Let the Sunshine In

Me and the kiddies have been enjoying 2 days in a row of sunshine and warmer temps. Yesterday, we made use of the day, by trecking into the woods behind our house and making our way to the creek. We all shed our shoes, rolled up our pants to go "creeking", as a friend of mine calls it.
We walked for about 20 minutes in one direction, in the creek and on the bank. I loved it! (I don't know who had more fun, me or the kids.) We discovered deer tracks and tracks of what we thought were for racoons or possums. My kids picked up rocks, moss, and a mystery bone.
We made it back to our starting place and the kids wanted to walk in the other direction. We only walked a little ways and we found some great sliding rocks. You know, where the water flows over big rocks and makes them slippery enough to slide down? I know its March, but the kids were hot and well, we truly only live on this earth once. And no, I did not slide down it with them! I am adventurous, but not that much!
This morning, around 10, we took a break from our schoolwork to take a walk. We walked down the street to a bridge that goes over the creek we walked in yesterday. We turned it into science, by throwing rocks, sticks and leaves off to see which would hit the water first. Then, the kiddies threw things in on one side of the bridge and counted to see which limb or stick would make it out the other side quicker. The rest of their time was just spent seeing who could make the biggest splash.

Every Day's a Little Closer

...to the end our 4th year of homeschooling. I have been spending this week reviewing things with my kids. Quizzing my son on grammar rules and math facts. Reviewing letter blends and math facts with my daughter. I just wanted to see how much they have retained. My son will have to have the big 3rd grade testing this year. Can't wait!

In the newly acquired skills department, my daughter has learned how to make homemade potato salad. This was of her own choosing. She wanted me to make potato salad one night for dinner and I told her no. I then said that she could make it herself with me observing. So, she peeled 5 potatoes and then chopped them up. I put the water on to boil and put the potatoes in for her. After boiling, she got the collander out, and I poured the taters in to drain. My daughter got out the S&P, mayo, mustard and dill. I do everything to taste, so she did the same. It turned out really good! She has done it twice now!

Quote of the Day

My daughter has been sick the last two days with a sore throat, and today with a fever. My son started off this school day asking, "Can't I be off from school too since Beth is sick?"
He tried but no go from Mommy.

The New Year

Day 2 of our new year, transitioning back into schoolwork. God has placed in my heart this year the need for my kids to consistently learn scripture. The verse to start off our year:
"Your word have I hid in my heart that I may not sin against you." Psalm 119:11

Egypt

Today we began a study of ancient Egypt. Here is Bethany with her pyramid. Caleb with his.
Yes, we often school in our pj's, especially in the winter!
More gifts:
19. Heat!
20. Christmas shopping with my kids.
21. Seeing the world through my children's eyes.
22. Forgiveness- Given and especially received!

A Day to Give Thanks

Before I add to my list of a thousand thanks, let me write about the last few days. In my earlier post, I told my carpet cleaning story. Well, the carpet did not dry in 2 hours as promised. Wednesday morning, most of it was still soaking wet. So, instead of being stuck in 2 rooms all day, we spent the day out yesterday, as a family, eating lunch out, browsing the stores. We got home around 5 pm from all of our fun. The carpet still wasn't completely dry, but we made it work!
All of my pre-Thanksgiving cleaning I had planned to do all day Wednesday had to begin around 6 pm. This was in the middle of me making a dessert and trying to prepare others foods for today. I went to bed pretty tired aroung 11 pm.
In spite of what little I was able to accomplish yesterday, preparing the turkey day meal went very smoothly. Well, that was only because I made an hour by hour to do list. I checked off everything accordingly as we list makers do. Oh the joy of list making!
13. A husband who is passsionate about seeing the real God
14. Godly family that encourage me in God
15. Having more than enough
16. Life, being able to breathe this breath
17. Good turkey, macaroni and cheese, green bean casserole, rolls, cranberry sauce, and mashed potatoes and gravy
18. DESSERT!!!!

I Did It

We had our carpet cleaned this afternoon. After the cleaning crew left, I notice they had pulled about 3 sections of our Berber carpet up. I immediately called them to complain. This might not seem hard to some of you, but I really don't like confrontation. I CAN confront when it comes to my kids or something I am passionate about.
Confronting because of bad service is sometimes hard for me. I am a very compassionate person. I always try to see where people are coming from, even if they are in the wrong.
One example- I got my hair cut a couple of years ago and the lady butchered it. I began to cry while I was still in the chair. I told her it was not at all what I wanted. Then she began to cry too! Instead of pushing to get my money back or complaining further, I tried to comfort her!
Back to the carpet story.....The crew came back and I showed them the spots. One was a foot long and about an inch wide with strings of carpet coming from it. What really bothered my about the whole situation was that they did not point it out to me before they left. So, I proceeded to tell them that I am person of integrity and expect people (especially in business) to show integrity in their dealings with me. I was nice and calm as I talked. The guy said he would give me 23 dollars off. So, I called my husband and asked if that worked for him. He said yes.
Still not a biggy? Well, everything down inside of me wanted to wait and let my husband take care of it. But, instead I saved him some valuable time and energy by biting the bullet and confronting them myself. I am proud!

More gifts:
9. Dinner out with the fam, while waiting for our carpet to dry.
10. Expectations of things to come
11. A desire to pray.
12. Cool mornings where I can snuggle in bed with my kiddies after they wake up!