Finding Passion Again!

It's not a total secret that this past summer was a rough one!  Life threw some curve balls that were surprises and rocked my world.  Have felt quite blessed to have family and friends to surround us in prayer as we (yes, I include Kevin in this) walk through the last few months.

Been getting the help needed, from doctors, and am beginning to feel "normal" again.  Fully know there are good days and bad days; but what makes me realize and give thanks, is that I see and feel my passions coming back.  Today, all four of use jog/walked a 5K and I came in last in just under 52 minutes (could not jog or run because of other health reasons).  The exercise high is still going strong a couple hours later.  I even took out some paint and got started on decorating my I Pad stand that my dad built for me.  See here!

Any hoot, would be amiss if I also wasn't thankful for Matthew 9:12-13:

¹² On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ¹³ But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’^[a] For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

So I leave you with a sweaty, post 5K, photo!

P.S. Think I might be addicted to walking fast and

some day jogging!

 

Good Moments

Craziness!

That one word sums up life during the last 5 or 6 weeks easily. 

Lots of weird health stuff going on, that I'd rather not share over an open, easily searched blog. 

Lots of very long school days; long and stressful.  We still believe we are following what God has called us to do, in homeschooling.  That doesn't always make things easier, it just crystallizes your focus.

During these moments of being tired from life, there have been moments where life hits a sweet spot.  Those moments that make the rough days more manageable. 

    Today has had it's moments of extremes.  School has been hard; getting organized has been hard; cleaning has been hard; getting prepped for picture day tomorrow has been hard; getting laundry done has been hard; getting bread made - wait not that!  :)

  So, finally hit something that felt right today ~ making bread.  Who knew?  I didn't realize how therapeutic it was, most of the time, for me.  It felt like something was going right.  Follow the recipe, check for stickiness, add more flour slowly, hand knead for a few more minutes, let it rise with a towel over it and heating pad under the bowl.  Found my moment, my good spot, for the day. 

During this, found a couple others.  Our oldest is taking a photography class at co-op and he needed a few extra "action shoots".  Had him couple take a couple of the dough mixing.  One is good and blurry which should make for good discussion in class.  Then sent both boys out, with the dog and treats, to get the dog moving and take more action shots.  So here's a couple of my moments, captured by my 13yo, budding photographer.

Manual Setting

Think he threw the treat and Charlotte missed it!

What have been you good moments today?  If you came here via Facebook, please leave a comment here.  Taking a sabbatical from Facebook for awhile.

Unexpected Blessings!

Have you ever had an unexpected blessing? One that takes you by surprise?  Ever been fortunate enough to have two in a short period of time?

Yeah, that would be me in a short period of time!  One is such a blessing, but when

the second comes along within five days or so, it is such a pleasant surprise!

I have been wanting to get some fun family portraits/pictures done!  Ones that aren't your formal, go to a studio and pick one or two backgrounds.  We've done those in the past, but honestly, that is not where I want our money going right now.  This past Thursday or Friday, while at VBS, I was talking with a friend about wanting fun photo's and wanting to find someone who would know places in the area for fun shots!  Well, my friend said she is wanting to learn how to do people shots as shes mostly been doing landscapes.  She wants to get better at this so she can do it professionally.  Even better, she mentioned that she'd do it for free because she's learning.  Sweet!  Love that idea and will spend some time soon figuring out when, where, and what clothes I want to buy so we look "cool"!

Anyhoot, yesterday out of the blue, another friend called.  Two of her kids are in the same grades as our boys.  My youngest and her second to youngest are like two peas in a pod.  These two boys are great friends and love hanging out!  Kate was wondering, since the middle school kids were going to be gone for a chunk of the day, if youngest wanted to come hang out.  She understands that Mr. Thing Two loves to be entertained and likes to be doing things!  (he's getting loads better about keeping busy, but gets bored easily when his brother isn't around)  She asked if he'd like to come over to hang out during the time period that the other kid is gone.  Wow!  I have down time and don't need to pay a sitter!  I might just be able to catch up with some friends, with chores, or shop or who knows what!  Options are limitless, especially if I plan ahead!!

 

Thankfulness!

A few months ago or so, our church had a Sunday morning Ladies Bible Study that went through "One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully" by Ann Voskamp.  What I have taken away from both her book and the Bible Study is that there are always things to be thankful for, things that we may overlook and not even pay attention to.  We should take the time to remember these little things and list them.  Lists of the good things God has provided us ~ little things, like butterfly kisses with our smelly, little boy, or the big things, like answers to prayers ~ are the things we need to remember.  These are the concrete things in life that help us walk through the hard times, the lonely times, the times we just can't seem to sense or feel God.

Well, I seem to go in spits and spurts for jotting these things down.  In the past, I'd troll my facebook status' and update the page I have on this blog.  It has been awhile since I've even done that.  Here are a few of the ones lately, mostly from this week that I am thankful for:

• Vacation Bible School and the guys in my life being excited to go and learn or go and serve
• being able to pinpoint why a part of me aches and fix it
• having a husband who is able to work from home to allow me to volunteer, for long stretches of time, and not have to pay for a sitter or arrange a play date
• going out for milkshakes
• capturing precious moments with the phone camera (why is that one better than the "stand alone one"?)
• quiet moments, at home alone, to get paperwork done

Will move this over to my "master list" in the next couple days.  Will also see what I can find from face book as well.  Wonder what number I'll be on then?
 

Thanksgiving

Another day has dawned ~ well a few hours ago it did!  8) 

I am trying to be consciously aware of things to be thankful for.  It's been hard; it's been a chore in denying my desire to have more and see the blessings of "what is"!  To be grateful for something that isn't exactly right, to be thankful for the act of service that brought something to you.  To be grateful for the gift giver, to receive with joy.

Continuing to count those blessings:

• time to read when boys are sleeping
• cooking breakfast with oldest
• stolen moments with youngest, while waking him up for the day

Audience participation portion of the blog!  Yes, that would be you reader.  Would you share what you like to do to celebrate thanksgiving?  Recipes you love to make?  Traditions? 

For us, there are many different things:

• Kevin's parents would have out paper place mates for the grand kids to decorate (really, it was anytime we got together)
• At my folks, seems like the kitchen table is a battle ground for train dominoes and other games
• At our house, if we're home, we love to watch "The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade"
• Reading of Cranberry Thanksgiving by Harry and Wende Devlin (Wonderful book, back in print by Purple House Press, and one of many books rowed in Five in a Row)

Hope you share your traditions and thankfulness.  Thanks for reading!

 

Voting!

Amid the phone calls and signs everywhere, passing the all the folks wanting to give me their choice of what the ballot should look like, I voted! Stated my choices for who should be President, Vice President, Senator, and Congressman. Thankful for the freedom to do so.

It's my prayer that those, everywhere, who can't make it to the poll easily on their own, will have someone to help them take part in their civic duty. I pray that those in New York and New Jersey, who have lost everything, will find peace enough to take part in this election. I pray for those jurisdictions to be able to set up polling places and help the citizens get there.

During this, I am thankful for:

• being totally checked by the Holy Spirit and being okay with it
• child saying "Batman gets the cool toys" while watching Batman and Superman
• husband and son off to Scouts
• seeing a friend from my neighborhood (at the polls); she was beaming as her son got to vote and has his Eagle Court of Honor this Wednesday or next (that wasn't clear)
• beautiful sunset tonight

 

A Month of Thanksgiving

THANKSGIVING, ppr. Rendering thanks for good received. 

THANKSGIVING, n. The act of rendering thanks or expressing gratitude for favors or mercies.

Every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if received with thanksgiving. 1 Tim 4
(Websters 1828 Dictionary)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanksgiving, the holiday that retailers neglect and grocers LOVE!  We, as shoppers, see Christmas creeping into stores, at times, even before July 4th!  Aisles are taken over with Christmas merchandise even before Halloween.

As I have seen on Facebook, many friends are taking back Thanksgiving.  Taking the month of November and expressing something to be thankful for each day.  Can you do the same?  Join in late, but still be Thankful?  What are things you are thankful for?  Even the little things!

11/1 ~ Presidential Fitness and our boys making an effort to improve
11/2 ~ a not rushed dinner
11/3 ~ a Saturday with not much to do out side of the home
11/4 ~ time to get part way caught up on old chores
11/5 ~ rest to begin the week

Can you list one thing each day?  Consider this a challenge!

First Day of 2012/13

First day of school at Oak Creek Academy has come to a close; we're winding down with an episode of Star Trek Voyager!  Here is some glimpses into our day!

 One of many different "First Day of School" treats I'd

seen on Pinterest; also one of the easiest to make.

 Had seen these Cheeze its while picking up

other things for our first day.  Let the creative

juices flowing for the wording.

 Hello dollar bin at Wal-mart!  Lots of candy labeling posting

at Pinterest so it was easy to make something for candy.

 Here is most of Thing One's "new school day" loot!

He tends to get stuff in blue.

 The green version for Thing Two.

 Total impulse purchase!  Green and blue, how could I say

no to these!  Boys seemed to enjoy them too.

 Close up of shirts for physical educations!  The boys

were shocked that it didn't say Oak Creek Academy.

 Thing One's close up.  His sign says,

Oak Creek Academy

2012/13 School Year

Well Hello 7th grade

I'm ready to build a great year!

Thing Two:

Oak Creek Academy

2012/13 School Year

Watch out 4th grade ~

I'm ready to knock it out of the park!!

 Really getting tired of the photos and

ready for school.

 One more close up!

The day itself went fairly well.  They breezed through math, got through grammar and spelling (both a little shocked that we're doing formal spelling again!  Oh well kids get over it!).  Probably the best portion for both boys was mentioning it was time for Five in a Row and Beyond Five in a Row.  I didn't quite get to letting them ordering which books were first, second and so on like I'd planned, however it all worked out.  When I told Thing Two we were rowing "Roxaboxen", he was totally excited.  As always, he said it was his "favorite" and went off to get the book and manual for me.  He enjoyed doing some map work of the Southeast.  When it was Thing One's turn, I gave him a choice of the three books we had not covered in Volume Three of Beyond.  He was excited to row "Cricket in Time Square"; we read it about 5 years ago for a different curriculum and he was eager to read it again.  We spent about half an hour "exploring" some aspects of New York City.  He was excited by all this enough, he wants to write a report at the end of the week.  We'll see on this one.  Thing One even asked for more school.  UGH is all I thought, it's one day down and I already want a break (didn't sleep well last night and felt very exhausted after covering the basics).

The fall out from a crazy day and crazy school day when

no "margin" was planned for.  REALLY need to remember

that one later.  It's not such a good thing to have things stacked

that we can't clean up afterward.

The house was left as above, we got ready to zip out for Monday's therapy, briefly filled Kevin in on thoughts for dinner, and headed out.  Got home almost three hours later to a house smelling of dinner!  Thankful for a husband that likes to cook!

Feet are up, winding down, and looking forward to a better nights sleep.  Bring on day 2!!!

A look at a Sunday Evening

It's Sunday evening here! Sitting home, alone, and it's actually okay.   Kevin and the boys are over at church helping set up for VBS which starts tomorrow.   I helped for a bit, but my back started giving out, so I came home and took extra strength stuff so I'd be ready for tomorrow.

 Once again, I'm finding my heart turn toward school for the boys.  I am finding myself getting excited about school for the boys.  I am excited about how to "shake" things up and make this year better than last year.  I'm having fun thinking of things to make and/or buy, for the first day of school (thanks Christy Mitchell, for the idea, if you are reading this).  I'm thankful for home schooling being a choice. I'm thankful we've made that choice to school our boys at home (or where ever necessary! :grin:). I'm thankful that we will be starting our sixth year in just a few short weeks.  I'm thankful for living in an area that is rich in history and places to visit as a result.

Many, many things to be thankful for.  In the coming days I'll post more of gifts we're making or buying, the subjects/curriculum we'll be using, "out sourced" subjects, etc.

Enjoy your Sunday evening!
 

Long Hikes

Our oldest is in Boy Scouts.  One requirement for Second Class was to take a 5 mile hike or a 10 mile bike ride.  He choose the hike.  Here are just a couple shots from that:

 That would be Kevin and our oldest way up ahead.  Wonder what they were talking about.
Some things, though, are better left between a father and his son.  It's a guy thing

that I'll never understand!  Just thankful that Thing One (& Thing Two) have a

Dad that is crazy about them.

Our handsome second son.  We seemed to be going at

the right pace for each other.  Charlotte had no choice but

to hang out with me.

Thankful!

If you are a crafter, have you ever made something for someone and wondered if they really like the gift?  I've had that happen, often actually!  With our boys, there is obvious thankfulness, in that I see them enjoying the gift.

Just over two years ago, I completed this blanket for Kevin's co-worker's daughter.  I wondered if they liked it or if there daughter ever used the blanket.  Anyhoot, Kevin forwarded this photo to me this morning:

So, I suppose she does like the blanket and that "feels" good!

Thankfulness

We did a bit of shopping yesterday, as Kevin was out of cold medicine that is okay to take with all the other stuff he is on.  While at Wal-mart, I took a bit of time to look for a this computer lap desk I'd seen a week or so earlier.  It's one that gets a lap top up, so that air can circulate underneath and not run so hot.  Not such a bad investment as I've already fried one mother board.

So today, I am thankful for my little lap desk, as we're working on school stuff.  I am able to get my computer at a good height while sitting on the floor (and it's not making my lap to hot).

My MacBook, on the desk, attached to the T.V.

 

Top of the lap desk.  You can have your lap top flat or propped up.

This little desk even came with a light that plugs into a USB port.

Here's my thankful item today.  It will probably go up on our Thankful Tree tonight at dinner.

Beauty of the Season

Halloween ~ what does it mean for you? Is it a celebration of the dead with skeletons, ghosts, witches, spiders, cob webs . . . . all things creepy? Do you know the origins of the day or are you caught up in the commercialization of the day?

The following is taken from History.com:

Halloween's origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in).

The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for the Druids, or Celtic priests, to make predictions about the future. For a people entirely dependent on the volatile natural world, these prophecies were an important source of comfort and direction during the long, dark winter.

To commemorate the event, Druids built huge sacred bonfires, where the people gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities.

During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins, and attempted to tell each other's fortunes. When the celebration was over, they re-lit their hearth fires, which they had extinguished earlier that evening, from the sacred bonfire to help protect them during the coming winter.

By A.D. 43, Romans had conquered the majority of Celtic territory. In the course of the four hundred years that they ruled the Celtic lands, two festivals of Roman origin were combined with the traditional Celtic celebration of Samhain.

The History of Halloween.

The first was Feralia, a day in late October when the Romans traditionally commemorated the passing of the dead. The second was a day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is the apple and the incorporation of this celebration into Samhain probably explains the tradition of "bobbing" for apples that is practiced today on Halloween.

By the 800s, the influence of Christianity had spread into Celtic lands. In the seventh century, Pope Boniface IV designated November 1 All Saints' Day, a time to honor saints and martyrs. It is widely believed today that the pope was attempting to replace the Celtic festival of the dead with a related, but church-sanctioned holiday. The celebration was also called All-hallows or All-hallowmas (from Middle English Alholowmesse meaning All Saints' Day) and the night before it, the night of Samhain, began to be called All-hallows Eve and, eventually, Halloween. Even later, in A.D. 1000, the church would make November 2 All Souls' Day, a day to honor the dead. It was celebrated similarly to Samhain, with big bonfires, parades, and dressing up in costumes as saints, angels, and devils. Together, the three celebrations, the eve of All Saints', All Saints', and All Souls', were called Hallowmas.

Personally, I find the customs of today very creepy ~ my spirit is left uneasy. Today, I am reminded to do the following from Phillippians 4:8:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable
—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—
think about such things

So, as I sit on our front stoop, in the chill of a dreary, misty, fall morning, I am reminded of God's beauty, even in changing of the season. The leaves have all changed from their summer green to shades of brown, yellow, orange, and red. Some trees are looking like skeletons, it's true. I am choosing to dwell on thankfulness that the pilgrims gave us years ago when the came to a new country to give us religious freedom. More importantly, I choose to dwell on Christ coming, as a child, to give us eternal hope.

What will you choose to dwell on today?

Something to be thankful for!

Today is Kevin's birthday. It's been a fun day for us. We started with chocolate croissants from Trader Joe's. These are the ones that got us started making our own after we tried them last Thanksgiving. Here's a few shots of what Trader Joe's look like:

Here's what they look like out of the package. You really need to read the the directions before going to bed, because it says to let rise over night.

This was the next morning; they rise an incredible amount.












Once cooked to a nice brown, they're light, flaky and good.













My yard sale find today. A guitar cake pan. For a dollar, I couldn't pass it up, especially for hubby on his birthday.















A home made yellow cake. Boy oh boy, does it smell good. Can't wait to try it!!!

Kevin ended up frosting the cake. I was beat this afternoon and napped for a bit.







Another thing to be thankful for today, we got the van back from the auto body shop today. Yeah!! It's more comfortable to ride in my van with having a few stitches.

One Picture - Four Thoughts

I may not have found a picture that is worth a thousand words, but did take one that has four separate things to be thankful for. So, without further adue, the photo and thoughts.

1. My boys are using the computer together nicely - actually doing a "one person activity" together and not fighting. At least not yet!!
2. The chairs were a Mother's Day gift. Originally, I was only suppose to have one, but it had some cracks and dings that made it worth returning. As it was an on-line order, the company said to keep the original and they'd send a new one. The dings and cracks didn't change how safe it is and the dings can be concealed. So I have two chairs for the price of one.
3. We bought a second set of shelves, like I got for Christmas, because I wanted my teacher manuals at my desk. Yeah!!! They are up.
4. At the top of the picture, you can just notice one of the track lights and the glare of the lights. These are the lights my dad hardwired for us. Sweet!! A switch turns them on and not three different plugs as we have three different tracks in this room! Thanks Dad!!
   

Double Posting Today

Wow is the only word that totally fits right now. Not so much that I am posting a second time today, but the overwhelming feeling of how blessed life can be. Nothing in particular has happened here. It's the realization that on a cold, kind of dreary day, we (all four of us) are warm, safe, and happy. Kevin is working on Bible studies for the coming week, Thing Two is happy as a lark in the play room, and Thing One is going between Wii and Lego's. I've been able to "watch", listen is more like it, to the cooking shows on PBS while I begin to prepare for next weeks lessons. It is just a beautiful thing when you realize how blessed you are and to be content in the moment.

True Musing

Today is the first full day of Fall.  Have to admit, I started out very tired and in a bit of a funk.  It dawned on me, while making the second pot of coffee, that I really should be counting my blessings when I feel out of sorts.  In just making the coffee alone, I came up with a bunch: my husband has a very good job that allows me to have good coffee at home, his pay allows us to pay for the water and electricity to make my coffee,  and he's the one that gave me the canister to store my ground coffee.  It went on from there and I could easily come up with a lot.  It does (and did) help to break the funk, to realize how fortunate and blessed I am.

As I go through the day and usual type things I'll be remembering to be thankful.  It is turning into a beautiful day and just not weather wise.  We'll be taking advantage of that, too.