tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62514513345887544642024-03-07T15:10:29.153-05:00Finding Joy on the JourneyUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger563125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251451334588754464.post-22077770609450186952013-07-15T08:05:00.000-04:002013-07-15T08:05:20.796-04:00"Is that pleasing to God?" "Is this pleasing to God?" This is the question I find myself asking myself as I make choices or evaluate what I have done. Being a black and white rule follower, I've asked myself this question my entire life. But recently I've changed my question. In asking the Lord to make his Grace evident in my every day, the Lord showed me that this question puts the focus in the wrong place for me. It leaves me wondering all the time if I'm being pleasing. The focus is on me and my actions. The problem is that when the answer is yes, then I end up feeling good and even (gasp!) prideful. If not, well, then I feel shameful and guilty. Well, neither feeling good about myself nor hanging my head in shame are the Lord's best for me!<br />
As I raise my children and talk regularly with them about their behavior, I don't want to raise them with this habit of self-evaluation in Christ's eyes. I want them to rest in the grace of God. His mercy and His best for us. I don't want the focus to be on us and our performance.<br />
I want the focus to be on Him. He knows my heart, and thankfully loves me anyway. He sees me covered in His blood, and I am learning that He's not sitting on His throne evaluating every action of mine. He. Loves. Me. And He wants me to know and share that love in every moment He gives me on this earth. He wants to focus on Him and His grace and mercy for us. So that's my new question: "Is what I'm doing sharing the love, grace and mercy of Christ?"Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251451334588754464.post-21564104092792198472013-05-31T21:45:00.000-04:002013-05-31T21:45:03.017-04:00YWAM Heroes of History Stories {Review}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFGyPrbHJNsk9hBFnb8HRX9aUfyN98VVwaTddSAG_HBt0LibPUSiIlyFbk7nzTLvnLb3U_FL0OGtQOSuXMvgC3xG27KCT_q7n-g0jj_X2X7cEddmYVKnzB2FkVShX2HnIpc3t27PbtxwB/s1600/411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFGyPrbHJNsk9hBFnb8HRX9aUfyN98VVwaTddSAG_HBt0LibPUSiIlyFbk7nzTLvnLb3U_FL0OGtQOSuXMvgC3xG27KCT_q7n-g0jj_X2X7cEddmYVKnzB2FkVShX2HnIpc3t27PbtxwB/s200/411.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
We were privileged to review this <a href="http://www.ywampublishing.com/p-411-heroes-of-historybr5-book-gift-setbrbooks-1-5.aspx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Heroes of History Book Set </a>this month. We've studied US History this year, so this has fit in perfectly! From their website:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-style: italic;">Heroes of History</span> is a unique biography series that brings the shaping of history to life with the remarkable true stories of fascinating men and women who changed the course of history.<br />
<br />
The stories of Heroes of History are told in an engaging narrative format, where related history, geography, government, and science topics come to life and make a lasting impression. This is a premier biography line for the entire family.<br />
<br />
This set includes:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.ywampublishing.com/p-400-heroes-of-historybrgeorge-washington-carver-from-slave-to-scientist.aspx" shape="rect" style="background-color: white; color: #355d8d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11.199999809265137px; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none;">George Washington Carver</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11.199999809265137px; font-style: italic;">: From Slave to Scientist</span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.ywampublishing.com/p-401-heroes-of-historybrabraham-lincoln-a-new-birth-of-freedom.aspx" shape="rect" style="background-color: white; color: #355d8d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11.199999809265137px; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none;">Abraham Lincoln</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11.199999809265137px; font-style: italic;">: A New Birth of Freedom</span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.ywampublishing.com/p-402-heroes-of-historybrmeriwether-lewis-off-the-edge-of-the-map.aspx" shape="rect" style="background-color: white; color: #355d8d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11.199999809265137px; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none;">Meriwether Lewis</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11.199999809265137px; font-style: italic;">: Off the Edge of the Map</span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.ywampublishing.com/p-403-heroes-of-historybrgeorge-washington-true-patriot.aspx" shape="rect" style="background-color: white; color: #355d8d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11.199999809265137px; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none;">George Washington</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11.199999809265137px; font-style: italic;">: True Patriot</span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.ywampublishing.com/p-404-heroes-of-historybrwilliam-penn-liberty-and-justice-for-all.aspx" shape="rect" style="background-color: white; color: #355d8d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11.199999809265137px; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none;">William Penn</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11.199999809265137px; font-style: italic;">: Liberty and Justice for All</span></li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
Jacob, a 5th grader, read Abraham Lincoln on his own and we read some of the others as family read-alouds. We do a lot of reading, and both of my kids have enjoyed them! We all enjoyed the content, and the vocabulary was at a perfect level for my kids to understand well. We've read many other biographies and will certainly choose these again!<br />
<br />
As a part of this review, I get to give away a copy to one of my readers! Just enter using the Rafflecopter form now and June 6 EST, and I'll choose a random winner on June 7. *Winner must be a US resident.*
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/cff0d62/" id="rc-cff0d62" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was given this book set to review in exchange for my honest opinion.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com70tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251451334588754464.post-54570568811935958512013-05-22T10:55:00.003-04:002013-05-22T10:55:36.560-04:00Year of the Staycation - Across the USA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPxevXk63ddFY9egZYupX7qDgjt9Oo7qGpuDxsb8Q_8GJj179Jdz5d697lCtv_3vb57GqtaElU4VMW_15d-ELK5B2euIqBDJHKbGTRNvjggD0-_km_bRv9_ke9kaZC-BR8E_AUrSXimhj/s1600/staycation-image-wide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPxevXk63ddFY9egZYupX7qDgjt9Oo7qGpuDxsb8Q_8GJj179Jdz5d697lCtv_3vb57GqtaElU4VMW_15d-ELK5B2euIqBDJHKbGTRNvjggD0-_km_bRv9_ke9kaZC-BR8E_AUrSXimhj/s320/staycation-image-wide.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h4>
<strong>Yesterday I posted about activities to do in my area, and I was only one of many bloggers who participated in this! Here are the links to all of the "Year of the Staycation" posts:</strong></h4>
<h3>
<strong><br /></strong></h3>
<h3>
<strong>Mid Atlantic</strong></h3>
<strong><a href="http://www.parentingmiracles.net/2013/05/staycationing-in-connecticut/" target="_blank">NW (or all), Connecticut</a></strong> :: Parenting Miracles<br />
<strong><a href="http://tinyurl.com/bf8ufxg" target="_blank">Boston (or all), Massachusetts</a></strong> :: Maven of Savin<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.ourgoodfamily.org/2013/05/staycation-2013-fun-in-central-nj-and-bucks-county-pa" target="_blank">Central, New Jersey </a></strong>:: Our Good LIfe<br />
<strong><a href="http://wp.me/p2Xj8U-1jr" target="_blank">Adirondak Mountains and Central, New York</a></strong> :: For This Season<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.annsentitledlife.com/anns-life/what-to-do-in-buffalo-and-niagara-falls/" target="_blank">Buffalo/Niagara Falls, New York </a></strong>:: Ann's Entitled Life<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.iamthatlady.com/staycation-ideas-for-cny" target="_blank">Syracuse, New York</a></strong> :: I am THAT lady<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.growingkidsministry.com/?p=10110" target="_blank">Erie, Pennsylvania </a></strong> :: Growing Kids Ministry<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.familybalancesheet.org/2013/05/staycation-explore-harrisburg-pa.html" target="_blank">Greater Harrisburg, Pennsylvania </a></strong> :: Family Balance Sheet<br />
<strong><a href="http://wp.me/pPye0-cSL" target="_blank">Hershey, Pennsylvania</a></strong> :: Good Deal Mama<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.beyondthecoverblog.com/2013/05/07/exploring-philadelphia-pa/" target="_blank">Philadelphia, Pennsylvania</a></strong> :: Beyond the Cover<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.thecouponhigh.net/2013/05/staycation-2013-frugal-fun-in-pittsburgh/" target="_blank">Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania</a></strong> :: The Coupon "High"<br />
<strong><a href="http://bucktownbargains.com/poconos-pa-staycation-ideas" target="_blank">Poconos, Pennsylvania</a></strong> :: Bucktown Bargains<br />
<strong><a href="http://bucktownbargains.com/staycation-ideas-for-northeastern-pennsylvania-nepa" target="_blank">Scranton, Pennsylvania</a></strong> :: Bucktown Bargains
<br />
<h3>
<strong><br /></strong></h3>
<h3>
<strong>Midwest</strong></h3>
<strong><a href="http://makethebestofeverything.com/2013/05/staycation-enjoying-des-moines-iowa.html" target="_blank">Des Moines, Iowa </a></strong> :: Make the best of everything<br />
<strong><a href="http://asavingswow.com/2013/05/chicago-staycation-ideas/" target="_blank">Aurora, Illinois</a></strong> :: A Savings WOW!<br />
<strong><a href="http://thehomeschoolscientist.com/?p=2981" target="_blank">Central, Illinois </a></strong>:: The Homeschool Scientist<br />
<strong><a href="http://chicagolandhomeschoolnetwork.com/uncategorized/staycation-2013/" target="_blank">Chicago, Illinois</a></strong> :: Chicagoland Homeschool Network<br />
<strong><a href="http://wp.me/p2dj99-1TE" target="_blank">Naperville, Illinois</a></strong> :: The Sensible Mom<br />
<strong><a href="http://ravingsbyrae.com/2013/05/staycation-in-schaumburg/" target="_blank">Schaumburg, Illinois</a></strong> :: Ravings By Rae<br />
<strong><a href="http://simplifiedsaving.com/?p=28038" target="_blank">Fort Wayne, Indiana</a></strong> :: Simplified Saving<br />
<strong><a href="http://ingoodcents.com/2013/05/what-to-do-in-indiana.html" target="_blank">Indianapolis, Indiana (Metro Area)</a></strong> :: In Good Cents<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.thedaisyhead.com/2013/05/staycation-enjoying-muncie-indiana-for-free-or-frugal" target="_blank">Muncie, Indiana (Central IN)</a></strong> :: the daisyhead<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.sodoughsavvy.com/?p=20673" target="_blank">Northern Indiana</a></strong> :: So Dough Savvy<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.kansascitymamas.com/kansas-city-staycation/" target="_blank">Kansas City Area</a></strong> :: Kansas City Mamas<br />
<strong><a href="http://savingdollarsandsense.com/metro-detroit-summer-staycation" target="_blank">Metro Detroit, Michigan</a></strong> :: Saving Dollars and Sense<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.givemeneither.com/things-to-do-on-a-staycation-grand-rapids-michigan" target="_blank">Grand Rapids, Michigan</a></strong> :: Give Me Neither<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.bargainshoppermom.com/fun-frugal-staycation-ideas-in-oakland-county-mi/" target="_blank">Oakland County, Michigan</a></strong> :: Bargain Shopper Mom<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.creativecouponing.com/with-gas-prices-high-take-a-budget-friendly-minnesota-frugal-staycation" target="_blank">Minneapolis, Minnesota</a></strong> :: Creative Couponing<br />
<strong><a href="http://wp.me/p1ajRA-oJn" target="_blank">Rural Minnesota (either Southern our Lake Country) </a></strong> :: Mommysavers.com<br />
<strong><a href="http://frugalfinders.com/staycation-st-cloud-mn/" target="_blank">St. Cloud, Minnesota</a></strong> :: Frugal Finders<br />
<strong><a href="http://kosheronabudget.com/kansas-city-staycation-vacation-fun-things-to-do-with-your-whole-family/" target="_blank">Kansas City, Missouri/Kansas</a></strong> :: Kosher on a Budget<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.gettingfreedom.net/staycation-ideas-for-springfield-mo/" target="_blank">Springfield, Missouri</a></strong> :: Getting Freedom<br />
<strong><a href="http://familyfriendlycincinnati.com/?p=33442" target="_blank">Cincinnati, Ohio</a></strong> :: Family Friendly Cincinnati<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.cleverlysimple.com/?p=53509" target="_blank">Columbus, Ohio</a></strong> :: Cleverly Simple<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.savingslifestyle.com/dayton/free-budget-friendly-activities-staycations-dayton" target="_blank">Dayton, Ohio</a></strong> :: Savings Lifestyle: Dayton<br />
<strong><a href="http://thetravelingpraters.com/mansfield-ohio-staycation-ideas" target="_blank">Mansfield, Ohio</a></strong> :: The Traveling Praters<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.raisinglifelonglearners.com/2013/05/staycationenjoying-northeast-ohio-on.html" target="_blank">NE Ohio</a></strong> :: Raising Lifelong Learners<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.sistersshoppingonashoestring.com/northeast-ohio-free-and-frugal-summer-fun" target="_blank">Northeast Ohio (Canton, Akron, Cleveland)</a></strong> :: Sisters Shopping on a Shoestring<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.littlehouseliving.com/staycation-in-the-black-hills.html" target="_blank">Black Hills, South Dakota</a></strong> :: Little House Living<br />
<strong><a href="http://wp.me/p1zK5A-3ah" target="_blank">South Dakota</a></strong> :: Moms Mustard Seeds<br />
<strong><a href="http://alittlebitofthisandthat.com/summer-fun-in-the-fox-cities/" target="_blank">Oshkosh, Wisconsin </a></strong>:: Adventures of a Stay at Home Mom
<br />
<h3>
<strong><br /></strong></h3>
<h3>
<strong>Mountain</strong></h3>
<strong><a href="http://www.momendeavors.com/2013/05/things-to-do-around-phoenix.html" target="_blank">Phoenix, Arizona</a></strong> :: Mom Endeavors<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.savingforsomeday.com/staycation-ideas-for-scottsdale-az/" target="_blank">Scottsdale, Arizona</a></strong> :: Saving For Someday<br />
<strong><a href="http://desertchicaramblings.com/2013/05/what-to-do-in-tucson/" target="_blank">Tucson, Arizona</a></strong> :: Desert Chica Ramblings<br />
<strong><a href="http://thegreenbacksgal.com/free-and-budget-things-to-do-in-colorado-springs" target="_blank">Colorado Springs, Colorado</a></strong> :: The Greenbacks Gal<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.bargainblessings.com/denver-staycation-ideas-and-summer-activities-for-2013/" target="_blank">Denver, Colorado</a></strong> :: Bargain Blessings<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.wicproject.com/everything-else/staycation-helena-montana/" target="_blank">Helena, Montana</a></strong> :: The WiC Project<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.momendeavors.com/2013/05/things-to-do-around-omaha.html" target="_blank">Omaha, Nebraska</a></strong> :: Mom Endeavors<br />
<strong><a href="http://savinginnevada.com/?p=7115" target="_blank">Reno, Nevada - Lake Tahoe (Northern Nevada)</a></strong> :: Saving in Nevada
<br />
<h3>
<strong><br /></strong></h3>
<h3>
<strong>Pacific</strong></h3>
<strong><a href="http://www.nerdfamilythings.com/2013/05/fresno-staycation-outings.html" target="_blank">Fresno, California (Central Valley)</a></strong> :: NerdFamily Blog<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.savings.com/blog/post/5-things-to-do-for-free-during-your-Los-Angeles-staycation.html" target="_blank">Los Angeles, California</a></strong> :: Savings.com<br />
<strong><a href="http://goodcheapeats.com/2013/05/staycation-eats-in-san-diego" target="_blank">San Diego, California </a></strong>:: Good Cheap Eats<br />
<strong><a href="http://lifeasmom.com/2013/05/visiting-and-vacationing-in-san-diego" target="_blank">San Diego, California </a></strong>:: Life as MOM<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.frugallivingnw.com/frugal-fun/staycation-2013-exploring-portland-oregon" target="_blank">Portland, Oregon</a></strong> :: Frugal Living NW<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.thriftynorthwestmom.com/staycation-things-to-do-seattle" target="_blank">Seattle, Washington</a></strong> :: Thrifty NW Mom
<br />
<h3>
<strong><br /></strong></h3>
<h3>
<strong>South Atlantic</strong></h3>
<strong><a href="http://discoveringarkansas.com/staycation-ideas-in-north-west-arkansas/" target="_blank">Arkansas</a></strong> :: Discovering Arkansas<br />
<strong><a href="http://kidventurous.com/2013/05/staycation-fun-10-great-things-to-do-with-kids-in-washington-dc" target="_blank">Washington, DC</a></strong> :: Kidventurous<br />
<strong><a href="http://bargainbriana.com/staycation-enjoy-clearwater-beach-on-a-budget/" target="_blank">Clearwater Beach, Florida </a></strong> :: Bargain Briana<br />
<strong><a href="http://savingthefamilymoney.com/jacksonville-staycation/" target="_blank">Jacksonville, Florida</a></strong> :: Saving The Family Money<br />
<strong><a href="http://chaosisbliss.com/staycation-frugal-fun-in-southwest-florida-2013" target="_blank">Southwest Florida (Ft. Myers area)</a></strong> :: Chaos Is Bliss<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.simplystaugustine.com/?p=4304" target="_blank">St. Augustine, Florida</a></strong> :: Simply St. Augustine<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.swaggrabber.com/?p=185668" target="_blank">Tallahassee, Florida</a></strong> :: SwagGrabber<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.hodgepodge.me/?p=34008" target="_blank">Atlanta, Georgia (metro area)</a></strong> :: Hodgepodge<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.thecouponingcouple.com/atlanta-frugal-fun-great-staycation-ideas" target="_blank">Atlanta, Georgia (metro area)</a></strong> :: The Couponing Couple<br />
<strong><a href="http://thehappyhousewife.com/frugal-living/?p=19897" target="_blank">Annapolis, Maryland</a></strong> :: The Happy Housewife<br />
<strong><a href="http://cherylpitt.com/2013/05/family-activities-near-hagerstown-md" target="_blank">Hagerstown, Maryland</a></strong> :: Cheryl Pitt<br />
<strong><a href="http://paradisepraises.com/staycation-discover-asheville" target="_blank">Asheville, North Carolina</a></strong> :: Paradise Praises<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.fromourfrontporch.net/2013/05/summer-staycation-in-charlotte.html" target="_blank">Charlotte, North Carolina</a></strong> :: from our front porch lookin' in...<br />
<strong><a href="http://wp.me/p3k5nF-BO" target="_blank">Raleigh/Southeastern, North Carolina</a></strong> :: Upside Down Homeschooling<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.thetweenandme.com/?p=9318" target="_blank">Upstate South Carolina</a></strong> :: The Tween & Me<br />
<strong><a href="http://howtohaveitall.net/staycation-ideas-charlottesville-virginia/" target="_blank">Charlottesville, Virginia</a></strong> :: How to Have it All<br />
<strong><a href="http://teachersofgoodthings.com/staycation-enjoyment-for-richmond-virginia/" target="_blank">Richmond, Virginia</a></strong> :: Teachers of Good Things<br />
<strong><a href="http://wp.me/p1bt5b-2wN" target="_blank">Smithfield, Virginia</a></strong> :: Walking in High Cotton<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.thecouponchallenge.com/?p=55491" target="_blank">Virginia Beach, Virginia</a></strong> :: The Coupon Challenge
<br />
<h3>
<strong><br /></strong></h3>
<h3>
<strong>South Central</strong></h3>
<strong><a href="http://www.meetpenny.com/?p=18891" target="_blank">Coastal Alabama</a></strong> :: Meet Penny<br />
<strong><a href="http://thetravelingpraters.com/huntsville-alabama-staycation-ideas" target="_blank">Huntsville, Alabama</a></strong> :: The Traveling Praters<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.sherrylwilson.com/staycation-enjoying-northern-kentucky-on-a-budget" target="_blank">Northern Kentucky</a></strong> :: Simply Sherryl<br />
<strong><a href="http://tinyurl.com/ctlu2je" target="_blank">Chattanooga, Tennessee</a></strong> :: Living Chic on the Cheap<br />
<strong><a href="http://melissajc.blogspot.com/2013/05/staycation-in-knoxville.html" target="_blank">East Tennessee (Smoky Mountains, Knoxville)</a></strong> :: Finding Joy on the Journey<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.montessoritidbits.com/2013/05/things-to-do-in-Nashville.html" target="_blank">Nashville, Tennessee</a></strong> :: Montessori Tidbits<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.groceryshopforfree.com/?p=43267" target="_blank">Arlington, Texas</a></strong> :: Grocery Shop For FREE<br />
<strong><a href="http://ponderthepath.com/2013/05/13/staycation-fun-things-to-do-around-austin" target="_blank">Austin, Texas (Hill Country)</a></strong> :: Ponder the Path<br />
<strong><a href="http://howtohomeschoolmychild.com/fun-things-to-do-in-texas-staycation-bryan-college-station" target="_blank">College Station, Texas</a></strong> :: How to Homeschool My Child<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.survivingthestores.com/staycation-in-dallas.html" target="_blank">Dallas, Texas</a></strong> :: Surviving The Stores<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.funkyfaithgirl.com/2013/05/staycation-east-dallas.html" target="_blank">East Dallas, Texas</a></strong> :: Funky Faith Girl<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.couponsandfreebiesmom.com/2013/05/fort-worth-texas-staycation.html" target="_blank">Fort Worth, Texas</a></strong> :: Coupons & Freebies Mom<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.momstoolbox.com/blog/houston-staycation-and-vacation-family-fun" target="_blank">Houston, Texas</a></strong> :: MomsToolbox<br />
<strong><a href="http://mylitter.com/?p=82189" target="_blank">Houston, Texas</a></strong> :: MyLitter<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.momsconfession.com/explore-katy-texas-this-summer/" target="_blank">Katy, Texas</a></strong> :: Moms Confession<br />
<strong><a href="http://bitly.com/staycationRGV" target="_blank">McAllen, Texas (Rio Grande Valley)</a></strong> :: iLoveMy5Kids<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.melissasbargains.com/san-antonio-staycation-fun-and-free-things-to-do-with-kids/" target="_blank">San Antonio, Texas</a></strong> :: Melissa's Bargains
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251451334588754464.post-66629886603086053012013-05-22T10:47:00.000-04:002013-05-22T10:47:41.890-04:00Staycation in the Knoxville Area<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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We're not planning a family vacation this year, but we still want to make memories. Knowing that thousands of other families are in this boat, we're all teaming up to give you ideas for your area!! If you're like I am, you'll want to visit the host website for all the information anyway, so I've linked to site for specific information and only included a short summary here that includes our favorite <i>family friendly</i> characteristics. Almost everything I've listed is FREE, and I've noted where that is not the case. If you're in the Knoxville or surrounding area, here are some of the things we're going to do this summer:<br />
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<b>In Knoxville</b></div>
<a href="http://ijams.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ijams Nature Center</a> is a wildlife sanctuary on the Tennessee River that offers tons of fun! Nature trails, lots of wildlife to view, picnic areas, a river boardwalk, and so much more! Here is <a href="http://ijams.org/things-to-do-and-see/must-see/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ijams' MUST SEE</a> list! (A few activities require a rental fee, but admission and the majority of the activities are free.)<br />
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The <a href="http://www.knoxville-zoo.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Knoxville Zoo</a> is a beautiful zoo that includes a large kids area for when the little ones need to be free to roam, play and even get wet! (Not free. Group Rates are available.)<br />
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<a href="http://worldsfairpark.org/worlds-fair-sunsphere.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Sunshphere</a> is not really an all day attraction, but if you live in the area, a trip to the Sunsphere and <a href="http://worldsfairpark.org/worlds-fair-attractions.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Court of Flags Fountains</a> area would at least wear the kids out having fun! The observation deck of the Sunsphere boasts a 360 degree view of Knoxville, and the water fountain area is always a hit for my children!<br />
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The <a href="http://www.wbhof.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Women's Basketball Hall of Fame</a> is located in downtown Knoxville. We're not sports enthusiasts here, but I didn't want to neglect those of you who are! (This is not free, but all tickets are under $8.)<br />
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<b>Smoky Mountains</b></div>
The list of free things to do in the Smoky Mountains is obviously very long, so I'm just including a few of our family friendly favorites.<br />
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<a href="http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/cadescove.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cades Cove</a> is a beautiful spot for wildlife viewing and Smoky Mountain scenery, but our favorite thing to see is the homes, churches and even a working grist mill built in the early 1800s. My kids thoroughly enjoyed seeing their Little House on the Prairie books come to life. (Not the right location, I know, but it worked for us!)<br />
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<a href="http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/clingmansdome.htm" target="_blank">Clingman's Dome</a> is the highest point in the Smoky Mountains and Tennessee, and if your kids are like mine, they love things that are the highest, fastest, biggest, ... you get the idea! You can also see three states from the observation tower at the top! (Take a jacket, even if you might not think you want one.) Because of their proximity to one another, we also do <a href="http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/nfg.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Newfound Gap</a> on the same day.<br />
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<a href="http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/laurel-falls.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Laurel Falls</a> is a 2.6 round trip mile hike that culminates at a beautiful waterfall. One of our favorite parts is that you can get in the water! (Don't think swimming, think wading.) It's paved and taking a stroller is possible, though it's not flat at all, so I'd recommend a backpack for your little one instead.<br />
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<a href="http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm#CP_JUMP_48430" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sugarlands Visitor Center</a> is a newly renovated visitor center including a gift shop, movie, and an area full of Smoky Mountain wildlife on display. But what we love is the FREE ranger led programs they offer! (Did you know the Smoky Mountains is the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/grsm/naturescience/amphibians.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Salamander Capital of the world</a>?!)<br />
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<b>Surrounding Area</b></div>
The <a href="http://childrensmuseumofoakridge.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Children's Museum of Oak Ridge</a> is a modest museum that opened in an old junior high school in 1973. You'll definitely want to check out their site for all they have to offer but I have two favorite things about this museum: they have a LOT of exhibits so you can go there over and over again, and the best part: they want your kids to touch almost all of it! Tell me that's not worth going for! (Tickets cost up to $7.)<br />
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<a href="http://www.wetlandsjonesborough.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wetlands Waterpark</a> is one place we've not been but are going this summer, probably more than once! It's a smaller waterpark than the large theme parks offer, but I like that because I'm less likely to lose my kids! There are slides that all kids can ride and a few larger slides for children 48" and taller. My favorite part about this park is that you still get all the waterslide fun without that unaffordable cost of the larger parks.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251451334588754464.post-61628058721768526842013-02-24T00:31:00.002-05:002013-03-10T23:29:14.056-04:00Titus 2:1 Conference! I get to go!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.2to1conference.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFworRCsAAMkTYC1PeBh-9PTSBDqIzVegUCZXnjoVXrNxsXnhDckjRafMGOC7egnmihDWKk9iLaJafCgDtfVlTL0mSl0w5WlKvFMeD_Dg6yYXKAVv26MmL5KhWbIe5veFUcTV9FlZcNLFY/s320/titus2_1image.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;">I'm so looking forward to the <a href="http://www.2to1conference.com/" target="_blank">Titus 2:1 Conference</a>. I'm so excited about going to the conference thanks to my sponsor, <a href="http://www.heidistjohn.com/site/pages/home.php" target="_blank">Heidi St. John (The Busy Homeschool Mom)</a>! But I'd be lying if I said that the flight, airport-people-watching time and silent, beautiful hotel room aren't part of the fun for me too! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;">In short, from the conference page:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;">The 2:1 Conference is a faith based conference for homeschooling parents who blog (not just about homeschooling), or are otherwise interested in social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.</span></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;">Anyone who reads here knows I've gone AWOL since I started working part time in August... because being on the computer for work comes before pleasure! I do thoroughly miss the therapy I get when I share stories about our family though. And I have a several month long God story that I <i>have</i> to get down on "paper" before too long, because it's still getting better! </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;">So... on to the reason for this post! An introduction of myself to the other Titus 2:1 attendees:</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;"><b>1) How long have I been blogging? </b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;">(Hold on while I go look...) About 6 years.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;"><b>Homeschooling?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;">Seven years.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;"><b>Which is harder?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;">Oh my goodness... HOMESCHOOLING!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;"><br /></span></span>
<b><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;">2) If I was</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;"> a superhero, what would be my homeschool super power?</span></span></b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;">Being able to teach well that which comes with difficulty to each of my children.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">3) If I could go anywhere, besides the 2:1 Conference, where would be my dream "mom-cation?"</span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;">A house right on a gulf coast beach with my family - and someone to prepare our food. :)</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">4. What do I hope to "get out" of the 2:1 Conference?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;">I'm looking forward to being refreshed and encouraged, and coming home with a toolbox full of ideas to serve and support others more effectively as they run their homeschooling race! I'm the Community Manager for <a href="http://www.fiveinarow.com/" target="_blank">Five in a Row</a> and the Social Media Assistant for <a href="http://heidistjohn.com/blog/" target="_blank">Heidi St. John</a>. It's a blessing that I get to read, edit, post, and create homeschooling encouragement every day. The Lord must have known how badly I needed it myself!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;">Can't wait to meet you all!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;"><a href="http://www.2to1conference.com/2013/attendee-community/" target="_blank">Click here to meet more attendees</a>!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;">~ Melissa</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251451334588754464.post-54787439981868716082012-11-14T10:43:00.001-05:002012-11-14T10:57:34.726-05:00Delicious Grain Free Pumpkin Muffins!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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These were so delicious! I started off a few months ago making <a href="http://www.elanaspantry.com/paleo-breakfast-bread/" target="_blank">Elana's pantry Paleo Breakfast Bread</a>, and these are a far reaching adaptation of that, I suppose, though it's not really much like it anymore!<br />
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<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
1 to 1 1/4 c almond butter<br />
1 15 oz can pumpkin<br />
2 eggs<br />
1/3 c sugar (I use raw.)<br />
1/2 t salt<br />
1/2 t baking soda<br />
1 T cinnamon<br />
1/2 t ground cloves<br />
1/2 t nutmeg<br />
1/2 t ginger<br />
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For the topping, I just sprinkled mini chocolate chips, chopped pecans, and a combo of both on the top. I used only a few tablespoons of each, I suppose.<br />
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This isn't very Elana's Pantry-ish, but throw it all in the mixer and mix on a low speed until mixed! Spoon into muffin tins. Bake on 350 for 15-20 minutes. (I forgot to turn on the timer, but I did the toothpick check to make sure they were done.)<br />
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Makes about 18 muffins.<br />
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* Yes, that's almond butter, not almond flour.<br />
* B/c of the sugar it's not Paleo. These are awfully moist, so I'm not sure honey or agave would work. Someone else is welcome to try!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My favorite part is that they have protein in them, so it's much more substantial than just a baked treat. Jacob said, "Welcome to muffin heaven!" :)</span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251451334588754464.post-32235729903391600722012-11-13T23:28:00.000-05:002012-11-13T23:28:08.114-05:00Maybe I shouldn't feel guiltySo as Mattie's first grade year is well into the first semester, I find myself sad that she's getting so much less of the fun stuff that Jacob got. When Jacob was little, there were several of us that got together to do the fun things (that aren't my strength). We don't have that now for her, and it makes me sad, because honestly, she'd probably enjoy it much more than he even did! There were cousins his age - lots of them, and we don't have that with her, so it's all just different. But as I was lamenting tonight and feeling sad that I'm just not doing well enough in that area for her, I realized that Jacob's early years were very special... only him, activities geared toward only him, interests chosen for him, time with only him, books chosen for only him, etc. But then I realized that her high school years will be the special time with only her as Jacob will have likely gone to college... activities geared toward only her, interests chosen for her, time with only her, books chosen for only her, and I guess it will all balance out. I still get frustrated that I'm not so good at the fun stuff, but this did balance it out a bit!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251451334588754464.post-11468627928139697912012-11-13T22:34:00.004-05:002012-11-13T22:34:55.380-05:00BEECH RetreatSo one of the things I do for my new part time job is blog for Five in a Row. I do a lot of editing and posting articles written by the authors of Five in a Row, but I also get to input some of my own stuff as well. Because I have no marketing degree, and a marketing degree isn't really a social media degree, I'm not sure yet what the right balance of different types of information is... product info, how-to, inspiration, etc. There are so many things I'm still learning by trial and error! But there's this amazing retreat in this amazing location, and I'm really hoping I get to go! There's also this amazing giveaway that I'm participating in to increase those chances of attending. :) If you enjoy blogging and want to learn more, <a href="http://beechretreat.com/" target="_blank">check it out</a>! I know, I think I'd want to go even if I had never blogged a day in my life!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251451334588754464.post-83316178195602002952012-10-25T20:28:00.002-04:002012-10-25T20:28:26.952-04:00What Mattie knows about common sense<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">Tonight</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;"> while cleaning up her bedroom, Mattie asked if she should put a toy away. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">I said, "Of course you need to put that away! Use some common sense, Mattie!" </span></span></span></div>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: left;">Her quick reply: "I don't even know what common sense <i>is</i> except that Thomas Paine invented it!" </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: left;">lol!! </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; text-align: left;">At least she was listening this year...</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251451334588754464.post-7401973814718823412012-10-15T14:41:00.000-04:002012-10-15T14:43:26.300-04:00OverwhelmedJust a list of things I'm thankful for today...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx46d5tLEvhoC5676Lg6IlNID43M5_W0Tpu9F3FGYcYbYxxzcB6_57-Hg6sXZAgKEo6-kSnv0U7xEM3CVVUARlA3L5YSMr2MKYL_yN4EseutY4H0QHxYy7pugH5vWqdj72Kv6PQ1BRWxwh/s1600/Nov08+NatTunlwithRobert+006+(11).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx46d5tLEvhoC5676Lg6IlNID43M5_W0Tpu9F3FGYcYbYxxzcB6_57-Hg6sXZAgKEo6-kSnv0U7xEM3CVVUARlA3L5YSMr2MKYL_yN4EseutY4H0QHxYy7pugH5vWqdj72Kv6PQ1BRWxwh/s320/Nov08+NatTunlwithRobert+006+(11).jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a reminder of how quickly the time goes...</td></tr>
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Listening to Mattie read her short little reading lessons fluently... at long last!<br />
Seeing Jacob understand some of his grammar concepts... also at long last!<br />
Watching our freshly reinstalled bird feeders get busier and busier with our favorite feathered friends.<br />
Healing after ten months for my cracked tailbone and sacral vertebrae.<br />
Finding an old video of Jacob reading a book out loud when he was little. Such sweetness in that little voice!<br />
Healing via surgery and recovery for Robert's leg and back.<br />
The joy the kittens have brought to our family.<br />
Hearing Mattie play upstairs with a friend her own age she clicks perfectly with!<br />
Watching <i>Robert</i> find enjoyment in books as he recovers.<br />
Jacob having fun at his first sleepover. :) <br />
Our free art class at Carson-Newman.<br />
Robert's presence at home while he recovers from surgery: company, friendship, understanding in the craziness, help with schooling, family Bible lessons from <i>his</i> perspective, kids' laughter that he causes. <br />
Planning our nature study fun!<br />
Re-doing fun 6 year old things with Mattie.<br />
Hoodie weather. <br />
Looking through old photos and remembering the memories of Jacob's six year old year.<br />
My new job. The way it fits me perfectly. The way it can fit our family perfectly. The way God handed it to me.<br />
And my favorite: God truly opening my eyes and heart to a deep-seated understanding of His grace in spite of me... an answer to prayers prayed for many years.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251451334588754464.post-28843200302453222722012-09-09T21:26:00.002-04:002012-10-15T14:44:28.840-04:00They're growing up!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Got a few pics of my sunshines together tonight! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcpoL5De-oi1Rjf9IQTfZ0YmsdTDWHdkXgPCJplJLEWOxJi66ZkfuZ04uTvmF1RnQiooLgqqxoZpDivKJ2qDKwUTX3Xmho8WnvLYtZ170w5oCFKbLZuVKB7_6btcVpb2wB4PeiOiadhv0u/s1600/August+September+2012+168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcpoL5De-oi1Rjf9IQTfZ0YmsdTDWHdkXgPCJplJLEWOxJi66ZkfuZ04uTvmF1RnQiooLgqqxoZpDivKJ2qDKwUTX3Xmho8WnvLYtZ170w5oCFKbLZuVKB7_6btcVpb2wB4PeiOiadhv0u/s320/August+September+2012+168.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm so happy with how they turned out, I had to show you! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Vwlu4vl95J2MkwaMuAw1jiJnaeL_TAMV5ruxeTWzA5Bx4GS0vVjnTAG1lhPhGaqDFwC-mPXOLWvfliuB_fJH7Uac7HNIa4yvrs-4X2i1Xz0rsxPtYi4uu3rrawjGELY-2GEjwKwxt4YT/s1600/August+September+2012+169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Vwlu4vl95J2MkwaMuAw1jiJnaeL_TAMV5ruxeTWzA5Bx4GS0vVjnTAG1lhPhGaqDFwC-mPXOLWvfliuB_fJH7Uac7HNIa4yvrs-4X2i1Xz0rsxPtYi4uu3rrawjGELY-2GEjwKwxt4YT/s320/August+September+2012+169.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I think the two above are getting framed to go in my kitchen. :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wOQMVW7SGvW9gGXTl36InDI0I9fwrQeHOrM5IbeJAiLNlO6B8o8uaXGuchoh0IoPJHTxqEJdYr4lGmwJZCs0ctGDUuvIg7i3e5Ropz8ITVfsTfol5qxBwUEFnoRq9WZ3xlUlZ5eDW7s_/s1600/August+September+2012+171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wOQMVW7SGvW9gGXTl36InDI0I9fwrQeHOrM5IbeJAiLNlO6B8o8uaXGuchoh0IoPJHTxqEJdYr4lGmwJZCs0ctGDUuvIg7i3e5Ropz8ITVfsTfol5qxBwUEFnoRq9WZ3xlUlZ5eDW7s_/s320/August+September+2012+171.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Mattie is 6 1/2, and Jacob is 10 1/2.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1YO5Am3TbYLejQcsCTn181ZY14zyBfwK9Xe534VEf2U1TEHuAo10ETH68MOGk3oSzq2ra2WsmkkYhf3QIMBM6ZFVvt9Db6sNaxGvjze6yllXLNWUPcegPDlulEgHXUZ37XeXTwH_f0GD/s1600/August+September+2012+175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1YO5Am3TbYLejQcsCTn181ZY14zyBfwK9Xe534VEf2U1TEHuAo10ETH68MOGk3oSzq2ra2WsmkkYhf3QIMBM6ZFVvt9Db6sNaxGvjze6yllXLNWUPcegPDlulEgHXUZ37XeXTwH_f0GD/s320/August+September+2012+175.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And at this point, they're having more fun than is helpful...</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251451334588754464.post-52109543912804968882012-08-11T22:47:00.000-04:002012-10-15T14:44:41.719-04:00Some Nameless Additions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNENd3NzcNo1wHNB39HUgm6FwYpK0rIbzPxEv9tkgLMBbZwSvxwezSqrtyaJQf671ABNkR6gB2p0Kg2czZB0yDftq1UXyCXXaEIQp40v5Btx2rkj0c3SeZ6CMddNsQkpLdsLYasm-CcjnR/s1600/MarchtoAugust2012+697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNENd3NzcNo1wHNB39HUgm6FwYpK0rIbzPxEv9tkgLMBbZwSvxwezSqrtyaJQf671ABNkR6gB2p0Kg2czZB0yDftq1UXyCXXaEIQp40v5Btx2rkj0c3SeZ6CMddNsQkpLdsLYasm-CcjnR/s320/MarchtoAugust2012+697.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We have been wanting to let the kids get kittens for a long time. They both love playing with them every time someone we know has some! (I know, what kid doesn't?) I don't have much affection for cats, and actually have been around quite a few nasty ones! But both of the kids love them. Robert's parents had some they needed a home for, so we let the kids each pick one.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0J_6D0inJ6D94qO3dIAczOfP4meANVUDQE-0wa_ONFzF1bpFHHGo6XSGEXxZ-3F4FPQbKSVfEEBTdsuT6EVUf4yar1FGszKZdjNtLygaqNLwofFwHPr1-GLBFyQ2YyNbmPA4wQmvfD1E/s1600/MarchtoAugust2012+696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0J_6D0inJ6D94qO3dIAczOfP4meANVUDQE-0wa_ONFzF1bpFHHGo6XSGEXxZ-3F4FPQbKSVfEEBTdsuT6EVUf4yar1FGszKZdjNtLygaqNLwofFwHPr1-GLBFyQ2YyNbmPA4wQmvfD1E/s320/MarchtoAugust2012+696.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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But because I was fairly allergic before my allergy shots and Jacob seems to be following in my footsteps, I've been afraid they'd fall in love and then we'd have to get rid of them. I'm still afraid of that! But we have only rugs (as opposed to installed carpet) and only one upholstered chair (all our other furniture is wood or leather), so we decided there's no way to know except to try. The kids know the risks. I'm just praying we all do fine with them! I'm also praying that Pepper likes them when she gets home!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6BU4HcteljUlYHQ50N0toQf_IL1UgHIYe948_8rTlgmvvTkM4sM9JU6RwB97S1xZS7y7OoBzlyA9M_XINtbswHKqdd9k5jdeZ9EHf-XDOGTpI05-SKzLFj21ImNVGzVKQdRs_BG2G512-/s1600/MarchtoAugust2012+702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6BU4HcteljUlYHQ50N0toQf_IL1UgHIYe948_8rTlgmvvTkM4sM9JU6RwB97S1xZS7y7OoBzlyA9M_XINtbswHKqdd9k5jdeZ9EHf-XDOGTpI05-SKzLFj21ImNVGzVKQdRs_BG2G512-/s320/MarchtoAugust2012+702.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Meet Nameless #1 and Nameless #2! </div>
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The jury is still out on the names... Lucy, Snowflake (not sure I understand that one!), Sam, Tony, Romp... </div>
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My tenderhearted boy said he thinks this is the best day ever and has teared up more than once with joy. That makes it worth a try!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251451334588754464.post-39338008573753292262012-06-11T07:00:00.000-04:002012-06-11T07:00:12.841-04:00I just have to say<a href="http://www.ihponeuk.com/images/white_iphone4s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.ihponeuk.com/images/white_iphone4s.jpg" width="200" /></a>I. love. my iPhone.<br />
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I have always felt convicted that a data plan was an indulgence for which I was not supposed to pay. (Not that <i>you</i> should not be paying for it. I'm talking about me here!) I'm a stay at home mom who really stays at home a lot!<br />
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Well, my phone died last month. Because we have a lot of family travel scheduled for this summer, and much of it in areas we're not used to, Robert wanted me to have the GPS and the flexibility of changing my plans mid-day without a computer and printer for directions. It actually seemed justifiable. So I traded my sister for her upgrade and ordered it. I won't say I did not feel guilty (though I did not feel convicted... I'm so thankful for that difference!).<br />
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I. love. it.<br />
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I love that I can use it as a point and shoot camera and get pictures worth printing. And that I have it with me because it doesn't weigh as much as my DSLR camera.<br />
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I love that I can put stuff on my google calendar before I forget the date or lose the reminder card, which means before I walk out the door of any particular medical office.<br />
I love that I can find a McDonald's, Dunkin', Taco Bell or Starbucks just by asking Siri. And that that allows me some spontaneity previously lost with my kids' food allergies. <br />
I love that I can write a grocery list by talking to it. And find that grocery list when I get to the store.<br />
I love that I can google that question to which I do not know the answer and my child wants to know. Now.<br />
I love that I can get my favorite recipes when I'm not in my own kitchen. <br />
I love that I can find out if the nearest gas station is within my typical gas light on warning range.<br />
I love that I can get lost and not worry if any other stay at home woman in my family is home to google map my way to my destination for me! <br />
I love that I can read a chapter of the Bible - in any version - whenever I want to.<br />
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I am completely aware that it's a luxury. And one I don't take for granted! But it is a luxury that has simplified my life in both trivial and legitimate ways. <br />
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I don't love it like I love my man or my children or my siblings or my dearest friends, but as much as one can love a small, white, inanimate object, I love it.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251451334588754464.post-49621573779122130342012-05-16T00:19:00.002-04:002012-05-16T00:19:27.594-04:00Cousins!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPztAZ5vy6swCDhPaJUDFx8CSSzw5cdGozzCN2qFBlLQ5O5R42LTlUf6qyUtLTNCDT7udW-q5CO1QCemKorWi1KCLVK5x-iLxzzGDg_MH2yDw39IyIDD7vo-LOrcgtEVdvOUh2JAaxRQx/s1600/IMG_6014-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPztAZ5vy6swCDhPaJUDFx8CSSzw5cdGozzCN2qFBlLQ5O5R42LTlUf6qyUtLTNCDT7udW-q5CO1QCemKorWi1KCLVK5x-iLxzzGDg_MH2yDw39IyIDD7vo-LOrcgtEVdvOUh2JAaxRQx/s400/IMG_6014-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here are all seventeen grand kids on Robert's side of the family! It's rare that we're all together, so it was fun to get them all in one frame.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMYr9p7ENY894THBNklNJqKFWtGCAUL76cWtrhg3WWdSUqf8Jvdg6ZFbv17o9Meg1S8uWqR-Dq_UXQPmyesTZW2CyHsOxhORnRna-JmkpR7oFMmiv_loD2392lv6HS1xYz_beeaaahPyS/s1600/IMG_6012-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMYr9p7ENY894THBNklNJqKFWtGCAUL76cWtrhg3WWdSUqf8Jvdg6ZFbv17o9Meg1S8uWqR-Dq_UXQPmyesTZW2CyHsOxhORnRna-JmkpR7oFMmiv_loD2392lv6HS1xYz_beeaaahPyS/s400/IMG_6012-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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They had been playing in the rain for about an hour before it occurred to me that we had <i>all </i>of them in the same place! It's far from a professional photograph, but we captured a moment in time. And I dare say the children had a lot more fun!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251451334588754464.post-61234685834181732212012-04-11T07:00:00.000-04:002012-04-11T07:00:18.781-04:00Ten!<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZvywbzvgCPZ8JT-uKXFT0DVPHXUGiY07V8bnSJFSQBRxZHGeL6N9MWdtZ12S7opoFAEsxTwFFYSbB77FklzwhK9UpDncMmt1WyPoLRGdXxEBeYnbdRLlALwq1SchipnI0VjL5H0mMcCi/s1600/April2011a+299-2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZvywbzvgCPZ8JT-uKXFT0DVPHXUGiY07V8bnSJFSQBRxZHGeL6N9MWdtZ12S7opoFAEsxTwFFYSbB77FklzwhK9UpDncMmt1WyPoLRGdXxEBeYnbdRLlALwq1SchipnI0VjL5H0mMcCi/s400/April2011a+299-2.jpg" /></a> </div>
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My miracle is TEN years old today! </div>
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This boy made me a mama all those years ago. I longed for him, and he filled my empty arms. Little did I know, he'd be the only miracle to grace my womb.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ryU95FKMvr-4gB_kZiV6R-jFeleuW4go55wiZJlssfgj1ovdwoGF67BwONt6kBwVVsw7TvFpCJmGAP_tkhypAi6rkAyxg539HZ4JoKDFWAM2qZL7knQ0dMQxt-xKmtjuU4sFbdSBEhbn/s1600/April2011a+314-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ryU95FKMvr-4gB_kZiV6R-jFeleuW4go55wiZJlssfgj1ovdwoGF67BwONt6kBwVVsw7TvFpCJmGAP_tkhypAi6rkAyxg539HZ4JoKDFWAM2qZL7knQ0dMQxt-xKmtjuU4sFbdSBEhbn/s400/April2011a+314-2.jpg" /></a></div>
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When we got to bring him home after eight long days in the NICU, I wanted to keep him all to myself. I didn't want to share! We had worked hard and waited 2 1/2 years for him. Adding those eight additional days was not easy for this hormonal mama!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSEgNSFhmVOJ8xDDJWy8TRqdDHnhiXmOMPXyMmb-sq-H2AUG83hlBfpzINLNrgLElVYsqMg5VHXXjzXPGr6-V1LuH-33uIVCPZ55gbw-jgcN0C8vL8sREqVoSfi6ObcgIHbhYTzYQJ48Xt/s1600/April2011a+311-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSEgNSFhmVOJ8xDDJWy8TRqdDHnhiXmOMPXyMmb-sq-H2AUG83hlBfpzINLNrgLElVYsqMg5VHXXjzXPGr6-V1LuH-33uIVCPZ55gbw-jgcN0C8vL8sREqVoSfi6ObcgIHbhYTzYQJ48Xt/s400/April2011a+311-2.jpg" /></a></div>
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Jacob has always been very serious and a heavy thinker. His wheels started spinning the day he was born, and I don't believed they've ever rested! As soon as he could crawl, he spent more time at his book basket than any other toys. He went through a stage with a strong bent toward all things Thomas, but his love for books remains. I often find him out in the sunshine reading a book. That love for books has translated into a talent for writing as well, though he wouldn't say yet that he loves it. When he's not reading a joke book, mystery, or humorous novel, he's building with Legos. Like most ten year old boys, he would be playing wii at any given time of the day if we'd let him! He survives with the limited time he's allowed.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1vDjeN2JlT11lVzSrMSXW_VNoLVJwXWCi3D73r-WZFw_SdeqgQ_5xAxsqJIvE6l0QZ_RCp89fl9Zrt0178qBjuaY-CadeEkIVCqfNeTEoq52Vogvy19nZI4uAbhPJ4a5lMbDoKCngfdI/s1600/April2011a+303-2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1vDjeN2JlT11lVzSrMSXW_VNoLVJwXWCi3D73r-WZFw_SdeqgQ_5xAxsqJIvE6l0QZ_RCp89fl9Zrt0178qBjuaY-CadeEkIVCqfNeTEoq52Vogvy19nZI4uAbhPJ4a5lMbDoKCngfdI/s400/April2011a+303-2.jpg" /></a></div>
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Jacob loves to laugh! He loves to tell jokes, loves to watch silliness on tv or on youtube, and loves to add humor to his school assignments. The sweetest thing I watch him do with his humor is pull out all the silly stops to make Mattie laugh when she's upset. He has a tender heart toward others who are hurting and is quick to do what he can to help them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZyk011dCnE4q24pbwBSt1_osBCNmmM96cUX8Bt3WvhwYRBKgTG5KWi9UGNy1VzgiY80G3LkdiENHnKntd9f52vUFu8FphJL3-P49cKJWupJBjcTQeRsTcTLeLWzGLPp-dWU5EfB1PLA4x/s1600/April2011a+307-3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZyk011dCnE4q24pbwBSt1_osBCNmmM96cUX8Bt3WvhwYRBKgTG5KWi9UGNy1VzgiY80G3LkdiENHnKntd9f52vUFu8FphJL3-P49cKJWupJBjcTQeRsTcTLeLWzGLPp-dWU5EfB1PLA4x/s400/April2011a+307-3.jpg" /></a></div>
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It has not escaped me recently that this boy who challenges me has completed over half of his growing up years already. How is that possible? </div>
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He wants to be like his daddy and needs him more than he needs me now. He is trustworthy when it matters. He has a sensitive heart that helps keep him on the right road. He already has a strong worldview that is rooted in Truth.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixagnpU_kYmSaHHeKJ6r3I1tTLhWg-WgVTiVQdyJMFq5FpZBioDWE4Y0nc6Qwf0yF-KiF_PjP3Q_z_8l9fK-MF_QGUQxRGQYUnUmHERcm2Mmrfskk-7xQRM4L8toYvQv9lbxaPxiQfpb3L/s1600/April2011a+311-3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixagnpU_kYmSaHHeKJ6r3I1tTLhWg-WgVTiVQdyJMFq5FpZBioDWE4Y0nc6Qwf0yF-KiF_PjP3Q_z_8l9fK-MF_QGUQxRGQYUnUmHERcm2Mmrfskk-7xQRM4L8toYvQv9lbxaPxiQfpb3L/s400/April2011a+311-3.jpg" /></a></div>
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I pray that these feet will walk roads that change lives and point people toward the God who created them.<br />
Thank you, Jesus, for these little boy feet you gave me ten years ago! Thank you for all the challenges, joys, and tears you've given me with him. Thank you that I've had to allow You to mold me to be a better mama. This boy has pushed me toward You as I've desired to do my best for him. </div>
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Thank you for giving us this one miracle! He is one in a million!</div>
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251451334588754464.post-24502575822831523082012-03-16T21:39:00.001-04:002012-03-16T21:41:18.914-04:00She's growing up!<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0gAYuKZ4bZNn-37RjHJriG9N36uuVvX5aw-A_4_QRyy-rARn5CxtTT00OrTidcwCO7RId9ZUuvuLaUSx65MQ1iMR9M9ZKWR2sUDLYDpNqJ588iyeLDWlWSv0DDI6a7BWfk4cEwtThj0V/s1600/March2012a+005.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0gAYuKZ4bZNn-37RjHJriG9N36uuVvX5aw-A_4_QRyy-rARn5CxtTT00OrTidcwCO7RId9ZUuvuLaUSx65MQ1iMR9M9ZKWR2sUDLYDpNqJ588iyeLDWlWSv0DDI6a7BWfk4cEwtThj0V/s320/March2012a+005.jpg" /></a><br />
How can you not smile back at that proud grin? She has worried this tooth all. week! <br />
When I tucked her in, she put her tooth under her pillow and asked me to give her more than two dollars this time! I guess I'm a cheap tooth fairy.</div>
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<a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251451334588754464.post-42363024030418810362012-03-14T17:47:00.001-04:002012-03-14T17:47:50.225-04:00Mattie's Art<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">We are alive, but more on that another day. I have 4 months of pictures to share!</span></span></span></h6>
<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Today we talked about illustrating the effects of wind in a picture. I
told the kids to draw an outdoor scene including stuff that was being
blown by the wind. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Look very carefully at the bottom of the picture. You may have to click on it to see it full size.</span></span></span></h6>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4t-2x8pKLrBorNgyNyevys2vwhkIwch-WMnmDyd-CLRbo2zyo1Eibs4dsjstlrxbP9mHYXYHB_UKZxFkLQnN9cl6xn0uMW0BGqm1_Hj1xIiYNVT2syhBV9ue-CO9iheg9iZUsU5a_EbfE/s1600/March+2012+%252837%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4t-2x8pKLrBorNgyNyevys2vwhkIwch-WMnmDyd-CLRbo2zyo1Eibs4dsjstlrxbP9mHYXYHB_UKZxFkLQnN9cl6xn0uMW0BGqm1_Hj1xIiYNVT2syhBV9ue-CO9iheg9iZUsU5a_EbfE/s320/March+2012+%252837%2529.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">I guess Mattie's wasn't up for drawing much! </span></span></span></h6>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251451334588754464.post-42583050053993356072012-01-08T22:57:00.002-05:002012-01-08T22:57:56.444-05:00Good, not TameSorry for the blog desertion. Not that anyone notices! But to be honest, I haven't really known what to write. I'm kind of in a weird place right now, and have been begging God to help me out of this place for more than several months.<br />
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We watched Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe for the first time last night and I
loved every minute of it. Jacob and I read the books together a few years ago but hadn't seen the movie yet. My favorite line is coming back to me
still: Mr Tumnus says as Aslan walks away at the very end, "After all, He's
not a tame Lion." And Lucy says in response, "No. But He is good." <br />
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I was also struck with the names Aslan chose for the kids at the end...
especially with "Edmund, the Just." Amazing that "just" is what Aslan calls the traitor. Makes me wonder what He'd pick for me.<br />
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I've been in a strange spiritual funk for several months, but I can't really put my finger on what my trouble is. I try to put it in to words, but it never really makes sense. I think watching the movie and actually <i>longing</i> to sit and watch it again it has all made me realize that I'm
missing the<i> heart</i> of God. Whether it's my circumstances that
have me discouraged (I really don't think that's it), minor depression
(my sister in law's idea I hadn't thought of, but it seems to make sense), or
other things, I don't know. I miss Him though, even though I'm seeking
Him. It's like these things I'm hearing - good things - are going in
and being pondered, but falling flat. I don't know. I totally don't
get it. Anyway, as odd as it sounds, I'm longing to hang on to His
goodness even though I know it's right in front of me.<br />
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I think in seeing His wrath in the Old Testament, I'm also realizing as much as much as He was <i>against</i> those who didn't acknowledge Him, how much He is <i>for</i> me now. He will fight for me as much as He fought for His people three or four thousand years ago. All He asks of me is to choose Him. I think I'm growing a stronger heart for those who don't have Him on their side, and in doing that having a hard time trusting His heart, because it's hard to imagine why He does some of the things He does. But as I learn about Him, it's not about fitting Him into my box. It's not my job to tame Him. It's my job to believe He is good.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251451334588754464.post-64129597608901156512011-11-29T22:25:00.001-05:002011-11-29T22:29:53.763-05:00Our Sweet EncounterI was stressing today about a doctor's appointment today b/c I had to
take my kids. This office is known for having typically loooong wait
times, and my kids aren't known for being the quietest and calmest in
public - or anywhere else for that matter! Anyway, armed with Lego
magazines and mp3 players, we arrived and sat down. An older (75 year
old or so) man starts playing his harmonica and looking at my kids.
Jacob says, "Mom, that older man is looking at me funny."
The man finally just spoke up and started asking them what he should
play next, and for the next 25 minutes, they played name that tune and
he took requests in the waiting room! Mattie just can't help but
dance, so she was quickly up cuttin' a rug to his tunes. He asked her to marry him. :)
So as frustrated as I get with their complete lack of inhibition, and
therefore noise and activity level in public, today I was very
thankful as it manifested itself in friendliness to this lonely old
man. I think all four of us walked away blessed today, as were several others in the room. <br />
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Quite frankly, I desperately needed this. I have been feeling like I'm
stuck in the middle of a spiritual desert in a way I've never
experienced before. I'm feeling like a fraud as I sing praise songs in
front of my church and as I read the Jesse Tree devotions with my kids
and teach Sunday School. I have confessed it all to God, begged Him to
change my heart, help me see more of Him, help me reconcile the Old Testament Him
with the New Testament Him, etc. This morning I asked Him just to fill my heart
with love for Him. And immediately after this encounter I caught myself
thinking, "Thank you, Jesus, for that sweetness." <img alt="" border="0" class="inlineimg" src="http://fiarhq.com/forum/images/smilies/smilies/happycry.gif" title="Happycry" /> I like thinking that way! It just seems to have eluded me as I'm hung up on some OT things. I'm very thankful for that small oasis in the midst of my recent emptiness.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251451334588754464.post-1419537670292031902011-11-08T21:54:00.002-05:002011-11-08T21:54:48.987-05:00Fall School<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KTWmA_Nan1TSqpqMCvVTNP2KruURjgj_oC9Ab9NU3OX2C-s7Zaumv5ZYHZtH1PCPMkEvvC0Sva-dKNf_yjydoiSVHLTMpQyjARukIA52KEL4Ba2SNWUznD7chgtABDrhpMYHKJxPHf4t/s1600/October+2011+001+%252834%2529.jpg"></a></div>
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We've had fun this year so far! I've found a good groove for schooling both kids at the same time and having a two year old two days a week. Mattie and I have not gotten into a good Five in a Row routine, and that makes me sad, but I hope I can figure it out soon. Mostly it's a lack of planning on my part. </div>
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Here are a few things the kids have done...</div>
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<img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KTWmA_Nan1TSqpqMCvVTNP2KruURjgj_oC9Ab9NU3OX2C-s7Zaumv5ZYHZtH1PCPMkEvvC0Sva-dKNf_yjydoiSVHLTMpQyjARukIA52KEL4Ba2SNWUznD7chgtABDrhpMYHKJxPHf4t/s320/October+2011+001+%252834%2529.jpg" /> </div>
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Jacob made a poster advertising for a trip to the New World.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLsP4GnJVO-ce_kZe0SR4TZFkdlYCg0cGHX4c2obml6yj5UGuxERYk-g_IPNs76aUarQMmEZdbsJDY3TzuoZM6_j-TZTo4TY9F8EUSKcQIfISFDDgZxRaDHW-6wxjtiGkTNntE1BCY4mi/s1600/October+2011+001+%252835%2529.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLsP4GnJVO-ce_kZe0SR4TZFkdlYCg0cGHX4c2obml6yj5UGuxERYk-g_IPNs76aUarQMmEZdbsJDY3TzuoZM6_j-TZTo4TY9F8EUSKcQIfISFDDgZxRaDHW-6wxjtiGkTNntE1BCY4mi/s320/October+2011+001+%252835%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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We read about sheep and Mattie made this one with real sheep wool!</div>
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We have loved our Apologia Astronomy! (These are all ideas we used out of the book.) We get together every other week with two other families to do the experiments/activities. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vtk_PURk7JVY9V_3CiKwOwxTycf3wbHtd984kZxBe2CjIPEYCvOHIEs70vERZyvgqDyoz9TMVngBvZeTcJMnjvT1o-BOpshez9nzFxVBzDGY6tioKWTqz-DK9Rlw8i8VuZj-X2FjElxf/s1600/October+2011+001+%252823%2529.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vtk_PURk7JVY9V_3CiKwOwxTycf3wbHtd984kZxBe2CjIPEYCvOHIEs70vERZyvgqDyoz9TMVngBvZeTcJMnjvT1o-BOpshez9nzFxVBzDGY6tioKWTqz-DK9Rlw8i8VuZj-X2FjElxf/s320/October+2011+001+%252823%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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We poured lava on a dusty surface to see how it shaped the surface of Venus.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EpA8LbG7_GKC6tmlva_XrYhhKP8iUkdN8QyQP1Njq_EZ4Gqp4VC_4_Vbv6XNoLq41l6YZxFF92N_gsWXvU_sfM8ATjt8GqeIVJL_VPHxXPXx88Cks3R_Gorhg3ajICAeRZbTroi7s6Rh/s1600/October+2011+001+%252824%2529.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EpA8LbG7_GKC6tmlva_XrYhhKP8iUkdN8QyQP1Njq_EZ4Gqp4VC_4_Vbv6XNoLq41l6YZxFF92N_gsWXvU_sfM8ATjt8GqeIVJL_VPHxXPXx88Cks3R_Gorhg3ajICAeRZbTroi7s6Rh/s320/October+2011+001+%252824%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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Jacob made a comic about life on Venus and shared it with his friends. Something about having 25 kids, 10 of whom who drowned in the lava and the others complaining that they wanted to go back to Earth so they could have some snow and celebrate Christmas. Boys are weird!</div>
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We learned how radar worked. We stuck this stick down through the paper and charted the depth to which it sank. The kids colored in their charts and we revealed the surface below! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvaAhrsCOf7FXn8ao2eI-dvz6Rgt7ZZodkQiCTjMYkXNHRiBMVMlCeX6KiQRDhgmMhQ69m9rP5xvlqYAGCpJLoYY4c9-1JCH9IQdKz5FshmLa2QhfM2dHqLC-riMq1Azb6fNhUYkgAf6c2/s1600/October+2011+001+%252817%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvaAhrsCOf7FXn8ao2eI-dvz6Rgt7ZZodkQiCTjMYkXNHRiBMVMlCeX6KiQRDhgmMhQ69m9rP5xvlqYAGCpJLoYY4c9-1JCH9IQdKz5FshmLa2QhfM2dHqLC-riMq1Azb6fNhUYkgAf6c2/s320/October+2011+001+%252817%2529.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCgCzxh4YJmvRPTomPrM8epN_hxyeZs3PqyhoSnjs4xMGVY9SpjXoVJvj4iS0QxHBMbAC8cykOhJG9DY-xkXfU4KZWNTBCvQG2SX5MBjax3PjKZoeG5NceINRmyXMR3iuO6d8byl53oUF/s1600/October+2011+001+%252831%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCgCzxh4YJmvRPTomPrM8epN_hxyeZs3PqyhoSnjs4xMGVY9SpjXoVJvj4iS0QxHBMbAC8cykOhJG9DY-xkXfU4KZWNTBCvQG2SX5MBjax3PjKZoeG5NceINRmyXMR3iuO6d8byl53oUF/s320/October+2011+001+%252831%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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The picture revealed!</div>
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We separated the colors in a black marker.</div>
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We learned about the suns rays by melting chocolate with a magnifying glass. (Of course we burned up leaves too, but the chocolate part was much more fun.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgTwbx20WfD4irz5_a6gNcdc_-no-yDzZx5l5NyO0jlDdCKCrZ0TavXiladEfpKlALK8H2hncjYI9_UOYNiPdB2lV9cQ9xwG1LtqdYj_qGU3igl5rvzRSrcNwy72WiiISYMDYHHhUvhFT/s1600/August2011+173.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgTwbx20WfD4irz5_a6gNcdc_-no-yDzZx5l5NyO0jlDdCKCrZ0TavXiladEfpKlALK8H2hncjYI9_UOYNiPdB2lV9cQ9xwG1LtqdYj_qGU3igl5rvzRSrcNwy72WiiISYMDYHHhUvhFT/s320/August2011+173.jpg" /></a></div>
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We've painted our fall trees with arms (trunks) and fingerprints (leaves)! This was a pinterest idea. :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00IMyspScHWEStoVG81vXA21L6dS-TgM-e9wZmdX3poyGxCHpRMhpnOc2GDHnE6Fq2efi-f33hcLLmZxr_bV3syRR2CEpqjzBwFSe69ledwtiH-GNM6BG7LebvG6DO0GB9vrfxvEP0qB-/s1600/August2011+054.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00IMyspScHWEStoVG81vXA21L6dS-TgM-e9wZmdX3poyGxCHpRMhpnOc2GDHnE6Fq2efi-f33hcLLmZxr_bV3syRR2CEpqjzBwFSe69ledwtiH-GNM6BG7LebvG6DO0GB9vrfxvEP0qB-/s320/August2011+054.jpg" /></a></div>
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We went to the apple orchard, and here's my animal loving girl enjoying the goats.</div>
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And I don't have a photo of this, but I've discovered Mattie is a total Math head. Math pages are her reward for getting her phonics pages completed! She loves to do Math. By Christmas she'll be finished with her kindergarten Math book and we'll be doing the first grade one after the first of the year. The best part of this is that she'll be ready for Teaching Textbooks sooner. :) I'll still have to add the Critical Thinking book for thinking out of the box a bit... those pages are her favorites! </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251451334588754464.post-18842032584797804362011-11-01T22:22:00.001-04:002011-11-01T22:59:36.931-04:00Wanna hear about my day?<a href="http://orthotape.com/images/products/Default/royce/HighTop_Air%20Walker_lg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://orthotape.com/images/products/Default/royce/HighTop_Air%20Walker_lg.JPG" width="129" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fdfcf5;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So two posts in one day! Sitting on the couch will do that to me, I guess. I guess before I share about my today I should explain why I'm in a boot for anyone who doesn't know: This summer at Joni and Friend's camp someone rolled up onto my foot with their power wheelchair and stayed there for about a minute while I explained to her that she was on it and waited for her to switch modes and scootch it back off. Yes... Ouch. Fast forward to 17 weeks later, a neuroma, nerve damage, other soft tissue damage and a stress fracture, I'm in a walking cast like this for at least a month to see if we can make some progress, because there has been little in the weeks since the injury. Unfortunately, crush injuries are known to be difficult because it's often hard to pinpoint the real details of the injury. So I wait.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And on the first day I got the boot I had to run some errands. On the way out the door Jacob gives me a hug, point to the boot and says, "You're going out in public in that thing?" As if I <i>chose</i> this... and didn't have a matching one.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fdfcf5;">So today, we had Women's Bible Study at church, piano lessons, then I had to go by the doctor and get a new boot. It was is supposed to be inflatable but wasn't working, so it was like wearing a shoe two sizes too big. It was terrible! I could tell in the first 3 seconds the other one was so much better! So I arrived home to a </span><i style="background-color: #fdfcf5;">lot</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fdfcf5;"> of dog puke and a nasty dog who had walked in said puke while she was in her gated spot while we were gone all morning. Yeah. Ew. I cleaned the floor and bathed the dog (while wearing the boot - a feat in and of itself). And just for the record, dog eye boogers are NASTY and take way too much work to get off in the bathtub! Ahem... Then stood up holding the wet, towel-wrapped dog, popped something really loud in my knee (not the same leg as is in the boot) and I can hardly stand up. What else in the world is going to happen...?! It was actually very comical as I sat down (because I felt like my knee just wouldn't carry me) now both legs compromised, b/c the boot is a rocker boot (think round bottom) so it's terrible for balance. But it's 6 hours later now and hurts now a lot more than it did then, so it's not so funny anymore, except what else can it really be but funny? Besides, I don't have the energy for it to be sad. </span><br style="background-color: #fdfcf5;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfcf5;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fdfcf5;">I have learned I am a terrible sitter! I just keep wanting to get up and pick up, do the dishes, put the dog out, tuck the kids in, but I just physically </span><i style="background-color: #fdfcf5;">can't</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fdfcf5;">, especially if it involves stairs. </span><br style="background-color: #fdfcf5;" /><br style="background-color: #fdfcf5;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fdfcf5;">So as much as I'm still laughing about the calamity of the afternoon, I sit here with ice on my knee, taking another dose of my anti-inflammatory and googling to find information that will prove my nurse-sister wrong and convince myself that this really isn't anything serious. :) Except it's not feeling not so serious as the hours go on. I really hope I can sleep well and wake up feeling better, in one limb anyway!</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fdfcf5;">So how was <i>your</i> day??</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251451334588754464.post-6174548534431638072011-10-26T22:57:00.000-04:002011-11-01T18:59:47.542-04:00Home Projects<div style="text-align: center;">
(So sorry for the accidental post the other day. It was supposed to contain words!)</div>
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Mattie's room has been in desperate need of a closet makeover since we moved in. The shelves were unreachable to her and the hanging area took up all of the floor space.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0vYtiHkW5SebkTJPW-9wLRdEqppOyiGLeDipBoFAffPJBt9_N_xqvWbMA8eRvXspuWqdb44la5fKRE40BS-EGegHlMIr5aOuzz6iysPmpdU-dTo8vOoAljHJRdayxWqmSAXFPR9KAFKc/s1600/August2011+167.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0vYtiHkW5SebkTJPW-9wLRdEqppOyiGLeDipBoFAffPJBt9_N_xqvWbMA8eRvXspuWqdb44la5fKRE40BS-EGegHlMIr5aOuzz6iysPmpdU-dTo8vOoAljHJRdayxWqmSAXFPR9KAFKc/s320/August2011+167.jpg" /></a></div>
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I finally found the setup I wanted at Home Depot recently so we got her all squared away a few weeks ago! The containers were ones we already had, so all we had to buy was the closet setup and </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqL54pzrIDb9J-1Gkz07TYCmDAZH1izKt93e6mYkmOnSBT43wRHMsJjvrEVc12i1udYO-YkqfhBEtDX665ww4GwU5EA-vxJbknS_j7Cu6gAW6ROn_mEn-kjX92VEsMzDimUPgMb3myTyJM/s1600/August2011+166.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqL54pzrIDb9J-1Gkz07TYCmDAZH1izKt93e6mYkmOnSBT43wRHMsJjvrEVc12i1udYO-YkqfhBEtDX665ww4GwU5EA-vxJbknS_j7Cu6gAW6ROn_mEn-kjX92VEsMzDimUPgMb3myTyJM/s320/August2011+166.jpg" /></a> </div>
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this shelf. Her old shelf didn't have solid sides so the books and baskets were constantly falling off in all directions. This one is easy because the sections are small and therefore manageable. The coat rack was a gift from a friend of hers and has been needing to be hung up for an embarrassing amount of time. This is all soooooo much better for her! I can't say her room has been a whole lot cleaner on her own, but I think that may be a pipe dream for this child of mine. She just likes little stuff, much of it of seemingly little importance.</div>
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And in the living room...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyHpy6GTshOQjbvNAaufmqveuWkqxiZGLccCucRvVddng7qWqFKLJIDx0tVTL43TndzkSr_e7e8s73e3pZJmePGfC7OMKSua3gDJ0mbLRc4sfv1oaucwpaic0NC3Iim9JG-zFjP7D87Hao/s1600/August2011+191.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyHpy6GTshOQjbvNAaufmqveuWkqxiZGLccCucRvVddng7qWqFKLJIDx0tVTL43TndzkSr_e7e8s73e3pZJmePGfC7OMKSua3gDJ0mbLRc4sfv1oaucwpaic0NC3Iim9JG-zFjP7D87Hao/s320/August2011+191.jpg" /></a></div>
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I finished the gallery wall! I am loving seeing some of my very favorite pictures there. (Hidden behind the couch is where the kids each have a school spot.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5r51XSTNJ4Rmon8URSs890Zp5V0IpH3q0f3A2abqwrCVxofXpHq7fVmdNP-_wvFqTo9_tE4lwteGgkakyjVSaEBSYRU9XU_qfl8b2efEVxJxRYrAk3p2yN9cEmsOxMa8ZwwyV0XGKBvR0/s1600/August2011+186.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5r51XSTNJ4Rmon8URSs890Zp5V0IpH3q0f3A2abqwrCVxofXpHq7fVmdNP-_wvFqTo9_tE4lwteGgkakyjVSaEBSYRU9XU_qfl8b2efEVxJxRYrAk3p2yN9cEmsOxMa8ZwwyV0XGKBvR0/s320/August2011+186.jpg" /></a> </div>
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I had a coupon from a decal store and ordered this quote. This is my first quote to put up on the wall, and it has brought this positive outlook to my mind many times when I've needed it! I'm not surprised really, because I'm a very visual person. I love it, especially right next to the cross.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251451334588754464.post-38027575775382449152011-10-06T22:14:00.000-04:002011-10-06T22:14:37.508-04:00Pumpkin Pancakes (Dairy and Wheat Free)<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wanna know what we had for breakfast this morning? We're always looking for new breakfast recipes, and this one did not disappoint us!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-uy3Wgp4XtwyO179ad_x004zgTlUvwjL3agQDpVfNsVEvQSd1HBvkL2gPsqa1RtN3bL4U0_pAsgP5k_pNzwn1PuJhHzA5nM-2fHRYcdKtvY3pyAmTqGapHVFUrW8qh-GLOrV8vn-JrFB/s320/August2011+198.jpg" /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Wanna know how to make 'em?<br />
<b>Pumpkin Pancakes</b><br />
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Combine in a large bowl: <br />
3 1/2 cups brown rice flour </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">½ c ground flax**<br />
1/4 cup raw sugar </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">1 1/2 TBSP baking powder<br />
2 tsp baking soda<br />
2 tsp ground allspice<br />
2 tsp ground cinnamon<br />
1 tsp ground ginger<br />
1 tsp salt<br />
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In a separate bowl, stir together with a wire whisk: <br />
3 cups water<br />
2 cups pumpkin (1 can)<br />
3 eggs <br />
1/4 cup safflower oil<br />
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar<br />
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Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir just until moistened. (Not over-stirring pancake batter is the trick to fluffy pancakes!)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
I did 1/3 cup at a time on my griddle preheated to 350 degrees. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">This made 24 4-5 inch pancakes! I froze half of them on a cookie sheet. Then I put them in a bag so they won’t be stuck together when I want to use them.<br />
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* Based on our egg free years, I think you could easily use 1/2 c flax mixed with 1/3c water and no eggs. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">**You can omit this and use ½ c more flour if your prefer. I find that flax just seems to really do well with brown rice flour. <br />
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This recipe is adapted from <a href="http://yes-theyre-all-ours.blogspot.com/2011/10/31-days-of-pumpkin-day-1.html">Elizabeth's recipe</a> over at Yes They're All Ours. I just made it work for our allergies and it worked beautifully!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251451334588754464.post-83532624273541412852011-09-04T22:13:00.002-04:002011-09-04T22:16:25.278-04:00My life is eating me alive!<div style="text-align: center;"> My life is eating me alive.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">For three years since we started our disability ministry I've been teaching Sunday school, many Wednesday night semesters, coordinating extended session, teaching VBS and finding helpers, planning Luke 14 with my friend, and coordinating fellowships and the disability ministry council. And serving on our women's council as a childcare coordinator. I don't say <i>any</i> of this to toot my own horn. I've loved what I've been able to do in these ministries! But I. am. TIRED! Our home boat is getting rocked enough here with schooling two now, watching the extra kids to pay off our lingering credit card and medical bills, and wading through life's challenges. <br />
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I want my kids to remember a mama who was present, cheerful and energetic. I want to train my kids to serve alongside me (instead of sitting in childcare while I attend a meeting about serving). And I want to have the time to meet needs (while including my children) as they arise. I've been hanging in there asking for help for over a year now, but I know it's time to step down and trust that the help will come or not, and life will go on anyway.<br />
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So I resigned from almost everything this week! :weight off my back: I'll still teach Sunday School and help some with our disability ministry, but I sent an email resigning from women's ministry and another one handing off all staffing to the people who staff the typical classrooms! <br />
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What a relief! </div><div style="text-align: center;">All I have to do is manage my home, the kids who come to it, home school and teach Sunday School. </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">That sounds so <i>do</i>able! </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251451334588754464.post-5009409868068142242011-07-26T19:00:00.000-04:002011-07-26T19:00:01.766-04:00A Pepper Update<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3rbPc1lCRWuW_YhFC4QNk4xzj_B0_jg6nMCLKnsg6BKQyZIt9tcajNgNR8gEG9PPnFWeCjmesIniGXrSxZWDsrKx01ZRNU6LZuO2dhyphenhyphenT1LdmuKmC4ecugCSCog73pwBhCMTFDBKm_J2S/s1600/July2011c+003.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3rbPc1lCRWuW_YhFC4QNk4xzj_B0_jg6nMCLKnsg6BKQyZIt9tcajNgNR8gEG9PPnFWeCjmesIniGXrSxZWDsrKx01ZRNU6LZuO2dhyphenhyphenT1LdmuKmC4ecugCSCog73pwBhCMTFDBKm_J2S/s320/July2011c+003.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Pepper is keeping us all entertained. The kids LOVE to tell her there's a dog outside and watch her run to the window so they can see her look out. They laugh uncontrollably when she does this. Even I think it's pretty cute. :)<br />
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We've gotten her almost 100% trained to go outside! She came litter box trained. (Her previous owners had a lot of long days not home, so they did this so they wouldn't have to worry about her.) I thought it would be nice and convenient, but the convenience was majorly overpowered by the inconvenience of cleaning out stinky litter box and sweeping up the litter she drug out on her feet! Ew. So over the last month I've been training her to go outside. She really didn't see outside as a place to go potty, so this took some doing! I moved her litter box outside, but she still would go to the litter box <i>place</i> and do her business. That got old really fast! Anyway, just this week she's finally coming to stare at me or whine to tell me she needs to go out. She definitely knows what it means to "go outside," and she runs out and goes right away! I still have the basement blocked off, so when it's open and she goes all day without peeing down there, I'll know we've succeeded.<br />
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She has learned to go outside and stick close with out being tied up. Yippee! If I stop paying attention she will run off, but as long as I watch her, she comes when she's called.<br />
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She's discovered she can get up on our bed. The cute thing is she looks over the edge as if she's asking my permission. I'm not totally fond of her sleeping up there, but she usually chooses to get off and head to her basket under my night stand.<br />
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She's realized a deep love for salami! She eats almost nothing other than a few choice crumbs under the table. I can leave my ice cream, peanut butter, crackers, sandwich, dog treats, etc. where she can get them and she won't touch any of it except eggs. But twice now she's snatched salami from the eater's hand! Mattie was standing with a piece on the way into her mouth and Pepper jumped up and stole it! Mattie felt quite violated. She quickly changed her tune when she realized how entertaining that was. :)<br />
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All in all, Pepper seems quite at home! We're thankful for her. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3