tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-330783162024-03-13T20:22:16.564-04:00Happily Homemaking...SteveWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17914107897266842318noreply@blogger.comBlogger414125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33078316.post-3887551017094791972019-08-17T12:06:00.002-04:002019-08-17T12:29:43.586-04:00Planning....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I learned many years ago...that I pretty much don't do anything I really want to do, unless I plan to do it....in writing. And I've learned just in the last few years that I thrive in a well organized environment. Everything needs a home, and typically a label too.<br />
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Here is an exception to the label rule. I found this fabulous shelf thingie at a local antique mall. It was on sale...even better. This organizes our "specials". From top to bottom, missionary story, read aloud, geography, art, history and nature study. (on the very top is a basket full of smooth stones and jar. When I'm reading aloud I will pull out one stone for each boy. If they are quiet the whole time I'm reading, all stones go in the jar, if they interrupt, a stone goes back in the basket. Once the jar is full...they get a reward. Which varies. This time it's each boy gets to pick out a 10 dollar lego set. This is a very simple system that works for us...I tried tickets they earn or lose, and stocking a store that costs a varying amount of tickets...this was too complicated!)<br />
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We do geography every day, although some days we spend more time than others, we listen to the missionary audio story twice a week (last year it was daily---this year we will cover 4 missionaries, last year it was 8! Needed to be a little less ambitious this year), read aloud is daily, Winnie the pooh though is just once per week---we facetime our friends in Romania and I read aloud to my little boys and her little ones...so fun!----Art is once a week, History is once a week, and Nature study once per week.<br />
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Isn't this cute!? It's my two dollar homeschool planner! So much simpler than last year. Last year I had a three-ring binder with detailed daily plans that I filled out at the beginning of each unit. This year I knew I wanted to have written plans (since I don't' do anything without them!) but I wanted it to be simplified. So it'll be easier to explain by showing you inside....<br />
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This is my read aloud tab... I took each one of my read-alouds I plan to read to the kids this year and wrote out each chapter with a square to check off. On later pages I realized it would be nice to put in each column the amount of chapters to be read each week. In addition to these two books we are going to read Black Beauty (which will take two units--so 8 weeks), The Snow Queen by Anderson, The Wind in the Willows, Bridge to Teribithia, and Star of Light. I'm so excited to read these stories!<br />
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This is how simple my history plans are. We are using Mystery of History this year for History. Typically I read through the lessons in each week, and just share the highlights with the boys. They aren't going to remember the bulk of what I read anyways. And then the highlights we interact with by putting an entry in their books of knowledge. Which are basically small scrapbooks that the boys write facts, paste pictures or draw pictures from what they learned. I'll share some photos from these little books in a moment.<br />
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Our geography plans were a little more in-depth, so I put them together in Word and printed and taped them into the notebook. We are using Memoria Press's geography curriculum which is wonderful. There is a teacher text that I read to the boys and a student workbook. It divides out most of the world into individual countries, some areas into regions. The text teaches highlights about the country and the workbook gives a blank map for the student to fill in. We have a variety of other blank maps so that each boy can color in the country we are learning about.<br />
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Here is an example of our nature study plans. We have a great guide for nature study each week, and so I base our plans on <a href="https://raisinglittleshoots.com/buy-exploring-nature-with-children/">that book</a>.<br />
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I divided the year out into eight 4 week units. For each unit, we have a hymn and a fun song we sing each morning during "morning time". Before we sing our hymn, we start every school day by singing the Doxology, standing around the table with hands raised to God. Thank you <a href="https://readaloudrevival.com/homeschooling/">Sarah Mackenzie </a>for this idea! Honestly, the boys sometimes lift their hands while standing in their seats, they spin, they go get a drink of water, etc. This is certainly not perfect or idyllic. But nothing is, is it?<br />
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I just recently added a tab to my planner for a monthly calendar to keep track of our off weeks and also the schedule of our co-ops. We are starting <a href="https://www.summitacademy.net/">Summit academy</a> this year and really excited about it! My oldest two boys will take math, science, art and guitar there on Wednesdays. My younger boys will take math and science experiments, and my 5th grader will also take a literature class and drawing. I'm so excited about this having this opportunity. And I can't believe that my 16 year has his drivers license now and will drive him and his brother to and from their co-ops! (they will continue in <a href="http://www.veritasschools.com/">Veritas Classical school</a> on Tuesdays in addition to Summit on Wednesdays)<br />
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Here are some pages from the boys small "books of knowledge"...These books are literally like 6 by 6 inches. The boys write their facts in no certain order. I'm excited for them to have these little scrapbooks of sorts at the end of the year and to be reminded of all the neat things we will have learned this year.<br />
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For our missionary biography, each boy has a blank book that they write in after we listen to each chapter.<br />
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This is my main storage area for our homeschool books. Each child has their own shelf. The little under shelf storage cubbies are a big help! The very bottom cubby holds our math u see blocks, as well as some other necessities we use each day. We switched to M<a href="https://mathusee.com/">ath U See</a> this year and it is SO wonderful! Math is no longer dreaded by either my student or me!<br />
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Miss Ellie teaching us a thing or to :) :) :)<br />
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Last but not least...let's talk about planning for relationships! Here is our dear friend Miss Ellie. We go way way back. We used to live in the same neighborhood so seeing her was so easy. Now it takes planning. We talked about it last night and came up with a recurring monthly date to get together. If we want to see each other....and we most certainly do....planning is essential. I'm so glad we came up with one! <br />
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On our planning for relationships agenda...hoping to get a regular game night set with grandparents and a monthly open house for church family :)<br />
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An important note to add...while I've found planning to be so important to do all that God has called me to do...I have also learned I have to hold them loosely. After all...<br />
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In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.<br />
Proverbs 16:9<br />
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PS: We had no plans to get a puppy. But oopsy Daisy! It happened. My sister's dog had puppies, and after much pressure from many sides, I caved in and said yes. The first couple of months were rough. But I wish I would have known it's just like having a baby. The first few months are really hard, but it gets definitely easier. We are really enjoying our Daisy. She is a perfect addition to the family!<br />
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PSS: In the car with the boys the other day they told me that when they were out with dad going to a Falcons game that they passed by the spot where their dad proposed to me. And they told me he told them that I said "No way!" LOL Then Jacob said "Mommy I'm so glad you didn't say no way because you and daddy are good mommies and daddies".... And then he said, "When I grow up I want to be a daddy just like daddy...Nice". Sweet boy :)<br />
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<br />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10930001695167008769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33078316.post-58449205420221786262019-08-17T10:59:00.000-04:002019-08-17T11:02:51.775-04:00Blogging again...and a nature walk!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I don't know why it is so hard to get outside...really for <i>me </i>to get outside (besides the heat!), but</div>
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my structured plan for nature study is helping. (more on that in another post...loving our simplified homeschool organization this year!) Although I planned for the boys</div>
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to make an entry in their nature journals (those poor neglected books) and that didn't happen,</div>
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at least we did get outside and see some really neat stuff! Sharing some pictures below and then I will tell you about my plan for my blog! </div>
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I love that we can head right into our own backyard to see all these things. Our walk was cut short by my needing to pull the bread out of the oven. I'm back to making my families bread thanks to a used Bosch mixer I bought and sprouted whole wheat flour I buy at Dekalb Farmers Market. It makes it so easy! Just mix all the ingredients, the machine does the majority of the kneading, put in a bowl for 45 minutes, divide out into pans, let them rise in a warm oven, bake and done! </div>
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I'm also back to blogging. For about 7 or 8 years I blogged when my boys were small, during the having babies years. I did it because I couldn't bring myself to lug out all the paper and glue and print photos and make scrapbooks, but I really wanted to keep a record of all our special memories. I planned to one day print my blog. I recently turned 40 and decided I wanted to tackle that project, of printing my blog, and Blog2print made it possible and relatively easy and inexpensive to do so. I have over 1,000 pages of memories in four books to read through and it is so much fun! I have a terrible memory so I wouldn't remember a thing about those good and hard years if it weren't for my blog. </div>
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I had planned to print my blog and then delete it from the internet, but when I realized how much I love having the accounts of our days, funny things the boys said and did, I decided instead of deleting my blog, to keep going with it! I want to remember these special days too as my boys are all growing up. So while this will never be a famous blog in the eyes of the world, it's famous in our family. The boys are already pouring over my printed blog books, giggling, sometimes roaring in laughter at the things they said and did. </div>
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So here I go again! </div>
Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10930001695167008769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33078316.post-24725566122881130512019-01-08T21:06:00.004-05:002019-01-08T21:58:53.518-05:00This Boy Turns Five-This Momma Cries!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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"Momma! The Northern Lights!!!"....He's always thinking he is seeing the Northern Lights...LOL!<br />
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It feels like the end of an era. There will be no more babies. Jacob is no longer a baby...at all. Okay...so maybe he is still on the young side. And the eve before his birthday I reminded myself that the fact that he is growing up is very <b><i>very</i></b> good. I have so much to be thankful for! My little children growing up is as it <b><i>should</i></b> be. Letting go...and accepting the changing of seasons is where my heart needs to rest. <i>(And I'm remembering what Henri Nouwen said ~one of my favorite authors~about letting go...we let go with open hands in a posture to not just let go of what we ought not try and keep but also with open hands to receive whatever our Father wants to give us!)</i><br />
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We headed to celebrate at our favorite spot. We call it the "stone table"---a high meadow clearing at Little Mulberry Park, and thankfully just minutes from our house. We took along the birthday boys' requests...a rocket to shoot off and hot dogs to cook on our little camping stove. The wind made everything harder and after one shot of the rocket, it was gone forever. (okay the thought just went through my head "yeah, just like Jacob's baby years...." ---stop it dramatic self!)<br />
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We are so blessed with our boys...growing through the seasons with them. I noticed a "W" on the stone ground with a bit of shock... "Boys! There's a "W"!" Thinking about our last name. They all laughed and said, "Yeah mom, have you never noticed the W, E, S and N around the stone table!?" Well, no I hadn't. Anyway, the W for Walsman is cool in my book. Or maybe W for going West. Walsmans....West...A dream we think about from time to time...moving out West, buying a small ranch, raising horses and boys together...I suggested this evening maybe we could just move to North Georgia...it's beautiful there too! (our home that we bought here in Auburn we found out recently is zoned residential...so unless we were able to change that, we can't have horses here!) <br />
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Back to Jacob...and his birthday. The boys played hide and seek tag, lots of giggles and fun. We watched deer grazing along the edge of the meadow near the forest as we walked, bags slung over shoulders, towards the parking area. I'm thankful for the many boys in my life and for our great God who leads us all...SteveWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17914107897266842318noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33078316.post-39644510522800628922017-11-04T23:24:00.002-04:002019-07-15T14:07:23.037-04:00Our Trip to Sanibel Island With us homeschooling (sort-of) this year, we planned a trip to the beach in late October, thinking that would be such a great time to go. No crowds, lower prices, not so hot...perfect! "Not so fast George Banks." (Know what movie that line comes from? I'm pretty sure it's Father of the Bride part 2. Part 1 and 2 used to be my favorite movies...I haven't seen them in years now! Should watch them again!)<br />
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So....during the school year part...plus Veritas Classical Schools...equals...super hard. I spent the couple weeks prior to our trip trying to help the kids get their work done ahead of time so they could take a break on the trip. One weeks worth of Veritas work is PLENTY, trying to add more, downright insanity. Without going into detail, it was so stressful, that combined with just getting ready to leave town for a week and packing, I had a headache for the first 5 days of our trip. I've never had that prolonged of a headache that Ibuprofen wouldn't cure. A trip to a massage therapist 5 days into the trip finally did the trick. Apparently, muscles in my neck were all bent out of shape. So trips during the school year because we are homeschooling? Not so much.<br />
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No crowds? Cooler weather? Oddly, these two things combined made me (and my 14 year old) feel like we weren't on vacation. Weird, huh? But I'm totally serious. I don't really have an interest in traveling to the beach again when it's mostly deserted. If it's just Steve and I, sure that's great, but with the kids--they like playing with other kids! That's a highlight! And admittedly Steve and I love to talk to new people! :)<br />
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Oh, the other downside was that althought there were no kids at our condo, there were some retirees staying below us, so we had to be on our best and quietest behavior. Ah'hem....five boys? Quiet! Recipe for a stress induced headache in and of itself! Note to self-stay in a single-family dwelling next time if at all possible! We almost got kicked out of our condo because I didn't realize the max was 6 people....our extra child put us right over the edge. So added money and pressure to be on our best behavior. (to our chagrin, the folks below us gave us a box of cookies at the end of their/our stay, because they didn't hear a peep out of us the whole week! Miracles happen people.)<br />
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But at any rate, it was still a great trip full of memories for us and the kids!<br />
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Shelling is great at Sanibel so the kids enjoyed lots of hunting :)<br />
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There is a large wildlife refuge on Sanibel, in fact a large portion of Sanibel is a devoted refuge for wildlife. It's called the Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge. Pretty interesting name! We drove through one day and the next rode our bikes. That was probably my favorite thing we did on the trip.<br />
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Mangrove crabs--super cool.<br />
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On our way out of the refuge, the kids got to see an endangered turtle species! I'm momentarily blanking on the name of this turtle. Help!<br />
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These pictures are a good description of Jacob right now...see his fist balled up in the last picture! He is 3 1/2, going on 4, and has found his voice and opinion about all matters concerning him or others. He runs into life and grabs all his can get! And if you tell him no...watch out! You might just get punched in the nose or slapped in the eye (true story, he has done both to his precious momma this week).<br />
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It's at about this moment that Samuel starts saying "It's stinging me! It's stinging me!" Dear Samuel, it's not smart to pick up jellyfish :)<br />
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I couldn't take my eyes off this sunset! It was SO SO beautiful!!!<br />
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5 little ducklings all in a row....<br />
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Fishing by the bridge between Sanibel and Captiva islands on the last night of our trip was the highlight for the boys. Maybe for Steve-not so much. Pesky little no-see'um insects bit him up like crazy-he has been itching from the hundreds of bites the past week since getting home!<br />
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My dad recently told me he hates it when someone tells him to have a "great day". If they would just say, "Have an average day", that would be so much less pressure. I probably should approach vacations with that same type of attitude. Isn't that the way it is with all of life? Sigh...<br />
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Just about anything is hard in a fallen, sinful world. Vacations included. But where sin abounds...grace abounds all the more! (Romans 5:20) I'm so thankful for a God whose mercies are new every morning, even mornings on vacation! And thankful we are able to to take trips and explore God's beautiful world.Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10930001695167008769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33078316.post-77619415235047097432017-08-11T15:26:00.000-04:002017-08-11T15:46:46.674-04:00Back to Homeschooling....Reality CheckYou want to see pictures first right? I'll talk some after...and add a few photo captions :) These were taken on our first day of school, first nature walk. Sort of nature walk. When I got outside my 9th and 6th graders were riding their bikes through giant puddles spraying muddy water all over their clothes and then they went with their two younger boys to "hide from me" in their "fort". Well, okay, so much for gingerly walking through the forest soaking in all the nature around us....sigh...<br />
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Jacob was my bud though all through the walk. He prefered to hold my hand which I found so incredibly sweet. He is my youngest through and through and I adore him. Our forest is made up of many many lob-lolly pines (which crack and sway so beautifully in storms)---they have much much lichen growing on them which I hope is a sign of health!?<br />
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Jacob pointed this out to me to take a picture of the "cannon"....boys!<br />
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A couple weeks ago we found the remains of a dead animal back in our forest near the creek. Boy oh boy does it smell! Not as bad now, but we really need to bag it up and get rid of it. Now there are only bones left for the most part. It was really gross but kind of cool to see the giant colorful beetles that had come to eat the remains.<br />
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The boys decided to pick up the skull with a stick, bring it home, and said they are going to clean it properly and bring it inside. Currently I think it's in our front garden bed. Hello and welcome visitors! Sigh....again. ***smiling*** ***this is life*** ***with boys***<br />
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So many pics of Jacob...well, he is the only boy who stayed with me!<br />
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But they all collected something in their outdoor adventure and we came in to do some water color paintings and paste them in their nature journals. <br />
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So let me back up in a minute. Yes, we are homeschooling again. I was about to say sort-of, because we are utilizing the help of Veritas Classical School for our three older boys, but I'm gonna say we are totally homeschooling again. Because a major component of homeschooling, that makes many a mother weary, is the fact that your kids will be with you 24/7. And other than Tuesdays 9-2 and Wednesdays 9-11:15, I will have all of my boys, all the rest of the time. And that's not bad, I love my boys. And it's HARD. There is no doubt about it. Homeschooling is hard on many levels, and in varying ways depending on your family dynamics. We have not one, not two, not three, not four, but FIVE boys at home and let me tell you, it's LOUD, and there is FIGHTING, and ARGUING, and RUNNING, and THROWING, and BREAKING, and it's ENDLESS ENERGY, and TRACKING in dirt, and it's hard...to know...what to do....all the time....and keep them in line....all the time....especially when your a gal who is so, very, imperfect....aka....NOT SUPERMOM. But, I'm doing my best to stay dependent and to take a moment, a minute, and hour at a time. And live in repentance and faith. I want to live in "I'm Perfect" and I never need to repent and that's pride and idolatry of self. And it is certainly not reality. So this homeschooling thing, it really brings out the sin in me and highlights all my weaknesses. I don't homeschool because I'm better or more patient or more organized than anyone else. In fact, whenever I'm honored with being around other mother's and observe them in the act of mothering...I think...ahhh...I want to be like them :) We are homeschooling for a myriad of reasons but not at all because "I'm so patient". And certainly not because we didn't love the school the boys were going to. (Shout out for Oak Hill Classical!)<br />
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Some of you saw my facebook post with all my beautiful homeschool organization. And mind you, it does help. It helps, but it doesn't prevent chaos from creeping up, swirling over you threatening to sweep you away into a current of water rushing hard towards total anarchy. That's kind of how I felt this morning after our breakfast and morning reading, when they started running off to do our "Science experiment", of running laps in the driveway (gotta get that energy out!) and checking their pulse rate to see how high they could get their heart rate. And then another started doing another experiment, making sugar crystals "aka rock candy". And then with sugar, and spilled syrup, and strings, and Epsom salts and materials for making "needles" from evaporated salt water, all mixed around my kitchen, and I, feeling starving, having failed to eat a hearty enough breakfast, felt a little overwhelmed to say the least. I'm looking around thinking...what are we supposed to be doing right now?!! What does that lovely planner say and how did this HAPPEN!!? And then moments later, when I find our dog, laying on the guest bed, and I've told her a million times NOT to get on the bed (because she LEAKS urine), I allow my feelings to rule and yell loudly at her spanking her hind end, in front of my eight year old, who proceeds to a few minutes later come in the living room, collapse on the couch, and cry with his hands covering his face saying "she's just a dog MOM"....you shouldn't yell at her or spank her. And then I feel like crumbling..... but remember, repentance and faith, repentance and faith. Your not going to be perfect Abby. So, instead of crumbling and feeling like the lowest skum of the earth worst mom ever, I acknowledged my wrong and we moved on.<br />
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I guess it wouldn't be right to not share the GOOD parts too...Let's see...<br />
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More hugs....ummmm.....more hugs.....more hugs.....Oh alright, what else :)<br />
More time with the boys...not having to be up and at'em and ready to leave the house at a certain time of the day and afternoon most days of the week...Learning <b><i>with</i></b> the boys...about artist Joseph Turner (reading a short bio now before we start studying his artwork), listening to Heinrich Schutz...a German composer from the 1700's who wrote beautiful beautiful music with the boys and finding my oldest at home likes his music!, listening to my boys really SING and finding that my 8 year old actually has a really nice voice--I decided to start our hymn singing with a hymn that I thought my boys would be really interested in---Battle Hymn of the Republic. We watched/listened to it on YouTube complete with battle scenes on the first day of school and it has totally worked! I have never heard my boys belt out a song like they are singing this! I LOVE it! I'm encouraged that this will be the thing that gets them over the hump of actually using the voices they have to sing. In about 4 weeks we will move on to another hymn and I hope they will keep singing! :) <br />
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I've loved reading a short biography to them about Robert Frost and reading his poems. They are so lovely. I've loved seeing Benjamin do THIRTY, yes 30, math lessons in three days! He is my only boy doing Teaching Textbooks this year, I wanted to give it a try with him and I'm glad I did! Each day when he is done (he has chosen to do about 10 lessons a day plus quizzes), I go down and go through each problem he missed, usually about 2 per lesson. Because he is doing a computer based math, I don't feel comfortable just letting the computer do it all and not being in touch with him on a day to day basis. So I hope this works out well. My other boys are doing Saxon with DIVE CD's. But again, I am spending time checking their work, each day, and then checking their corrections. Math is too important to skimp on! This in and of itself is going to be a big job! I have enjoyed doing what is called "Living Math" with Samuel, using buttons and beans and other manipulatives to do simple oral equations. And I love reading him great stories and giving him copywork to do and letting him draw a picture from the story. I love the extra snuggle time with my boys. The hugs and kisses, and leg hugs. There's a lot of everything in homeschooling. Good and Bad. Easy and Hard. It's just the way it is! <br />
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And so this year we are on an adventure...it's surely going to be a ride, and an accelerated sanctification process. No doubt about it. Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10930001695167008769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33078316.post-89674198849851184942017-03-10T11:12:00.002-05:002017-03-10T11:12:39.802-05:00Sheep Shearing at Hope Springs Farm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My little boys and I had the opportunity to visit a sheep farm on their shearing day. We got to see sheep sheared last year and it is such a powerful way to bring several different Scriptures to life. I think every Christian should visit a sheep farm and talk to their caregivers! Considering God uses sheep to describe us and himself as our "Good Shepherd". </div>
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"He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth."</div>
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Isaiah 53:7</div>
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We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6</div>
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I asked the shepherd why the Bible says that we are like sheep in that we have gone astray. She said that if the shepherd isn't constantly caring for the sheep, they will run off and hurt themselves. They cannot survive without the care of the shepherd. They aren't very bright! This resounds so much with me...I definitely need my Father God! </div>
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My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27</div>
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Here Jan is calling them in and they run right in. When I stood near them they ran away and they certainly didn't come when I called. In fact my mere presence scared them.</div>
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“When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. “A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.” John 10:4-5</div>
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Oddly, these two babies though got along just fine :) </div>
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We have a friend staying with us this week who loves animals....here she is holding a baby lamb who had just been born literally hours before!<br />
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It's little umbilical chord is still hanging on! Jan and her husband are both veterinarians. She gave us the opportunity to see her process for caring for newly born lambs...as she tagged him, gave him a shot and looked them over. (there were two...twins! A boy and girl)<br />
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Here the little guy gets weighed...7 pounds 5 ounces!</div>
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Our dear friend Florence came along as well....doesn't look she minds holding a baby lamb either :)<br />
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And you are my sheep, human sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Lord GOD.</div>
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Ezekiel 34:31</div>
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Thank you Hope Springs Farm for inviting us to your farm! We are looking forward to coming again!</div>
<br />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10930001695167008769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33078316.post-14810111204430133602016-10-02T21:42:00.001-04:002016-10-02T21:46:38.350-04:00Our First Camping Trip<br />
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We've talked about tent camping for a long time....but I guess not really seriously until now. I figured I couldn't do it because I'm not a good sleeper and I need my sleep. <i><b>I need my sleep</b></i>. Know what I'm sayin? And confession....I need the sound of a fan to be able to fall asleep. So that doesn't work in the great outdoors! Also, I need my pillow, plus two more...one to hug and one to wedge between my knees. But I could at least bring those. The fan was the real issue. When my sister, Angie, texted me pictures from her families camping trip at Victoria Bryant State Park, complete with a platform to pitch the tent under, running water, electricity, a picnic table, a fire pit....I thought...now that's something we might could do! <br />
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It was fun seeing the boys, big and small, in their "happy" place! Nothing like swinging an ax for a man....brings out the boy in them :) <br />
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My sister kindly offered to come with her family and camp with us....it's always good to be with family. And she taught me how to cook in cast iron over the fire....I actually got used to being around all that smoke! Cooking over the campfire was one of my favorite parts of the experience. <br />
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I brought him blocks to play with in the dirt and build with...but mostly he just tootled around kicking the dirt or gravel and pushing cars around. I had a hard time relaxing around the campsite unless he was strapped in his seat---for fear he would stumble into the fire pit---we always had a fire going. But really he did great.<br />
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We talked about bears in the woods, although I don't think there probably were any, but he thought there were. His cousin has on a bear hat and was pretending to be a bear....<br />
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It was so cute watching him run from her screaming "BEAR!!!!!!!!"<br />
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We went on a hike in the morning....which was good to shake off the waves of the "I'm so sleepy" feeling...even with not one, not two, but THREE fans going (one was a heater which would turn on and off throughout the night) I still couldn't sleep well. There was no drowning out the sounds of the cricket, nor the drone of vehicles passing on a nearby highway (not cool...didn't realize we were so close to a highway!) I realize now that when you go camping your happy to get <i>some sleep</i>. But watching the kids have SO Much fun...hearing Micah say on the first night "I could do this over and over and over again" and Samuel, my five year old ask, "When can we go camping again?" made the sleep deprivation so worth it! <br />
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There was a natural water slide in the river that the kids had fun sliding down. :) Steve and I traded off watching Jacob like a hawk around the water and Samuel and Benjamin actually did really well not running on the slippery rocks! This scenario....water of varying depths, slippery rocks, natural water slides, would normally leave me feeling incredibly anxious with little kids...but somehow it really was fine. Prayers were definitely lifted up! <br />
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It was so fun seeing Micah build a make-shift raft with logs and giving people rides on it. Here's some other things I want to remember....(my memory stinks....hence why I'm writing this post now. One day I WILL print my blog!)<br />
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*Samuel crawling into my very deflated twin air mattress this morning around 6 in the morning and laying there together for the next hour or so...watching the tent go from pitch black to light and hearing the birds start singing signaling morning had (finally) broken.<br />
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*Sleeping, all SEVEN of us in one tent....bodies everywhere! :) <br />
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*Watching my sister cook over the open fire, face reddened from the heat, but not complaining one bit. <br />
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*Sitting with the older boys around the picnic table after getting the younger boys to bed and playing checkers with Micah. He creamed me. Later looking through a really fun art book with him, dog earring the projects we want to complete at home....then looking through a book of games because I want to play more games with them and reading about how to actually play simple games like Dominoes and Marbles. <br />
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All in all....it was REALLY FUN! We are already thinking about where to go next! And next time...I'm going to try sleeping pills. (Definitely will make sure they are ones that don't make me sleepy the next day too! I'll have to do some experimenting beforehand)<br />
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<br />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10930001695167008769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33078316.post-75978123436961736302016-06-18T14:31:00.000-04:002016-06-18T14:39:48.151-04:00Picking blueberries and natural medicine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm not a big news person---sad stories just disturb me to the core. But being on Facebook from time to time means exposure to news as people post stories. I read about the couple from Canada who were convicted of failing to provide the necessary medical care for their son who subsequently died of meningitis. They gave the boy things like garlic and onions, among other things.</div>
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This week I gave my 5 year old apple cider vinegar and coconut oil because he had a sore throat and fever. I also took him to the doctor--which is rare for us--but he had a fever and I wondered if he had strep throat which can be very harmful. My kids just don't get fevers. A fever is a sign that the body is working overtime battling a virus or harmful bacteria. So when my kids get fevers, I pay closer attention. </div>
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I'm of the mind that we don't need to run to the doctor for every ache and pain. Not even for every low-grade fever! <a href="http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/health-concerns/childhood-illnesses/coughs-colds-sinus-infections/urgent-situations-that-require-immediate-medical-attention">Here's a great short article by pediatrician, Dr. Sears that talks about when we need to take our child to the doctor</a>. We take the kids for their well checks, at first because our pediatrician required us to, and over the years, because I see them as beneficial as well. <br />
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They may see something that I don't pick up on, with their development or their health. Also well check-up's are something that our society does with our kids. We live in this society and have to play by the rules of this society. Whether I agree with the government or not---they are the ruling force where I live, and so I better follow along! If for some reason I needed a record of my children's health, growth and development, these regular well-checks provide just that. <br />
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For example, when my 10 year old was around 3 or 4, the doctor took a measurement of his head circumference. It was significantly larger than the typical child of his age. So the doctor wanted to see was this a quick growth, which would be a sign of something serious, or was this just Andrew's typical head size and growth. Prior to this time I had not taken Andrew to regular well-check's because at that time I didn't see the benefit--and we weren't vaccinating which in my mind was the main reason for well-checks. Thankfully I had taken him enough for the doctor to have some comparison measurements to see that Andrew's head had gradually grown to the size that it was. Dear child is still growing into it :)<br />
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At the pool yesterday the blaring sound of sirens filled my ears as an ambulance raced past our neighborhood. I said a short prayer for the affected people and my eyes welled up with tears as did my heart with gratitude. <br />
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The modern medical system may not be perfect, and they may prescribe medicine, when lifestyle changes are needed--and getting the root cause would be best, they may provide services that are life-depriving rather than life-giving, but this system also saves lives. God uses doctors and nurses to push back against the curse--- and to push into this fallen sin-sick world.... helping, serving...saving lives.<br />
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I will continue to not medicate my children when they have a cold---I'll give them bone broth soups, lots of water, and whole foods. I will continue to feed them the best whole food I can get my hands on---which for now is choosing whole ingredients from places like Dekalb Farmers Market and Costco---even Wal-mart and Aldi's. <br />
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For small ailments I'll continue slathering them in coconut oil. :) My husband commented I was like the father in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" who used Windex for everything---because for every cut, scratch, bite or rash I pull out the coconut oil! <br />
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When I say "whole foods" and "whole ingredients" I mean......apples, rarely applesauce---but maybe unsweetened apple sauce instead of "nutri-grain bars" or some other processed food bar, whole milk instead of skimmed, whole chickens or chicken parts as opposed to chicken nuggets, full fat plain yogurt flavored with all-fruit jam or honey instead of flavored and colored commercial yogurt, real unrefined sugar or honey instead of white sugar or worse artificial sweeteners, real butter (Kerry Gold's the best and Costco has it for a good price!) instead of crisco or "buttery spread", flour made from the whole seed as opposed to refined flour, simple homemade baked goods rather than store bought--I always double recipes and freeze for the convenience factor!<br />
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We eat cheerios several mornings a week (so glad they went gluten free!), I buy nature's own bread occasionally, we eat at Chik-Fil-A once a week or so, sometimes I buy the simply made cookies that are made with whole ingredients but are still packaged processed food, we have ibuprofen on hand for us and the kids and use it sparingly but yet we do use it at times. <br />
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<span style="text-align: start;">We don't do everything pure and perfect, but where I can choose simple, whole, ingredients that I can combine myself to make our food, I do.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">So many of the changes I've made in our diets and lifestyles have been made gradually, so gradually. I would learn one or two things at a time, and make changes as it made sense to me. Figuring out how we can still enjoy food, how I can feed our family healthy without having to hoe and plant our entire yard to plant a garden to feed us (love farmers markets!)---also figuring out how to eat healthy without breaking the bank, or wearing myself out in the kitchen. A lot of it just comes down to forethought and planning ahead. Being intentional. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">I do plan out our meals before I grocery shop, looking at what we have first. Then I plan around what's in the freezer, fridge and pantry. I make my list(s). I shop. I come home, repackage raw meats for individual meals, freeze in freezer ziploc bags. Each day I think about what we are having the next day, and even look ahead a few days to see if there is anything I need to get out of the freezer to thaw. On a good day, in the morning, I will even be thinking about lunch and dinner right after breakfast. Like I said---planning ahead is key. </span></div>
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Microwave lifestyles just aren't compatible with healthy eating unless you have tons of money to pay someone to make whole foods for you. Otherwise you (me) have got to plan ahead!<span style="text-align: start;"> </span></div>
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Like these organic blueberries---picked at peak ripeness, at a farm a few minutes away, picking them not only gave us super healthy berries to eat on for a while but seconded as a super fun family outing!</div>
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Despite all these efforts do we still get sick? Of course we do. Thankfully not too often and when we are sick, it's typically not long lasting or serious. But do I think that won't happen to us because we eat a lot of whole foods? No. Absolutely not. We live in a fallen world. Where I fall on this issue is, I'm doing the best I can, but ultimately our lives and times are in God's hands. Sometimes an illness is just what we need to grow closer to Him. And that's what we really need! </div>
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And when our kids are really sick or hurt, aren't we so blessed to have doctors and hospitals at the ready to help!? I'm so grateful.</div>
<br />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10930001695167008769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33078316.post-67629320484661671152016-05-30T20:53:00.001-04:002016-05-30T20:53:21.098-04:00Planning fun stuff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So we dropped two of our boys off at camp today. This was a first for them! I'm so excited for the fun experiences they will have to add to their memory banks :) To make another "deposit" we stopped off on the way at a water fall and had a picnic. Asides from the safety stress that is always there with little ones it was a lot of fun! <br />
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Filling up the memory banks with good memories...this is one of my goals for my boys! One way I do this is to tack on fun stuff when we are doing something else whenever time permits. We get more "bang for our travel buck" that way! One helpful tool for this is Trip Advisor. Whenever we are going somewhere I go to the Trip Advisor website and enter the city where we are going and select "things to do" and up pops lots of fun stuff to see and do in that city along with very helpful reviews! <br />
Another great resource I use is a book called Kids Love Georgia. A family wrote it after visiting 100's of fun museums, historical sites, national/state parks, etc., in Georgia. They tell about each place, where it is, what its all about, etc. This helps give me ideas for places to go. Day trips are great and even one or two night trips. The key is just planning ahead. Before summer arrived I had the book pulled out and I had been thinking about what our summer would look like, what short trips I wanted to take and what our budget would allow, what our kids ages and stages would allow :) <br />
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One thing that we do is sometimes just one parent goes with some of the older kids. This allows the older kids to experience things that we otherwise just wouldn't do with little ones or couldn't do with little ones. This summer I have planned a day trip with my 10 and 13 year old to visit several historic Cherokee Nation sites....New Echota-their old capital city, Cherokee leader Chief Vann's House and Chieftains Museum in Rome, GA. We are reading aloud several books about the Cherokee Nation in preparation for our trip. <br />
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What I'd really love to do is travel all over the United States seeing and learning but that my friends AIN'T gonna happen. So I would much rather focus in on what's doable. This year in particular we are going to clamp down on spending and try to be really frugal. I'm so grateful for lots of memory making potential all around us here in Georgia. Day trips---here we go!<br />
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<br />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10930001695167008769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33078316.post-57586588455016300082016-05-20T21:58:00.000-04:002016-05-20T21:58:04.184-04:00On Kayaking, Kids and Education<div style="text-align: center;">
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I haven't blogged in a while. I guess I've been thinking a lot. Thinking before I speak maybe. A wonderful idea from the Bible. The whole "slow to speak" thing. I think I am more known for being quick to speak, plentiful with words, blurty, impetuous, opinionated. </div>
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What's that got to do with Kayaking you ask? Or education? Or kids? I'm just sharing these pictures of my Mothers Day kayaking adventure along with talking about something I've been thinking about for several years now. </div>
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And that is the topic of education. My goal is to not say a lot of words about this because quite frankly, it's really quite simple. </div>
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Pray and do what God leads you to do. </div>
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See my problem is, I spent many years being indoctrinated by people who believed home education was the ONLY, the BEST, the GODLY choice. And, probably because I liked homeschooling, I fell for it....hook, line and sinker. </div>
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I started noticing something though. Something that was a real problem with that line of thinking. Here's what I noticed: Godly, thoughtful, prayerful, wise people I knew didn't ALL home school their kids. And lots of godly, thoughtful, prayerful, and wise Christians I knew hadn't been home schooled. And they were OKAY. </div>
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When our homeschooling journey took an indefinite pause (it's still on pause), it was my godly, thoughtful, and prayerful husband that suggested we enroll our boys in the Classical Christian School that met in our church. </div>
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And two years later....I can look back on these past two years and see how God led us to make this decision and the many good reasons why. Do I miss homeschooling? I do. But I am so grateful for ultimately God leading and directing the education and rearing of our children. I know he is shaping them into the adults he wants them to be, I know that HE knows the plans he has for them. He knows the calling he has on their lives and exactly what tools he needs to use to mold them.</div>
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(little side story---so two years ago, on the eve of the boys first day at school, I was feeling a little low. And, well, God has a sense of humor. One of the things I was going to miss the most was all the missionary biographies I used to read to the boys. So I said to myself, I am just going to go over there to the shelf, pick one of those biographies out and start reading it to them right now. And so I did. Low and behold....the very first few pages chronicled the story of an African mother whose son was PRIVILEGED to go to school....not at home, not across the street, not across town, but rather in another village. Her TEN year old son had to traverse a three day journey through the JUNGLE to get there, and she would ONLY see him once a year. This child was the subject of the book for he grew up to be a great missionary. All of a sudden, I felt very grateful for my children's school down the street, and I thanked God for giving me a new perspective!!!!)</div>
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Education....for some kids its a combination of different types of schooling, for some it's all public school, for others all Christian schools, for others its all homeschooling. The point that I've learned is that they are all tools in the Potters hands....and I know of no more capable hands than His. </div>
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<a href="http://www.dominionclassical.org/">The boys have LOVED being at this school</a>.....</div>
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And I have loved that for them. I have also loved having a baby and being able to focus just on my baby and my preschooler, rather than try to figure out some way to "occupy" them while I homeschooled older children. I'm not "downing" this....but it just is one of the difficulties of homeschooling. </div>
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So there are things I miss about home schooling, and there are things I'm grateful for due to the fact my children are going to school. God's will is GOOD. Always good. </div>
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I think Samuel agrees! He will attend kindergarten three days a week next year! And for the years ahead? We will continue to follow the trustworthy leadership of God! </div>
Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10930001695167008769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33078316.post-13482295160090625382015-11-19T13:46:00.002-05:002015-11-19T13:46:28.260-05:00Thinking about getting Quail?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, I've lived through the quail incubation adventure to write about it! Just cleaned up the garage from the mess of five cages and am breathing easy. So let's see if I can tell the story....<br />
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It all began with the daydreams of a little girl as she gazed out the window at passing farms on childhood road trips. Rolling hills, grazing animals, sunshine, and freedom. Stacks of hay, frolicking horses, down to earth---earthly dreams. Life marches on, girl becomes teen, rebellious yet animal rights activist teen, vegetarian days, ideals and idiocies. God-shaped void leads girl to finding God...well, God getting the girl to come to her senses and see he had been there all along. God leads girl to church where she finds guy. What does this have to do with raising quail? Nothing really--but it's in the animal theme---a rabbit trail. So girl marries guy, girl wants land and farm, guy doesn't. They settle in the suburbs but girls dream is still there. The dream is aided by the fact that girl and guy have multiplied and now don six hefty healthy sons---all quite capable of both working and loving said farm dream. Alas, girl and guy have no plans for moving as they await there home's value superseding the home's debt. And so girl get's quail. <br />
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Girl first adapts a "salad table" she built and didn't use into a cage. She then fills it with bedding and food and water and drives to the country flea market to pick up some quail. That was an adventure in and of itself. She excitedly drives home with said creatures and pops them in her improvised cage. It works! And then after weeks of awaiting the Spring, the quail begin to lay eggs! What fun! And then another small dream develops, how about buying an incubator and raising quail babies! The educational fascinational qualities of this idea were overwhelming to girl! And then one night she finds one at the right price and just like that, she was in Cumming picking it up. (and 8 bantam chicken eggs that eventually would hatch out 3 chickens, which would eventually be re-homed after said girl was too tired to build another coop!)<br />
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Seventeen days of faithful egg turning 3 times a day let to squeals of delight and surprise on the part of the girl. She didn't think those eggs would hatch anything since she hadn't seen her rooster being interested in the girls in a while. Because of this, she kept putting more and more in. So for the next two weeks she had little tiny, tiny birds hatching out of even tinier eggs. It was a zoo. Which means a bit crazy.<br />
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Girl finds that extremely small micro farm was revealing that farm life was a lot harder in real life than in day dreams. She kept them under lights, with food and water changed faithfully twice a day. The big box kept expanding as they grew so quickly. (the box had been partioned off in the beginning when they were so very tiny)<br />
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Eventually they were too big to stay in there. The original 20 dollar rabbit hutch cage was employed to hold some, and all the moving around caused quail to be stressed, and girl really realized farm life isn't all it's chalked up to be. Girl found a quail pecked to death in the back of the cage, and that wasn't the only time it happened. Finally girl began to identify the boys who would become dinner for a friend, added those to the original brooding box until she thought she had them all. And now girl is tired of telling the story like this. So hello!, girl is me.<br />
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Those quail, when they took their dust baths that so delighted them, managed to waft into the air and onto everything in the garage, a very fine layer of dirt. Dirt dust. I just finished vacuuming and sweeping, closing down the extra three cages that were employed during the raising young quail adventure/fiasco. It really wasn't that hard, but I'm glad I don't have to change out food and water twice a day for five cages anymore. And I'm glad I don't have to worry about stressed quail hurting each other. I'm glad I don't have to listen and watch for roosters and then feel bad for putting them all together in the box awaiting slaughter. Not a beautiful thought, but knowing it would be quick settled any sustained anxiety. My friend offered to process them and give us the meat. I'm not that much of a farmer yet. My skin gradually thickened such that I didn't pass out on the last night I had all the quails including the boys---one of them was found still alive but pecked to the bone behind it's neck. It was awful. Thankfully he was put out of his misery shortly thereafter. <br />
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I did build a cage from materials from home depot and some scrap materials from a friend. I've become pretty handy with a table saw and power drill. But I'm really good at breaking drill bits and very bad at making things square and 90 degree corners. But the cage works, I learned some things in the process, and now there are 7 quail in the bottom, 7 quail in the top, everyone seems happy, and so am I. My girlhood dream has drifted more into a memory than something I continue to think about, mostly because I've grown to hold onto my own dreams lightly and surrender my life to God. I've just started reading "Walden", Henry David Thoreau's book, not sure where that will lead, but he reminded me last night that man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. That sounds really good to me. Not my dreams be done---but His dreams! And for now, thankful for our quail. The boys have a lot of fun watching them, visitors are fascinated by them, and now they are happy and dry tucked safely in our garage. Feel free to ask any more detailed questions if your interested in raising them yourself! They are the sweetest little birds!Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10930001695167008769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33078316.post-2505073518499743822015-09-24T19:59:00.003-04:002015-09-24T19:59:52.591-04:00Magic Meadow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is the look of I just touched this forbidden berry to my tongue even though my mommy told me "No! Don't eat it!"<br />
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Here he is actually singing and doing a little dance. This kid has got soul and rhythm. <br />
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He is running away<br />
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and reluctantly coming back.<br />
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Okay, I know I take a lot of pictures of my little ones. But --A--, the bigger ones run off and leave me and --B-- let's admit it. Little things are cute. Baby people. Baby animals. Must I say more?<br />
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a.k.a. "the stone table". We love this place with views of the mountains and wide open spaces. It's beautiful.<br />
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The thorny tree with lemon like fruits. <br />
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A dear friend with daughters. They play different. And the boys actually think it's real fun.<br />
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Yep. Girl Play. <br />
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We had a lovely morning. Back home for quiet time in the early afternoon. Late afternoon was crazy. Pick up kids from school at 3. Piano lessons 3:45-4:45. Pick up a child from CFA to take to football practice with us. Somehow feed everyone and send them off by 5 with their devoted father to the football field. Messy kitchen. An older child's school books, papers, anything and everything strewn all over the kitchen. A trip to the chiropractor. Again. No end in sight there. That moment when I tell myself I can be tired, real tired, and I don't have to be mean because I'm tired. Deep breath. Now quick side trip to blog (which rarely happens), back to menu planning and grocery list making. Hope to go to bed early. Yes! All in a day. This is a good hard life. I'm thankful!Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10930001695167008769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33078316.post-62797888613409908452015-08-24T14:00:00.002-04:002015-08-24T14:54:11.741-04:00Monday's Child--Preschool!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love my two little ones having plenty of down time in the early years to not hustle and bustle about away from home. I love them having time to run and play outdoors, time to be read to, and play with their siblings, and just be. Now that said, I decided with my Samuel home with me this year, and him turning 5 in March, that we could use a little structure and planned activities to our days. Just enough to be enjoyable to him and provide a routine. Routine that hugs in the freedom and fun is comforting to young ones I've found. I also want to be purposeful in introducing Samuel to good literature, poetry, Bible stories, and also provide him the opportunity to do fun crafts which he so enjoys. You can see our rough schedule below. It's just a guide. I also took the time to plan what Bible stories, memory verses, songs, stories and crafts we would be doing this year. It took me about 8 hours to accomplish but saved us the expense of buying a formal curriculum. If I was going to buy one, it would have been Sonlight. I love it's literature rich focus. If I homeschool again next year, we will just buy Sonlight! :) It was too much work to make my own Instructor's Guide! </div>
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Admittedly I am a fan of making plans and schedules, just because it helps me to do the things I love to do with my little ones. Otherwise I would get trapped in cleaning, cleaning, cooking, cooking, and that's it. Plans are a beautiful thing for us. I don't feel tied to them, but rather I consider them a gift to take me out of the tyranny of the urgent and into the abundant life we want to live.</div>
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Here is just a small selection of the resources we will be using this year. I pulled out the ones we would be working out of now and put them on the shelf next to the kitchen table. For the Orchestra book we will be simply looking at each instrument and listening to the CD selection that allows us to hear what that instrument sounds like :) We have two children learning instruments right now, the piano and the violin. I'm excited that maybe our other children will be interested in learning some different instruments!<br />
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One of the things we plan to do is take a walk at the park on Monday's and Wednesday's and get some energy out on the playground. There is a big beautiful tree next to the playground that we have adopted as "our tree". We read one of my favorite children's books underneath it, "The Seasons of Arnold's Apple Tree", and Samuel identified that it is indeed Summer based on all the green leaves on our tree. We will keep coming back and observing the changes that occur in our tree throughout the year. I plan to have Samuel paint a trunk to put on the wall and he will add, remove, and change the leaves as he observes "our tree" changing.<br />
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This little guy has indeed "decided to put himself in charge"! Life is always a real struggle for me when I have a one year old, with their boundless energy and tenacious resolve to do what they want to do but we always make it through the year--and it is such a cute year as well when my babies grow from being a baby to being a young child! <br />
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Can you see tears in his eyes in this picture? And do you notice how he is holding his crayon? He is crying because I insist he hold his writing utensil correctly. I don't insist he write, draw or color, but I do insist that if he wants to he must hold it correctly. He can do it, but he gets frustrated when I correct him. I am not of the belief that a 4 year old needs to be writing, but if he wants to, he just has to learn to hold his pencil/crayon correctly! Beyond that, everything we do this year--my goal is for it to be fun! We plan to take some trips to local zoos, to see a bird of prey show, and attend story time at the local library some. I'm looking forward to spending my days this year with my two youngest and so glad our older boys have great schools to attend! I'm always open to homeschooling again but very thankful for God's provision for them! After ten years of homeschooling it's nice to take a long deep exhale :). And know that God's got my kids. Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10930001695167008769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33078316.post-2777643647681720882015-06-17T21:02:00.003-04:002015-06-17T21:02:59.202-04:00Last Vacation Pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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That little tiny dot in the middle is Jacob :)<br />
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Hermit Crabs were plentiful---made me think nostalgically about reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pagoo-Holling-C/dp/0395539641/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1434588776&sr=8-1&keywords=Pagoo">Pagoo</a> to my boys when I was homeschooling. It's a delightful story of a hermit crab. I highly recommend it or any book by Holling C. Holling.<br />
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Visiting the Tybee island lighthouse despite the fact that stairs are prohibited with my pelvic injury. One day I'll get better and won't have to worry about it. <br />
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They waited for slow me at each little platform.<br />
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I felt very uneasy having all our little ones up that high. We didn't stay long.<br />
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We actually ended up leaving Tybee on Friday instead of Saturday--home was calling. But we squeezed in one hour of fishing on the pier before we left. They rent poles and sell bait. It was 15 for the hour including squid bait.<br />
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While the boys were on the pier we were in Tybee's marine center watching them feed baby alligators. For 25 dollars we purchased a membership that allowed us to go in the marine center anytime during our week. We went in three times and got a discount and one free ticket for our beach walk with the educator. So we got our money's worth.<br />
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We headed back in our separate cars (there was no way we could fit all our luggage in the mini-van. We tried) and because I wasn't riding with Steve I could make some stops along the way home! We stopped here alongside the marsh to discover hundreds of little crabs. Once you got close they would run back into their homes so I didn't bother with trying to photograph them. <br />
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It was actually a jogging path. So pretty!<br />
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Next---driving home! We made great memories. Thankful for this trip!Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10930001695167008769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33078316.post-50898920932505372402015-06-10T21:35:00.002-04:002015-06-10T22:51:07.928-04:00On raising kids and chilling out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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(He walks over complaining he wishes we hadn't gone to the beach)<br />
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I'm going to attempt to share some things here---not as a person who has it all together or figured it all out---or who has earned her right to speak or teach. No. No. No. I write as a mom who has made lots of mistakes, learned from some of them, is continuing to learn, and will always be learning. But I would like to share some things, some of them boldly, because my heart desires to encourage other mothers. And I also don't claim to be right. Whatever I share here, always hold it up against the holistic teachings of the Bible. I've made plenty of mistakes in this parenting job, and I would never claim to have arrived. But by God's grace, I think I've learned a few things!<br />
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This is especially to the mom who has a child she struggles particularly with. A child that has a little more energy (is bouncing off the walls and getting into everything), who has a huge imagination and is full of stories (lies a lot), the child who always seems to have their own idea about what they want to do (argues with almost everything you say to them). And then all children are like these things sometimes, so it's for us all. <br />
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I've had a few children who are particularly difficult. And here's what I've learned. Momma---in the morning the first thing you need to take is a "chill pill". Yeah. You heard me right. This is not the day that you are going to fix your child and get them all shaped up into a perfectly well behaved child. Tomorrow isn't either. No day is. They came into your home a sinner. And guess what? They are going to leave your house a sinner. <br />
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It's not your job to CHANGE THEM. It's your job to teach them. Yes with the law----but mainly so that then you can tell them the <i style="font-weight: bold;">good news!!!! </i>The law restrains sin---but that's all it can do. It has no power to change a person or make them good---no power to save! So let it be the springboard, let your corrections and teaching moments be the spring board to sharing with them Jesus' LOVE! <br />
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I spent too many years as a mom thinking it was my job to change my kid. They would prickle up and go in the opposite direction---you know, "directly disobeying" me, and my threats and punishments wouldn't work and inwardly you know what I felt like doing? Exploding. Yep. All over the place. Because I felt <b><i>out of control.</i></b> Bingo. Maybe I had slipped into a playing God role. A role I was never supposed to be in. <br />
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Where did I get this idea? I blame it on Christian parenting books that said things like "If you let them get away with something once, you've lost them forever. You'll have a rebellious teenager on your hands that you'll never be able to control." This idea you have to win every "battle". Where in the Bible does it say I have to "battle" with my kids? Yes, it says they need to obey their parents. Indeed. But how to achieve that? Through a battle I have to win? And often by force? (spanking) Who says this is the best way to win over the hearts of my children? Who says I have to buy into my God being so small that he needs me to spank my children into submission or win every "battle" I start or else they are a lost cause? I don't buy into that anymore. <br />
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(I also want to put a word in here about something else I read in a "Christian" parenting book: Here it is...."You need to spank your kid until they cry or else it didn't work". Something has gone wrong here. We aren't to spank our kids into submission. This is not God's way. His way is the HEART way. Be weary, very weary of this idea.)<br />
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My God is mighty to save my children! Even with a fallen vessel like me as their mother, who isn't able to coerce my children into obeying from their hearts. But God is able to take a mother's gentle teachings, and work in their hearts. And speaking of battles---there is a battle. It's a spiritual one. And my prayers for my kids are my most powerful weapon. <br />
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I no longer feel that I have to win every fleshly "battle". I'm not afraid of losing. I'm not afraid to just let some things (sometimes a lot of things) go. Take a second and evaluate how often you parent out of fear. Fear of what will happen if you don't_________.<br />
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I now realize I don't have to punish every wrongdoing. I don't have to correct every bad attitude. I do restrain and direct when needed and try to manage my home and the young ones in it for the peace and calm of our home. I do love my kids and want them to learn obedience to authority. There is a time, I believe, in the younger years especially, for a swat on the thigh, to teach obedience. I know my boys need to learn to obey, for their good. Visions of disobedient children running out into the street, or out into the parking lot, or any number of dangerous situations, are very real. So I'm not discarding training and discipline. <br />
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But every lie, argument, attitude, slight infraction, is not something to come down on. Nor are they something that needs to frustrate me. Or anger me. My kids are sinners. Just like me. And so they will sin. And they've had less years to learn. They have less "social" restraints upon them and so their sins spew out more easily then mine. My sins I can hide better. That's not particularly praiseworthy now is it? I love that about kids. <b><i>They just are</i></b>. Maybe we could quit being intimidated or threatened by their sins. It's okay. Jesus has them. <br />
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One thing our pastor said that I haven't forgotten is that we could be more like grandparents with our kids. Because of what Jesus did for them on the cross. Because he obeyed perfectly so that we could be made right with God---so our children could be made right with God. Jesus took care of our sin problem. He paid for it. We and our children have the opportunity to embrace this gift. It's that easy. And then spend the rest of our lives falling more in love with our beautiful Jesus. And obeying out of that love. Not because we are going to have to write 100 sentences, or copy a Bible verse 10 times, or sit in the corner, or have to run laps, or get a spanking. We love because he first loved us. He loved us not just in word, but in deed. He demonstrated his love for us in so many ways. That's what we need to point our children to more than anything else, and let their sinful failures (which are just mirrors of who we are), be the opportunity to shine a spotlight on the Cross of Jesus Christ.<br />
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So maybe next time your kid acts out or says to you "NO!" right in your face, shouts, or lies to you, kneel down, get your loving eyes on their level---eye to eye---heart to heart, draw them in to a gentle embrace, and teach them the more beautiful way. And then tell them the <b><i>good story.</i></b><br />
<br />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10930001695167008769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33078316.post-38927310427016263582015-06-10T20:57:00.002-04:002015-06-10T20:57:57.819-04:00Beautiful Beach<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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(that moment he puts a hermit crab in his mouth :)<br />
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<br />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10930001695167008769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33078316.post-45210178867211140172015-06-06T14:35:00.000-04:002015-06-06T14:47:43.829-04:00Going on Vacation, Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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(Our birthday boy, Benjamin, turned six on our trip. For his birthday "cake" he wanted to go to a candy store in Savannah so here we are sitting on river street, everyone devouring their treats and I am trying not to think about the food dyes and such)<br />
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(Tybee has a marine center that offers educational beach walks for a small fee, so here we are)<br />
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(holding a spider crab....Benjamin later found one in a tidal pool--so cool!)<br />
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(Benjamin comes over, seeing me with the camera, and says "Take one of me and Jacob!")<br />
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(Samuel joins in)<br />
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(Here is how Jacob has been compensating...on the non-boot foot he stands on tip toe)<br />
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So we went on vacation to Tybee Island, one of Georgia's barrier islands. Let me take you back to the moment we pull up to our rental house (a duplex near the beach). I took great pains to try and find a place to stay that was away from crowds, and we could just relax as a family. So we finally find our place. A little duplex that from pictures looked so calm, quaint and secluded. No mam. It's in the middle of a cluster of other residences, directly next to a public parking lot and public boardwalk to the beach. The pictures were so deceptive. They also made the rooms look so different than they really were. Isn't that just like blogs and facebook posts that make other people's lives look so perfect and ours feel so defective. (Part of why I include all when I post on my blog) As we pull in there is that moment when I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt God is real, because inside my head I heard myself speaking to, a'hem, myself something quite contrary to my natural inclination: "You will NOT point out the crowds and your disappointment (there was a beach wedding occurring when we pulled up), you will NOT complain to your husband, who has provided this vacation for you and the kids." And indeed, as vibrant as the red cardinal I just saw outside our living room window was against the crisp green leaves of our backyard summer trees, my sinful nature was abated and complain nor vocally point out the crowds and the busy location, I did not. Apparently I took my own advice that I often give my sons, it's normal to think it, but don't say everything you think. <br />
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Expectations---the unrealistic type---the only ones I seem to have, seem to ruin everything. I tend to either expect the worst (visions of car crashes, mortally wounded children, tornadoes demolishing everything, you name it, I've feared it) and these fears typically aren't realized, or I expect fantastical things only meant for movies, and these normally don't happen either. But what does happen, reality, is sweet. Hard and sweet and it's the unexpected surprises that are the best it seems. There were plenty of those this trip. God is good and he seems to like to surprise his kids. Oh that I would put to rest all of my expectations, and just wait and see what the Lord gives!<br />
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So the unexpected. Yes, the weekend was crowded on the beach, and what I didn't expect was that it really calmed down during the week. Next---Low tide! I had no idea that we would have a feast of tidal pools each day to explore. This was so much fun. I've always wanted for my boys to have this opportunity and it happened unexpectedly this week. Floating in tubes together in the ocean, smiling and loving, and just being together. No one getting hurt (a definite fear--we do have three non-swimmers), not even any bad sunburns. Afternoon naps while Jacob slept and the big boys played video games on the ipods to their hearts content. Quiet moments with my husband before the Lord, praying together, recognizing our need for God to work in and through us to raise up our six boys...eyes and hearts locked together in mutual submission to our Heavenly Father. Endeavoring to pray together each morning---God fill us, enable us, give us wisdom in every situation that comes up. Doing that and seeing and experiencing God's hand that day in a more real way. <br />
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Love, so much love for our family. Love for our oldest son whose story God is writing in a different way right now as he lives with his grandparents. Missing him very much this trip (and always), consoled by the knowing his Heavenly Father has him. <br />
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Finding the rhythm of life lived with sorrow<br />
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hurting... but trusting,<br />
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resting... yet seeking,<br />
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quiet...still praying. <br />
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Sorrow doesn't cause life in all it's vast array to cease, it doesn't quench joy nor peace. It slips in like a companion, drawing the heart in humility to look to the Father, stirring in the soul a yielded longing to see the will of God be done---no matter what.<br />
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And so our vacation was what life is...oh the felt good and the good that hurts, all mixed up. A journey. A togetherness with God and his people (yes, the ones I live with, short ones and a tall one). A growing, a living, a longing, and a gift.<br />
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<br />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10930001695167008769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33078316.post-64127623093377163172015-04-24T22:10:00.002-04:002015-04-24T22:10:28.923-04:00It's the little things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Tuesday morning the rain had finally stopped, the morning was beautiful, more than beautiful, the weather perfect, (such a stark contrast to the day before when we were hunkering down in the basement storage room during a tornado warning...never know what a day will bring), and I said to the boys "do you want to pack a picnic and go to the park for a walk and to see the geese and ducks!?" And of course, we all know what they said. And so I quickly packed us up and we headed out the door with a simple lunch, the camera, and us! Benjamin has been in school this year, but he has been home with me on Tuesday and Thursday's. I've treasured these days with him. Sure the days are a little fuller, a little rowdier, but in that, a little better. I've found when my days are more full with people, with life, with conversation, with interruptions, with unscheduled---unsolicited, uninvited events---I feel more....alive. And so this day with my little boys was perfect. It was simple, no playground, no bikes, no trikes, no scooters, no picnic blankets, no fishing poles, and in it's simplicity it was deeply enjoyed. I just love being with my kids. I really, really enjoy them. It's the little things that are so, so special.<br />
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<br />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10930001695167008769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33078316.post-46925690298063089642015-04-01T12:55:00.004-04:002015-04-01T12:59:48.180-04:00Our little Walsman Homestead---and Quail!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well.....it all started with THIS. What's this? This is that gnawing hunger for hands in the dirt, sunshine on my back, sounds and smells of my own farm animals, rolling hills, bubbling brooks with children laughing and playing, good old fashion living---connected---feeling---in touch with the earth and the essentials for living---hard work and good rest, satisfaction looking on a job completed with my own hands.<br />
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Okay, back to real life. I've always wanted a home on land. Our own. Land that is. To do with what we want. Endless possibilities. There is something about making it myself. Making it from scratch. Being outdoors. Even sweating. I've tried here in this house to do some of these things, I have a garden, built up into the hill of a back yard we have. It's akward to access. But it's available and it's ours. Babies and toddlers and difficult pregnancies lead to planting and then not weeding. Laziness creeps in too. Sometimes just surviving becomes my way. And I stay indoors and take my Vitamin D faithfully. But I still long. To somehow be more connected with the cycle of life in the out of doors. Where I don't need Vitamin D, and my muscles ache but its a good ache, and I stink, but it's a good stink :). And there is a satisfaction that comes from this work---you know, the do it yourself, I made it kind of work---indoors and out. <br />
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So I decided, since it doesn't make sense financially to move, nor do we want to move away from the wonderful school God has given us, or the Church, why don't I do what I can here? Right here, our little Walsman Homestead. The old saying "bloom where you planted"! And so we're off to a good start. And what I've been daydreaming about has become reality. It's been fun. So let me tell you about our quail!<br />
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I wanted to buy 2 dozen eggs and incubate them, then watch with delight as they hatch out. And in the end keep a dozen hens, and eat the eggs they lay. Especially my husband since they are good for seasonal allergies which he suffers terribly from. But speaking of that husband he worried I wouldn't want to stay the course---that laziness---or that survival mode would kick in---and I would bemoan my quail responsibilities. I couldn't argue with him so I decided instead to----negotiate :)<br />
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No eggs to incubate, no babies to brood, just six full grown hens and a cheap cage. Just let me try it out I asked! And I got agreement and we got quail. And I realized I'm more handy than I thought I was. More on that in a minute.<br />
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So I bought a rabbit hutch from craigs list for 20 bucks. It needed some work. I laid some vinyl coated wire on top of the old hardware cloth that came on it. This was better for their feet but worse for allowing the poop to fall through to the box I built to fit under the wire and catch it. It was a mess. And boy did it stink. Woo! The quail smail! It stinks! Badly. I knew this wasn't going to work. So I took that box, unscrewed it, cut it down to fit on top of the wire, put it in a trash bag, mashed the bag down in the inside of the box, and put pine shavings in it. So in the back part of the hutch was shavings, and now the front part too. This really kept the smell at bay and they seemed happier. But the size! Too small! I didn't feel good about my little quaily girls being in realistically now, 4 square feet of space. But I still was limited to using very little money for my experiment. So, what could I do?<br />
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Woops! How did this picture get in here? Just had to sneak a little Jacob in here. Here he has just completed his first painting. On the floor. :) One of his big brothers dropped their brush full of green paint and Jacob went to town! Okay, back to quail....<br />
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See the bottom part of this new and improved cage? It was my salad table. I built it with the help of one of my sons friends (thanks Caleb!) about 2 years ago! I never used it. I kept intending to, but the kids would come along and play in the dirt and it just wasn't working out. As I thought about converting it to a quail hutch, I realized we don't really eat salad anyway. I wish we did, but my digestion isn't great with raw foods, and none of us love salad enough to grow lettuce regularly, so I concluded the table was definitely up for grabs! I noodled on it a bit, knowing I was on my own for the project. I had to build a new door for the rabbit hutch so I had already learned to use the table saw, and how to change out bits on the drill, screw things together, so I had a shred of confidence I could complete the project. And sure enough! With just 12 dollars of lumber from home depot and scraps around the house, the quail are much happier! <br />
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Here they are taking a "dust bath" with some of the old dirt that was in the salad table. <br />
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They are so, so fun to watch! I just sit there with the door wide open, they don't fly away, and just watch their little antics. They love being on the "deep litter" I put in the bottom of the cage. It's basically a combination of pine shavings, old leaves, dirt from the garden, some sunflower seeds scattered so they can scratch around and find them, turning over the bedding in the process. <br />
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The kids love coming out to see the quaily girls.<br />
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Taking care of them consists of refilling their food and water every day. No big deal at all. And with the deep litter method there is no smell, no flies, and hopefully the litter will compost and in six months or a year, I'll change it out and have a good bit of fertilizer for my garden!<br />
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Speaking of the garden! I've got collard greens growing in the back bed and blackberries trellised in the front. Our homestead is really coming along! Woot! <br />
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I'll update in a few months when it gets hot! We will see if I have what it takes to maintain! :)SteveWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17914107897266842318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33078316.post-3179229189817602302015-02-09T19:56:00.001-05:002015-02-09T19:58:35.748-05:00Jacob and thoughts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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He is walking everywhere now....so sweet. He's so confident. Except when I put shoes on him that are 1 size too big...and then he is awkward and has a hard time. I try not to to do that often :) But we do struggle with shoes around here. It's hard to find the right size, two of the same, ones that don't have dog poo on them, that sort of thing. <br />
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Here he fell. Didn't cry. He sure is tough. I feel terrible for him often because his big brothers hurt him at least 2 or 3 times a day. I wish I could prevent it--but it will happen before I can stop them. And when I see big brothers---not his three oldest brothers...its our 3 and 5 year old. They are just rough! This kid will not be able to help being tough!<br />
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He is so, so sweet. He likes to be held a lot. Especially when he is sick. But then when he is well he does like to explore the downstairs and he especially likes playing with the tupperware or pots and pans. I'm still nursing him 4 times a day. He doesn't seem in a hurry to wean and I'm not either, seeing as he will be our last. (sadness!) He said uh-oh the other day...guess we could say that was his first word! He is very ticklish. He loves his baby-sitter Florence. He is just precious in every way. I love cuddling him, holding him close, rubbing his sweet soft head. I'm so blessed!<br />
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He's 13 months now. And I find myself feeling sad, because I can hardly remember at all his little baby times. Just very barely. And I look at him now and I know he is going to change and grow and these sweet sweet times I won't remember either. Why does life have to change always? I went to a funeral today. It was a man that I met at the fabric store several years ago with his sweet wife and brain injured son. They became fast friends. We didn't see them often, but he was always the encourager on my facebook posts, liking each one and always had something nice to say. He was just one of those people that lifted your spirits. Just a few words, and always a smile would rise. And he isn't here anymore. And I don't like it. <br />
And my baby Isaac isn't here anymore, nor babies Micah, Andrew, Benjamin, Samuel.... and Jacob is fastly growing up. And I struggle with that. <br />
What am I holding on to anyway? This world? This life? Why? I must not realize how very bad it is, and how very good it is for each of us to grow closer to the next life, and for my friend to be there now. <br />
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And here I find myself with "let it go" running through my head---that song---that movie---it was good (but I've only seen it once for those of you who say noooooo more Frozen! hehehehe). And here applicable. Let it go. Let it go! You can't hold it back anyway----it's impossible. And I want each of my boys to go and grow and become men, and bless the world---I want them to go North, South, East and West....spreading the fragrance of Jesus and of life and light everywhere they go. And I want us to all grow closer to Heaven together---making that our goal, destination, and focus of life. Not this, not now, not here, not babies, not sticking around, not staying the same, but Heaven. <br />
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<br />SteveWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17914107897266842318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33078316.post-47880142409246177382015-01-12T14:36:00.001-05:002015-01-12T14:36:10.535-05:00Birthday Boy Part 2 (and a recipe!)<div style="text-align: center;">
***side note: (Last birthday post was reflective, and somewhat sober, and I hope I didn't give the impression that we are wallowing in despair---we aren't! There is so much hope in Christ, and so much joy he gives...I'll try to write a post on God's <i>traveling through trials</i> mercies! We serve an awesome God whose mercies are new every morning...like I said....trials ARE a blessing! And Jacob IS NOT a trial...he's one of the traveling mercies! Hope that makes sense :)***</div>
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With the boys Christmas money from their grandparents we took them to get passes to the Georgia Aquarium. In honor of Jacob's first birthday we went on Saturday and he did seem to be delighted in all the sights! He has entered the cute "pointing stage". I love it! This age is just delightful.</div>
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This is the coolest room! </div>
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On Sunday we had the official party. Jacob kept leaning in on his granddaddy. It was so sweet! He really loves him!</div>
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His grandparents gave him this little Radio Flyer ride on toy and he absolutely loved it! I've never seen him so excited about something. He figured out how to get on it on his own and he scooted it all over the place with the biggest grin I've ever seen! </div>
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Happy Birthday Jacob! We adore you! </div>
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And a recipe...this is the standard birthday cake recipe that I make. It's kind of healthy because I use gluten free rice and oat flour, which I soak overnight in buttermilk. What's more---it's moist and delicious! The brown icing on top is actually just a basic buttercream vanilla---but instead of white powdered sugar, I used powdered sucanat (because I was out of powdered white sugar---probably a good thing....regular white sugar always produces a sharp headache for me---sucanat doesn't, and it also doesn't cause a sharp rise in blood sugar which is nice! I made the powdered sucanat in my vitamix---easy peasy)</div>
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<b>Buttermilk Whole Wheat Chocolate Cake</b></div>
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2 cups whole wheat flour (I use 1 cup gf oat flour, 1 cup brown rice flour PLUS 1 tsp xanthum gum)<br />
1 1/3 cups sucanat (I use 1 cup)<br />
1/3 cup cocoa powder<br />
1 tsp baking powder<br />
1/2 tsp baking soda<br />
3 eggs<br />
1/3 cup melted coconut oil or melted butter (I use butter bc Steve doesn't like coconut flavor)<br />
1 1/3 cup buttermilk<br />
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Mix flours and buttermilk,cover, and let sit overnight or up to 24 hours in advance. This makes the grains easier to digest. <br />
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Add remaining ingredients, mix until smooth and well mixed.<br />
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Butter 9 X 13 or 2 round cake pans. <br />
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Bake 350. 25-30 minutes for cake pans and 35-40 minutes for 9 X 13.<br />
Done when toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.<br />
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Allow to cool than put on the icing!<br />
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<br />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10930001695167008769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33078316.post-22041821296960648472015-01-10T12:57:00.001-05:002015-01-10T13:11:33.614-05:00Our baby is One! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Jacob Haddon.</div>
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Surprise baby. We weren't planning any more. I didn't feel done, my husband did. My prayer became, "Lord do that which brings you the most glory. I surrender my body as a vessel to use, however you will." And I prayed this regularly. On the floor of my room before bed.</div>
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Heart, desire, body, soul---God's. My life God's. It was during this year that the Lord also called me to give up homeschooling. To give up another child. To surrender my life, my treasures, my deepest desires, to Him. After all, wasn't the doing of these things for Him? So wouldn't the not doing of these things be for Him as well if he so called me to give them up? </div>
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And then, a cycle not returning, day, and then another day, and a thought, and a hope and a wonder. Did natural family planning turn into God's plan for a new life? </div>
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Mothers day 2013----Steve reads the test. Positive. This positive that for some is negative. </div>
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For me it was positive...it was joy. It was surrender. It was potential. </div>
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It was a baby. It was new life. It was the image of God. </div>
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It was sickness. It was physical pain. It was dreams and joy.</div>
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In the midst of the hardest time of my life with another child. </div>
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The Bible says children are a blessing. Sometimes the blessing doesn't feel like blessing. </div>
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But in the end we trust. and hope. and believe. and wait.</div>
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and pray our hearts out. </div>
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that's what mothers and fathers do. </div>
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Jacob was carried underneath a heart filled with sorrow. Tears upon tears, that knew no end. </div>
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That turned into tears for carrying a child, baptized in tears. Prayers---Lord please protect this little heart from the emotions that swirl in me. </div>
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When he was born....first thought. He is real. Here's the one that has lived with me, all this time. all these tears. </div>
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Jacob. His name means "the one who grasps". </div>
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Did Biblical Jacob not grasp the heal of Esau---that he would come and be the child of the promise? </div>
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And Walsman Jacob---grasped---life in the midst of very painful, very difficult circumstances in this family. </div>
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Child of the covenant, child of the Promise. </div>
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“But you, Israel, my servant,</div>
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Jacob, whom I have chosen,</div>
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you descendants of Abraham my friend,</div>
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I took you from the ends of the earth,</div>
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from its farthest corners I called you.</div>
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I said, ‘You are my servant’;</div>
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I have chosen you and have not rejected you.</div>
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So do not fear, for I am with you;</div>
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do not be dismayed, for I am your God.</div>
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I will strengthen you and help you;</div>
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I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."</div>
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Isaiah 41:8-10</div>
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His first month, I tucked him in with me every night. He slept right under my arm, snuggled next to my heart. Precious baby boy. He has been an unexpected blessing. A gift. </div>
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We are so thankful for him. </div>
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Children are a blessing. It's just that we often define blessings differently than God does.</div>
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I've learned blessing is often trial. Blessing is often carrying our cross. </div>
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And in this case, the blessing is </div>
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Jacob! </div>
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He's One!</div>
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Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10930001695167008769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33078316.post-59605080338895830932014-12-06T18:16:00.000-05:002014-12-08T09:51:13.587-05:00Teaching through Trial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am a terribly slow learner. And I'm no were near "arriving", but I'm thankful that God is teaching me. Here are a few of my "lightbulb" moments lately...</div>
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<i>"He has made everything beautiful in his time." Ecclesiastes 3:11</i></div>
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I don't need to be in control of everything (which is a ridiculous illusion). <b><i> God is. </i></b></div>
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<i>What I have said, that I will bring about;</i></div>
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<i> what I have planned, that I will do. Isaiah 46:11</i></div>
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I live each day with God in my midst. In every room I'm in, God is there. In my mind, God is there. In my heart, God is there. When I'm outside, God is there. When I'm going to sleep, God is there. When I'm daydreaming, God is listening. When I act, God sees. When I speak, God hears. <br />
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<i>The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Psalm 111:10</i></div>
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I desire now more than ever to live a holy and reverent life. I think God is teaching me the beginning is an ever awareness of him and his holiness. Everywhere we are, HE IS. <br />
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<i>"Likewise, teach the older women to be <b>reverent </b>in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good." Titus 2:3</i><br />
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<i>O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.</i><br />
<i>Psalm 96:9</i></div>
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There is power in words. Yes, simple words. The words I'm typing. This one. That one. Every word that I say, or type, or text... is important and should be thoughtfully discerned before spoken. This is a hard one. Really hard one. God is teaching me this, but right now, I'm more often noticing AFTER I've spoken things I shouldn't have, that those words weren't wise. <br />
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<i>The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. </i></div>
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<i>Proverbs 15:28</i></div>
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<i>A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools blurts out folly.</i></div>
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<i> Proverbs 12:23</i></div>
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<i>He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.</i></div>
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<i>Proverbs 13:3</i></div>
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<i>A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.</i></div>
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<i>Proverbs 18:27</i></div>
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He is also teaching me, Prayer does make a difference. <br />
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I'll just quote my favorite theology book (Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem),<br />
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"Prayer is one specific kind of action that has definite results and that does change the course of events. God has also ordained that prayer is a very significant means of bringing about results in the world. When we earnestly intercede for a specific person or situation, we will often find that God has ordained that our prayer would be a means he would use to bring about the changes in the world."<br />
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Jesus told his disciples the parable of the unjust judge and the persistent widow so that they should</div>
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<i>"always pray and not give up." See Luke 18:1-8</i></div>
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Friend, we're on a journey. Sometimes it seems like we've been going uphill through brambles, and jagged rocks, and worn out shoes, and pouring rain, and searing heat, with a lack of food, with parched throats, for longer than we can remember and it seems like we will never get to the top. But be encouraged...<br />
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<i>He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?</i></div>
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<i>Romans 8:32</i></div>
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So we press on! I'm so thankful to be a child of God, loved by him, forgiven, and to have the privilege of knowing that God will complete the work he began in me. This is the confidence we have as believers in Christ!<br />
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<i>... being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. </i></div>
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<i>Philippians 1:6</i></div>
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<br />SteveWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17914107897266842318noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33078316.post-14061599078762146562014-11-13T20:35:00.004-05:002014-11-13T20:57:27.134-05:00What we've been up to<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It seems I've been finding little time to blog lately. That's a real bummer because I've been counting on my blog to be our online scrapbook that I hope to one day print. It's just hard to find time to do it. Even now my 20 minute time limit I gave myself to write this post is long over and I need to get to meal planning. Meal planning is the chore I dread the most. It seems to take hour upon hour. First I have to clean out fridge/freezer. Then I have to inventory fridge/freezer and pantry, writing everything down---so I can plan our meals according to what we have and figure out what I need to replenish. Then I make a grid for the period of time I'm planning for---usually at least 2 weeks. Then I look at the calendar and see what all we have going on so I can plan accordingly. Then I figure out what meals go with what ingredients I already have, and then after all that---I think of what meals we will have and then I make the grocery list(s). I shop at Dekalb Farmers Market, Costco, Wal-Mart and even Kroger/Publix at times. I can't seem to find a way around that. But meal planning is not what this post is about. It's just a general update. I have to squeeze a lot into one because I surely won't be back for a while.</div>
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Our oldest son just turned 16. So hard to believe. They do grow up so fast. He's talking about going into Information Technology which is exciting because that's the field his dad is in. It would be neat to see them working alongside each other one day. This boy has incredible musical abilities that are largely untapped at this point but to get him moving I'm looking into buying him a chanter. His life long dream is to learn to play the Scottish Highlander Bag Pipes. Hoping to one day see that dream turn into reality! </div>
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We took a trip to<a href="https://www.jaars.org/"> JAARS (Junge Aviation and Radio Services)</a> in North Carolina to visit friends of ours. Here the boys are learning how to rivet. Riveting is the method by which the metal pieces of airplanes are put together. They had a lot of fun. </div>
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Micah and Andrew went up for an airplane ride which of course they loved. These airplanes are especially fitted by JAARS missionaries to be able to take off and land in very difficult and remote locations. They can take off and land in as little as 150 feet! They can almost hover in mid-air. So neat.</div>
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We went to JAARS on "JAARS DAY", where they had lots of different events and activities going on. I highly recommend a visit. You can stay on campus like we did for super cheap. We had a 4 bedroom house that we paid only 70 dollars a night for. </div>
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One of the funnest things was just sitting in the hanger watching the airplanes come and go. Not to mention being surrounded by missionaries---mission work is so exciting---the thought of being used by God to share the story of what he did for his people by sending his Son to the cross---- is such a thrill. Andrew talks now, since this trip, of wanting to be a pilot and work for JAARS. We will see if that is just a boyish ambition or if God ignited a passion in him! </div>
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Little Benjamin and Samuel got to go too. They were so excited! I almost ran out to the plane to scream "stoooop!" as visions of a plane crash flashed in my head as they taxied, but of course I didn't. I have a very vivid imagination and truth reminded me that they would not die until it is God's time for them to die--and JAARS wouldn't be offering these rides if they weren't entirely safe. Taking my thoughts into healthy "control" is a theme of what God is teaching me lately.</div>
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They obviously had a great time! The couple behind them are headed as a family to do full time mission work in Papua New Guinea. It was neat talking to them. </div>
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Back at home, I was able to take Samuel on a field trip to our favorite local farm and family, <a href="http://www.thompsonstreefarm.gacta.com/">Thompson's Tree Farm</a>. We've known this family for several years and they have become dear to us. They let me tag along with Samuel on one of their pumpkin themed field trips and it was sweet to have that time just with Samuel. In a family of 8, that is rare. Looking at this picture I notice I'm holding Samuel. That also is rare. At least when I'm standing up. I am having significant pelvic girdle issues since having Jacob. This kind of injury is so odd to me. I've never had any health struggles like this before. I'm in physical therapy weekly (trying---but not hard enough to do my exercises on my own three times a day---ha!) and going to the chiropractor twice a week. I wonder if I will get better. Month after month of pain, and I really think I might not. But that's in God's hands. I just can't wait for Heaven. And I can't expect this world that is under the curse to be Heaven on earth. Not yet. But soon.</div>
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Micah just completed his first season with the Georgia Force, a local football team for private school and home schooled kids. He had a blast. </div>
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This boy just turned nine and had a mouth appliance installed in his mouth to enlarge his palate to make room for more teeth--and eventually braces. This is our first experience with braces for our kids, and probably not our last. </div>
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For his birthday we let him invite lots of friends and we even rented (for the first time ever) a big blow up slide. They had a blast! Andrew started school this year (3rd grade) for the first time at <a href="http://www.dominionclassical.org/">Dominion Classical. </a> He has beyond enjoyed it---school starts at 9 but they can be dropped as early as 8:40 and he begs in the morning for us to leave the house early enough for him to get there at 8:40 on the dot. When he gets home from school he immediately sits down to do his homework. He just loves it. Dominion is a GREAT school. </div>
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These two have such a sweet relationship. Yes they wrestle and fight, but not a lot. Benjamin's temperament is completely different now that he is gluten free. There are occasional outburts, but he has a softness and a sweetness generally that doesn't exist when he eats foods with gluten in them. I don't understand how that all works, but I have just seen the very marked difference when he is eating gluten free and when he isn't. So we will stick with gluten free. A few minutes ago I tucked Benjamin in and I said, "I love you so much" and he said, "I love you too." then he smiled and said, "and Samuel, and Andrew, and Micah, and Isaac, and Jacob and Daddy. I love everyone in this neighborhood." So sweet. </div>
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This is Florence and Jacob. Florence is the daughter of our friends from Kenya. About 8 years ago I noticed the man stocking vegetables at the Publix shopping center had on an African beaded belt. I asked him what country he was from. He said, "Kenya". We had just had a Kenyan missionary visit us at our church so I invited this man (whom I then learned had a wife and three children, one of them being a baby the same age as our baby-Andrew at the time) to our church with his family and to dinner at our home. And the rest is history. They became members at our church and I couldn't have asked for better friends. Florence is our baby-sitter and she is such a blessing. We love her dearly. She is in college and we hope she sticks around and continues her studies locally! </div>
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This was a nice thought but alas---the shadows. I take some pretty good pictures here and there---but so many don't turn out well---because I have no---zero---understanding of the technicalities of light, shadows, exposure, etc.etc. Maybe one day I'll take a course and learn. Too busy for that now. </div>
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Our new chore system. We've tried a zillion. I looked at some ideas on pinterest, thought and thought some more, considered what we've tried and why they failed, and came up with this. I just bought some boards from Home Depot---had them cut to fit this wall, sanded, stained and poly'd them, Screwed in the little hooks and put a nail at the end. The tags were bought from Hobby Lobby. On each tag is a chore and written at the bottom is when that chore is to be done (approximately). When that chore is done they move that tag over to the nail. So at any given time they can look at their "board" and see what's done and what's not. At the end of the night if everything is done they get a check for the day and that check is redeemed on the weekend for 20 minutes of screen time for the possibility of 2 total hours of screen time over the weekend. (they typically use screen time to play video games/computer games) This system has worked really well. They all like it. Benjamin even has a board and his own tags and he kept asking me today for more chores and more tags. He really likes doing things and then moving the tag to the nail. Just like his momma. :)</div>
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Since the boys have been in school I really haven't rested as much as I thought I would. I'm finally able to do all the projects/cleaning/organizing that have built up over the years of having ZERO time for anything but homeschooling/cooking/cleaning--just the basics. I'm hoping to get to a point of resting (relatively speaking---I still have a toddler and a 3 year old at home----resting looks like--to me---like 30 minutes of sitting down in the mornings as opposed to NO sitting down). This picture is of the organization I just did of our art supplies. They are all in the various baskets above the bookshelves. Based on my research--the cheapest baskets are at TJMaxx. Just FYI. </div>
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Books--I sold most of our home school books (official curriculum that is---we have a zillion historical books/science books/art books/biographies/living books,etc. that we will keep as long as possible!). If God calls us to that again I'll have a blast shopping for new curriclum. I'm one of those curriculum junkies. But actually, if we were to go down that route again, we may do it a bit differently. I recently listened to an interview of a homeschooling family whose children begin highschool around age 9 and college by around 12. You can learn about them <a href="http://www.hslda.org/docs/hshb/117/hshbwk11.asp">here</a>. I'm intrigued! </div>
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One thing that is brand new for me since the boys have been in school is having a quiet time with the Lord again. This time is absolutely possible when your homeschooling, I just never made it the priority it needed to be. Now, from 2 to 3, I do rest, on the couch, usually with a cup of tea. This time is so centering to me. We have been going through some extremely difficult trials and without centering my heart, my mind, my thoughts on God and His Word....I think I would be a basket case. <a href="http://www.challies.com/sites/all/files/attachments/professor-grant-horners-bible-reading-system.pdf">Just recently, me and a couple of girlfriends decided to start this Bible Reading program. I'm SO excited about this. It's going to be life changing. </a> It's just the Bible so it's for all denominations. I encourage you to check it out. My friends and I will be meeting once a week to talk about how God is working in our lives, to encourage one another and hold each other accountable to be making God the Rock that we stand on, and pray for each other. I'm so thankful for them. (If you do endeavor to take up this Bible reading program, and if you have a phone that you can put "apps" on, there is one called Bible 10 that is perfect to help you along). In this program you read 10 chapters a day (or you can adapt it to 5 a day which is what we are doing). Here is a short summary of the plan: "Reading ten chapters a day, in the course of a year you’ll read the Gospels four times, the Pentateuch twice, Paul’s letters four to five times, the Old Testament wisdom literature six times, the Psalms at least twice, Proverbs and Acts a dozen times, and the OT History and Prophetic books about one and a half times." This man has been doing this for over 20 years and he essentially knows the Bible, the entire Bible by HEART. How awesome! </div>
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And lastly, I've been lighting my "church" candle to remind me, my home is His sanctuary. </div>
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May we live each moment in the way of worship.</div>
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<span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Acts 17:26-28</span></span></div>
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SteveWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17914107897266842318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33078316.post-8092251362755798442014-09-22T21:52:00.002-04:002014-09-22T21:55:24.000-04:00I love these guys<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We spent last Friday evening at a park close to our house (for you locals, it was the new entrance to Little Mulberry Park), the weather was just perfect, this was our first time at this park as a family and we took advantage of the wide open green space for the boys to play football, and the little ones loved the playground, and we brought a picnic and it was a simple kind of wonderful. Just being together, Steve took a few pictures of me and Jacob even though I had (confession) yet to shower that day, I have so few pictures of me and that sweet baby so I took advantage of the opportunity! And I love the pictures anyway! That's real life, and that's what I want to remember. I don't know what you all think, but Fall weather is just healing. Something about the coolness and the breezes that just blow through my soul and whisper, rest....rest oh my soul....rest in God. </div>
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Isaiah 30:15</div>
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In repentance and rest is your salvation,</div>
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in quietness and trust is your strength,</div>
<br />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10930001695167008769noreply@blogger.com0