Monday, July 7, 2008
"I gotta new attitude!"
H got a new 'do' and it looks so cute! I keep referring to her as "Kit" as in Kit Kittredge in the new American Girl movie. It's so much easier to care for and she is loving it. Now if I could only convince J to cut hers ...
Cousins
Last week we had the pleasure of having family in town, unfortunately it was for a family funeral ... but despite the circumstances I took the opportunity to snap this cute cousin picture.
It has been such a blessing for the girls to have cousins that are very close in age. Even if they are boys! They love to play together and get along so well. From left to right is: H (6 and 3/4), Jonathan (will be 4 next week), J (5), Thomas (6 and 1/2), and Andrew (18 months).
It has been such a blessing for the girls to have cousins that are very close in age. Even if they are boys! They love to play together and get along so well. From left to right is: H (6 and 3/4), Jonathan (will be 4 next week), J (5), Thomas (6 and 1/2), and Andrew (18 months).
This is love ...
A couple of weeks ago we went Strawberry picking with some friends. The girls and I loved it. Strawberries are one of my favorite foods. Freshly picked ones are even better. I made some yummy jam with most of them ... I can't wait for the middle of winter when I can open a jar of fresh strawberry jam, spread it on my toast, and remember the long, lazy days of summer.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Living Life ... Under the Microscope
Recently my oldest daughter has been full of questions. It seems like she's trying to figure out how the world around her works. And more specifically how her Mommy works. These are just a few of the questions she's been asking me lately ...
Mom, what makes you laugh? {{OH NO, does this mean I don't laugh enough??}}
Mom, do you like to wash dishes? {{Not really, but someone has to do it!}}
Mom, is driving a car fun? {{Maybe, but you still can't drive till you're 16!}}
Mom, why do you like to cook things? {{Because it's fun to make new things and provide for my family.}}
And on a deeper level ... I have just recently been much better about having a regular 'quiet time' with prayer and reading my Bible each morning. Prior to that I would always wake up and immediately jump right on the computer in the morning. I felt like I was really wasting so much time on the computer and felt such guilt over never making the time for the Lord.
So I have tried very hard to focus on my quiet time first, before I am allowed to 'log on'. It's been a wonderfully, rewarding time for me that I have really come to enjoy. I take my notebook, Bible and prayer journal outside each morning with my coffee and sit and enjoy the wonder of creation in the early morning hours (well, not REALLY early, but at the start of my day.) The girls have often wandered outside to find me in prayer or reading my Bible. I stop and chat with them a bit, or they snuggle up to me on the swing, then I continue on reading or praying until I'm done.
So now the questions have become ...
Mom, are you going to be outside have devotions every morning now instead of being on the computer when we wake up? {{WOW, talk about convicting!!}}
Mom, do you like to read your Bible?
Mom, why do you come outside and pray every morning?
OR, one day recently that I SKIPPED my devotional time and the youngest found me on the computer in the morning ...
Mom, did you read your Bible yet today? {{YIKES, they really DO pay attention don't they?!}}
At times over the last few weeks I have felt like my life is being lived under the microscope. I know that from birth the girls have been observing me and the world around them. But these questions have really challenged me to think hard about what I do and say every day ... and how my actions and words affect the little ones who are watching me.
Having a regular devotional quiet time has never been a priority to me ... I always wanted it to be a priority, but never made it happen. Which is my own fault and something I feel awful about. I am so thankful that God doesn't give up on me though. He is faithful when I am not. I'm thankful that He is using the innocent questions of my little girls to help me to be disciplined. Through their questions and watchful eyes I'm learning just how very important it is that I focus my life on God and living His ways.
I want to let you know that I'm not writing this to 'toot my own horn'. As I mentioned I have just recently begun making this a priority. I know it's hard as a Mom to make time to sit quietly and pray and read the Bible. There were many times when my 'quiet time' was simply reading "Our daily bread" while I sat on the toilet for 5 minutes. And even then, I'd hear the kids start screaming or crying or pounding on the door for my attention!!
Now that the girls have seen me in my effort to make this my priority they have really been wonderful at respecting my time. I usually wake up before them, and brew my coffee and head outdoors with my Bible. And if the girls wake up, which usually at least one of them does ... they wander out and say good morning and most of the time they will go back inside and get some cereal, or watch cartoons, or read a book or play. On rare occasions I'll have to say ... just give me a few more minutes to finish my quiet time. And they are great at respecting that.
I know my kids are a little older than those Moms who might have babies and toddlers. But even at the younger ages I think our kids have the ability to see when something is important to us and respect it. Or even to sit quietly in your lap while you pray. What a great example we are setting for our children when we do this! It's helped me teach the girls that it really is important to "read your Bible, pray everyday" like the old Sunday school song says!
I'll leave you with this poem that I recently received through email. It's all about how children observe things from us when we think they aren't looking. Whether we like it or not, as parents we are living our lives under the microscope ... what will it reveal about you to your children?
WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you hang my
first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately
wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a
stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind
to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make my
favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little
things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a
prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always
talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make a
meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I
learned that we all have to help take care of each
other.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of
your time and money to help people who had nothing,
and I learned that those who have something should
give to those who don't.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take care
of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have
to take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you
handled your responsibilities, even when you didn' t
feel good, and I learned that I would have to be
responsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come
from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things
hurt, but it's all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw that you
cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of
life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and
productive person when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking I looked at you and
wanted to say,'Thanks for all the things I saw when
you thought I wasn't looking.'
Mom, what makes you laugh? {{OH NO, does this mean I don't laugh enough??}}
Mom, do you like to wash dishes? {{Not really, but someone has to do it!}}
Mom, is driving a car fun? {{Maybe, but you still can't drive till you're 16!}}
Mom, why do you like to cook things? {{Because it's fun to make new things and provide for my family.}}
And on a deeper level ... I have just recently been much better about having a regular 'quiet time' with prayer and reading my Bible each morning. Prior to that I would always wake up and immediately jump right on the computer in the morning. I felt like I was really wasting so much time on the computer and felt such guilt over never making the time for the Lord.
So I have tried very hard to focus on my quiet time first, before I am allowed to 'log on'. It's been a wonderfully, rewarding time for me that I have really come to enjoy. I take my notebook, Bible and prayer journal outside each morning with my coffee and sit and enjoy the wonder of creation in the early morning hours (well, not REALLY early, but at the start of my day.) The girls have often wandered outside to find me in prayer or reading my Bible. I stop and chat with them a bit, or they snuggle up to me on the swing, then I continue on reading or praying until I'm done.
So now the questions have become ...
Mom, are you going to be outside have devotions every morning now instead of being on the computer when we wake up? {{WOW, talk about convicting!!}}
Mom, do you like to read your Bible?
Mom, why do you come outside and pray every morning?
OR, one day recently that I SKIPPED my devotional time and the youngest found me on the computer in the morning ...
Mom, did you read your Bible yet today? {{YIKES, they really DO pay attention don't they?!}}
At times over the last few weeks I have felt like my life is being lived under the microscope. I know that from birth the girls have been observing me and the world around them. But these questions have really challenged me to think hard about what I do and say every day ... and how my actions and words affect the little ones who are watching me.
Having a regular devotional quiet time has never been a priority to me ... I always wanted it to be a priority, but never made it happen. Which is my own fault and something I feel awful about. I am so thankful that God doesn't give up on me though. He is faithful when I am not. I'm thankful that He is using the innocent questions of my little girls to help me to be disciplined. Through their questions and watchful eyes I'm learning just how very important it is that I focus my life on God and living His ways.
I want to let you know that I'm not writing this to 'toot my own horn'. As I mentioned I have just recently begun making this a priority. I know it's hard as a Mom to make time to sit quietly and pray and read the Bible. There were many times when my 'quiet time' was simply reading "Our daily bread" while I sat on the toilet for 5 minutes. And even then, I'd hear the kids start screaming or crying or pounding on the door for my attention!!
Now that the girls have seen me in my effort to make this my priority they have really been wonderful at respecting my time. I usually wake up before them, and brew my coffee and head outdoors with my Bible. And if the girls wake up, which usually at least one of them does ... they wander out and say good morning and most of the time they will go back inside and get some cereal, or watch cartoons, or read a book or play. On rare occasions I'll have to say ... just give me a few more minutes to finish my quiet time. And they are great at respecting that.
I know my kids are a little older than those Moms who might have babies and toddlers. But even at the younger ages I think our kids have the ability to see when something is important to us and respect it. Or even to sit quietly in your lap while you pray. What a great example we are setting for our children when we do this! It's helped me teach the girls that it really is important to "read your Bible, pray everyday" like the old Sunday school song says!
I'll leave you with this poem that I recently received through email. It's all about how children observe things from us when we think they aren't looking. Whether we like it or not, as parents we are living our lives under the microscope ... what will it reveal about you to your children?
WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you hang my
first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately
wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a
stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind
to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make my
favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little
things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a
prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always
talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make a
meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I
learned that we all have to help take care of each
other.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of
your time and money to help people who had nothing,
and I learned that those who have something should
give to those who don't.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take care
of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have
to take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you
handled your responsibilities, even when you didn' t
feel good, and I learned that I would have to be
responsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come
from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things
hurt, but it's all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw that you
cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of
life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and
productive person when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking I looked at you and
wanted to say,'Thanks for all the things I saw when
you thought I wasn't looking.'
Friday, July 4, 2008
An amazing 'date'.
This past Tuesday my honey and I were able to 'get away' for the day to visit an amazing Island. It's a small island off the coast. We have been there countless times before, but that was years ago, before we had kids. So my in- laws were gracious enough to watch the girls for the day so we could escape for the day together.
We took the high speed ferry early morning. The fog was so dense that you couldn't even see the ferry dock once the boat had pulled away from it. It was a little unnerving to be going SO fast through the thick fog. Every time the boat blew it's horn I knew there were other boats in it's way and inwardly cringed just waiting for us to hit! Overall it was a smooth ride, but I tend to get seasick so I insisted we sit outside, and facing forward. Towards the end my tummy was feeling a little queasy, but thankfully I made it without getting sick. Here is my 'not-so-happy-I-need-to-get-off-this-boat-face'.
When we arrived we decided to rent a JEEP for the day! It was so much fun. Bob has been wanting to purchase a jeep for a while now, so it was a good chance to try it out. It was great and we had a lot of fun.
The first beach we stopped at had lots of beautiful starfish! I wanted so badly to take a couple home for the girls and let them dry out but my wise hubby thought that was kind of cruel since they were still alive. So we left them there. 
This beach was gorgeous, surrounded by beautiful cliffs, with white sandy beaches ... just breathtaking!
OHHH, my fave ... beautiful, bright blue Hydrangeas!! {Mine STILL won't bloom!!}
This beach is was gorgeous. The view from the top just takes your breath away. You have to climb down 150 stairs to get down to the beach ... no problem ... until you have to climb back UP them! Whew, I was sucking wind for sure! 
Awesome waves at the beach ...
Bob, reading up on local history ... did you know that there are no squirrels on the Island?? =) 
Relaxing on the beach... {I think this is where I got too much sun, which I'm still hurting from!}
YAY! A real smile from my honey! This is a rare occurrence for Mr. Braces! I just love this picture. If you can't already tell, we had SO much fun together! 
The old Lighthouse ... it might have a more official name, but I'm not sure, and since it's on the south shore we'll just refer to it as the south lighthouse.
Another beach, right near the ferry boat landing. Right before this I started having serious hot flashes which almost resulted in a meltdown {{I was hot, sweaty, sticky and couldn't get cool anywhere}}... thankfully hubby is very patient with me and we sat and had a cold, refreshing drink which helped me tremendously. Then we swam in those huge waves which were COLD, but invigorating. I felt much cooler after that. Bob looked down right as I snapped this photo, bummer because the wave behind him was perfect! I loved the huge waves and crystal clear water, with NO seaweed!
Then we dried off and took a stroll around downtown, stopping to pick up a couple little souvenirs for the girls and grabbing a quick bite to eat before we had to get back on the ferry.
Here is the back view of the high speed ferry. I love that catamaran style, it's so cool! It looks much smaller than it really is, it holds a few hundred people. See that tiny little outdoor area on top? That is where I had to sit, I cannot sit inside!
When we were almost back to our home port we saw TWO of our Navy's submarines out in the water. One was heading out to sea, the other heading home. It was so cool to see them up close in the water.
The next day Bob said to me, "that was one of the most fun days I have had in a long time!" I consider myself so blessed to have a hubby that I can have so much fun with. I am also so thankful for my in laws who watched the girls so we could have this time together. Can't wait to do it all again!
As a quick side note ... I think it's SO crucial in a marriage to make time for one another. No matter what stage of marriage you are in, with kids or without, you have to make time to do special things together. There have been times when our kids were young, or sick, or plans just didn't go right ... when we have had to simply stay home and play scrabble together. That's OK. Just making time for each other is what's important. My brother in law and sister in law have decided that they will try to watch as many sunsets together as they can this summer. I think that's an amazing goal! Especially for couples with kids, you have to plan times to do things without your children from time to time. It's good for you and it's great for your marriage. Anyway, that's just my two cents! =)
We took the high speed ferry early morning. The fog was so dense that you couldn't even see the ferry dock once the boat had pulled away from it. It was a little unnerving to be going SO fast through the thick fog. Every time the boat blew it's horn I knew there were other boats in it's way and inwardly cringed just waiting for us to hit! Overall it was a smooth ride, but I tend to get seasick so I insisted we sit outside, and facing forward. Towards the end my tummy was feeling a little queasy, but thankfully I made it without getting sick. Here is my 'not-so-happy-I-need-to-get-off-this-boat-face'.
When we arrived we decided to rent a JEEP for the day! It was so much fun. Bob has been wanting to purchase a jeep for a while now, so it was a good chance to try it out. It was great and we had a lot of fun.
The first beach we stopped at had lots of beautiful starfish! I wanted so badly to take a couple home for the girls and let them dry out but my wise hubby thought that was kind of cruel since they were still alive. So we left them there. 
This beach was gorgeous, surrounded by beautiful cliffs, with white sandy beaches ... just breathtaking!
OHHH, my fave ... beautiful, bright blue Hydrangeas!! {Mine STILL won't bloom!!}
This beach is was gorgeous. The view from the top just takes your breath away. You have to climb down 150 stairs to get down to the beach ... no problem ... until you have to climb back UP them! Whew, I was sucking wind for sure! 
Awesome waves at the beach ...
Bob, reading up on local history ... did you know that there are no squirrels on the Island?? =) 
Relaxing on the beach... {I think this is where I got too much sun, which I'm still hurting from!}
YAY! A real smile from my honey! This is a rare occurrence for Mr. Braces! I just love this picture. If you can't already tell, we had SO much fun together! 
The old Lighthouse ... it might have a more official name, but I'm not sure, and since it's on the south shore we'll just refer to it as the south lighthouse.
Another beach, right near the ferry boat landing. Right before this I started having serious hot flashes which almost resulted in a meltdown {{I was hot, sweaty, sticky and couldn't get cool anywhere}}... thankfully hubby is very patient with me and we sat and had a cold, refreshing drink which helped me tremendously. Then we swam in those huge waves which were COLD, but invigorating. I felt much cooler after that. Bob looked down right as I snapped this photo, bummer because the wave behind him was perfect! I loved the huge waves and crystal clear water, with NO seaweed!
Then we dried off and took a stroll around downtown, stopping to pick up a couple little souvenirs for the girls and grabbing a quick bite to eat before we had to get back on the ferry.
Here is the back view of the high speed ferry. I love that catamaran style, it's so cool! It looks much smaller than it really is, it holds a few hundred people. See that tiny little outdoor area on top? That is where I had to sit, I cannot sit inside!
When we were almost back to our home port we saw TWO of our Navy's submarines out in the water. One was heading out to sea, the other heading home. It was so cool to see them up close in the water.
The next day Bob said to me, "that was one of the most fun days I have had in a long time!" I consider myself so blessed to have a hubby that I can have so much fun with. I am also so thankful for my in laws who watched the girls so we could have this time together. Can't wait to do it all again!
As a quick side note ... I think it's SO crucial in a marriage to make time for one another. No matter what stage of marriage you are in, with kids or without, you have to make time to do special things together. There have been times when our kids were young, or sick, or plans just didn't go right ... when we have had to simply stay home and play scrabble together. That's OK. Just making time for each other is what's important. My brother in law and sister in law have decided that they will try to watch as many sunsets together as they can this summer. I think that's an amazing goal! Especially for couples with kids, you have to plan times to do things without your children from time to time. It's good for you and it's great for your marriage. Anyway, that's just my two cents! =)
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
J and the lost tooth trauma
Our sweet J is growing way too fast! Just about 6 months ago her big sis lost her first tooth and now J is quickly catching up!
She's had these 2 wiggly, wobbly teeth for about a month now and we've been pulling and tugging and trying to get them out. Well yesterday the first one finally popped out! In the pictures it's hard to even see the gap since her big girl teeth have already started forcing their way in. I don't think it will be long before that second one comes out, even in the picture you can tell it's pretty loose.
So where does the trauma come in? Well ... she left her tooth for the 'tooth fairy' last night and the 'tooth fairy' left her a nice little note with a hefty amount of money ... and then this morning J woke up, looked under her pillow and immediately started hysterically crying! When I went in to find out what was wrong she said "I WANT MY TOOTH BACK!!!" She is apparently very upset that her tooth is gone for good and has been breaking into bouts of tears all day long.
So what do I do?? I never expected this!
My thought is that she could write a note to the tooth fairy, leave it under her pillow, and nicely ask the tooth fairy if she could possibly have her tooth back. Otherwise I'm afraid of what will happen when the next tooth falls out! Oh the trauma!!
PS. the cutest thing happened during all of this ... H came over to me while J was crying and whispered quietly in my ear 'I hope you or Daddy is the tooth fairy so you can give J her tooth back!' ... hmmm, she's on to us!
She's had these 2 wiggly, wobbly teeth for about a month now and we've been pulling and tugging and trying to get them out. Well yesterday the first one finally popped out! In the pictures it's hard to even see the gap since her big girl teeth have already started forcing their way in. I don't think it will be long before that second one comes out, even in the picture you can tell it's pretty loose.
So where does the trauma come in? Well ... she left her tooth for the 'tooth fairy' last night and the 'tooth fairy' left her a nice little note with a hefty amount of money ... and then this morning J woke up, looked under her pillow and immediately started hysterically crying! When I went in to find out what was wrong she said "I WANT MY TOOTH BACK!!!" She is apparently very upset that her tooth is gone for good and has been breaking into bouts of tears all day long.So what do I do?? I never expected this!
My thought is that she could write a note to the tooth fairy, leave it under her pillow, and nicely ask the tooth fairy if she could possibly have her tooth back. Otherwise I'm afraid of what will happen when the next tooth falls out! Oh the trauma!!
PS. the cutest thing happened during all of this ... H came over to me while J was crying and whispered quietly in my ear 'I hope you or Daddy is the tooth fairy so you can give J her tooth back!' ... hmmm, she's on to us!
Introducing ... "Wellspring Academy"!
For those who have noticed my new blog title (and even for those who haven't!) ... I wanted to share this exciting new chapter in our lives.
Last year, as most of you know, we home schooled H while J attended preschool at our church. This year we have decided to continue on our homeschooling journey and therefore decided that we should give our 'school' an official name.
I wracked my brain for weeks trying to come up with an appropriate name ... using our last name seemed too simple and creative names were just not coming to mind.
Right now I am reading through the book of Proverbs. One day while reading in chapter four I came across this verse ... "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Proverbs 4:23
I knew immediately that our school name should be 'Wellspring Academy'!! The moment I read the verse I loved it and thought it very appropriate.
I do think it's extremely important in this world that we choose to 'guard our heart'. As a wife I need to guard my heart from temptation, as a Mom I need to guard my heart from allowing negative influences to enter our home life, and as a parent I need to be sure that I help protect my children's hearts.
I'm not saying that my kids will never face adversity, or that they will never have their hearts broken. To me it's more about guarding our heart from the evils of this world. From the peers who will seek to bring you down, from the TV or movies that compromise a child's innocence, from all the negativity that seems to swirl all around us.
As a parent I cannot shelter and protect my children forever. And they will learn some of the harsh realities of this world. But I can choose to protect them and teach them and train them in God's ways so that when they face difficulties or people who seek to bring them down they will have the strength they need to get through it or stand up against it. Strength from their heavenly Father and all they have learned.
Going back to the blog title ... I did not want to lose my original title because it was chosen in honor of my Dad. So in order to combine the two I've chosen Because He Lives at Wellspring Academy.
Hope you enjoy and hope you continue to follow along on our wonderful journey of family, friends, homeschooling and LIFE!
{I'm going to cut and paste what I originally wrote about "Because He Lives" right here ... so that I can just make a link to the whole story. Thanks for bearing with me!}
Because He lives was one of my Dad's favorite songs. When I first started thinking about a blog title I couldn't help but coming back to these words time and time again. The chorus of the song goes, "Because He (Christ) lives, I can face tomorrow, because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future, and life is worth the living, just because He lives."
When my Dad passed away in January of 2004 it was a very hard time for me. He died of leukemia and it all happened very fast. There was only a period of 3 months between the initial diagnosis and him going home to be with the Lord. It was barely enough time to adjust to him being sick. And yet I would never have wanted to drag out his suffering. I'm thankful that the Lord gave my Dad and I a couple visits during his sickness when we got the chance to talk. We got the chance to say I love you, which wasn't something we said to one another very often. We got a few last times together that I will cherish for the rest of my days.
At his memorial service a family friend sang Because He Lives. The words assured me that although we can't know the future, God does, and it's in His hands. And because of that, it makes life worth the living.
I still miss my Dad and still have moments where I long to see him again. I know that one day I will when I too am called home to heaven. But until then I've tried to live my life as if every day counts. To remember that life is worth the living. You can't go back, you can't undo the past or bring a loved one back, but you can live life and enjoy it and cherish every moment. Because He lives!
Last year, as most of you know, we home schooled H while J attended preschool at our church. This year we have decided to continue on our homeschooling journey and therefore decided that we should give our 'school' an official name.
I wracked my brain for weeks trying to come up with an appropriate name ... using our last name seemed too simple and creative names were just not coming to mind.
Right now I am reading through the book of Proverbs. One day while reading in chapter four I came across this verse ... "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Proverbs 4:23
I knew immediately that our school name should be 'Wellspring Academy'!! The moment I read the verse I loved it and thought it very appropriate.
I do think it's extremely important in this world that we choose to 'guard our heart'. As a wife I need to guard my heart from temptation, as a Mom I need to guard my heart from allowing negative influences to enter our home life, and as a parent I need to be sure that I help protect my children's hearts.
I'm not saying that my kids will never face adversity, or that they will never have their hearts broken. To me it's more about guarding our heart from the evils of this world. From the peers who will seek to bring you down, from the TV or movies that compromise a child's innocence, from all the negativity that seems to swirl all around us.
As a parent I cannot shelter and protect my children forever. And they will learn some of the harsh realities of this world. But I can choose to protect them and teach them and train them in God's ways so that when they face difficulties or people who seek to bring them down they will have the strength they need to get through it or stand up against it. Strength from their heavenly Father and all they have learned.
Going back to the blog title ... I did not want to lose my original title because it was chosen in honor of my Dad. So in order to combine the two I've chosen Because He Lives at Wellspring Academy.
Hope you enjoy and hope you continue to follow along on our wonderful journey of family, friends, homeschooling and LIFE!
{I'm going to cut and paste what I originally wrote about "Because He Lives" right here ... so that I can just make a link to the whole story. Thanks for bearing with me!}
Because He lives was one of my Dad's favorite songs. When I first started thinking about a blog title I couldn't help but coming back to these words time and time again. The chorus of the song goes, "Because He (Christ) lives, I can face tomorrow, because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future, and life is worth the living, just because He lives."
When my Dad passed away in January of 2004 it was a very hard time for me. He died of leukemia and it all happened very fast. There was only a period of 3 months between the initial diagnosis and him going home to be with the Lord. It was barely enough time to adjust to him being sick. And yet I would never have wanted to drag out his suffering. I'm thankful that the Lord gave my Dad and I a couple visits during his sickness when we got the chance to talk. We got the chance to say I love you, which wasn't something we said to one another very often. We got a few last times together that I will cherish for the rest of my days.
At his memorial service a family friend sang Because He Lives. The words assured me that although we can't know the future, God does, and it's in His hands. And because of that, it makes life worth the living.
I still miss my Dad and still have moments where I long to see him again. I know that one day I will when I too am called home to heaven. But until then I've tried to live my life as if every day counts. To remember that life is worth the living. You can't go back, you can't undo the past or bring a loved one back, but you can live life and enjoy it and cherish every moment. Because He lives!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Summer Reading list and bragging
Our summer reading list is growing!! Yippee! I have to clarify that the books with ** next to them are my summer reading choices ... which are still a work in progress, not yet completed - so perhaps should not even be on that list!
But my little Miss H. WOW! She is blowing me away with her reading skills lately. Yes, this is where the bragging comes in. She has always been a strong reader, but this summer she is literally flying through these books. Every one of those chapter books like the Junie B. series and the Magic Treehouse series are all being read by H. All by herself. And she's been reading about one a day. Last week she read 4 chapter books in 3 days!
I am so proud of her. I am so thankful that she has such a love of reading. J can't read yet so H and I take turns reading to her, and we're doing OK adding some books to the list too ... but H, WOW!
But my little Miss H. WOW! She is blowing me away with her reading skills lately. Yes, this is where the bragging comes in. She has always been a strong reader, but this summer she is literally flying through these books. Every one of those chapter books like the Junie B. series and the Magic Treehouse series are all being read by H. All by herself. And she's been reading about one a day. Last week she read 4 chapter books in 3 days!
I am so proud of her. I am so thankful that she has such a love of reading. J can't read yet so H and I take turns reading to her, and we're doing OK adding some books to the list too ... but H, WOW!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
The unbreakable bond
I've always been intrigued by the bond between sisters. I never had any sisters, but always longed to have one just so I could know the feeling of that deeply rooted bond.
My Mom had 4 sisters, my Mother in law had 3. I've seen the times when sisters don't get along, don't share the same viewpoints, or lifestyles, or thoughts on parenting ... but I've also seen (and heard) the stories of late nights talking and whispering, shared clothes and shoes, memories of funny experiences ...
My daughters have this bond. I was thrilled to pieces the day we found out that our second born would be another girl. My longing for a sister was about to be lived out in my daughter's lives.
My daughters fight. A lot. Every day. All the time. About everything. You see the bond of sisterhood does not mean you will always get along. They have very different views of life, very different personalities and very different ways of doing things. So they fight. And they argue. About everything.
But then ... there are those times ... times when I find them huddled together reading a book, or playing make believe out in the yard, or lying side by side 'sunning' on their beach towels ...
The day I took this picture (a couple weeks ago) we were sitting at the beach while the girls played. After a little while I noticed they had moved about 200 yards down the beach away from us and had set up this little spot for themselves. They were lying there talking and relaxing and as soon as I saw it I grabbed my camera and ran to capture this precious sisterly moment.
Yesterday another moment like this happened. They played in the pool for awhile. Sometimes fighting and sometimes getting along. Later they decided to get out and play in the yard. I was inside doing housework when I glanced out the window to check on them. They were sitting in the top of the swingset/fort and were just chatting away with one another. They later took pillows and towels out there and set up little beds - side by side. Then came supper time and they chose to bring their supper out to their little 'home' to have a picnic. It was wonderful, they were getting along so well and really enjoying one another so much!
I am so thankful that my girls have one another. I am always trying to teach them that they are so blessed to have a sister, a very best friend, to play with and talk with every single day. {Of course they don't always see it that way ... but I'm thankful for the times when they do!}
Right at this very moment ... I can hear them listening to music in H's room and chatting together. Ahhh, love those moments!
My Mom had 4 sisters, my Mother in law had 3. I've seen the times when sisters don't get along, don't share the same viewpoints, or lifestyles, or thoughts on parenting ... but I've also seen (and heard) the stories of late nights talking and whispering, shared clothes and shoes, memories of funny experiences ...
My daughters have this bond. I was thrilled to pieces the day we found out that our second born would be another girl. My longing for a sister was about to be lived out in my daughter's lives.
My daughters fight. A lot. Every day. All the time. About everything. You see the bond of sisterhood does not mean you will always get along. They have very different views of life, very different personalities and very different ways of doing things. So they fight. And they argue. About everything.
But then ... there are those times ... times when I find them huddled together reading a book, or playing make believe out in the yard, or lying side by side 'sunning' on their beach towels ...
The day I took this picture (a couple weeks ago) we were sitting at the beach while the girls played. After a little while I noticed they had moved about 200 yards down the beach away from us and had set up this little spot for themselves. They were lying there talking and relaxing and as soon as I saw it I grabbed my camera and ran to capture this precious sisterly moment.
Yesterday another moment like this happened. They played in the pool for awhile. Sometimes fighting and sometimes getting along. Later they decided to get out and play in the yard. I was inside doing housework when I glanced out the window to check on them. They were sitting in the top of the swingset/fort and were just chatting away with one another. They later took pillows and towels out there and set up little beds - side by side. Then came supper time and they chose to bring their supper out to their little 'home' to have a picnic. It was wonderful, they were getting along so well and really enjoying one another so much!
I am so thankful that my girls have one another. I am always trying to teach them that they are so blessed to have a sister, a very best friend, to play with and talk with every single day. {Of course they don't always see it that way ... but I'm thankful for the times when they do!}
Right at this very moment ... I can hear them listening to music in H's room and chatting together. Ahhh, love those moments!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Sad
I am sad to tell you that Bob's cousin Michael just passed away. Micheal has had several health problems over the past year and last week he was admitted to the hospital with not much time left. This weekend he was removed from life support and he died this evening.
Micheal was in his mid-fifties, a husband, father, grandpa, son, brother and more ... he will be missed. Please be in prayer for the family - the days to come are sure to be hard ones.
Micheal was in his mid-fifties, a husband, father, grandpa, son, brother and more ... he will be missed. Please be in prayer for the family - the days to come are sure to be hard ones.
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