October 20, 2010
October 18, 2010
Finger Jell-O
Last year, a good friend :-D hooked me onto buying, yes buying, finger jell-o at a local family grocery store. They sell it at their deli counter and it is cheap. Plus, they sell a variety of colors/flavors and its a nice thing to pick up at the store when running in for a few other things. And, the kids LOVE finger jell-o.
Last week we had to make regular jell-o to create an animal cell for science. I had a few extra boxes in the pantry so I took the extra couple of minutes to make my children finger jell-o - homemade finger jell-o! Strawberry flavor, no less!
My efforts were questioned when my 3 year old said, "Mom! You know how to make finger jell-o?!?" And then rewarded, when he told me, "You make the best jell-o in this city - in this world!"
Watch out people! Leigh Ann's famous homemade jell-o may take first prize at next year's hometown farm show! Is there a category for jell-o? No? Well, let's get that changed!!
October 15, 2010
October 12, 2010
Jars of Clay
2 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV) "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."
I have loved the group Jars of Clay since college! They've just released another album and I'm in love with this one just as much as their others. Here's my new favorite song!
Help us to believe
I have loved the group Jars of Clay since college! They've just released another album and I'm in love with this one just as much as their others. Here's my new favorite song!
Talk to me cause I've been talking to myself
Help me get these thoughts out of my own head
I don't believe, most days I don't believe
Mercy is true, it's hard to live with the things I do
So God bruise the heels we've dug in the ground
That we might move closer to love
Pull out the roots we've dug in so deep
Finish what You've started
Help us to believe
Keep our eyes wide open (Love is kind and love is daring everything we need to keep our eyes)
Keep our eyes wide open (Love is kind and love is daring everything we need to keep our eyes)
We can't go on, seems this conversation's done
It's so hard to win these fights and love You at the same time
So take my hand till grace makes a way to bend
Till the things I said to ruin only lead to my own end
So God bruise the heels we've dug in the ground
That we might move closer to love
Pull out the roots we've dug in so deep
Finish what You've started
Help us to believe
Keep our eyes wide open (Love is kind and love is daring everything we need to keep our eyes)
Keep our eyes wide open (Love is kind and love is daring everything we need to keep our eyes)
Keep our eyes wide open (Love is kind and love is daring everything we need to keep our eyes)
Keep our eyes wide open (Love is kind and love is daring everything we need to keep our eyes)
Draw us in, send us out
Draw us in, send us out
Draw us in, pull us out
Help us to believe
Keep our eyes wide open (Love is kind and love is daring everything we need to keep our eyes)
Keep our eyes wide open (Love is kind and love is daring everything we need to keep our eyes)
Help us to believe
October 6, 2010
Silly Nilly
We've been adding a little landscaping around our rock wall this fall. This week, the hydrangeas were put in. They are the "Pinkie Winkie" variety.
Aren't they just so cutsey wutsey?
Aren't they just so cutsey wutsey?
October 5, 2010
Continuing Education Credits
Back in August, I was talking with my neighbor and a mutual friend (as she was dropping off children for a playdate at the neighbor's).
They were both preparing their oldest daughters to leave the private school they had attended and attend our local school district's middle school.
I listened as they shared their own fears and excitement as well as that of their daughters.
We said goodbye and I hopped on the mower. As I mowed (which mowing is one of those uninterrupted times to have the ability to think about something more than 30 seconds), I found my thoughts drifting to when/if we would send our children to the public school, or even a private school. Would we stop homeschooling at some point? Are we going to need to send them to make sure they are getting the right subjects covered? What if I'm not teaching them everything!?!?
I felt myself becoming very anxious over the unknown - and having experienced this many times before in the case of school decisions, I knew I needed to give it to God.
Later that day, I opened an email from a homeschooling website, that I cannot remember how I discovered 6 years ago, but I know now that it was totally the Lord's Hand.
The Heart of Wisdom Blog
Heart of Wisdom is a curriculum, but more than that, it is a homeschooling approach. And it is an approach that you can incorporate with any curriculum. The approach leads you into a passionate following of God, giving everything you have to Him and devoting it to Him. And out of that, your goals in regards to school will fall into line as you endeavor to gain a heart of wisdom.
I clicked over to the website from the email, and I searched the site, breathing in the encouragement and fulfillment behind my purpose. Then, I came across a post, entitled "Biggest Mistake Made by Homeschoolers."
Right there, in the 2nd paragraph, God spoke to me through Robin, "We can so easily get anxious about the academics that we miss wisdom."
Yes! I was getting so concerned about my kids learning "everything," but was missing the big picture of why we started to homeschool in the first place. I want my kids to know God, to desire to serve Him with their whole hearts and to find their purpose through Him. When we have that goal, yes, everything will fall into place.
Now, I'm sure there are some that don't believe that, but that is where our hearts are. When we first made the decision to homeschool - it was a huge step of faith. And, now into our 5th year, it continues to be a huge step of faith. But I am a witness to the things the Lord has done in the lives of my family and I continue to trust His call for our lives until He calls us elsewhere.
Further down in the article, I came across this quote by A. W. Tozer, "We are called to an everlasting preoccupation with God."
What a call! We want to encourage our children to love God passionately – with all of their heart, soul, and mind.
Also from the article,
Because of this 'divine appointment' we have changed our focus. And I love that this divine appointment didn't occur in the middle of summer, where I had wasted time worrying - it happened the week before we started school. Just the perfect "summer continuing education credits" I needed!
I understand that not everyone feels called to homeschool their children, but it is the call for our family. It is my hope that you don't finish reading this thinking I believe homeschool is the only option; it is my hope to come away desiring to make God real in your children's lives and to pray and seek how He wants you to do that.
They were both preparing their oldest daughters to leave the private school they had attended and attend our local school district's middle school.
I listened as they shared their own fears and excitement as well as that of their daughters.
We said goodbye and I hopped on the mower. As I mowed (which mowing is one of those uninterrupted times to have the ability to think about something more than 30 seconds), I found my thoughts drifting to when/if we would send our children to the public school, or even a private school. Would we stop homeschooling at some point? Are we going to need to send them to make sure they are getting the right subjects covered? What if I'm not teaching them everything!?!?
I felt myself becoming very anxious over the unknown - and having experienced this many times before in the case of school decisions, I knew I needed to give it to God.
Philippians 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."I prayed that God would take away my fears, my worries and allow me to feel His Presence and Wisdom in this decision. I was quickly able to stop worrying and get on with mowing!
Later that day, I opened an email from a homeschooling website, that I cannot remember how I discovered 6 years ago, but I know now that it was totally the Lord's Hand.
The Heart of Wisdom Blog
Psalm 90:12 "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."This site has helped me a lot since I first discovered it in 2004, and now, 6 years later, it was feeding me again.
Heart of Wisdom is a curriculum, but more than that, it is a homeschooling approach. And it is an approach that you can incorporate with any curriculum. The approach leads you into a passionate following of God, giving everything you have to Him and devoting it to Him. And out of that, your goals in regards to school will fall into line as you endeavor to gain a heart of wisdom.
I clicked over to the website from the email, and I searched the site, breathing in the encouragement and fulfillment behind my purpose. Then, I came across a post, entitled "Biggest Mistake Made by Homeschoolers."
Right there, in the 2nd paragraph, God spoke to me through Robin, "We can so easily get anxious about the academics that we miss wisdom."
Yes! I was getting so concerned about my kids learning "everything," but was missing the big picture of why we started to homeschool in the first place. I want my kids to know God, to desire to serve Him with their whole hearts and to find their purpose through Him. When we have that goal, yes, everything will fall into place.
Now, I'm sure there are some that don't believe that, but that is where our hearts are. When we first made the decision to homeschool - it was a huge step of faith. And, now into our 5th year, it continues to be a huge step of faith. But I am a witness to the things the Lord has done in the lives of my family and I continue to trust His call for our lives until He calls us elsewhere.
Further down in the article, I came across this quote by A. W. Tozer, "We are called to an everlasting preoccupation with God."
What a call! We want to encourage our children to love God passionately – with all of their heart, soul, and mind.
Also from the article,
"We worry about state requirements but what does God require? God commands you to diligently teach your children His Word. Deuteronomy 6 says...And these words which I am commanding you this day shall be [first] in your [own] minds and hearts; [then] You shall whet and sharpen them so as to make them penetrate, and teach and impress them diligently upon the [minds and] hearts of your children…"I had lost my focus and God brought me back to it. Sitting at my computer, devouring the articles on the Heart of Wisdom blog, I again recognized that call. The desire to create in my children, a hunger and thirst for God and His Word.
Because of this 'divine appointment' we have changed our focus. And I love that this divine appointment didn't occur in the middle of summer, where I had wasted time worrying - it happened the week before we started school. Just the perfect "summer continuing education credits" I needed!
I understand that not everyone feels called to homeschool their children, but it is the call for our family. It is my hope that you don't finish reading this thinking I believe homeschool is the only option; it is my hope to come away desiring to make God real in your children's lives and to pray and seek how He wants you to do that.
October 4, 2010
October 1, 2010
September 28, 2010
Crayola Fieldtrip!!
The Crayola Factory was so much fun! First, I love old buildings that have been converted - so much character! Second, tons of Crayola supplies everywhere!!! Very fun and colorful!
We got to watch a demonstration on how they make crayons and markers. We all received tokens and were able to spend them on 4-pack crayon boxes and markers!
We even learned what to do with dried out markers! Instead of throwing them away, let the tip soak in water for 30 seconds and they'll be as good as new! COOL!!!!!
Above the Crayola Factory, in the same building, is the National Canal Museum and admission was included! What a fun place to learn about how and why they made canals. Lots of places for the kids to explore how to raise and lower water with the lock system in the canals. The kids got to move their boats through the canal using the locks to raise/lower the water! Very cool hands-on learning!!
Fun stuff!!!
September 27, 2010
On the road again
After a great week in Ocean City, New Jersey, we're on the road again!
The kids were excited to wake up with Dad at home on a Monday morning. He told them to get dressed because we we're going on a fieldtrip! He told them it would be a two hour drive and our oldest said, "That's easy, it's either the beach or the cabin!"
Nope!!
Dad came out of the playroom with colored pencils and pretended to color.
Their next guess??
The Crayola Factory?!?
YES!!!!
Pictures to come!
The kids were excited to wake up with Dad at home on a Monday morning. He told them to get dressed because we we're going on a fieldtrip! He told them it would be a two hour drive and our oldest said, "That's easy, it's either the beach or the cabin!"
Nope!!
Dad came out of the playroom with colored pencils and pretended to color.
Their next guess??
The Crayola Factory?!?
YES!!!!
Pictures to come!
September 24, 2010
She may be too big, but...
Why is my 5 1/2 year old daughter sitting in her little brother's bike seat?
We're going for a mother/daughter bike ride on the boardwalk.
To get some breakfast to bring back to the family.
At Brown's "Almost Famous" Donuts - for some chocolate glaze, vanilla glaze and cinnamon donuts.
She may be too big, but I needed someone to hold the boxes! Besides, she still has 3 lbs until she is at the maximum weight for the seat.
We're going for a mother/daughter bike ride on the boardwalk.
To get some breakfast to bring back to the family.
At Brown's "Almost Famous" Donuts - for some chocolate glaze, vanilla glaze and cinnamon donuts.
She may be too big, but I needed someone to hold the boxes! Besides, she still has 3 lbs until she is at the maximum weight for the seat.
September 23, 2010
On the beach
We went out with the kids to try to fly a kite, but it was too windy and the kite wasn't cooperating! ;-D
We wanted to take some pictures of the kids walking towards the Atlantic on a beautiful Wednesday night with the full moon over the ocean. As much as I wanted them to "cooperate," T and I both admit this is a very accurate representation of our children's personalities! I love it!
September 22, 2010
September 21, 2010
September 20, 2010
September 15, 2010
September 13, 2010
It's gone to the birds!
The kids have been pretty excited to study birds in school this month. Last week, they were even more excited when I mentioned the word, "Crafts!"
With a 2-liter bottle, some bird seed and one of these doo-dads, we made a bird feeder to hang!
We've been studying birds as we look at the states and what their state birds are. Last week we studied the robin. So we made a robin's nest.
- "grass" - 2 Shredded wheat biscuits
- "twigs" - 1 c chow mein noodles
- "mud" - 1 c peanut butter
- "mud" - 1 c semi sweet chocolate chips
- "eggs" - jelly beans
Melt the mud together and then stir in twigs and grass. Place 4 globs on wax paper lined cookie sheet and mold into nests. Once they harden, add eggs.
While they were cute, the nests weren't a big hit - but the jelly beans were!
I love this curriculum for my kiddos!
With a 2-liter bottle, some bird seed and one of these doo-dads, we made a bird feeder to hang!
We've been studying birds as we look at the states and what their state birds are. Last week we studied the robin. So we made a robin's nest.
- "grass" - 2 Shredded wheat biscuits
- "twigs" - 1 c chow mein noodles
- "mud" - 1 c peanut butter
- "mud" - 1 c semi sweet chocolate chips
- "eggs" - jelly beans
Melt the mud together and then stir in twigs and grass. Place 4 globs on wax paper lined cookie sheet and mold into nests. Once they harden, add eggs.
While they were cute, the nests weren't a big hit - but the jelly beans were!
I love this curriculum for my kiddos!
September 12, 2010
And the winner is...
18 people left comments on my last post and each person was assigned a number in the order they left their comments.
My husband asked our oldest to pick a number and in a very hoarse voice (he and I have been sick this weekend), Q whispered, "ten." Q looked at us wondering what he had just done. My husband said, "You just gave somebody $80! Now run upstairs and get your piggy bank!" LOL!!!
Send me an email (or facebook message) and I'll get CSN Stores to send your gift certificate to you in an email.
Thanks to everyone who entered - you're making me very ready for fall!! But it has to wait to come until we get back from the beach! ;-D
My husband asked our oldest to pick a number and in a very hoarse voice (he and I have been sick this weekend), Q whispered, "ten." Q looked at us wondering what he had just done. My husband said, "You just gave somebody $80! Now run upstairs and get your piggy bank!" LOL!!!
So, who was #10?
Send me an email (or facebook message) and I'll get CSN Stores to send your gift certificate to you in an email.
Thanks to everyone who entered - you're making me very ready for fall!! But it has to wait to come until we get back from the beach! ;-D
September 9, 2010
Fall is *almost* here!
From lights (to cozy up inside with a book as the evenings grow shorter) to outdoor furniture (to enjoy the cooler weather), CSN online store is your one-stop shop!
The fine folks at CSN Stores want to help me celebrate that fall is (almost) here!
Personally, I'm not ready to say fall is here, because we have one last vacation to the beach - and I want it to be warm!
However, I can't deny that fall is just around the corner. So this week you have a chance to win an $80 gift certificate to the CSN online stores!
And to be entered to win the $80 gift certificate, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post, answering this question,
That's it - as easy as that! Leave a comment and then share about it with friends to get an extra entry for each friend that comments telling me you sent them here!
Contest will end Sunday, Sept 12 at 7pm (est) and the winner will be posted later that evening.
Let's celebrate the coming of Fall with $80 to CSN Stores!
The fine folks at CSN Stores want to help me celebrate that fall is (almost) here!
However, I can't deny that fall is just around the corner. So this week you have a chance to win an $80 gift certificate to the CSN online stores!
And to be entered to win the $80 gift certificate, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post, answering this question,
"What is your favorite thing about Fall?"
That's it - as easy as that! Leave a comment and then share about it with friends to get an extra entry for each friend that comments telling me you sent them here!
Contest will end Sunday, Sept 12 at 7pm (est) and the winner will be posted later that evening.
Let's celebrate the coming of Fall with $80 to CSN Stores!
September 8, 2010
Wordless Wednesday
We went to Knoebel's Amusement Park on Saturday. This was taken after we left, on our way to the mountains for the rest of the Labor Day weekend. :)
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