Monday, November 16, 2009

Catching Up...

I know I haven't blogged here in awhile, I do have good reason however. :) I had the surgery finally!(10/16/08) I am still recovering and still in allot of pain, but I am looking forward to felling better and getting on with life. I should start feeling human again in the next 2-4 weeks and hopefully as good as I was before the accident 6 months to a year. I know that seems so far off, but I now can look forward to feeling like myself again.  I cannot sit here and type for long as it is painful to do so, so I am going to throw some pictures up to hopefully appease those of you that have emailed me wondering where I disappeared to. :)



School Update: We are right on target, I spent a couple of hours each week all through the summer preparing that I would be having surgery. I have lesson plans and unit studies finished all the way until January. The first two weeks of recovery, I didn't do any teaching. The kids had their daily plan books and completed all the independent lessons required. Matt not only took the kids to all their lessons, appointments and such, he helped the kids with their schooling that they couldn't do on their own. I got my voice back on the 2nd week and was able to do allot of read alouds. We went through double the literature than I anticipated for this quarter. lol. Matt is still driving the kids and I everywhere we need to go, but I am happily back to doing all the teaching. He signed the kids up for a government class. It is a 5 week class and he is going to take the class with them. He is so resourceful, I do not know what I would do without him and I thank God everyday for giving me such a blessing. :)

Ok, on with the pictures... Fall festivities and Cassie's Bridal Shower...I will get to more later
























Bridal Show taken before surgery
  

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

I Love Fall!


I am trying to squeeze all the Autumn activities in, that I can before my surgery next week. I am so thankful that the weather has been very favorable for our outings. We are apple picking Sunday, so I pray that we get a few more beautiful days. I love everything about the fall and I am going to enjoy every minute of it!! Before you know it my least favorite season will be here, and I hear this winter is going to be a doozy. Oh well, we can at least spend allot of time doing unit studies and projects. School is going better than expected, every year it just gets better and better! Bre has a busy schedule this year between gymnastics and piano on top of Science and Art Co-op. Ty and Bre are both looking forward to Mandy's science classes as well as Patty's art sessions. I am sure we will have many more pictures to post these next few weeks. I love using smilebox because it is so simple and cool. I am not sure how long my recovery time is going to be, so I cannot promise to be blogging away, but I do hope to at least spend a little time updating and posting pictures. Until then, happy fall y'all! :)
Click to play this Smilebox slideshow: Critz Farms Trip
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Click to play this Smilebox slideshow: Green Lakes Field Trip
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Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Van Update


Our Van is now working-Woo-Hoo! Back to civilization. :) Pastor was here until 9:30 monday night helping Matt take out the gas tank, Matt and Ty replaced the fule pump yesterday and it worked! Again, I want to thank our friends,Pastor, and my mom for their help!! Love you all and appreciate it very much!!

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Van Broke down AGAIN

My Best Friends husband has been here all day trying to help Matt fix our one and only piece of transportation. I am praying that something works, and it is not costly. I am very grateful to Geoff and Mandy for all of their help! Again. :) Please pray that it works, Matts work requires him to travel. Thank you. :)

On a happy note, we had a wonderful day AT HOME yesterday! lol. Because we were unable to drive anywhere we just made the best of it. It seems that every weekend we are busy going here and there. It was nice to have a quiet Saturday afternoon. Matt played Bball with the kids, went for a walk and watched family movies, and to my horror watched Bre climb a 20 foot tree!!! Matt said she is fine, we did it when we were kids. True, but I still made her wear her helmet. lol. :)

I am SO Blessed

Friday was a super busy day with housework, schooling then afternoon appointments. Ty and Bre had their schoolwork done before 1:30 as has been common, so I left them to their free time while Matt took me to my appointment. Boy was I surprised when I got home. I had reminded them of their few afternoon chores,and that I would like them to be done before I returned. Well, not only did they do their share of chores-they did mine! The did all the laundry- including folding and put into perspective rooms! I love a tidy house and I think I do a pretty good job of keeping it clean, not as well as I used to since the accident, but neat and tidy as can be. One problem I do seem to have is always having at least three loads of laundry to be done on any given day. So, this was a SUPER blessing! Not only did they take care of the laundry, they also cleaned the laundry area in the basement. I am just very excited that this was done without any prompting whats so ever. They worked together and got it done. I am so proud. I still haven't figured out just HOW they got it done that quickly, but I am very happy. :)

Friday, September 18, 2009

SpellQuizzer Review and Giveaway


I was asked to give a review of SpellQuizzer in exchange for a free download. I am also hosting a giveaway to one very lucky commenter. I often give my reviews on books and products and give my honest opinions. As a homeschool mom, I often rely on other like-minded mom's opinions before I make a purchase. With that in mind, I can assure you that I am giving you an honest review.

SpellQuizzer has made our spelling lessons easier on myself and fun for the kids. Breanna whom started 5th grade this year has noticed that her spelling words are more difficult. As you know, we are mostly a CM homeschool, the majority of the spelling words come from our literature. Because we do not read twaddle books, the words are more complex and harder to spell than your typical textbook spelling list. With SpellQuizzer I have the freedom to input my own words and make an audio of them. Breanna then logs on and hears her spelling words that I have recorded, she then types in the word to find out if she was correct or not. She likes it because I record the words in my goofy voice. Remember, we do not like boring. ;)
If you do not like to make your own spelling list, you can use one of theirs. It is virtually an easy to navigate and understand program, to make things more simple for you as well as your child.
You can download the free trial for 30 days to see if it is something you want to use. I think you will be as pleasantly surprised as I was, just how such an uncomplicated tool is so useful. I also use the words that I created for copywork. The one thing I would like to see in this program is a progress report. However, as a Homeschool Mom I can clearly see how well she is doing with the program just as it is. Remember leave me a comment if you would like to participate in the giveaway. I will choose one random commenter SpellQuizzer for the free download on October 1st. Good Luck!

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Finally have a surgery date

I finally have a surgery date for my neck. October 16th. I have been waiting for this, for I want to feel at least a little bit like my old self again. Yet, I am very nervous about it. I am meditating on the word and having faith that it will be a successful surgery so that I can be the mom and wife that my family deserves. The things that the kids miss the most is all the fun stuff we used to do: Bike riding, dancing silly around the house, long hiking trips, long car rides to fun places,to just name a few. I feel so bad.
So, the surgery IS a good thing, if I can get some of my life back. I thank God every day for my family and my blessings.
Come unto me, ye who are weary and overburdened, and I will give you rest.Bible, Matthew 11:28

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Teaching the Trivium

I have just finished reading Teaching the Trivium a couple of weeks ago. We had a wonderful weekend at a lodge and it was wonderful just to rest and enjoy the end of summer. I absolutely LOVE this book. It is extremely well written and is full of wisdom and inspiration. The chapters fulfilled every desire and it was if it finally "clicked". I have been praying on a different way to homeschool and I love the CM method. Teaching the Trivium has given me ways to incorporate CM and Christian Classical together. Although we are definitely more of a CM homeschool, I will use the suggestions and tools in this book to compliment our techniques and style. I had planned on passing this book to a friend that was admiring it while I was reading it. However, I think this is a lifer. I think I will always use it as a reference. I am going to bless my friend with her very own copy for her shelf. Definitely worth the cost.

Back to School


We started back to {home} school yesterday. We had a great start. We usually spent the first day getting back into routine and going over the "schedule". However, because we are completely CM now, the kids jumped right in. We started with our early morning walk, about an hour long. We found the source of our early morning alarm: a family of blue jays! They are so beautiful to watch, albeit loud. Ty has Internet on his phone so we were able to do a bit of research on them and the "noises" they make. When we first moved in, I thought a family with a small child must have an early riser that likes to swing. That is the call of a blue jay.

INTERESTING FACTS
*The Blue Jay's coloration is not derived by pigments, but is the result of light refraction due to the internal structure of the feathers; if a Blue Jay feather is crushed, the blue disappears as the structure is destroyed.
*They will sometimes prey on eggs and nestlings of other birds’ nests.
*Captive jays have been observed using tools and strips of newspaper to rake in food pellets from outside their cages.
*A group of jays has many collective nouns, including a "band", "cast", "party", and "scold" of jays.



After our walk the kids and I made breakfast and started our morning chores. We finished up our lessons around 2:30, then we made yummy peanut butter balls. We finished the afternoon with readalouds while we enjoyed our snack. Overall, we had a delightful day and all work was completed with happy hearts. I could not ask for more.


Today, we started with our morning walk that included daddy and the dogs. We didn't linger long for we started out late, but still had a good 45 minute walk and exploration. We started off strong with morning work and bible study. We are using Mystery of History vol 1, for our bible curriculum. After each lesson is an activity. For today's activity the kids were to make Adam, Eve or animals out of clay. I thought they would spend about a half hour on this. Nada. They became inspired to create clay animations with the video camera and spent 3 hours on it. The finished project was amazing. I will post it later, if I can figure it out. lol. We did get to math and grammar. This is what I love about homeschooling. They were able to work together as a team and be creative, without interruptions of a harried schedule. They still completed their core work, yet were able to enjoy what interested them. Even my techno geek husband was impressed with the finished project. I love homeschooling. It is days like yesterday and today that make all the "other stuff" worth it. I guess I won't be flagging down the yellow bus after all...

Here is a video, this is not the one that took them hours with a tree and stuff, unfortunatley Ty deleted it by accident. You can get the idea though. I will post one they made with Breanna's dolls later. So funny!

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Wow! Has it really been THAT long?




I guess it has. A whole summer without blogging. In my defense, it has been a very busy summer indeed! Beginning with a move...yet again. Our "old" house that we loved we found covered in mold in the attic. We found this, after Breanna's asthma was acting up very badly and she became very ill. Only through a process of elimination with her Dr. did we suspect mold. Anyway, we have moved out and settled into our new home. Much smaller, very country-cottagey. We went from almost 3,000 square feet to 1,500 square feet. I also lost a school room. :( I have always had a school room. But, you know what? We all feel so much better, knowing Bre is healthy. I also have somehow, managed to fit all of our homeschool stuff around the house, and it doesn't look to cluttered. At least that is what I tell myself. ;)
I have been getting stuff ready for school and have cluttered up the dining room a bit-but hey, we are a homeschool family after all. I thought I would have had my surgery by now. I really wanted it before school season started. Between insurance and scheduling with specialist, I will not have the surgery until sometime in October. Oh well. something good did come out of it- I completed an entire years worth of lesson plans for Ty and Bre in fear that I was going to have the surgery and not "feel" like planning. I am a way over planner. :)
I have a ton of pictures to upload-hopefully sometime this week. I have to pace myself due to the neck and back injury, but I seem to do ok, if I keep to a schedule and pace myself. I couldn't imagine being in this much pain and managing a household if I had very little ones to take care of. I am a very blessed mom and wife to have such a wonderful family. Well, I am off to make dinner. I will be back soon. I promise. ;)

Sunday, July 26, 2009

I'm Back!


It has been a very crazy time the past couple of months. Things are starting to settle back down. I thought that I would blog, since it has been so long... I will share a few pics of recent events, as it is easier than typing it out.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Just a Quick Hi!

I'm just checking in to say Hi! It has been a very very crazy busy three weeks! I have so much to share and many photos to upload. I will try to get to it this weekend. :)

Friday, May 22, 2009

How Does Your Garden Grow?

We have enjoyed and loved a vegetable garden for the past few years. Matt had a huge garden box built at our old house that housed all of our much loved vegetables. We do not have one here, and Matt doesn't have the time to build one this season. I was afraid that I wouldn't have a garden this year. No fear, Matt and Bre planted carrots, squash, peas, tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers and green beans a few weeks back into huge garden pots. We do have a hanging tomato upside down basket as seen here: https://www.topsyturvy.com/?cid=486431
These are lined up on our back deck and Breanna faithfully waters them every morning. No matter how long you have been gardening it is always a thrill to see your garden sprout and grow. I cannot wait to make a yummy salad fresh from our "garden".

MRI Results

My Dr. called with my MRI results and he said that I have numerous herniation and bulging discs. He is setting up an appointment with a Nero surgeon. I have resolved to go ahead with surgery if this surgeon also suggests it. I realized that I have stopped doing all the things I was before because of the pain. I haven't even gotten my bike out, because it hurts too much. I know from experience that surgery can help, so prolonging it is only putting my active life on hold longer. I prayed about it and have complete peace with this decision.

On a lighter note, I have to comment on Heart of Dakota Curriculum. Bre was already finished with most of her 2008-09 curriculum, so knowing that I have a box full of new beautiful books and a different system made be anxious to try. :)
We are on day 6 Unit 1 and LOVE it!!! I only wish I had this when we first started. I absolutely am in love with this program. It is easy to follow, FUN, and the lessons are in bite sized chunks that allows us the freedom to do other fun school things. Bre even WANTS to do school all summer. I will post some pics of some of the work she has done soon! My only wish is that Carrie- the creator of this program would make one for Highschoolers. :) Ty listens in on Bre's lessons sometimes and I can see that he likes it. The living books that Carrie has chosen are perfect and engaging. I have been having Ty sit it on the read alouds because they are so interesting. If you are a new homeschool family or a veteran homeschool family and like the Charlotte Mason method this program is for you!! I have posted about it before. The link is: Heart Of Dakota

Friday, May 15, 2009

God is SO Good!!

First, I want to thank you all that have prayed for my mom! When Satan seeks to destroy, God restores! Amen. She went to the oncologist this morning regarding the large mass in her neck. The diagnosis- all the surgeries she had on her thyroid and such cause her muscles to get irritated. Basically a huge muscle spasm in her neck.we are so relieved. Thank You Jesus!!
I just wanted to let you all know, ot I can go on with our day happily. :)

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Today

I had my MRI today. I assumed when they made the appointment that their notes would indicate that I am a bit claustrophobic and require an open MRI. I assumed wrong. I have gained weight since the last one and with it being a closed MRI machine I felt squeezed and very claustrophobic. I managed. I prayed and listened to Christian pop. They have Sirius radio and gave me a list with different music with corresponding numbers. I was so nervous before the procedure that I just kept repeating number 32 in my head, so I wouldn't forget. More likely to focus on something other than what was to come. It didn't take long, it was loud and annoying, but with Mercy Me playing and my eyes closed I made it.
The first MRI I had was closed (years ago), Matt was with in the room with me when I panicked. I remember flipping out and yelling for them to take me out. Not quite the composure you would expect from me, is it? Well, I was rescheduled for an open MRI, which was much better. This time I wouldn't let Matt in with me because I said I would be more of a baby if I knew he was there in the room. It is a good thing that he waited in the waiting room, because once I found that it was a closed I could feel myself getting panicky. I prayed and immediately felt at ease. Knowing that God was there with me, made me feel so much better. Now I wait for the results. I already know that I have herniation and surgery was requested, but we will see. I will make my decision based on this new one.
We finished school early (before MRI) while we were gone the kids did some science experiments. When I got home, I was so tired ( probably emotionally) that I took a two hour nap. I do not nap, ever during the week days. Sometimes on Sundays, after church I will but not often. I can not believe how long I slept.
For Home Ec. I have given Cassie the task of creating a menu for the week, find recipes, do an inventory on items she may need that we already have, and to create a shopping list. She took it one step forward today, because I was so tired she offered to go to the store and get groceries. Now, normally I would have probably objected because that is "my thing". Yet as tired as I was, I jumped on the offer, besides it is good practice for her being that she will be running her own household soon. She did a great job, and even made homemade pizza for dinner and pudding for dessert. Overall, even with the MRI and all, it was a great day. :)
My Mom has an appointment tomorrow regarding the mass in her neck. I want to thank you all for your kind words and encouragement. I love my blog buddies!!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Little Miss Breanna

If you have been reading this blog lately, you know that I am experiencing "growing pains" Entering into a new phase of life with my children. Little by little each day Breanna has been asking more questions about growing up and getting more moody since en. Yes, puberty has begun. She tells me that she doesn't know her own body and her thoughts do not feel like her own. Now, when I was her age I couldn't put those feeling into words as well as she did. I remember feeling like something from a sci-fi movie was taking over my body.
She is going through the crazy hormones that make you want to laugh hysterically only to cry 30 seconds later. She asked me to pray for her and to please tell her exactly when this will stop. For this question I can not awnser for I still ask that same question for myself at the age of 34. :)

I purchased The Body Book It's a God Thing! by Nancy N. Rue. It answers questions in a christian perspective. She is doing better, however, her poor brother is not. He thinks she is crazy and wants to know what is wrong with her. Every night when I tuck her in and pray Ty always comes in to say goodnight. Well, the other night she yelled at him to get out! He looked so confused. Later, I had to tell him that she is starting puberty and he should expect her to be a bit moody. well, he refuses to believe that- his words not mine. He said his little sister is NOT going to like boys and get weird. They have been buddies for a long time. Sure they bicker and argue, but because she has always been a bit of a tomboy they have been pals. I feel bad for him, in a way he is loosing one of his best friends. I told him that he has a new responsibility to his sister now. He needs to protect her and watch out for her in a new way. I think that helped a bit, because Ty has a natural protective nature.

I always have tea at night when all is quite and I feel accomplished (at least somewhat). Bre has of late been asking to join me. So, I have decided to embrace that and her new phase in life. I ordered this beautiful tea set for two and devotional for her and I to have special tea time once a week. I look forward to this time to bond and share the word together. I Keep going back to Cassie at this age. I truly did not see It coming with her. It was like one day she was a little girl and the next a hormone raged teenager. I honestly believe that if Cass were homeschooled at this age, I wouldn't have missed it and could have embraced the transition with her. Don't get me wrong Cassie and I had/have a wonderful and beautiful relationship, I only wish that I could have savored her youth longer. I remember Cassie and I going out lunch to celebrate her time. Her walk into womanhood, or in her case her jog into womanhood. I am so blessed that God has given me these wonderful children to look after. Cassie and I often talk about how our life would have been different if we all didn't become saved when she was 13. Since we started walking in Faith and living as Christians our lives have been so enriched and blessed. Even trials are so much easier to go through. I thank God every single day for revealing himself to us all at the same time, so that we all grew/grow at the same time. It is so awesome to feel as excited about life and the Lord together! When one of us gets down or have a struggle we are here for each other to lift and encourage, with Gods word and prayer. I hope that I am not painting a picture that this house is always in perfect harmony. Let's be real. What I am saying is that since becoming evangelistic Christians there is less chaos and confusion. Know what I mean? We are still flesh and act fleshy sometimes, it's just nice to have each other to remind us of God's unfailing love and forgiveness.

You know, lately I have been posting very looong posts. I honestly do not plan to, it just comes from my heart. I used to write everything in a journal and scrapbook, but this is so much better. I hope someday the kids will appreciate me posting their antics. ;)

Prayer Request


My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I ask that you pray in agreement with me for my mom. She has a mass in her neck and has an appointment with an oncologist for a biopsy. The Lord has carried her through many trials and illnesses. For those of you that do not know her, her name is Kari. She is a strong woman of Faith and I am meditating on this scripture: Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Another healing verse: III John 2 – Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
I have to admit that I have a hard time facing illnesses with people that I love and are close to me. I want to cry and get mad, yet I know that God is in control of all, even things we do not understand. I pray that God gives me the wisdom and strength to be the daughter that she needs me to be at this time.
Thank you all for your support and prayers!

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Curriculum for Next Year

I am excited to say that after 5 years of homeschooling I can finally define our homeschool style. I have always declared that we are eclectic homeschoolers, and although that is absolutely true we really just didn't find our niche. This year we put our textbooks aside and started doing unit studies and reading living books. Both kids are happier and enjoying school even more! With that said our main method is the Charlotte Mason Method :
A method of education popular with homeschoolers in which children are taught as whole persons through a wide range of interesting living books, firsthand experiences, and good habits.
I was ordering some books and dvd's at christianbook.com when I stumbled on a Heart of Dakota manual. I was interested and googled HOD only to find the best curriculum I have ever researched. I ordered Breanna's for next year and it arrived within three days! I love the manual (remember I do not like boxed curriculum) and the wonderful living books! I will take a picture of it all ans post it later. It was a bit confusing at first what I was supposed to order, then I found the message board and the ladies on there helped me figure it all out. This curriculum is not overwhelming, yet covers each subject in such a way that will enrich their minds. If I were to write out a curriculum perfect for me, this would be it. I can not tell you how excited I am. I never get excited over "boxed" curriculum. ever. This is different though. The books are not textbooks, they are living books and the manual is very flexible and easy to follow. I can supplement as I wish and I know if I do not Bre will still be learning enough. I love putting together unit studies, but sometimes worry if I am doing enough. Not to mention how time consuming it can be. Carrie (author/creator of HOD) has taken all the doubt out of my mind. Basically the manual itself is based on Unit studies. She has integrated all the subjects to mesh into each other, so the kids get a very well rounded understanding of the subject(s). I just love it! Can you tell? Check out the website here: http://www.heartofdakota.com/ If I were to compare it to another curriculum I would say My Fathers World or sonlight only easier on mom. :) I know I will be supplementing with T4L and other great programs, however this is a very enriching curriculum for families that love the Charlotte Mason approach. There ya go, after all these years I said I wouldn't put a label on our Homeschooling style, I just did. We just kind of integrated to this without even realizing it and we all love it. The best part is that I can read living books to both kids and just customize to their levels and needs. I am a more hands on homeschool mom, and I want to stress that HOD fits that bill. T4L is great for supplementing or when I am ill or have appointments and such. The both together are going to make for another fabulous homeschool year! You know it's great when you AND the kids get excited to see the UPS truck delivering yet MORE books!

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

New Phase in Life

I am beginning to see a pattern, a new phase if you will in my life as I know it. I'm not sure that I like it. However, I know it is a completely natural and Godly thing. (Ephesians 5:21-6:4) We are to raise up our children and let them go.
My "oldest baby" is getting married next year, my son is planning his career to join the military and my baby baby is going through pre-puberty. My once tom boy is starting to shed away her little girl shell and becoming a young lady. She is asking questions that I thought I wouldn't have to awnser in quite some time simply because of her nature. Here is a funny and sweet story. Anyone that knows Bre knows that she is NOT a girly girl if you will. Just read previous posts. I have noticed though that lately she is taking more care in choosing her outfits for the day. :)
Anyway, Bre is a saver, (in money as well as in souls. ;)) She received some money for her birthday a couple of weeks ago. I wasn't surprised when I saw that she brought her wallet to the store today, because she is always in need of art supplies. However, she asked if we could look at the necklaces. I swallowed my heart- I thought to myself "this is really happening she is completely changing and growing up before my eyes." You have to know Bre to know where I am coming from-She protest ANYTHING girly-she absolutely despises Brats and Barbies and she would rather NOT wear a dress, even to Church. I do know that this will someday change, but I must admit that I count my blessings that she is not in a rush to grow up. Cassie, my sweet and sassy one, grew up it seems too fast. She always did everything before her peers, walk, talk, finish school early and everything in between. I have enjoyed and cherished watching her become the wonderful young woman that she is. She has always been an over achiever and I am not surprised that she is excited about starting a family of her own. She has been watching me cook and is starting to make her favorite meals in preparation for her own household. I have created a Huge Household Manager Binder for myself a few years back. Cassie has asked me to make one for her. I think I will just give her mine, since I really do not look at it much anymore anyhow.
I feel super blessed to have such strong bonds with both of my girls whom are so completely different from each other. Now, I am not purposely leaving Ty out, but this is a story about my girls. I will say that being the middle child between two very different complex girls makes very good future husband material wouldn't you say? :)
Wow, I am going off track here. Where was I? Walmart with Bre. So, I took her over to the necklaces and watched her ooh and ahh over the different styles. Meanwhile, I am asking God (in my head of course) why he didn't give me a fore warning that my little girl was changing so suddenly. I mean, I had not one clue! Anyway, She picked out a beautiful turquoise heart pendant. She paid for it herself and talked to the cashier about how pretty she thinks it is and how she can't wait to wear it. I am just looking at her like "who are you??" I have no problem with girly girls-I am one- It is just shocking to witness your child change overnight. So, I strike up a convo on the way home, asking her why she chose that particular color and what she is going to wear it with. She professes that she is not sure but she just had to have it. I though ok, I understand that. :)
After taking care of groceries with Cassie's help Bre said she wanted to give me my Mother's Day present early. You know where I am going with this don't you? Well let me finish. I unwrap (a very nicely wrapped I might add) the most beautiful turquoise heart necklace that I have ever saw! :) She planned and plotted the whole thing!! Now that is the Beannie that I know. I am very touched at her little scheming and very blessed that I still have my little girl as I know her right now, for a little longer. I can only imagine God laughing at me, he does have quite the sense of humor does he not? Do you think that this is my fore warning. ;)

So, I am trying to not be saddened over children growing up and being the mommy that is always needed. The mommy that can simply kiss any boo boo or hurt away. Instead, I am looking forward to new relationships with my ever growing children. I am enjoying them as they are now. Do I miss holding a baby in my arms or chasing after toddlers? I do sometimes, then I remember sleepless nights, van loads of baby gear and potty training. My mothering is not over, it has just taken on a new meaning. Just when I started to feel sorry for myself and a bit useless God comforted me with this word: And this I pray: that your love may abound yet more and more and extend to its fullest development in knowledge and all keen insight [that your love may display itself in greater depth of acquaintance and more comprehensive discernment]. Philippians 1: 9
Thank you God for showing me this through my little weeps and big prayers. My love for my children will not diminish nor their love for me, simply because they grow up and start new lives. They will need me for different reasons and I plan on being the best granny, let me tell ya! :)

I was reading a homeschool book called "a Mom Just Like You." I do not remember the author. I was in the middle of the book a while back when Cassie announced that she was not going on to higher college and planned on getting married and going right into ministry. I admit, I had different ideas. There was something in that book that stood out More than anything during that time- The author (she had 10 children) said she received this word from God: It is not our job to raise Godly children. (Say what? right?) She goes on to say this: God raises Godly Children, we guide them by being Godly role models! With that said, how can I tell my own child to go to school for another 4-6 years and have a career that she does not desire to have before marriage ,when I myself am a very happy and content homeschool mom and loving wife. I love my life and she sees that and wants that for herself. For that I am very proud and honored. I pray happiness for all my children no matter what their paths. I have peace knowing that Jesus is right there with them, even when I am not. It is comforting when I compare my relationship with God and my children. He was there with me as a baby christian K"issing away my boo boos and hurts" just as I was for my children when they were small, fast forward to present day and I still need him and he is still here for me. My relationship with him is as strong as ever. I am going to close with a scripture that is inspiring to me: Ephesians 1:18-19: That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of reverence in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

I have the Smilebox bug!

Here is a picture of Cass and Josh. They are very excited about their engagement party Saturday!! I will probably post a ton of pictures via smilebox after the party. I love smilebox! No more cramped fingeres for me. (traditional scrapbooking) :)

NY Wing Conference

Click to play this Smilebox scrapbook: NY Wing Conference
Create your own scrapbook - Powered by Smilebox
Make a Smilebox scrapbook
Click to play this Smilebox scrapbook: CAP Ceromonial Dinner
Create your own scrapbook - Powered by Smilebox
Make a Smilebox scrapbook
Click to play this Smilebox scrapbook: Breanna's 10th Birthday
Create your own scrapbook - Powered by Smilebox
Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Recent Happenings




I know it has been awhile since I last posted. We have been very busy. I always get so anxious and excited for Spring to come, however I always seem to forget just how busy and crazy April is. :) I am going to talk more about about what's been going on in our busy lives in another post because I have not uploaded pics from my camera. ;)
I do want to mention what a delightful birthday I had however. My birthday fell on Easter this year, so Cassie wanted us to have a girls day the Saturday before. She took me out to Lunch, got my nails and eyebrows done, and bought me a nice dress for her engagement party. Of course I protested against all the extravagance, but she would hear none of it, bless her heart. It was so much fun!
My mom bought me what I have been desiring for some time. She bought me the Kreuig Coffee Maker. I LOVE it! She also surprised me and Bre with a beautiful cake and made a Delicious Easter Dinner! Ty and Bre made me breakfast in bed and lovely cards. Matt actually for the first time in almost 18 years forgot my birthday. He didn't forget, he just didn't realize that it was here already. :) hahaha. I was miffed, but I got over it. We plan on going out to my favorite restaurant next month since we have so much going on this month. We are going out to dinner tonight for a CAP ceremony. Breanna's birthday is tomorrow. We have HIM Co-op and Gym on Friday. We are going up north Saturday for another CAP ceremony. Sunday is Breanna's birthday party. :) Told you we are been busy. Here is a picture of the birthday sundae Cassie surprised me with at Tully's (unbeknownst to me with the Tully's Crew singing Happy Birthday.)