones Loves Handsome Warren
- **The Power of a Positive Mom by Karol Ladd
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