Photos Taken by Nature Girl

Nature Girl has had her camera for almost a year.  The following are some recent pictures I uploaded so I thought I would share . . .

Thoughts for 2012

This very well might be my last post for 2011.  And probably for quite awhile.  So, I thought I would just jot down some things that are running through my head.

I want to raise Kingdom Kids.  I want to spend 2012 raising kids that want to love and serve God.  I want to encourage them to take their desires and dreams and give them to God.  And let Him work His will in their lives.

I want to be a mom that prays.  Over everything.  Whether it is going to the grocery store or trying to figure out how to encourage change in a child's heart.  Whether it is to read Shakespeare or Plutarch.  Whether we should be involved in Meals on Wheels or participate more in the local transition community.  Or whether or not I should buy that pair of shoes that is on sale.  Or, when we are having a bad day, stop and pray.  Or, when we are having good day stop and give thanks.  You get the drift.

I want our school to be different.  It isn't anything like what I had envisioned when I first started homeschooling.  I love that we read a ton and I love that I get an opportunity, everyday, to read one and one with each child.  But, we aren't doing some of the more hands on stuff that I would like.  We aren't taking the time to explore the things the kids enjoy.  I want to take more time in character building.  And handicraft stuff like gardening and crocheting and cross-stitch just to name of few.  (I have a list and will be praying over them.)

We leave for Wisconsin in a couple days.  We are soooo excited.  We are going to see tons of family and friends.  And we are praying for snow!  The kids have never seen it.

I want to read more.  I have so many books and there just doesn't seem to be enough time to read through them all.  I need to tell myself that reading is not a waste of time.  That it is OK for me to take 15 minutes during quiet time to read a little bit for myself.

We need to do better in working as a team.  That means the kids need to help.  I get behind and things don't get done because I feel I have to do it all myself.  The two older girls can certainly do more, with a little training, then I give them credit for.  Boop can be very helpful if I would just take the time to guide him.  I bet EG can even help too.  Given a little training.

I want a house of peace.  I want a house where my children enjoy being home.  That means I have to take the time to engage my kids.  Play games, go outside.  Listen to them.  (And boy can they talk.)  Be slow to anger and slow to speak.

Most of all, truly realize God really is in control.  That I need to act on my faith and have trust that He knows what He is doing.

I know there is more.  And maybe, Monday or Tuesday, if I have my chores done, I will post a few more thoughts.  But, for now, Happy New Year's everyone . . .

Blessed Many Times Over

Of course, the kids got what they wanted.  I think we all got what we wanted.

We are blessed beyond measure.  Thanks be to God and His One and Only Son.  The true gift of the season.  Of which, no earthly gift can truly compare . . . .

Merry Christmas

Grandma came yesterday so it is officially Christmas.

Last night we went to a local park that fills its trees and green space with tons of light displays.  You can drive through or walk.  We met three of our family friends and exchanged gifts and enjoyed the lights.

Today will be filled with baking and wrapping.  Tonight Sissy is taking the big girls and they are going to watch a holiday movie and do more baking.  The littles and I will wrap and bake, eat fried chicken and play Bingo, a request from Boop.

Tomorrow will be filled with more baking and cooking.  On the menu for Christmas Eve is little ham sandwiches, homemade broccoli cheese soup and lots of appetizers like cheese ball and artichoke dip.  We are doing something a little different this year, in that we are going to a Catholic Christmas Eve service.  We are working our way up to going to midnight mass one year.  I enjoy the traditions of the service.  As does hubby.  We both, in our younger years, were raised in a Catholic church.  Some of my fond Christmas memories are of cuddling up in my mom's faux fur coat during Midnight Mass.

Christmas day will be crazy I am sure.  But, all the family will be here so no particular place to go.  We are excited because it is hubby's first Christmas off in awhile.  What a nice treat not to have him sitting around in his green polyester uniform, vest and gun, trying to listen to his radio amidst all the excitement of the opening of presents

Prime rib, asparagus and sweet potato mashers from the garden are on the Christmas Day menu.  I can't believe it is here already.  Where, oh where, does the time go.

Merry Christmas everyone . . .

Boop and Broccoli

About six weeks ago, at church, the kids were learning about the virtue of thankfulness.  To encourage the kids to be thankful, at the end of the program, they handed out Thank You cards and told each child to think of someone they wanted to thank and send them the card.

The next morning, during school, we took some time to think of someone they each wanted to thank.  Nature Girl picked her Sunday School teacher and LM gave hers to her ballet teacher.

For a couple of weeks we had been praying for a son of a friend of ours, nicknamed Broccoli, who I have known since he was my kids age.  He had recently been deployed to Iraq.  He was part of some type of convoy thing.  We prayed for his safety every morning and sent letters and FaceBook messages to him.

So, when Boop picked some one he was thankful for, he picked Broccoli.  He wrote out his card, thanking him for his service and wanting to know who was winning. ;)  We put it in the mail.  I sent Broccoli a FB message just letting him know he would be receiving a card written just by Boop.  He sent me a message back letting me know that the Post Office was closing because they were being sent back to the States!

Of course that was fabulous news and I knew my mom's friend would be over joyed!  About 2 weeks later I got Boop's card back in the mail.  But, we were going down to visit my mom and would be able to leave the card with Broccoli's mom.  And she would be sure to get it to him when he was state side.

Well, this morning my phone rings and it was a number I did not recognize.  Usually I just ignore those.  But, I am sooooo, soooo glad I didn't.  It was Broccoli calling for Boop!!  I was so excited.  And, when Boop was told who was on the phone for him, he grinned from ear to ear.

They talked for a few minutes.  When I asked Boop what Broccoli said he told me "He said he thinks they won."  That soldier, who we prayed for and are so thankful for, made my son's day.  Where would we be without the men and women, who are willing to put their lives on the line, every day to protect the lives of others.

Thank you Broccoli for your service and we are so thankful you are home for the holidays . . . .

Girl's Night Out

Last night, for the first time in I can't tell you how long, a bunch of girls got together for dinner. At out last book club meeting, all of the moms were having a really great time just sitting and talking while the kids were playing.

A couple of days later (or maybe a couple of hours later) one of the mom's sent out an email trying to organize a dinner out with all of us so we could continue our conversation. And crazily enough, almost of us were able to go.

So, last night we went to a local restaurant, one that hubby would never go to and one that didn't have kids meals. The six of us broke bread together and talked. GEtting to know each other a little better. Sharing a little of ourselves. Our dreams, hopes and struggles.

It is great to rejoice with each other, all the blessings in our lives. And it is also just a wee bit comforting to know that others have struggles as well. Sometimes just the same as me.

I don't "need" girl time, necessarily. But, the longer I walk on this mom's walk, the more I understand the need for sharing a little bit of my life with others and experiencing a little bit of others' lives myself.

I am so thankful that God has placed this great group of women in my life. I know it makes my walk just a little bit easier . . .

Sharing Our Time, Treasures and Talents

We have been given an awesome opportunity to help with a local transition community. About 10 minutes from here is a community of 48 trailers filled with local families that use to be homeless.

At Thanksgiving we put together a basket filled with all the fixings to a complete meal. A local church donated all the turkeys. We included activities for the kids, a candle and some pretty napkins, along with home grown sweet potatoes.

Then about a week and a half ago, a friend of mine organized a Christmas ornament making and cooking decorating party for their after school program. About 5 families met out there and spent the afternoon making pinecone decorations and decorating cookies. When that was done all the kids, ours included, went and played on the playground.

The lady who coordinated the Thanksgiving baskets is also coordinating some type of Christmas for all of the 48 families. We, along with our Sunday School class, have been able to provide a Christmas tree and presents for the kids and a gift card for the mom to the same family that we did a Thanksgiving basket for. And, as it turns out, 2 of the 4 kids are in the afterschool program so we were actally able to meet them!

This afternoon is a Christmas party at the community and the kids and I are going to go. Little Mama made a friend and wants to bring her a Christmas gift.

One of my goals as a parent, is to help my kids understand that one of the main reasons we are on this Earth is to serve others. Especially those who have needs. I also want them to understand how truly blessed we are as a family. And we ought not take it for granted. To wake up each day and thank God for all the provisions He has given us. And to share those provisions as He calls us to.

Helping out the transition community is just one way we can do that. And we are definitely enjoying it in the process . . .

Field Trip

We have been crazy busy with really great things to do. One of them was a trip to our Governor's Mansion last week. The following are pictures and just a couple of high light.

The front of the Governor's Mansion. This is the second one built on the same spot. The left side is the private residence. The right side is open to the public for tours.

The foyer is filled with many, many antiques. Some dating back to the 1700s. The clock still works!

Silver service commissioned for the Navy. Art on loan from a museum in our state.

The wallpaper in the main dining room was water damaged a few years back. It originally came from France a long, long time ago. When a call was made to see if it could be replaced, it could. The wallpaper is hand stamped! It was beautiful.

My favorite room, the library. It was originally a sun room.


A room where meetings are held etc.

On the table is a locked box. Back in the day it held tea under lock and key.

The gang. They did great! Great group of kids . . .

December Book Club

This is what our book club looked like for our December get together! We had reports on Lewis and Clark and ate lunch outside. And then after the moms got done talking (well not really done talking because we never really get done talking) but when we decided to make a break in all the good play time, we had ourselves a little cookie decorating party.

Have I mentioned I love the holidays in the South? Where else can you decorate Christmas cookies outside in December . . .

Pine Cones and Pretty Smells

Nature Girl and I hard at work making scented pine cone bags. Little Mama was the picture taker. Much fun that weekend. . . .

I Love My Kids This Much

One of the greatest joys I have in being Nature Girl's mom, is watching her do ballet. She is beautiful and lovely and graceful and so, well, just perfect. It has brought tears to my eyes since the very first time I saw her dance when she was just three years old. Oh so many years ago. I still get that same feeling. It truly is a gift to me.

One of the greatest joys I have in being Little Mama's mama, is that I get to watch her, day in and day out, express her concern and love and caring for others. Everyone from the homeless, who she made food bags for yesterday, to her very favorite baby sister. She will truly make someone a wonderful wife and mother.

One of the greatest joys I have in being Boop's mom, is watching him gladly serve others. He is always ready to help with a humble heart. He got his hair cut today and he looks SO DARN ADORABLE!

One of the greatest joys I have in being EG's mom, is, well, just being her mom. She is the spunkiest, happiest, stubbornest, silliest, smartest baby girl I have ever seen. So, so thankful she is ours . . .

EG's Thoughts on Life

EG: Will monsters get us?

Me: No, we have daddy.

EG: Will bad guys get us?

Me: No, we have daddy.

EG: Will ghosts get us?

Me: No, we have daddy.

EG: And daddy has a gun.

Me: Yes, EG daddy has a gun.

Last night, in tears, just wailing.

EG: I want a baby!!!!!

Me: EG, you just got a new baby doll for your birthday.

EG: Noooooo, I want a real one!!!!

Me: Well, you are going to have to talk to daddy about that . . . .

Market Days

We have had a very busy weekend. For the second year in a row, the girls participated in our local crafts fair. It actually is a big thing in our area. Vendors from all over the United States come to our town the first weekend in December and it is a great fundraising event for our local nature museum.

This year the girls did their crafts all by themselves. With a little start up help from mom and dad. Little Mama decorated Terra cotta pots with paint and buttons and ribbon and sea shells she collected from the beach. Except for some of the spray painting, she did all the decorating herself. Using a glue gun and everything! The pots were adorable and she had them displayed with pens in them, to show other uses for them.

Nature Girl made scented pine cone bags. About a month before the fair, we all went and collected pine cones and then about a week before, she sprayed down every single pine cone with a cinnamon spice essence oil. She then tied them up in a bag and let them soak in the fragrance. On Friday she packaged them all up in pretty mesh bags and tied pretty Christmas ribbons on them. The smelled and looked wonderful.

They had success on Saturday and Sunday. Each girl selling something. It is such a great experience for them to have an idea, figure out how it is going to work, put it all together and then reap the many benefits from a job well done.

I am very proud of both of them. For their ideas and their determination to get it all done. And it is kind of a neat way to get into the holiday spirit. Hopefully I will have pictures for Silent Sunday . . .

Traveling With the Fam

While visiting my mom this past week, on a rainy day, we went to a local mall. This particular mall had an inside ice skating rink. My first reaction was "hey, we need to do this." Of course cooler heads prevailed. As much as I wanted the kids to have that experience, I came to realization, yet again, how much a family of six (maybe five depending on their fee scale) would have to pay for such a treat. To be honest, I didn't even look.

The day before, we wanted to visit the aquarium where the dolphin Winter lives, from the movie Dolphin Tales. When we looked up online to see how much it would cost, we were astounded. It would have been close to a hundred dollars! And, honestly, there didn't seem to be all that much to do except look at the dolphin. I didn't take a whole lot of time checking it out because I knew it wasn't going to happen.

Then about a month ago (maybe longer), I wanted to take the kids to see the Titanic Exhibit at a local museum. Again, I was flabbergasted at the cost for me and the kids. I have come to the conclusion, that a lot of these places price the average families right out of the possibility of enjoying them. Which is a shame.

At the mall, we settled for Starbucks for everyone. And sat watching all the others skate. It wasn't the perfect plan. But, it was something we could do together. And that usually is my goal . . .

Silent Sunday

Notable Notes on Thanksgiving

Thankful to see my hubby home safe and sound. Hugged him and did't want to let him go!

Mom, hubby and Sissy had Thanksgiving duty. I had kid duty.

Enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving with mom and sister and fam. First time we have all been together for Thanksgiving in a number of years.

The kids swam on Thanksgiving Day! Have to love the holidays in the South.

Did our first Black Friday Shopping. Ever. Well, hubby did anyway. Saw an ad in the local paper on Wednesday for Yankee Candles for $4.99. Hubby was up at 7:15AM to go get us all some. Store didn't open until 8. He came back with coffee though. Went again at 7:45 and could only buy 3. Picked up Sissy and LM and went and bought 4 more. Success!

On the way home from Grandma's Boop played with the turkey fryer oil funnels for almost the entire 5 hour trip! I love boys!

Found out that lollipops and the iPod are a great way to keep EG quiet on the long car ride. It was hilarious to hear EG "singing" in her carseat. I turned down the Christmas music just to hear her.

On the way to my mom's we all wished every toll booth person a Happy Thanksgiving. On the way back all 7 of us told all the toll booth people to Have a Merry Christmas. Many were perplexed. Some just stared and one or two laughed. Just trying to share the love. ;)

All and all a pretty good holiday week . . .

Thankful For

God's presence in my life.

I wake up almost every morning at 5:30AM. It is my quiet time. Time to pray, journal and read my Bible. Most of the time it is me talking to God. In all honesty, not much of my quiet time is listening.

The listening part has seemingly been coming around 6:30AM while showering. God takes that time to use the warm, cascading water to open up the pores of my soul to listen to and accept what He needs to say to me. It is never very intentional on my part. It is usually just a quiet time when the things that are troubling me tend to reverberate in my brain. And in my heart.

Yesterday morning when I was showering, and stewing about what the kids had to wear to church, God assured me that it doesn't matter what is on the outside. That He only truly cares about what is on the inside. I had to breathe a sigh of relief because my oldest girl doesn't have much in the way of "church" clothes in her closet at the moment. (I believe it is important to be respectfully dressed when going to church but that isn't what this post is about and I will save my thoughts on that for another post. Maybe.)

In the beginning of the week, as I continued to struggle with a pride issue with one of my children, God put the book of Proverbs on my heart. In between my shampoo and conditioner. So, that morning, I made a decision to stop our normal Bible/History/Geography time and focus primarily on Proverbs for the next 31 days. Talking about and discussing God's wisdom and knowledge and the necessity of seeking good Godly wisdom. And the blessing that come with gaining wisdom.

When I allow God to speak to me, His answers are so much better than anything I can ever come up with. I am asking God to continue to shower me with His wisdom . . .

Ryan Sprague

I had the opportunity to listen to Ryan Sprague talk last night. Ryan Sprague is a former FSU football player, homeschooling dad to four little boys, one with Cerebral Palsy. He came to talk to one of our homeshool groups about relationships.

This has been an interesting topic for me. Courtship vs. dating. In fact a friend of mine and I just sat down about a week and half ago to talk with a mom who is successfully navigating this interesting stage in life.

Mr. Sprague did not discuss those particular topics but just the foundation of human relationships in general. Based on Scripture. And, even though, much of the time he was talking to youth and parents of teenagers, what he had to say was sooooo applicable to everyone in the room.

First thing he did was quote Ephesians 6:1-4. The first three verses command children to respectfully obey their parents and if children choose to willfully obey their parents, God promises a blessing for them. He told the youth that no matter what their parents decided for them about dating/courting that they are to humbly obey them. And God promises to bless them.

The last part of the verse tells parents not to exasperate their children. That when parents set goals and boundaries and questions come up from children, take the time to teach and train their children as to why they set the boundaries they did. Mr. Sprague is all about "because I said so" but he also feels there are plenty of times in life when conversations about goals and boundaries and family rules need to be explained and taught to children. So the child as a basis for why the rule or boundary has been set.

Mr. Sprague believes in family, family, family. It is the parents responsibility, with the guidance and direction from God to lead the family, teach the family, protect and guide the children. And he is very, very passionate and educated about it.

His main purpose last night was to give the foundation of a biblical marriage and how that translates into a teenager's desire to date. Dating/courtship is not mentioned in the bible. It is a relatively new concept in the last 100 years or so. So, when discussing courtship or dating we need to go to the relationship that God does discuss and that is marriage.

This is what Mr. Sprague believes Scripture teaches "Marriage is a human relationship that is a picture of God's divine relationship with His church." Based on that foundation, divorce is not an option. Because if our marriage is a reflection of God's relationship with the church and God does not leave us, in fact He sent His Son to die for us to maintain that relationship, then we, as a human reflection of that relationship should not divorce. Ever. He said we could debate the exceptions in the Bible and he has read both sides of the issue but that wasn't why he was there. He wanted to give a Biblical foundation for all relationships.

So, based on the fact that the marriage relationship is based on the above picture of God and church, courting and dating should be discussed in that context. Teenagers should not be asking at what age can I date but what do I need to do to be mature enough to enter into that type of permanent relationship. What do I need to learn to be the head of a family? What do I need to learn to be a submissive wife?

He reiterated over and over again, that marriage isn't a warm, fuzzy, what have you done for me lately feeling. And that is why so many marriages end. "It isn't what I expected." "I don't love him/her anymore." "It is too hard."

Some how the marriage relationship has become all about the individuals. It is a selfish relationship based on what one spouse can do for the other spouse to make them happy, fulfill a need, provide a home, children etc. He said every marriage relationship begins in adultery because we love ourselves much more than we love our spouse. Society has turned it into that. Divorce happens because "we love ourselves more than we are willing to love our spouse." That was huge to me. I can see that in my own marriage.

No teenager should date/court until they are ready to sacrifice for someone else. Because that is what an exclusive relationship is. Marriage is sticking through the inevitable tough times. Cancer, death, financial problems.

I think that I need to show my children the God designed plan for marriage. In word and deed. And I think some of those ideas and seeds need to be planted now, while they are still young. I come from a divorced family. My husband comes from a divorced family. And the odds would say that hubby and I don't have a great chance of success.

Even though we did not have this type of idea going into marriage and yes, I am sure I married my hubby for some selfish reasons, we both knew that divorce was just not an option. I now understand better why.

Mr. Sprague was wonderful. And he talked about a bunch of stuff that is so contrary to popular culture. But he was strong and passionate about what he believes. And he talk was based on Biblical Truth. I hope to hear him again sometime in the future. Maybe with my preteen girls in tow . . .

Alone Again

I am so thankful that my hubby doesn't travel very much. I am not that good at being a single mom!

Monday hubby left for his annual hunting trip. And the past two days have flown by. Just with activity and life in general. I would say the hardest part for all of us, though, is nighttime. EG keeps asking for him. Boop has said on more than one occasion he misses his daddy.

When he is away, the kids take turns sleeping with me. Last night was NG's night. EG was very disappointed when she came in my room this morning, saw someone sleeping on hubby's side of the bed and came to the realization it was NG, not daddy. LM said she started to cry (I was in the shower.)

Boop sleeps with a sweatshirt of daddy's. They hear the garage door open around dinner time and look expectantly at the door and some say "daddy?". I admit, some of the sounds I associate with hubby make me think it is him.

Life just doesn't seem right without him here . . .

Happy, Happy Birthday EG!!

She is officially 3! Where has the time gone! It seems like just yesterday hubby and I were in the delivery room with a baby ready to be born and no midwife or nurse! Thankfully a nurse showed up before hubby had to put on rubber gloves! And the midwife showed up right after that!

A remarkable story we will never forget. A remarkable daughter that I know touches all of our hearts in a very special way!

Many more details to come about her fabulous Pretty in Pink and Sweets for the Sweet birthday party put on by my sister's new company m&m event design. Every little girl, at some point in their little life, should have such a wonderful celebration of birth . . .

Some Mondays, Thursdays or Fridays

Some days when hubby is home, I try like the dickens to have some type of school day. It can be difficult though. He is usually running in and out. Working on some, way more fun project than math.

Last Friday I just threw up my hands. Our morning consisted of this:

What's a homeschooling mom to do . . .

Random Thoughts

With regard to my baby turning three in a week:

The fertility doctor that told me I couldn't have kids unless I harvested my then 13 year old sister's eggs had no idea what he was talking about. Glad God had a much different plan for me and the whole family.

Sleep is overrated.

The threes are WAY harder then the twos.

Life would be oh so boring without her.

She definitely has the I'm the baby of a passel of kids syndrome.

She is way too smart for her own good. And for my own good.

The neighbor man says "I have never seen such a little girl so tough."

Everything about her from her delivery to her personality is unique to our family.

Shoes are still optional.

I am sure I will be contemplating more about her in the next few days. Those were just a few of my random thoughts today . . .

Silent Sunday

K-Love

The kids and I listen to a local contemporary Christian radio station. It has positive, encouraging songs. And no commercials.

Because they are totally listener supported, about twice a year they have a pledge drive. When we first started listening to the station, I didn't like the pledge drive. To be honest, it kind of annoyed me.

But, as time went on and I listened to one or two more pledge drives, I started to kind of understand why people would send money in or want to support the radio station on a regular basis. I can't tell you how many times, when we have been in the car, that K-Love has "saved" the day. There are some songs I really like and speak directly to my heart (I love music.) There are times when the kids aren't getting along and one of their favorite songs comes on and they all stop and sing along.

The other day, hubby had EG in the car going somewhere. When he got home he said that she knew almost all the words to every song that was played. To me, it is special to hear my kids sing about Biblical truths. And, a lot of the songs are quite catchy. Very up beat and modern for lack of a better word.

Anyway, last month during Meals on Wheels, we had K-Love on. And it happened to be during their pledge drive. Earlier during the pledge drive week, the kids had mentioned supporting K-Love. They wanted to donate. Well, they wanted me to donate.

After tossing the idea around and talking to hubby about it, we came up with this idea. Considering the kids don't make "serious" money, I wanted to figure out a way that they could support K-Love monthly and it be a little bit of a sacrifice to them and not be an extra expense to us.

Once every two weeks, on Wednesday we get fast food between EG's tumbling class and church. They love Taco Bell or Chick-fil-A. It is a treat. So, I asked was it worth it to them to give up a trip to a fast food joint once a month to support K-Love. I figure it costs about $20 to feed the whole family and that is what they wanted to donate monthly.

Little Mama and Boop were pretty sure right away. Although they asked if they would ever get to eat out again. I said of course, that we were just giving up one of our "scheduled" fast food dinners. Nature Girl took a little more time deciding what she wanted to do. But, eventually by the time we got home from MOWs she had made up her mind to forgo a fast food meal and donate as well.

They were after me for the rest of the day to call. I know hubby and I could have contributedwithout making them choose. And honestly I wanted to support K-Love as well. But, I was hoping to teach them that sometimes helping others or supporting others is a sacrifice and a choice.

I am thankful that we are in a position to do it. Because I know that the songs that K-Love plays have been a blessing to me, many times over . . .

Halloween 2011

Monday night we had our annual Fall Festival. Hubby made his wonderful chili and we invited a bunch of friends, with a bunch of kids!

Cleopatra.

Gangster.

Pirate.

The kids. (EG wouldn't stay still long enough for me to get her picture alone. She was a dinosaur and she was ready to go, go, go.)

The whole trick or treating gang . . .