Tuesday, August 31, 2010

2010 Trip to Maine, Day 1


Don't they look excited!! This is the beginning of the trip. 



This is around 2 and half hours later. 


Here is another sleepy head, except this one is drugged up on Dramamine. 


This one is awake and so is the kid!! ;o)  


After about 4 and half hours, we finally made it!! :o)


Even at 18 the girl still loves to swing. 


That is one big ball!! 


Having fun!! 


Fixing the swing and getting a little help!! ;o) 


Sisters!!


Playin' some hard core Uno. 


View from the cabin. 


Emy at Little Beach.


Shannon and mommy (that would be me!!)  :o)


Max and Lindsay, my son and his wonderful girlfriend. 


Sunset


Toby enjoying the beach.


Toby being dragged into the water. 


Looking for crabs and other sea creatures. 


Found a dead crab...eeewww!!


In this world of litigation signs are necessary to warn people of possible dangers. 


Pemaquid Lighthouse. Just a side note of information: Did you know this lighthouse is on the Maine state quarter? 


Lighthouse


Sister and Brother


The lighthouse light!! :o)


A darker moment.


Sisters in a tree. 


Night sky and time for bed.

*****Stay tuned for day two pictures.******

Monday, August 30, 2010

The Girl Left


That cute kiddo there is my daughter, Emily or Emy or Emy Sue. Emily was our second homeschool graduate and is now headed off to Masters Commission. For those who don't know, Masters Commission is an 8 month intensive discipleship program. It includes learning all the areas of the church, going on missions trips, doing street ministry, performing dramas, making christian art, and also college work. This particular Masters Commission is already booked all the way through March for pretty much every weekend. She is going to be one busy girl, but one very happy girl!! 

You see, Emy loves people!! :o) She is like her momma, but even more so. The girl thrives on being around people and getting to know them. She can tell me more about someone when meeting them for the first time then I could tell you when knowing them awhile. Sad, but true. She asks excellent questions and when people talk to her they seem to know that she is really interested in what they have to say. It is a gift and one that I'm sure she will use in her new home away from home. 

When we left Emy, I was sad but also very relieved. You see, for awhile it seemed like this dream was going to slip right through her hands. The desire to go to MC has been a strong one for about 6 years, but then some glitches and distractions occurred. These were things that seem to pull her away from her calling. I cannot tell you how many nights I spent just pleading with the Lord for her. My heart was broken, because I knew that the direction she was going in was not one of life but death. Maybe not literal death, but more of a spiritual numbness. This kid had a passion, like I have never seen for the things of God. She knew what He called her to do and she was going to do it no matter what. So, to see this distraction come in was a lot for my mommas heart. I am so blessed that God did a work that I never thought possible and the vision has been restored. Not my vision, but God's vision for her. 

It is hard letting go of our children. This is the second to leave this nest. However, it is also humbling and amazing to see the hand of God on your child. I cannot tell you how blessed I am to watch my kids grow up to be wonderful people who will make a positive difference in this world. No, they may not always make the 'best' choices and they may not do things 'my way'. That is okay. I know, without a shadow of a doubt that the hand of mighty God is upon them and I will trust in Him to complete the work that He has started. 

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

My Brain is Mush

I honestly wish I could come up with a clever title, but one I have pretty much sums it all up. Yes, my brain is mush. In case you don't know, I have started online classes through Liberty University to get an Associates Degree in Christian Counseling. Classes started this week, and though I am currently only taking two my brain feels as though I'm taking a million!! I'm so thankful the semester is broken up into 8 weeks, because if not then I would be taking all four classes at the same time. Yes, I realize college students do this ,as my son is more then willing to point out, but I'm not a full time college student. I'm a full time stay at home/homeschool mom, so that must count for something. Right? ;o)

Today it has been raining all day, and I need to have my work done by Friday because we are heading to Portsmouth and I don't have a laptop yet. So all that to say, today has been spent reading, watching online lectures, and studying for the quizzes. Can I please say one more time, my mind is mush?  Thanks for listening and hopefully I will have more coherent post up soon. 

Sunday, August 22, 2010

What Worship is All About

Today in church a man with a mental disability stood next to me. I know this man, but for this post I will call him Mr. B.,  he is awesome and has such a zest for life!! :o) When he came over to sit by me,  I must confess I was taken back a little because I wanted to worship. Did you get that? 

I. Wanted. To. Worship.

I did not want to be distracted today by listening to someone else worship. 

How sad is that?

When the music started the first song was, 'God is Good All the Time'. Mr. B obviously knew the song and he sang it out with all of his heart. Then the next song came along and Mr. B did not know the words, but he sang out how much he loved Jesus. He praised His Lord. He didn't care what he sounded like or who was around him, he came to praise Jesus and that is exactly what he did. I was so blessed and my heart was so full that I just had to stop singing and listen to Mr. B as he praised the Lord.

Worship is not about how we sound or who we are. It is about getting our hearts right and entering in to the very presence of the living God. All our cares, needs, worries, attitudes, agendas, or other baggage just fall off when we worship Him. 

I thank God for placing Mr. B next to me today. I learned something today that I will never ever forget. 

Friday, August 20, 2010

The Boy Went Back



The boy up there in the picture is my son Max. I guess technically he is a man, since he is 20 years old but to me is my baby boy. He attends college in Mo. but he was home on summer break for four months. Four months of having him back home was really nice, but now that time is over and he is in the process of returning back to school. When I say 'in the process', I mean literally not figuratively. He is in an airplane right now and should be landing in a couple of hours. 

This is not his first year of college, he is entering his junior year. I remember very plainly the time we dropped him off at school. It was an amazingly awesome, yet horrid experience. Amazingly awesome because I knew that was where he was supposed to be but horrid because it was so hard to leave him. We live in NH and MO. is a long, long, long way from home. 

God has been very good to him through the years. He has developed amazing friendships with wonderful 'kids' and has an amazing girlfriend. His major is film and he is working some great things. I am excited for him, but yet it is still hard to let him go. I know he will be okay. I know that God is with him. I know all those things and more, yet my momma's heart misses him today. 

Thanks for listening to my ramble. 


Thursday, August 19, 2010

Maine 2010

Some things in life are just worth doing no matter the cost. This year our vacation in Maine was one of those things. Me and all the kids, plus my sons girlfriend, went to enjoy the coast of Maine. In all actuality there were other things I could of spent the money on, but when it comes down to it I cannot ever put a price on the wonderful time that we had. This was the first time in probably 4 years that all the kids were able to go, and who knows when they will all be able to go again. Don't put off the things that you want to do with your family till you have 'enough'. 'Enough' may never come and in the end regrets will be made instead of memories. 


Here is me, being a clam. I will upload the rest of the pictures and add them soon!! :o) 

Friday, August 13, 2010

Books!!

Who doesn't love it when the UPS truck pulls up in the driveway and there is a wonderful brown box filled with stuff for them? It is so funny, because I obviously know what will be insider, since I ordered it, but I still get excited about opening the box. Yesterday when I got home from getting tires on my van and working on the Walk For Life, there was a beautiful brown box sitting on my porch. It made my day!! :o)  

In the box was my school books for this semester!! All seven of them, ranging from pretty small to very large. Of course I had to open them all and smell that new book smell, that could probably be a candle scent. ;o) Then I pulled out my course schedule for each class to determine exactly what I would have to read in the first week. That first week will be a busy one with my daughter heading off to Masters Commission. 

Yes, I am a dork.

For all you dorks out there who may be interested, here is a list of the books:

Bible 104:




The Promise and the Blessing




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Philosophy 104


When World Views Collide


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Theology 


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Psychology 101

Psychology 2010 Textbook with CD Rom and Workbook


That is it, and I bet you can't tell I'm excited to start!! 





Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Life

This has been one of those weeks that you read about in novels, the kind of stuff that makes you know for certain it is a book because it could not possibly be real. I will not go into detail right now, but let me just say I am so very glad that vacation is less then a week away. Granted I'm going on vacation with some of the people who are part of the drama, but that is okay. I love those people. It is the other ones that they see to force on us, that I have an issue with. 

Ahh, I remember the peaceful days of crying babies and changing diapers. In all seriousness though, I really am very proud of who my children are becoming. It is neat, painful, fun, and some times teary to watch them grow up and make choices. Like the rest of us, some days they make good choices and some days they make bad choices. In the end we are all sinners saved by grace.

Today I probably need to remember to extend that grace, more then the hammer. 

Monday, August 9, 2010

Facebook Etiquette

I will confess that I love Facebook. There is something fun about reading what other my friends are doing and also posting a snippet of my own life. However, I think there is a line and I need to keep reminding myself not to cross it. That line is getting upset with people who post things I don't agree with, mainly political things. My rational side knows that not everyone thinks alike, and that is okay. However, my irrational side gets so very irritated when someone will not see things my way. :o/   I know not very pretty, but I'm keeping it real here. 

So, what can I do. Here are the options that I see:

A.) Not comment on those offending posts. 

B.) Comment and then hope I don't really tick someone off.

C.) Hide the person, so I don't have to see the posts.

D.) Defriend the offending poster, even though I really like them as a person.

E.) Get a life and realize that not everyone thinks alike and that is totally okay. 


My first guesses are A and B, but probably the best course of action is E. 

Do you have a Facebook account? How did you handle posts that you don't agree with? Please share, maybe we should start a 12 Step Program for those with Facebook irritations. :o) 

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Happy Birthday Honey!! :o)

Happy Birthday to the love of my life!! :o) We have been together longer then we have been apart, yes we are that old!! ;o) When we first me we were both 20, and now here we are at 43. Well, I'm not 43 yet but will be in 10 days. ;o) How fast time flies by, I swear the more 'mature' you get, the faster it goes by. When we met we both had dreams, you had hair, and we had a whole lota' life to look forward to. Here we are today with four kids, a house, lots of animals, still making dreams, and still looking forward to what life brings. I am so very blessed to be married to the very most perfect man in the whole wide world for me. You, my dear are an amazing man and I'm so happy that our paths crossed and that we ended up in this place. 

I hope you have a very happy birthday!! :o)

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Things Are Hopping!!

This week has been crazy busy. My son's girlfriend is visiting from Delaware for three weeks, and we went to Manchester Airport on Monday to pick her up. Then my sweet son treated all 6 of us to lunch at the Tilton Diner. When we got back the kids went swimming, which gave me a chance to get the bed that she would be sleeping on ready. We had a fun evening of movies and getting to know each other better.

On Tuesday I headed out to Pathways, where I volunteer. I made phone calls to a few local churches about the upcoming walk for life. Then I counseled with a client, did paperwork, and headed home for a bit. I went back to Pathways at 5:00 for a group that I am participating in as well as learning how to facilitate. My 16 year old left for a fun filled week at Soul Fest. She is camping with a close family and her very best friends. 

Today is Wednesday and my 18 year old was at work, the other three went swimming, and I stayed home to clean the house. When they came back we all headed out to Ocean State Job Lots to pick up some stuff and just look around. 

The kids are back now from getting movies at Redbox and I'm heading upstairs to see what they have and to watch movies. I honestly love having my kids here. Yes, the day will come when they have their own homes and families and I know it will be quick. My evil plan is to enjoy the time that I have with them now. I look forward to the future with much hope and anticipation. :o)

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Favorite Homeschool Curriculums and Supplies (Phonics)


I have shared what we are using this year for school, but I thought it would be good to have a thread just for my favorite curriculums and supplies.  This will be segmented by subject, at least that is the plan for now. In this day of so many homeschool choices, it is nice to be able to look at someone who has already used something to help and see if it is right for your family. I certainly do not have all the answers, but I do know what worked for us. With that in mind remember that no family is alike and no children are exactly alike. This is just a tool to hopefully help someone out. 
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Alpha Phonics was the best phonics "program" that I have used and I tried many. The lessons are simple for the teacher to teach and easy for the student to grasp. I used this with three of my four children and they all enjoyed it tremendously. In all honesty this was one of the best investments I made and it has paid off through the years by having children who, for the most part, enjoy reading. 


Only one of my children used an actual preschool curriculum and she loved it. As a matter of fact at almost 17 years old, she still talks about it. The company is Mennonite and therefore everything in the books are wholesome and very plain. She has even said that when she has children and they are preschool age they will most likely use this. You can find it here.  I put this in phonics, because I honestly believe these books prepare her for reading. 

Explode the Code is an excellent resource for teaching phonics. My niece and my son both used this at the same time and they loved it!! This series builds on the lessons that have been previously learned and makes learning to read much easier. We only used the first two books, but I know people who used the whole series and were very happy with it. 



Tub of Word Tiles has been a part of our house for years, but before they came along we used the 'old fashioned' magnet letter. I love Tub of Word Tiles because each word is color coded by the part of speech it is. We have used these to make silly sentences, stories, and have even played games with them. They seem to make Language Arts more fun!!