Life is slowly back to normal

I am starting to feel better, still not great but functioning more normally than I was. This is a big surprise to #4 who has probably been getting away with more than he should-he has not liked having to sit on his time out rug the last few days.

We had a great kick-off to my bible study Wednesday. I am so excited for our spring study! I think I'm going to be in the class studying Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World. So many good studies being offered it was hard to decide, but I think this is where I'm suppose to go.

Children are doing well being silly and goofy. We went to the zoo last weekend, late in the afternoon which is unusual for us but as mornings aren't my thing that's when we ended up getting there. We saw so many animals closer than ever before-the zebras and giraffe's were just a few feet from us. We also got to see the tiger cubs, so cute! I think they are between 8-12 weeks now so they are already quite big. We have 3 at the zoo, one was snoozing while the other two wrestled around.
Anyway I have pictures of children and animals but the camera cord is still missing so for now they are locked away.

If you could add Shuang Shuying to your prayer list. You can find out a little bit more about her from this link.
I have had a heart for the Chinese lately. The Christian Chinese face much persecution, please join my in praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
While you are praying please include our own government in your prayers.

life, silliness and the ugly

It's been a strange week around here. I was all prepared to lose power again due to a huge storm we were suppose to have. They even closed schools and city/state offices on Friday day yet all was for not. Yes the North Shore did get huge waves and the beaches were rightly closed yet the storm and 40-60mph winds never did appear. I suppose that was for the best although I must admit it was slightly disappointing.
We had a big chill Saturday and Sunday. It was almost see your breathe when you wake up cold. I talked to several people Sunday and we all agreed that it made us snuggle under our blankets much longer because no one wanted to get up in the cold! Suppose to get a another cold spell Wednesday/Thursday. We have no heat and the bedrooms are on the lower level which is usually a good thing but when it gets unusually cold for us I wish for warmer pj's and am thankful that I don't have to deal with cold mornings very often!
The children seem to have taking the cooler mornings in stride. They woke up Saturday and were ice skating in the hallway. We have tile in the hallway downstairs so they slipped on some socks and warmer clothing and were skating along. Now the funnier thing was tile is rather cold so they didn't just put on one pair of socks but several pairs so the cold tile won't easily go through the sock!

Onto more serious of matters. I'd love to hear what to do with a child who steals.
Stores do nothing at this point, we take the child to return and pay and apologize and would love the store to scare her and treat it more seriously but so far this hasn't happened. We've had many talks doesn't get through punishment of paying for the items or working to pay for it doesn't help. I'm at the point I don't want to take her anywhere because she can't be trusted. We do have a neighbor who is a police officer and mentioned to her that we might be having a talk with him. Just at a slight loss in how to get through to her, she seems to understand this is a serious issue yet it keeps happening.

Parental Rights

I was sent an email today about the U.N. Treaty about CRC(Convention of the Rights of Children). I had thought that the U.S hadn't passed this but it looks like the issue is coming up again. Here is a little more info on the subject.
I hope to post more about the children soon. I have some more pictures in the camera-just have to find that cord so I can upload them! I'm feeling a little bit better these days so hopefully the posting will be a little more often.

Consumer safety

So have you heard about this new law that starts this February? If not you may want to look into and speak your piece with your representives if you feel necessary. I think it was started with good intentions but maybe not the best way of going about things. It was passed August 14, 2008 go to www.cpsc.gov to take a gander at it if you will. The language is very loose so there has been a lot of confusion over exactly what it means. A recent amendment sounds like it will ease some fears as far as reselling goes. It seems to cost a lot to do the testing and could mean the end to many small business. At the very least we can count on prices going up on products since companies will now have to factor in all the testing that will now be required. What a great time in our economy to higher the prices!
Being a home schooler I have to wonder how this is going to affect where I usually purchase school products as many I currently use are small business. Yes I want my children safe but at what cost I wonder.

funny 12 days

I thought this was a cute video. Expect for the second day I think we have heard them all too. Seems like in this day age if you have more than 2 you get the comments.

Christmas Card

We are so slow, that I doubt we are going to get to mail any cards this year. But I wanted to share our Christmas card with everyone. My friend Jess helped us put this together, unfortunately she is too far away to actually take the pictures for us but she did put what we had together nicely!! Thank you again Jessica!
Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas! Hope you have a wonderful holiday as you celebrate Christ's birth!

"Twas the Night Before Jesus Came

I went to a Christmas tea one night last week and the speaker read this poem. I thought it was worth sharing.


'Twas The Night Before Jesus Came'
written by Unknown Author


'Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house
Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care
In hopes that Jesus would not come there.

The children were dressing to crawl into bed.
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

When out of the East there arose such a clatter.
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!

When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray
I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!

The light of His face made me cover my head
It was Jesus! returning just like He had said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life which He held in His hand
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said "it's not here" my head hung in shame.

The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound.
While all the rest were left standing around.

I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There's only one life and when comes the last call
We'll find that the Bible was true after all!