Homeschooling in November

We did something a little different in November for school. We took 2 weeks and only studied the Pilgrims and did math. It was a lot of fun and I think we all learned more about the pilgrims than we will ever need to know! =) Did you know Pilgrim children had to stand up to eat their dinner and had to serve their parents before they could eat? Abby also wrote an interesting story about the first love story in America among the pilgrims. We also studied Squanto, Miles Standish, William Bradford, Priscilla Mullins and scads of other pilgrims!
I am looking forward to getting back to our normal schedule of folder work and History and Science and for Bible we are doing a Jesse Tree. It is where you study Advent and make a tree using symbols beginning in Genesis and for 25 days an ornament is placed on the tree leading up to the birth of Jesus. I have a ton of books waiting for me at the library on Christmas and we are also doing some pretty cool art projects for the season. we are also going to do a lap book on the signs of Christmas and how they relate to Christ. In science, we are going to be doing a chemistry experiment involving cooking, so I'll post pictures....they should be good and I figure I can get some Christmas baking in at the same time as school!
We will break for Christmas on Dec. 17 and leave for Virginia the next day. I am looking forward to seeing my family and we are praying for snow!

Grace under fire

I have a friend who is going through a particular trying time right now and as she faces this fire she is teaching me how God bestows His mighty hand of grace upon us. As I ranted and raved at her situation, she ministered to me by graciously showing forgiveness, determination, dignity and strength. His mercies are new every morning and His grace is sufficient because He gives us each just enough to handle what we will face on that day. Not too much as we are likely to get too big for our britches nor too little that we buckle under the weight.We might not know until heaven why some of us must go through particularly trying times, maybe just to draw us close to our Life Source, maybe to minister to others later on, maybe so that His Strength is to be made perfect. No matter what, we know all will work out for good to them that love Him....and to this we cling.

Happy Thanksgiving

I am so thankful this year for all the Lord has given to me. My cup runneth over!

A heavenly Father that adores me and dances over me each day
A marriage that is fun, healthy and going strong and an amazing husband to share it with
Kids that are healthy, love the Lord and their parents
A church family that embraces us...warts and all
Parents and In laws that love me ,my husband and their grandchildren
A sister I can also call a friend and love talking to
Friends to enjoy good times with and the knowledge they will be there when bad times come
Tuesday nights with Beth, Rachel,Mandy and Karen
Coffee every morning and a backrub from the man who loves me more than anyone else
A home for my kids to feel safe in and make memories in
The hope adoption brings of a new life joining us in 2008
A country where it is still legal to serve my God and teach my children
Porch swings, pumpkin cake, rocking chairs, college football, movie nights, cafe lattes, Outback steakhouse, dsl internet, butterfly kisses and Yankee candles

Psalm 118:24"This is the day which the Lord hath made;we will rejoice and be glad in it."

Safe Haven Baby

A baby boy was left yesterday at Lake Wales Fire Station. He was born October 22. If our FBI fingerprints were in, we could have possibly been his parents. I know God's timing is perfect, but when I read the article in the paper, it just made me feel so......I don't even know.... Out of control, helpless, disappointed. I have a room ready. Crib. check, car seat, check, stroller ,check. Three children praying every night for a baby brother ....check check check.

I had myself believing I might actually have a baby boy by Christmas. Could it still happen?? Yes, the fingerprints could come today and we could be approved and have a baby ASAP. I think it is the absolute out of control element of the situation that is driving me insane. I also think that is one part of this whole ride that God is using to teach me to rely on His ever so perfect timing and direction.
I will be so glad when I can look back and say," Yes He taught me a lot during that time." Hindsight may be 20/20, but it is also a lot less painful than the actual learning and teaching process.

There is no other 2008 Presidential Candidate more dedicated to protecting the rights of parents to educate their children without government influence than Texas Congressman, Dr. Ron Paul. He is also Pro-Life.

www.RonPaul2008.com

Here are some pictures of our very cool Thanksgiving Diorama! I wanted to work on it for the next 2 weeks, but Abby got on a roll and insisted on getting it finished in two days! I love my little OCD daughter!!

I am mad!

Warning: This is a sermon/soapbox post and since no one is obligated to read my blog, I thought I would give you the chance to just surf on out now, if you want to.

My Dad did not win his election yesterday. To be honest, I had a bad feeling, just because so many people are sick of republicans and want a change. Still, it makes me mad that he has worked so hard for 16 years and then the last few months on his campaign and he lost. I just hate it for him. Is it really his fault we are still fighting a war and gas prices are up and health care is crappy?? God can change the heart of kings, so I think we better start praying for Barak Obama because I am afraid he will be our next president. The good old US of A is much more concerned with matters of the pocketbook than matters of morality.

After I got the call last night that he had lost, I didn't sleep very good and I kept waking up when I did sleep. Every time I woke up I would pray for my parents cause I know this is a pretty big blow to them. I woke up this morning and as soon as I opened my eyes the Lord whispered this verse in my ear:
“I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)”

I know that is true. I don't like change and at time I don't adjust well to roadblocks, but in the bigger picture, God is in control, He sees it all, not just the situation and He wants us to prosper. He says so in the verse in Jeremiah, ....Plans ...and Hopes... and a Future. Now here is where our faith comes in, the verse doesn't say He will give us a calendar and show us the when and how of our prosperity and hopes and future, we just gotta trust HIM with that and take each day as it comes.

When the kids woke up and I told them Gramps lost the election, Nathan was so put out. He likened it to a ballgame and to lose is the worst thing that could happen. Abby, on the other hand began to tell me all the ways it was good. They can come see us more and take more trips, When we visit, Gramps won't have to go to work, he can work on his old car and ride his motorcycle. Maybe he can give flying lessons. I love how her mind works. Find the good and run with it.

For her copy work she had to write a quote by Charles Dickens, : "There is always something for which to be thankful for." I am glad she can look for the good in situations. Maybe we should all live life like we are 10 and try to find the good now matter how mad we feel.

Burke for Clerk!

My Dad is running for Clerk of Circuit Court of Montgomery County ,Virginia. The kids wrote letters of endorsement to him and they are going to be published in the newspaper up there tomorrow! Go Burke for Clerk!!