This week's Friend School assignment is about how we stay motivated to do housework. I can't wait to read through all of my classmates' answers so that I can get some ideas on how to better stay motivated myself! Most days, the reward of the chores themselves is enough. I'm very content to wash load after load of clothes...enjoying the clean, fresh smell as I remove them from the drier and, later, watching with joy, the wrinkles disappear as I smooth over them with the iron. Some days, I enjoy the feel of the warm, sudsy water as I wash dishes in the kitchen sink - gazing out of my window at the lovely view outside while spending some special moments alone with God.
But....
There are always those days when I'd rather being doing anything other than housework! Those are the days I make bargains with myself. You know..."...if you just finish hanging this load of laundry, you can sit down with that glass of tea and read a blog or two..."
Welllllll....I guess there's something to be said for that sort of reward too! :-)
The second part of our assignment is to share a picture of a project we're working on. I love projects! Unlike housework, they often stay done for a while after you complete them. Like this organization project that I did some time ago...
In an effort to clear shelves for our school books, I decided to move my children's picture book collection out to the hut...and, surprisingly, almost all of them fit into this little organizer thing that I found at the hardware store!
Cute, huh? I love those roomy little boxes it has too. I can throw all sorts of art supplies and stuff in them! Best of all, it left me with this back in the house....
That's right! A rare commodity - EMPTY BOOKSHELVES!! Now you may think (as my dh would) that I will fill these two shelves and that will be the end of the bookcase story. Au-contrare, I now must reorganize the shelves by the school table to have this years books handy as we're schooling...then the books removed from there will inevitably be too many to fit where they should go...causing all of those books to have to find a bigger shelf...which misplaces the books that used to live there....which means they need a new home....
Yes...the infamous DOMINO EFFECT!
By the time I'm done, this little bookshelf will have lead to our entire library of books being re-arranged, the dvd cabinet cleaned up, the linen closet organized, my bedroom closet tidied and the children's rooms gone through. Don't you just love home-management? (Actually, I really do!)
Memory Verse: 1 Timothy 4:15 (NIV)
Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.
This week we're to reminisce on our Favorite Travels!
"Often while traveling with a camera we arrive just as the sun slips over the horizon of a moment, too late to expose film, only time enough to expose our hearts." -Minor White
Hear the word travel, and images of vacation destinations, cruises, flights, and long drives in the car pop into most heads. Although, being business owners we find it very difficult to get away for lengthy vacations, we do travel as a family. We take long weekends, occasional days off and... oh my... we love our field trips!! So, I've decided to share a couple of our favorites....
Sally Industries - This company makes robotic characters and figures for use in theme parks, museums, motion pictures, and retail stores worldwide. We had such a wonderful tour - right down to looking over the shoulder of a graphic artist as she worked on a project - that we're talking about going back soon. Sally does the animatronics for what are called 'dark rides'...specializing in the interactive type, so we got to play games with lazer guns, as well as get a behind the scenes view of how the rides are set up. At one point, as we walked through a warehouse room where there were several artists at work on different projects, a gigantic wooden crate began to rattle and shake. Before we knew it, a gigantic head began to emerge from the top...roaring and gnashing it's huge teeth!!
Another favorite field trip destination is actually very close by. We visit there several times a year!! We're blessed to live near a large state university where the Museum of Science and History is an ever-growing work of art. From the typical bones and models of prehistoric animals....
(these mastadon bones were found not far from here in a riverbed)
... and a butterfly rainforest...
...to a realistic, interactive cave...
...complete with stalactites, stalagmites, dripping water, life-like animal models and a 'spelunker,' who happens to be lodged in a tight area to where all you see are his feet...poor thing! There are always traveling exhibits to check out also.
So many places to go, so many things to see, yet we've found that it's not about where you go or how far, but what you experience and share while there, and what you have to bring back home with you in your memories and your heart.
"-- we wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment." -Hilaire Belloc
I look forward to reading about the travels of all my other classmates in blogger school! :-)
"Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm."
Time for a Blogger Friend School Assignment! Here is this week's:
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There are lots of windows in our lives, i.e., window of our soul, closed windows and open windows that God has for our lives, there's what some people call their, "window of opportunity", and there's "eyes are the window to our soul". The assignment is to take a picture, if you're able, find a graphic if you can, and write about your favorite window in your home or the one you look out of when you have those 'daydreaming' moments.
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I'd have to say that my favorite window in the house is one that we got second hand. It's from the log house next door to us, where my parents used to live. This was the big window in their den that faced out onto the lake. They watched sunrises and moonrises through that window, bald eagles fishing, flocks of sandhill cranes flying over, and once a big buck (deer) swimming across the lake - his antlers glistening in the sun. At night, little green frogs with suction cup toes would decorate each of the panes.
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Naturally, the day I saw that window leaning against a tree where the remodelers had placed it before (I assume) taking it over to the dumpster, I jumped at the chance to ask for it. And, generously, the new owners gave it to us!
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The big old window now lives in our rec. room, facing in a different direction. These days we watch sunsets, horses grazing, and hawks hunting for field mice through it. And, yes, those tiny, green, sticky-toed frogs still fancy those little window panes at night.
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"May the LORD bless his land
with the precious dew from heaven above..."
* To not let one single day go by without by noticing each of my children as individuals and making sure they each know that I love them!
* To not be so consumed by the cares of life that I forget how quickly time is passing.
* To not squander precious time on unimportant things - We will reap what we sow and I resolve to spend more time in the Secret Place.
* To be totally committed to making sure I put my children into things that are excellent and worthy of their young minds and hearts.
* To be a faithful steward over all that I have been blessed with.
* To be an attentive, loving wife.
* To keep my eyes on the goals that I have had a clear vision of in these thoughts that have been heavy on my mind lately...especially the ONE TRUE GOAL.
The assignment this week is to visit your classmates blogs and leave them a comment to let them know that you are praying for them. There are over 200 classmates that have signed up now!
At the same time for your blog, please post any prayer needs that you have. The POWER of prayer is what binds us together with HIM!
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I love this assignment! Praying for others' needs is such a blessing, and though I don't know if I'll be able to visit all of my classmates' sites, I'll definitely go to as many as I can.
God sees and meets our every need.
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My personal request is for my family and the families of those who have had loved ones called home this year. Our family is missing my Aunt, who lost her battle with lung cancer - our brother-in-law, who died after a terrible accident at work when a large object fell on him - our nephew, who we lost in an accident on a highway in Tenn. - our 15 year old niece, who went home to be with Jesus when she was hit by a car just a mile from her home (that's her on the side bar to your right) - and just last week, our dear friend (my dh's best bud, business mentor and big brother in Christ), who had cancer.
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Though it's hard to understand why (especially with the 'accidental' deaths), we're at peace knowing that all of these precious loved ones of ours are home, dancing on streets of gold, with their Father. We've had a year of tears, but also rejoicingas all were saved and went home to meet their Saviour. I've never been to so many funerals in one year and they were each one special. There was time shared in telling stories - remembering the good times, lots and lots of singing of all kinds, and we even danced at one! (...at the request of the person who had gone home.)
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I'd also like to mention a request for a dear family that I posted about on Monday.
Baking is one of my favorite parts of the Christmas/Holiday Season. I used to love participating in Cookie Exchanges — years and years ago, but since I moved away to our new city, I really have not heard of any. I do miss them and so I think a “Virtual Cookie Exchange” sounds like a possible alternative.
Part A: Please share your Favorite Christmas/Holiday Cookie Recipe(s)!
Part B: Share a memory, story or tradition about baking any Christmas/Holiday goodies.
Part C: Share a verse that is upon your heart this week.
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BISCOCHOS DE VINO
(Mexican Wedding Cookies)
1 c. butter
3/4 c. powdered sugar
1 tsp. black walnut flavoring
2 c. flour
1 c. chopped nuts
Mix, roll into small balls. Bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes. While still warm, roll in powdered sugar; let cool. Roll again in powdered sugar. (I leave the chopped nuts off because of allergy issues, and these are still very tasty.)
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I first tasted these sweet, yummy little bites of deliciousness when my sister-in-law's mom gave my dh and me a decorative tin full of them one Christmas shortly after we were married. Warning: These can be habit forming! Although there is really nothing much to them, they have just enough sweetness to satisfy and make a nice compliment to a tray of goodies because of their cute little ball-like shape and white color.
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Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thankgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
This week we're having a Pumpkin Party for Blogger Friend School! We're supposed to share our favorite pumpkin-related thing with our classmates and readers.
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Thinking of pumpkins reminds me of our trip one fall to see my mom and step-dad in Illinois. While there, we took a day trip to "The Great Pumpkin Patch" in a town called Arthur which is located in the midst of Amish Country. They had mazes, animals, an old school house and really cool exhibits that we all enjoyed.
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Central Illinois is really beautiful country, and we enjoyed the scenery all around Arthur.
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We have wonderful memories of our day at the Pumpkin Patch, yet this pumpkin party wouldn't be complete without mentioning one other pumpkin...
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Ever since he was a little orange-headed baby, my pet name for our son has been, "Pun-kin." Even now that he's a young man, he'll still answer to it! I hope he'll always be mom's pumpkin...
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Oh! And if you're looking for a good pumpkin book, one of our favorites is The Pumpkin Runner by Marsha Diane Arnold and illustrated by Brad Sneed (I love the illustrations!).
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If any man be in Christ he is a new creation! 2Cor.5:17
This week’s assignment is to share a piece of your past. Our blogs are important pieces for our future generations, but when most of us were growing up, blogging wasn’t around. I hope that this assignment will help you to share your past on your blogs. Each piece of our childhood years played an important part in who we are today.
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The assignment is to post a baby picture, and share a special scripture that reminds you of your past.
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With a cheerful little heart ... Baby LakeLady is 2-1/2 months in this picture!
The Assignment this week it to use your Blog Name (or your own pen/real name) and create signs.
This was so much fun! The first is done with some of my art supplies....
...and here's one built with something you may recognize...
(That's right! Our Math-U-See blocks!)
I also had help with my assignment this week. Sami made the following for me. The first is with our Mancala pieces (we love that game)...
...and this one from the white flour she uses for her many salt-dough creations!
The scripture verse is from our Proverbs reading for today:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all of your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." ~ Proverbs 3:6
The Internet offers a lot of treasures! It may not be in the form of actual gold, although I'm sure some could find some on the Internet - probably on ebay! Being a Blogger Friend is all about sharing our treasures. The assignment this week is to share your Internet treasures.
Below is a list featuring things that homeschooling moms might be looking for : information,support, ideas, or actual items that pertain to our lives. Each one of us holds some or all of these treasures that need to be shared. Take this list and add your golden treasured sites so that we may all share the wealth.
~A site that provides good wholesome recipes - Menus 4 Moms
~An informational site that shows you how to - HGTV
~A homeschool family website that you purchase from to support them -Rock Solid
~A charity website that you support - World Vision
~Site that offers an educational calendar listing important historical events and also to keep you informed on upcoming events. (ex: Fire Safey Week) History.com
Welcome to my lazy little place on the web. A place to slow down and take an occasional break from the everyday routine.
About Us...
My sweet hubbie took the quirky little picture you see above. Contrary to what it may seem to indicate, the kids and I are not usually found sitting around together looking like sardines packed in mustard sauce. We were actually loaded up in our little space capsule at the St. Louis Arch - ready to ride to the top! Now THAT was a cool field trip!!
When we're not on field trips, you'll find us living our dream on a lovely little lake in the Lake Region of N. Central Florida - with lots of cows, horses, raccoons, opossums and gators for neighbors (...there are a few humans as neighbors too!). We're in our 14th year of homeschooling, and even though all of our homeschooling children are now high schoolers, we still enjoy the eclectic, hands-on, literature based learning style that we always have. The Lord has blessed us in so many ways, and to Him, alone, we give all the praise and glory!
Soli Deo Gloria!!
Sunrise on Lake Winnott
Live...Love...Laf...
...my illustration blog
(click on little Laurie to visit)
My kitty, "Mac" (short for "McDermott")...go ahead and pet her!
Believe in God and you’ll believe in miracles; believe in His Son and you’ll experience one!
Logic ridicules love, and love smiles knowingly at the whole foolishness of logic.
Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep. ~Scott Adams
We Miss You Nellie
Schaunell Camrin Bryant 1992-2007
Our niece, cousin and good friend.
Verse - A - Day
The Steps of a Righteous Man...
are ordered of the Lord.
Eddie, an awesome & blessed man.
There are those who say it can't be done -
That your dreams are too big and your hopes too high.
They must not know the size of the God you serve.
Keep believing!
~ Nancy Parker Bummett
“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.”
We are...
...a Christian family desiring to raise our children with the primary focus on Training their Hearts!
III John 1:4
"I have no greater joy, than to hear my children walk in truth."
Proverbs 22:6
"Train up the child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it"
Deuteronomy 5:29
"Oh that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always,so that it might go well with them and theirchildren forever!"
Train up a child in the way he should go— but be sure you go that way yourself.
The character of our children tomorrow depends on what we put into their hearts today.
My sweet hubbie took the quirky little picture you see above. Contrary to what it may seem to indicate, the kids and I are not usually found sitting around together looking like sardines packed in mustard sauce. We were actually loaded up in our little space capsule at the St. Louis Arch - ready to ride to the top! Now THAT was a cool field trip!!
When we're not on field trips, you'll find us living our dream on a lovely little lake in the Lake Region of N. Central Florida - with lots of cows, horses, raccoons, opossums and gators for neighbors (...there are a few humans as neighbors too!). We're in our 14th year of homeschooling, and even though all of our homeschooling children are now high schoolers, we still enjoy the eclectic, hands-on, literature based learning style that we always have. The Lord has blessed us in so many ways, and to Him, alone, we give all the praise and glory!
Soli Deo Gloria!!
(click on little Laurie to visit)
Eddie, an awesome & blessed man.
