God's Blessings...

God's blessings are amazing and never ending!

From our last post you saw that we breed our two dogs and sell the pups. This litter has been a difficult one to sell. First off, they were all boys! Most people want girls or at least they think they do so they don't even come to look. Then we had to lower the price because they simply weren't selling. We've never had that happen before. I thought that being so close to Christmas would be a great time to sell them, but actually it turned out the opposite. Anyways, after lowering the price we have sold all but one little guy. Since the kids do soooo much work in the care of the pups, we decided the last little that we would give them $50 each to purchase whatever they wanted. This NEVER happens and we thought it would be another part of the learning process of breeding pups and the income received/tithes/saving that comes from hard work. (We do not give money for "extra" things done around the house.) Well, since we had to lower the price this time we told them they would each only receive $25. Which seems like a lot but after 3 months of daily caring for, feeding, bathing, and mostly cleaning up after 5 puppies twice a day - they deserve it. They were totally fine with the lower amount and understood. Again, another teaching moment!

Well, today I received an email from a couple who purchased a puppy on Saturday. They said that they were so grateful for the the care we had given the pup and that they were impressed with what great parents we were to our kids and that they wanted to bless them with a $50 gift card to Build A Bear! Seriously, that was so incredibly nice of them. It was a reminder that our Lord is in the blessing business!!! I haven't told the kids yet, but I can't wait. Not because of the money, but because it's another teaching/learning opportunity about how much Jesus loves them. I'm so proud of them for all their hard work and great attitudes.

Thank you Lord for Your amazing blessings and ways of reminding us that You see, know, and care!!!

Puppies, puppies, puppies

We are coming to the end of our 3 1/2 month puppy journey! 

Only one more. 

It's a lot of work, but worth it in the end. 

Not only for the extra $ but also for the learning experience it provides for the kids.

They not only got to watch them be born, 

but they learn about responsibility and caring for animals along with it.

Reagan adores the pups, but even she is was ready to be done cleaning puppy poop this time. :-)

We just have one little guy left....It's so nice just cleaning up after one 

but I'm also sad cause he misses his brothers. 

We had a fabulous day today after a great but LONG weekend getting 

ready for our Christmas program at church. 

After the program today we tore down the set and then Josh took us out to

Old Country Buffet. 

We haven't been in forever and if you sign up on Facebook with them you get a free meal!!!!!

Awesome! 

We all ate and ate and ate. We were hungry. It was nice not cooking! 

Then we came home and all took a nap 

then Josh said he'd found a new $3 theater so we went and saw a movie as a family 

which never happens cause I won't pay the price for tickets at a regular theater. :-)

It was nice to have a bit of extra cash from the puppies to go to lunch and a movie. 

Now the rest goes to pay bills....but I know that sometimes I have to lighten up and 

let us enjoy spending a bit of it. Not much though....:-)

The kids work really, really hard helping to take care of them so it was a nice treat for them

 and helps them see that their hard work paid off with a great family day spent together with the $ we earned as a family. 

What we do in school....

A friend asked me a few school related questions on fb so I thought I'd post my reply here as well:

I use Accelerated Christian Education. The only thing that I don't use at this point is Word Building for Busy. He was just writing the words (total busy work!) and not actually learning them for his test. So we switched to Spelling Power this year and I LOVE it for him. It's just one workbook (10.99) and he has 10 words a week that he focuses on and then does 2 pages in a workbook per day. I then enter the words on SpellingCity.com (free) and he loves going on there. I still use Word Building for Sweety.

 Adding extra stuff is really hard!!!! Currently we go to a homeschool co-op on Monday's and he is in a science class that has a lot of experiments for homework and it is nearly impossible to get them done on top of our REGULAR schoolwork.

Because of the way that ACE does their K/1st program thing, Javon has been a bit ahead the last few years...so instead of keeping him going I stop every year with the 12 PACEs and then we work on extra stuff that I've picked up. Like last year we did extra American history lessons after he finished his PACEs for the year plus lot of writing projects because ACE is lacking in that area. So I guess to answer your question, I try to push a bit and get their 12 PACES done a bit early so that we can work on extra/other stuff for May and June.

I just find that PACEs help keep ME on track. When he is done and we are doing more random stuff I find it much easier for me to not stay on track as much.

As far as literature, we try do a lot of other reading stuff besides the required. He loves to read to Reagan and I want him to enjoy reading not hating it because the books are not interesting to him. We also have a chapter book that we read one chapter together as a family in the afternoon. We just started that this year and I've found that it's been really good to just have them LISTEN to the story as I read it and then tell it back to me in a few sentences. More the Charlotte Mason approach.

We read a Proverbs together every morning. They each pick one verse they like and write it out. This is one of my favorite parts of each day!

Breaking it down:
Regular school year - PACEs except WB (Spelling Power and Spellingcity.com) for Busy

After they've finished their 12 PACEs then we work on other stuff. Specifically I have TAUGHT them American History the past two spring/summers, but not put the pressure of tests or any of that along with it. More me reading it to them and them listening and talking about it.....I wouldn't want them to do that all the time though. It think it's a nice change of pace for a period each year however. We also do a lot more hands on science experiments once PACEs are done. It's a bit of incentive actually to get their PACEs done and labeling the other stuff FUN/DIFFERENT. It's kindof neat to see what I'm going to pull out each day for them.

I pick one day a pick to do ART and then one day a week to JOURNAL. Last year I tried to journal every day and it was just too time consuming so we've backed off to one day a week.

Summers we do lots of random stuff that I've picked up or collected throughout the year. Then in September we're back to PACES and more routine.

Hope that gave you a bit of insight into our world. We for sure don't do it perfect. And every year it changes a bit. I'm sure you know how that goes. I have really tried this year to evaluate things and just relax a bit with it all. They are both ahead anyways. Every once in a while, if I'm confident that they know something I'll mark out a page or a few lines on a page and Busy things that is the coolest thing. :-)

Blessings as you raise those beautiful kiddos of yours.

Sorry it was soooo long and babbling! :-)

Christmas Gifts

Christmas gift suggestions:

To your enemy, forgiveness.

To an opponent, tolerance.

To a friend, your heart.

To a customer, service.

To all, charity.

To every child, a good example.

To yourself, respect.

-Oren Arnold

Fire....

Here you see...

The beauty of my fall table scape.

Beautiful lit candles ready for a lovely evening spent with family....

This is the aftermath of our lovely candle lit dinner....

It actually seemed much worse in real life. 

Josh yelled....."WHOOOOOAAAAHHHHH"

and I ran in just in time to see the foot high flames right before he 

poured his bottle of water on the fire. 

Thankfully he was sitting there eating!

I don't even want to think about what "could have been" 

had he not been sitting there. 

It was sooo fast. 

Unfortantently, my table suffered some damage...

but nothing compared to what could have been. 

We were both very thankful that God was watching 

over us tonight. 

It was a reminder that fire is a dangerous thing

that needs to be watched closely.

I've never been a big candle person until this year. 

This was a good wake up call to never leave them unattended.

I said a little prayer for someone tonight that might not 

have caught their little fire that turned big and they lost everything.

I'm sure that somewhere it happened....and it could have been us tonight. 

Thank you Lord for your wonderful protection 

and reminders that we are so blessed.

Snow in Seattle....

Monday was a normal day at co-op. 

Tuesday was  a normal day at work and the kids at Nana's. 

Wednesday was a normal home day doing school. 

Then a Thanksgiving dinner at church for all the kids.

Thursday was anything but normal!:-)

Busy had a DR appointment in the mid morning which I knew would

waste our entire morning and then it is always hard to get back in the 

groove once we get home. 

SOOOO..... 

I grabbed the kids' schoolwork on the way out the door 

and asked if they'd like to do school at McDonald's 

(we don't have a playland in the town we live in so it's always a treat for them to go)

and of course they agreed!

It went really well actually. 

I was kind of surprised. :-)

 Then Friday was another normal day.

Saturday I had a TON of errands to do and as we were out and about I noticed Reagan eye 

was turning pink! Oh no....then the tears came because it was burning so bad.

We very rarely stay home on a Sunday (about 1x per year)

but due the contagious nature of pink eye, I didn't want to expose others to it. 

It was a WONDERFUL day home with my baby girl.

 This is what she looked like Sunday morning. (After I had cleaned the gunk out.)

Poor girl hated to get her eye drops in but eventually we got them in. 

Her eye was better this morning but the other one is pink. :-(

She's had this yucky ol' cold now for almost 2 weeks and I think her little body

is just tired of not feeling well. 

Last night it began snowing and we had a great night cuddled up together. 

Today it snowed even more, which is unusual for the Seattle area in November. 

It started out as a great day. I got up and started doing a ton of things, 

but the afternoon didn't go so well. 

That's life I suppose. 

Now I'm waiting for my sheets to dry and about the make up my bed, 

eat dinner, tuck the kids in, get in bed and reflect on a my day a bit 

before my eyes close.

I found a GEM!!!!

This book is fabulous! I want to type word for word but that wouldn't work for my life or yours. :-)

It is a fabulously put together book by a lady that found a stack of magazines from the late 1800's 

and has used them to compile a book that reminds us "modern" day woman 

how things used to be and challenges us to make a home of peace and happiness.

Ohhhhhhhh, I love it so much. I NEVER purchase books simply because it's not in our budget...

everything comes from the library....

BUT I'm going to purchase this one used on Amazon as soon as I can. 

It's that good!

Here's a few excerpts.... 

"In modern life, the days, weeks, months, and seasons hurdle past us at breakneck speed. 

Do we even pause to acknowledge autumn's arrival in crimson and gold, 

winter's first snowflake, 

the sprouting of spring daffodils, or the return of lemonade leisure with the 

first hot summer afternoon?

These simple pleasures are meant to be 

SAVORED AND CELEBRATED.

But we have so little time!

A century ago the four seasons of our lives were linked with time-honored traditions, 

and the cycle of the year hold cherished pastimes for families to enjoy together.

Gone forever it seems are those halcyon days when the pursuit of happiness at home

was considered worthy of devoted attention." 

And it only gets better from there....

I have always been a "busy" person and 

didn't necessarily see the need to light the candles for dinner, etc.

However, this year has been different. 

God is helping me to slow down,

tend my "own garden" prior to other responsibilities,

and enjoy the small things in life.

It has been a wonderful transition time in my life.

On the outside, nothing much has changed...

but on the inside, I can feel a change happening. 

These are our fall drawings based on The Little Yellow leaf.

This is one of my favorite fall books...

both for the story and the illustrations. 

Praying that you're having a wonderfully blessed fall.

Chores

We have tried a variety of different chore systems over the years...

But considering the kids were still fairly young still

AND

I wasn't as consistent as I should have been they haven't always worked long-term.

However, at the beginning of the school year (Sept) 

I made these chore charts on the internet and posted them in the dining room/school room.

It's going fabulous!!!

I rarely have to remind them to do their chores. 

I know that people have differing opinions on allowance....

I did not grow up earning an allowance. 

My mom always said that since we all lived in the family we all worked 

and don't receive payment for that. 

I totally agree with that. 

However, the only way that I ever received $ as a child was when my grandparents gave it to me.

So, I wanted a way to show my kids that they need to earn money for a job well done. 

We do not have a set allowance day. 

It is whenever they have completed 5 days of all their chores. 

If they "almost" got done one day that day doesn't count. 

Another difference I have from some on this topic is that they do not receive $ based on their age.

Since my two are only 2 1/2 years apart (and my 5 year old is super responsible and a very hard worker)

I give them the same amount because they are doing the same amount of work. 

They receive $3 per 5 days of chores completed.

There chores are:

Busy - 

• Make bed, brush teeth, and take vitamins before school (I know that brushing teeth and taking vitamins aren't chores :-) but it helps us all remember.)
• Feed and water the dogs
• Put all shoes away in the correct locations that have accumulated in the foyer shoe basket or hall.
• Take out the recycle
• Help empty the dishwasher 
• Tidy room in afternoon and again prior to bed
• Read a book to his sister (they love this time together!)
• Exercise (again, not a chore but a guarantee that it's getting done...30 pushups, 50 situps, 100 jumping jacks)

Sweetie - 

• Make bed, brush teeth, and take vitamins
• Sweep entry way after brother puts the shoes away (usually she asks to mop also!:-)
• Dishes (this can be helping me wash them, put them away, or help brother unload the dishwasher)
• Wipe down bathroom counter
• Take out bathroom trash
• Tidy room
• Reading time with brother (he reads her a book)
• Exercise 

They have just gotten into a rhythm with their chores and most days I don't even 

have to remind them. 

Sometimes, if they want to do something special I'll ask them 

to get their chore chart done and they will quickly get to it.

It wasn't always without a "moooommmmmm" at first, 

but we quickly worked through that and now most days the chart is done without a complaint.

Another area that I perhaps differ from some is that we do not give 

"extra" money for larger or extra tasks. 

Those are part of being in a family. 

The chart is more about teaching responsibility and that certain things must be done daily to 

keep things in the home running smoothly. 

They know that I might ask them to do 5 other chores in a day like put away 

a pile of laundry, etc. and they are expected to do that without a fuss.

It's all part of being a family. 

It's been really great for us. 

If they see something they want then we quickly figure out how many 

weeks they will need to work in order to purchase that item.

Which I believe helps with the instant gratification that most Americans suffer from 

Sometimes they work very hard and go back weeks later to purchase that item...

other times they realize that really didn't want it after all.

How do you handle chores? Allowance? 

Fabulous book find!

"Sentimental Victorian pictures - such as this one entitled

The Mother's Blessing -

helped to comfort and prepare parents for the inevitable.

In the prevaccination era, it was a rare family that did not lose 

a child to sickness. 

During the mid-nineteenth century, 

the child mortality rate was 50 percent."

How terribly sad! I can't even imagine. 

The lose of a child would be the most difficult thing

I can imagine facing in life. 

The library has opened up a world 

of books that I would have never experienced

had I not had the opportunity to borrow books.

Ohhhhh, today I found a good one!

Actually, I found it a week ago while browsing online

and it just came in today. 

Mrs. Sharp's Traditions ~ 

Nostalgic Suggestions for Re-Creating

The Family Celebrations And Seasonal Pastimes

of the Victorian Home

By Sarah Ban Breathnach

Mrs. Sharp's Old-Fashioned Petticoat Philosophy of Parenting

"First of all, obligations already existing in your family life 

can become perfect opportunities for family tradition 

making and togetherness.

Secondly, special family times must be scheduled into modern lives;

they do not occur spontaneously.

Strong, emotionally healthy, and loving families spend time together ~

working, playing (and praying!). 

Third, the three P's to perfect family

 (not sure there is such thing as perfect, but perhaps perfect for your family):

setting priorities, planning, and prayer.

These three elements are essential for parental peace of mind. 

Fourth, by incorporating 

routine, rhythm, and ritual into your life

many happy moments and memories will result."

I'm so excited to dive into this great resource!

Lord, I fail so often. 

My desire is to be a great wife and mom. 

I feel as if I succeed in many areas of marriage, motherhood, and ministry;

but when I have a bad day it's hard to imagine that my kids will remember the good 

over the bad. Please help me to put into practice the many words of wisdom that 

I daily receive from Your Word, books, blogs, etc.

My desire is to be a consistent example of You to them. 

Proper American Flag Etiquette

The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is not a drapery, bedspread, receptacle or shawl, and should not be embellished, used as advertisement or ornament. 
The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind. 
A flag patch may be worn on the official uniforms of military personnel, firefighters, police offers and members of patriotic organizations, but otherwise, the U.S. flag should not be used as part of any costume or clothing. 
The flag should be flown only during daylight hours unless it is illuminated. It should be raised quickly, crisply, with determination, and lowered slowly into waiting hands, folded neatly and stored away. It should be honored as it is hoisted and lowered, the honor stance held until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard and the last note of music has died away. 
To signify mourning for principal government leaders or on presidential or gubernatorial order, the flag is first hoisted to full staff (the top of the pole), then slowly lowered to half staff (halfway along the pole). It is again raised to full staff before it is lowered at the end of day. 
On Memorial Day, the flag is displayed at half staff until noon, and then at full staff until sunset. 
When used to cover a casket, the flag is placed with the union at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should not be lowered into the grave. 
The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary, and destroyed by ceremonial burning when it is too worn to serve as proper symbol of our country.

Finding Balance....in the fall

Really cramped for time today, so I'll just quickly say that we had a fabulous

weekend celebrating Busy's 8th birthday!

He was so blessed by many kind birthday words and people going out of their 

way to make him feel special. 

I know that some people say they have issues growing up as a pastor's kid,

but we are not going to feed that into him at all. 

Both of my kids have been soooo blessed by those in our church. 

Friends, Sunday School teachers, nursery workers, and more

have been a blessing to our family in multiple ways. 

I can't even begin to say what a feeling of pure joy I have as I've 

focusing more of the little things.

Like.....taking a little extra time to make shapes out of 

our pancakes.....simply because it's puts a smile on these two little faces. :-)

We had a lovely dinner of Tortellini Soup with fresh homemade bread the other night. 

My hubby asked why I was turning the light off and then he saw me light the candles. :-)

It was a really relaxing evening.

After they eat, my hubby and the kids migrate into the living room and begin hanging out and doing devotions together while I clean up. 

I used to think it sacrilegious for me to be cleaning while he did devotions because I wanted us to be together as a family. :-)

However, upon more thought, I think it's a good think because he doesn't have near the amount of time to speak into their lives on a daily basis and it's been a great time for them to bond over the Word. 

It always leads into great discussion which I slip in on and then we end in prayer.

Not really related to the post, but I like it:

Most men are called to do specific things, but a woman has a pool of abilities from which she can draw and do many things. That's why Proverbs 31:11-12 tells us,

 "The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life."

This man trusts her because the Proverbs 31 woman has learned how

 to tap into the anointing of the helper. 

It's like the old saying, "Behind every great man is a great woman!" - The Successful Family

So today, I am challenging myself to be the "great woman" that I am called to be.

Peaceful and productive fall day...

Peaceful and productive....
I'm not sure that I used to believe those two words went hand in hand.:)
However, God is teaching me that they can. That's very exciting!
Example: I grew up where we got up early, cleaned the whole house, and then usually we went to town (which was an hour away) for groceries,stuff,etc. So Saturdays were always very busy and productive days.
So for many years I have pushed Saturdays to be very busy-often at the expense of my families peace and happiness. But in recent months I have changed. Well, I'm trying. I sooooo hate to admit this-but I tend to push to get things done. Often times I lose the "joy in the journey" if you will.
New example: Allow my hubby to sleep in without placing guilt on him (because he likes to do stuff in the afternoon and evening).
Cuddle with the kids and watch cartoons on Daystar. I have never really allowed them to watch cartoons both for content and time wastefulness, but there are some really great Christian cartoons on Sat. mornings on TBN and Daystar. I have been crocheing while I watch with them. It's really been a lovely time spent together! Then we get up and tend to the dogs, the kids do their chore chart and I start lunch. Sometimes it's more of a brunch but it has been such nice time spent together. Then I clean up and do my 1 1/2 hours of household chores. In my mind I say, "whatever gets done will be enough" but I've ended up getting all my stuff done....because I've been keeping up my daily chores. (Insert pat a PTL). Then today Sweetie and I emptied out the van and vacuumed it....in the rain.:) Then we went to the library and picked up sooooo many great books I had on hold!!!!!' Yay! Went to the grocery store then got ready for a fellowship party at a friends house from church. It was a lovely day....I got everything done I wanted to.....and we all stayed joyful and happy while doing it. I'm becoming sooooo much more aware of how much I set the tone for our family. Help me Lord!:) I want to homor You with my attitude and actions! Thank You for a wonderfully peaceful and productive day.

FYI: I have text all this on my iphone so if something is wrong please forgive and overlook the error.

A wonderful, fall day....

Here in the NW our fall is often filled with rainy, overcast, chilly days. 

But we've had a beautiful fall this year! 

There have been some rainy days but overall the weather has been beautiful. 

We've been trying to get out at least once a day for a walk or bike ride

before it gets too icky. 

.

Sweetie likes her bike that Daddy found her this summer at a yard sale! 

Only $10! 

I'm reminded time and time again that "my God will supply all my needs". 

When we first got married and had more income coming in and less house costs going out I didn't have to rely on God for my daily bread as much. (Or so I felt....)

However, now that things are much tighter due to our mortgage (that we haven't been able to refinance due to the falling house prices right after we purchased it) or just other things, 

I am much more aware of God's provision in my life. 

He has promised that he will take care of us no matter what and he always does!

Here are a few of the beautiful trees that line the streets in our neighborhood. 

I just love the quaint little houses as well. 

We live in a very eclectic neighborhood. 

It used to be farm land and over the years they have sold it off in sections 

so no two homes are alike. 

We live in a 1921 craftsman. 

It has it's issues for sure, but I love that it's not like everyone else's home on the block. 

As we walked in the door, the smell of this freshly baked bread filled our senses!

Oh, it smelled so good and tasted even better.

I have now conquered both totally homemade white bread as well as 

white bread in my bread maker. 

Now on to wheat!!!

I love the whole grain taste of wheat bread and the way I feel after I eat it, 

but I won't lie and say that this white bread wasn't delicious! :-)

For man, autumn is a time of harvest, of gathering together.  For nature, it is a time of sowing, of scattering abroad.  ~Edwin Way Teale

Bittersweet October.  The mellow, messy, leaf-kicking, perfect pause between the opposing miseries of summer and winter.  ~Carol Bishop Hipps

Delicious autumn!  My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.  ~George Eliot

October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came -
The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
The Sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band.
~George Cooper, "October's Party"

HAPPY FALL

Getting ready for the holidays.....

Beginning to prepare for Christmas.:)
Normally I have most of my shopping done by this point but finances have been extra tight this year so I have not done my usual clearance prebuying. Gifts are a big deal at Christmas in my family. Not that they have to be big or expensive at all but we give lots. Now they can be from the Dollar Store for all we care. :)
My mom used to tell the story of when she was a kid and my Granny would ask her and my uncle if they would rather have one large gift or lots of little ones and her response was always.....lots of little ones. That has definently translated over into my upbringing.
Again, it's not at all about how much they cost! Just so we all have lots of little gifts under the tree.
So, tomorrow and Thursday it's time to go digging through my gift closet and make a list of what I have and what I still need.
I posted a link to flylady.com because she's got some great resources to help prepare for the holidays.
I'm so excited I can hardly wait for all the advent books that I ordered from the library to come in.
This year, I'm seriously considering NOT dragging out all my Christmas decor and simply putting up the bare tree with white lights on it and having a very organic Christmas where we make simple things to add to the tree.I'm not crafty at all, but I don't think it has to be complicated. Just for a change....I'll let you know what I decide.:)

Grateful for family....

This past week was my little sister's 17th birthday. 

She loved the Hello Kitty slippers that Sweetie got her. :-)

I'm so grateful that God gave me two sisters!

Growing up as an only child for 13 years 

and then being blessed with two sisters has changed who I am. 

I defiantly have only child/first born tendencies...:-)

but God has used my family to help me grow. 

Cassidy is so different from my mom and other sister.

She is quiet and reserved and often feels like she lives in the shadow 

of our loud personalities, but God has given her so many wonderful qualities

that we could all learn from. 

She is incredible compassionate. 

She is also an incredible Auntie!

So is Courtney. :-)

Just taking a moment to be grateful for sisters that I didn't think I would have....

and now that I do - I can't imagine living without!

Busy couple of weeks.....

I gave Busy a haircut. He likes it long on top. :-)

Sweety always has a puppy in her hand. 

She has understood much more with this liter 

that they all have other homes that they will someday go to. 

It hasn't hurt that last time we decided to give them each $50 

for all of their hard work that they have put into the puppy care as well.

She already has her shopping trip planned.:-)

This past Monday was picture day at co-op. 

This wasn't all of the kids since some come for afternoon only. 

PATH co-op has been a blessing to our family. 

I'm not gonna say that it isn't difficult giving up Mondays, 

but the benefits outweigh the negatives by far!

The kids wanted to take pictures with the crosses....

I think it's wonderful that the cross is important to them!!!!!

This is one of my favorite pictures of them together in a long time. 

 I LOVE THEM!

And this one is pretty special also!

Yep, love this guy!

And this adorable, sweet princess of the King!

Wow, praying that you are remembering your blessings as much as I am today. 

I Samuel 13:14b says, "The Lord has sought out someone after his own heart." 

Oh Lord, may that be me and my family!

An imaginative week.....

Sunday wrapped up our Fall Renewal Services with Tim and Rochelle Enloe. 

He is a really great teacher and had lots of great truths from the Word to walk away with. 

On Sunday morning of all of Renewal Services, we always have the Impact Kids (grades 1st-6th) stay 

in service with their parents. Tim made sure to include them in the sermon and did a great job explaining the Holy Spirit to them. We got their book, Kid Power, and Busy has had a great time reading through it.

 It's really neat to see him take interest in the things of the Lord on his own. 

He's still not sure about prayer times at church, but is very comfortable with our

 family times at home and reading the Bible together as a family.

Monday was our first day at PATH co-op for the year. It went really good. The kids had a great time as usual. Busy's first period teacher for Pilgrims and Pioneers has been with him every year in first period. She said that she can tell a really big change in him maturity wise over the summer. Then I had the mom that's a helper and it's her first year at co-op come up yesterday and say that she just loves him and that he's really creative. That always makes a mom's heart happy. 

Sweetie is doing great in her classes as always. :-)

 Here's some imaginative play time that she has been doing at home this week. 

Personally, I have never been into imaginative play (or talking to myself for that matter :-) 

but she loves to play alone and talk with her animals.

Especially when she's in trouble. It's so funny. She goes and pours her heart out to them! 

 We've been working on reading. 

Right now, we are spending more time on reading together as a family.

Every afternoon, I've been reading a chapter book to them. 

It's really turned into one of the best parts of my day. 

I actually take that as an answer to prayer, because I was not particularly fond 

of reading out load when they were younger. 

Growing up in a Christian school we obviously didn't have group reading times so

it was simply not something that I was used to. 

My grandma used to always read books to me when I was young, but not chapter books.

I'm really enjoying it this year. We are reading some great stories together. Both long and short. 

 For my personal reading time, I have about 4 books going but this is the one that I'm primarily focused on and longing to finish in the next few days. It's a really well written book that is challenging and reminding me that success is primarily based on what I give and not focusing on the other person. When I'm the best person I can be then things usually work out really well in any relationship, especially marriage. 

I'm thankful that God continues to mold and develop my family and relationships. 

Wednesday I woke up with a terrible head cold that I'd been fighting off since Sunday. 

It felt as though someone had poured concrete in my sinuses. 

I decided to stay home from church that night which is VERY, VERY unusual for me but I was 

afraid that if I didn't take it easy that I'd end up with a sinus infection and this weekend was Youth Conference which I had to go to. So it was really nice actually taking a very relaxed approach to school.

 We completed all of our work but just took longer into the evening to complete it.  

I wished we had more of those type of days....

but I'm thankful for the time I do have with them.

Thursday was my birthday. :-) It was the first time in forever that it wasn't on a church day, event, work day, or some other random thing was happening. It was really nice to just be home with the kids. 

I was feeling better but not great so it made for a wonderful day to just relax and do school at a slower pace. 

We went over to my mom's that evening and had 

Onion Burgers, Potato Salad, and Cherry Pie. Yummmmm!

Praying you had a very blessed week as well.....