Snow day

The second snow fall for the kids but my first snow day with them.  We were finally able to use the sled we got last year!

My two early risers.  They had played in the white stuff the night before and then laid out all their snow gear so they could literally jump out of bed and get outside the first thing in the morning.  I think they were afraid it would melt away if they waited until after breakfast!

#5 wanted to show me that the garden was covered up.  He had a lot of fun in snow this year, no crying because his hands were cold(like last year:).

Cutie  #4

The kids(minus the oldest who didn't play out today).  Tested three hills in our neighborhood.

I joined them for the backyard fun.  I don't know when the last time I was on a sled but it was so fun!  I felt so blessed today, to be home with my kids...playing outside, making hot chocolate and playing with Christmas gifts.  I am looking forward to 2013 and what it brings.  I am filled with joy in my soul.

Christmas time

 Working on the (2nd) annual Christmas morning shot.  Well, it is now right before supper but we are still in pj's/lounge wear so it'll work.

 

What a beautiful, loving family.....wait a minute.  I'm missing someone.

 

 

 

Oh, right the oldest didn't sleep the night before and it caught up with him.  He had fallen asleep in a living room chair and I woke him up so he could eat dinner.  Well, turns out he was way too sleepy to snap a picutre with us and ended up going to bed to catch up on his sleep.

 

 



 



Lucky for him I had gotten this picture before a Christmas singing.  For these shots it was the youngest who was out of sorts!  Most of the pictures have him squirming away, LOL!

 

 

Hope you and yours had a very Merry Christmas!!

Safety first?

I'm not sure what he's trying to say about my driving but he grabbed his bike helmet before he jumped in the car today and insisted on wearing it.  

I'm not sending Christmas cards this year but if I were I believe this is the picture I would include.

Love my blessings!

Thanksgiving day

Playing games with our cousin before everyone arrives.

 

Playing with some play doh while I work in the kitchen.  He's having fun and it helps me keep an eye on him.  win-win.

Towards the end of our gathering I realize I haven't taken any pictures yet, #4 decides he wants to be the photographer de jour.  This means lots of blurry shots and lots of floor shots :)  He also missed 3 people but that's ok, gotta start somewhere!

 Must have been a good story!

James Garfield

Today we were studying President James Garfield at Carroll Academy and I wanted to share these two quotes from him.

"If the next one hundredth birthday of America does not find us a great nation, it will be because those responsible for its work, its culture, and its morality do not help in controlling the political powers."

"The world's history is a poem written by God.  Although sometimes we are troubled by the sounds of cannon fire and the cries of dying men, the Christian can still hear the melody of God's song which speaks of hope and peaceful days to come.'

school days

 #1 opened the curtains so he could warm up in the sun while doing school work.

#2 & #3 having fun with science projects.

and just because he's cute(and complete with clean laundry behind him).

graduation

 I'm only a month behind but here are a few pictures.  We started out very blurry but here I am getting a congratulations hug from Sean, one of my teachers.  It was a cold night in a tent that we had our graduation ceremony.  Brrr! Then we moved inside the butterfly house and had snacks with the cockroaches-just like Hawaii! :)

 The moon was so beautiful that night!   I wasn't sure if I'd be going as most of my children decided it was the perfect time to get sick but I had someone that stepped up and watched them for me even though they were under the weather.

 I was surprised with one of my favorite things-DQ ice cream cake so yummy!!

I am a massage therapist.

Raising Boys

 The boys found a tire in the valley behind our house and I have learned what a awesome toy/tool this is for them.

 #5 checking the tire to see if it's ok after he 'fixed' it.

 Taking away the 'old' tire.  They had much fun rolling it down the driveway too.  Then the neighbor boys brought duct tape over and they thought of all sorts of interesting things to do with that.  Imagination at it's best!

 Something happened to our pumpkin(it involved a certain spider-like son rolling it down the hill) and it developed a hole.  I decided to go ahead a let the boys smash it and have fun with it.  Really? They were thrilled.

Just today I was listening to a podcast from Focus on the Family(an app on my phone, can also catch on BOT radio and maybe online).  I was listening to one on raising tween boys, I haven't listened to the whole thing yet but it's talking about the importance of kinda letting boys be boys.  Let them explore and do things that you(as a mom) don't necessarily want them to do. But how important it is for them to learn this way.  Got a little of the scientific of the hows and whys this works.  I thought it was very interesting a good reminder that even though I'd prefer not to have old tires laying around and chunks of pumpkin in my yard(or climb that tallest tree).  I am blessed to have boys and I want them to learn and grow into awesome men.  I pray they take the time now to learn and explore and test boundaries so when they are older they will have that back ground  knowledge to go from and be able to make good decisions. 

Fall Break part 2

The Zoo!

 The sea lions entertained us for quiet a long time.  Every time they swam by produced lots of giggles.

 This bird probably doesn't get his picture taken a lot but he kept picking up sticks and building while we were there.  We didn't stay to see what his finished masterpiece was but the kids thought it was neat to see him building.

#1 is on camera duty now.

I

 I was thinking I could get a nice shot of the kids with a beautiful view.  They were thinking look at all the ledges we can walk on...and make mom a nervous wreck....

 shapes

  #1 :)

A beautiful October Day in the Midwest. So thankful for the these times!

Fall Break part one

 A time to get boring appointments in and a time to have fun!  We've been able to stay up later and watch a movie.....after we've sumo wrestled over course!  (notice I still have some 'plump' children, they thought it was hilarious!)

Then we got to cross the Mighty Mississippi and

 visited Cahokia Mounds with friends.  We will have to go back because I think we were so busy chatting that the significance of the place mostly escaped the kids:)

 Up we go, one kid way at the top and one not so close. He was too busy pointing out every bug he could find!

 The kids thought it was neat that we could see the Arch.

 Who knew we'd be able to meet Hawaii friends in the Midwest :)

 

Maybe not the most flattering of us with crazy wind hair and all but I thought it was funny as both our boys kept snapping away and we are giving them the look!

Happy Birthday to my 11 year old!

 My sweet girl and I were able to have a girls day last weekend.  While we were out and about we enjoyed some super yummy cheesecake!

  Right next door to the cheesecake was an American girl store!  She was able to pick up this new outfit for her doll.

The next day we enjoyed some more dessert with cousins, grandparents and brothers.  She chose a punchbowl cake and decorated it with extra angel food cupcakes(towers) and cool whip on top.

50 Days of Prayer

A friend of mine contacted me last week and asked if I would like to join her in praying for our nation before the upcoming elections in November.  I'd like to ask you to consider this as well.  We should always be praying for our country.

1 Timothy 2:1-2  I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— ² for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

Praying isn't political, it's what we are called to do, whether you like who is representing our country or you don't(and if you don't agree with someone, maybe you should be praying for them more, that they gain wisdom from above and have a heart that the Lord can touch).

My friend and I both have some material from a bible study we were part of in Hawaii(PWOC) in which we did a 50 days of prayer around Easter time.  These prayers were taken from Pray for our Nation(Tulsa: Harrison House Publishers, copyright 1999).  This was back in 2006 and I have pulled these papers out different times over the years as I've felt called to.  Sometimes we know we should prayer but we can't think about the specifics, so it's nice to have a subject in front of us to focus on.  If you are on facebook with me I intend to post idea of things to pray about each day. You can also find some information through Pray for our nation-if you connect through fb they have some prayers almost daily and also sale an ebook. * disclaimer: I have not read this book, so can't say anything about content.   National Day of Prayer has some resources to share as well.  I also have an ebook I printed out which I've been unable to find online so I'm not sure if it is still available.  Practical Praying for Days of Conflict, it was written by Lorrie Pies who was a military spouse.  She passed away in 2008.  It's summary is: 30 ways to pray for military families and those who have loved ones in the Armed Services serving in difficult situations and deployments.

Most of the things I have found online cost money to buy and if this is something you can't do at this time I want you to remember this:  Prayer comes from your heart and doesn't need fancy wording or books or guides.  God knows your heart, you just need to take the time to talk to him and say what is on your mind.  If you feel called to pray please listen to that calling, deepen your relationship with the Lord as you take the time to communicate with your Heavenly Father.  Step out in faith and for our nation and if you need to talk to someone and to be accountable to each other about praying you can or better yet pray together.  Matthew 18:20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”

We will be starting our 50 Days of Prayer Monday, September 17.

Cowboy Joe

Not sure who Joe is but here is #3 dressed up as a cowboy.  This was the first time #3 has worn this shirt.  It's been in his closet a year.  As soon as we got home he started taking the shirt off(notice it's not all the way buttoned).  Apparently my #3 doesn't think much about dressing like a cowboy;-)

 #2 showing off one of her scratch/bruises.  She and her bike took a tumble yesterday.  Gravel road, hill and distraction proved both her and her bike could fly(but not in a cool way).  She got her palm and elbow the worst but for good measure head, cheek, ribs, back, hip and leg as well.  Praise the Lord it only seems to be road rash and bruising but she is a sore one today.

 Art show: 'Tornado' by #4

'Eating in the dark' by #5

#1 was helping me in the kitchen today.  This doesn't happen often, although he often asks to help me he is usually busy when it's time to cook.  Potato Soup is on the menu so he's peeling potatoes and I'm chopping them up.  He says to me, "I'm glad Potato soup isn't on the menu."  I give him a puzzled look and he says, "On our restaurant menu.  It would take alot of time to cut up all those potatoes."

#1 has made a floor plan and menu for a restaurant.  He has enlisted his brother(#3) and sister to help run it.  He's priced it affordable so everyone could come.  I've been trying to explain how some of his prices aren't reasonable-once upon a time I did go to college for restaurant and hotel management so I may have an inkling on what I am talking about ;-)  but he's not hearing it-he wants everyone to be able to come.  He's got a big heart, I love that!