What I learned while my husband was away

I was reminded once again just how blessed I am to have my Justin. I learned that 3 little boys need there Daddy more than they think they do. I learned how much my little girl has a tendency to worry about any and everything. I learned that I really don't always trust in God like I should, I really don't Pray like I should, and I don't guard my thoughts like I should. I really realized again how disorganized I tend to be and just how much God has grown me in that area although I have far to go. I got a little more reminder that I am who God made me to be and I need to stop trying to be someone else.

Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

139:1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
5 You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.

7 Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
9 If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light about me be night,”
12 even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.

13 For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. [1]
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
I awake, and I am still with you.

19 Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God!
O men of blood, depart from me!
20 They speak against you with malicious intent;
your enemies take your name in vain! [2]
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
22 I hate them with complete hatred;
I count them my enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts! [3]
24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting! [4]

My husband has returned refreshed and renewed. With a fire for God I have not seen since, well a long while. Lord help me to keep the flame burning. Let me not be a discouragement or a stumbling block. Give me words of encouragement and wisdom Lord. Lead us together down your path for us.

Loving my family today and excited to start school with the kids for the week with an encouraged heart.

Weekly Wrap up 7

Started the week preparing to send Daddy to Mexico for 5 days. So Monday was spent running to a few stores for last minute stuff and trying to get Skype hooked up on the computers. we got it working but sadly only the laptop had a mike and camera so while he was able to chat I had to type. :)

Tuesday we dropped Daddy off at the church to take a bus ride to the airport. My little Haven was confused and Caleb was a bit bothered that Daddy gets to see his Asa and fly on an airplane. We took it light on studies, watched a couple movies and just hung out.

Wednesday we went to my moms for hair cuts for the boys. much needed haircuts. Then we actually camped out in the living room with a couple of the kids mattresses and a couple old movies. Grandma was super cool and sent over some yummy soup for dinner. (She knows me and my lack of eating when I am stressed too well, I guess that's why she's my momma) I was able to chat with Justin for a few minutes and the kids said hello even though he couldn't hear them. Haven says he can come home from work now. :)

Haven with his new haircut!

Thursday we try to do a bit more school. We did okay but the kids were so tired I finally put them all to bed for a rest. The oldest 2 had some work to do in bed and even they fell asleep doing it. It was a much needed nap and they all woke up happier. After much impatience and the amazingly wonderful Shae helping me out I was able to chat with Justin before bed at 11:30pm. I sure do love that guy and am very unused to not talking to him several times a day.

Friday we went into town for a coffee, umm because I am out of milk! Then we swung by my sisters house to see her pretty blue paint on her house. Of course the kids decided it would be best if they played for a bit while I did my errand. :) So just Haven and I ran to big lots and picked up a camera/mike combo for my comp. When he Skypes tonight I will be ready. Then we met the local homeschool group and my Sis, Bro-in-law and the kids at the pumpkin patch for a hayride, and corn maze. Fun stuff. Home at last just relaxing and waiting for Grandma Ardel to pick up Evangeline and Haven for an overnight visit.

Daddy is home late tomorrow and we are ready. :)

335 lbs of cousin!

 Searching for the perfect pumpkin

 Me and the kids. See I fit right in!

 The corn maze

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Weekly Wrap up Week 6

Fall is in full force, we have had falling leaves, cats under the house, and fallish weather. Which for Oregon means cool mornings that warm up and get humid. :)

Evangeline is through her Alpha Math U See and moving at a quick pace through Beta. I am really glad we switched curriculum and am happy to hear her say she gets it and it's easy. She should be through Beta relatively quickly and onto the next book.

Timothy is just about done with the Math U See Primer and will start the Beta as soon as he is finished.

I signed the kids up for the Book It program months ago and since it starts this month I printed out there charts and gave them each a reading goal. Timothy has just started to get excited about reading and this was the jumpstart that he needed. He actually finished his first book all the way through yesterday and asked to read more. :)

We had Kaylin over for a day this last week and she was happy to do some school with Evangeline. :)

 Haven insisted I can hold 2. :)

 She was very not tired but we convinced her to nap after much lullaby singing.

 The kids have been building this United States Puzzle all week and we watched Wackos United States song several times. Fun stuff!

So we had a pretty good week. We almost caught up with our schedule and what more can we ask? :)

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Christmas countdown week one.

I started working on some Christmas gifts for my kids this week.

These are for there Stockings - I got the idea here http://homemadebyjill.blogspot.com/2009/12/cozy-car-caddy-tutorial.html and changed very little from her tutorial except I omitted piping since I don't have any and decided not to do the stenciling. Oh and I used denim for the road instead of felt. I am trying not to purchase anything or as little as possible.

I made one for my girly after I tried one of her polly pockets in one of the boys. They fit perfectly. So hers is a Polly Pocket Caddy. :)

Here is hers folded. I also used snaps instead of velcro.

Here are the boys I used the same fabric for there car on the front that I lined the inside with.

I am happy with what I accomplished and I will be back with another project soon.

An hour a day!

So I have so many plans for the upcoming holiday season. Homemade gifts for almost everyone. Sadly so far these plans have just been trapped inside of my head. So I have committed myself to sew or craft an hour a day until I get caught up. I shut myself up in my bedroom last night and was already able to get 3 things sewn for the boys. I already feel so much better and like it will all be okay. That feeling of small accomplishment instead of laziness is so nice. I will be posting what I get done for my own record and also in case it may give anyone else an idea for inexpensive gifts in this economy. I know we are tight financially right now and I feel blessed that I am able to handcraft some things for my family. So as soon as I grab some pics I will post my first project. :)

Weekly Wrap Up Week 5

So we made it 5 weeks. 5 weeks of almost staying on schedule, almost remembering to hold my temper in check, almost being the mother I wish to be. Some days were better than others of course and some weeks were better than others. :)

Anxiety has been attempting to get the better of me this week. We fell a bit behind from some unexpected scheduling and bad planning on my part. So instead of smiling and doing my best to calmly get us back on track I kind of had a melt down. You know yelling, stressing, internet surfing, writing lists I will never accomplish.

My poor children, whom I adore and love have been the brunt of this followed closely by my husband as usual.

Thinking about the wrap up I was imaging our lack of activity this week in desperation and of course once again when I checked the camera for pictures I was surprised by what we did accomplish. God is so good.


We made this Fall Mobile. We borrowed the idea from http://www.vanessachristenson.com/2010/09/how-to-wax-paper-and-crayon-fall-leaves.html and http://1plus1plus1equals1.blogspot.com/search/label/Something%20Special combined. :)

 Here the kids are grating the crayons. :) with the help of the Stanley and his Sister we are currently hosting.

 Took The Brother and Sister to the duck pond for a visit.

 We got to see a retired Nascar last Sat at Daddy's work. :) Just like Lightning

 The big kids finished there Jamestown dioramas with a little help from Mommy. :) We got these from http://homeschoolinthewoods.com/HTTA/promo/Jamestown-Replica.htm

 Then we took Stanley to Grandmas to visit an Oregon Garden. The kids went out and took pics and I must say they did I fine job.

So next week I will focus on the little moments and remember the great Gift I have been given by God, my beautiful family.

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Weekly Wrap Up Week 4

We are studying Marsupials in our Science right now, we took some time to Draw the Kangaroo from the Draw Right Now books. I love drawing with the kids it is a nice break we need to do it more often

Justin was home Wednesday we didn't get as much school done as we should have of course. Actually we haven't done super well all week so today we are playing some catch up

Justin when I caught him "Organizing" the Lego men as he calls it. :) I call it playing but whatever

We will be doing a Flat Stanley exchange this year. Here the kids are posing with our Flat Stanley we will mail him out to the first person next week, after that we will be looking for some new homes for him to visit. Let us know if any of you are interested in hosting him at all

The Flat Stanley Project Page

We went on a family hike to Susan Creek Falls last Sunday, It was wonderful Sunny but not too hot

Here is Haven with his "X" he was positive it was not a 2

Searching for Pirate Treasure

At the Lowes Build and Grow clinic last Saturday with Timmy and Evangeline 

Timmy building his puppet stage. He does not need my help thank you very much

Evangeline building

It happened to be Fire Safety day so here is Evangeline in the Ambulance with her neck brace on

Now she is strapped in for a ride. Timmy would sit on the side but that was all

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