The fun part of short winter days

I am amazed at how the children can remember all of the rules of Chess. The shorter days are a blessing in that we spend more time together in the evenings. You can tell they are really having to think hard to beat their dad. Beating their mom at this game is a breeze.....I just can't remember it all!

Christmas Canon (Trans-Siberian Orchestra)

I found this on another blog and just had to share it with you. This is one of our favorites. Enjoy

Happy Thanksgiving!

We always take a trip to the Christmas tree farm to look for that perfect tree. It is a tradition we have had since we married. We had a wonderful day. Visited family, had good food and the Lord even sent some rain last night. I have so much to be thankful for. By the way, I hope you like the Christmas music.

The best part of the trip for Jenna.......the candy cane that the sweet little woman always gives the children.

Precious Girlhood

I ran across an article that fully articulates everything I have been learning about how girlhood is viewed in today's culture. It is everything I am trying to protect my two precious daughters from, and in this day that is no easy task. It takes a lot prayer and strength to go against the mainstream, but I have already seen the fruits of my labor in my dear firstborn. (Don't get me wrong, it is not of my strength or wisdom, only the Lord) She is a treasure and through God's grace she will continue to grow and embrace an innocent girlhood that will lead her into biblical womanhood. Click on this LINK to read the article.

The TePee (again)

They are still playing in the TePee and always wanting me to come see it.

If you don't know about the TePee, see this earlier post.

With this weather it is not hard to get me to walk down the path to visit them.I just love their imagination. I am thankful that they do not know that it is not cool for a 12 year old girl to enjoy playing with her 8 year old brother and neither of them think that their 2 year old sister is a bother.

Jessie, making acorn mush.

~

Josh, showing off his fence.

Care for tea?
~


Jenna's looking for the cat.

I guess you know by now, I love songs. This is the one on my heart today.

Still Blessed

Sometimes I wake up in the morning,

I see I made it through the night,

I listen for my family, sure enough their alright

As we gather 'round the table, bow our heads in thankfulness

With tear filled eyes my heart cries, Still Blessed.

~

Chorus

There's never a day he doesn't give me all I need

Even when I wake up to a storm, my soul has peace.

Sometimes I try to count them, there too many I confess,

so with arms up raised I just say, Still Blessed.

~

Now I don't want to leave my family,

I don't want to leave my friends,

Oh, but lately my hearts been homesick how I long just to be with Him

So in the morning should you find me with my eyes closed in death, what victory, what glory, Still Blessed!

Sweet Moments

History Day 2007

This day was a blast and since History is our absolute favorite subject it was not even like work!

Presenting Priscilla Mullins, Davy Crockett and a little pilgrim girl with a gun (I don't know how historically accurate that is)

Stonewall Jackson stopped by

Sacajawea lead them on an expedition after lunch

These little Crusaders have to have the cutest dimples of any other Crusader that ever lived!

Do you recognize that smile?

We also had George Washington and St. George visiting with us. Oh, I almost forgot, we had Mrs. Olson from The Little House on the Prairie. (Catherine, you are a good sport!) The fellowship was wonderful and the day was beautiful. I am truly thankful to have the freedom to Homeschool my children. There are parents today all over the world fighting for that freedom.

Salvation

After having conversation with a friend this morning about how Satan would like nothing more than to destroy as many people as he can I began singing this song. I have sung this song many, many times but the first few words grab me every time. I know how close I came to being destroyed by him and I grow each day to appreciate what Jesus done for me and what He brought me from.
~

Saved From the Flames of Hell

By: Kyla Rowland

~

How Satan would have loved to destroy my soul,

that was his burning desire.

Till one day by grace, though faith in a cross,

the Lambs blood put out the fire.

~

Chorus

I'm saved, I'm saved, redeemed and set free

no longer a poor sinner lost,

for between me and the flames of hell

is the blood He shed and an old rugged cross.

~

Now it's the same blood that stands in the gap for us all,

fire can't burn a blood washed soul,

and we could all be sent to that fiery place,

but for the sweet Lamb from whose veins it flowed.

Titanic Mania

My daughter is a TITANIC FANATIC! She wanted a Titanic themed birthday party. Here are some pictures.

Here she is all dressed up in Titanic fashion (thanks Mom) standing in front of the painting that her other Grandmother did for her.

Opening gifts. Hanging on the wall is a replica of the blankets used in 3rd class cabins.

In this picture you can see the table decorations. Jessie picked her favorite people from Titanic and we put their picture and facts about them in little frames surrounded by balloons and confetti.

We played music that the Titanic Band played.

No Titanic party would be complete without a Titanic cake and I had no idea how to pull that off. Ms. Tara outdone herself on this one! Not only was is beautiful it was also delicious! Thanks a million, Tara!

Happy Birthday!

Twelve years ago the Lord began a work in my life that would forever change me. My first born was laid in my arms. I cannot describe it, but the path it lead me down has been better than anything I could have ever imagined.

Today I baked a cake and she decorated it. I am so blessed by this precious child.

Our School Room

I have always loved seeing where other homeschool moms have school. This room is a blessing that I never would have imagined we would have ever had.We have had school every where in our house, including the foyer closet (that was neat, just not enough room) My husband so graciously gave up the garage for us to have this wonderful space. My brother, who is always willing to help, did most of the work. Between him, my husband and my mom we did not have to hire any labor. Here are some pictures.

Here is the media center. Is that not the coolest bookcase. Thanks Dad!

Here is where we like to read and Jenna has some of her toys.

Shelves and bookcases, you can't get too many of those!

The shower board that we made into a whiteboard works like a charm and was so cheap. Jessie is always doodling on it : )

This area is used for overflow from the kitchen and hobby stuff. (I once was an avid scrapbooking nut) No, I don't sew (yet) I just want to really bad.

Hope you enjoyed looking. Now, I have to get to school.

Just Like Dad

I love watching Josh build fences and play farm. His Dad tells me that he did this all of his childhood too. Josh is actually playing with farm animals that Greg had as a child.

This is Josh now.

Here he is when he was about 3

By the way, Dad is still doing it too. Just on a larger scale.

Best Buddies. My children are graciously blessed to have this man for a father. God is so good to us!

A little girl and her purse.

Jenna discovers that I have put some treasures in her purse.

Good Friends

When we told the kids the play time was over, they went to hide. Do they think we are too old to climb into the hayloft?

Good Company

Everyone needs a friend like this. Look at the "rings" MG gave to Jenna.

Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Here are the men gathered around the what? The computer, watching the cow sale on the internet! Did I say old? It's just a figure of speech, guys. : P

Proud Poppa

Josh came in the house prclaiming, "Our herd has grown by three!" I could not get over that nanny having three babies and they all are alive!