Gatherings

New Blog!

2009-03-16T18:18:00.002-05:00

I am moving on...

T2CHK has a brand new site...

Christian Homekeeper Network: http://christianhomekeeper.org
Christian Homekeeper Forum: htt://christianhomekeeper.org/forums

And my new blog...
http://christianhomekeeper.org/karens-gatherings/

Come on over and visit me!!

Good Things Coming...

2009-03-06T14:56:00.002-05:00

Hi everyone!

I am taking a blogging break for a couple of weeks. There are new things on the horizon for my blog and when I come back I will announce those changes! :) In the meantime I am going to take some time to refocus.

I'll see you soon!

A Week Off

2009-02-21T08:28:00.005-05:00

About a month ago I cried out to Robin, "Take a vacation...STAT!!" I was really feeling some burn out! So he found the closest available week and we are finishing it up now. My how time flies when you take a vacation!! We really didn't have big plans. If anything we realized that if you take away Robin's job and homeschooling, we are still a really busy family! We did manage to have dear friends over for the day in the middle of the week; that was a definite bright spot. We also managed to catch a movie, "Hotel for Dogs." If you know to bring some tissues you'll love this heartwarming (clean too) movie of two foster children finding their *forever home.* :)
Last night Robin and Tyler headed to church for a Men's Retreat called "Men of Honor." Now here's one of the many things I love about our church. They'll use the church for retreats. No need for travelling and all those costs associated with it! Whoever decided we should install two showers in the building was a GENIUS! Robin cheated, though and came home to sleep. Tyler wanted to stay at the church. ANYWAY, I got to get the news early that a man in Robin's group (he's a facilitator) asked Jesus to be His Savior last night!! Praise GOD!!
Here are a few pictures I took this week...
Here you see Christian, who was trying to see for himself how tall Goliath would be!! I turned from, "get down off that couch!" to "Oh you're seeing how tall Goliath is? Wait, let's get a picture of it!!" LOL!!

Rachel had her 11th birthday party...a spa party!! We had all homemade spa treatments! It was so fun!! I am sharing this pic because you can't see the girls faces. :) We'll let the other spa girls keep their privacy...

On Monday we'll be back to our "jobs". I am already planning which week we'll take off next... ;)

So Long Self. Waking Up the Sleeper.

2009-02-19T07:43:00.005-05:00

I love this song by MercyMe. I hope you give it a listen! It capitalizes in a fun way how I am feeling this morning.

Do you ever just have a moment of pure spiritual clarity? God just opens your eyes in a new way for a fresh look at the world and how He is working. He reminds you of the enemy that would thwart His work. He invites you to join Him in a new way.

A life time ago, or so it seems, Robin and I married and moved to downtown Portland (if you are from ME, picture Cumberland Ave. on the Maine Med. end with Grant St. running parallel), ME. We lived in a very rough neighborhood complete with drug addicts and dealers, satanists, prostitutes and more. It was like a foreign country in some ways. Robin had just graduated Bible College and I was still finishing up Bible College. We lived on minimum wage (or close to it). But we were young and living on love and living with Jesus and life was GOOD!

When you are in the city, ministry opportunities ooze in on you. People are hurting, needy and desparate. But more than that, they are not afraid to admit it and not ashamed to ask for help. There are soup kitchens and people desparate enough to listen to you tell them what Jesus can do for them. There are prayer needs all around you and a walk down the street isn't considered without a prayer time first!

You can't help but see the world as it is. The darkness is so dark you can't miss it. But in keeping, the Light is so Light, it is blinding. When God works the contrast is so great, it is like He is the flame and you are the moth.

Then we moved to the burbs... and then the country... I have nothing against either of them and we are still there now. But somehow I forgot how dark the darkness was and the God's Light only seemed like a flicker. Did I work for God? Well yes, I tried and God moved and things happened. But it has been dimmer. I have dwindled with it.

I do think "self", "myself" has gotten in the way of a clear vision. Robin and I have had talks over the years about that time in Portland. We have reminisced about our prayer group there and the nights of pulling out guitars and praising God with our Christian neighbors and guys from Robin's YMCA Bible Study. We have talked about how to get "back there" in our hearts, to recreate that. I have often wondered if maybe I was like the Isrealites looking for Solomon's temple. Maybe I just needed to remember that ministry in the country is different.

So yeah, I fell asleep. Self took the front burner...slowly...over time.

Looking back I see it clearly. The veil is again lifted. I am starting to see the darkness as dark, the Light is shining bright. It was there all along. Somehow I had just put on spiritual sunglasses and I had fallen asleep. Looking back it was as though I was tethered. But I am awake now and am breaking free of the tethers!

I am trying to say "so long self"! I am trying to join God at His work. I was reminded last night thanks to dear friends who never fail to point me Godward, that Satan wasn't stupid enough to fall asleep...just me. Forgive me Lord, and thank you for waking me up!

"Awake oh sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you." Eph 5:14

Attempt Great Things

2009-02-11T08:06:00.003-05:00

"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God." William Carey

Recently I filled out the tag on Facebook, "25 Random Facts About Me." One of my facts was "God keeps asking me to do things I don't know how to do...and it's a BLAST!" True, true, but I wanted to explain...

Last year in the spring, my pastor asked me if I would be our church's Children's Ministry Coordinator. It took a month of prayer to say "yes" to him. I am glad he (my pastor) didn't give up on me. Why did it take me so long to say yes? Well, the major reason is that when I take a "Giftedness Test" and I think I have taken them all...the gift that always comes out the lowest if I get any score at all is Administration! So, it seemed kind of crazy to say "yes" because the ministry he was asking me to do was so not in my gift set!

A few things changed my mind. First of all, Pastor Barry kept preaching (like, every week) that we all needed to be stepping out in faith for God. "What are you doing for God that if God doesn't show up you will look like an idiot?" It doesn't take a genius to realize that if you try to do something you know you are not good at, you seriously need God to show up and do a work! Then I couldn't deny that I actually have my Bachelors of Religious Education. True, true, I had a degree in that area! But I didn't get that solely on purpose, so to speak. I went to Bible College and that was the track they offered so it is the track I was on.

Thirdly, (and I am giving this it's own paragraph on purpose), God showed me over that time of prayer the connection between this ministry and those ministries I had done before that WERE in my *gift set*. I have always loved to come alongside others and encourage and teach. Surely I could be an encourager to teachers. I have taught every age at some point and I could use those experiences to help teachers brainstorm, etc. But even more, as I prayed God sent rushes of ideas that had me staring into space more often than the time I was alert (just ask my family). I still tend to pace around the house in a stupor!! The ideas of what we could do with Children's Ministries kept coming and coming in a rush and still do.

God is teaching me so much so fast about how He works in and through us. I am so glad I didn't say "no" because what I was being asked wasn't in my gift set! He is teaching me what it means to "join Him in His work" like I was taught years ago through a Bible study I did (Experiencing God) and to be part of a "movement of God" (rather than an institution, another recent sermon by Pastor Barry).

When I am working in my own strength at "my agenda" there is a great straining effort. It is discouraging, painstaking and convincing others to join you is difficult. You're pushing it slowly forward. But when you are part of God's work, God's movement in the world, then it feels like being on a freight train. Not only are you not pushing, you are really just trying to hang on and not fall off! That's why I think it's a blast; it's like being on a roller coaster. I pray it never ends!

"Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: 'Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.'"
1 Cor. 1:26-31

Titus 2 Mentors

2009-01-27T09:39:00.002-05:00

There have been times in my life where God has put me with wonderful godly Titus 2 mentors and times when they were removed and I felt as though I was *going it alone*. During those *alone* times, I found great solace and encouragement from godly Titus 2 women who were authors or speakers. One such mentor to me was Ruth Bell Graham, wife of Billy Graham.

I can't wait to meet these women some day, even if it be in Heaven, and tell them of the impact they had on my life! In the meantime I offer this little tribute I found and hope it spurs you to remember that not matter how alone you may feel you are actually still surrounded by a *great cloud of witnesses!*

In the Word...

2009-01-24T08:05:00.002-05:00

We've done different things over the years for our Bible time. I try to always make sure, no matter what I choose for a curriculum, that we are spending time reading directly from the Bible, letting God *speak for Himself.*

This year, I have been convicted about the fact that I have led various Bible Studies for others but haven't fully used my gifting for my kids in leading a Bible Study and prayer time in the same fashion. Add to that, I recently went to a Church Planting Seminar where the speaker gave us a list of questions that could be brought to each passage as a way to study and easily lead. I adjusted those questions and then combined them with another "question" format and came up with these that we are using daily:

1. What is this passage teaching?

2. Is there (and list if so):
~a promise?
~a warning?
~a command on what TO do?
~a command on what NOT TO do?

3. How does this passage relate to kids or teens your age?

4. How does it relate to you? What can you do or change to obey this passage?

Right now we are going through the Epistles. If I were doing a Narrative book, I would likely add:
~Is there an example to follow?
~Is there an example to avoid?

I recently received some valuable advice from my pastor on teaching my children the Bible. He told me to make sure I repeat and repeat the gospel message and teachings on God's grace. Often times, we assume since a child has received Christ as Savior that he/she remembers the gospel message. But children, like adults, forget. So, it is important to keep reminding them of the gospel so they don't mistakenly think that their behavior saves them or condemns them before God. "It is by GRACE you have been saved, and that not of yourselves, it is a gift from God lest any man boast."

I am also making sure to ask them for prayer requests before we pray. One other thing I learned from this (as they were asking for prayer for others and not for themselves) is that they thought it selfish to request prayer for themselves. So, we had to see what Bible said about that! Many of those basics can easily be forgotten and I have found it so valuable to repeat, repeat, repeat!!

The Latest~Teaching Them

2009-01-24T07:21:00.015-05:00

Winter is in full bloom here in Maine. No big surprise there! I do love the slower pace of winter. Mainers tend to hibernate in the winter and I am no exception. :)

I love being snowed in with my family...

I love being warm and cozy inside and watching the snow wafting down...

Though we homeschool, I cannot resist watching the many cancellations on the news! ;) It brings back homey memories of getting to stay home from school! People love to ask, "do you take snow days?" No, we don't. With everything cancelled and everyone tucked away in their homes, it is too ideal for getting lots down. Besides, we would rather take the day when the weather warms but the beaches are still empty!

Speaking of being home more than the average family... If you are you have to expect that the imagination of a child is not limited to one play room! You never know where an ambush may be lurking...in the form of toys...

Or people... Meet *Bond*...

*James Bond*

And his *lackey*...

It's not ALL fun and games! We actually did a Science activity this week. :) We dissected flowers, glued them down and labelled their parts.

Rachel said that she was sure relieved we didn't start with a frog!! LOL!! Don't worry...if dad's not there to do it with you then you don't have to worry about cutting any frogs! Ewwww...mom doesn't have the *stomach for it!*

Here's Tyler, not having quite so much fun, doing his latest Science Exam. Go Tyler!

I hope you have enjoyed this peak into our world! :)

The Financial Noose About Our Neck

2009-01-18T16:28:00.008-05:00

I have been thinking about Ecclesiastes 5 this week. We studied this chapter in last week's Young Adult Bible Study (affectionately named, "Way Cool Small Group." *smile*)

"Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.
As goods increase, so do those who consume them, And what benefit are they to the owner, except to feast his eyes on them?
The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep." Eccl. 5:10-12

This whole chapter is just full of thoughts to contemplate! But this little section strikes me because it tells me:
1. No matter what I have, it will never feel like enough if I give my love to money.
2. The more you have the more you spend. Then you have all this *stuff* to care for and what good is it all?
3. Having *much* is not all it is *cracked up to be*. More stuff, more money brings more headaches.

I am reading this great little book called, "The Treasure Principle: Unlocking the Secret of Joyful Giving," by Randy Alcorn.

(www.amazon.com)

This is a great book and I highly recommend it. A friend asked me, out of the blue, if I would like to read it. Since I had been praying about our finances and even our giving, it seemed like God had put it right in my hands at the right time! Don't you love when God does this?

Consider these quotes Mr. Alcorn shares on pg. 52-53 (and in the same chapter he talks about Eccl. 5!):
"The care of $200 million is enough to kill anyone. There is no pleasure in it." W.H. Vanderbilt
"I am the most miserable man on earth." John Jacob Astor
"I have made millions, but they have brought me no happiness." John D. Rockefeller
"Millionaires seldom smile." Andrew Carnegie
"I was happier when doing a mechanic's job." Henry Ford

We've all heard that "money doesn't buy happiness." These millionaires seem to bare the truth of it in their own lives. So what is the secret? I think *contentment in our God* is the secret!

"Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possesions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work--this is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart." Eccl. 5:19-20

The key to happiness is wrapped up in our relationship to God and contentment with what comes from his hand.

When we live on more than God has given us, it quickly chokes us. When we have wealth but do not lay it at the Master's feet, recognizing that it has come from him, we choke on it. It keeps us up at night. Better to gratefully accept what God has given and bend our neck to follow his leading on how to use it. It's all his, after all.

This year I pray God will help me to learn to live on less, to be more content. We're making changes, not because we don't trust God to provide (we do!), but we want to live *more in* that provision and free ourselves to serve God more.

I really don't want my husband to bear unnecessary strain about our finances. I don't want to put a financial noose around his neck. What may feel like a tightening (in our budget) is actually a loosening (not feeling the strain of thinking you have to stay at *this* job or can't follow *this pursuit* for fear of the noose tightening).

It seems like the biggest task for Americans is decluttering. We gather, then have to declutter, then we regather and redeclutter. It's madness! I am stopping that train and getting off it...I pray for good!

Random Saturday Thoughts

2009-01-17T10:17:00.006-05:00

(Love this snowman the kids made!)

Maine is in deep, deep winter! Yesterday we awoke to a temperature of -31* F and this morning it was -25* F. This is terribly cold for Maine! We have the windows that we can cover, covered and blankets rolled and placed in front of all the doors. My poor furnace can only raise our interior temps about 1* per 2 hours. So last night there was no turning the heat down. It just takes too long to warm up. I am so thankful that my children have electric blankets on their beds!

I have been thinking about homeschooling next year. Yes, I do start thinking about next year's curriculum in January. You know, when you feel the *January burn out*, thinking of the marvelous things you'll do *next year* helps. I don't know why but if you figure that out, let me know! I think it is kind of like those college days when you clean your room when you should be studying for finals! ;)

I am seriously and I mean seriously thinking of leaving the world of premade History and Literature curriculums and designing my own. I feel like after 10 years of using these, I have learned enough from them to venture off on my own. This scares Robin (dh) a little in the area of History (for good reason)but I think I am up for the challenge! Part of the reason for this is that Tapestry of Grace is going digital and as it is the things I print from them cost me a cartridge of ink per semester. It is just getting too expensive for no good reason (well a good reason for them to switch, no good reason for me to go along for the ride). Added to that, I have a very good local library (small, but caters to homeschoolers in book choices). So, I should be able to piece together a wonderful program through the library and save boatloads of money!

So I have Tyler pretty well figured out who is a Junior in High School next year:
Bible: Apologetics with a little Polemics thrown in with books we already own. Also, "Hey Andrew, Teach Me Some Greek" which is Biblical Greek and he will do Level 5.
History: US History via the library.(This will be a timeline project, multiple biographies and research papers).
Literature: American Literature via the libary.
Algebra 2 (1 semester which equals 1 year of High School Credit): College Algebra through local Community College. This is free as it is a dual enrollment program and in Maine you get your first 3 credits free.
Spanish (1 semester): Again, dual enrolled through Community College (2nd class is half priced).
English 101 (2nd Semester): Dual enrolled with no more *freebies*.
Maybe Contemporary Math?: Dual enrolled (final Math for High School...wahooo!)
Music: Guitar lessons with Sean, our church worship leader.
Art: Something to do with line and perspective, not sure.
Health: Yeah, lets get that out of the way with some Alpha Omega health (easy peasy!).
Science: Apologia Marine Biology, just cause he is interested and it will allow him to wait until Senior Year for Physics.
Gym: Conditioning

Okay, enough of that...let's talk about today... Today Robin is doing the grocery shopping (Hip Hip Horray! I have no desire to step a TOE outside!). I am going to keep warm over a hot stove! I am going to make:
Granola
Cinnamon rolls for tomorrow's breakfast
Pot Roast, potatoes, gravy, corn. This will be put on plates in the frig. in *case* we get to have my Teacher's meeting after church tomorrow. We can take our plates to church and just heat it in the microwave for lunch.

Ready to change the subject again?? Let's talk menu's! This month is very financially tight(join the crowd, right?). This has caused us to live more with cash and less with the debit card. I am keeping receipts, tracking spending. I have my little envelope system. Seeing the money and what is left really helps me keep my budget more on track. This also means *menus* and warning the family to please *stay away* from eating those ingredients! ;) I plan to keep this up even if things loosen up...I really am feeling God's prodding to pay off *everything* and to live on way less but I'll talk about that in a minute...

(Here's what happens if you let the pizza dough rise with the toppings on it for way too long...it was really yummy though!)

Here are our menu's for this week:

Sunday:
~B~cinnamon rolls.
~L~Pot roast, potatoes, gravy, corn.
~S~Tomato soup and grilled cheese.
Monday:
~B~Everyone gets their own cereal or bagels or granola or granola bars.
~L~Spaghetti soup.
~S~Turkey dinner (.79 per lb this week!), mashed taters, gravy, green beans, beets.
Tuesday:
~B~homemade pancakes
~L~Mac and Cheese
~S~Chicken breast, face down baked potatoes, broccoli
Wednesday:
~B~everyone gets their own
~L~Carbonara with turkey bacon
~S~Leftover turkey and gravy over rice, corn
Thursday:
~B~everyone gets thier own
~L~Homemade pizza
~S~Chicken soup made with leftover chicken breast and homemade stock.
Friday:
~B~homemade pancakes
~L~homemade turkey soup
~S~Grocery Day!
Snacks: apples, grapes, cucumbers or raw carrots, pretzels, oven popped pop corn.

Speaking of foods, have you ever tried to make a crustless quiche? My friend Kristina brings this to Bible Study every so often and I really don't miss the crust! So I tried using my own recipe for quiche and put it in the pie plate and it was quite yummy without the crust!

Here is a pic!

Well, I am out of time now...but I'll come back later and talk about finances! I know most of us are in the same boat...so if you have written about living on less on your blog, let me know and I'll mosey on over later on... :)

Contrasts

2009-01-08T12:24:00.002-05:00

"In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." Ps. 5:3

I am learning that for me, I must be up early before everyone in the house to have a good time with the Lord. Yesterday I woke up late and didn't have time to start out well with my reading. I still did it but it was loud in the house and I had a harder time focusing. I was *off on the wrong foot* all day long.

Last night, before bed, I prayed and prayed that the Lord would help me to get up earlier. And I did...what a difference!

This year, for my reading, I am doing the One Year Bible. I read it online at
One Year Bible Online. Then I read the One Year Bible Blog. What I love best about the One Year Bible Blog, is that the author posts a song from YouTube that relates to the reading. It really helps me to worship. I also go to Bible Gateway because they have various versions of the Bible there and I can easily compare versions.

What works for you? I know lots of people like to read at night. I have a Christian book going for before bed, but I find I am too tired for much heavy concentration. I am not normally an early morning person but I am fervently praying that God will help me to continue to get up early becuase that seems to be all that works for me in this season of life!!

What Am I Doing??

2009-01-06T06:57:00.004-05:00

(This has nothing to do with my daily post...I just think my dog is cute!!)

Yesterday we returned to our regular homeschooling schedule and our curriculum. We had done a little last week but it was really review and stuff we don't usually have time for. So, we came back after two weeks with the typical cobwebs in our brains that we always have after a break. I always forget that there will be those cobwebs (because I am throughly *webbed* as well), but I was reminded real quick when my history buff child asked, "What is feudalism?" "Ummm, let me think, only the social, economic, government system that we studied for about the whole two months before Christmas!!" No, actually I just said, "Does the word 'serf' ring any bells?" "OOOOOHHHH," he said. Light dawned!

After two weeks away from our curriculum I have to say my response to going back was, "What AM I DOING?" Now, I do have a great curriculum and I don't mean to complain. But somewhere along the line I forgot that the point was to EDUCATE not to check off reading lists and assignments! When it comes to schooling I can be a "ready, MARCH!" kind of mom. Well it's time to pull in the reigns...on me, not them!

So, today we'll linger more over our Bible reading and actually DISCUSS it. We'll stop Math and do some review as everyone is struggling with the review sections. I might even go really crazy and let Tyler skip ONE LAB in Chemistry since it is an experiment he has done before.

I am praying God will give me ideas and help me breathe life into our studies. When you are keeping 3 grade levels going it is hard to stop and smell the roses. But there must be a way!

Yes, it's January, homeschoolers, can you tell?

Questions in My Head...

2009-01-04T18:54:00.006-05:00

I've got some deep questions rolling around in my head. Today during the sermon, Pastor Barry asked what we would be doing in 2009 that would require faith. Are we stepping out or just living day by day going through the motions?

Last year at this time I was definitely going through the motions. Alot has changed since then. Yes, in some areas I am surely stepping out. My ministry challenges me. The possibility of failure is very real to me. I am stepping out in that I have a dream that I am hoping I am right that it is God's dream and He will bring it to pass. I want to see the kids at Lakeside Community Church not only saved but trained and reaching the community for Christ. I want them to grow up with reaching out to the unsaved for Christ and church planting and missions being as normal and expected as breathing. I don't have any earthly idea how to do that or what I am even doing. I am trying to help bring them to a destination that I haven't reached yet and so I am hoping we can go there together. I don't know the answers but I just keep trusting that God knows. I pray and walk and pray and walk. I fail...I procrastinate...I lose track of things...but for some reason God saw fit to call me to this so I will keep plugging on hoping and praying God will work through me in spite of me.

One really really big advantage I have is that, in my church, I feel very supported and encouraged. The people there...well they make me feel like I belong...that I am loved. I felt that when I was very young in my home church but now it is even more so. My family feels it too. I can tell and I see the fruit growing in them from going to a church where the Word of God is taught and preached and the people are really really real.

Let me tell you that when you mix a relationship to Christ with the love and support of other believers, your spiritual walk soars! They challenge me, they love me, they help me to look to Jesus and be more of the *me* He wants me to be. I come away from conversations with my church family wanting to read my Bible more, pray more, repent more, get right more, serve more, *be* more for Jesus. It's not about me *being* anything more than *real," but "real" in God's hands.

I am 43 years old and I have been saved a long time, since I was 11 years old actually. I've had my spiritual ups and downs. So here is the question...

Will I ever get to a place where I will be so spiritually strong in the Lord that I could do "it", whatever "it" would be that He would assign me, without all that love, support and encouragement of other believers on fire for Him? Could the joy and excitement be sustained without all those "walking partners?" What if God called us overseas? Could I really carry all that I have here with me in my heart? Or would I fizzle and grow downtrodden? Could my family and I be that for each other? Or Robin and I when the kids are grown? I really don't know the answer to that... What I am doing now feels like stepping out in faith. Will He call me to more? It only make sense that He would. Was the last desert supposed to be a desert or a neon sign telling me to move on?

I have had other times in my life before where I sense God's presence and see Him working before my eyes so strong that I know that I know that it is Him and there is no denying. I have had other times when I felt so weak and God seemed so quiet and I didn't think I would survive another day in that desert. Oh the desert is so hard. God uses it but I have no desire to go back.

God made us to need each other, to have each other. He tells us to bear one another's burdens, to speak to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, to use our gifts to build one another up. So maybe I am suppose to need my "walking partners".

I trust my future to God, I do. I pray that He won't let me miss something He wants me to do, because I really do want to do what He wants. I pray that I will keep growing in Him and being vital for Him and strong in my walk with Him. I am cherishing this time. I am marking it with my own sort of "memorial stone." I am hoping it lasts...but trying not to hold to anything too tightly.

Sweet Saturday

2009-01-03T11:32:00.002-05:00

(This is my little *blast from the past*. I think this was Easter 2006.)

Today is my Sweet Saturday. I hope to get ALOT done today!! It comes down, not to motivation for me, but DISCIPLINE! I'd like to sit and knit and there will be time for that if I can work hard. But there are just things that need. to. get. done.

1. Make sure we are fed for the weekend! Robin made up some pasta dough for me and we made homemade ravioli from it. I made up some meatballs for meatball subs. This was all because (a) I had ricotta cheese that needed a use, thus ravioli (b) I had sub rolls that needed a use, thus the subs. I also want to made 2 homemade pizza crusts so tomorrows *after church* lunch can be quick.

2. Make sure Children's Ministry stuff is organized. I am seriously thing of keeping it all at church as I just don't have room here. I might ask to use the computer there for labels and name tags, etc. Here is just cylces around the house and gets messy.

3. Clean the bedrooms. Mine is a dumping ground. It needs a new identity!! The kids...well we are in the process of getting rid of clothes and toys that have become unnecessary.

4. Get Christian and Rachel's school plans for the month in writing. I have head my head in Tyler's High School plans so deeply, I have let the other plans slip!

That should be enough to keep me busy today, eh?

Thank God every day when you get up that you have something to do that day which must be done whether you like it or not. Being forced to work and forced to do your best will breed in you temperance and self-control, diligence and strength of will, cheerfulness and content, and a hundred virtues, which the idle will never know.
~Basil Carpenter

My Friend Laurie~On Being Frugal

2009-01-03T11:20:00.003-05:00

Here's what my friend Laurie had to say about how she saves on money:

One of our big ones it to PLAN leftovers into the menu. One or two nights a week we all have something different, but I'm not throwing food OUT.

I shopped at Save-A-Lot this past week. Yes it's a tiny bit of a drive, but the prices were SIGNIFICANTLY less, and I shopped for 2-1/2 weeks.

Combined that trip with a trip to CVS for some free or dirt cheap items. Two things of dish soap for .49 cents thankyouverymuch

Adding a can of beans or corn (or both) to meals like taco's to 'stretch' them further.

Baking from scratch! It costs me less than 60 cents a loaf for bread to make it (not counting oven electricity) vs buying. And it's without HFCS!

Using the messy woodstove.

Pulling curtains when it starts to cool off ~ leaving them closed on cloudy cold days ~ which really bothers me...I'd rather see the sun.

CLOTH DIAPERS!!! It's work, but it saves me around $80 a MONTH in diapers! And I can dry them on my drying wrack near my messy woodstove to help put humidity back in the air.

Make a menu...breakfast included!

Asking people for coupons. Lots of people get the paper with coupons in it. Just ask around.

Shop around for internet (we're getting ready to save on ours & we get free cable for a whole year!)

If you do have $$ to eat out order in instead of eating out. Save on the tip and waste. Our family (granted they are little mouths) can order in Chinese for less than $15 vs going out to dinner!

You can find Laurie at her blog:Peanut Butter and Fluff

My Friend Robin~On Being Frugal

2009-01-02T09:12:00.003-05:00

My friend Robin answered my previous question regarding ideas for saving money. She said:

Ways we are saving money are:

Washing our hands in a large mixing bowl in the bathroom sink and using that to flush the toilet each time.

Showering less.

Driving less.

Not using the gas heat that this house has, using 2 space heaters instead. (I'll find out for sure next week, but I think it is saving us close to $200.00 a month)

Closing off rooms that are not needed during the day.

Using beans & lentils in place of meat.

Not purchasing 'extra' foods, such as deserts, chips, candy, soda (except for baking a few Christmas sugar cookies this week)
I often see grocery carts stuffed full of 'empty' foods. All that money spent...

Wearing clothes for more than one day, instead of washing after every wearing.

Using half of the amount of clothes washing detergent recommended UNLESS we have done yardwork or otherwise made the clothes filthy.

There's more, I'm sure!

You can find Robin at The Blog at Stokesbury.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T14:34:00.004-05:00

As little children we would dream of Christmas morn
Of all the gifts and toys we knew we’d find
But we never realized a baby born one blessed night
Gave us the greatest gift of our lives

We were the reason that He gave His life
We were the reason that He suffered and died
To a world that was lost He gave all He could give
To show us the reason to live

As the years went by we learned more about gifts
The giving of ourselves and what that means
On a dark and cloudy day a man hung crying in the rain
All because of love
All because of love

We were the reason that He gave His life
We were the reason that He suffered and died
To a world that was lost He gave all He could give
To show us the reason to live

I finally found the reason for living
It’s in giving every part of my heart to Him
And all that I do every word that I say
I’ll be giving my all just for Him, for Him

We are the reason that He gave His life
We are the reason that He suffered and died
To a world that was lost He gave all He could give
To show us the reason to live

Contentment

2008-12-23T09:21:00.011-05:00

"Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, 'Who is the Lord?'
Or may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God."
Proverbs 30:8-9

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed of hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
Philippians 4:11-13

I don't think there are very many people out there right now who aren't tightening their financial belts or cutting back. Washington sure seems to be wringing its collective hands, afraid that Americans will stop spending or (*shudder*) stop charging. Well maybe they should worry because I think we have all woken up from our spending stupor and realized that we're only hurting ourselves with more debt and spending.

This post wasn't meant to be a political statement. I just wanted to share that if you are cutting back, waaaay back, you are not alone. If you have always been frugal and lived on little, now you have a lot more company!!

We pray and we trust God to provide. God DOES provide for His people. Once He does provide, it is important that we live within that provision. This is a lesson that I am still learning!! Too often I have tried to live "over and above" that provision. I might not spend it on myself, but usually on my children. So I have to realize that when I do that I am saying to my children through my actions that what God provides is not enough.

I would love if you all would share things that you might be doing to save money and live within your means! And with your permission, I'll bring them up from the comments to the blog.

Here are just a couple of things I am doing now.

It's too cold for a clothes line so between my drying rack and hangers/curtain rods I can dry one load a day around the house. So, if I keep up with the laundry and don't get behind I can save some money on the electric bill.

Other ways I save electricity are:
~The kids have electric blankets (their rooms have electric heat) so we can keep their heat in their rooms relatively low.
~I am the electric police constantly shutting off things that don't need to be on, unplugging things not in use, and reminding the kids to do the same.
~Trying to group my cooking/baking together so I am not constantly cooling and heating up the oven.
~Using crock pot and microwave whenever possible.

Another way I save is on our grocery bill. After losing lots of money through food spoilage during the recent ice storm I am not stocking up on items that are perishable. Rather, on the days where Robin works in the office, he picks up what we need for a few days at a time at the grocery store on his way home (which he passes to get home). Knowing we can shop every couple of days actually helps me to buy less because I know if it doesn't work out he is going again in a couple of days. I work from menus and plans so that I am not buying stuff no one will eat.

My grocery list starts with: What do I have already? Can I get creative and last a couple more days? Then: What is on sale? The stores in my area have their sale flyers online. Does yours? Do a web search and you might be surprised!!

Oh and speaking of groceries, have you checked to see if there is an "Angel Food Ministries" distribution center in your area? Again do a web search on it. One of my goals is to call the one in my area. Their packages looked good and the prices are great! You do not need to be in a certain financial brackett. It is meant to simply help you save money!

What other ways do you save money on groceries?

This morning we had granola made up and biscuits to have with jelly. This is because when I did my cupboard search I came up with those ingredients. Yesterday I made omelets with whatever I could come up with to put in them. I came up with turkey bacon, salsa and mozarella. They were really quite good!

The Granola above was just:

2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup coconut (we didn't use this because we didn't have any, so we reduced the syrup/honey to 1/6 cup of each)
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup cooking oil
Bake at 300* F for 30-35 minutes. The trick to awesome granola is to stir or flip every 10 min. Don't make so much that it is not flat on the pan (if you like it nice and crunchy.
Also you need the oats and the oil. For the honey/syrup you can use all honey or all syrup or even brown sugar. Whatever you have is great! For the nuts you just use what you have or like. Granola is forgiving. Throw in whatever you have!

For the biscuits I use a totally easy drop biscuit recipe. I bet you can find one online. If you want my recipe, feel free to ask.

In what ways are you saving money??

Christmas Tree Fun!

2008-12-22T09:45:00.012-05:00

Last week we finally got to put up our Christmas tree! I think this is the latest we have ever put it up. Christian's birthday is Dec. 3rd and we normally put it up right after his party but this year the ice storm got in our way. So, the joy was doubled from the waiting!

When Robin brought home the tree and put it up we all laughed til we cried. Poor Robin! We weren't trying to insult his tree but it looked so round, like a ball and it just cracked us up!! That's the thing with real trees. They are not all uniform and straight. Each year the tree is a new adventure!

The kids take turns putting our "Bear Angel" on the tree. This year it was Christian's turn. This requires getting on daddy's shoulders to reach. That's the fun part!

We make sure to take a picture so that we can remember whose turn it is the next year! It took several tries this year because there was just one weak branch sticking up in the middle of our *tree ball*. Poor Robin, his back was ready to break it took so long to get that angel on right!!

Okay, the rule is...place the ornament...then...

turn...

smile for mom's camera...

It came out blurry, but here they are in front of our finished product...

Awww, they DO love each other, what a blessing!!

So Thankful for Electricity!

2008-12-19T17:54:00.007-05:00

I am so thankful for electricity and it will be my favorite Christmas present of 2008! Due to an ice storm that coated everything with an inch of ice, we went 5 days without it! Despite the hardship of keeping the house warm, we managed to live life and have some fun along the way. We played games, reconnected with each other, and Rachel learned to play a song on the guitar (thanks to Tyler). We also got to spend some fun time with others who gathered at church for a warm meal.

Here is how we heated water for hot cocoa on day 1!

Nothing stops the hardcore homeschoolers from doing their schoolwork. I kept hearing, "Mom didn't we read about a guy who went blind from reading by candlelight?" LOL!

You see the dog was the smart one and knew to reserve the spot in front of the space heater!

The kids had a campout in the livingroom. It was way too cold upstairs for sleeping!

Finally, the dog lost his beloved spot to the kids. :)

I've been kinda quiet...

2008-12-11T13:58:00.002-05:00

I have been kind of quiet here on my blog. Sometimes I just feel that way. Lately I have been reading "Lies Women Believe" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. God has used this book to bring out many areas in my life that need to change. There are habits that need to stop, other habits that need to start. I need to live more contentedly, more leaning minute by minute on the Savior.

All this makes me a bit pensive and not so "wordy." :)

On the *everyday side* of life I am looking so forward to our Christmas break. Robin has next week off and we will do lots of school work and I will love having two teachers! He'll teach High School with Tyler. I'll teach 5th and 6th grade only. YAY!

Then over Christmas break I'll spend some time planning out January, grading what we have done and tucking subject samples into portfolio notebooks. We'll be start some new things. Tyler will be doing a new curriculum by IEW on Literary Analysis. Christian and Rachel we do some IEW for writing skills. We'll also move from our study of the Middle Ages and move into the Renaissance. I plan to get Tyler two other new books: "Do Hard Things" and "Created for Work".

Somewhere in there we will have great fun celebrating Christmas!!

Happy 12th Birthday, Christian!!

2008-12-03T07:32:00.007-05:00

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday...

dear Christian!

Happy Birthday...

to you!

Time at Home

2008-11-28T17:10:00.006-05:00

I've had some nice time at home during the Thanksgiving Holiday. It feels good! I love, love, love to be home especially when the weather grows cold. I also love doing homey things like cooking and knitting and sewing and decorating. :) I did start some knitting. I am making some dishcloths with the "Grandma's Favorite" pattern. I'll show them another day, maybe tomorrow. Perhaps I'll get going again on my Monthly Knit Along group and catch up; ya never know!

Today it snowed a little. There was great excitement and shouting throughout the house when the discovery was made. It is gone now but here it *was*:

I also did a little cooking with leftovers. I made mini turkey pies. Robin made up some pie crust (his comes out so good!) for me. I just put it in muffin pans and then added leftovers dollop by dollop.

I used turkey, mashed potato, carrots, dressing and a dollop of gravy in each.

Voila!

These are going in a freezer bag and in the freezer for lunches. Tomorrow we'll make turkey wraps. We make homemade tortilla shells and put in the leftovers. Robin likes to also add cranberry sauce in these. When done they'll also go in the freezer for lunches or quick meals. I'd also like to make soup.

What do you do with your leftovers?

Sunday Afternoon...

2008-11-16T16:01:00.003-05:00

Happy Sunday! It's a cozy afternoon...a good time for hot cocoa and a blanket...or maybe that's just me! I actually baked something yesterday. It really shouldn't be that surprising but I haven't been baking as much lately. It'll pick up more though with the cooler weather. Yesterday I made streusal swirl cake and banana bread.

Today Robin and Rachel decided to try making homemade pasta. We don't have a pasta machine so they had to do it the old fashioned way. We use a dowel for a rolling pin. Rachel ended up taking over the project and she is doing a great job! All those homemade burrito shells we have had her roll out have really given her some skills!

Okay now this next picture is just strange. Tyler was doing the dishes and being a young man of 15, it seemed only natural to throw (yes I said THROW) the bowl up on top of the frig. See how it landed?? What talent!!! HAHA!

For the rest of the day I'll be correcting school papers from last week and getting everyone's lesson plans ready for this week. I have really had a hard time keeping up this year. I hate to have the kids ask "what's next" and I am saying "Ummmmm, let me see..." I'd much rather say, "Just check your schedule. It's right there for you!!"

What are you doing today? Did you get to go to church today? I did and the sermon was on anger...ouch...it was a good ouch though!

Proud vs. Humble

2008-11-14T15:11:00.003-05:00

(clipart is from www.christart.com)

I am reading Nancy Leigh DeMoss's book called "Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets them Free." Oh what a GREAT book! It really makes you stop and think.

Do you ever have a hard time setting that time aside each day to spend with God, in His Word and in Prayer? I'll be honest and say that I do. Nancy shares this verse in her book and I am going to post this right where I can see it each day for it now has new meaning to me:

"But he gives us more grace. That is why the Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'" James 4:6

In her book, Nancy points out that when you neglect to spend time with God each day, reading His Word the Bible and spending time in prayer that what you are saying is that you don't need Him, His wisdom and His strength to get through a day. That is pride.

The verse above tells us that God opposes the proud. So, when I have *one of those days* where nothing gets done and everything goes wrong, where the more I work the more behind I get, and I haven't spent time with God as my 1rst priority, perhaps He is opposing me due to my pride!

That exhortation has really helped me to put first things first. And when I do I am so blessed...really blessed because it humbles me and reminds me that I need the Lord's strength. According to James 4:6, God gives grace to the humble!

Humble is good! :)

Thankful Thursday!

2008-11-13T08:08:00.002-05:00

Today is Thankful Thursday. What are you thankful for today?

I am thankful for:

1. My family.
2. My home.
3. My church (No, really...I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my church!)
4. I get to be home with my children and serving my family every day.
5. My husband's job (though it is very stressful it is a great provision).
6. Our dog, Dash, who gives us countless hours of entertainment!
7. Winter is coming and this year I am really looking forward to the extra time at home winter brings!
8. My kids' friends...my kids have really great friends.
9. Vehicles that get us around.
10.Ministry opportunities galore.

Well, that's my Top 10! :)

I can feel myself winding down and preparing for winter's pace. I love to be home when it is cold. I really don't like getting in a cold car and being cold. But I love being warm and cozy and looking out at cold. :)We'll likely dress a little warmer and keep the house cooler this year, but it will still be quite nice. We'll sip hot cocoa and wrap in blankets and watch a nice movie or read good books...

In the winter we seem to spend more time together as a family and more time developing indoor hobbies. I have my winter sports of course: knitting and quilting and this year I'll add chicken scratch which is an easy and pretty embroidery method. Yeah, that's my idea of winter sports...hee, hee. Winter is the time all these crafts show up on my blog. The kids love to sled and ice skate. It's time to get the skates out and see what fits everyone.

I'll spend lots of time praying about, thinking about and planning the Children's Ministries at church. It will be good to have that time. Right now the Children's Ministry is running like a freight train so I am planning on the fly but soon there will be that time. Next year we are planning a couple of evangelistic kids' clubs for summer. You see our teens go to Raleigh, N.C. and work for Mission Raleigh one week out of the summer. They do Kids Clubs down there. This year they'll do them in Maine first! We'll let others in the church join in too. Then after the Neighborhood clubs we'll invite all those kids and everyone we can invite to the *traditional VBS* at the church. I can't wait!! It's going to be GREAT!!

Lot's to do, lot's to do! How about you...what are you thankful for today? What keeps you busy in the winter??

"Today is the Day"~A Little Lincoln Brewster to Start the Day!

2008-11-11T07:52:00.006-05:00

I`m casting my cares aside
I`m leaving my past behind
I`m setting my heart and mind on You
Jesus

I`m reaching my hand to Yours
Believing there`s so much more
Knowing that all You have in store for me is good
Is good

Today is the day You have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
Today is the day You have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
And I won`t worry about tomorrow
I`m trusting in what You say
Today is the day

I putting my fears aside
I`m leaving my doubts behind
I`m giving my hopes and dreams to You
Jesus

I`m reaching my hand to Yours
Believing there`s so much more
Knowing that all You have in store for me is good
Is good

Today is the day You have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
Today is the day You have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
And I won`t worry about tomorrow
I`m trusting in what You say
Today is the day

I will stand upon Your truth.
(I will stand upon Your truth)
And all my days I`ll live for You
(And all my days I`ll live for You)

Today is the day You have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
Today is the day You have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
And I won`t worry about tomorrow
I`m trusting in what You say
Today is the day

Catching My Breath

2008-11-07T07:31:00.004-05:00

Boy it has been awhile since I have blogged. We have been so busy!! Church life is hopping which is a good thing. I love, love, love my church! It is the church I always wished existed and it is just 10 short minutes from my house! Gone are the days when a child tries to get out of going by feigning a stomach ache. Now all we hear is, "C'mon mom and dad we don't want to be late!!" How cool is THAT?

Recently we had a "Trunk or Treat" outreach. Let's face it, people are out in droves on October 31rst. So we could not help but take advantage of that opportunity. About 20 of us decorated our car trunks to hand out candy. We also handed out gospel tracs and information about our Children's Ministries. It was such fun to love on those kids and enjoy them being there. There were all happy faces that night. It was also a great opportunity for my kids to be involved in outreach.

Here is our trunk close up:

As you can see we did "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything." Here is the kids with the trunk: :)

Here is one of our favorite people at church. He is an elder and is also a "Kids for Christ" (Children's Church) teacher. He loves kids and it shows. My kids are just crazy about him.

So that's a little peak in what has been consuming my time as I was one of the people doing the planning. Our church has been growing so fast that I am spending alot of my time on the "Children's Director" stuff. But it is all good and great fun!

Fabulous Fall!

2008-10-16T18:23:00.016-05:00

When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come

Longing just to bring
something that's of worth
That will bless your heart

I'll bring you more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what you have required

You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart

I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You
It's all about You, Jesus

I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus

King of endless worth
No one could express
How much You deserve

Though I'm weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breath

I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what you have required

You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart

I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You
It's all about You, Jesus

I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
It's all about you

It's all about you, Jesus

T2CHK Ezine is Ready!!

2008-10-07T06:55:00.003-05:00

The
T2CHK Fall/Winter Ezine is up and read for download!! It is packed full and in it you will find such things as:

Devotional: The Lord is My Portion
Pastor Appreciation Month: October
Fall Reflections
Preparing Your House for the Winter
Homeschool Curriculum Review: Mystery of History
Bread Making 101
Homemade Tortillas
Best Sewing Tips
…and more!

Go on over to Titus 2 Christian Homekeepers and check it out!

Celebrating the Last Blooms and Fruits...

2008-10-06T14:54:00.011-05:00

"Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple.

You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas, who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength,,

who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations.

Those living far away fear your wonders; where morning dawns and evening fades you call forth songs of joy.

You care for the land and water it; you enrich is abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it. You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops.

You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.

The grasslands of the desert overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness.

The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing."

Psalm 65:4-13

Lovin' the Library

2008-10-06T14:43:00.005-05:00

The kids and I have been really enjoying the library lately. This year, it just seems to work with our schedule to get there. I have even been returning my books on time! WOW! ;) We have been supplementing our school books as well as getting some school books there.

In our state, funding for the library increasing when people take out more books and decreases when you take out less. Since many homeschoolers frequent the library, our library has figured out that if they buy books that our popular with homeschoolers, then traffic will definitely pick up!

We are currently studying Medieval History. When we arrived at the time of St. Patrick I found this beautiful picture book telling of his life. There are no four leaf clovers or leprechauns in this book! It is his *real* life and is full of gorgeous illustrations! I find that even though my kids are older, it is still fun to read picture books from time to time and to enjoy the lovely artwork in them!

Since we were waiting for "Leif the Lucky" to be returned so we could start our next Upper Grammar Lit. assignment, I decided to let my youngers spend their extra time reading "The Minstrel in the Tower". Each day they read a chapter and then give a short written narration. It's another great book.

Today I picked this book up for Tyler. Robin and I read this years ago and loved it. There is pirate violence in the story, so this is one to preread before you decide to let your own teen read it.

Fall is such a great time to start to slow down and spend time reading good books. Winter will soon be upon us and then the reading and quiet hobbies really kick off! I love wandering around the house and seeing everyone engrossed in a good book!

Maybe We'll All Stop and Smell the Roses

2008-10-04T17:04:00.011-05:00

Economic hardships are everywhere. So many people are really struggling. It seems there are lots of people on our prayer list that are looking for jobs. The country is on edge after the recent "bail-out" decision. I fight fear when I think about the fact that our government has bought the lie that more debt is necessary for a *stronger* economy.

I certainly don't have all the answers. But, as I think of all of us tighten our belts and our budgets, I wonder if maybe...

If maybe we'll spend more time at home playing board games and popping popcorn...

...maybe more time taking walks...talking...

Perhaps we'll spend more time praying and seeking God...more time helping each other...

Perhaps we'll invite friends over to eat supper with us and sit by our campfire and roast marshmellows because we can't afford to meet them at a noisy restaurant...

When we can't afford packaged foods, maybe we'll make our own soups with leftovers and our own soup stock and fill the house with delicious aromas...

Maybe we'll be okay after all...maybe we'll be better than okay...

Rachel's New Favorite Book

2008-10-03T12:30:00.005-05:00

Hello, readers!
I just read what I call it the best book ever written! It's about a girl named Lily who in this book is learning about real God-like beauty. If you want to find out more about this, it might be on www.zonderkids.com, but I'm not sure. It was written in 2000, so its an old book! If you want to see at least a little bit of it, here's a paragraph from the book: "What do you mean, a club?" Reni asked. "Like some kind of secret sorority or something?" "Aren't those against the rules?" Suzy said. "Would you guys just listen?" Lily said. Three heads nodded. "Okay-I say we should form a group. Let's call it a group. A girl's only group-absolutely no boys allowed." "I like that part," Reni said, frowning toward the basketball court. "And no mean girls, either," Lily added. "Like Ashely?" "Or Chelsea?" "Like anybody who hurts people's feelings," Lily clarified. "Right now I think it should be just the four of us." "why us?" Asked Zooey. Lily gave her a long look and then nodded at the basketball hoop. "I get it," Reni said." We're the ones Shad and those guys pick on." "Right," Lily said. Well, I'll have to check if the book series is still out. In the meantime, bye! P.S: This was typed by Rachel Twombly. Yes,mom let me type this!!!

P.S.S. Here is one of mom's favorite parts. :)
"And then she began to pray. 'Father,' she began, 'we have one of your little ones here who has forgotten how much you love her. Will you please reassure her? Will you fill her with your love and your forgiveness? Will you help her to see past her shame and her guilt and run to you with open arms again? Will you hold her on your lap and let her know that she's beautiful-inside and out-because you made her? Please, kiss away the fear that makes her want to hide under the covers. Bring her out into the light again, Lord, where she can see you everywhere she goes. In the name of Jesus, we pray.'"
"Lily didn't hear the 'amen.' She was crying too hard."

Answering a Couple of Questions...

2008-10-01T15:42:00.003-05:00

Family Love

I have been asked a couple of questions and I thought I would answer them here:

Lyndsay asked if we are using Tapestry of Grace Year 2. Yes, we are. However we are taking our time. My husband suggested that we make it our goal to get through half of the curriculum so that we might soak it all in and that is what we are doing. If we go further great but if not that's great too! I have been homeschooling for 10 years formally and I can tell you I have rushed way too much!

Robin asked if I borrow the books from the library. To be honest, I hate relying on the library. BUT this year it is a necessity. So, I bought the Teacher's Manual first. Then I looked to see what I could get from my library. Then I decided what I would purchase.

Some years, I have only bought books I wanted to keep and used the library for the rest. Right now, we have a book on hold that we are waiting for. Someone got to it before me! :) So we are reading a book of my choosing while we wait. I do love the convenience of having every book on the shelf but when I can't do that, the library works too...if I am patient! :)

Right now we are on Week 3 of our curriculum but have been schooling for 5 weeks.

Narrations

2008-10-01T15:34:00.003-05:00

Right now I have Rachel and Christian reading "The Ministrel in the Tower" by Gloria Skurzynski. I have asked them to read a chapter and then write a short paragraph decribing what they have read. Today Rachel's (she's 10) especially delighted me so I thought I would share it here:

"Kidnapped! Our heroes, Roger and Alice, STILL trying to get to Bordeaux, run into a huge, century-old tower. Yet apparently, out of the blue, two men (not the fanciest at all) kidnap them and turn them into servants. How will they escape? Find out in the next chapter!"

Of course I am not at all objective, but I thought this was so cute! Perhaps she'll write those exerpts on the jackets of books...find out in HER next chapter...LOL!

Homeschooling Week 2

2008-09-14T18:14:00.004-05:00

Two weeks down, 30 to go!! HAHA!! Our second week of homeschooling brought more of a rhythym and comfortable schedule. I would say our brains are back in the swing of things. :)

Tyler:
Geometry leaves me constantly saying: "Did I ever learn this?" I had a 99% in Geometry...why don't I remember it? Well, there is no time like the present to learn. Tyler had his first Geometry test AND his first Chemistry test this week. Thank you Steve Demme of Mathusee for teaching us Algebra 1 so well that we were able to breeze through MOST of Chemistry's Module 1. Actually we only had one glitch. Thankfully, I have a REALLY smart husband who was able to explain the mystifying equation and set our world to rights again!

We are all plodding through Medieval History and learning lots of interesting facts we didn't know before. It is fun to watch Europe "take shape" as warring tribes shuffle lands and dominance between them. We've talked alot about why we study history and what types of lessons we learn from it. We applied it to discussions concerning the fall of the Roman Empire. What similarities are there between Rome's decline and America's present state? Are we in danger of overtaxing the middle class into extinction? Are we still selling our products to other countries? How many items in the house came from other countries? As we study history are we determined to repeat the mistakes of the past or learn from them?

Christian had a fun time this week because we did some geography work with labeling maps and also started his timeline. He loves both! He's a real history buff! He remembers all those things I have taught him and reminds me of all the lost facts! I learn so much from him...things I taught him!! Ironic, eh?

Here is one thing Christian does NOT favor...spelling!!! We read about a man, I think he was a Goth, who became a Christian and purposed to write his language into his own people's language so he could translate the Bible in that language. "See?" I said, "If you had been the first to write OUR language YOU could have decided how everything is spelled!" We had a good chuckle out of that.

Here is one little idea if you are homeschooling and have a child who also struggles with spelling. I wanted to find a way to help Christian focus on those pesky words that defy phonics rules. So, we came up with a "Rulebreaker" Book. Whenever he comes across a word that is not spelled as it sounds or in line with phonics rules, he writes it in this book. He loves this book and loves to dramatical pretend to be the "Word Police"! He records these "spelling infractions" in his book with glee! Voila! I got him to focus on these words painlessly! :) Here he is as the "Word Police" ready to write in his "Rebel and Rule Breaking Words" book!

Rachel is taking a fun class through our homeschooling group. It is centered on the American Girl Series. They are focused on the "Felicity" books. She is having such a great time. I never have to remind her to do her homework. She reads those books quickly and with a smile and completes the answers to the questions. Last week they did some needlepoint and it is being made into a pillow. Once she's done, I'll post a picture!

I love this time of year. Something magical happens when we start school...everyone starts reading for fun when they shunned books in the summer (except for bedtime reading). Everyone is deep into quiet projects. I love it! I'll have to share some of those projects soon. :)

Taking our history at a slower pace, we have gotten to add some books. Here a are a couple we have added:

I am reading "Genghis Khan and the Mongol Horde" by Harold Lamb as a read aloud to Christian. It takes place about 400 years later than what we are studying now but by the time we are done we'll be at that point or further I am sure!

This book, "You Wouldn't Want to be a Medieval Knight! Armor You'd Rather Not Wear" by MacDonald and Antram, is just plain humorous fun! It is a whole series covering different Ancient to Medieval times. This one is no exception! It is just so funny you never outgrow it. We are reading a few pages each morning to wake us up and get us started on a happy note!

We're in deep now and ready for Week 3. Hey all you homeschoolers, how is your year going?

The Homekeepers Journal

2008-09-13T08:03:00.003-05:00

You can find the official Christian Homekeeper and author of the Homekeepers Journal at www.ChristianHomekeeper.com

A pretentious, showy life is an empty life;
a plain and simple life is a full life
Proverbs 13:7 MSG

One pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;
another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
ESV

Have you ever met those who brag about all their money or those who love to portray martyred poor? I've probably been both at one time or another. "A showy life is an empty life..." Too true! I have often told my children, "Secure people do not need ot brag! If you have to brag about it, you're not too confident in it."

Money may not make a man, but it sure shows his priorities. You could learn more about my priorities by where I spend my money than just about anything else. The path to the simple life is always a path to obeying God. There is no complication like the complications that sin brings. Having godly priorities in how I spend my money can only bring peace and rest and that is simpicity!

When my husband and I were first married, we had very little money. I was still in Bible College and he was working framing artwork. One day, the Dean of Students pulled me aside and told me that if I did not update my immunizations that I would have to leave school. This was a Maine State law. Well, we had no money. We prayed and called a clinic and they told me that the immunization I needed cost $16.00. We did not have $16.00. By God's provision, the next day a check came in the mail...it was a late wedding present of $30.00!!! Now I could get my immunization! I made the appointment.

Treats were few back then so we considered going out and getting a pizza on our way to the clinic. Surely we could get a pizza for the remaining $14.00! Guilt set in...since we had so little money we shouldn't waste the $14.00 going out to eat. So, we ate what we had in our own kitchen and went to my appointment. When we got there we found out that yes, the immunization was $16.00 but there was an additional $12.00 fee for the office visit itself! So, if we would have bought that pizza we would have been back to square one with me risking being kicked out of college!!

Such a small example but the lesson has followed me throughout life. If I misuse God's provisions my life becomes complicated! If I am not content with what I have then in my desire to fulfill my wishes, I buy the very thing I wish not to have...problems!

And finally, if I need to brag about whatever I do or don't have, then this is a signal of insecurity, of not being content with where I am in life. I don't need to impress others. I just need to walk the path laid out for me from God. THAT is simplicity!

In the Swing...

2008-09-08T15:31:00.003-05:00

One thing I love about our Homeschooling Days is that built within them is time at home, time to get a little restless. Sound crazy? Well that restlessness can drive a person to creativity. In our home no one admits to boredom because that means mom gives you chores! I don't solve boredom for them by creating an activity(unless it is chores...snicker). Instead I let boredom do it's work, creating in them the motivation to entertain themselves. Today Christian spent time making a movie by drawing pictures and putting them in front of a VCR camera and providing sound effects (I know, I must get pics!). Later he and Rachel had a giggling good time acting out a little drama comedy. Rachel even put together a costume for her character! Here she is in the above picture!

We are knee deep in Medeival History and Literature with
Tapestry of Grace. I can tell I am going to really love this year. We started our Literature by talking about the times from which the literature was born. You see, the culture of the day was an "everybody believes in God" sort of culture. So, in much of the Literature, there is a backdrop of believing in one God. It gives a nod to Christianity but is far from a reliable source on what the Bible teaches. This is going to be so good for the children (me too, of course)! They will learn the lesson not to believe everything you read and how to discern truth.

The best counterfeit has an element of truth to it. It is vital to our Christian faith to develop discernment and to "test the spirits. This year we will spend lots of time comparing a certain literary works against the Bible.

Already, in the first week, my younger children have been reading "King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table." Christian asked me, "Why would a magician be telling a King that God is angry with him for anything?" He knows God doesn't want us practicing magic and picked up on the inconsistency there.

Then Tyler read "The Dream of the Road." It led to a great discussion on how people would worship the cross of Jesus and not the Savior ON the cross. Yep, this is GOOD STUFF!!

It always takes me a little time to get my head in the game and be thankful again that I homeschool. But really, I am so thankful I do and I love the chance to really know what my kids are learning and to direct it and have all that time to mentor them. It's all good!! :)

We are taking the year slower too and will only do the first 18 weeks of the 32 week curriculum. I was hesitant to do this. But my husband looked at the curriculum and shared with me that he thought it would be best so the kids would have the chance to dig deep and really learn. The "check every box and do it to the schedule" person in me had a hard time with it but now that we have started I really think it is right and best. I feels good to really have the time to do the timelines, the mapping, the accountability questions, etc.

So...we've dug in! It's all good!!

Homekeeper's Journal~Renewing My Strength

2008-09-02T10:47:00.003-05:00

The Homekeeper's Journal is provided by Sylvia Britton at The Christian Homekeeper. Sylvia writes a weekly devotional and those participating respond on their own blogs. Be sure to go on over and check out her blog!

Renew My Strength, Lord

"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isa. 30:31

1) Write about a time when you waited for something from God.

It seems like there is always an opportunity to be waiting on God. We have waited to hear what God would say and how he would lead toward or away from ministry opportunities, a move of our family, a loved one to be saved, a need to be met. God is always faithful though, and always answers. Our job is to be submissive and accepting of His answer whether it be yes, no, or wait! Sounds easy...sometimes it is and sometimes it isn't...either time it is sooo necessary. "In acceptance lieth peace." Amy Carmichael

2) Are there times when you feel weary? In light of the scripture today, what are you going to do with your weariness in the future?

I read Wardeh's response to these just now and like her, I feel like I am always weary. Life runs awfully fast for me. I mostly get weary from homeschooling to be honest. The steady, ubiquitous presence of planning, teaching and correcting take much of my energy. So this is my biggest area in life where I need to lean daily on the Lord.

3) Is there something, some area of life, where you need God to renew your strength?

Yep, homeschooling...oh, and trying to keep a "clean enough for company" house with enough clean laundry for everyone to be able to put on clean clothes at the beginning of the day! Oh and keeping up with time in the Word and prayer daily too!

First Day of School~I'm Divin' In!!

2008-09-02T05:54:00.001-05:00

"Dive"
Steven Curtis Chapman

The long awaited rains
Have fallen hard upon the thirsty ground
And carved their way to where
The wild and rushing river can be found
And like the rain
I have been carried here to where the river flows, yeah
My heart is racing and my knees are weak
As I walk to the edge
I know there is no turning back
Once my feet have left the ledge
And in the rush, I hear a voice
That's telling me it's time to take the leap of faith
So here I go

Chorus
I'm divin' in, I'm goin' deep
In over my head I wanna be
Caught in the rush, lost in the flow
In over my head I want to go
The river's deep, the river's wide
The river's water is alive
So sink or swim, I'm divin' in

There is a supernatural power
In this mighty river's flow
It can bring the dead to life
And it can fill an empty soul
And give a heart the only thing
Worth living and worth dying for, yeah
But we will never know the awesome power
Of the grace of God
Until we let ourselves get swept away
Into this holy flood
So if you'll take my hand
We'll close our eyes and count to three
And take the leap of faith
Come on let's go

Chorus
I'm divin' in, I'm goin' deep
In over my head I wanna be
Caught in the rush, lost in the flow
In over my head I want to go
The river's deep, the river's wide
The river's water is alive
So sink or swim, I'm divin' in

So sink or swim, I'm diving in
So sink or swim, I'm diving in
So sink or swim, I'm diving in

Curriculum, Curriculum...

2008-09-01T07:34:00.005-05:00

Before I even share my curriculum choices, I am going to share a couple of pics from our vacation. They are here to remind me to never neglect the hands on, eyes on learning of everyday life!

On our recent vacation we got to view a "Maine rarity" daily! There were so many loons on this pond. Instead of the occasional 2 loons you might catch together we would see groups of loons every morning. One day we counted 13 of them all together. Oh, I was wishing for a zoom lens on my camera to capture it better!

Another rarity...a crawfish, a crayfish?? I never knew we had those here in Maine!

Okay, here goes...

Tyler: Sophomore Year of High School
Writing/Research Skills:Class at my church taught by a friend.
Careers Class: Offered by my homeschool group and taught by a woman from a local Community College staff.
History:Tapestry of Grace, Redesigned, Year 2
Literature:Also TOG Year 2
Geometry:Mathusee with assistance for our Math Tutor/Youth Pastor on "Homework Help Night!"
Chemistry:Apologia, also with the same above assistance with the Algebra portion.
Bible: The Bible!, Combination of Greek (Hey Andrew! Teach Me Some Greek), "Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations", Biblical Theology (Theology book by Dr. Enns)
Music:Guitar lessons with worship leader from church.
Art: Google product (Sketch Up) for learning Architecture.

Full Credit Courses: History, Literature, Geometry, Writing and Research Skills
Bonus Credit and a Half Course: Chemistry with full labs
Half Credit Courses: Bible, Art, Music, Career

Christian and Rachel (6th and 5th grades)
Science:Combination of local monthly class taught by Naturalist, and Apologia Elementary (Botany)
History:Rachel will take an American Girl course taught by Homeschool group mom, then join Christian for TOG Year 2 Redesigned Upper Grammar.
Math:Mathusee Zeta for Christian, Epsilon for Rachel
Literature: TOG Year 2 Redesigned Upper Grammar
Language Arts:Alpha Omega, Classical Roots Vocab., Sequential Spelling
Art:Book on Drawing Anime
Music:Drum lessons on DVD, Piano lessons for Rachel
Bible:The Bible!, Greek (same as Tyler) and "Learning about God from A-Z"
Foreign Language: Rachel asked to learn French so she is doing "French in 10 min. Per Day."

Daring...

2008-08-30T08:46:00.005-05:00

Have you ever seen Homeschool Planning as a daring, extreme sport?! Um...yeah well...I do! Sometimes I feel like I am walking a tightrope without a safety net! After all, what if I do it *wrong* or *mess it up* or worse, mess *them* up? Homeschool planning might not be an extreme sport but it sure is a step of faith and a walk of faith!

Within that step of faith you have to dare to be different, like this pink phlox that decide to invade the white I originally planted!! LOL!!

You have to dare to stand alone, again like this stubborn pink phlox that invaded my oregano...what is it about pink phlox anyway?? (I didn't plant it but I sure do love it!)

I have been thinking about this school year coming up. I am seeking to nail down the plans today. The first thing I have to do is pray, pray, pray!

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously without finding fault, and it will be given to him." James 1:5

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." Prov. 19:21

Why all this? Well, this year I am feeling led to change it up a bit!

Tyler is a Sophomore in High School this year. Next year we are planning on him taking some college courses. So, my biggest priority with him has to be making sure he is ready for college level studies. For us that means emphasizing research skills, critical analysis, and shoring up math skills. Some of his courses will have to be a bit more "fluffy" if you know what I mean, to make room for what is really important! This year it will be vital that I don't let myself be ruled by a certain curriculum's provided schedule. That's not easy for me; I love to check off those boxes!! LOL! But I'll have help...he is enrolled in a writing class through someone in my church, a careers class through my homeschool group, and will be attending a "help with homework" program led by our Youth Pastor (who tutors in Math...yee-hah!).

For Christian in Rachel, in 6th and 5th grades, I really want to be a bit more interest driven and hands on than I was last year. Having the perspective of Tyler's journey, I know my tendency is to push, push, push! I need to emphasize the basics and bring life and fun to the rest. Solomon was so right, "The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails--given by one Shepherd. Be warned my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body." Eccle. 12:11-12

So, I am praying and planning today. I'll prayerfully plan it, but also pray the Lord's plans will prevail over mine! Who knows? I may plan something (white phlox), but God will do his own planning (pink phlox)! I hope no one is too surprised or disturbed when I hang a sign over my plans that says, "Subject to Change!"

Simple Pleasures~A Wordless Shout-Out!

2008-08-27T07:38:00.005-05:00

The Homekeeper's Journal

2008-08-26T06:51:00.004-05:00

See "The Homekeeper's Journal" at The Christian Homekeeper

(The Homekeeper's Journal is a new feature I am adding to my blog. Hopefully you I will have it up each Monday. Basically Sylvia, over at The Christian Homekeeper will be writing devotional. She has writing prompts at the end so that I and others can respond. So, each Monday you will see my response to the topic here)

The Laying Down of My Life

"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." John 12:24-25

What one thing can I lay down, one thing that will cost me something to lay it down and serve God?

I lay my life down each time I choose God's will over my own. I can build my own kingdom here on earth as my focus in life or I can build God's Kingdom, I can "seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Mt. 6:33). I am the single seed in John 12:24. If I choose to lay down my life to God, God can use me to produce many seeds.

In my own life God has asked me to lay down my plans and desires and homeschool my children. I have to admit there are many days I would rather knit or quilt or garden or do many things. They are good things, all of them. But I have to give up the good things for the best thing. Homeschooling means laying down my time and lots of money too!! Obeying God is the best thing though and I have been blessed as I have followed.

Recently God called me to be the Children's Ministry Coordinator at my church. I have to confess that when I said "yes" to this ministry I told my pastor, "I can do this job but I cannot recruit workers. I am not good at that." I had fears about looking people in the eye and asking them if they thought God would want them to serve in our Children's Ministries. Quite frankly I was afraid of looking stupid, or being rejected by all the "no's". Well, God really convicted me that I was saying "no" to part of the job He had asked me to do and it was because I was not trusting Him. He showed me how to recruit by showing me Mt. 9:37. Now I know to "Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (And by the way, God has been faithful to me every time to provide the people we need for our ministries!!)

Is my time being spent wisely, spiritually?

I spend lots of time serving but I need to spend more time sitting quietly with God, reading His Word and praying to Him. I need to never put off that time but to give my first fruits to Him. Seeking needs to precede serving in my day!

Do I dread laying down my life? Why? What am I afraid of? Is my fear legitimate or is there scripture that assures me of God’s love and care for me when I obey Him?

In general I have to say "no", I am not afraid. When I am, God convicts me right away with the same words, "Trust Me".

There have been times in my life...early on in my marriage we thought that God might be leading us to the jungles as missionaries. I wasn't afraid of the people, I was afraid of things like snakes and spiders and wild animals! LOL!! But I was willing to go, trusting that God would give me the grace when I got there.

These days, evangelism sometimes scares me. If someone starts a conversation then I am all there. But it is hard for me to start that conversation or to knock on that door. I suppose it is wrapped up in liking to be liked or a fear of rejection. Here is one verse that applies:

"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please me, I would not be a servant of Christ." Gal. 1:10

Home Again...

2008-08-18T14:11:00.009-05:00

For the last two weeks we have been away, renting a cottage on Square Pond in Acton, Maine. It felt good to get away from our normal routines. :)

The weather was rough. It was cold and rainy most of the time with lots of thunder showers but that did mean that I got to take lots of pictures of rainbows and ominous clouds! The kid didn't mind the weather too much; their dad was an equally good sport. They swam and canoed and fished the time away! On a really horrible day we saw a movie or went for an ice cream or played board games. It's all good when you are on vacation!

Here is some fun on the dock:

Tyler and Christian in the paddle boat:

Christian and Rachel:

Here are some *weather pics!*

You'll see more pictures in the coming days...I suppose whether you like it or not! LOL!

Not a Type "A"

2008-07-27T06:41:00.002-05:00

When I was filling out this survey, I was afraid *it* would call me Type A...Phew! Do you want to fill it out? If you do, let me know what *it* says!! :)
The Link is at the bottom. Just click where it says: "Do you have a Type A Personality?"

You Have A Type B+ Personality

You're a pro at going with the flow

You love to kick back and take in everything life has to offer

A total joy to be around, people crave your stability.

While you're totally laid back, you can have bouts of hyperactivity.

Get into a project you love, and you won't stop until it's done

You're passionate - just selective about your passions

Do You Have a Type A Personality?

Saturday's Sights

2008-07-26T12:24:00.011-05:00

There's nothing like a day off!

Robin is working hard on the roof today. The kids saw him up there through the skylight and yelled, "Santa's here!" LOL!

He's never to busy for a smile...

Pretty hostas.

The menfolk check out the mower to see if it's ready to do it's Saturday duty!

Dash is keeping an eye on things, watching in case something needs a good barking!

The lilies came in strong this year, both peach and pink.

Rachel's doing a bit of fertilizing in her garden.

The appearance of mums shows me how fast summer if flying by! Savor each day!

Friendship Garden

2008-07-26T05:58:00.005-05:00

Recently Rachel read a Historical Fiction book about a young girl named Rachel. This story was set in the time of the Old Testament. In the book, the little girl planted a friendship garden. She planted flowers and labeled each with the names of her dear friends.

Rachel decided this sounded like a fun idea so she began to make plans. I was enthusiastic but concerned about the costs. Well, boy were we blessed!! We decided to try for a raised bed since our soil is poor. We outlined the small area with rocks. Our neighbor offered us rocks from his yard that he did not need. Then we found out that our home association sells loam very inexpensively so we ordered plenty for her and for some of our projects. Next we hit the greenhouse. Late July is late for buying annuals in Maine. We hit the jackpot! All the annuals were heavily discounted!! So, we pick through the dead ones and found all the good ones and headed home happy!! I think we'll need to hit one more greenhouse to fill in some holes. :)

Here she is, laboring away...

The sun was gleaming off the flowers so the pics aren't the best. I plan to take more pics today! For now picture yellow marigolds, red and white petunias, purples petunias, red tuberous begonias, one red guinea impatien, and white salvias. More pics to come!

She is so happy with her garden. All she needs to do now is to make the labels with her friends' names. She can't wait to show her garden to the friends she has honored. I just know that they will be happy in the way she chose to celebrate their friendship!

Lovin' Comments

2008-07-26T05:51:00.002-05:00

(Kettle Cove in Maine, one of our favorite places)

I just wanted to say how much I love comments and appreciate each and every one of my visits from friends near and far! Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to posts or tell me that you have visited! I don't say it enough. You ARE appreciated!

Simply Complicated

2008-07-25T06:49:00.004-05:00

This is my mint which is trying to take over my garden! But it sure does smell good especially in the hot humidity of summer!

I got to talk to my good friend,
Sylvia, yesterday about the topic of Simple Living. Talking to her really helped me to "flesh out" my thoughts. Isn't it great to have other godly women to talk to? "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Prov. 27:17 The funny thing is we both wrote on the same topic on the same day!! Check out what she said: Christian Homekeeper article "Simplify"

One of the things we talked about is that we can all agree to the roots of simplicity, those roots of being at peace with God and at peace with man. We can all seek God as to how our own lives can be simplify, less cluttered and quieter. But as we seek God he might show us completely different ways to work that out as we all live out a different life. We might have different convictions or preferences.

It is important that we do not try to press our convictions and preferences into another. These preferences are areas that are not addressed in Scripture and therefore not commands. A command is "thou shalt not kill," or "thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor". A preference is, "I would like my family to eat all organic food and no packaged foods." Though it may be healthier to do so, it is not a command.

There is a grave danger in having the attitude that, "because I grow my own organic veggies and hang my clothes on the clothesline and recycle, etc, etc, I am more spiritual and godly than those who do not." And we may not say that outloud but if we force others to feel they need to conform to those standards, we are in danger of communicating an "I'm better than you because I do *this* attitude.

I am not aiming at anyone here, just fleshing out my thoughts and my own warnings to myself!! Even in my reading of "how to's" from others, I have to be careful not to add burdens to my shoulders that don't need to be there. I need to take what I can use and safely let the rest sit. Do you know what I mean? That would not lead to the Simple Life I am striving for but the Complicated Life I am trying to avoid!

"Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: 'Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!' These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have the appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence." Col. 2:20-23

"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." Gal. 1:10

It's Simple!

2008-07-24T05:27:00.003-05:00

Kids are so good as resting when they need to, aren't they?

I have been thinking all summer about how to simplify my life and what a simple life means. Summer is always a time for me to think about my life and evaluate where I am versus where I want to be. It's a time to think about what I want our family life to look like too.

There is so much online right now about the simple life. There are many definitions of what that means. I think that our modern culture has become so complicated with too many opportunities and too much stuff. We are all exhausted physically and sick of tripping over *stuff*. (If you don't believe we all have too much stuff, announce in church next Sunday that you are looking for clothes in all sizes. See if by the end of the next week you can't fill a room with all you receive!)

I think simplicity roots grow from two places: loving God and loving my neighbor. I think discontent comes from not being at peace with God and man. I think when we are not at peace with God and man, then we go searching for *things* and *busyness* to fill that void and bury that guilt.

When we have a right relationship with God it breeds peace and contentment in our souls. Then we can have the attitude of: "take it all, but give me Jesus." We can "set our minds on things above and not on earthly things." Col. 3:2. We don't need the stuff or the busyness. We can be still. We can love quiet. If God fills us, we are full indeed and don't need to be full of stuff and busyness.

Jesus said that the first commandment is to "Love the Lord our God with all of our heart and soul and mind." The second is like it: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Mt. 22:37-39 Then in Romans 12:18 it says: "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."

First of all, I can't love God and hate my brother at the same time. God tells me this in 1 John. So, my peace with man is linked to my peace with God. If I am making trouble with man, I am making trouble with God. In a very practical sense, if I have all these issues with people, my time is spent arguing and feeling miserable and that is not very peaceful. (But remember the verse says, "if it is possible" so "as much as it relies upon me, I will be at peace with all men." Some don't want peace, then I must try and pray.)

So, to wrap up what has been on my mind, as I look to God and say "how can I have a simple life?" The answer starts with my relationship to Him. I need to strip all of *it* away and look to Him to show me all He wants me to do. I don't hinder my relationship to God by being at enmity with others. Then He can show me, bit by bit how to fill my day and my life. The extras can safely fall away.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3

This blog 'o mine!

2008-07-17T06:29:00.003-05:00

This is the camp we will soon rent!

Does anyone happen to know why my side bar has gargantuan sized print??? I have NO idea what to do about it!!

Summer is rushing by! I can hardly believe we are in the middle of July! We are busy swimming and visiting friends and family. My mom is here from Florida for the summer.

I had sooo many projects I thought I would complete this summer...but now if I can keep up with the laundry and watering the plants I am happy!!

I have accepted a ministry at church. I am the new Children's Ministry Director. I am really having a blast with it and it is keeping me quite busy! I am working as hard as I can now so that I have lots in place before school starts. It is exciting to see God work. When God works I always feel like I am running a sprint just trying to keep up! When I step out where He is not working it is like banging my head on a wall; nothing gets done and I get frustrated!!

Speaking for school, I really need to start focusing on our plans for fall. I have purchased some curriculum and I need to research how much I can find at our library. It's time to cut back my school budget with oil prices as they are! It's time to cut back on lots of things. But I believe God is using this time. The worst that will happen is we will stay home more. There plenty of blessing in that! I love to be home anyway!! :)

How's your summer going?

All Time Favorite Chocolate Wonder Cake

2008-06-25T18:24:00.004-05:00

The following cake recipe is a favorite in my family. For my sisters and I, it was always the first recipe you got to try solo!! :) It is sure a great recipe for kids because, with no eggs, they can lick that bowl to their hearts desire!! This is the cake I always requested growing up for my birthday (and my husband bakes it for me still) and my kids always request for their birthdays.

Chocolate Wonder Cake

3 C Flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
6 Tbl cocoa
2 cups sugar

3/4 C oil
2 Tbl vinegar
2 Tbl vanilla
2 C boiling water (We always believed it had to be boiling, but warm works just fine!)

Mix dry ingredients. Make 3 wells. Put oil in one, vinegar in one and vanilla in one. Pour water over top. Stir completely. Put in 9 X 13 and bake at 350 F for about 50 min or until cake tester comes out clean. When cooled, frost or simply sprinkle confectioners sugar on top.

15 Years Ago Today

2008-06-23T17:48:00.005-05:00

Fifteen years ago today, I gave birth to our first child, our son Tyler!! I can't believe it has already been 15 years!

If there are moms of young children reading, hold those babies tight. Snuggle and play with them and snuggle some more. You'll look one day at a baby and the next at a young man! Cherish every moment that God gives you!

World's Best Baseball Season!!

2008-06-23T17:15:00.004-05:00

Christian's baseball season officially ended this past Saturday. It was the best season ever! Our coaches were incredible! They set such a postive and fun tone for the team. If you could overhear the boys when they play you would hear comments like "good job" or "your awesome" or "great try". The boys truly supported and befriended each other and it was a joy to watch. Christian came home happy and excited from every game.

A little over half of the families are from our church. It was a great opportunity to get to know some of the other boys from church (as well as other friends too!).

All this fun led to a great record: 11-1. We won 11 games and lost 1! :)

Here is Christian with his favorite assistant coach, his dad:

Christian with his trophy:

Rounding home plate in the last game:

What a blessing this baseball season was!!

It's Strawberry Season!!

2008-06-20T05:57:00.010-05:00

Yes, it is officially strawberry season in Maine!! But before I talk about that let me give you a little household tip... Do you want to keep the inside ledge of your windows clean? Here is a foolproof method:

Yes, that's right...get a Shih Tzu!! Oh and they like to listen to Christian music...LOL!

On to strawberries... Yesterday we went strawberry picking. I definitely plan to go back often! In 30 minutes the kids picked 8.75 pounds of strawberries. The views are beautiful too.

This farm is not even 10 minutes drive from our home. I do love having locally grown food. The owner of the farm was working the stand and he just gushed about being a farmer. He told about his winter trip to Costa Rica and all the wonderful things they grow year round. You know you love your job when you go to see what others do in the same profession on your vacations!!

They are having a good year and I pray they continue to get the right weather. The owner said they expect to be picking strawberries all the way to October! That is quite a statement for a Mainer to make!

Ahhhh...the fruits of our labors!!

Oh I just LOVE summer. There is just so much to do. Our schedules are busy but they are busy with getting together with friends and family, not so much about endless activities. It is busy with relaxing by a lake or local pool or the ocean, campfires and smores, barbeques and family days, and on a hot day...ice cream with STRAWBERRIES on top!! :)

More Gardening Fun...

2008-06-19T07:06:00.010-05:00

Yesterday we were able to get more gardening done. By "we" I mean, my kids got more gardening done! :) Whenever I say "we" need to do..., my oldest son always says, "Who is this *we*?" He's a smart boy, lol!

Rachel and Christian worked on getting the tomato plants and marigold plants in on one side of the raised bed. At some point Rachel did have to ditch that apple!! Gardening and eating an apple really don't go well together!!

Ta daaaaaa...

Tyler cleared the other side and rototilled it with a shovel.

Then he planted the peas, onions and cucumbers. I hope they grow!!

Rachel was in charge of making labels to help us remember where everything was planted. She used popsicle stick for our labels.

Today we plan to go strawberry picking at a local farm. I am very exciting to start bringing fresh grown fruits into the house! I just found out that this farm sells fruit trees and fruit bearing plants. I need to give that some serious thought.

I still feel like a novice when it comes to gardening. At our old house, anything grew! You could throw a flower that you uprooted on the ground and it would root and grow. It was too easy. Now I have terrible soil, very sandy and very acidic and it is a whole new experience. Plus we had almost 3 acres before and now we have just under 1/2 an acre. My goal is to grow as much as I can to eat and still have space for the kids to play. It will be an ongoing learning experience!

Around the Yard...

2008-06-18T09:17:00.014-05:00

Gone are the days of snow storms and activities being cancelled for snow! Thus, my poor blog has suffered! We'll see if I can get myself on a good pattern of blogging again! :)

Our spring activities are winding down. Dance is over and this is our last week of baseball AND there is only one more additional week of premier soccer!! I don't know if I ever believed this time would come.

Here is Rachel in her jazz costume as we got ready for her "Picture Day." It represents a close of the dance year! (You'll notice alot of pics of Rachel on my blog. I love all my kids the same but she is the one who follows me around, looking to join me in whatever I happen to be doing! :) )

Anyway, I thought I would give you a tour around my yard because this has been my focus for spring. I do have a few more things to do though!

But first...I want to show my new rage...

I love warm weather because I get to put berries in my cereal or oatmeal!! I need to cut down on coffee but it is hard with such modern marvels as flavored, fat free cream...LOL!!!

Okay back to the yard... Rachel and I took off for the greenhouse on a very hot and muggy day. It was the perfect day to go if you want to watch your spending. You're just not going to stay too long if you can't get oxygen out of the air! Rachel picked out all of our flowers this year. She plants them as I can't with my back problems, so I decided she deserved to have a say-so with just some guidance from me.

I think my favorite annual is the Tuberous Begonia! They look like a rose. Rachel and I picked this one because we loved the yellow color. Last year we chose pink and red. I'd like to get more if I can afford it. :)

Each year we plant these two barrels. This year we decided to put a tall perennial in the middle. It is from the phlox family but does keep its blooms through the summer. I do need to get one more impatien for each pot for the back. I miscounted! I do keep the barrel light because I have learned that as these flowers grow they really expand and get nice and crowded by themselves without buying too many!

I just love phlox, by the way. I have the creeping phlox in my "early spring" flower garen. It is a circular garden with phlox on the outside and irises on the inside. It has passed it blooming season. I also have tall phlox in another garden. It blooms in clusters and is white. I'll show those another time. They are up but bloom in late summer.

Now here is my mint. Notice how it is crowding my rhubarb right out! I need to figure out what I want to use this mint for as it needs desparate thinning. It is like a weed! I'll definitely be potting some up and finding nice homes for the extras. We have 3 married couples in our College/Career Bible Study so I'll start there! Oh, and maybe my pastor's wife would like some...

Another weed-like herb is Oregano. This was here when I bought the house and I have divided it twice and the other bunches are as big or bigger than this one! I plan to give some of this away too. Today we will cut some of this and dry it.

Now here is my "To-Do List"

I bought a couple of strawberry plants thinking I had the patience to wait for them to multiply. Silly me...at 43 years old I ought to know myself better! LOL! I hope to buy more soon. One of these plants has a wee little strawberry popping out proving I may actually be able to grow strawberries!!

These are my tomato plants and marigolds that I hope to put in today. I never plant tomatoes without marigolds! The marigolds keep those tomato worms away! ...And they look pretty and are hardy too!

Now this is a new spot for veggies. I need to clean up behind this fence so all is pretty! In the back are Daylilies. They have been there a couple of years. Now I have horrible soil. I am starting to compost this year so help with that. But, for now, I had Tyler dig a spot and we filled it with good potting soil and planted peppers. We'll see how they do there. Last year I planted them with my tomatoes in my raised bed and they got crowded out and never even flowered. Let's see if they like this home that they have all to themselves.

For seeds, I have peas, onions, and cukes. I may add more. I thought I had bought green beans but I bought onions! They had these organic seeds right at the grocery store so I could not resist!!

There's lots more I could show you but I will save it for another day. I am trying to figure out how best to use our 1/2 acre lot for beautiful flowers and yummy herbs and veggies!

How is your garden growing?

Twice Tagged!

2008-06-14T05:21:00.005-05:00

I have been tagged twice! First by my friend Nicole at http://www.xanga.com/NicoleH1 and then by my friend Linda at http://www.xanga.com/faithmom6 . This is a blessing because I needed something to get me blogging again! I go through "quiet spells" and then have a hard time breaking them. Okay, here goes...

The Rules:
~Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours.
~Link the person(s) who tagged you.
~Mention the rules on your blog.
~Tag 6 following bloggers by linking them.
~Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they’ve been tagged.

1. My *conditions* must be perfect in order to sleep. My pillows have to feel a certain way, the fan needs to be on, sheets straight, certain weight of blankets, and I must be able to see the time when I open my eyes. I can't get back to sleep if I wake up and don't know what time it is! My husband thinks I am an OCD sleeper! I can so tell if someone switches my pillow!

2. I love light and hate my windows being covered! I got a storm door in the livingroom that is one big window pane so that I can open the door and get the light in!

3. I am with Nicole in hating ebooks. I gotta hold that book!! I also have a hard time paying attention to audio books. My mind drifts!

4. I am like a fish out of water if I visit someone too long and don't have a home to care for! I get depressed if I have no housework to do for too long of a stretch. Weird huh?

5. I like having my kids and husband around me all the time. If one my little chicks are not in the nest, it just doesn't feel good!

6. Cleaner scents make me really sick, even *all natural ones*!! Flowery candles make me sick too!!

Okay, I stink at tagging people so I'll come back and edit and tag some people later today! :)

Spring's Relief

2008-05-20T06:13:00.005-05:00

The bikes are out and in full use!

The birds are back and we love to use our binoculars to hunt them out!

I love spring!! I feel RELIEVED when spring arrives! The snow is gone and each day I love to go outside and check on the progress of my flowers. I love to plant some veggies and annuals. I love to feel the warm sun on my skin again!

Spring is a busy time with baseball games, soccer games, dance competitions and recitals. But it is also the time of year I see those activities wind down and I can see in the distance the "lazy days of summer" when our biggest decision each day is: "Where shall we swim today?"

School is winding down too and soon we will enjoy our summer schedule. During summer, each child will spend about 30 minutes a day on their weakest subject and fill their time with "non school" fun of hunting for birds and butterflies and reading books for the "fun of it!" The house is cleaner too since I have more time for the house with the relief from school.

Yes, to me, spring is spelled "R-E-L-I-E-F"!

You Can't Do It, It Won't Work!!!

2008-04-30T13:22:00.004-05:00

Has God called you to do something that makes no sense to others? Do they tell you it can't be done? I have felt that way about homeschooling at times. There have been plenty of people over the years who have tried to make me feel crazy for trying to educate my children at home. With God's help I dove in. The comments stopped but then started up again when *they* saw that I was going to try to homeschool a High Schooler. I mean, what was I THINKING? To be honest there have been days when I have wondered if I was crazy too. But I knew that I knew that God had called me to it so quitting was/is just not an option.

Has God called you to do something that looks crazy? Perhaps He is calling you to live debt free? To serve Him in a full time ministry? To go overseas as a missionary? To go to college? To street evangelism? Can it be done?

I believe if God has led you to it, He'll lead you through it! I believe that God equips the called! I believe God's will never lacks His supply!!

Here is my favorite verse concerning following God's will for my life. It comes from Nehemiah. He knew all about naysayers!

"They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, 'Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.' But I prayed, 'Now strengthen my hands.'" Neh. 6:9

Here is a poem by Edgar Guest called "It Couldn't be Done"

Somebody said that it couldn’t be done,
But, he with a chuckle replied
That "maybe it couldn’t," but he would be one
Who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it.

Somebody scoffed: "Oh, you’ll never do that;
At least no one has done it";
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat,
And the first thing we knew he’d begun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
Without any doubting or quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it.

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
There are thousands to prophesy failure;
There are thousands to point out to you one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle it in with a bit of a grin,
Just take off your coat and go to it;
Just start to sing as you tackle the thing
That "couldn’t be done," and you’ll do it.

Thankful Thursday

2008-04-24T06:01:00.004-05:00

Our snow banks are shrinking each day!

There is so much to be thankful for this week:

1. I do love my house and I am thankful for this provision. We purchased it as a "fixer upper" so at times I get caught up in what needs to be done. Instead I need to focus on what is done and the fact that the size is just right for us, not too big and not too small.

2. Rachel had her piano recital this week. She played 3 songs. She did SUCH a BEAUTIFUL job! She does not really struggle with nervousness. God has gifted her to be able to perform and be relaxed!

3. I have been able to visit Goodwill and The Salvation Army over the week. We found one pair of pants and one pair of capris (Levi's!) for Rachel, books for Rachel and Christian for fun reading, two shirts for Rachel, a church shirt for Christian (Old Navy!), a soccer shirt for Tyler (Nike!).

4. Today I will hopefully visit a new Goodwill store. I like how Goodwill is organized because they separate the kids clothes by girls/boys and by size. So I can whip through those racks fast! I only buy name brands, those brands you KNOW will last!

5. Christian is on this FABULOUS baseball team. The coaches are godly men, 7 of the kids are from our church! The kids, all 15 of them, have great attitudes and compliment each other for every good play. He is just so happy and I am SO happy for him!

6. The weather has been so beautiful! We have had sun and warm temps for 9 or 10 days straight! Today is another sunny day!

7. We have kept up with our homeschool schedule this year and are right on target. It hasn't been all easy, but WOW! I am happy to be on target!! The books will surely get finished this year!! Hopefully we will be on our summer schedule in 5 weeks! :)

"Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always." 1 Chron. 16:8-11

"A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit." Prov. 15:13

"Don't You Get Bored?"

2008-04-21T11:28:00.008-05:00

Spring inspires me! With spring, the sun streams into the house brightening everything. With all that bright light I start to see cobwebs and dirt that I had not noticed for a bit! It brings that feeling that makes you want to see everything look clean and crisp! I am truly thankful for those feelings; they are so motivating. With all that natural light I start cleaning.

Then as I move around to clean things I notice clutter that is in my way. So, of course, I begin to think that I need to declutter and get stuff out of the way. Less is more, right? Really *stuff* annoys me and makes me a bit claustrophobic! I really want to be a minimalist. Of course I can't just get rid of everyone elses *stuff* but I am anxious to make those famous four piles: "Stuff to keep", "Stuff to donate", "Stuff to sell", "Stuff to throw away." Just the thought makes me smile! :)

Oh and as I open my windows, I notice how warm it is out. So I head out to read in a comfy lawn chair. But...hmmmm...the lawn sure needs to be cleaned up...oh and the trim could use some paint...maybe I can start washing the windows. Before I know it, there I am, rake in hand, starting to clean out garden beds which of course leads to more planning on seeds and seedlings to buy...

(Can't resist showing my lilies that are poking out beside the leftover snow!)

Exhausted I come into the house and decide to read some blogs to rest. Well, I see Bren is quilting and Lindy is knitting and Cheryl has painted her pantry. Sylvia will be sewing for reeenacting and she's planning her menus today, Wardeh will be sewing and cooking... I look toward my sewing maching with longing...do I have time to dig out my quiliting? Or maybe I should catch up on my knitting?

Woops, I am suppose to be helping my 4th grader with her Math and I still need to get our Science Lapbook ready...and...and...and...

(Here is that Math student now, with her new glasses on!)

Once in awhile someone will ask me how I keep from getting bored since I don't have a career. They look at me funny when I giggle...

Signs of Spring

2008-04-19T13:38:00.011-05:00

I am seeing signs of spring all around me and loving it! The days are warm and sunny, I hear the birds returning, the snow is melting and buds are peeking out from the ground. The bicycles are finding there way up from the basement and outside. Multitudes of dirt is getting tracked in and the vacuum is getting daily use. The house smells like fresh air instead of air fresheners!!

I am thankful for....

Open windows:
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Flower buds coming up. They are right beside the snow as though ignoring the remants of winter! Can you see them? These little green spots will be Irises soon!

Outdoor creativity. Rachel's brothers have sports today, but she has the luxury of free time outdoors! She spent a good hour hunting for the perfect branches and arranging them in a teepee shape that wouldn't fall down and then finding the perfect sheet that wouldn't be missed and draping it around.

Taaadaaaa...

More spring fun! Her teepee got taken down by the wind. Ah well...she'll ask her dad for some rope to shore it up when he is home. In the mean time, there's "Old Joe the Climbing Tree."

I can't forget the best part about early spring...NO BUGS! Yes, it's true! The bugs have not yet caught on that spring is here. So, today I was able to enjoy a lawn chair and a good book, basking in 73 degrees F and loads of sun! Ahhhh...this is what I was waiting for!

Keeping Busy

2008-04-17T18:27:00.009-05:00

We have been keeping busy here this spring. There is plenty to do each day!
A *good* day starts with a *good* breakfast. This one started with chocolate chip pancakes made on our new griddle:

Once breakfast is done, we get right to work! Even the dog wants to be around the *school* table! He waits patiently for someone to give him some attention...

Next it is time to practice our instruments. This year is a milestone as we reached our goal to give each child their own instrument! I am so thankful that we were able to do this for them. We bought one instrument per year for three years. :)

We have Tyler on electric guitar:

Christian on the drums:

Rachel on the piano:

Once all that is done and we do our chores, then it is time for fun (well if we don't have somewhere we have to go!).

The picture above shows what will happen to your house if you don't have the TV on!! BEWARE!! HAHA!! Just kidding... I do love it when the kids get creative, but some days it is a bit scary! On this day, Christian was holding a "World Cup Soccer Game". Of course he *had to have* a world sized audience. Even Rachel's fairies and Polly Pockets got to see the game. :)

We love to be home. Everyone in the house considers it a treat to *be home for the whole day!* Yes, we love our activities and visiting friends, but there's no place like home!

Around the House

2008-04-02T14:06:00.003-05:00

(by, Susan Branch!)

Happy Wednesday! I haven't meant to be MIA, but boy sometimes life takes off and I have all I can do to keep up with it! I am out of batteries for my camera so as soon as I can get to the store I'll have some pictures to share!!

I have been working so hard on homeschooling. I am trying to finish our year well as well as plan for next year. I like to have all my plans done before summer when I can.

To correct our little glitches, I have been correcting every night and then planning appointments for each child in each subject he or she needs help in. This can be tricky because there are lessons I need to teach and so I have to schedule around that time too. But it's working and I am feeling back on track!

Next week I will be spring cleaning with the ladies at the Titus 2 Christian Homekeepers Message Board. I am ready!! For the first time in about 3 years, I am actually ready!! We have been cleaning out closets and organizing in our spare time on the weekends. This way I won't be tidying AND scrubbing, just scrubbing. You can bet I will have 3 helpers and we will make short work of it I hope! It is nice to get the spring cleaning done before the snow melts. Once snow melts it is time to head outside!

I have done NO knitting or sewing for a whole month!! Hopefully that will change soon, but first things first and that isn't first. But I do miss it!! If I can at least print off my Monthly KALS that I missed and get my thread and needles together maybe I can take them with me tomorrow for Rachel's dance classes. It will be nice to have my hands busy while she dances. Lately I have just felt like I am running a sprint every day. It'll change... :)

I hope all who read are well!! Is your snow gone? Mine is still piled high!! What is your spring like?? Spring cleaning? Decluttering? Winding down schooling?

Time for Change

2008-03-28T06:58:00.003-05:00

Hello there! I am afraid I haven't have time nor inclination of late to blog. I have been reading my favorite blogs but haven't commented much. I have been feeling "quiet". There are times I go through every few months when it feels like time to listen.

It seems lately lots of my blogs are talking about schedules. Perhaps the change of seasons inspires us to take another look at our schedule and see if we can tweek it to better fit us and our families. I am no exception.

I find my schedule to be ever changing, especially our homeschool schedule. I always have to be aware that the time will come when what I am doing no longer works. Then it is time to be flexible!

In general our schedule works like this:

Kids up and dressed and teenager showered by 7:30 a.m
7:30 a.m.: Tyler doesn't independent Bible/Greek Word
8:00 a.m.: I gather with all the kids and read/study the Bible.
8:30 a.m.: The whirlwind of school for grades 4, 5, and 9 start.
11:30a.m.: I make lunch. Youngers empty dishwasher and Tyler empties trash.
12:00 p.m.: Lunch
12:30 p.m.: School starts back up.
2:00 p.m.: The dream is to be done with school and have an hour for the 4 of us to clean and do chores.
3:00 p.m.: Free time.

At 3:30 p.m. my life gets crazy. I am all for my kids being in activities but this year it is too much and I am just counting down the days until the beginning of June when most of it ends. So, from 3:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday we are shuttling kids to their activities. We are not consistently gone and either dh or I are here most times, just not all of us together. Friday is easy because every other Friday all we have is a 30 min. drum lesson for Christian and then we are home.

Have I lost you yet? Well, here is what has happened. My schedule isn't working because I am too busy and I need some real spring to give me a needed boost of energy. So what is failing?? Homeschooling. It is not failing but has faltered a bit. Yes we are doing our work. But because of my exhaustion I am letting them do too much independently and I need to better schedule them so that I am spending the proper time actually TEACHING and PREPARING. It is awful discouraging to get behind in correcting and then realize one or more of them have gone amuck and that I have let them practice doing something wrong over and over because I wasn't keeping short accounts!

So, what I am doing is making them more independent when they clean and less independent when they school. While they clean I'll correct papers and print and photocopy the things we need for school and planning the next day. Normally I know in my head what I want done for chores and I direct them as they go. But now I will need to get it all scheduled and written down for them so they can go on without me.

It will be good in the end. These problems always end up as blessings because in the end the house runs smoother for it. :) For example, when I hurt my back the kids had to learn many more chores and much more about how to run a house. So now, when I am up and moving, I am still reaping the blessing of them being more able to help and run things. My trial forced me to teach them what I should have taught them anyway. Well now it is time to up the level! More about this in the coming days...

Why I am Thankful to Homeschool

2008-03-19T18:55:00.004-05:00

There are many reasons why I homeschool. It is hard to pick a top reason but definitely at least in the top 3 is that by homeschooling we are much closer as a family.

When you are together as a family almost 24/7 you cannot brush problems under the rug. There is no waiting until they step on the bus for peace. Peace must be a priority of everyone in the family. Homeschooling gives us accountability to work through character issues and tensions. We live, we love, we fail, we sin, we confess, we forgive, we love, and on and on!

The blessing in all that hard work is that we are very close as a family. We do so much together and we learn more every day about getting along and loving completely and giving each other grace and mercy.

Below are a few pictures. The first three are from Tyler's (14 years old) Biology lab in which he had to dissect a cray fish. It turned into an adventure for all three kids. There was lots of "ewww, and peee-ew and then many giggles!" But in the end they learned probably more about cray fish then they ever wanted to know! LOL!

Now this morning, and this inspired my post, I walked into the living room to find Tyler helping Rachel with her Math. This just turned me all to mush!! I snuck my camera in and took this shot before the moment was over!!

Homeschooling is such hard work, I won't tell anyone otherwise. But it is soooo worth it all!! If I had it to do over again I would definitely make the same choice again!!

New York City!!

2008-03-12T18:09:00.009-05:00

We arrived at our hotel in Queens at about 1:00 p.m. on Thursday. Within an hour we had dropped our stuff in our room, eaten a quick lunch and headed to the Subway. Off we went! The Subway was a bit scary at first...it's very loud and moves and jolts...then there is the fear of getting off in the wrong place! We got that mistake out of the way that first trip, but fortunately discovered our error and got on the right Subway back to where we were suppose to be!
Rachel and I headed to the American Girl Place while Robin and the boys shopped in Rockafeller Center.

Here is Rachel in front of Samantha's display. She is loving every minute of this!

Here she is, in the cafe.

After having Tea in the cafe we went the Musical "Circle of Friends." It was SOOOO wonderful!! All the girls and adults in the show obviously had lots of vocal training! The songs were very "Broadway" in style and there were lots of great lessons in the story: "Never Give Up", "Be a True Friend," "Don't Love People for Their Riches or Fine Clothes or Popularity but for Their Heart", "Don't Look Down on Someone who Doesn't have as much as You," that sort of thing.
After the show, the young actresses came out to sign autographs.

While we were in American Girl, the boys and Robin went shopping and to "Nintendo World". There they found lots of Game Boys set up in the store to play as well as 23 (yes they counted!) Wii machines with flat screen TV's to play on...yes they were quite content! ;)

We wish we would have brought our ice skates!!

The buildings are a bit taller than in Maine...yeah QUITE a bit!

The kids quickly adjusted and became pros at travelling on the Subways!

One Day 2, we decided to do our sightseeing...

It's pretty expensive to take the ferry to Ellis Island, so we chose the FREE ferry that goes BY the Statue of Liberty. Yes, she looks just as beautiful from afar!! :)

Next we headed to Ground Zero, the sight where the World Trade Center stood. This was a sobering trip, especially right after viewing "Lady Liberty." Rachel was too young to remember 9/11 so she had lots of questions for us. It is a story difficult to tell, that there would be people out there who desire in their hearts to murder so many men, women and children.

This is the church across the street. I had read about it in a Karen Kingsbury book but was not sure it was real since the book was fiction. But it is. The rescue workers slept in the church on cots and they were ministered to there. How appropriate that a church would do this important work. Today there is memorobilia inside from pictures to letters from adults and children, to fire helmets and anything else you can imagine from that dark time. The tone inside is hushed as people move around the room from spot to spot. I did not feel right taking pictures inside. There was a funeral feel to it and I felt disrespectful to pull out my camera. (This was a historical church previously and you can see the seat where George Washington sat while there.)

This is a memorial bell dedicated to those who died on 9/11. It is in the front yard of the church. Behind the children, across the street, is the empty spot where the towers stood. :(

Next we headed toward the Empire State building. In a light moment, we found a replica of the Statue of Liberty. Why did we go out on a ferry when she was right on the street? HAHA!!

Yep, we were on the top of that building!! It was very cool to look around the city from so high! We could see the Statue of Liberty and were amazed at how far we travelled underground on the Subway.
Having come from the World Trade Center I could not help but think about what it would feel like to be attacked when you were so high up from the ground.

Now here is the REAL reason we were in the city!! Tyler had two soccer games on Saturday!! Here he is warming up in goal. It was not a good day for pictures; there was heavy winds and rain and even thunder and lightening. It was a bit of a monsoon!! I stayed with the younger kids in the hotel so they would not be out in that weather.
Tyler's team lost their games, but Tyler was excited to have played in the Old Met Oval where Pele once played!!

It was a great trip. There are so many people, so many languages. I am not a city girl, I love the country, but if I were to live in NYC it would be for ministry! There is such a concentration of people with very obvious needs. I found myself praying for people individually that I saw on the Subways and streets. In the city you can reach so many more people at a time it seems. It would be hard to live in the city, but at the same time how exciting to be used of God!!

Back from the "Big City!"

2008-03-09T19:30:00.005-05:00

"New York City is the whole world under one roof." Christian Twombly

The above quote was my 11 year old son's overall impression of New York City as a response to seeing so many different peoples and cultures in one place. This is where we were and this is why I have been away from the computer. I knew my husband wouldn't want me announcing on the internet that we left our house empty!! :)

We were there because our 14 year old son, Tyler, had two soccer games in Brooklyn on Saturday and we decided to go as a family and see the city!

I will write more later as we are just now in. But it was an exciting few days where we saw New York City:

From top:

(The kids on top of the Eiffel Tower checking out the top of the city.)

To bottom:

(The kids on the Subway, checking out the city underground.)

I'll be away from the computer for a few days.

2008-03-05T19:11:00.002-05:00

The above is a picture of Kettle Cove in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. It is a beautiful spot and my way of reminding myself that summer WILL come!!

I will be away from the computer for a few days. I'll see you all on Monday or Tuesday!

Super Sunday

2008-03-02T20:17:00.006-05:00

Hello!
I hope you are having a Super Day! Today was a quiet day. Rachel was not feeling well so she and I stayed home from church while the guys went to church. I missed being able to go to church but I am so thankful to go to a church with so many wonderful people to miss! I will get to hear the sermon online which is another blessing.
Here is a dishcloth I knitted up recently. It is a dolphin leaping over the waves. I really enjoyed making it! Very fun! It was designed by Rhonda White (www.knittingnonsense.com) and I knitted it on size 7 needles:

Now I must warn you if you decide to knit any of these designs because you saw them here that I knit left handed so all my pictures come out opposite of the pattern! Yes, I am backwards!! So YOUR dophin would be jumping in the opposite direction!!

I did some knitting today too, not too much though. Here's what ended up in my lap as I was trying to knit!! LOL!

This poor dog needs some grooming love! Maybe tomorrow...

I have 4 different knitting projects and one quilting project going! Oh, that is bad! One knitting project is my sock. I got nervous about turning the heel. I need to just dive in for better or worse! As for sewing I need to just get out my sewing machine and leave it up. That is the only way to get anything done!

Speaking of finding a place to leave up my sewing machine, I have a yearning to move the furniture around in the house and change things up. Yes, such is the restlessness that is March! C'mon spring!! On the bright side with all this snow, I could actually dunk a basketball like Michael Jordan!! How you ask? Well, just look at the hoop! I think I can reach it... LOL!

No Need For Words

2008-02-28T18:09:00.002-05:00

The Journey of Hospitality

2008-02-24T19:39:00.006-05:00

Let me just confess that the picture of my dear pup has nothing to do with this post...well except maybe that I want my guests to feel as comfy when they come to my home as my pup looks!! Hows that for a stretch to make a connection? LOL!!

I was thinking today about my journey in being someone who opens her home to others. I have always wanted to be the kind of person who has an open home full of people and love. But it has not always come naturally to me. I have had to work at it, that is for sure!

When my husband and I were married, we lived in a really tiny apartment in a not so safe neighborhood in Portland, Maine. We did open our home. We had a prayer meeting in our home one night a week and had men over from my husband's Bible Study for meals. We also had occasional couples over. I remember that our closet held all our clutter. It was a small closet but it was packed as tight as the contents of a trash compactor!! One time when last minute company was coming, I quickly deposited a counter full of dirty dishes into our bathtub, closed the curtain and prayed no one would look! LOL! Oh those were the days!!

Since then we have lived in large homes and tiny homes. I smile knowingly when I read Paul's words in Phil. 4:12: "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty." :) Is it easier to offer hospitality in a larger home? Mostly yes, unless I have let it get too dirty. (um, yeah...) Is it impossible to offer hospitality in a small home? No. I have learned that I am more worried about the state of my home than the people who visit.

The hardest period of my life in having people over was definitely when my children were little. Mothers of young children sometimes need to be patient with themselves, at least until you have the first two grown to about the age of 10. Then you can have them help and they start to become good helpers!!

I did still open my home, but not quite as much and it felt like a lot more work. Little hands can make big messes. Little bodies need consistency and a good nap. But I planned hospitality around my husband's schedule and he was always willing to help. I also had what I called "clutter boxes". Clutter like papers that I had not dealt with but needed to disappear were boxed or bagged before company came. I am so thankful I don't have to do that anymore but it was a necessary evil at the time.

Now my children are 14, 11 and 10. It is not uncommon to have people in my home 3 days in a week. But with the help of my children and many times my husband, we can pull the house together in no time and have a nice meal on the table.

Here are a few things I have learned along the way:

~There is no shame in a paper plate!!

~Most everyone loves roasted chicken or beef with gravy, mashed potatoes and a veggie. And the meat can be cooked the day before and then just heated in the gravy.

~If you can laugh at yourself and have a good sense of humor, it is much easier to bring people into your home. I mean when you run out of gas in the grill and then procede to burn the meat in the oven, just have a good laugh, call the pizza guy, and eat dessert first! :)

~The more often you invite people over the easier it is. If you go too long between guests it gets harder to have anyone over.

~Sometimes you need the pressure of inviting someone over in order to get your house "company ready."

~"Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting with strife." Prov. 17:1 People love to be welcomed with love. Modest fare is not an issue.

~When your motive is to bless and serve others in the Name of Jesus, you will be blessed!!

On and Off

2008-02-23T08:23:00.003-05:00

As predicted, my husband found my camera cord! I won't even tell you where it was because it will make me look really bad!! LOL!!

Instead, let's focus on the positive! Here is the sock I am working on. I am just starting the heel. I feel like I am doing a project with a blindfold on. Having never done it, I am blindly trusting the pattern.

Here is the Mid-Month February Dishcloth KAL. It is the first time I have ever tried to knit with two colors at once. I love the pattern! I think it would make pretty place mats! I'll have to give some thought as to how to increase the pattern. Anyway here it is:

What are you working on today?

I'm LOOOOOOST!!!!

2008-02-22T10:04:00.002-05:00

Okay, so I am not lost. BUT more importantly, I can't find the cord to my camera so that I can post pics!! Oh NO! A blog without pics??

Enough whining...my husband will help me find it when he gets home and he is really good at finding stuff!!

Meanwhile I am working up the Mid Month Dishcloth Knit Along and I am loving it! It is so pretty. I can't wait to show you! I am also considering joining another Dishcloth KAL that knits a cloth every week. I could do that now but once spring hits it would be hard to keep up. But perhaps it is worth a try.

I am also knitting my first pair of socks. I am almost ready to knit the heel. I hope I can do it!!

We have a busy weekend ahead. Tonight, Tyler and two friends are attending our Youth Group's lock in. Tomorrow (Saturday) Christian has a soccer game. Sunday we are having a couple from church over for lunch. I think I might make a Yankee Pot Roast Dinner and they are bringing dessert. So, there is lots of fun planned! :)

What is going on at your house this weekend??

Rachel is 10!

2008-02-18T08:01:00.008-05:00

It has been a bit since I have posted! One reason is that we were focused on Rachel's birthday! She is a Valentine Child, born at 6 a.m. on Feb. 14th! She was our Valentine present from God.

We had a little family party on her actual birthday. You can see below the happy girl opening her new cookbook, new journal, and lights for her dance mirrors. :)

Her big party was this past Saturday at Eternity Dance Studio, her dance studio. The owner/head teacher taught a Hip Hop class with some classic Hip Hop moves, popping and locking and break dancing. Even the boys had a great time! They had a freestyle circle and played a Dance Freeze game too. After cake and ice cream and presents they all went back into the room to dance to some "Toby Mac", everyone's favorite. What a fun party!!

Here you can see my attempt at a "Hip Hop" cake!

Here's the whole crew! What a fun day!

Mid Winter Projects

2008-02-13T14:06:00.005-05:00

Happy Wednesday! Today we are getting another foot of snow with I nice layer of ice on top. Such is winter in Maine and we are getting it in full force this year!

The kids are finding projects to keep them busy, especially my younger two. Tyler stays busy enough with his High School work, Soccer league, and learning guitar. Christian decided he wants to learn Ancient Hebrew so he is deep into a book Robin gave him. The above picture shows his copywork of the alphabet. Rachel decided she wanted to make some Ancient Chinese characters with play doh so above is the fruit of her labor. :) She also just got a book on how to draw landscapes and how to draw people (I found what I think is the only book with instructions on drawing the human body when the models have their private areas covered!).

I have lots of projects on my list. I have tons left to do on my quilt from "Crazy Mom Quilts". I am drafting a pattern for a Lighthouse Cloth. I found a beautiful "Home Sweet Home" cloth I want to knit up. I am also determined to knit socks for the first time. Yesterday I bought Patons Kroy Socks Yarn. It is that cool yarn that makes stripes as you knit. I bought some double pointed sock needles too. I am ready to dive in!

I'll post project pics soon. The days are just flying by and I am finding little time for my projects. Tomorrow is Rachel's birthday and she will be 10 years old! I can't believe it!! Well, the lights keep flickering so I am going to click "Publish Post" while I still can! Have a great day!!

You've Just Gotta Laugh...Or You'll Cry!

2008-02-09T09:48:00.000-05:00

Today I would like to share some things I am choosing to laugh at. :)

1. I have been trying my hardest to view winter through "rose colored glasses" this year. It was a goal of mine. But, I would like to share with you today that I am trapped in a snow globe!! Here is our snow, lovingly piled up by my husband with a shovel and his aching back and three helpers:

2. Funny #2 is that after 36 hours of light snow, we will get about 8 inches tonight!

3. Why wasn't my toaster working this morning? Why couldn't I push my bagel down? OH! Of course!! There was a small rubber ball lodged in it! Turns out my darling son had lost his ball!! His response, "I guess I shouldn't have kicked it!" Five minutes after it was found and given back to its owner I hear, "Has anyone seen my ball?" Sigh...I mean...LOL...can't forget my choice to laugh!!

4. Three rows from the end of this cloth, I run out of yarn! Well, at least I can get to the store before the snow starts!

If you're sick of making lemonade from the lemons of life, might I suggest a good laugh??

What's to Love about Winter?

2008-02-07T15:33:00.000-05:00

I am thankful that all of my children are learning an instrument. It is a wonderful gift to be able to play and sing music. And, there is plenty of time to practice in the winter!

Now you know, once spring comes, everyone wants to go outside. This is a good thing of course. But some things get put in the corner in favor of outdoor time. So I appreciate the "settledness" of winter when we practice our instruments more, learn more techniques in art and have time to focus on hobbies and learning.

This week it is snowing more than it is clear and my snow banks go half way up the length of our windows. BUT, won't the kids' music instructors be surprised at how well they know their instrument lessons (*wink*)!

February Knit Along

2008-02-06T19:01:00.000-05:00

I just completed the Feb. Knit Along Cloth. At first I couldn't quite understand it. But then when I saw the pic I realized it is a heart with a bow tied around it. Yeah, I'm a little slow!! Anyway, I like it!!

Super Saturday!

2008-02-02T09:37:00.000-05:00

The above is a cloth designed by Rhonda K. White at Knitting Nonsense. She calls it a Moose/Reindeer whatever your preference. I think it's a deer. ;) I really love her designs. She puts a all knit row for even rows and this makes the designs knit up so fast!

Today is mostly a day at home. (YAY!) I need to take Rachel to a Hip Hop dress rehearsal. My little b-girl has a competition on Sunday. This morning in between loads of laundry and tidying I am knitting up a dophin cloth. I hope to also get all my cloth cut for the remainder of quilt blocks for Crazy Mom Quilt's Quilt Along. Then tomorrow afternoon I can just sew them up quick. Yes, very exciting!

I hope to try "real quilting" on this one rather than tying it together as I have in the past. It's time to learn something new!

I hope everyone reading this is having a Super Saturday!

Cleaning Schedules

2008-02-01T13:55:00.000-05:00

From www.allposters.com.

I am working on tweeking our cleaning schedules again. One schedule never works for me indefinitely. There are always seasons that come and go and merit a change.

I really cannot function around the chaos that clutter brings. Now I have heard al the arguments that my children are young for along a short time and we ought to put down the broom and play with the children. Well I have never been accused of being a neat freak! But at the same time, I can't concentrate and enjoy much when things are a mess.

My method used to be to try to stay up with dishes, laundry, having everything put back in its place, and one room deep cleaned a day. In that way even if you had to miss a day of deep cleaning things never got too out of hand. But as it turned out it is just as easy to dust the whole downstairs once you have everything out or to vacuum the whole floor all at once.

So now we will:

Monday: Catch up with general tidying from the busy weekend.
Tuesday: Deep clean the downstairs.
Wednesday: Deep clean the upstairs and both bathrooms.
Thursday: Make sure nothing is missed. Do things like the frig. and other things that fell through the cracks.
Friday: Tidy for the weekend and declutter.

Deep clean to me is: Windex, dust, vacuum all surfaces and trim work and anything that stays still! This includes under furniture and in cushions. Inside, outside, up and down is all cleaned. I rotate the kids on chores so they all get trained. Plus the child who has mastered that chore will be doing it every couple of weeks to bring the quality back! :) I do teach during the time and point things out that need another swipe!

With three kids ages, 14, 11, and 9 almost 10, it really doesn't take long each day. I can't say enough what a blessing it has been to have trained the kids to help. With a very bad back I just can't do it alone! But it is good for them too because they are being trained to care for the house. (At least that's what I tell them...haha!!)

Our schedule looks like this:

High Schooler is up and showered and ready for school by 7:30 a.m. High School is from 7:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Going over that is rare and usually only to study for a test. Chores are 3:30, or sometimes 4:00 p.m. if laundry needs to be folded too.

Elementary School for the other two is 8 a.m.-2 p.m. with chores from 2-2:30 or 3:00 depending on need.

This doesn't count laundry being put in and switched through the day or dishes which are done at lunch time and supper time. We also do what we call "room by room and up the stairs" at lunch time and after supper dishes. This is when everyone puts away what was not put away when they were done using it and the bedrooms get a quick tidy.

When we are faithful to this we can have the house company ready in 10 minutes, anytime. It's a beautiful thing!

I love to look at other's schedules for ideas so if you want to share you have a listening ear in me!

This Time of Year You Start Climbin' the Walls!

2008-01-31T12:21:00.000-05:00

Yep, tomorrow is February 1rst. Deep winter drives you to these things... This is my dear husband, climbin' the walls!! LOL!

Heartstrings~My First Full Size Self Made Design!

2008-01-29T09:47:00.000-05:00

This is my first design. I am calling it "Heartstrings". You are so welcome to knit it up, it is free for your personal use. If you do knit it and have suggestions for improvement I would love to hear your comments! Note: You have my permission to sell the cloths you knit from this pattern. Just do not sell the pattern or take credit for the pattern. Thank you!

Here is the pattern:
With size 7 needles, mine came out to be about 8.5 inches wide and about 10 inches long.

k=knit
p=purl
yo=yarn over
skpo=slip 1, knit 1, pass the slipped stitch over the knitted stitch drop it for a decrease.

Cast on 40

1. k1, p1 across
2. k1, p1 across
3. k1, p1 across
4. k1, p1 across
5. k1, p1, k1, p 34, k1, p1, k1
6. p1, k1, p1, k3, yo, skpo, yo, skpo, k3, yo skpo, yo skpo, k 6, yo skpo, yo skpo,
k3, yo skpo, yo skpo, k 3 p1, k1, p1
7. k1, p1, k1, purl 34, k1, p1, k1
8. p1, k1, p1, k2, yo, skpo, k3, yo, skpo, yo, skpo, k2, yo skpo, , k4, yo, skpo,k, yo, skpo, yo, skpo, k2, yo, skpo, k2, p1, k1, p1
9. k1, p1, k1, purl 34, k1, p1, k1
10. p1, k1, p1, k1, yo, skpo, k5, yo, skpo, k4, yo, skpo, k2, yo, skpo, k5, yo, skpo, k4, yo, skpo, k1, p1, k1, p1
11. k1, p1, k1, p34, k1, p1, k1
12. p1, k1, p1, yo, skpo, k13, yo, skpo, yo, skpo, k13, yo, skpo, p1, k1, p1
13. k1, p1, k1, p34, k1, p1, k1
14. p1, k1, p1, yo, skpo, k13, yo, skpo, yo, skpo, k13, yo, skpo, p1, k1, p1
15. k1, p1, k1, p34, k1, p1, k1
16. p1, k1, p1, k1, yo, skpo, k11, yo, skpo, k2, yo, skpo, k11, yo, skpo, k1, p1,k1, p1
17. k1, p1, k1, p34, k1, p1, k1
18. p1, k1, p1, k2, yo, skpo, k9, yo, skpo, k4, yo, skpo, k9, yo, skpo, k2, p1, k1,
p1
19. k1, p1, k1, p34, k1, p1, k1
20. p1, k1, p1, k3, yo, skpo, k7, yo, skpo, k6, yo, skpo, k7, yo, skpo, k3, p1, k1,
p1
21. k1, p1, k1, p34, k1, p1, k1
22. p1, k1, p1, k4, yo, skpo, k5, yo, skpo, k8, yo, skpo, k5, yo, skpo, k4, p1, k1,
p1
23. k1, p1, k1, p34, k1, p1, k1
24. p1, k1, p1, k5, yo, skpo, k3, yo, skpo, k10, yo, skpo, k3, yo, skpo, k5, p1, k1, p1
25. k1, p1, k1, p34, k1, p1, k1
26. p1, k1, p1, k6, yo, skpo, k1, yo, skpo, k12, yo, skpo, k1, yo, skpo, k6, p1, k1, p1
27. k1, p1, k1, p 34, k1, p1, k1
28. p1, k1, p1, k8, yo, skpo, k15, yo, skpo, k7, p1, k1, p1
29. k1, p1, k1, p34, k1, p1, k1
30. p1, k1, p1, knit across, p1, k1, k1
31. k1, p1, k1, purl 34, k1, p1, k1
32. p1, k1, p1, k3, yo, skpo, yo, skpo, k3, yo skpo, yo skpo, k 6, yo skpo, yo skpo, k3, yo skpo, yo skpo,k3 p1, k1, p1
33. k1, p1, k1, purl 34, k1, p1, k1
34. p1, k1, p1, k2, yo, skpo, k3, yo, skpo, yo, skpo, k2, yo skpo, , k4, yo, skpo,
k3, yo, skpo, yo, skpo, k2, yo, skpo, k2, p1, k1, p1
35. k1, p1, k1, purl 34, k1, p1, k1
36. p1, k1, p1, k1, yo, skpo, k5, yo, skpo, k4, yo, skpo, k2, yo, skpo, k5, yo, skpo, k4, yo, skpo, k1, p1, k1, p1
37. k1, p1, k1, p34, k1, p1, k1
38. p1, k1, p1, yo, skpo, k13, yo, skpo, yo, skpo, k13, yo, skpo, p1, k1, p1
39. k1, p1, k1, p34, k1, p1, k1
40. p1, k1, p1, yo, skpo, k13, yo, skpo, yo, skpo, k13, yo, skpo, p1, k1, p1
41. k1, p1, k1, p34, k1, p1, k1
42. p1, k1, p1, k1, yo, skpo, k11, yo, skpo, k2, yo, skpo, k11, yo, skpo, k1, p1,k1, p1
43. k1, p1, k1, p34, k1, p1, k1
44. p1, k1, p1, k2, yo, skpo, k9, yo, skpo, k4, yo, skpo, k9, yo, skpo, k2, p1, k1,p1
45. k1, p1, k1, p34, k1, p1, k1
46. p1, k1, p1, k3, yo, skpo, k7, yo, skpo, k6, yo, skpo, k7, yo, skpo, k3, p1, k1,p1
47. k1, p1, k1, p34, k1, p1, k1
48. p1, k1, p1, k4, yo, skpo, k5, yo, skpo, k8, yo, skpo, k5, yo, skpo, k4, p1, k1,p1
49. k1, p1, k1, p34, k1, p1, k1
50. p1, k1, p1, k5, yo, skpo, k3, yo, skpo, k10, yo, skpo, k3, yo, skpo, k5, p1, k1, p1
51. k1, p1, k1, p34, k1, p1, k1
52. p1, k1, p1, k6, yo, skpo, k1, yo, skpo, k12, yo, skpo, k1, yo, skpo, k6, p1, k1, p1
53. k1, p1, k1, p 34, k1, p1, k1
54. p1, k1, p1, k8, yo, skpo, k15, yo, skpo, k7, p1, k1, p1
55. k1, p1, k1, p34, k1, p1, k1
56. p1, k1, p1, k34, p1, k1, p1
57. k1, p1, across
58. k1, p1, across
59. k1, p1, across
60. k1, p1 across
Cast off.
Heartstrings copyright, Karen Twombly 2008.

Marvelous Monday!

2008-01-28T14:26:00.000-05:00

Today has been a good day. But you know what I constantly realize about myself? I am really good at making busy days for myself! I always have these self appointed projects that I feel pressured to finish in a certain time period. I am not sure why I am so driven in this way; it kind of defeats the purpose of being a stay at home wife and mom! Perhaps someday I will conquer this.

Of course we must do our homeschool work and I am quite glad to feel some sort of pressure concerning that. I want my children to gain the best education I can offer. But today I had it in my mind that I just HAD to finish another square and that I just HAD to finish a cloth I am knitting. WHY? I don't know!! There is no craft police that I know of to catch me half done!! LOL!!

Anyway, the above quilt block is Block #2 from Crazy Mom Quilts. I enjoyed making it very much. I did have to tear out one seam and redo that part since I had some of it upside down but that was an easy fix.

It is crisp and cold in Maine today. I try to remind myself that I need to be thankful for the cold. It keeps me inside crafting! Once warm weather hits, then it is time to spend spare moments outside gardening and beautifying the yard and taking the kids to the beach. So the cold is good for some things!

What creative projects are you working on?

Show 'n Tell and other Weekend Happenings

2008-01-27T20:13:00.000-05:00

Here it is! This is Quilt Square #10 from
Crazy Mom Quilts., I finally pulled everything out so I could complete it! Now I'll keep it out and hopefully do one more square tomorrow.

I might have had this square done yesterday but I got obsessed with designing my own dishcloth. Hopefully it will be ready to share either tomorrow or Tuesday by the latest.

We had a good weekend. I hate to see it end. Yesterday Robin did all the running around with the kids so that I could have a day at home. It was downright luxurious! Today, we woke to snow. However, since Tyler was due to be baptized at church today we still went. Besides the fact that it was a great service, I cannot even begin to express what a thrill it was to see my firstborn son baptized!

It seems like yesterday he was a newborn and I was offering him to the Lord and asking the Lord to reach down and save my dear son. My biggest prayer is that all three of my children would put their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. I want them to be in Heaven for eternity with me and their dad!!

As I watched Tyler step into the baptismal tank and tell everyone in church that he had put his faith in Christ, I had a full circle moment. I will be forever grateful to God for answering this particular prayer! I was so overwhelmed by the fact that what I had hoped for, wished for, prayed for and dreamed about had come to fruition!! God is so good and His mercy endures forever! Hallelujah!!!

Friday's Thoughts

2008-01-25T07:32:00.000-05:00

Do you ever wish you were a dog? Once in awhile I am tempted to be jealous of my dog's life! But I have to remind myself that I would get bored after awhile...maybe... LOL!

It has been a busy week. I haven't had much time beyond homeschooling and getting the kids to their activities. I have missed those snow storms that up to this point have been giving us a day off at least once a week! :) I have done a small amount of knitting but little else. But perhaps I can make up for it over the weekend!

I have so appreciated everyone's comments on my blog. Thank you for letting me know you visited and all the sweet comments!

Sylvia, how I would love to live near you! Flute lessons are just one reason that sounds wonderful! Oh and after reading everyone's "Learning Wish List" I must add to mine! I would also like to:
1. Learn to Crochet
2. Learn to Sew Clothes for people and for my daughter's American Girl Doll!

Have a great day, all! Hopefully by tomorrow I will be showing another quilt square done!

Things to Learn...

2008-01-22T08:08:00.000-05:00

Today I am thinking about all the things I would like to learn. They are as follows:

1. To learn to play the flute.
2. To learn to knit a sweater, mittens, and socks.
3. To learn to put a quilt together with the backing that wraps around to make a binding and to learn to quilt it together.

With the third, I have always put my quilts together like a big pillow. With right sides together and binding laid down I sew all around the edges and then turn it right side out and sew up the whole. Then I keep it in place with the tying method using embroidery floss. I have never actually done a quilted quilt, kwim?

I am thinking of doing a wall hanging or table run to help me learn on a smaller project.

For #2, if I can ever get a free night (smiling while I say this, really!), I would like to go and knit at a local Knit Shop. You can go there free and sit with your project and knit with other ladies and the women who work at the store will help you with your project.

For #1, well someday when we have the money I'll buy a flute and a book and go for it! Right now I am in "praying stage!"

What would you like to learn?

Off the Needles!

2008-01-20T13:02:00.000-05:00

I finished the January Mid Month Knit Along today! I really enjoyed this pattern and seeing it come together. I had to take it apart a few times (*smile*) but it was well worth the perseverance!

If anyone is interested in joining this Knit Along the Link in on the right side bar under "Links" listed as "Monthly Knit Along."

"In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you." Psalm 33:21-22

Savoring the Day

2008-01-19T09:39:00.000-05:00

Hello and Happy Saturday!

Today I woke up with the thought, "I am going to savor today!" I am thankful for that thought. It even came before my first cuppa coffee, lol!

I am home today and then I will be attending two soccer games (indoor field of course). Whatever I do, whether it be folding laundry or tidying or cooking or knitting or reading or studying or quilting, I am committed to savoring the joy in it. You might have heard the saying, "wherever you are, be all there;" well that is what I hope to do.

These can be stressful days. With the prices of everything soaring and the bank account diminishing, it is easy to let the trials of life steal joy. But, I don't believe that needs to be. I believe that if I fix my eyes on Jesus and trust him with my circumstances I can rise above the circumstances and enjoy the simple joys of the day.

"Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights."
Habakkuk 3:17-19

I pray for each one reading, that you will have a day of trusting the Lord Jesus and enjoying the simple joys of the day!

January Mid Month KAL and Daily Happenings

2008-01-18T17:26:00.000-05:00

I wanted to show the colors I chose for this mid month Jan. KAL to my fellow "KAL-ites"(and anyone else who is interested!). :) It is a verigated with pink, tan and cream. I really like it and it was on sale! I am glad I like it because it gave me the determination to keep at this cloth despite pulling out rows 3 times and then finally starting all over! But, I prevailed and hopefully through great caution will finish this smoothly!

We finally got out Rachel's sewing machine and she got to try it today. I was waiting for Robin to be home. I didn't understand how to thread it or even how to GET to the bobbin! Yeah, I am not very mechanical! Someone gaves us this machine and I have been saving it for her. She did one puzzle from her Sewing Book and then just played with material and drew out/sewed a little skirt for her doll. I promised her that I would try to find some free doll patterns online this weekend. Here she is, at work for the first time on her sewing machine.

I had to include this. Our dog never ceases to crack us up! He is so good with the kids and keeps them company, going from person to person all day! Here he is, so interested in Christian's game. You never have to worry about being lonely with Dash around! :)

What's going on at your house today?

Crazy Mom Quilt Squares

2008-01-18T17:16:00.000-05:00

I finally got to do some sewing today. I have been trying all week, but between homeschooling and the kids activities there hasn't been much time to dig it all out. Thankfully, today was a stormy day which means we stay home! I did Square #9 and Square #1 from Crazy Mom Quilts. I decided to stay with the same colors for all the squares. We'll see how that goes. I had great fun! My back does not like it when I sew. But each time I find tricks to help.

Today I put my cutting mat on the kitchen counter. That way I didn't have to bend as much. Next time I will try putting my ironing board beside my sewing machine. I get up and down and up and down to sew seams and pin. If I can stay seated to iron that may help too. Somehow I'll get it figured out! ;)

Tomorrow I am promising myself to work on the borders of the T2CHK Swap Quilt. Yes, I am that type of person who has several projects at once...it keeps life interesting!

Here are my blocks:
First is #9 and then #1:

Thankful Thursday

2008-01-17T18:05:00.000-05:00

It's thankful Thursday! I am so thankful for:
My Lord, my family, my home.
I am thankful to be a stay at home mom and to have time to knit and quilt and to do other things I enjoy!
I am thankful for days when the kids are so settled and play quietly. I am glad they can do the things that they enjoy too.

Here is a picture of Christian and Rachel playing "Battleship". The picture is a bit dark but it represents those moments I love to see. :)

Here are my finished projects so far this week. I finished my shawl and Rachel agreed to model it for me. She is such a pretty model!

Below are the dishcloths I have completed so far. The white one is another lighthouse and the blue one is a sailboat. I am presently working on the Mid Month Knit Along for January and a white state of maine cloth.

I have been trying to get to my sewing all week but it hasn't worked out for one reason or another. But tomorrow is suppose to be another stormy day so it will be the perfect time to pull it all out! I want to do this week's block from "Crazy Moms Quilts."

The kids and I have been reading 2 Samuel and we finished it up today. I loved these words in today's reading:
"As for God, his way is perfect;
the word of the Lord is flawless.
He is a shield for all who take refuge in him,
For who is God besides the Lord?
And who is the Rock except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength
and makes my way perfect.
He makes my feet liket he feet of a deer;
he enables me to stand on the heights."
2 Samuel 22:31-34

The Good the Bad and the Ugly!

2008-01-14T15:32:00.000-05:00

When the weather looks like this (beautiful to me but ugly to the ones who shovel!):

Well, then Robin must work from home and join the homeschoolers at the table (the good):

And there is no where to go so mom has time to knit (the VERY good!!). Now these two pics are actually what I accomplished over the weekend...though I have started another today. Anywho, the first is a lighthouse and the second is the state of Maine with the lettering "ME" on the side. (You can find these and other great free patterns at Knitting Nonsense

Now here's the ugly! I had time to bake so seeing as we are having company tomorrow night, I decided to have choc. chip cookies as sandwiches with ice cream in the middle. Well, let's just say that I will likely serve something else for dessert! First I was reading the wrong recipe as there are 3 are on the bag so I used too much sugar. Then I don't know what else happened except I do think I overbeat them. I had a horrible time getting them off my well seasoned stones. But, the kids are very glad to eat my "mistakes!"

I do like to show my failures as well as my successes. Too often young homemakers are discouraged because they see THEIR failures but no one else's failures. But isn't life about both? Failures like a ruined cookie or a crooked sewn seam or a few rows of knitting that must be torn out are things I try not to get too upset over. It is all a part of the process. It's best to learn and move on!! :)

If You Are Looking for Cotton Yarn

2008-01-12T08:22:00.000-05:00

If you are looking for cotton knit yarn, the website below is having a sale and TODAY is the LAST DAY! It is the "Sugar 'n Cream" cotton and they are selling it for $1.12 for 2 ounces and $5.99 for the 16 ounce cone. If you $25.00 or more, shipping is free! WOW! I just had to pass this along. I have never but from them, so shop at your own risk. Here is the link:

Crafts Etc

"Pugly"

2008-01-11T22:29:00.000-05:00

I have entered my name for the first time in a blog give-away!! Denise, at her blog (listed below), is asking people to name her the pig in the piggy potholder. The pig is adorable, by the way! I named her (yes, I decided it must be a HER) Pugly...I don't know why...maybe because pigs have a puggy-like nose... :) Go check it out for yourself and see if it doesn't scream "Pugly" to you too!! Here is the link: Hen and Chicks

The Square Formerly Known as "8"

2008-01-11T15:53:00.000-05:00

The above square was my big project for today. I found this pattern at http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/ . She has one square per week and then when you are done you have a full quilt! This was square #8 for her but square #1 for me (thus my title!)! :)

This was a fun square, and despite having to rip it apart twice, it was easy! ;) I think I am either rusty or inexperienced or both! But I am going to try to make all of the squares and I think I will learn alot. At the very least, I know I will have many hours of enjoyment getting back into quilting. My plan is to do 2 squares per week until I am all caught up or it ends, whichever leaves me with all the squares complete and a pretty quilt on my bed!

And the Beat Goes On!

2008-01-10T15:12:00.000-05:00

Rachel's long awaited day has arrived! Today she got to sit at my sewing machine and begin learning to sew on it. She did a marvelous job; she takes to things quite quickly.

You can see how intent she is! We are using the little book pictured below. I really like this book. It starts you out doing mazes and dot to dot puzzles using the sewing machine. She did two of these exercises on paper and then I gave her two pieces of cloth to sew together that will become a pillow for a doll. She did so well, I think we will make a little quilt for her doll together. It's a happy day!

Her is my progress on the swap quilt. The rows are complete and I have done half of the first border. I will be doing a double border. The backing has been sewn together as well. It is slow going. After one piece of border is cut, sewn and ironed my back is protesting loudly! But I am thankful to be able to do it at all!