Snapshot Summary #15

Saturday

23 - October, 2010

Renee and the children, along with Bill and Mary came to help us celebrate Mary's birthday yet again! You only turn 13 once, right!?!?! I got a way late start on my day. I was just eating breakfast when Renee arrived! The house was a disaster so Renee pitched right in. She really deep cleaned my living room, which totally needed it!! Even got behind the couch and piano. We did eventually eat hamburgers and then played a few games before the icecream (we were kind of caked out if that is possible). Then Mary opened some gifts from her kissin' cousins, thoughtful Aunt (acne cream for the teenager) and Grandma and Pa.

Chloe just couldn't let poor Sophia alone. Well that is unless Sophia was on Aunt Nee Nee's lap. She had been pretending to be Sophia ever since her last visit. :-)

No one reads a story like Aunt Renee!

Mary loves the beautiful doll from Grandma and Pa.

Sunday

24 - October, 2010

We had a low key day around here. Enjoyed some naps. I tried but just couldn't get geared up for the upcoming school week. :(

Monday

25 - October, 2010

I couldn't get into the school schedule today. I over-slept which started me off bad. We were behind before we started. I thought maybe I would concentrate on cleaning and getting organized but could never even quite get that together. When Drew got home Mary and I went to Wal Mart for our monthly run. Mary and I have been reading Raising Maidens of Virtue by Stacy McDonald. This spurred some wonderful conversations about how we are suppose to shine as lights for Christ through our womanhood. We read a chapter before we headed into Wal Mart and discussed the fact that what we wear conveys something about the God we live to glorify. I am always thankful to spend one on one time with a child, but was even more thankful when Mary said "Mom, these are things I have been wondering about and really wanted to talk to you about." I don't agree with everything in the book and thought some of the questions were leading down a legalistic path BUT it profited both Mary and I greatly to talk about these issues.

Tuesday

26 - October, 2010

It seemed like the children struggled to love each other more than usual today. Baruch and Abram got into it several times. Chloe had a runny nose which caused excessive clinginess. Mary walloped Jacob a mighty blow! Yes, my virtuous maiden! Let me explain. . . Jacob is so competitive and does everything so well it really makes for some challenging circumstances in our house. Mary was upstairs cleaning her closet when the offense took place. Jacob played one of her piano songs! I know it sounds innocent enough, but if you know Jacob EVERYTHING is a competition - and he was playing to be the best. Mary DID not want to afford him the opportunity. I feel really bad because I know if Drew and I were doing a better job protecting Mary and training Jacob to protect Mary, this would not be an issue. No time like the present to deal with it :-)

O.k. so Jacob didn't look all this bad but he did end up with a bloody nose!* Seriously - A bloody nose!

After supper, our neighbors, John and Miriam, came over to watch the first Biblical Financial Study video with us. We will start the study a week from Monday. I am really looking forward to the Lord working in my heart through this study. He has sure used it to convict me in the past.

Wednesday

27 - October, 2010

Ah! We got back on schedule today and although I did catch Jacob playing the beginning of Mary's piece once he seemed repentant and she forgave him without inflicting any bodily injury.

In lieu of math, Jacob and Mary took a placement test for Teaching Textbooks. I am not satisfied with their Math progress and am planning to plug them in at Math 7.

It was super windy today. Apparently our area is experiencing an inland hurricane. When we took our daily walk Abigail got knocked off her feet twice! There just isn't enough to that girl. :)

Mary forgot to finish the goulash so we were scrambling at 4:30 to get it on the stove. Thankfully it was ready on time. Mary started working on a dress. She is using the fabric Heidi gave her. She cut out the pattern with my help. She has never followed a pattern before so I am guiding her step by step. The pattern only went up to a size 14 so we (well mostly me) had to modify it a bit. So far it is coming along nicely. I will post a picture of the finished product, hopefully next week.

Thursday

28 - October, 2010

I am really struggling with a lot of heart issues between siblings. There are an amazing amount of interactions going on in this house at any given moment. I AM so thankful to be back on the memorization of God's word with the children and in my own life. I don't know how I was functioning without it but I can sure see the fruit (or lack thereof) of my actions. I am trusting the Lord as we memorize together to change each and every heart in this household - starting with MINE!

Friday

29 - October, 2010

The Math 7 arrived already!! I cannot believe it. They are such an impressive company. The older two are already competing to see who can do the most lessons AND not allowing the other to see their scores or even be in the same room when they are doing the lesson. Oh Lord help me to know how to shepherd these precious hearts. I am earnestly calling out to Him moment by moment. Please pray with me as you feel led.

Ladies Bible Study blessed me tonight. Mary and Abi tagged along to watch any babies that needed tending. There were two babies there and both slept through the whole thing! Abi jokingly told me afterward it was a good thing they came along or else the babies would have been crying the whole time. Too true. Being at ladies group made me so thankful to be surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses! The ladies spurred me on to stand on the Lord's promises and be saturated with His word!

o.k. my snapshots have been pathetic this week. Sorry I didn't have the camera with me more often :). I should have entitled this one just summary - but there are at least a few snapshots and you get the minds eye sort of a snapshot anyway.

*I hope you realized this is not Jacob. I'm not sure where on the web Drew got this picture but I used it :-)

Sending Deep Roots

Yesterday morning I woke with new incentive to plant the word of God in the hearts of my children. Several thing have lead me to this point. Mostly discontent in the home. I know His Word renews minds and changes hearts and EVERYONE in this house desperately needs that. We started in on our memory list again. It encouraged me to find the children remembering so many verses! I have a few blogs in my RSS feed so later in the day I read Ann's post at Holy Experience and she expressed so well what I had been thinking Tuesday night when I went to bed and Wednesday morning when I hit the memory verses again. Then just before bed Amy posted another confirmation - MEMORIZE!

Romans 12:2 "And do not be conformed to this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,

so that you may prove what the will of God is,

that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

How will my mind be renewed?

Psalm 1:1-3

How blessed is the man

who does not walk

in the counsel of the wicked

Nor stand in the path of sinners.

Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!

But his delight is in the law of the LORD,

And in His law he meditates day and night.

He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,

Which yields its fruit in its season

And its leaf does not wither;

And in whatever he does, he prospers.

I want my roots to grow deep. I long to bear fruit. Why? So that I can live out the will of God! Memorizing is essential to my health.

Bathroom Update #8

Helping Grandpa move the light switch and outlet

picture taken with light turned off (not enough exposure)

Shelves I mentioned in Bathroom Update #7 - These are between the tub and the wall shared with the hallway are. They are right when you walk into the bathroom.

picture taken with light turned on (too much exposure)

There was no happy (exposure) medium

Wainscoting above the tub surround

New Outlet!!

Slow but sure - progress is being made.

Much like my response to the Lords work on my life, slow but sure. He is Faithful. I fall short. I am so thankful it is His work! For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

Snapshot Summary #14

Saturday

16 - October, 2010

We attended a lovely wedding today. Our good friends, Jeremiah and Laura were Best man and Matron of Honor. Two of their little girls were supposed to be in the wedding. One of them, Cora walked down as junior bride. She is on the right in the photo. The younger one was suppose to walk down as one of three flower girls. She took one look and ran the other way. The charge to the couple was very encouraging. I love to recommit in my marital covenant when I am at a wedding.

Sunday

17 - October, 2010

Monday

18 - October, 2010

Welcome David, Renee and kiddos! We sure enjoyed delivering household items your way. Wish we could have come earlier to set up house for you a bit more! Just so thankful you will be so close for a few months!!

Tuesday

19 - October, 2010

Wednesday

20 - October, 2010

Wow! What a Day! The Lord is good!!!!!

First and foremost, today we celebrated Mary Elisabeth turning 13!

We did some school. Mary babysat for our neighbors. We did a bit more school. Mary made homemade noodles for our chicken soup lunch. I worked on writing out our schedule on a wall poster (which we weren't following very well today, but have been most days and it seems to be working well). I played around the world (a shoot the basket ball game) with Jacob. We ate lunch. Little ones took naps. Older ones practiced instruments. Mary and Abi did their portion of the weekly paper route. Cob walked Hector. Mary made cupcakes. I cut Abi's hair (pictures below). I made frosting. We had supper. I frosted the cupcakes.

By far, the best part of the day was heading to our friends house for Bible Study. This was our first in a new study entitle Jacob and Egypt, The Sovereignty of God by John MacArthur. I confess I didn't do the study much in advance. I thank the Lord that He blessed me regardless. The Lord really used it to reveal some areas of bitterness in my life, bitterness and pride.

After the study we sang happy birthday to Mary and ate chocolate cupcakes with peanut-butter frosting (Mary's request, one which I requested almost every year on my birthday growing up, so that was pretty special to me that we share a favorite). Heidi wrote Mary such a sweet card and the whole family gave her some very thoughtful gifts! I think Mary really felt special. What a great ending to her big 13th birthday!

Thursday

21 - October, 2010

Mary preparing Lunch

20 minute daily walk

The little boys have been playing outside in lieu of mat time. The weather has been SO nice! They were SO filthy tonight the bath water was just gross by the end! I am so thankful they have been enjoying the beautiful days.

Friday

22 - October, 2010

What a blessing to be doing science with another family! Tonya and I seem to be a good team. We have been alternating reviewing a lesson every other week, then doing a hands on activity to reinforce what we have learned (or the children have learned. I don't know who is learning more, me or them). Today was lesson three on the muscular system. Here's Tonya reviewing and asking questions to see what the children remembered.

Tonya prepared an amazing lunch which we all enjoyed together after the review and experiments. Then Tonya surprised us all with a birthday cake for Mary! So sweet!! Literally ;)

Happy 13th Mary!!

Hard to believe it was 13 years ago we sat holding a red ball of screaming flesh!!

I am so thankful for the young lady Mary is becoming!

Snapshot Summary #13

Saturday

9 - October, 2010

We enjoyed a sunshining warm day today! Drew's dad came in the morning and he and Drew headed up to pick up our "new" van. They dropped it off at the mechanics with the list of items to fix and were home in perfect time for goulash. Then Bill took the girls to the library while I worked on cleaning several stacks that had managed to grow, out of nothing!!, over the past several months. Before long we were all sitting down to supper with Mr. A. from out east. After supper we took a walk and played at the park, then came home for squash pie. I used some butternut squash a friend gave us from their garden. It made a nice pie :-). After dessert Mr. A. engaged all the kids with the Biblical account of Gideon. Man alive is he an excellent truth teller! The kids were riveted, ears honed in to his every word. Thanks Mr. S!! I praise the Lord for your godly influence on our family.

Sunday

10 - October, 2010

I was off today. No, I didn't take the day off, but maybe I should have. I struggled to be thankful, fought believing lies, wished I could be two places at once (my sister is going to be a Grandmother and Lauron's shower was today and I REALLY wanted to go), missed David, Renee and all their children, felt overwhelmed by the state of the house. . . I was just off! And neither Drew or I took one picture all day. hmmmm, wonder why?! By bed time I was doing a bit better, it took a lot of calling out to the Lord. I am so thankful. . .

He is always there to call out to!

His word is always relevant!

He is faithful when I am not!

He is ALWAYS worthy to be praised!

He reveals my sinful heart to me!

He does not reveal all my sin at once!

He is alive!

Monday

11 - October, 2010

We hit the school schedule hard today and had a really good day. The kids were SO sad when their cousins left I wondered how hard today would be on them, but they did really well.

Tuesday

12 - October, 2010

We deliver a weekly paper. Here's Baruch on the run! The weather has been gorgeous which makes delivering the paper route a breeze. Today was actually warm for a fall day.

Wednesday

13 - October, 2010

We didn't finish the route on Tuesday so did some more houses today. Drew attended a conference so the kids and I were solo. I know solo means one, but you know what I mean - I was the sole adult.

I just love the leaves all over the ground! But what is that red splotch?

Oh it's Abigail!!

Thursday

14 - October, 2010

We seem to be falling into a nice rhythm with our school schedule. One of Abi's favorite segments of the day is her half-hour with Chloe while I am teaching Baruch phonics (you'll have to see our google calendar to see what everyone else is doing at that time) Today Abi did Chloe's hair in lots of little pig tails.

At the end of Abi's time with Chloe we have a 15 minute snack (no that is not on the calendar yet, but it works in well with our 10:00 - 10:30 rotation)

Here's Chloe ringing the bell to alert everyone - snack time, come and get it!

Friday

15 - October, 2010

Last Friday (the 8th) we put one bone in a cup of vinegar and another, the control, in a cup of water. (Then we added a broken half bone in each). As an acid, the vinegar removed the calcium salts form the bone. The results were amazing. The bone pictured on the left was the vinegar bone. It was shrunken and REALLY soft. Mushy. I picked it up with a pair of salad tongs Mary said, "the bone is as soft as skin." The bone on the right was as hard as ever.

2010 Reunion Slideshow

I finally had time to get this slideshow uploaded.

It was very difficult to select just 28 photos of the 200 taken :-)

Enjoy!!

Teaching Textbooks Testimonial

I purchased a used Teaching Textbooks Math 4 with CD's and have been so please with the curriculum. The lectures are thorough. The questions clear with just the right amount of challenge. I have never, in my 8 years of homeschooling dealt with a company demonstrating such amazingly high integrity. I had some issues with my used cd's and the company stood by them, treating me better than fair! Keep up the great work Teaching Textbooks - You are Impressive!!

Snapshot Summary #12

Thursday

30 - September, 2010

I work with Abigail on All About Spelling

10:00 AM snack time

1:00 PM means guitar practice for Cob. The book he's working through has him listen to an audio lesson as he learns the new technique. I just love to watch him practice. His feet come off the ground and swing.

Friday

1 - October, 2010

Grandma Rose and Aunt Judy visit!

Sunday
3 - October, 2010

Paul and Michelle (neighbors) hosted a wonderful Autumn Party at their house. There was a great spread of healthy snacks, hot cider, cupcakes for the kids to decorate with frosting and sprinkles (then eat of course), gourds to decorate with glitter paint, pin the squirrel in the cutely decorated fall leafy tree hole, and bobbing for apples. Michelle demonstrated the art of apple bobbing, then the kids had at it. It was really nice to meat some of the friends that Michelle talks about. I felt honored we were invited. The whole family had an awesome time. Oh and they had a camp fire too!

Other neighbors, Amber, Jim, Sienna, Conner and Penny

Monday

4 - October, 2010

Can you tell I have been cleaning out everyones closets, dressers PLUS all the bins and baskets, waiting to be put in the bins?!?!?!? The result is pictured above. I could not believe how overflowing each bin was. I stayed up until 2 AM on Saturday to finish everything! Well, I got the bright idea to give Renee a mini heart attack when she arrived. It was just before she and the children were due to pull in that Mary and I made up some tags for the clothes bags with Matt, Michelle, Henry, Melvin, Dawson, Jason, Grandma, Frank and Lisa. One tag for each bag. Then Jacob asked Aunt Renee if they would mind taking a few items back to Florida since they would be back that way at the end of November. hee hee!! It didn't fool her for long, just long enough to have that mini heart attack. Poor Renee, just what she needed after all the stress of traveling. She said Frank and Lisa were the give away. She just couldn't imagine why I would be sending them clothes.

Ah! my wonderful sister her six above average arrived! How can I describe the fellowship we enjoyed, the activity that surrounded us? All I can say is I was blessed by each of them. When Renee left that evening to attend a meeting with David and the elders of their commending assembly I really enjoyed each of my nieces and nephews. The children all played so well together. Everyone played quietly during family time. When I asked them to put on their pajamas - up they went with not one word of complaint!

Drew reads over his scripture selection for family worship.

Listening to Papa tell the Bible story.

Worship through song!

Tuesday

5 - October, 2010

Dress up time with the cousins.

Everyone found something to put on for dress up (escept Abram I think). Here they are all gathered around waiting for Abi to play a song on the piano.

Everyone found something to put on for dress up (escept Abram I think). Here they are all gathered around waiting for Abi to play a song on the piano

I don't think I have every seen a cuter unicorn!!

Precious Sophia

Wednesday
6 - October, 2010

I had a lot of wonderful help making Meleah's Birthday cake. She chose an Angel Cake. Lydia sifted the flour and powdered sugar together for me. Meleah and Abram helped me slowly add the sugar to the softly peaked egg whites. Then I had to kick everyone out to fold in the sifted mixture. I was afraid they would stir instead of fold. The cake turned out very yummy. I actually missed out on the candle lighting and singing. I also didn't get a single picture :-(. Renee, if any of yours turn out you will have to send them to me and I will add them to this post.

Thursday

7 - October, 2010

They started off far apart, Chloe asking Sophie if she could read her a story.

Before long they were close together sharing their love of books!

After supper I took the older three to Awana as Uncle David spoke to the children there. It was a blessing to go and be a part of all the organized games. The Bible memorization in the program is fantastic! I enjoyed Uncle David's charge to the children. I also got Julia on my lap for a nice long spell - bonus! Then I got to meet my blog buddy Tonya's son. What a nice young man. It encouraged me, just to meet him.

Friday
8 - October, 2010
David, Renee and crew took off impressively 5 minutes ahead of schedule at 7:40AM. We flew around making the house a bit more presentable, then headed off to copy works. I got my needed copies made for our science, well, our science co-op if you can call it that. My friend Tonya and I are taking turns reviewing a lesson from:

We hosted today so, as I was saying. . . We got the copies made and headed to stringed instrument lessons for Mary and Cob. Then ran into Kephart's on the way home so Cob could replenish his guitar pick supply. Abi went into work with Drew since I was driving the car, which only has buckles for 5 so we stopped to pick her up and got home just after (yes I know, I was late) Tonya and her four children arrived. We had a great lesson review and got our bone project started. Then we had a nice lunch together. Then the children played while Tonya and I sat and visited.

Until next week or next summary!!