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Saturday, September 26, 2009

The many faces


Silly


Surprised


Mad


Grumpy


Happy


I love these guys.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

NO MEN ALLOWED!!

Today's post is strictly for the ladies. So, to the two men that read this (Hi Dad and John!), please step away from the computer before I die of embarrassment.

I have been wanting to write a post about this ever since I read it. I've been a teensy bit busy lately (ha!) and it slipped my mind. But just the other day I remembered and had to post on it! The IT I'm referring to is our lovely little monthly friend. Periods. Those of you who know me well know I don't usually discuss these kind of things. I embarrass WAY too easily over this stuff. So, I'm taking the easy way out! I'm sending you over to Laura's blog to read THIS post.

Go ahead. I'll wait.......



Crazy, huh?? The thing that freaked me out even more than the post was the comments section. Woman after woman said " So that's what's been going on!" or "That same thing happened to me!" Yikes. Was anyone else aware of this? I've been in the baby making business for the past 6 years or so. My "friend" and I parted ways for a while but we are about to reconnect here shortly. But, boy, have things changed! I have a few ideas about some healthier alternatives, which were discussed over at Laura's blog. (Again, taking the easy way out!)

Does anyone else have any suggestions?


~A

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Week in Review

We officially started our school year this past week. We kicked off the week by having a "Back to school" party on Monday. The children had SO much fun. I let them pick out their meal and dessert (hot dogs and root beer floats) and then we had several games which I had bought some prizes for. I wish I had taken pictures! The look on their faces was sheer excitment. I think we've definently started a new tradition! If you remember, back in this post, I shared my new schedule. It was kind of a big deal for me since I required me to get up at 5:30 in the a.m., something I've been wanting to do for a while but didn't have high hopes of getting accomplished. I LOVE being up before everyone else. I have a good 2 hours of quietness to read, pray, get a few chores done, start breakfast. Ahhh...it was lovely. It's just a matter of getting my lazy bones out of bed!

All in all, I think things with the new schedule went really, really well. I had John look at it before hand and tell me what he thought. He said it looked very realistic. And I have to agree. I think the children like knowing what comes next. By the end of the week, after Praise and Prayer, everyone knew to go into the school room. yay! Getting up early wasn't as hard as I thought. I had one day where I did sleep late because Kate had been up during the night. But, I'm okay with that.

On the school side, things went great. Lilly and Luke both love their new reading curriculum. We had a little trouble getting motivated to do math at first but once I chipped in and started acting really excited about it they were all for it. I need to plan better for math though. The book I'm using isn't so much of a curriculum as a book of activities and worksheets for 1st graders. So, I'm kind of making it up as I go. But I absolutely LOVE homeschooling. Yes, I'm busy but how rewarding it is!

A wise woman builds her home, once again, has a great post on christian education. She even has a few videos of one of my favorite people who speaks on this topic, Voddie Baucham. Check it out!

Thanks for reading!
~A

Friday, September 4, 2009

just a note

I can't remember who gave us a crock pot for a wedding present. But, whoever you are, thank you. And I love you.
It has made my day SOOO much easier.

Recipe to come......



~A

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Question #3

I had a couple of parenting- related questions asked of me. John and I are still trying to figure out this whole parenting thing. But with God's grace (and some super awesome kids) we are getting through it.

I would be interested to know what style of child rearing do you use? Or what book do you think represents best?

We actually do use a book! When Lilly (our oldest) was about 6 months old someone gave us a copy of To Train Up a Child by Michael and Debi Pearl. We read it, prayed about it, and started using the techniques it recommended. It requires a lot of consistency to work. We've had times were we (okay....I) slacked off and we saw a major difference. This book works for our family. I can't say if it would work for everyone but we have been truly blessed by it.My best advice....pray for wisdom daily. I was reading Proverbs 2 this morning and it was talking about those who ask for wisdom and understand will receive it. Aww...what a breath of fresh air for us parents who are clueless (me! me! me!) that God will be there to keep us going!

My question would be do you have any advice for a mom who is a bit nervous, and or scared about having another baby? Does having a second child just come naturally and does everything fall into place?

Funny, but out of all the questions people asked, this is the one I have been thinking about the most! I remember when I was pregnant with my second child being so upset because I honestly didn't think I could love another child as much as I loved Lilly. I felt so bad for this poor baby that was about to be born! But then, after the baby was born, it was like my heart grew bigger. I couldn't believe how much I loved this little boy! I'm not really sure what your fears and concerns are. But I assure you that each one of my children has been a HUGE blessing to me. Yes, with each one, I've had to grow in patience and flexibility but when I like of the joy that they've brought to my life...those are small things. On the more practical side of things, I don't remember having 2 being that big of a difference. Both of them still took naps so I still had some time to myself each day. When we went out as a family there was a child for each parent to attend to. For me, the adjustment from 2 children to 3 was a much more difficult adjustment. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't horrible. Just difficult. That is when life really started to get busy! :) But, the thing to remember is that children are a GIFT from God. I am floored that He would consider me worthy enough to raise 4 precious, eternal souls for Him. Wow!
My advice- pray about your fears. Give them over to the Lord and embrace any little gifts that the Lord wants to send your way! If you are looking for more specific advice, you'll have to ask, so I get a better picture of what you're looking for. :)

Hope that answered some questions. Like I said I, by no means, claim to have parenting figured out. But I must say, we are getting the hang of it....until the teenage years hit. Oh my....

Thanks for reading!

*Just a note- this is the last of the questions. So, if anyone else out there has any feel free to ask! If not, then I'm back to blogging about laundry, dirty diapers, and maybe a recipe or two. :)*

Running the race,
~A