Dusting off the Blog and My Heart

Wow.

Life has been a rolling along and my poor blog has been entirely neglected by it's owner. Poor little bloggy. Welcome to the world of facebook. Blogs are nice for people who can really write, but facebook is where it is at for those who have a very, very short attention span. Eh, hem.

*long thoughtful pause followed by a sigh* I can't believe all that has taken place in my life in the last six months. One mentionable high on the list in the part of my mind that never sleeps is, well, my Dad.

I do feel numb that my Dad is going to die soon. It feels weird and strange for me. I can't imagine what it might seem like for him. For the Christian, is death really that joyous thing that happens when you are safely ushered into the arms of Jesus? I'd like to believe that, but as I sit here and think of what it would be like to die when I still have kids and a husband to love, sadness overwhelms me at the thought of it(the "d" word), even as a Christian, dare I say.

I'm dusting off my blog to tell nobody, somebody what I feel about this death thing. Personally, and without much "pat-answer, Christian reason" I don't think death is fair sometimes. I don't think it's fair that little children have to suffer and die in this world. Many or most of you would agree. On the same level of unfairness, I think is my Dad being broad-sided, without warning, by cancer and impending death at 69. I have no intention to shake my fist at God. I trust His judgement on the whole, but in times like these I wonder, well, the proverbial question: Why?

There is much unfinished business and much to understand and to forgive. Is it fair that he should slip away, peacefully in his sleep without coming to grips with all that he has done? Most of you don't understand where I stand or where I come from, but I need to know why people die and leave behind so much unfinished business behind them. I guess it is not for me to know, maybe. And, at this point, does it really matter?

As I write all this in my attempt to dust off my blog I realize that I need to dust off my heart as well. I have become callouse towards my Dad. I don't hate my Dad, but the trap of holding on to the past and the present, for that matter, keep me in a place of indifference that I don't want to be, especially now since these could very well be the last days that he has on this earth.

So I'm asking God to help me. I need help loving him and letting my heart be affected by his sufferings...because I am a Christian. I struggle to have the mind of Christ. I know I can love my Dad without a return of that love, but it is hard. It's hard not to have your father's love, in life and in especially in death. It's very, very hard. I'm a non-person to him and I have to let all the pent up emotion and feeling that surrounds that thought...I need to let that go.

And by God's grace I will. I surely will.

My One and Only Sister

In about 57 minutes it will be my sister's birthday.

I wanted to write some things about my one and only on the eve of her 35th year.

When Beth and I were little we always had to share a room. What with 5 children and seemingly always a small space for us to fit in, that was inevitable. I'll say it's partially what helped bring us close when we were little...having to share a lot of things, not just a room. I will never forget the nightmares I had as a child that sent me running into my sister's arms for comfort. She would protect me from the monsters by laying her arm across my chest the whole night through. She didn't know it, but I would wake up and when I could feel her arm there I knew it was alright to go back to sleep again...I was safe.

We spent many nights hiding behind the sofa where mom sat to relax and get a few evening shows in. She'd eventually hear us behind her and we would dash to the bedroom all while laughing and yelling, "Book, Momma's coming!" It was a joke...mom never really cared that much that we were up that late on a school night. Mom was laid back when it came to that kind of stuff, but shoot, don't you dare make her late to anything! I remember getting left at the house one time when I didn't get ready quick enough. Mom went around the block and I was in a panic. I thought she wasn't going to come back around, but she did.

Beth was always the good kid in the family for the most part and in some ways I wanted to be like her. She was my big sister. I also remember fighting over who got showers, curling irons and a certain shirt first. One time me and my sister were at my brother's house visiting when we were still in high school. Well, we both decided we wanted to wear the same article of clothing that morning. An all out brawl insued over who was going to have it. I think I won. I can laugh my head off about that now!

We never had a lot of money to buy a doll house for our barbies, so we made our own house out of books, cardboard or whatever we could find. My mom would let us take blankets and some furniture outside in the summer time and make rooms on the lawn and we would pretend we owned our own house. Guests (neighbors) were invited over to our "house" and it was so much fun. We went to a neighbor's house and played "pageant". We dressed up in different clothes and walked down the made up runway to show off our stuff. I was always the chubby kid in the bunch, so when it was my turn to walk down the runway the kids laughed and poked fun at me. I ran away and cried. My big sister was there for me and I think I remember her consoling me.

We sang together, laughed together, cried together and fought together. I don't know what I would do if I ever lost her. She's my friend like no other friend. I can't totally be myself around anyone else that I know. I don't have to put it on, gloss it over or fake it up when I am with her. That kind of relationship is priceless. What can I say? I miss her and I love her. Cheers, Bethy, and may it be the happiest of all birthdays.

Pizza Picnic on the Beach

Hodge Podge

Lauren has gotten into the habit of taking pictures with my camera. She loves it and has taken many, really good pictures like this one here. I think I might have a photographer on my hands.


Well, homeschooling the kids has started back up again and I think it is going to go quite well this year. I have a better plan and I am definitely going to keep it simple with the two younger ones, focusing on the three R's and a little cursive, spelling and some science. For them it will be mostly Abeka. I love Abeka's phonics program and their readers for 1st-3rd grade, so we try to stick with this curriculum for the most part for the first three grades.


Ian's schedule will be somewhat different. He is in 4th grade now and does so well with school that we are going to do some more for him this year. For science we are going to do Abeka 4th grade. Math will be Saxon 4/5 this year and it has turned out to be much better than Abeka for us. I love Abeka's colorful pictures and even the neat quotes included, but it is just WAY too much for a little kid to get accomplished. I mean he was doing big, long division problems by the middle of his third grade year. Give me a break, right? Gheesh, I went to public school in the third grade and remember just barely getting the basic multiplication problems memorized by the END of the year and I went to a good school.


Anyway, Saxon is boring to look at, but it's much better and goes much slower and more incremental instead of exploding into 8 different concepts on one worksheet. For spelling, a friend gave us a comprehensive spelling book that we will use, just some public school book. It's older and looks really good concerning how they get the kids remember the words, meanings, etc. I found a neat history book at the goodwill store that we will use. For tests in that subject I will use the chapter reviews. For our baisc reading it will BJU's I Met You in a Story for fourth grade. He will also be reading missionary biographies of Gladys Aylward and William Duncan.

I will be doing cursive with all of them as a group. I haven't really pushed cursive that hard yet. I like the idea of them having beautiful cursive handwriting, but wonder if it is necessary if they can write neatly in manuscript. Things have changed in our society and I think they will be using their computer keyboard more than their pen. I would like them to become proficient in typing. I have them type emails to their friends when we get a chance. I personally don't remember handwriting papers in college. I had to type most of the time because that is what the teacher required. I also remember the kids in high school receiving kudos for typing their papers instead of writing them.

Anway, Fridays will be our creative writing day. They all do copywork everyday, but we really struggle to creatively write. I think I will keep the writing to any subject they choose or out of something they read. We used to google pictures of interest, then copy and past them to my documents then we would print them, cut them out and paste them to lined paper, then they have to write a story about their pictures. Brian will be studying the bible with the kids when he is able during the day.


He started picking up his guitar again and getting us all around for singing praise and worship songs. I look forward to us singing more together. I would love to get the kids down to a nursing home to sing for the elderly someday. Maybe we could get good enough for Christmas time. We'll see.


Also, having an acre of land has it's benefits. We explore the yard often for bugs, spiders, *snakes(yes!), flowers(we have several kinds in our large yard), frogs, rabbits, possums and many kinds of trees. In the winter we may see deer and coyotes. We are waiting for the weather to cool down so we can really enjoy being outside for longer periods of time.

Anyway, on top of homeschooling we have been trying to get ahead financially. We got seriously behind when Brian switched shifts which dropped $1200 of our income a month and also we spent the months of June and July making unexpected visits to family for a couple of weeks. Needless to say all that set us back. We are really concerned about this economy and wonder where we are headed in this country. I know I shouldn't worry, but I really want to stay informed and be prepared in any way that I can be. I have friends and some family that are stockpiling guns, ammo and have fire and tamper proof safes. I have other friends who are stockpiling buckets of wheat, rice and oats, etc. I know, it makes me start to freak out, because these people aren't the type that you would peg to do this sort of thing.

Some men trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. I realize that, but I wouldn't mind putting my trust in the Lord while I have a few of those other things to go with my trust. Until next blog post...

Divine Brownies and What Else Could There Be?

Okay...I love brownies. Who doesn't? But when you take the ordinary brownie and turn it into a divine explosion of chocolate in your mouth it brings a whole new meaning for the love of all things brownie. Here's what you do:

-Buy one of the above brownie mix and three of the above chocolate bar.

-Mix the box mix as directed(I use the cake recipe)

-Then put half of the mix in a 13x9 pan

-Unwrap the chocolate bars and layer them on top of your brownie mix in the pan (and, hey, if you want to use cheaper candy bars, go ahead!)

-Then pour and smooth the rest of the mix on top of the bars

-Bake as directed and then...

Die from deliciousness!

Maybe this is an old trick, but I have never tried this before and I wish I had.

Facebook Faux Pas

Thought this article about Facebook was good from cnn.com:

Here are 12 of the most annoying types of Facebook users:

The Let-Me-Tell-You-Every-Detail-of-My-Day Bore. "I'm waking up." "I had Wheaties for breakfast." "I'm bored at work." "I'm stuck in traffic." You're kidding! How fascinating! No moment is too mundane for some people to broadcast unsolicited to the world. Just because you have 432 Facebook friends doesn't mean we all want to know when you're waiting for the bus.

The Self-Promoter. OK, so we've probably all posted at least once about some achievement. And sure, maybe your friends really do want to read the fascinating article you wrote about beet farming. But when almost EVERY update is a link to your blog, your poetry reading, your 10k results or your art show, you sound like a bragger or a self-centered careerist.

The Friend-Padder. The average Facebook user has 120 friends on the site. Schmoozers and social butterflies -- you know, the ones who make lifelong pals on the subway -- might reasonably have 300 or 400. But 1,000 "friends?" Unless you're George Clooney or just won the lottery, no one has that many. That's just showing off.

The Town Crier. "Michael Jackson is dead!!!" You heard it from me first! Me, and the 213,000 other people who all saw it on TMZ. These Matt Drudge wannabes are the reason many of us learn of breaking news not from TV or news sites but from online social networks. In their rush to trumpet the news, these people also spread rumors, half-truths and innuendo. No, Jeff Goldblum did not plunge to his death from a New Zealand cliff.

The TMIer. "Brad is heading to Walgreens to buy something for these pesky hemorrhoids." Boundaries of privacy and decorum don't seem to exist for these too-much-information updaters, who unabashedly offer up details about their sex lives, marital troubles and bodily functions. Thanks for sharing.

The Bad Grammarian. "So sad about Fara Fauset but Im so gladd its friday yippe". Yes, I know the punctuation rules are different in the digital world. And, no, no one likes a spelling-Nazi schoolmarm. But you sound like a moron.

The Sympathy-Baiter. "Barbara is feeling sad today." "Man, am I glad that's over." "Jim could really use some good news about now." Like anglers hunting for fish, these sad sacks cast out their hooks -- baited with vague tales of woe -- in the hopes of landing concerned responses. Genuine bad news is one thing, but these manipulative posts are just pleas for attention.

The Lurker. The Peeping Toms of Facebook, these voyeurs are too cautious, or maybe too lazy, to update their status or write on your wall. But once in a while, you'll be talking to them and they'll mention something you posted, so you know they're on your page, hiding in the shadows. It's just a little creepy.

The Crank. These curmudgeons, like the trolls who spew hate in blog comments, never met something they couldn't complain about. "Carl isn't really that impressed with idiots who don't realize how idiotic they are." [Actual status update.] Keep spreading the love.

The Paparazzo. Ever visit your Facebook page and discover that someone's posted a photo of you from last weekend's party -- a photo you didn't authorize and haven't even seen? You'd really rather not have to explain to your mom why you were leering like a drunken hyena and French-kissing a bottle of Jagermeister.

The Maddening Obscurist. "If not now then when?" "You'll see..." "Grist for the mill." "John is, small world." "Dave thought he was immune, but no. No, he is not." [Actual status updates, all.] Sorry, but you're not being mysterious -- just nonsensical.

The Chronic Inviter. "Support my cause. Sign my petition. Play Mafia Wars with me. Which 'Star Trek' character are you? Here are the 'Top 5 cars I have personally owned.' Here are '25 Things About Me.' Here's a drink. What drink are you? We're related! I took the 'What President Are You?' quiz and found out I'm Millard Fillmore! What president are you?"

You probably mean well, but stop. Just stop. I don't care what president I am -- can't we simply be friends? Now excuse me while I go post the link to this story on my Facebook page.

Hey, it's a free country and you can facebook however you want. I plan to break a few of these rules every now and then, but not too much. :)

Summertime, Summertime, Sum-Sum-Summertime

Conviction in the Midst of Confrontation

"Although I may be a gifted speaker and can pray in tongues anytime, anywhere, and yet I don’t love others, I am only making noise without substance. And though I seem to have an answer for everything and people come to me for my opinions, and I am a dynamo of spiritual power with many spiritual victories, and yet I have no love, I am a zero. And though my generosity is well known, and I have sacrificed all for God with wounds and scars to prove it, yet I have no love, God hasn’t profited from me at all.

“So, how can you tell whether or not you have real love? See for yourself how love behaves by the following list:

“Love smiles through the pain of being hurt, criticized, misunderstood and ignored without constantly complaining. Love never confronts anyone unless it is with a kind, well-considered word without blasting them out of the room. Love doesn’t judge or want what others have—-clothes, car, job, wife, husband, money, personality or even spiritual gifts. It doesn’t go around talking about God being unfair or people being uncaring when the real problem is envy and jealousy. It shuns the limelight and recognition. It doesn’t have “I” problems.

“Love declines to make a scene about everything and won’t make mountains out of molehills. It will not choose inappropriate and disruptive ways to make a point. It doesn’t have to be right all the time and it is slow to get stirred up about every tale spread through the ever-active grapevine. Love doesn’t wear its feelings on its sleeves, and it doesn’t assume that others are thinking, doing and intending the worst. It gives people the benefit of the doubt.

“Love suffers when someone fails or when tragedy strikes. It takes no pleasure in sin or wrongdoing of any kind. It is most interested in the truth winning out, even when the truth hurts. Love lends its shoulder to bear the burdens of others and never breaks their confidence. It believes the best in people and tries hard to trust them. Even when love feels someone is wrong, lying, or making a huge mistake, it still hopes for the best possible outcome. And when love is disappointed and crushed by bearing, believing and hoping, it endures the hurt and embarrassment with cheer and restraint, always continuing to be itself—-love.

“Three great forces motivate the church: faith, hope and love. These powerful attributes are the basis for everything the church is doing in the world today. But even when you narrow it all down to these three, at the top of the list you’ll find love.”

-J. Mark Jordan, Thought Sculpting

I found this paraphrase of I Corinthians 13 online and it is as convicting as it is beautiful. So powerful, don't you think?

Ny Times Interviews Supreme Court Justince Ginsburg

Q: Are you talking about the distances women have to travel because in parts of the country, abortion is essentially unavailable, because there are so few doctors and clinics that do the procedure? And also, the lack of Medicaid for abortions for poor women?

JUSTICE GINSBURG: Yes, the ruling about that surprised me. [Harris v. McRae — in 1980 the court upheld the Hyde Amendment, which forbids the use of Medicaid for abortions.] Frankly I had thought that at the time Roe was decided, there was concern about population growth and particularly growth in populations that we don’t want to have too many of. So that Roe was going to be then set up for Medicaid funding for abortion. Which some people felt would risk coercing women into having abortions when they didn’t really want them. But when the court decided McRae, the case came out the other way. And then I realized that my perception of it had been altogether wrong.

Do I hear a littel Eugenics in the mix here?

Hmmm...

"Naturally the common people don't want war: Neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, IT IS THE LEADERS of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is TELL THEM THEY ARE BEING ATTACKED, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. IT WORKS THE SAME IN ANY COUNTRY."

--Goering at the Nuremberg Trials

Wedding Bells and Flower Girl Bloopers

We just got back from a whirlwind trip to Loo*e*z*anna to see Brian's youngest brother get married. Lauren was the flower girl and she was so cute. Shortly after we arrived we went to the wedding rehearsal where Lauren got to practice slowly walking up and down the aisle several times. Well, I didn't explain to her in fine detail that she would have a basket with flower petals in it and that she would have to throw the petals on the aisle while she walked down it. So....right before it was her turn to come down the aisle the lady that cues her told her to throw the petals as she walked, but she paused because she didn't understand. Then she proceeded and did what she thought she should and stopped every couple of feet, bent down and placed the petals on the floor all the way down the entire aisle. Well! That took a while and I'm so glad that everyone thought that was so cute. I was a little embarrassed because I didn't explain all that to her better. What was so funny is that the ring bearer came down the aisle arm in arm with her and he was so confused as to what she was doing. Very cute. I wish I had video of that one. Anyway, it was a nice wedding and I wish Justin and Stephanie all the best. :)

Fourth of July Fun

When It Rains, It Pours

When it rains, it pours.



I say that as large, black, ominous clouds pile
up over the roof of my house. The wind is beginning to pick up and it looks like we're in for a real storm. It seems scary, almost as if a tornado could jump up from nowhere at any moment. *Think Dorothy when she couldn't get into her cellar.* One thing is, we sure do need the rain...there has been a drought here for a while.



I remember telling my husband in January, "This year feels like 'the' year." The year for things to go wrong. Well, I was right, but not gladly. These are the times when I wish I was wrong. I really don't know why I would think something like that, but I do believe God put that in my mind and heart for as preparation for all that was coming.

At the top of my long list of things going wrong is my Dad. He has cancer. Cancer in his kidney and possible cancer in his lung and who knows where else. I don't know what to think or say. I feel disconnected from the reality that my Dad could really be sick. I want to see my Dad be okay and to be healed by God. I also want to allow this rain to help quench my own personal drought.

Drought. It's a place many live and sometimes stay for a very long time. I've been there a while myself. Stagnant. Thirsty. Empty. A spiritual wasteland. When in drought, there's not much to get by on. No rain, no food. No food, no growth. No growth, no life. Then comes the rain. It knocks you down with it's weight and you feel like you are being pummeled. It may rain one day. It may rain a whole month.

That rain, the storm, those trials bring life into perspective. It awakens a new sense of what really matters to God and a question of why there is a neglect of what matters to Him. It is a good place to be and in this place a child of God can move forward instead being stagnant or falling back. The rain can drive us headlong into a deeper dependance on Him. Isn't that the best place in the storm? Under His wings? Safely abiding. Constantly abiding. When it rains, it pours and I am thankful for every drop because it is there that we grow the most.

Beauty in the Midst of Sadness

We lost another grandpa, father and father-in-law. Brian's stepfather passed away last Thursday. We made it just in time to see him before he died. Brian's family was waiting for us at the hospital at 12 midnight. They were taking Daddy Joe off of life support and it didn't take long for him to drift off into eternity. He was such a kind man. Not one for words, but he was a hard-working, gentle grandpa. My only regret is that we did not get to spend as much time with him as we could have over the years.

If only we could keep the TV off and talk more. There's not much time. If only we could stop texting and laugh together in person. There's not much time. If only we could realize every day could be our last. We'd focus on what *is* important and let all that other stuff go. Did you show love like you wanted to? This is what I'm thinking about.

In the middle of sadness I was able to get this picture of Sophia. Just another reminder of the beauty of life. The Lord gives and takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

What Little I Know

Well, I'm sending out an S.O.S. I'm asking all of whoever you are to pray for my father-in-law. He fell four days ago and injured his head. They rushed him to the hospital to surgically remove a hematoma that he developed in his brain as a result of his falling. Today we got word that he flatlined yesterday and lost oxygen to his brain while the doctors tried to revive him. The doctors also found another hematoma on the stem of his brain and they say that even if he survives the next surgery that he will possibly be a vegetable for the rest of his life.

I'm praying for a miracle.

Happy Mother's Day!

I just wanted to wish all you mothers a Happy Mother's Day! There's nothing easy about being a mother, but when we nurture, love, discipline and raise our children the rewards are endless. I pray God gives all of us a renewed vision and an added measure of grace to be the best mothers we can be. Blessings to all of you!!

I Wonder

I wonder why the government is going to give big banks more money they don't have to continue to help bail them out. Where does all that "money" come from anyway?

I wonder if I am ever going to lose any weight. I guess I should try first. Ehem.

I wonder how I am going to homeschool three grades next school year and keep two toddlers out of trouble in the process. I'm riding on the Lord's all sufficient grace so I should be alright if I keep my mind on that thought.

I wonder when I will be able to go to the Galapagos Islands. I hear they are rather enchanting.

I wonder what my husband and I will do on our up and coming 10th Anniversary. Maybe visit the aforementioned breathtaking paradise? Wouldn't that be, uh, nice.

I wonder how my son accumulated so many presents for his birthday. Ach! I can see the materialism oozing out of his little ears. Ah, well.

I wonder where all the lovely Spring weather has gone. If only April could last forever.

I wonder why God chooses to bless us so much. Such an added benefit to every day, isn't it?

I wonder if anything we are told by the media can be believed. Swine flu...what's all the fuss? Turks are being blown to bits at their own wedding celebrations and the Taliban are causing people in Pakistan to flee for safety by the thousands. Oh, and the government is taking more money from you to give them(you know, those bank people). Do I smell a cover up, folks? Great timing, too, btw.

I wonder if we will ever get more time with man of the house. In he walks a few hours sooner than usual. Nice, rare treat.

I wonder how stars twinkle and what they are and all that. No, really. Oh, that's right the gases and the glowing and such. I remember now.

I wonder if this post will ever end and stop boring you. You know, all of you out there. May you all out there do well out there in your world and may you find rest tonight.

I guess I can stop all my wondering for now.

Frozen Strawberries

It's strawberry season again. Sophia is chomping on some frozen strawberries. Lauren calls them shawberries. It's really cute the way she says it. You say tomayto. I say tomato. Let's call the whole thing off. Once again, I don't know what I am talking about. There's something about doing this blog thing. Some people get on here (actually there...over there at their blog) and have lot's to say and write it well. I have little to say and write it horribly. Tisk, tisk. I'll say I'm glad I have this beautiful, strawberry juice-filled face to enjoy life with. Ain't life grand?! Don't you think that little curly cue snippet of hair is just precious or what? Her hair is like poker straight and then this cutesie little curl in back. Ah, well.

So, how are all my peeps out there in blog a do land? We are faring well despite all the busyness. I don't know about you folks, but April is hopping and talk about gorgeous weather. It's like God knew just what I needed and gave it to me in the weather. It's been gorgeous almost every day this month. Oh, and we've been blessed above measure. We had this refund check from our mortgage company sitting in our bill box for months now and I just figured out that it was there. I popped that in the bank account thanking God all the way to the bank. Oh, wait, Mr. Paul went to the bank. I lost my head recalling the whole wonderful event. Another blessing, is that after much deliberation over getting a highly expensive riding lawn mower that we couldn't afford, my husband bought a cheap push mower at Walmart that we could afford. Well, he was thinking he could use a second mower and attach it to the one he bought. He found a pretty nice self-propelled mower on the side of the road and picked it up. It works just fine. Thank you, Lord, for that.

Unexpected money and free stuff. It's easy to thank God for the blessings. Trials are another thing. I have to pull myself past the way I feel to get to the gratitude I should have for something that is difficult to deal with. But they're kinda' like frozen strawberries, your trials. Once you get past the cold hard texture you begin to taste the sweetness of the strength that comes as a result of enduring the trial God allowed you to go through. "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory will be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy." I Peter 4:12-13 Hmmm... I'll have to keep those two in mind for future reference. Until then, good night and good luck.

Quotable Quotes

I love quotes. Here are some good ones:

"Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing."
-Phyllis Diller

"Parents have become so covinced that educators know what is best for children that they forget that they themselves really are the experts."
-Marian Edelman

"What the vast majority of American children need is to stop being pampered, stop being indulged, stop being chauffeured, stop being catered to. In the final analysis it is not what you do for your children but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings."
-Ann Landers

"Well done is better than well said."
-Benjamin Franklin

"The mother's heart is the child's schoolroom."
-Richard Henry Dana

"We are always too busy for our children; we never give them the time or interest they deserve. We lavish gifts upon them; but the most precious gift- our personal association, which means so much to them- we give grudgingly."
-Mark Twain

"The parents have a right to say that no teacher paid by their money shall rob their children of faith in God and send them back to their homes skeptical, or infidels, or agnostics, or atheists."
-William Jennnings Bryan

To Everything a Season

I don't know about you all, but this month so far has been super, ultra, way too busy for me. I am trying to start somewhat of a garden and it takes some doing for a new timer like me. My homeschooling needs to be vamped up a bit and also more simplified at the same time and we need to be getting five days in a week done instead of three. Yikes! Oh well, they are all progressing and that is the key to teaching. When a child becomes stagnant in their learning then you need to be concerned I think.

Yeah, progress. As homeschooling progresses our house and some of life's things have deteriorated. Our van is in my husband's shop. Yeah, he fixes our cars and has since day one in our marriage and figures out what he doesn't already know. I'm a little nervous seeing a fourth of our engine in peices all over our driveway. He figures it's the water pump or the radiator. The clincher...it's buried beneath three layers of parts. He can do it, I think. He's saved us thousands over the years. I think that's darn near neat.

Our fridge is acting strange. Cools when it wants to. Not good, I know. We have a pestilence in our yard and under our house that defies understanding. If we spray any more chemicals we're all gonna' hafta' be admitted to the ER. You think I'm kidding. Well, we try to keep it all under wraps. My nephew Matthew, who I haven't seen in years, has been stationed in MS and not too far from here, so I'm trying to persuade him to let us pick him up and stay for a weekend. That'll be nice if we can get it all worked out. Sarah broke our front living room window just by pressing on it a little too hard. It's an old house, but we like it. It has these neat old windows that are due for a changing out anyway.

Broken old windows, distant relations, a smart husband, falling behind, growing stuff...it all has a purpose, doesn't it? To every thing a season. This is a busy season. It's Spring and the big fat bees are out and my cherry plums are in full bloom. The Azaleas came and went so fast this year. The nasty torrential rain stamped them out before their time. Ah, well. All things work together...for...good to those that are in Christ Jesus. I've been thinking about a season a distant cousin of mine has been going through. She had her dear little boy three months early and the ride to save his life seems to have been a rough one, but he is coming out shining for now. The every day heartache and hope of her season of life has a purpose. To everything a season and a God in the midst of it all in whom we can trust and even cling to and depend completely upon. Wow. What more could a child of God ask for? I wonder if there could be anything better than that. Nah, no never.

A Lovely, Much Needed Day at the Beach

Nobody is sick. The sun is shining and the temperature is just right. The Daddy has an unexpected day off. God is good. Need I say more? The smiles say it all. :)

Rainy, Dreary and Sickly

I guess these photos reflect how we are feeling today. I feel sick and blah. The kids have had rounds of fevers for a week now. I think we are on the last kid to have this virus so that is one side of optimism for you. It has been rainy all day and is it me or does that make a sick person feel worse? I feel worse but I do so love to open the windows in the sunroom and hear the rain pitter patter all of the yard. Now, there is something soothing about hearing the rain. I'm growing weary...hopefully just a few more days of this. One thing about sickness is that it forces you to slow down to a stop and realize what is most important in that moment. In a world of such busyness that's a good thing.

You Give Me...What?

It's sneaky. You can't see it so you don't know it's there unless you feel it yourself. One minute you think it's gone and in the next it's back again. It goes up and then it comes back down again. It likes to trick me by allowing energy to be produced then it takes back it's own power. It can make you change colors or suck the color right out of you.

In the last week it has turned my life upside down.

Can you guess what "it" is?

How Smart is Your Right Foot?

HOW SMART IS YOUR RIGHT FOOT?

You have to try this , it takes 2 seconds. I could not believe this!!! It is from an orthopedic surgeon............



This will boggle your mind and you will keep you trying over and over again to see if you can outsmart your foot, but, you can't. It's pre-programmed in your brain!



1. Without anyone watching you (they will think you are GOOFY......) and while sitting at your desk in front of your computer, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles.



2. Now, while doing this, draw the number '6' in the air with your right hand. Your foot will change direction.

25 Things

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Miss Mismatch

Okay, we are not quite matching today, but you have to admit that the hat is cute. Can you tell that my kids dress themselves? :)