tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41826040708229797812024-02-19T18:02:13.519-06:00The Twinners:Glimpses into the life of our teen twinner boys...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00043725161477223825noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4182604070822979781.post-77749962819567588172015-01-07T21:50:00.000-06:002015-01-07T21:51:05.855-06:00Sixteen And A New Year~It's January. Rather chilly here and yet my heart is warm because our sons have gotten a job at Taco Bell. <br />
This comes on the heels of momma's prayers and dad working two jobs! Time to do a little more activity...and make some cash!<br />
So, today we watched Dave Ramsey's video on investing and I am so excited for what I LEARNED! I've always wondered what stocks and bonds were! NOW I KNOW! Sad, but true. NO shame for this gal that wants to continue to invest in eternal truths.<br />
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I suppose photos will be coming! In the meantime, I'm rejoicing in God's provision. A dear friend dropped by and gave me $50 for things to help with the boys needing to have black socks, shoes, pants, and a belt so they can start!<br />
Wow!<br />
So thankful.<br />
God is our provider...<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00043725161477223825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4182604070822979781.post-4531083313348468252014-11-05T20:56:00.000-06:002014-11-05T21:00:26.082-06:00We're Already Through The First Quarter<i>...and my favorite subject has been <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Critical-Thinker-Vincent-Ruggiero/dp/049590905X">Critical Thinking</a>! </i>Whether or not they see the value of this course is yet to be determined, but I have to confess that I am learning things I wish I'd have learned when I was their age! The greatest benefit from mom taking the course along with them is that <i>I get to apply it to them and discuss, very often, how they aren't thinking critically about a certain issue or when their emotions have washed over their thinking and they only want to see things one way.</i> <br />
THIS IS A GREAT COURSE~<br />
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The Easy Peasy courses they're taking have, at times, been very dry, but I've reminded them to 'just jump through the hoops!' <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaM0nVMUid74Acr9iN0Xaa6T4X-h-mGUxTxfXcFtCVqMxenx3pcuBDAc55lrZTF0ZimChwlzKk-MOXEwhFsCboAXZ2VGs4KRWsHpTe6gmvaU7GOXKB_B02Upxfai-OYnxeZx-9Ix8xQBM/s1600/IMG_3254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaM0nVMUid74Acr9iN0Xaa6T4X-h-mGUxTxfXcFtCVqMxenx3pcuBDAc55lrZTF0ZimChwlzKk-MOXEwhFsCboAXZ2VGs4KRWsHpTe6gmvaU7GOXKB_B02Upxfai-OYnxeZx-9Ix8xQBM/s1600/IMG_3254.JPG" height="320" width="256" /></a>But the greatest lessons learned have been those involving laying down their lives for others, particularly the family staying with us as well as little Josh. It's been a challenging lesson for all of us. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwLqG7P18hABu9_TYfTFzwtt1qTYiN_M9KvrbLDCz1EWfqrHVA7hahh94IRof65JfyLfGpKbTsnVHFqmh22q_LgpFn9AMfoJYtl14WbLnclo0v04iYO8rQlOo0cJFD8XgmSv-KUltFRI/s1600/IMG_9873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwLqG7P18hABu9_TYfTFzwtt1qTYiN_M9KvrbLDCz1EWfqrHVA7hahh94IRof65JfyLfGpKbTsnVHFqmh22q_LgpFn9AMfoJYtl14WbLnclo0v04iYO8rQlOo0cJFD8XgmSv-KUltFRI/s1600/IMG_9873.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFxb_cyaDW30xG45mWo2eyp9RuGsgqO5a5HJNOE80fBhw936rqnNoiycX7jPGVECOk-xS-BGvHRCs8hWAVMBc4N_F3PZ_Q6V5IubcKlQ4bd2ypbowo4kDiV_lHKOg6qHDMFc_GmRp2eM/s1600/IMG_9875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFxb_cyaDW30xG45mWo2eyp9RuGsgqO5a5HJNOE80fBhw936rqnNoiycX7jPGVECOk-xS-BGvHRCs8hWAVMBc4N_F3PZ_Q6V5IubcKlQ4bd2ypbowo4kDiV_lHKOg6qHDMFc_GmRp2eM/s1600/IMG_9875.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a>Having Joshie with us has been fantastic. He has to be the easiest baby ever. He adores both boys and absolutely loves the attention they give him, plus they enjoy getting away from their computer to sit on the swing together or take him for a stroll down the block. <br />
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Life is great with twinners. <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00043725161477223825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4182604070822979781.post-5736627362345137012014-09-05T23:06:00.002-05:002014-09-05T23:06:32.863-05:00We're moving forward...As things do go, our educational endeavors have been good this week...<br />
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We completed the first week and I have to say how thankful I am to have found '<a href="http://allinonehighschool.com/">Easy Peasy'</a> because the online Anatomy and Physiology and English courses (that are free!) are perfect. They're interesting, not bogged down in accumulating facts or boring. Yay!!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5aydJR0b-G7BIPalQ6ooCSRVn_3L2HO0FhP_i0840SZIrW6VoMO86jQF3B7D5Fx6OV-vHOtNGn56bGWqAXzzX00QGrUA4JHnpN9F249EQqae025kNxw5BPHlis5OebCKlWjyhb4AcCHc/s1600/IMG_3296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5aydJR0b-G7BIPalQ6ooCSRVn_3L2HO0FhP_i0840SZIrW6VoMO86jQF3B7D5Fx6OV-vHOtNGn56bGWqAXzzX00QGrUA4JHnpN9F249EQqae025kNxw5BPHlis5OebCKlWjyhb4AcCHc/s1600/IMG_3296.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a>All this 'learning' amidst taking care of little Josh who had a double ear infection...he's looking much better today!<br />
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Life is good.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00043725161477223825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4182604070822979781.post-64846826568567858512014-08-30T01:36:00.001-05:002014-08-30T01:43:16.165-05:00Can it be so?Is it really possible that one can blink and sixteen years become history? Gone are the days of wiping their nose, lathering up little pudgy fingers before dinner and saying bedtime prayers. No more cuddling up with the same book in bed together night after night, playing with flashlights in the dark, giggling and tickling, singing 'Silly songs with Larry' or spraying them with the hose while they jumped on the trampoline or jumped out of the tree onto the trampoline, all the while holding my breath.<br />
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Can it be so that I've reached the final stretch of my parenting years and I battle not having done it 'perfectly'? I do regret not being more patient or patient at all sometimes, not listening when they rattled on and on about what seemed insignificant to me and yet was so important to them at that moment that they just HAD to share it with me. And they did. And I listened, half-heartedly. And I can't go back.<br />
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But I can go forward.<br />
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They celebrated their sixteenth with their old school buddies on a Saturday. It was a bittersweet time because we aren't going back to that co-op this year. That was a tough decision to make, but it was the wisest.<br />
So, they asked if they could invite their school friends to a skate rink and that's just what we did.<br />
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But, the greatest gift they received was having their brother, Daniel, surprise them by driving here from Tampa and put himself in a box. Isaac almost punched Dan in the head as he punched the top of the box! They were so happy to see him. It was the first time they'd seen him since he left on their fifteenth birthday and that made this one even more sweet!<br />
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Hubby and I have 'joined forces' to work together this year...hey, so what if there's only two years left? Working as a team is so exciting to me. He's teaching Economics, Bible (a study he's doing with a few guys and the boys!), and also History. <br />
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We'll still be keeping Joshua and that interaction is so refreshing to them...they love him so much.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgP6y8kPwC7dDM4iM2jkUVyAPOsq5i87lTdTsPb6dCWc27ZbjIv6x_AE0Xz-xy78KNI3DMSylYe_AnO6sjmn7e2co5OkCJpzGcSuWWfjPvUsxzrEA3f3CfYRNbaZmaao6Fe6fb9CVHiM/s1600/IMG_2402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgP6y8kPwC7dDM4iM2jkUVyAPOsq5i87lTdTsPb6dCWc27ZbjIv6x_AE0Xz-xy78KNI3DMSylYe_AnO6sjmn7e2co5OkCJpzGcSuWWfjPvUsxzrEA3f3CfYRNbaZmaao6Fe6fb9CVHiM/s1600/IMG_2402.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPieGlrYudaYFo8f4NoSz8mQ0g2I0MmDxDvzpf4GoIzVnh3GV23FBFMriXhlTnMqYxzx7MXTmtFHOLc0QXjDlJCGVo2wvx82ZKB4phVfyn3MUZ51NR3PzF1dsMxlXFyuCVrfI4urTxe0/s1600/IMG_2801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPieGlrYudaYFo8f4NoSz8mQ0g2I0MmDxDvzpf4GoIzVnh3GV23FBFMriXhlTnMqYxzx7MXTmtFHOLc0QXjDlJCGVo2wvx82ZKB4phVfyn3MUZ51NR3PzF1dsMxlXFyuCVrfI4urTxe0/s1600/IMG_2801.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00043725161477223825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4182604070822979781.post-84207669331157015222014-03-13T23:46:00.004-05:002014-03-13T23:50:15.480-05:00When it would be easier to just give up...As the clock ticked away, they grew, changed and got taller. I stayed the same size (at least in height!) They've become much more opinionated about things that back when I last wrote, didn't matter: music, hairstyles, the economy, our president, showering!<br />
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We're in the final eight weeks of their second year of high school. This week is Spring Break and boy, have they had a break. Overnight at friends, friends here overnight, hanging out with youth, air soft battles in the yard, complete with the garb!<br />
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Seeing them in their 'uniforms', shooting each other and Isaac wearing his gas mask serves to remind me of the war that they're in daily. <br />
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One morning, when they were about six years old, maybe younger, God showed me how they were warriors. His warriors. The swords made from paper towel holders, the guns they'd shoot made from ANYTHING THEY HAD IN THEIR HANDS was preparation. <br />
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...and <em>I <strong>HAD TO (have to)</strong> LET THEM FIGHT, HAD TO LET THEM ENGAGE, EVEN WHEN IT MEANT THAT ONE OF THEM WOULD MOST ASSUREDLY GET HURT ACCIDENTALLY (or not) BY THE OTHER ONE!</em><br />
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As their mom, I can encourage (which means to PUT courage <u><strong>in</strong></u>) them to fight the good fight of faith or I can very easily draw my weapons and become the enemy. With words. With my attitude...demanding them to perform quicker, "NOW", "BECAUSE I SAID SO", with no regard to the real war that is waging on the inside of them, the struggles they're battling, giving no thought about the enemy of their soul, bent on destroying our relationship.<br />
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Youth, whether twins or not, are engaged in a very real war. They may not know it; I'm certain they don't. <br />
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Each day they're bombarded with ideas, screaming voices of their flesh, the devil and the world. <br />
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What is my response to this onslaught? Will I battle my own demons and conquer by His Word or will I succumb to the lie that it would be so much easier to just give up and live my own life?<br />
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Today was no exception. <br />
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My heart's cry is to KNOW how to 'stir them up to love and good deeds' and not to constantly correct them. So I cry out. And cry more, sometimes with tears, sometimes in desperation, for answers. <br />
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Because of a bad choice last week, they'd both been given a 'sentence' of dishes for two weeks: morning, noon and night.<br />
I find it's so easy to nag, remind and get frustrated by their inconsistencies. So, my prayer has been more for me and WHY I feel the need to be a 'dripping' reminder.<br />
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This morning, there were dishes in the sink. The room was a mess and there was laundry that had been left dirty in the laundry room. AND HE ASKED TO USE MY PHONE...<br />
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But rather than go on a rant about it, I spoke kindly, 'No, I can't do that,' and explained why.<br />
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I WAS KIND. (<em>Doesn't the Proverbs say something about kindness being able to break bones? Proverbs 25:15...)</em><br />
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Perhaps I need to remind myself of this truth: <em> kindness and patience go hand in hand.</em><br />
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Over and over the Scriptures speak to this... <br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." Col. 3:12</blockquote>
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"We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love." 2 Cor. 6:6</blockquote>
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"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23</blockquote>
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The days when the 'rubbing' has worn my soul thin and I think that <em><strong>if they don't do what they're 'supposed to'</strong></em> <span style="color: #bf9000;">on my terms</span> and within such and such a time,<strong> those</strong> are the days when I <strong>know</strong> <em>I'm deep in the trenches</em> and He wants ME to take back ground, aim bullets at the right target. <br />
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But way too often, I take aim at them, there below the collar bone, that place where trust and distrust hang in the balance. <br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Grace.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Mercy.</strong></span> <br />
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It's what awaits me each morning where sleep and awake collide. I decide even before my eyes open whether I'll embrace the Truth, cling to what <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+8%3A35-39&version=AMP">I KNOW IS TRUE</a>, and fight the good fight of faith for myself. Equip myself to engage in the battle, wearing each piece of armor, fitted just for me.<br />
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Young men in war need their mom's encouragement, cheering and most of all: <strong><em>her</em> <em>patience and kindness.</em></strong><br />
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For tonight, they're decapitating zombies. Tomorrow, by faith, they'll be destroying their enemy's fortresses, ever mindful that He has won every battle by the blood of His Son.<br />
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Never give up, mom.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00043725161477223825noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4182604070822979781.post-91107676428185898092013-05-07T21:50:00.001-05:002013-05-07T21:50:32.078-05:00We did it!In two days, the boys will have completed ninth grade! I couldn't be more grateful. The co-op was just what the Father ordered.<br />
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Finally, after the first of this year, they decided to embrace their education because momma wasn't budging. WE all needed the accountability, especially me.<br />
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I couldn't be more grateful for the wonderful teachers they had...moms whose kids were also in the co-op and were determined to give each child their best. <br />
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God knew what was ahead for them. He knew my mom would pass away on March 21st and that school would be a place of support, encouragement, and a place to go when it was just too difficult to be at home.<br />
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He knew my dad would move back to Buffalo, NY, and the house would be much quieter.<br />
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I never would have dreamed that they would LOVE Spanish, when, at the beginning of the year, they hated it! But God! He knew. <br />
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He knew Caleb would decide to love English grammar and vocabulary...I didn't! <br />
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I am so thrilled the year has come to an end...well, the co-op has, but Math, reading and typing hasn't!<br />
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This momma is excited to begin preparing to be the P.E. teacher for the entire school. To teach photography again is sharpening my skills, as well.<br />
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Biology Fruit dissection</div>
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Flower dissection</div>
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Happy Tails brought some pretty cool animals one day...</div>
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Overall, it's been a fabulous year. Lots of growing, stretching, crying, laughing, and a bunch of learning!<br />
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Life is good.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00043725161477223825noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4182604070822979781.post-55392152292626103202013-04-11T20:49:00.002-05:002013-04-11T20:49:26.896-05:00Sometimes life gets in the way of writing...Who said twin little boys had the right to grow up, speak in deep voices and begin to tower over me? <br />
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This school/life year has been an incredible journey.<br />
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The co-op we're a part of has stretched all of us and yet there's so much growing up to do.<br />
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We've had biology classes, debates, public speaking speeches to memorize and give before a bunch of adults in December and days of reading books that this mom has thoroughly enjoyed!<br />
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Together, we read:<br />
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C.S. Lewis' book, "Mere Christianity"<br />
"The Deadliest Monster" by J.F. Baldwin<br />
"Know Why You Believe" by Paul Little<br />
"The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde"<br />
"Frankenstein"<br />
"Know What You Believe"<br />
"Assumptions" by Christian Overman<br />
...and now we're waiting for "Never Before in History" by Gary Amos to arrive in the mail. Thought I bought it, but must not have...<br />
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We only have four more weeks left! It's hard to believe we (I) didn't give up. I felt more stretched as I kept plugging away at encouraging, reminding, and occasionally threatening them to "complete your sheets of the week's work so I can sign them!"</div>
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I thought we'd drop out this coming year, but I am absolutely certain that they, as well as I, need the discipline, structure and accountability. I am looking forward to next year already!</div>
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Praise God for moms that are committed to teaching their, as well as other's kids! I have loved this year. </div>
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I asked Caleb what one overall thing he learned this year. His response:</div>
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"Life is hard, but school is harder."</div>
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Sigh.</div>
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One day, they will get it. I am certain.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00043725161477223825noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4182604070822979781.post-33626670724815287032012-08-28T10:37:00.000-05:002012-08-28T10:37:21.704-05:00The First DayAfter a year of praying, crying and waiting, God has not only answered my (our) prayers, but also given me a direction to go with these boys and an opportunity for me to teach what I love: sewing! It's paying their tuition and it's giving me experience.<br />
If someone had told me that I'd start teaching middle school girls sewing, I think I would have laughed. But, here I am, sitting in a church typing this and waiting for my class to start in about twenty minutes. I am so excited. I have six girls and they each have their own machine. <br />
The boys are engaging in this venture, although Isaac is such a home body. He commented on the way here this morning how he would rather just sit at home and do his books by himself, to which I reminded him he'll be doing that three days a week anyway, but that this gives us a chance to get out of the house.<br />
Looking forward to what God has planned for us~!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00043725161477223825noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4182604070822979781.post-60962871819737385642012-06-22T14:42:00.000-05:002012-06-22T14:42:44.139-05:00We're entering the rapidsIf someone had told me that my twin boys would ever want to be apart from each other, I would have laughed and said, "You don't know my boys!" But, though they are boys and definitely share their life and their clothes, well mostly, they are changing and growing. <br />
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Before our daughter and family came for the wedding, we arranged the 'Lego' room into a bedroom. One night shortly before they came, I thought to myself, 'the Lego table is out of the bedroom so Caleb can breathe. IF we moved the Lego table back into Isaac's room, Caleb could have his own room.' <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycgOODyBv64jiyqlKFrcwz189dsOIjR4ZDh_tLw1zVKIuQ-VUnUIepbtFt5As0b64hjhLiV0VuAG4q14V5GSgO7V7IeV9r7g2kdGMz9jXBf6PNEmeenaFUD7r1PrstI0gQuZJrb_IbNA/s1600/IMG_0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycgOODyBv64jiyqlKFrcwz189dsOIjR4ZDh_tLw1zVKIuQ-VUnUIepbtFt5As0b64hjhLiV0VuAG4q14V5GSgO7V7IeV9r7g2kdGMz9jXBf6PNEmeenaFUD7r1PrstI0gQuZJrb_IbNA/s400/IMG_0027.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>When I talked it over with Love, we decided we'd ask him if he'd even be interested...he was delighted and thanked us!<br />
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Wouldn't you know, they are still together, but this small change has given them the chance to at least be alone, especially since Isaac's pineal gland has always functioned much better than Caleb's and he's up bright and early, swishing Legos around to build some new building or space ship!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWFFJ75fYQiucF3wjbhSHu0_F-ehyfkSzx1I6cMcUbSFtmszr66tRtyoTZNoxeZlr0kpfNyu1_v-3uVolYNEDKkMrN5n4pUz6A5wVFj2Zr1ZQtVfqR1mnWhVz56sH-V8ivuRnwY-RYzqw/s1600/IMG_0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWFFJ75fYQiucF3wjbhSHu0_F-ehyfkSzx1I6cMcUbSFtmszr66tRtyoTZNoxeZlr0kpfNyu1_v-3uVolYNEDKkMrN5n4pUz6A5wVFj2Zr1ZQtVfqR1mnWhVz56sH-V8ivuRnwY-RYzqw/s400/IMG_0027.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>They had a friend over for a couple of days and when I went in to say goodnite, all three were laying crossways on the bed, trying to all fit in a twin bed! Hilarious.<br />
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Life is taking a dramatic turn and my heart is trusting in God, though my flesh cries out, 'God, if you don't help me, I'm doomed!'<br />
We're dealing with body odor, greasy hair, pimples, wanting to listen to the 'rock' station, girls, reminding them they are loved and no matter what others think of them or how they're treated, they need to be themselves because God loves them just the way they are.<br />
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I keep reminding myself of all that Jesus did for me in my teen years. How difficult my life was and how faithful He was. <br />
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I read this today:<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq"><em><strong><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">"Grace extends unrestrained fellowship to others in celebration of their inherent dignity as being made in God's image and as the objects of His affection. Grace is at work in relationships when we are present for one another, accepting our mutual limitations and willing to exchange efforts to enhance one another's well-being. It is only in intimacy that grace abounds." <u>Lead Like Jesus </u>by Ken Blanchard & Phil Hodges</span></strong></em></blockquote><br />
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Though I may not 'enjoy' these changes, I am enjoying them. It's exciting to see them taking on more challenges, wanting to be grown up as well as the victory when they 'see' what we're teaching them. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVNXCOV_9epg0H8tMeEQQOaPX6H4jXa1RQ5UW05PhAoM3ZlyDh6RSfyXjFpFIu5UYpKMwc4jhKbiww4KQIC9WBf-_rnc-x2wcF1IAiXpEVxQTU747XomPG3efchqHllo7bfTRy0RH8uU/s1600/277-IMG_0648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVNXCOV_9epg0H8tMeEQQOaPX6H4jXa1RQ5UW05PhAoM3ZlyDh6RSfyXjFpFIu5UYpKMwc4jhKbiww4KQIC9WBf-_rnc-x2wcF1IAiXpEVxQTU747XomPG3efchqHllo7bfTRy0RH8uU/s640/277-IMG_0648.JPG" width="640" /></a>I giggled last Friday night, when, after a conversation in the car, we had one of them come to our room to continue the talk. He was tired, we were tired and he finally said, 'Mom, would you please forgive me for...being a teenager!' He was seeing what we were saying, despite his exhaustion from serving at VBS all week, and just wanted to head to bed!<br />
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I'm slowly getting it. They need space. They need to be heard. They need time to process my words...<br />
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Twins are the best. Anyone that tells you otherwise has no idea what they're talking about!<br />
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Just, someone please pray for this mother to destroy all the 'buttons' they so cleverly push on a consisten basis, so I can continue laughing and giggling when I'd rather...never mind!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00043725161477223825noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4182604070822979781.post-64527576549706785412012-03-24T11:55:00.001-05:002012-03-24T11:57:48.222-05:00Week of changesWell, first week back into the swing of school and things went very well.<br />
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One day, Isaac made the chicks a permanent new home so they'll stop jumping to the top of their box, perching and leaving messes on the tile for the boys to clean up!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Very intently working!</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then, on another day, I received information that I'd been waiting for in regard to next year's classes. The boys will be doing a co-op with a 'school' and I'll be the administrative assistant! It's a definite answer to my prayers for them and me. It gets us out of the house twice, possibly two and a half days a week, they get to take courses like debate, theology, Biblical Worldview and be with other kids to sharpen their skills and I get to use my skills teaching photography and sewing (if they have a half day of electives). The great part is that we only have to pay for one's tuition, not two and I will also be the school photographer and yearbook coorinator! I am delighted to be heading in this direction and I know after the dust settles and we're in a routine, they will definitely benefit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thank you, Jesus.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had a storm on Monday, so Jef, Caleb and I cuddled on our bed and Isaac grabbed my camera and snapped this one. It was a sweet moment.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I took the boys to the doc's on Monday morning and since they both had ear infections, we headed to Walmart and to keep them entertained because they were 'starving' and wanted to go to McD's, but I said no, I gave them my camera to shoot 'ads'</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...this is what they did...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Caught me off guard when we got home...I had no idea they shot this one!</div><br />
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This was when we were sitting waiting for the scripts...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fun times with twinners!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00043725161477223825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4182604070822979781.post-66042040366645969912012-03-18T22:36:00.000-05:002012-03-18T22:36:34.853-05:00Spring break is over......and what a week it was. My sister came from NY with her hubby, so we did the customary, 'take family to Sea World' and on that day, the first real day of Spring break, there were over 29,000 people...sheer insanity! <br />
<br />
To top off the week of <em>vacation for me, </em>time I thought I might regroup, prepare for the last stretch of this school year, I got hit bigtime with flu-like symptoms and though I forged through at Sea World on Monday, it cost me the rest of the week...but everyday I would get up, spend time with Jesus, and start moving...I learned to keep moving forward, rejoice, focus on grace, His kindness, look for His gifts to me and the boys and just slow down. I wrote about it one day, Wednesday, <a href="http://www.freedominthedance.blogspot.com/2012/03/if-you-give-mommy-time-alone.html">over here,</a> turning my post that day into a story and in the midst of writing, realized I'd been given many gifts that day...<br />
<br />
So, the boys told me several times this week it was the best vacation they've had in a long time...not too sure why since we didn't do much, but they did spend time with their aunt Kay and uncle Tim who took them to a movie, then to buy Legos and action figures! <br />
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On Tuesday, although the entire family was going out, I opted to keep them home with me (which they were initially very angry with me about, but, needless to say, repented later on that day when they realized their day wouldn't have turned out the way it did if they'd have gone.)<br />
To their delight, I took them first to the library to pick up books I'd ordered, then to the feed store to get chicken food and on our way into the store I asked them if they wanted to see if there were any chicks, and then they got excited...<br />
There were two little chicks left and we agreed they could buy one because it was only $2. When we took the chick to the counter, the man said if they wanted to have them both, he'd give them to the boys for free! They looked at me, I smiled, they ran back and got the other one and then bought $1.60 worth of food just for them. <br />
Well, these darling little things have had to have their wings clipped already because they can jump on the top of the box...they love the sound of the boys' voices and when they hear them from the other room, they begin to chirp like crazy...<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-fBw0SUzyCZkimOGEaKTPaL-y2Z97cMdsm5MmAvwa77IejcfoDRCY7TLAwO5ptPz4Zb9DeeLXl9qKRcK-aiyd4UKeoVkB7P1_BMf5qwfhHOmJieGb87u3m5DZmgnqKsgsAe5fP2s14Q/s1600/IMG_0519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-fBw0SUzyCZkimOGEaKTPaL-y2Z97cMdsm5MmAvwa77IejcfoDRCY7TLAwO5ptPz4Zb9DeeLXl9qKRcK-aiyd4UKeoVkB7P1_BMf5qwfhHOmJieGb87u3m5DZmgnqKsgsAe5fP2s14Q/s400/IMG_0519.JPG" width="400" /></a>They named them A.J. for Awesome Juice and the other one Hawk Nelson...my concern is that we have two roosters...and that will not do. Time will tell.<br />
<br />
They had a friend come spend a couple days and I put them all to work in my garden of Eden pulling weeds to pay me for a giant Lego book Isaac wanted...it was a great motivator for them as well as for me.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PLjBx2NZsaueAACHDxnsdC37rlKnxybQCOH7ACBLLrjuV737v8t_E1GcNuTKsdfxPad2x2to9iDmuenVw4z4vR0SsExqi7k816jzZewmKZ7JN6ZrF_taf-WVjxmYLIGgZBGKBf6-Vw4/s1600/IMG_0520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PLjBx2NZsaueAACHDxnsdC37rlKnxybQCOH7ACBLLrjuV737v8t_E1GcNuTKsdfxPad2x2to9iDmuenVw4z4vR0SsExqi7k816jzZewmKZ7JN6ZrF_taf-WVjxmYLIGgZBGKBf6-Vw4/s400/IMG_0520.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>So, tomorrow we begin anew and I am looking forward to walking in love, grace and patience with them. That may sound funny to read, but the stirring that God has been doing in my heart has been nothing short of a miracle. My eyes are opened and I see things differently. <br />
<br />
...and I know they are different, too. They're responding to the love, patience and grace that fills them. How thankful I am that His mercies are new every day.<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00043725161477223825noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4182604070822979781.post-87019157590952621562012-03-08T16:33:00.000-06:002012-03-08T16:33:28.467-06:00It's already March!We're coming into the final stretch, only to be stretched like a rubberband. This will be the last week before we take a much needed break. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNaG1DHHCM9xUkqich2jDWfIgYgUZK30F4-ce7vhEtm57TirST2WAx7DYr5v1cpgV45EmT8hpULmbyqMrJBDkH9vxeMlN9r2uy1HyxolyuLEyOyzaNnLywDL_Gnb-PnVcSdr3rGvRnTg/s1600/IMG_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNaG1DHHCM9xUkqich2jDWfIgYgUZK30F4-ce7vhEtm57TirST2WAx7DYr5v1cpgV45EmT8hpULmbyqMrJBDkH9vxeMlN9r2uy1HyxolyuLEyOyzaNnLywDL_Gnb-PnVcSdr3rGvRnTg/s400/IMG_0002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Last week, my neice visited and we did a couple of outings: Friday we did the zoo before our membership ran out...<br />
Sat. was Sea World. That was a fun time, but very tiring...walking, walking everywhere.<br />
<br />
She left on Sunday, early. <br />
<br />
On Tuesday, Isaac had an orthodontist appointment to cast his teeth for braces!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am looking forward to chronicling this adventure and the changes these braces are going to make in Isaac's life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love and I have been seriously interceding for these two boy-men. The changes have been phenomenal, too. Just last night, sitting away from each other in the youth service, they both recommitted their lives to Jesus and until they sat down together in their small group did they know. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What I've been learning over the last month or so is that for way too long, this mommy has been crying for change for <em>them</em>, when the reality is that<em> this mommy has needed to change</em>. Change my responses to their 'behavior', change my approach to being in authority over them-i.e.: not pushy, bossy, but kind, patient, confident and sweet~ things that haven't come 'naturally' to me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Suffice to say, God is working and we're in this marathon for the long haul...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Continue to change me, Lord Jesus, to be fit for Your service in these boys lives. </em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Thank You.</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em> I know You hear my prayers and the work Y<strong>ou</strong> began, <strong>You will complete</strong>.</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00043725161477223825noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4182604070822979781.post-91441453035982530902012-02-07T18:26:00.000-06:002012-02-07T18:26:20.906-06:00Who'd of thought!I happened to stumble onto a webpage for science that led to another page, which led me to the NYSymphony and then onto the San Antonio symphony where I discovered that there would be a student concert in about a week~<br />
I was ecstatic. A real concert, the boy's first real orchestral experience and the cost was a mere $4! <br />
At first, they were less than excited to sit for, what they thought would be hours...it lasted a total of one hour.<br />
The event was for students, so that meant the auditorium would be filled with loud children. It was.<br />
But behind us sat the 'homeschoolers'...six children, accompanied by only a mom and each one sat quietly, including the two yr. old...then there was the mom with two girls, approximately five and six, and the 'under one yr. old' on her lap, sitting at the other end of our row. Mom left part way through and left the two girls sitting by themselves...quietly paying attention. <br />
The orchestra was overwhelming for all of us. I couldn't decide which I enjoyed more: the concert or just watching them enjoy it!<br />
Before we left, I sat us down for a few pix: I had no idea they were pretending to be asleep...boys!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-9hzqBRVO-bDwsTNCFv8yxWS5sRNqAS1GVk85p_e28KVgRp4ilex3v_nOdeVXvIMfFksNcsE0c2KaIkIlXqhla1ZQxUg8mWa5iJiMw9Ce7vzHGf6RV7P4rAYqYNoo_AlgWCj3j-JKqM/s1600/1-IMG_3973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="530" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-9hzqBRVO-bDwsTNCFv8yxWS5sRNqAS1GVk85p_e28KVgRp4ilex3v_nOdeVXvIMfFksNcsE0c2KaIkIlXqhla1ZQxUg8mWa5iJiMw9Ce7vzHGf6RV7P4rAYqYNoo_AlgWCj3j-JKqM/s640/1-IMG_3973.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRVHEyXcuTpweVWL1k_pbjOELoBA5kbh1u6VHqoGr-WfplRZrbrSEo-F25HZ2v5862RZ1990VvqZTXxP27I3m0huU-nrgQ0lo6vE7ExBvGtaF9V6DJbWBL76a09ZCz699qqYrRr6sYTI/s1600/IMG_3971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRVHEyXcuTpweVWL1k_pbjOELoBA5kbh1u6VHqoGr-WfplRZrbrSEo-F25HZ2v5862RZ1990VvqZTXxP27I3m0huU-nrgQ0lo6vE7ExBvGtaF9V6DJbWBL76a09ZCz699qqYrRr6sYTI/s640/IMG_3971.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWquDU2ieYVs8Twk2ok8L0__43KpKpTMw6ZSAm5TXrGGWEzBexa_t7v2K8pmMhLl2mzK-f_3OBAIL7A7ny-Oth5ID17zDRyjXOPxLu-f61f6Ddm2QYSBsSgMF-UF7Ok350D-IBe0Zky-8/s1600/IMG_3969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWquDU2ieYVs8Twk2ok8L0__43KpKpTMw6ZSAm5TXrGGWEzBexa_t7v2K8pmMhLl2mzK-f_3OBAIL7A7ny-Oth5ID17zDRyjXOPxLu-f61f6Ddm2QYSBsSgMF-UF7Ok350D-IBe0Zky-8/s640/IMG_3969.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>All in all, it was a great day and they truly enjoyed themselves...now on to a real symphony!<br />
<br />
Who'd of thought?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00043725161477223825noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4182604070822979781.post-11673250532798706682012-01-23T14:43:00.001-06:002012-01-23T14:45:37.038-06:00Education is life with intentional joy!<blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>"All schools both here and in America should teach far fewer subjects far better."</em></span></strong></div></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>- C.S. Lewis</em></span></strong></div></blockquote><br />
Motherhood is such a unique occupation. Taxi driver, cook, counselor, teacher, coach, heart specialist and the list goes on and on.<br />
<br />
I've always believed that one cannot give what one does not have. <br />
<br />
As a mom, this plays out daily as I see my children's weaknesses as a reflection of my own. I shine in the area of one that needs HELP to finish tasks as I look to my left and notice I've begun sweeping the floor but left the math test I was correcting sitting on the counter while I listen to dad tell me why he likes Angel Soft toilet paper better than Scott because he needs...you know where that's going.<br />
<br />
But, we are ALL ON A JOURNEY. Daily, my Bible tells me, I'm being conformed to the image of my Father in heaven. That encourages me to believe that as I'm learning to submit to His voice and follow Him, I, in turn, will direct my kids down the path to freedom.<br />
<br />
Today, being MONDAY, and as my dad is home from the hospital and I have a<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="color: #cc0000;">'<em><strong>slightly'</strong></em></span></span> </span>weightier workload on my shoulders, I got up even earlier to talk to Daddy and read His Word. I have been asking Him to give me HIS eyes for the boys education. <br />
<br />
The 'schedule/routine' of a "Traditional School Day" is, to be quite honest, out the window. <br />
<br />
I know that. <br />
<br />
If I strive with having to have things the way everyone around me does, I'll pull out my hair, give up and put 'em in school. (I did tell them yesterday that unless they decide they really want to be home and learn, they are going to school. But that was to somehow convey that I do not have to put up with their stinkin' thinkin' that they shouldn't have to work...)<br />
<br />
...and I believe they knew I meant business.<br />
<br />
This morning, when I asked Daddy to open my eyes to HIS leading, I sensed peace. The boys got up, went straight to eat, took care of their hens and then, just like usual, they climbed in bed with me to warm up. But today, Caleb walked in with his Bible and began reading the Proverb of the day. <br />
Now God had my attention. My prayers were beginning to manifest. Wow. THEY proceeded to bring me what they needed my help with...<br />
<br />
One of my new duties is to take mom to dialysis three days a week, a job I'd not really needed to tend to since my folk's initially moved to TX and I had to show them around town. So, I took Caleb with me so he can get the wheelchair in and out of the car for me. As he helped his gramma into her chair, it hit me...<strong><em><span style="color: #ffd966;">this is learning</span></em></strong>. This is why I'm doing what I'm doing. Watching him hold her hand, wheel her in and care for her so tenderly and then run back in because he thought she'd called him back, reminded me that He is in this whole ordeal. I just need my thinking changed about what my expectations are and then to listen daily, actually moment by moment.<br />
As we stood in line at the grocery store after dropping mom off, the cashier asked Caleb if he was off today and he, helping her load the groceries in the bags, told her he was homeschooled. Again, it hit me..here we are, he's learning about comparison shopping, serving the cashier and communicating with a stranger in a positive<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Hope is rising</strong>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">******************************************************************************</div>I really want them to be able to speak publicly, so I grabbed the Communication book I have (it's gotta be from the 80's, which always brings lots of laughs) and on the way home, Caleb was reading the assignment and orally answering the questions about 'being self aware'. <br />
<br />
Question: "What is the one thing you like least about your gender and also about the opposite gender?"<br />
<br />
His answer: The one thing I like least about the male gender is that they won't shutup and ask for directions...and the thing I dislike most about women is that THEY WON'T LEAVE THE MAN ALONE!"<br />
<br />
Perhaps it's just the way he said it or maybe his perception about genders, but I could not stop laughing and the tears were making it difficult to see the road!<br />
<br />
I post this to remind myself that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Though things don't 'look' like the traditional way of learning, I'm seeing things much more clearly today!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00043725161477223825noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4182604070822979781.post-37642293568789640792012-01-08T00:07:00.000-06:002012-01-08T00:07:02.371-06:00Vacation time away...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The boys and I were given an opportunity to get away with a friend to a beautiful home along the Guadalupe river for a few days this past week and the time away was such a respite for us all.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The first day there, the ducks greeted us on the dock! I'm sure they just wanted food! It was a wonderful welcome!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3eQOiaoGwV8oEDnZowFDwpz1Xt8CBWNvK_eCUT9QajU6wcIRSFzYO8Yy4q_Ebi01oG_tbmcib_OXKsD2lUUmbadRUd4UTGDkBF32NM7p03bzUcgVT0bqzbCNSeJo0EjceC3gZCziXLo/s1600/IMG_1448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3eQOiaoGwV8oEDnZowFDwpz1Xt8CBWNvK_eCUT9QajU6wcIRSFzYO8Yy4q_Ebi01oG_tbmcib_OXKsD2lUUmbadRUd4UTGDkBF32NM7p03bzUcgVT0bqzbCNSeJo0EjceC3gZCziXLo/s640/IMG_1448.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
There was fishing...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZxWEQEFGEh1cODDsWgMnmQmQHCaszOGjlXgRTP0VR6ZDwvn5zuV7G3OfepOancGdf3c_zbKPTmllvC1sfG2kgFTzSoNOwQJix7Y9QxF7yrgF63z1qMTceByqoC7wjxjDiQUU6KPIoP4/s1600/IMG_1471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZxWEQEFGEh1cODDsWgMnmQmQHCaszOGjlXgRTP0VR6ZDwvn5zuV7G3OfepOancGdf3c_zbKPTmllvC1sfG2kgFTzSoNOwQJix7Y9QxF7yrgF63z1qMTceByqoC7wjxjDiQUU6KPIoP4/s640/IMG_1471.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> A huge hammock to chill out in...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFVKHYu0Mp5E-nMfiUJB8QfVJnq2cHTowQMFbrMsRckbzLvzs7bIDKGZtJj7gylE52W4dn83rNUukSJMjlepvvCVXYv77PjXTcHU4NLr8Ku_1rgQWLDwqe8tQP5K7SjJt-N7LOWHduNfs/s1600/IMG_1488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFVKHYu0Mp5E-nMfiUJB8QfVJnq2cHTowQMFbrMsRckbzLvzs7bIDKGZtJj7gylE52W4dn83rNUukSJMjlepvvCVXYv77PjXTcHU4NLr8Ku_1rgQWLDwqe8tQP5K7SjJt-N7LOWHduNfs/s640/IMG_1488.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
...and that was just the first day.<br />
<br />
Tuesday morning, when I got up, there was a cloud over the river:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHE9gPDa0bE2hntd_Lsk4m3anLrpDAJFDcrMJfwdjn40UlRiGxj63xE45V6fO_SD6nonJuSG54v8JyJaRduMcP5tbOk_SLA8PXRgG9khnUNeV5n4wMNI1LqCyo7WJciPJfhPlxjXXX9fA/s1600/IMG_1551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHE9gPDa0bE2hntd_Lsk4m3anLrpDAJFDcrMJfwdjn40UlRiGxj63xE45V6fO_SD6nonJuSG54v8JyJaRduMcP5tbOk_SLA8PXRgG9khnUNeV5n4wMNI1LqCyo7WJciPJfhPlxjXXX9fA/s640/IMG_1551.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy679It-4IIZh_EmpLAb3EPZM7qFi3B6ZG4Hje_8aaPbGPZYSPyrmlJIvegace8y7fOzyWfk07yPB44Tl0PlOLyYLTpQeinn0YUl71b3ej2cY5JUkaK3p4imT6VVs36mwA_sE-paQGWC4/s1600/IMG_1556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy679It-4IIZh_EmpLAb3EPZM7qFi3B6ZG4Hje_8aaPbGPZYSPyrmlJIvegace8y7fOzyWfk07yPB44Tl0PlOLyYLTpQeinn0YUl71b3ej2cY5JUkaK3p4imT6VVs36mwA_sE-paQGWC4/s640/IMG_1556.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">and frost...amazing!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOM_Rcdfu2xXTGqRE0J0Vr1QoOk95psCeRlSUeMC_Imwk4WY917EOSp7zqDhRGp78RFyrxnjBiDgzyZQqO8P9pbvZWgNQMmOs1w7udZ-5q6ezUZzonWXRahdUJBNeItl4FwdYUZQcBW3c/s1600/IMG_1560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOM_Rcdfu2xXTGqRE0J0Vr1QoOk95psCeRlSUeMC_Imwk4WY917EOSp7zqDhRGp78RFyrxnjBiDgzyZQqO8P9pbvZWgNQMmOs1w7udZ-5q6ezUZzonWXRahdUJBNeItl4FwdYUZQcBW3c/s640/IMG_1560.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiFi3sYCdo_uac_6KxIaDTdcPmway1-bIXdDCpyFoVQOG6oBzzttc3j6j1SOPiR8iBEnodOtnqB6ZmrWGiy-tqoon0JrHf824BB6uEHSprgnvjYa0UbRyBBSjviJ0m55gDie1KhZ4C3g/s1600/IMG_1568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="586" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiFi3sYCdo_uac_6KxIaDTdcPmway1-bIXdDCpyFoVQOG6oBzzttc3j6j1SOPiR8iBEnodOtnqB6ZmrWGiy-tqoon0JrHf824BB6uEHSprgnvjYa0UbRyBBSjviJ0m55gDie1KhZ4C3g/s900/IMG_1568.JPG" width="900" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1RmjsYKSd1UVoxP9oTRoth4M2DHoAxGAa54DOBayZ5arTZXrmFdhDBa2KuLwK1bjJaEbEnQseKKAcq-STaW774hruvDHGhz08ai3mqlXKF-H_lzuVUwLfe-NZ0QrnBD6AImuyNqFHvI/s1600/IMG_1667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1RmjsYKSd1UVoxP9oTRoth4M2DHoAxGAa54DOBayZ5arTZXrmFdhDBa2KuLwK1bjJaEbEnQseKKAcq-STaW774hruvDHGhz08ai3mqlXKF-H_lzuVUwLfe-NZ0QrnBD6AImuyNqFHvI/s400/IMG_1667.JPG" width="400" /></a>There were lizards to catch, a quiet neighborhood to ride their bikes, <br />
lots of snacks to munch on, and of course they just HAD TO JUMP IN THE FREEZING COLD RIVER JUST ONCE! That's all it took to wake them up...their comment: "Boy, that was stupid!"</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvZWMNaxjSn7hYE60D9qHIqG1ug2olPDak-lBCiSa3HTYU-xdkiLcCDSNKnuZeG1f5sqGcT_RAsmEdtGIA5_k3Ax_9V_pNh1OL5mPmgHg-nKH3H49Ue8rRnU53zpFZZGNKp8r3AoDha0/s1600/IMG_1896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvZWMNaxjSn7hYE60D9qHIqG1ug2olPDak-lBCiSa3HTYU-xdkiLcCDSNKnuZeG1f5sqGcT_RAsmEdtGIA5_k3Ax_9V_pNh1OL5mPmgHg-nKH3H49Ue8rRnU53zpFZZGNKp8r3AoDha0/s640/IMG_1896.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">For the first time in their lives, they each learned how to sail a kayak. Actually, we all learned! </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPu3RewPbAWKYi_wjsFPl730-I_g7eFEPrITyuY0Y9u-qLb6U_GeWTUSKK7rymaMQ1w1uEfj03ZCuMAO-q9MK9rQGEMtCKOKEMoUid60pN8ee_JDNaVD1OrQQgQGk6VKVhyOeh5qXebO8/s1600/IMG_1684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPu3RewPbAWKYi_wjsFPl730-I_g7eFEPrITyuY0Y9u-qLb6U_GeWTUSKK7rymaMQ1w1uEfj03ZCuMAO-q9MK9rQGEMtCKOKEMoUid60pN8ee_JDNaVD1OrQQgQGk6VKVhyOeh5qXebO8/s640/IMG_1684.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Isaac learned to canoe first and because he was in it with two others, he bragged that he was stronger than Caleb because he was in the front of the canoe and 'pulling three people!'</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHZWsyOzCa7_SguUHNLFXnEUfaNYBg-aYOX2hbQTyGUu1KdzlVuXtPacku3rWgkO_SnGJ17DnXRGu4NIqXIqq5DFYMe-IZOOCTQowKv2bcFLQXQ7wurG8A9jePdwAn_Wg497Nk2YbCnE/s1600/IMG_1939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHZWsyOzCa7_SguUHNLFXnEUfaNYBg-aYOX2hbQTyGUu1KdzlVuXtPacku3rWgkO_SnGJ17DnXRGu4NIqXIqq5DFYMe-IZOOCTQowKv2bcFLQXQ7wurG8A9jePdwAn_Wg497Nk2YbCnE/s640/IMG_1939.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uvUhy_J0CG94g_dRZABRLQnmjU7OTrFU5DTrYbIhQ-k7WCJouBlMkhwlmvIZz8HPXh5LJeqBTh6cdewsniSiMybf6HJzLZ_b7KmZymFUFeDqJbEtczLPeBGRFnkgpryN2NgPbHYy9cQ/s1600/IMG_1935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uvUhy_J0CG94g_dRZABRLQnmjU7OTrFU5DTrYbIhQ-k7WCJouBlMkhwlmvIZz8HPXh5LJeqBTh6cdewsniSiMybf6HJzLZ_b7KmZymFUFeDqJbEtczLPeBGRFnkgpryN2NgPbHYy9cQ/s640/IMG_1935.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I didn't get into the kayak until the last day...I wasn't so sure I wanted to end up in the freezing water! But I told myself to relax and just enjoy the journey. After I talked to myself for a while, I began to enjoy the scenery. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcc9SUQAXxdlEE6OuSQzvKcN8taHtoNqIT691KnnYNnVhoKH08V_QEhBP7T8FT472ILvi84UBD9xilfZ-1KxPYHec4mqSCf0jMubKJPKV3EiZ1p4H57HOl7Vinjg0snQK4dgqa5neDguA/s1600/401230_3059303961981_1244877510_33523427_2129042296_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcc9SUQAXxdlEE6OuSQzvKcN8taHtoNqIT691KnnYNnVhoKH08V_QEhBP7T8FT472ILvi84UBD9xilfZ-1KxPYHec4mqSCf0jMubKJPKV3EiZ1p4H57HOl7Vinjg0snQK4dgqa5neDguA/s640/401230_3059303961981_1244877510_33523427_2129042296_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKLF0ZAtPPx1pPgegm3-bhJ-JNYuIDy-Hs2vyytAWEBi_AXC-MpIhtkRT1svNEwTscoqF2utTEQG6UGwwGRxQnaOEUcds0yH-zk5-_u-7nqPznKzaVl8PClCqszO8ZGuUhaQQUg-4Rhs/s1600/IMG_2371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="508" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKLF0ZAtPPx1pPgegm3-bhJ-JNYuIDy-Hs2vyytAWEBi_AXC-MpIhtkRT1svNEwTscoqF2utTEQG6UGwwGRxQnaOEUcds0yH-zk5-_u-7nqPznKzaVl8PClCqszO8ZGuUhaQQUg-4Rhs/s640/IMG_2371.JPG" width="640" /></a>It was such a spectacular time making memories and enjoying God's creation. I spied lots of different birds out there and captured a few...</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I will always treasure moments like these. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I saw a side of the boys that I haven't seen since we lived in the country: being free to enjoy nature and each other out-of-doors, playing pranks on mom and being tired out at the end of the day from rowing! </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I am so thankful to Daddy for His extravagant love to us this past week while my Love is in Florida. We all made memories!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00043725161477223825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4182604070822979781.post-83159606048520490872011-11-09T14:46:00.007-06:002011-11-09T18:02:05.313-06:00Defining moments: They come in a swoosh of time!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">He shoots...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmqnXeHhnA__6OMUXlLmXBQOdCGxK0kcA7iqSzPscTtHr8VXlwX1eKnHnpuH3d3lGM9GINYfDipGI1N5vQ1rmSg002Z-yw-QvoomAziM8yH34LKpRaIpwjGQv9G0FORuoGbgwVa37zcwx/s1600/2011-11-01+136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmqnXeHhnA__6OMUXlLmXBQOdCGxK0kcA7iqSzPscTtHr8VXlwX1eKnHnpuH3d3lGM9GINYfDipGI1N5vQ1rmSg002Z-yw-QvoomAziM8yH34LKpRaIpwjGQv9G0FORuoGbgwVa37zcwx/s640/2011-11-01+136.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqcQk-oiqS6IDNr7ecqscUyNWKt4VhP0MjDY5UZHJjwp17lVzUtawL0_Lez8mnVRe67xI-9nAT0Gphl-zVA90GeQc4Eltr4uPTVDKYl4tG2poWoSRjBLJV3RL2zNdbgV2e7dm-dEpU9S3o/s1600/2011-11-01+137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqcQk-oiqS6IDNr7ecqscUyNWKt4VhP0MjDY5UZHJjwp17lVzUtawL0_Lez8mnVRe67xI-9nAT0Gphl-zVA90GeQc4Eltr4uPTVDKYl4tG2poWoSRjBLJV3RL2zNdbgV2e7dm-dEpU9S3o/s640/2011-11-01+137.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">HE SCORES!!!</span></div><div align="center"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVlRn6MB2CCQFfhJY8_OJxbF8L6CAPy4oYBWgjX_PABKLUTyWNj_rlihiyGISNDe9za2g0X221yhbfXVPV1iXeL_6lCKiW-Vx7oqh52VCrLzNMAmhlxgKv0jeTM92kcGcoPC6e9FJIKuEn/s1600/2011-11-01+138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVlRn6MB2CCQFfhJY8_OJxbF8L6CAPy4oYBWgjX_PABKLUTyWNj_rlihiyGISNDe9za2g0X221yhbfXVPV1iXeL_6lCKiW-Vx7oqh52VCrLzNMAmhlxgKv0jeTM92kcGcoPC6e9FJIKuEn/s640/2011-11-01+138.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Now, that was a defining moment in our son, Caleb's, life! <br />
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Sure, the other team players shoot and score and it's no big deal because they've been playing for years on a team and they play as though the game is all about them (they only pass the ball to someone they know or are sure they might score...this isn't a criticism, just the way it is at this level, especially if the coach isn't interested in anything other than winning.) <br />
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But for Caleb, he told us the <strong><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;"><em>ONE</em></span></strong> thing he wanted more than anything was to be able to score! He put his faith to work and got out there and scored!!!<br />
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Now, Isaac had his moment, as well. He has sat on the sidelines most of every game because of fear and because he says basketball isn't 'his' thing. But this was the last game. And despite the coach not taking a risk and giving him much time on the court, he did go out for about five minutes and he did assist a guy in scoring. That thrilled him as well, but not enough for him to ever want to play the game again. At least not on a team.<br />
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These two young men are marvelous and wonderfully made. Each has his strengths and weaknesses, as we all do. My job description is to keep looking heavenward, standing in the place of prayer for them and cheering them on with words of Life and kindness that encourage them to press forward.<br />
<br />
This morning was a perfect example. It was time for me to give a spelling test to one of them and I specifically said I wanted the words "Unit 4, Test" written on the top line with the date in the corner. Well, he began an elaborate drawing of the letters in block form...(which is really no big deal, but the lesson he needed to learn was submission.) When I repeated that I didn't want 'those' kinds of letters, but just plain letters, he began to get offended and everything unraveled for him...his countenance changed, his attitude began to get hard! I, on the other hand, immediately saw this opportunity as a teachable moment. <br />
<br />
We'd just read two days ago about how Jesus did what the Father told him to do and said what the Father wanted him to, the WAY HE WANTED HIM TO SAY IT ! John 12: 44-50<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: "Papyrus",Papyrus, monospace;"><strong><sup><span style="font-size: medium;">44</span></sup></strong> Jesus shouted to the crowds, <span class="woj">“If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me.</span> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-26590"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">45</span></strong></sup> <span class="woj">For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me.</span> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-26591"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">46</span></strong></sup> <span class="woj">I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.</span> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-26592"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">47</span></strong></sup> <span class="woj">I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it.</span> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-26593"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">48</span></strong></sup> <span class="woj">But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-26594"><strong>49 </strong></sup><span class="woj" style="color: red;"><em><strong>I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it.</strong></em></span></span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-26595"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">50</span></strong></sup> <span class="woj">And I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.”</span></span></blockquote>It was an anointed moment to explain that he was under authority and that if his Savior, who is our example, could submit to His Father's will by obediently submitting his will for us (him) all the way to the cross, then he nor I have any excuses not to submit and that I was the parent, not him and he had to obey my authority because God gave me that authority <em><u><strong>for his good</strong></u></em>. I reminded him that perhaps writing his letters a certain way isn't a big deal, but what is a big deal is his response to my authority. That mattered more to God than spelling and that, fortunately for him, I love him. Someday, I told him, he'd have at least one boss that won't care whether he lives or dies. Because I love him, I'm persevering to train him to obey God in order that when he does have an ungodly boss, that no matter what he tells him to do or how he treats him, because he's learned submission, obedience and trust in God, he will be able to be a blessing to that man/woman and God will honor him.<br />
<br />
HE GOT IT! I mean he really got it. <br />
<br />
When that happens, words cannot describe the joy a mother feels when she sacrifices her days for the next generation. <br />
It's in those moments that I remember the WHY of home education. And it's also a reminder of how important it is for me to be abiding in His love and praying for each one of my five children. Each one is in their own game! <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">...one never knows when a teachable moment will happen...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Moms, we must be ready to be poured out. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Are you aiming your children toward the bullseye? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Are your thoughts about your children being renewed or are you missing the shot? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This game is too short, don't waste any shots you're given!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00043725161477223825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4182604070822979781.post-81877250892268723292011-10-13T13:02:00.001-05:002011-10-13T13:03:51.104-05:00My movie makers/pajama men...Once again, they've made me laugh and used their 'imaganation'...as put in the credits!<br />
...Enjoy!<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3cRTtxqtdG4" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
I had no idea they left the house in their p.j.'s! Thankfully, this was on a Sat. morn and they only went around the corner to the church playground! <br />
Boys, twin boys..one just never knows what they'll do!<br />
(We definitely have to work on spelling!!!)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00043725161477223825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4182604070822979781.post-80613251480768161412011-09-08T12:04:00.003-05:002011-09-08T13:47:49.995-05:00My Twinners~Words aren't enough sometimes to describe how much I love these two boys. How they, in their own way, crack me up and stretch me beyond what I would have imagined!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltkoGBL9aHDA1X9QGCFRQLb9DRhgTA2zOV3jaWNQbbax7OxJj_VTkZuTD84hDh_zfnR_RtnyICmjUJAC9VBXMBozjeuUGwh8Yq8Am_hXP2uSPmx5YrPUAXHhTp2PqtYMV1tYaWxFUsQs/s1600/2011-08-18+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltkoGBL9aHDA1X9QGCFRQLb9DRhgTA2zOV3jaWNQbbax7OxJj_VTkZuTD84hDh_zfnR_RtnyICmjUJAC9VBXMBozjeuUGwh8Yq8Am_hXP2uSPmx5YrPUAXHhTp2PqtYMV1tYaWxFUsQs/s320/2011-08-18+001.JPG" width="320" /></a>Two nights ago, I went in to kiss them goodnite and since I hadn't seen them go outside to put the hens up, I asked if they'd done that...Isaac was already asleep, but Caleb sat up and mumbled something I <strong><em><u>did</u></em></strong> <strong><em><u>not</u></em></strong> understand. So, I asked him again, thinking he was dreaming and didn't hear me...he then turned towards me and in the gruffest tone of voice I'd ever heard, he said something (which I could not interpret)....so I asked him one more time and he said, in a very very gruff-like voice and even louder, 'YES I DID, DO I NEED TO SAY IT AGAIN?' I couldn't stop giggling because he sounded like a bear growling at me! And the funniest thing is that he was asleep when he said it, or at least half asleep!<br />
**********************************************************************************<br />
<br />
I've told them that we're going to walk at 6:45-7 every morning and everyday up until today, I've gone in to remind them. Today, Daddy told me to begin with 'reality consequences' for their choices to give them the opportunity to grow up and own their education, etc, and so when I went in their today, I said I was leaving in 'five' and that they could decide to go or stay, but I also reminded them that there were consequences to every choice they made and that they really wouldn't like the consequences of their choice if they stayed in bed...one twin began giving me all the reasons why he wanted to stay in bed and guess what I did? I walked out of the room to get my shoes and he understood I wasn't going to change my mind...they were ready when I left and we had a good talk about choices, consequences, and law! I reminded them that there is NO law for us when we choose to do things God's way!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmEXT3Sb00ZRVxpsfqX794Zp4anSAzynIEZ1DobdCLnbxgCfBEfWkgPIBFrTOPAjONr4Vozx-_RNzhubS3BXnTdCRebv3Zf1ka8CsJ3JkGa05zdI02UGakDVReF1UAhyFOOmhbQLzC5Mk/s1600/2011-08-18+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmEXT3Sb00ZRVxpsfqX794Zp4anSAzynIEZ1DobdCLnbxgCfBEfWkgPIBFrTOPAjONr4Vozx-_RNzhubS3BXnTdCRebv3Zf1ka8CsJ3JkGa05zdI02UGakDVReF1UAhyFOOmhbQLzC5Mk/s320/2011-08-18+002.JPG" width="320" /></a>The other twin, sitting at his desk a while ago, doing math, says, 'Mom, this is our sin...and this is what Jesus does to it...' He'd taken a CD cover, a dry erase marker and completely colored the plastic part of the disc and then took the eraser and cleaned it off! "Get back to Math, dear! That's very true and I agree with you, but it's distracting you from completing your work!" Sigh and giggle under my breath!!!<br />
<br />
Then there are those moments when it's all I can do but take a deep breath and NOT open my mouth and just wait...wait for them to get the hint that their actions are either wrong or they need to be quiet and listen to my words...<br />
Oh, yes...the times, and oh how many, when they just HAVE to tell me something when they should be quietly working! I told twin A that he is a slave to his thoughts if he doesn't control what he lets out of his mouth as a result of not controlling what he's thinking about...and that he has control of his mind, because Jesus has given him the power to take his thoughts captive in obedience to the Word...<br />
<div align="center">***********************************************</div>The other morning I woke up from a nightmare in which both twins and their little friend, Jordan, were in life jackets and yet one of the twins was drowning and so was Jordan, and the other twin was trying to save both of them and he, too, was drowning in the ocean...and I was screaming for someone to jump in and help them...I woke with such a jolt and rebuked the dream and continued to take those thoughts captive to the Truth, but then I asked Daddy about it. He reminded me that training is vital to survival as well as in helping others. I thought about the Boy Scouts and the training boys get in survival skills as well as the military constantly training before they actually have to use their skills. <br />
Those kinds of dreams, although very vivid and disturbing, only serve to remind me how important it is for me to stay focused on 'eating His words for myself first and listening carefully to them' (Ezek. 3:10) and THEN to tell them the words of the Lord...and to take seriously my task today... <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZDXVlZFYaEAc018H35x2dN1eGSoFusFfdqercHS0bfyBn9UtbisZtdLf3pAjQknOc7B73nWzw2o1hJPIZp9LDA0zX5K4ebRh4_2e62XJMkBKVCElE_CtxQTdAvHvxnWnbAG5YDb38lc/s1600/2011-08-22+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZDXVlZFYaEAc018H35x2dN1eGSoFusFfdqercHS0bfyBn9UtbisZtdLf3pAjQknOc7B73nWzw2o1hJPIZp9LDA0zX5K4ebRh4_2e62XJMkBKVCElE_CtxQTdAvHvxnWnbAG5YDb38lc/s320/2011-08-22+056.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrsYfRe43tpsRGXzrYGmtDGHYzi_HIg7T25QkYV3yLZURlTYdv92RM81BPU0tmZd9t_IbnfaJKn5cPExv92zHBWAdw7-7ulf06NBgdt7xEtbnxVpSsqy0ruUKi4oduXETVbFhbPvg42I/s1600/2011-08-22+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrsYfRe43tpsRGXzrYGmtDGHYzi_HIg7T25QkYV3yLZURlTYdv92RM81BPU0tmZd9t_IbnfaJKn5cPExv92zHBWAdw7-7ulf06NBgdt7xEtbnxVpSsqy0ruUKi4oduXETVbFhbPvg42I/s400/2011-08-22+053.JPG" width="248" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeyM_DDrRxV7DCFiwRUmqKYDToC9Xagn8SZI3SNSPQBuu7E26UOCKFTT_MviQFGao1VkJangQxXPItfPUDYPIYJqiQb2O2V35Ox7Kd7t3rFn0Kbw9zwAXTY35jGjUOcWUUxxyIyqXyOcU/s1600/2011-08-22+057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeyM_DDrRxV7DCFiwRUmqKYDToC9Xagn8SZI3SNSPQBuu7E26UOCKFTT_MviQFGao1VkJangQxXPItfPUDYPIYJqiQb2O2V35Ox7Kd7t3rFn0Kbw9zwAXTY35jGjUOcWUUxxyIyqXyOcU/s640/2011-08-22+057.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>...for one day, they, too, will fly away! But for today, I will hold them close to my heart and treasure these moments!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00043725161477223825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4182604070822979781.post-67077068012170845512011-09-06T09:59:00.000-05:002011-09-06T09:59:42.781-05:00I called, He answered!Well, after an entire summer of seeking, listening, and crying out, He answered.<br />
<br />
I am excited for His answer.<br />
<br />
Excited to be able to come alongside these two amazing young men and assist them in their journey to adulthood.<br />
<br />
They're here, we're together and God is on His throne! <br />
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Last nite, Love and I sat on the couch, after everyone was in bed, discussing the 'why' behind this year's 'at home adventure' and we both agree that for them to succeed, we need to continue grounding them in Truth. Then we brought our hearts before His heart and laid this year at His feet. <br />
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It's going to be a great adventure.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00043725161477223825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4182604070822979781.post-32006439737204539002011-07-23T22:55:00.000-05:002011-07-23T22:55:02.600-05:00A repost for obvious reasons...I posted this on my Freedom blog, but it's worth posting here because of the bravery of my son...enjoy!<br />
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<large>There are times when, as a woman approaching her fifties, I sense that time is running short to do all the 'fun' things that should be done before I hit the pearly gates! </large><br />
<large>So, today, I was persuaded to bike ride with twin twelve, soon to be thirteen year old, boys...and mind you, bike riding should be something that's done daily, at least that's what Caleb thinks, and I told him we could do that...</large><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZyHPr4sRagdri5vCmkacPAwTzpKd0dA_X1IRZrCgeEc4_ugDxBCmMulQdvzoGJGjgRswWgbToB4GZ0l-jxQay1HhUpOciSZR6xeGbtu37Mj2AlBrZRNCTV5tZTu3UZglMTGnZTt3vOitF/s1600/2011-07-22+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZyHPr4sRagdri5vCmkacPAwTzpKd0dA_X1IRZrCgeEc4_ugDxBCmMulQdvzoGJGjgRswWgbToB4GZ0l-jxQay1HhUpOciSZR6xeGbtu37Mj2AlBrZRNCTV5tZTu3UZglMTGnZTt3vOitF/s640/2011-07-22+044.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<large>It all began when Isaac came to me and with a Middle Eastern accent, told me that they'd filled my tire (and not blew it up!) and wanted me to take a spin with them...and holding my hand, he drew me away from a letter I was writing...(sometimes these two just amaze me with their wooing skills!)</large><br />
<large>I told dad I was going to take a ride with the boys to which he responded, "You should take a ride with the boys! Do you have a horn or can you say honk, honk?" I honked and he gave his approval...off we went! (He's been in a really goofy mood lately, very witty and just a hoot!)</large><br />
<br />
<large>Coming around the corner of a street named, 'Anaconda' (that should have been my first clue), a dog came running out of a house when a woman opened her door and a man carrying his little girl walked in. Immediately the dog began barking at us as we rode by and I heard the woman yell the dog's name, but she didn't seem to care and closed her door</large><large>.</large><br />
<large>The dog kept pace with us, barking, hair raised on its back and would wander into a front yard and then come back barking...I thought to myself, 'all bark, no bite' just as this dog came into the street and BIT ME! </large><br />
<large>Immediately, Caleb dropped his bike and went after the dog! I mean literally went for the dog...I was concerned he'd get bit, but instead the dog wandered back into a yard. With great aim, Caleb took off his helmet and threw it at him, hitting the thing square in its back (broke his helmet!!!)! The dog began whimpering, and wandered back toward it's house, which is where I was also headed! </large><br />
<br />
<large>I felt so honored by my son's chivalry that I'd do it all over again just to see the man in him rise up to protect his mother! That's my boy~</large><br />
<br />
<large>This was a big dog, not a little yipey thing, either! I knocked on the woman's door and when I told her, she asked if I was ok, and I told her, "NO, your dog just bit me!" She apologized profusely, but I told her to keep her dog in her yard...I was too overcome to even think of saying all the things I'd thought of on my way to her house!!!! That was a good thing. One never knows if maybe one is going to the same church or worse...I see her in a situation where she'd need ministry and I was the ranting woman she'd had at her front door!!!</large><br />
<br />
<large>Well, my nerves have somewhat settled and I checked my leg...no open flesh! But I just drove to get the address and when I made a report so no one else gets bitten, the man said she'll get between two and six tickets! Wow! Very painful lesson! </large><br />
<br />
<large>Who would have thought that today would have turned out like it has so far? Yet, I did what I set out to do: GET MY HEART RATE UP!</large><br />
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<large>Have a great weekend. Won't be around again until after we get back from the Coast...with tons of pictures, too!!!</large>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00043725161477223825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4182604070822979781.post-53306980428779330382011-07-20T20:01:00.015-05:002011-07-20T20:22:44.924-05:00A mother's confession...<large></large><large></large> <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSdHYxBMHzUfOBroafD9jIMmG_ht0ZurkAArldOmF699vCvUQoY-HQHYS7pXfUrhy2jpIJ8gTT_pDpptn0Cvhi8Yh4xXQbFapmZbBgPkQGGri3W_KejUi1RcX84OLbhLWk04Jn0JuzkDv/s1600/_MG_0259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSdHYxBMHzUfOBroafD9jIMmG_ht0ZurkAArldOmF699vCvUQoY-HQHYS7pXfUrhy2jpIJ8gTT_pDpptn0Cvhi8Yh4xXQbFapmZbBgPkQGGri3W_KejUi1RcX84OLbhLWk04Jn0JuzkDv/s200/_MG_0259.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8gfOmWKm6VyJBqtkLb34gEBlqCvxYc5HLxeGS1TjlYX5faeKaMYtfqOafmt71YQ2vgEGj5vGCwENxbvx_-vd7v6Q4RscWJChRWJ1OQyCE2PW6p89roiEsbZVPW7e1R47MzlJ1u_lplK-U/s1600/_MG_0235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8gfOmWKm6VyJBqtkLb34gEBlqCvxYc5HLxeGS1TjlYX5faeKaMYtfqOafmt71YQ2vgEGj5vGCwENxbvx_-vd7v6Q4RscWJChRWJ1OQyCE2PW6p89roiEsbZVPW7e1R47MzlJ1u_lplK-U/s320/_MG_0235.JPG" width="213" /></a><large>She daily sits in her wheelchair, a blank stare on her face, gazing out the picture window at birds splashing and gulping water from an aluminum pan he fills every morning...this pan satisfies two needs: their thirst and her desire to connect with the outside world . </large><br />
<large>So I sit at the table, attempting to strike up a conversation and connect with her...I do try, but despite my best efforts, there's nothing there. Oh, once and a while she'll bring up something from her past or the usual, 'Have you talked to____________', to which I repeat what I've told her previously. </large><br />
<large></large> <br />
<large>The temperature has been so hot that she cannot go out during the day and so she sits...and stares. Sometimes the silence is so loud it hurts my ears. Other times I wrestle with guilt for not knowing my mother or 'working hard enough' to know her. This is the woman that gave me birth, raised me, took me to all the various lessons parents take kids in order for them to 'become' something amazing when they grow up. </large><br />
<large>But she also taught me things I wish I'd never learned. She didn't intentionally teach me those things...I don't believe any mother wants to teach her children to be manipulative, angry, bossy, pushy, self-centered...every mom I know does her best to teach her children to respect others, love the unlovely and work hard. Yet, left unchecked and not intentionally worked on, the former are 'qualities' kids become experts at...I'm no exception.</large><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZw4tNdZ0J-SKJEUMlIR0Gz5d3poUQXnm_gguGA1-xkO5g7nInLhjw_ch1gVDGFj1pS77g2xqWAjMs8UjprWalqfl1F2dgX243Ehxf0xNo0WrzXI36iFG0txxydKu1F-nxAmv4Fue6BI/s1600/_MG_0280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZw4tNdZ0J-SKJEUMlIR0Gz5d3poUQXnm_gguGA1-xkO5g7nInLhjw_ch1gVDGFj1pS77g2xqWAjMs8UjprWalqfl1F2dgX243Ehxf0xNo0WrzXI36iFG0txxydKu1F-nxAmv4Fue6BI/s200/_MG_0280.JPG" width="200" /></a><large></large> <br />
<large> I wiped the tears off my cheeks today as I listened to spoken words that stung my heart, brought conviction as well as healing about my role as mother. Sometimes the truth does sting, but it's medicine that brings health.</large><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVl7W0bHR2THvAMsp4P2rPD0Eds6eYvT3NAQ5o2jc3xV8a2MOBblZ8AfkQofjtzZKEqzywOZLD52okMkDc9lX6yYiPq0ANd5wE02kiwrfT9pXjAx1iAdpoqcBP78-i-OJTZP4XR7Q2YzM/s1600/110-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVl7W0bHR2THvAMsp4P2rPD0Eds6eYvT3NAQ5o2jc3xV8a2MOBblZ8AfkQofjtzZKEqzywOZLD52okMkDc9lX6yYiPq0ANd5wE02kiwrfT9pXjAx1iAdpoqcBP78-i-OJTZP4XR7Q2YzM/s400/110-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><large>We are nurturers, right? But when does nurturing turn to smothering? At what age do we, as moms, stop telling and begin suggesting things to our boys? When do we let the circumstances of our children's life awaken them to pain that will forge character to develop or do we continue to circumvent their pain because it hurts us to see them suffer?</large><br />
<large>These were the questions that ran through my mind today...I've been guilty and now that I've been made aware of my behavior, I know there are eternal changes coming...</large><br />
<large></large> <br />
<large>As I've been praying for answers to the 'do we homeschool this year' or 'do we do something different' question, I've been reminded, once again, that these young warriors He's blessed me to love and care for ARE NOT MINE. I don't own them or their future...and Daddy has been working daily to show me how to stop micromanaging them and begin to allow them to grow up.</large><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWfzccDGwK3N7FVtAl7ESROGm3Ed2e82i4GkxEYTeC_74t88ScVpzuGelqgft-OrhjLdR0ZfIIUth08dgFZ259SWYQeSCS4noGr9sIgG5_YXJvJ8B65Dwr3n607HSJ_CRE308VVx3IlI/s1600/111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWfzccDGwK3N7FVtAl7ESROGm3Ed2e82i4GkxEYTeC_74t88ScVpzuGelqgft-OrhjLdR0ZfIIUth08dgFZ259SWYQeSCS4noGr9sIgG5_YXJvJ8B65Dwr3n607HSJ_CRE308VVx3IlI/s400/111.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><large>We're all growing up!</large><br />
<large>until next time...</large>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00043725161477223825noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4182604070822979781.post-22991763490326338662011-05-20T11:38:00.010-05:002011-05-20T11:43:31.989-05:00Where has this school year gone?<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I ask myself how time could have flown by so quickly just when I was making plans for their education...but it has! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9C2WOGQpm-by6EgH76KbmG5M1T_S588avrsecCPJFcp4Og9tx8kc2QrX4WTts6FSMALlKsiYy4R7R1awcR0gEmdhzNQ-KI_vfUCrRkyiq-rkqdsnTgqkqZdKIXC48wSId91DCgN9kSE/s1600/2011-05-19+138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9C2WOGQpm-by6EgH76KbmG5M1T_S588avrsecCPJFcp4Og9tx8kc2QrX4WTts6FSMALlKsiYy4R7R1awcR0gEmdhzNQ-KI_vfUCrRkyiq-rkqdsnTgqkqZdKIXC48wSId91DCgN9kSE/s200/2011-05-19+138.JPG" width="200" /></a>Because I tend to analyze everything to death, I've decided it's healthier to take this year's experiences to Him, dropping my failures, inadequacies and struggles at His feet and pressing on to what lies ahead! Learning always seems to take place, whether I plan it or not. It's not so much whether they're learning at a desk or we're out and about; they're always learning something. May it be His paths, not mine.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4HqcI1TavBIE0A45g9p_iNgBKSt5lWuJxRqIpRDdz-aTVsj3R9HpwYlPgx-m_Mqz5e1K-jQ_EbUciGsol51l2_LTQG0gshE38SR6IisWaPnJR6_H8MWLF42BjmQJmk6hCymYrKAOzeY/s1600/2011-05-19+184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4HqcI1TavBIE0A45g9p_iNgBKSt5lWuJxRqIpRDdz-aTVsj3R9HpwYlPgx-m_Mqz5e1K-jQ_EbUciGsol51l2_LTQG0gshE38SR6IisWaPnJR6_H8MWLF42BjmQJmk6hCymYrKAOzeY/s600/2011-05-19+184.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><br />
Yesterday was zoo day again. For some reason, we never tire of the sights and horrid smells of animals from all over the world...and the boys don't seem to mind waiting around for me to click just 'one more picture'!<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiCoQFYvDOlMwfq98S_WiqVCxJLXQpkbUNxKh4OrQMBPexjWHOW8IEM5gpoHc4Lm_cBa0iZYGdVAOBiRe5_YJ6pthRJ9VDMrM2rfknN-klpcM69CrUQLGI75FZ1eYC_rV83kQBaU5NXlU/s1600/2011-05-19+089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="670" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiCoQFYvDOlMwfq98S_WiqVCxJLXQpkbUNxKh4OrQMBPexjWHOW8IEM5gpoHc4Lm_cBa0iZYGdVAOBiRe5_YJ6pthRJ9VDMrM2rfknN-klpcM69CrUQLGI75FZ1eYC_rV83kQBaU5NXlU/s800/2011-05-19+089.JPG" width="800" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDwrNSgAv56KasvypiPanoyd3J3Hd5qNGyLZl6_LSgzfNJGCs4qYMQQyWpCcKlAi5HcZEcUmzRqWzT6xqlEEllRcNVRNEkE05tMcPKL7fekTo1DwFJEWxc3vV2RfoxwKajD3-Y2GAjpg/s1600/2011-05-19+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="670" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDwrNSgAv56KasvypiPanoyd3J3Hd5qNGyLZl6_LSgzfNJGCs4qYMQQyWpCcKlAi5HcZEcUmzRqWzT6xqlEEllRcNVRNEkE05tMcPKL7fekTo1DwFJEWxc3vV2RfoxwKajD3-Y2GAjpg/s800/2011-05-19+040.JPG" width="800" /></a></div><br />
It's been a challenging year for me <i>and </i>the boys with all the changes, particularly with having a 'quiet' place to do Math...even with a sign posted for my daddy! But it, too, is just a season.<br />
<br />
Isn't this just how it is with children? They're in our face...and we love it!<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPacUAwuiWw6xrRan_SSG0BmfubzEN7nXYs4V-zAwNxOznAhhqp4y7fVKZloBkt_omFTyBRXF4w_H3Q6DWIRjsHs-bv1cutfISzQNvOBFWK0G7_0laQs6RBGpVbjYrmYhRr1L-1TSCO2I/s1600/2011-05-19+072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="467" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPacUAwuiWw6xrRan_SSG0BmfubzEN7nXYs4V-zAwNxOznAhhqp4y7fVKZloBkt_omFTyBRXF4w_H3Q6DWIRjsHs-bv1cutfISzQNvOBFWK0G7_0laQs6RBGpVbjYrmYhRr1L-1TSCO2I/s640/2011-05-19+072.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
How was your year? Did you accomplish everything you set out to do? What challenges did you face and how did you deal with them? <br />
<br />
Just curious.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Until next time...</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00043725161477223825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4182604070822979781.post-45543821896741967922011-03-24T11:38:00.000-05:002011-03-24T11:38:12.818-05:00Bananagrams...On New Year's eve we played a new game called Banana Grams...I absolutely love it!<br />
So, for fun learning, we are playing it for spelling. The coolest thing is that we didn't have to go and buy the game, we're just using our Scrabble letters. I like it so much more than Scrabble because we don't have to wait to take turns...everyone picks either eleven or twenty-one one letters, depending on how many are playing and then you play your own game. If you can't use a letter, you 'dump' it, and pick up three more. If you use all your letters, you say, 'peel'. Then everyone has to pick up one letter...the first one to use all their letters, wins!<br />
I was quite impressed when Caleb spelled DEFINITELY! Genius!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28KjFcIN7UEu7jlbJDFfLGAJoHSETnabwojrhgoIi8x8uzEbobjbbRUPXv7Xz_PeobLYzHfES1gpiT6Hgf-ooayxHs4hkmtXETvP48g3OucBEtgQtY1jJW_WIQh3O2zvPaRE3jIELbe4/s1600/school+fun+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28KjFcIN7UEu7jlbJDFfLGAJoHSETnabwojrhgoIi8x8uzEbobjbbRUPXv7Xz_PeobLYzHfES1gpiT6Hgf-ooayxHs4hkmtXETvP48g3OucBEtgQtY1jJW_WIQh3O2zvPaRE3jIELbe4/s640/school+fun+002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Why can't learning be fun?<br />
<br />
Yesterday, I needed time off! So we headed out to the library to pick up a book Isaac had put on hold and then headed to the Japanese Tea Garden and took in the beauty and lots of pix!<br />
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The first creature Isaac found: a stink bug...and do they smell bad!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD5ovgGae_WAsWHb9HfVwoGrqvxK-zjdlOWkiHG9cd217EDmSETD0iWjFdh4bX__3DsEDAkrww2MtUEXEh8SIkSKCJcZcjLLG-DuMCTBYAbpB-aJd3RrOzJSO48gxhRXjOVSHUWKYqwuk/s1600/006-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD5ovgGae_WAsWHb9HfVwoGrqvxK-zjdlOWkiHG9cd217EDmSETD0iWjFdh4bX__3DsEDAkrww2MtUEXEh8SIkSKCJcZcjLLG-DuMCTBYAbpB-aJd3RrOzJSO48gxhRXjOVSHUWKYqwuk/s640/006-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think posing is their favorite thing when the camera is on!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7fAWAxu40YPgBB1SOyrcbSjmTwmMAFCbxvUIWt12cJh0pLYkpZGL9ZNISdgkfcAS0S_BG020aWf1xkAvMYx_8OfLSCQJ7MJEEenYEvsCfLWYqSkqprzmImj1fhGY-2efFCwx7DntcyM/s1600/034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7fAWAxu40YPgBB1SOyrcbSjmTwmMAFCbxvUIWt12cJh0pLYkpZGL9ZNISdgkfcAS0S_BG020aWf1xkAvMYx_8OfLSCQJ7MJEEenYEvsCfLWYqSkqprzmImj1fhGY-2efFCwx7DntcyM/s640/034.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The caretaker of the Gardens asked if they'd like to feed the giant fish~that was so cool.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8o-34rt9g-msQCvxDlJgYVR2PdNIVEbw1Lv9yqHn8yk2X47dUFM42Ea4VJje4uym7nsUhtY6-p9qybW3pX4k2HgTYlccJb9WAEQ64TfYsnbmBiZovqw0fPIXH396L03AFbRkyTH0gSdU/s1600/080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8o-34rt9g-msQCvxDlJgYVR2PdNIVEbw1Lv9yqHn8yk2X47dUFM42Ea4VJje4uym7nsUhtY6-p9qybW3pX4k2HgTYlccJb9WAEQ64TfYsnbmBiZovqw0fPIXH396L03AFbRkyTH0gSdU/s640/080.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFajQUpN8ImphlhXdofQO5sVM7skDfcTHT4LR3NtXcLfd2bBo_98c7agcro-nvhnuJ84HUO_onJYvvO9AdJDE7jA5luE7K4hZmrTMtiN4_av9qAUeFYTVVeUY3e5h5-U_FHDaMeNw2maw/s1600/082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFajQUpN8ImphlhXdofQO5sVM7skDfcTHT4LR3NtXcLfd2bBo_98c7agcro-nvhnuJ84HUO_onJYvvO9AdJDE7jA5luE7K4hZmrTMtiN4_av9qAUeFYTVVeUY3e5h5-U_FHDaMeNw2maw/s640/082.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rocks and boys go together like peanut butter and jelly...until the workers come around...they got down before they were noticed. What is a mother to do?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCzQk625YDl0VwT8zjPzufEDC8NjB6shXjkNVopA4J7z0wll3MHybW5ag_3yHcjKmuGHSx7jGyFsM6HjhOIp3XvKrxI4S366w8rBtItUDIT6yP4gQ2hwVK3ZpQGMSYPmrpz9Mw4jBt3Y/s1600/096-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCzQk625YDl0VwT8zjPzufEDC8NjB6shXjkNVopA4J7z0wll3MHybW5ag_3yHcjKmuGHSx7jGyFsM6HjhOIp3XvKrxI4S366w8rBtItUDIT6yP4gQ2hwVK3ZpQGMSYPmrpz9Mw4jBt3Y/s640/096-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
Just to get a picture of the size of this building...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAquI4Y2ZcJ4H7IdpBsuEO9yfBle48mCqyNBbz4k5CuvKTlk3S91gtEpIL746zd6IQm76vCV7z_TzyJc0aRwCx-R8RocJVXU1doq1risyjSdRGnvoagPtizThrCH9Bv4Pn-mq0VPAyEQ/s1600/004-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAquI4Y2ZcJ4H7IdpBsuEO9yfBle48mCqyNBbz4k5CuvKTlk3S91gtEpIL746zd6IQm76vCV7z_TzyJc0aRwCx-R8RocJVXU1doq1risyjSdRGnvoagPtizThrCH9Bv4Pn-mq0VPAyEQ/s640/004-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Unscheduled days off are great every once and a while, don't ya think?</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00043725161477223825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4182604070822979781.post-29198557891491114672011-03-20T21:41:00.000-05:002011-03-20T21:41:38.249-05:00Warm weather and cereal!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_Byr1JnjLnVJ7Jptdb944wcLdSQlxZG2Jn1JRW3ZnG7NZECWBXomiAo4J9LslzUxwF29NkzjuUWf4H3v9yVIyiMVPQcsm67dHUQFBBxYobXa0KzbG-cmR-ByOmZgY-GZzUTpZwdNcbc/s1600/022-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="900" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_Byr1JnjLnVJ7Jptdb944wcLdSQlxZG2Jn1JRW3ZnG7NZECWBXomiAo4J9LslzUxwF29NkzjuUWf4H3v9yVIyiMVPQcsm67dHUQFBBxYobXa0KzbG-cmR-ByOmZgY-GZzUTpZwdNcbc/s900/022-1.jpg" width="768" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00043725161477223825noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4182604070822979781.post-50317920629683078432011-03-12T20:13:00.000-06:002011-03-12T20:13:23.635-06:00Duck/Chicken boys...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some days, things are just funny...and they intentionally work to make me laugh. That was this day. Pringles are great for this.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7j53qnGDVixl6Kybewvyg0s25iurCret1j1HdxQG_S6y4oGgoALPfkOZDaE42zqn-tYnbmtP7wfeljVvubcFzPW127XKvWlG7Wp5OflTybrE8I_jGf1x7VEe_FaM-zulaGud8Fe8Dcs/s1600/duck+boys+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7j53qnGDVixl6Kybewvyg0s25iurCret1j1HdxQG_S6y4oGgoALPfkOZDaE42zqn-tYnbmtP7wfeljVvubcFzPW127XKvWlG7Wp5OflTybrE8I_jGf1x7VEe_FaM-zulaGud8Fe8Dcs/s640/duck+boys+001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Mom is gettin' it together better everyday. This week I sat and, once again, typed out a schedule for them...THEY LOVED IT! It helped so much to bring order to their day, my expectations, the time they could say, 'we're done...sign here, mom.' Whew...it was worth the hours of arranging, praying, thinking, and then finally printing a copy for them, me, and Love...school went sooo well this week. Kinda like when I start and restart to exercise...no guilt that it failed in the past, cuz He is Lord of today and tomorrow and though I(we) fall, I (we) shall get up again and run the race set before us...but if there is nothing 'set', how can I (they) run in any direction...<br />
It seems the hardest part is consistency...working with my parent's to STOP COMING INTO THE SCHOOL ROOM AND JUST TALKIN' ABOUT WHATEVER!!! One day, not sure which, dad recognized how he'd frustrated me and so he came home with a candy bar, sat it down next to my computer and walked out...then later told me it was for his annoying me~! I smiled.<br />
Life is good, full of surprises and good things. <br />
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Savor each day.<br />
<br />
Last Sat., we had planned on dropping the boy's off at church to serve, but First Sat. Serve was cancelled, so we headed to Home Depot and it just so happened to be the kid class day and they wanted to do the project...they're just about too old for this, but until then, I'll just savor the desire.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ytJTt2bnJ1krKoPxiLejN5vtCh3l1K26z2bNx9vkMMNbzZraIgANROPRnulN6whs1qTszve4DahSKvYX9HLeHlB3CGWAsGcqVbLxh0gnlccdKxhdN40_xRb-YCv1AtErAcP_OCu1Dg0/s1600/home+depot-sat.+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ytJTt2bnJ1krKoPxiLejN5vtCh3l1K26z2bNx9vkMMNbzZraIgANROPRnulN6whs1qTszve4DahSKvYX9HLeHlB3CGWAsGcqVbLxh0gnlccdKxhdN40_xRb-YCv1AtErAcP_OCu1Dg0/s640/home+depot-sat.+015.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcz2lM1whv5e5XeLq1mrY9xvEjBQ8ZSaZD7Kdbu_KKogbHF5oY7OA8SEiWpDu-65mcJC2DP140yMNDPYMBFGutJpP4p4-TSgMLxc2y-UR1VLtp1wouqo2fTQyweIUB1c-iECq0sR9E8Zo/s1600/home+depot-sat.+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcz2lM1whv5e5XeLq1mrY9xvEjBQ8ZSaZD7Kdbu_KKogbHF5oY7OA8SEiWpDu-65mcJC2DP140yMNDPYMBFGutJpP4p4-TSgMLxc2y-UR1VLtp1wouqo2fTQyweIUB1c-iECq0sR9E8Zo/s640/home+depot-sat.+002.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00043725161477223825noreply@blogger.com0