Infomercials

Posted on Saturday, November 22, 2008 at 09:21

Roofer for hire....NOT!

Posted on Friday, November 14, 2008 at 09:01

I spent Tuesday and Wednesday of this week on the roof of one of our apartment houses.  I am definately more educated on how to strip and reshingle a roof.  I am however, lame as a result of it.  My right arm is in such pain.  I can't even type.  I am doing this with one hand and one finger from the right hand.  Just trying to write is painful.  And all from stripping the shingles, pounding in nails, snipping the shingles, and then picking up a dump truck full of shingles.  My husband thinks it's muscle.  I have been alternating between ice and heat for the past two days.....but no relief yet.   Man I gotta give a big round of applause to all the carpenters out there.   That is one back breaking job.  Thank God we knew two who came and helped us out on Wednesday.  If it had not been for Forrest and Travis, we would have never finished before the rain came on Thursday am.   My hubby thought he could finish the roof in one day, seeing it is only a 700 square foot apartment.  Perhaps he could have in a excellent senerio,  but this was not.  There were at least 4 layers of shingles, which meant 8 at the peaks.  And a decent amount of the roof was rotten, which he spent a good amount of time trying to replace, and the help he had for most of the day on Tuesday was me and his mother.  (Not the fastest or strongest of help)  His mom did call a friend, Ed, who came in the afternoon and did some stripping.    But I am happy to say it is all done.  The last of it was being finished as it was getting dark and we have not gotten a phone call that it is leaking so I praise God! 

Eric with our help sent from above....Travis, Forrest, and Dad

Working

Posted on Sunday, November 9, 2008 at 08:47

I came home Friday afternoon to my boys working hard.......

Mama's so proud!

Fire Deptartment

Posted on Sunday, November 9, 2008 at 08:38

Last week the American Girl History Club took a field trip to the Fire Department.  In the book that we have been reading, the character's house burned down.  Seeing October was also Fire Prevention month, I booked it.  The fire fighters were very patient and kind and showed us the ins and outs of the house and their job.  I think everyone involved enjoyed it.  Here is a picture of our group and of the firefighter all dressed up in his gear. 

Ok God I get it!

Posted on Sunday, November 2, 2008 at 04:44

Every where I turn and everything I read has been pointing to the same thing- my thoughts and emotions and how to bring them into control to that which would honor God.  It is definately something I struggle with and something God is definately trying to teach me.  My bible study I am currently doing deals with it.  Things my husband has said deals with it.  Even my devotions are dealing with it.  I hear you God ...loud and clear.  Help me now to not just be a hearer of the word....but a doer!  This was my devotional this weekend that I thought was so good that I would share.

	Devotional
	Mastering Your Emotions by Martha Matthews "How dare he tell me I'm blowing things out of proportion? They are my feelings. No one is going to tell me how I should feel!" Does this sound familiar? The wife gets her feelings hurt and she lets her husband know in no uncertain terms all about it. She feels justified in her actions because she doesn't think it is wrong to express how she feels. Of course her husband has no idea where all the emotion came from. He is puzzled because he didn't even realize that he hurt his wife's feelings. He wonders what he did that upset her so much. Emotion--it is something we all struggle with as women. Sometimes we feel trapped by our emotions, unable to express how we feel, and other times we feel out of control and unable to keep our feelings inside. We say and do things because of our emotions that later we wish we could take back. Our emotions are complicated and definitely a challenge to control. As Christians we want to do what pleases the Lord but our emotions are always right there pulling us in a direction we don't want to go. As the Apostle Paul said in Romans 7:15, "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." (NIV) If you could use some help controlling your emotions in a godly way, then read on for some biblical guidance and encouragement. Get the Big Picture Genesis 1:26 "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.'" (NIV) God created us in His image. That doesn't mean we were created to be physically like Him. Instead God created us to be spiritually like Him. His desire is that we would imitate His heart and His character in every way. He gave us a soul so that we could connect with Him spiritually and He gave us emotions so that we could understand how He feels about things. God also gave us emotions so that we could experience life in all its beauty and fullness. Our emotions allow us to experience feelings such as love, joy, peace, hope, compassion and gratitude. Yet, because we live in a fallen world we can't always trust our emotions to guide us. Just as Satan deceived Eve in the Garden of Eden, he plays on our emotions to distort the truth and cloud our judgment. Get a Clue 1 Peter 5:8 "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (NIV) So how do we master our emotions so that we are not lead into sin as Eve was? One way is to be aware of how we react in our flesh. We need to understand our own sinful nature in order to be able to recognize how and when Satan will attack us. When we feel an intense emotion, such as we might in the middle of a heated discussion with our husband, we need to pay careful attention to how our flesh is reacting. It is precisely at times like this that Satan can get a foothold in our heart. We have a choice to make. We can be weak-willed woman that are swayed by all kinds of evil desires (2 Timothy 3:6) or be spiritually strong woman who are clued-in to Satan's schemes. Get a Grip 2 Corinthians 10:5 "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (NIV) Satan is the Father of lies (John 8:44). He rejoices when we believe the negative thoughts he plants in our minds. Get a grip on your emotions by taking captive every negative and ungodly thought that Satan throws at you and make them obedient to Christ. Get Prepared Feelings do not always equal truth. We may have feelings of hopelessness, jealousy or anger which are clearly not what God desires. That is why it is so important to have a deep knowledge of the Bible. Let God's Word guide you, not your feelings. If you struggle with a particular emotion, study it out in the Bible. Then memorize scriptures that will help you to fight off Satan's attacks. Jesus fought off Satan with scripture (Matthew 4:1-11). God's truths are our weapons against Satan's arrow. It worked for Jesus and it will work for you also. Get Real Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (NIV) When you are overcome with emotion, be open with God about how you feel. Go to him first, before you say or do anything. If you do this you will be in very good company. Consider the prayers of King David, the Apostle Paul and Jesus. They all poured their hearts out to the Lord in times of great difficulty. Jesus poured out his heart to God with loud cries and tears (Hebrews 5:7). Getting your emotions out in the open before the Lord will help you get the healing you need (Psalm 55). Often our first thought is to go to a friend to discuss things under the guise of "getting things off our chest". A friend may give good advice but the Lord is the only one with the power to change a situation. Let us not make the same mistake as Judah did (Jeremiah 17:5). We must rely on the Lord first and foremost. Get a Life John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (NIV) Jesus came so that we could have life to the full. God wants us to rely on Him, not on our feelings. Through faith in Him, prayer, Bible study and an honest appraisal of our sinful nature we can master our emotions. All things are possible with God. Heart Challenges How do I usually handle my emotions? Do I pray to the Lord first or go to a friend first? What are the emotions I struggle with the most? For example: anger, hopelessness, distrust. What are some scriptures that I can memorize to help me fight against Satan's attack on my emotions?

Who did this?

Posted on Saturday, November 1, 2008 at 09:45

Who was eating candy this morning?

Just treats

Posted on Saturday, November 1, 2008 at 09:09

Last night we sucked down dinner and ran out the door to visit the great grandparents and an aunt.  They were thrilled to see the kids in their costumes.  This is my grandmother and a few of her friends from the elderly housing.  It blessed my heart to see how excited and thrilled they were to have young ones around. 

Then, we went to DH's grandmother so she could see the kids. 

Right up the road from DH's grandmother lives his aunt, so we stopped there and she was so happy we did

Then it was off to church for the harvest party.  I was reminded in the news last night why we don't go trick or treating.  It is so sad to hear about the deaths of young children at the hands of crazy people.  My heart goes out to them.  We went to our church for costume contests, games, candy, and a hay maze.  The kids had a blast and got so much candy, my hubby brought a bag to work and I made two bags up to give away.  Our candy jar is overflowing with candy that will surely take us a year to get through.  Here are some pics of my little Moses(Kaleigh) , Joseph and his coat of many colors(Parker), and Blake - running the race for Jesus.

Blake picking out a prize for winning 3rd place in the costume contest.  Parker won 2nd place for his grade level.

Parker playing a cork gun game to win some candy.

Kaleigh testing her aim

Pumpkin Carving 101

Posted on Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 08:23

You cut open the pumpkin and take out the goop

You find a master carver who can rise to the challenge you give him

You add a candle....

And at the end you have happy children who love their Daddy so!

A super big thanks to my hubby who has been carving the kids pumpkins for the past 9 years.  Each year they pick out a tougher and tougher patterns for him to carve and he always comes through. 

Roger Williams Zoo

Posted on Saturday, October 25, 2008 at 09:15

My father and step mom came in Thursday from Virginia, so we have been planning some fun activities.  Yesterday, we headed off to the zoo.  It started off quite chilly, but ended up to be a really sunny, mild day.  We enjoyed watching the animals and reinforcing some geography and science that the kids have been learning about in school.  They were able to see many different continents and islands represented, along with some of the vocab they have been studying like carnivores, herbivores, omnivores, predator, prey.   I was so pleased with how well it tied into what they are currently learning.  I can't wait to do the little books I have planned next week from our zoo experience.  When they are done I will post pictures of the book they will be working on.  For now here are some pics of our trip to the zoo.

My dad with the kids in front of the elephants

Kaleigh and Parker on a little stone elephant.

Me, my dad, and kids on the wetlands trail.

Corn Maze

Posted on Saturday, October 25, 2008 at 08:35

There are many benefits to being part of several different homeschooling groups.  One being, you find out about some cool events happening across the state, sometimes at discounted rates.   The other is you get to meet people who are like minded and make new friends.  This past Tuesday, we went on a fun corn maze with one of the homeschooling groups.    It was about the ice age and we saw many people there we knew.  Our family broke up into boys against the girls and the boys found 11 out of 16 checkpoints while the girls dominated once again with finding 13 out of 16 checkpoints.  After our hunt we enjoyed a hayride out to see and learn about the cows.  It was a great day!  Here are a few pics of our day.

Jr. Choir debut

Posted on Monday, October 20, 2008 at 09:59

My boys have decided to join the Jr. Choir in our church.  Here is a bit of their singing debut.

 I see now that I have posted a couple more things that the video didnt stay with the entry.  You can find the video if you click on the comments button below this entry.  Enjoy!

Oh that sweet sound

Posted on Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 09:30

Ten Apples Up on Top

Posted on Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 09:07

This past Monday we did our annual apple picking a Buell's Orchard.  We met a friend there and enjoyed all the sights, smells, tastes, and sounds of the day.  Pumpkins, apple cider, donuts, candy apples, apple picking, a live band, hayrides and all FREE!!!!

The Crew!

So now what do I do with the 50 pounds of apples that I picked???  Well in about three days I have used about 12 pounds to make apple crisp, apple sauce and apple pie.  It is time to do it all again, because it has all been completely devoured like a bunch of wild beasts who haven't eaten in weeks.  And that's just Parker's appetite.  Man can that kid pack it in.  He eats more than me and he is as skinny as a rail.  I wonder if he has worms....LOL!  Here are some pics Kaleigh took of me and the boys working on the apple pies.....

Me with dough hands making the crust.

Blake working the apple peeler, corer, slicer.

Red Sox and Checkers

Posted on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 at 08:12

Well I just need to say.....WOOHOO!!!!  My Sox have made it to the championship!  I hope they can come out as the AL Division champs and go to the World Series again.   Time will tell.  Tampa Bay is going to be a tough team to beat.  I am grateful to be able to go to bed early tonight.  That 12 inning game was a doozy and I ended up falling asleep on the couch.  Sorry boys   Last night was much more doable.  Although they had me wondering if we were going to have to go into extra innings again.  Way to pull it off in the 9th!

Speaking of games.....my 6yr old wanted to challenge me to a game of checkers tonight.  That is one of his new favorite games.  He is very much like his father in that he really thinks his moves through.  He thinks mine through for that matter.  It amazes me that he is so good at such a young age.  He actually beat me fair and square tonight.  I need to find someone to teach him how to play chess, because I think he will do really good.  I am clueless as how to play, and I'm not sure if hubby knows how.  That is pretty sad now that I think of it.  I've been married to the guy for almost 10 years and I don't know that fact.  HMMM?   Any way I just wanted to post that.  Now that the kids are all tucked into bed, I gotta go clean up the kitchen and put my jammies on.  I'm going to make a cup of tea and lay in bed and read for a bit and then hit the hay!!!  YAY!

Evangelism

Posted on Saturday, October 4, 2008 at 09:21

The secretary at the school in our town, invited us to a wonderful event her church was doing.  They  called it the Apple and Pumpkin Festival.  From 11-3 they had pumpkins for the kids, a moon bounce, games, prizes, crafts, pony rides, food, face painting, and clowns making balloon animals.  And get this...it was all FREE!!!!!!!! I'm sure it cost a pretty penny to put it all together.  They had a booth  where they were giving out free gas cards.   Who wouldn't jump on that one right?  Well when you went over to get your gas card they asked if they could ask you a few questions.  Now if any of you have seen the Kirk Cameron evangelism videos on God tube, you know what they asked.  Are you a good person? Have you ever lied?  Stolen?  If you were to stand before a judge would you be found guilty of these crimes?  Would you go to heaven or hell based on that?  I can't remember the whole spin but it was a great, non threatning way for them to talk to people, see where they are coming from and share the gospel with them.    They also had some people walking around with some great optical illusion tricks that went right into sharing the gospel.  I think that church is doing a superb job with fullfilling the great commission.  My girlfriend and her two kids met us there and we made a day of it.  The kids never got bored and they had a blast.  Here are some pics of our day.

THE NEXT TIGER WOODS!

KALEIGH AND BLAKE WITH CHARLIE BROWN

PARKER"S PONY RIDE

FACE PAINTING

BLAKE GOT A STRIKE!

PARKER IN THE MOON BOUNCE

Why I love Jacoby Ellsbury

Posted on Thursday, October 2, 2008 at 08:44

So many books....so little time.

Posted on Wednesday, October 1, 2008 at 08:11

As many of you know, I love to read.  But this time I feel like I have gotten myself in way over my head.  You see I started a book from my friend over the weekend called 90 minutes in Heaven by Don Piper.  My friend said it was an awesome book that really changed her view of worship.  So far, so good.  I'm a little more than half way done with it.  Then over the weekend I purchased Little Pilgrim's Progress by Helen Taylor,  for my daughter.  We spend time everynight after her younger brothers go to bed reading.  I think we both cherish the time together.  So I figured, what better story to experience together than this.   Well it is so good that I find myself reading ahead a couple chapters.  I want to ponder and pray about our discussion of the book as we read it.  I have to point out the analogies throughout the book and guide her as to what the true meaning behind the story is.  I think she is starting to catch on.  Then I began a bible study this Monday.  The book we are doing is The 4:8 Principle by Tommy Newberry.    We have devoted ourselves to two chapters a week.  So I have three books that I have to keep up on all at the same time.  Four really......if you count the daily Bible readings that I do through Word of Life.   Wish me luck.   I'm gonna go see if I can finish at least the Don Piper book tonight.  It is very doable if I stop blogging and get to reading.    

Camp Berea

Posted on Sunday, September 28, 2008 at 09:10

I just got back from a marvelous weekend up in the mountains of New Hampshire.  It is a time that I look forward to so very much.  It is a time to get away from the never-ending responsibilities homemaker, wife and homeschooler, a time to get alone with God and hear from Him, a time to gather with Godly women who share their lives, tears, laughs and needs.  This year a dear friend joined me for the retreat.  It was her first time and I believe, she too, fell in love with Berea. 

The theme was Living Water.   But those who drink the living water I give will never be thirsty  again.  It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.   God even sent us some of his water in the form of rain Friday night and Saturday night.  He did however give us just enough time on Saturday morning and afternoon to enjoy all that he created in the nature outdoors.  I was able to take a hike and sit by my bubbling brook.  I found this last place last year and I LOVE it.  It is so peaceful and allows me to really feel close to God.  I also did the rock wall and rang the bell at the top.  I have a scrape on my elbo to remind me of my experience.

Our speaker, Renee Swoop, was fabulous!  What a speaker.  She is funny and down to earth.  She is someone I could really relate to.  She spoke openly and honestly about struggles she has faced in her walk with the Lord.  The Lord used her to speak to women's hearts and at least 7 women accepted Jesus as their Savior.  She has a major role in a wonderful ministry called Proverbs 31.  I can't wait to check out her website.

As always the after dinner program was a hoot.  We had two special performances.  One by Camp Berea's own bell choir.  LOL!  The staff had service bells that they would tap with whatever song was playing at the time.  They had routines and moves and were just hilrious to watch.  Our second surprise was a comedian from California.  She was a young Christian mom who used her experiences to make us laugh.  Hey Tanya....wanna come over for some quackadillas?!?!?  My girlfriend Tanya thought her mom's mispronouncion of words was so hilarious she was crying.....for like two minutes....the comedian was already on a completely new topic and there's Tanya.... STILL laughing about the quackadillas.   Gotta love that girl!

Any way I hope to have some pictures up once my Berea babes email themto me cause I FORGOT MY CAMERA!!!!!  Hint Hint......You have got to see some of the outfits that we had with the whole Living Water theme.  They were GREAT!  I did not dress up this year.  I know I'm boring.  But hey 4 out 0f 5 years isn't too bad as far as statistics go.   

A social issue?

Posted on Thursday, September 25, 2008 at 08:36

My daughter did three years of girlscouts and really enjoyed it up until recently.  My kids are funny they get bored with doing the same things year after year and that is what was beginning to happen with girls scouts.  So Kaleigh decided to move on and try something new.  She is again doing horseback riding lessons with another homeschool friend, continues to go into the public school for art, as well as takes a homewchool writing class.   She has Sunday school class and youth group on Thursdays.

My son attended Kindergarten in the public school, my daughter attended 2nd grade and my other son did preschool.  Now my two boys go to music in the public school.  They go to Sunday school on Sundays, Youth group on Thursdays, and take a class at the Mystic Aquarium for homeschoolers on Fridays.  Are they not getting enough socialization????

The reason I am asking this question is because we signed up our son for cub scouts and he will cling to his father, cry and not participate at the meetings.  Where is this coming from?  Is it a result of homeschooling?  He doesn't have these problems in the other settings....but then again....his parents aren't around to use as a crutch in these other settings either.  We just drop and go.  When I try to talk to him about it he says .....Cubscouts is boring and he just wants to be with his siblings.  I am all for the family, obviously, because I homeschool.  In fact I want my kids to have such a tight bond that peer pressure and some of the stupid things that today's youth are caught up in,  they don't desire.

There are tons of homeschoolers here, so I guess I'm asking for your opinions and experiences.   I am encouraged to know many grown adults who were homeschooled their entire lives.  They have graduated from college and are quite normal.  They are not freaks that don't know how to live in the real world as mom mom likes to tell me.  She thinks I am screwing my kids up.  Hahahaha.  No more than she screwed me up I suppose....LOL!

Anyway, what are your thoughts on the whole cub scouts antics? 

Connie

Blake's Birthday Bash

Posted on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 at 08:11

On Sunday we had Blake's 5th birthday bash with family and friends.  Here are some pics of his Cars themed party.

A simple game of 'Don't let your balloon hit the ground'

Bean bag toss in tires

The cake

Hulk hands he got from Grandma to box with his brother....he has already gotten one bloody nose and fallen down and hit his head on the bed frame with them being in his possession for three days....The gloves are now on a shelf in my closet having a 'timeout'.  They will have to play with them outside next time.   I don't need any trips to the hospital this week.