Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Re-prioritizing- Reaching for Serenity
One of my childhood hideaways...this is where I would walk on my Uncle's farm when I was girl...a great place to escape the world 's pressures and listen to the quiet and think.
Last night I was finally able to sit down at the computer again after a long week involving 5 sick children and one sick hubby...:-) Everyone is well on the way to recovery now.
Being away from the computer this week I have had time to do some thinking about my blogging. I so enjoy it and wish I had more time to devote to it. However, as a family grows, so grows the mommy's busy schedule and I don't ever want to miss any little special moments with any of my precious family members...
So, my thinking has been that I will reduce the amount of time I spend on the computer for now. My posting may become farther apart as I attempt to re-focus my priorities. I am not closing the blog so I do hope to continue to hear from many of you as you are able. I am just putting my household and family first.
As I was pondering all of this in my heart I was popping in on various blog's that I love to visit and I was sad to see that Eyes of Wonder is being closed. She is a dear, sweet mother with so much to share, and those of us who visited her blog were enriched beyond words. However, seeing her make such a big decision while I was thinking of simply reducing made my decision so much easier. I have already cut way back on the number of comments I was leaving. Not because I didn't want to comment...just because I needed to find more time for other things. My apologies to those of who who have noticed my absence of commenting. I still read your posts and love hearing about your families and lives, and I will comment when I can...just less often.
As you may have noticed my posts have become infrequent already...I am just making an official announcement!
I have several blog topics floating around in my head that I hope to sit down and share in the near future, including homeschool curriculum and more book suggestions. Keep stopping by! Thanks for being such supportive blog friends.
Labels: News
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Smile Award and Nice Matters
Nadine over at Just Being Me has given me an award. Thank you Nadine! I want to pass this on to many of you, as well as finally pass on the Nice Matters award.
I could easily give this award to everyone on my sidebar plus some...but I'm going to restrain myself and I think I'll focus on a few blogs that help me laugh at myself and the world, and also a few of my 'younger' friends.
Here are the people I wish to bestow the Smile award to (in no particular order):
TC @ Fish in My Hair
Carrie Louise @ Organized Chaos
Underdog @ The Underdog Blog
Jess @ And the Saga Continues
Southernbelle @ Pressing On
Katy @ Just Living Life One Day at a Time
Osprey @ To Laugh at the World
Rivergirl @ Joyful Song
Ice Jet
Tyler @ Tyler's Crash Site
(can you tell that my kids and their friends bring me a lot of joy and smiles?)
The Nice Matters Award was bestowed on me a while back and I couldn't figure out who to give it to...I think all my blogger friends deserve it. (See the note at the top of my Blogging Friends Sidebar). So, after much thought and deliberation I have decided to pass this one on to (again in no particular order):
Ginger (I've had some very nice private message conversations with this very creative lady)
Living By Daily Grace (Mrs Underdog)
Candyfoote
Mom of Twelve @ Trophy of God's Grace
Small Scribbles
Thanks to all of you for being my friends in this world of blogs! I am so glad I found you...And that includes ALL of you...'awarded' or not... ;-)
Now grab your awards and pass on some smiles to other bloggers today!
I could easily give this award to everyone on my sidebar plus some...but I'm going to restrain myself and I think I'll focus on a few blogs that help me laugh at myself and the world, and also a few of my 'younger' friends.
Here are the people I wish to bestow the Smile award to (in no particular order):
TC @ Fish in My Hair
Carrie Louise @ Organized Chaos
Underdog @ The Underdog Blog
Jess @ And the Saga Continues
Southernbelle @ Pressing On
Katy @ Just Living Life One Day at a Time
Osprey @ To Laugh at the World
Rivergirl @ Joyful Song
Ice Jet
Tyler @ Tyler's Crash Site
(can you tell that my kids and their friends bring me a lot of joy and smiles?)
The Nice Matters Award was bestowed on me a while back and I couldn't figure out who to give it to...I think all my blogger friends deserve it. (See the note at the top of my Blogging Friends Sidebar). So, after much thought and deliberation I have decided to pass this one on to (again in no particular order):
Ginger (I've had some very nice private message conversations with this very creative lady)
Living By Daily Grace (Mrs Underdog)
Candyfoote
Mom of Twelve @ Trophy of God's Grace
Small Scribbles
Thanks to all of you for being my friends in this world of blogs! I am so glad I found you...And that includes ALL of you...'awarded' or not... ;-)
Now grab your awards and pass on some smiles to other bloggers today!
Labels: Just for fun, Misc
Thursday, September 13, 2007
God's Creation
"Bless the Lord , O my soul!
O Lord my God, You are very great...."
"...who makes the clouds His chariot, who walks on the wings of the wind..."
"You who laid the foundations of the earth, So that it should not be moved forever,
You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.
At your rebuke they fled; At the voice of your thunder they hastened away..."
"....you have set a boundary that they may not pass over, that they may not return to cover the earth."
"He sends the springs into the valleys;
They flow among the hills."
"They give drink to every beast of the field..."
"He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and vegetation for the service of man,
That he may bring forth food from the earth"
"O Lord, how manifold are your works!
In wisdom you have made them all.
The earth is full of your possessions --"
"May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
May the Lord rejoice in His works.
He looks on the earth, and it trembles..."
"Bless the Lord, O my soul!
Praise the Lord!"
(excerpts from Psalm 104)
Labels: Inspirations
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Loving Big Brother
We had a family day at the park. Osprey's arms are long enough to reach both swings at once. He is an amazing 17 year old! (Proud mama smiling here ;-)) Ladybug and Doodlebug don't know how good they have it!
For more Wordless Wednesday pics go here and here.
Labels: Wordless Wednesday
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Fresh Air
Today was one of those days when the air is cooler than usual for Texas....
A morning when you wake up and reach for something soft and warm to wrap around your shoulders... As the sun rises and the light slants gently through the windows, you realize that fall is approaching. The sun's light is gentler somehow and the breezes are soft, almost cool. The windows must be opened because the air is so fresh. All day today, the curtains billlowed back and forth at the windows gently, softly reminding me of days gone by...lazy Sunday afternoon dinners around the table when I was just a girl....
This evening the quiet is soothing to weary minds and bodies, comforting. Fears and worries can be pushed aside while one listens to the evening...crickets, and distant cars, the neighbor's rooster crowing good-night. Hope abounds while cool fresh air tickles your cheek and a deep breath means the days' tension is wearing off. My shoulders begin to relax...
Today I felt rested, and along with that, I found myself with a renewed desire to know God more. I am thirsty for a drink from the living fountain. I've been up in the early morning hours so many times lately. Searching, praying, asking Him, thanking Him and telling Him my heart.
I've been re-reading Disciplines of the Beautiful Woman by Anne Ortlund this week. Another book worthy of your time. Here is a small excerpt:
Work out the implications in your own life of putting God first. That's what this book is to help you do.
If we feel overworked and someone tells us to take a rest--that's temporary. If he tells us to go on a vacation, we'll come back afterward to the same old rat race. If he tells us to go to God, we've found a permanent solution. We'll be revolutionized. We'll go into our work rested, and remain that way.
"My presence shall go with you," God says, "and I will give you rest." (Exodus 33:14)
Let your heart go to God, then! Go to him, never to go elsewhere again. Settle into him; make him your home. John 15 calls it "abiding" in him--to nestle there, secure as in a strong, eternal fortress.
I hear small ones crying now...needing to be tucked in by mama. So off I go, and I wish you a very peaceful night.
Labels: Inspirations
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Homeschool Giveaway
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Our Curriculum This Year
From the Chrstian Cottage Unit Studies website:
"... a unit study method that is easy on Mom, and fun for the children. Each volume contains 2-week and one-month units planned to include enough science, history, bible, creative writing, literature and fine arts activities for more than one year. They're easy to use, and Christian textbooks can be used as resources. Four levels of fun and interesting activities are planned daily for first through twelfth grades. Lessons are prepared in a one-day-at-a-glance, easy to use format. No Gaps! Ability-leveled vocabulary and main points make mastery measurements a snap! A home education curriculum pre-tested by hundreds of home schooling families."
I purchased my copy of this Unit Study program many years ago...in fact, the cover of mine looks nothing like this slick looking picture you see here. I am returning to this program after a long absence because it is time. I've talked before about the fact that it's ok for families to change their homeschool style and tools as needed. Families grow and change and mom needs to be free to adapt the homeschool as needed.This year I am teaching one high school senior, one seventh grader and one kindergardener along with keeping 2 toddlers happy, so ease of use and adaptability to all ages is important. Honestly, I don't remember why I stopped using this delightful program...I'm sure I had a good reason. :-)
Labels: Homeschool
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Sunday Rest
Today is Sunday...the day we have set aside as a Sabbath. We traditionally have varied the day's activities but tried to always maintain a restful pace and a family atmosphere. As a child I remember roast beef lunches and long naps... I often serve sandwiches or some other simple fare. We do lots of reading and some napping. I think each family should develop their own traditions and then stick with them as much as possible. You won't regret the rest or the memories you make!
I don't remember what study it was ...but I know there was one that showed that a person increases their life span by resting every seventh day...and even work animals work harder and more efficiently and live longer when given a day of rest every seventh day.
Just a reminder: keeping a Sabbath day is one of the ten commandments...:-)
Labels: Another Day, Family, Household Helps
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Saturday Baking and Lawn Care
Saturday is a good day to fill the house with the aroma of something freshly baked...A tin of blueberry muffins, or a batch of bread, or maybe a cake. Today I will probably bake some bread and have Rivergirl bake something of her choice. I want her to have lots of experience in the kitchen. My dear hubby often works on Saturday mornings and comes home by noon or so. Have you ever walked into the house when someone was baking something? Remember how welcoming that was? Mmmm!
The other major chore we try to tackle is yard work.
We have been so blessed to live here and have such a large yard for the children to play in. When we first moved here there were absolutely no trees or bushes or anything at all. The previous owners had been foreclosed on so they uprooted all the trees and bushes, except for two rose bushes, and took them.
Through the years we have slowly added trees and shrubbery and jasmine and ivy and many other things.
This year our yucca plant was very happy! :-)
My builder man built this at my request...a little side yard with privacy fence and a gate with the latch up high out of little ones reach. This is what we call the play yard. I can put the little ones there and not worry that they'll find their way to the street.
I hope you've enjoyed my little week of days...only one to go and it's all about resting.
Have a sunny day!
Labels: Another Day, Household Helps
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