Exhausted, but Making Progress

Another day spent at our home-to-be. Friends came by and they were such a help and a blessing. The husband removed the broken disposal and put the sink back together. The wife helped remove pictures from frames and swept and mopped. We moved my in-laws old couch to the alley and the old freezer to the garage. We moved my m-i-l's old day bed into the living room. We sorted through and shredded lots of papers. And my sis-in-law took crates of linens and memorabilia and stuff like silver trays, bowls with silver rims, etc., to go through and decide who gets what. We are completely exhausted. Still, hubby keeps going. The "replacement janitor" didn't do the church cleaning this week, so we are trying to do a quick touch-up before church tomorrow.

I sold two items on Half.com so far. Not sure it's really worth the effort. I think my net income was $0.02 for one video. Oh well. At least it's out of my house. I fear much of it will end up in a dumpster. Wish I knew someone that was having a garage or yard sale and had a place to store my for sale items. I just don't have the desire to expend the effort or the space to stage it all.

Still, we're not getting much school done this summer. But the kids are having fun. They're playing in the sprinkler now with some friends. We went to a July 4th cookout, parade and fireworks on Thursday, and another cookout with "unofficial" fireworks able to be viewed from the back yard on Friday. They've gone to the zoo, a ball game, and a movie, as well as swimming several times, and we still have an amusement park trip planned.

Oh yes, and God is good. While cleaning today, we came across a $100 bill that was left in my m-i-l's checkbook. Actually, the old check copies had been put in the shred pile, but our friend's son, who was shredding discovered it when it dropped to the floor. What an unexpected blessing. It paid for the sink repairs and will help pay for the pantry tile, paint and shelving. Thank you, Lord.

Any handy people interested in building a new porch, spackling, laying flooring, painting, whatever . . . we'd love you help! ;-)

In Christ Alone,
Barb

on Service

[Christian faith] opens its eyes, looks upon all these insignificant, distasteful, and despised duties in the Spirit, and is aware that they are all adorned with divine approval as with the costliest gold and jewels. A wife...should regard her duties in the same light, as she suckles the child, rocks and bathes it, and cares for it in other ways; and as she busies herself with other duties and renders help and obedience to her husband. These are truly golden and noble works.

-- Martin Luther

Used Book Sale

I have just listed -- at my Half.com account -- a few books I've decided to "discard" instead of box up and move our new home, and we will be listing many more as we continue this process of packing. If you especially like cookbooks, please be patient as "chef hubby" will be weeding through his many, many cookbooks over the next several weeks, choosing which ones to keep and which ones to get rid of. So please check back often.

Whatever doesn't sell by August 23 will likely go in the nearest dumpster.

I hope you find something that might interest you.

In Christ Alone,
Barb

A missing corn snake

So my bro-in-law tells me yesterday that his pet corn snake, which he has been storing in our soon-to-be home, has escaped! I am not thrilled with this news.

In Christ Alone,
Barb

"Equipped to Love"

DH and I are reading this together for our home discipleship class. This really spoke to me:

"Continually pray for grace to receive all things and all people as expressions of God's love for you because God purposely brings them to you to provide opportunities for you to reject the spirit of idolatry and turn to Him for the power to love. To grumble about circumstances or refuse to give thanks to God for people and their weaknesses, regardless of how inconvenient or hurtful, declares our unbelief in Jesus' lordship and sets us in opposition to His sovereign Word."

Wow! There are some people I really have a hard time with. I am definitely not thankful for them when they make my life difficult. But I have the wrong attitude. I'm expecting them to meet my needs -- for smooth sailing, for a stress free life, for peace and quiet. I have turned from expecting God to meet my needs. When they bring chaos into my world, I need to turn to God to meet my needs in spite of circumstances and through it all, to grow me more into the likeness of His Son and use me as an instrument of His love to others.

I'm looking forward to continuing this book.

In Christ Alone,
Barb

"The Road to Unafraid"

If you have GUYS, this would be a great book for them. We are still working on it, but it's been enjoyable for my dh and my 14yods so far.

Captain Jeff Struecker is now an Army Chaplain, but he was in Mogadishu and many other places, and unlike most Army Rangers, admits to being afraid.

Capt. Struecker will be a guest speaker at this year's Father-Son Camp, which my guys are attending, so in advance of that, we're reading the book aloud.

I haven't decided if I want my 14yo to see the movie ("Black Hawk Down"), as it is quite graphic. But the book is a good read.

In Christ Alone,

Barb

The Road to Unafraid: How the Army's Top Ranger Faced Fear and Found Courage through Black Hawk Down and Beyond By Captain Jeff Struecker with Dean Merrill / Thomas Nelson Jeff Struecker, eventual winner of the Army's Best Ranger competition, was one of the elite U.S. soldiers sent into Mogadishu, Somalia, in 1993 as part of a U.N. peacekeeping operation. Their mission: to break the grip of Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid in order to quell the civil war and famine that was ravaging the country. Struecker and his fellow Rangers, plus others, fought side by side against overwhelming odds. For eighteen harrowing hours, some of the soldiers remained trapped and wounded in the most hostile district of Mogadishu. A rescue convoy, headed by Struecker, was mounted to retrieve them. He led the convoy back into the hell of battle not once, but twice, determined to rescue downed soldiers, all the while expecting to die himself. In this riveting book, Struecker recounts the stories of his life as a top Ranger, from the frontlines of every U.S. initiative since Panama-moments where God met him and delivered peace in the midst of certain death. He also recounts his journey of becoming a full-time chaplain so he could teach his fellow Rangers how to have the "peace that passes all understanding."

"Passionate Housewives Desperate for God"

Wow! I am truly enjoying this book. I'd love to quote whole portions, but...so let me paraphrase a couple of the points that have really spoken to me:

• I can experience God's presence in my everyday tasks, even changing that diaper.
• My service to my family -- wiping that face, folding those clothes, washing those dishes -- IS my service to God.
• It's not about what I do, but about what God does through me and in spite of my failures.
• My goal is to die to self that Christ may be glorified.

I didn't need to be convinced that what I am doing is of eternal value, but I did need to be reminded that God is glorified even in what I might consider the mundane, in that "dying to self" and in the serving. After all, Christ came to serve. I'm reminded that I have a long way to go before I have developed the heart of Christ. I grow weary of laundry and weary of dishes and weary of cleaning. Yet it is in joyfully performing these acts of service for my family that God will be glorified. And yes, it is even in my failure that He will be glorified.

It is easy to buy into that "success" mentality -- that if I keep a clean house, run everything on a schedule, have well-spoken and well-behaved and well-read children who are above-average academically (and not all are!) -- that I have succeeded as a stay-at-home, homeschool mom. I need to be reminded that, while I may be obedient in some areas, it is God who causes the growth, the success as some would call it. I need to check that pride. And in those areas where I am not obedient (i.e., still a work-in-progress), in need to remember that God can work in spite of my failures, and that it doesn't all depend on me. There is a freedom in realizing that I am not the "make it or break it" factor here! Wow! If I will just remember that, then the burden truly is light and the yoke is easy.

I'm looking forward to finishing this book, and will perhaps comment more as I go through it, but I highly recommend this book.

In Christ Alone,

Barb

Passionate Housewives Desperate for God: Fresh Vision for the Hopeful Homemaker By Jennie Chancey & Stacy McDonald / Vision Forum Filled with encouragement and words of wisdom, Passionate Housewives is written for women who aspire to live in obedience to Christ, but struggle to reconcile society's definition of womanhood with God's Word. Learn why the "desperate housewife" is a myth and discover why women should embrace their god-given role as a homemaker and helpmeet. Stacy McDonald and Jennie Chancey show how you can find true contentment in God's order and discover overwhelming joy by dying to self. 206 pages, paperback.

Parkside Musings: LIfe Grids

Parkside Musings: LIfe Grids

My favorite part was further down where she quotes the Harris brothers. What a wonderful reminder that fun can be found in the "hard things" too!

In Christ Alone,
Barb

Parkside Musings: Glued to the Tube

Parkside Musings: Glued to the Tube

Loved this post. I have to remember that the computer factors into that too, and as I sit here blogging, my family is outside enjoying the beautiful day. I think I'll go have fun with them instead.

In Christ Alone,
Barb

Curriculum for 2008-2009

I'm really trying not to stress the fact that my ds is starting high school next year. I'm struggling to balance the freedom we homeschoolers have to direct our child's education and gear their course of study to their interests and God-given talents with . . . ok, college entrance requirements. There, I've confessed it. I by no means want college admissions officers to dictate what we do in our homeschool. Having said that, I also feel I need to equip him with the education that he needs to obtain a college education should he so desire.

Now, knowing my ds the way I do, I suspect that he may not go to college, but may simply enter an apprenticeship or certificate program. His heart's desire since he was 8 was to be a pilot -- either a missionary or rescue pilot (but not military, I think). He's often said he wants to take supplies to missionaries and provide transportation for them. His love of animals also factors into that a bit as he'd love to be able to transport animals in some manner, possibly as part of a rescue team or something.

We've looked into Missionary Aviation Fellowship, and a couple universities that offer aviation programs. There is one nearby, as I suspect he would not be very likely or eager to attend school far away from home. He could attend the one nearby and live at home. Or he could attend a private flight school, but I'm concerned about cost for that option. Though I think a certificate (non-degree) program would not qualify for scholarships, either. I'm not sure.

Anyway, here is what we have planned for this year:

Bible: "Discovering A Christ-Like Character" (Deeper Roots Publications)

Language: Winston Grammar Advanced & Writing Strands
**writing is an area that is a huge struggle, and he is being tutored this summer by his uncle in the hopes that he will make great improvement

Math: Saxon Algebra 1/2 supplement with D.I.V.E. video instruction
**I wanted to start with Algebra 1, but just don't feel he is strong enough.

History: Medieval, Reformation and Renaissance History (Beautiful Feet)
**This follows the Ancient History we did this year. We love Beautiful Feet, but when unpacking the books, I was a bit overwhelmed and the "heavyness" of many of the texts. Not being a really strong reader, I will likely be reading a lot of this aloud to him. (To help with the reading, I'm hoping to do a speed reading course this summer.)

Science: Exploring Creation through Physical Science (Apologia)

Health: Switched on Schoolhouse Health

Foreign Language: Latin American Spanish I (Rosetta Stone)

It seems a lot to me. I looked at the 28 credit hours suggested for high school, split that by 4, which means 7 periods a day. Yikes. I thought, and a friend said, "That's like being in regular school." That's exactly my struggle. But he and I talked about perhaps doing either Spanish or Health in the evenings after dinner, to not make the day so long.

Later on, in perhaps his junior or senior year, I'm looking at two online aviation courses that will also qualify for college credit, so that should be exciting.

For our 7yodd, the following is planned:

Bible: Explorer's Bible Study

Math: Horizons Grade 2

Language Arts: Learning Language Arts Through Literature (finishing red and proceeding through yellow at her own pace as she is advanced); supplemented with Draw, Write, Now and/or A Reason for Handwriting for penmanship (which is pretty awful at the moment!) and Explode the Code for spelling/phonics

Other: Five in a Row

This time of year is so exciting, but also a serious responsibility, as we seek to lead our children in the path God has planned for them.

In Christ Alone,
Barb

Moving

Seven years ago, we accepted a position with our church as resident custodian, and moved into a 2 bedroom plus huge loft apartment in the eaves of the church building. It's a unique setup. The position comes with no income per se, but the apartment and all utilites except phone are paid for. When the part-time janitor resigned, we took on that part-time position as well, which was a paid position, and have had that position on and off over the seven years based on DH's health. Over time, we have come to realize that the two part-time positions, over and above DH's full-time job as chef, have become too much work for us. Yes, our 14yods now helps dad with mowing and church cleaning. But the work is still too much, and still takes up time that DH could be spending with our children, especially our soon-to-be man. The elder's have offered to move some of the custodial work to the janitorial position and would like us to stay on as custodians. But we are determined. Even moreso after this latest health concern.

We are moving to the other side of the city into the home DH and his family lived in for many years. His single brother still lives there, after the loss of both his parents and his single sister over the span of the last 5 years. His brother will occupy the upstairs flat, and we will occupy the main level flat and part of the basement. There is much work to do. But we feel peace about the decision, and DH feels a heavy load off his shoulders. (Of course, his is a bit overwhelmed at all that needs to be done to accomplish the move!)

When we moved in here seven years ago, we thought we'd only be here a couple years and then be able to afford a home of our own. But in that time, DH had several bouts of pancreatitis and has been dealing with diabetes and high cholesterol and high blood pressure, and we have added 3 more children and a dog to the family. God is good. He provided his place rent free prior to us knowing DH would be out of work for a while. We would surely have been evicted from the apartment we were living in prior to the move here for non payment of rent when he got sick. The church apartment was truly a blessing.

But while I would prefer 10 acres somewhere out of the city -- way out -- we are no closer to being able to afford our own place. When you choose to live on one income, you must make sacrifices. But the blessing of being able to stay home and home disciple our children is worth it. I don't know what God may be preparing us for next. I know things will be difficult. There will be loss of income. There will be utilities to pay. There will be perhaps real estate taxes and/or other expenses to contribute towards. (Thankfully, there is no mortgage on the house, so a large rent payment will not be necessary. DH still needs to sit down with his brother and iron out the details of the agreement. But his brother is excited we are moving in.) I look around us at the high gasoline prices, the exhorbitant housing costs (and though they're going down in the housing slump, they're still way beyond affordable for us). the increased cost of everything, even groceries at Aldi -- and I'm concerned. I truly believe the economy will get much worse before it gets better. Some are even predicting another "Great Depression." Perhaps we need to move elsewhere to get through all that is coming. Perhaps someone else is in need of this apartment and it is time for us to move on. I can't see the big picture. Only God can. But we are confident that He is in this.

And while I love my church (I've been here since I was a newborn), we also believe it may be time for us to look elswhere for a church family. We are the only homeschoolers in our congregation. It has been difficult over the years. We are different. Our 14yods has not attended youth groups since he was perhaps 8. While our homeschool support group is our lifeline in our home discipleship way of life, it would be nice to attend a church with likeminded home discipleship families, where fathers are equipped and even held accountable to "train up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord," where children and youth and teen programs are not the mainstay/backbone, but where families participate in activities as families and children are not always "in the back" with a child care provider.

We started a monthly hymn sing at our church about two years ago, in the hopes of encouraging others to embrace home discipleship (whether they chose to homeschool or not). And while we have good attendance, the concept -- really, the command -- to home disciple is still strange to everyone here. (Perhaps it is partly due to the very large numbers of public school educators and administrators in our congregation. While I applaud those Christians who enter that area of work hoping to make an impact, I still feel that those children in the school system have been "thrown to the wolves.") We have tried intergenerational Sunday School, which was received with mixed reviews and would certainly not be allowed to replace the current age-segregated Sunday School environment.

Anyway, I've gone on too long. We plan to be completely moved by the end of August. So we are aggressively "lightening the load." I have no desire to have a yard sale, so unfortunately, the dumpsters are getting quite full. But I feel a sense of accomplishment that there is less "stuff."

In Christ Alone,
Barb

Today

We're missing the concert anyway. OK, this is the thing about guys -- well, my guy -- he can't sit and do nothing. So Thursday he putzed around the house and church more than he should have. And Friday he went with me and the kids to the park, and instead of sitting he lifted and pushed and played, and then came home and did the lawn. And this morning he did the lawn and cleaned the church. But it actually wasn't the work that caused us to miss the concert.

Diabetes is a horrible disease. I believe it is the cause of his heart problem, though the doctors can't pinpoint that for sure. But if sugar levels are not carefully controlled and often run higher than they should, the disease will quickly wreak havoc with the body. It's very difficult to get the levels to stay low. And they were right where they should have been an hour before we were to leave, but he's not used to them being where they should be. He often runs quite higher. So even though his levels were perfect, he was weak and shaky. He decided, very reluctantly, that he didn't want to battle himself PLUS the 46,000 or so other, mostly drunk, people at the concert. So I found two friends willing to go, and even willing to reimburse me for the cost, which was sweet. I asked them to bring him home a t-shirt. They sent a text message that they are thoroughly enjoying themselves. Hubby is sad.

But he's outside with the kids, relaxing for at least a little bit, on this absolutely beautiful day.

If you think of us, pray to the Great Physician to pour out his strength on DH, that he might grow in this discipline of taking care of himself. (Philippians 4:13)

In Christ Alone,
Barb

All praise to Him who reigns above

The Great Physician is truly merciful and gracious. There was no major blockage in DH's arteries to speak of. A little plaque build-up, but nothing to cause alarm or to require any further procedures let alone drastic surgery. There is still the matter of the decreased function of the left ventricle. While the doctor cannot say for sure the cause, it is likely this is simply a "by-product" of his other health issues (namely, high blood pressure & diabetes). They are adjusting his blood pressure medication, specifically, replacing one medication with an increased dosage of another that is known to stregthen the heart. He is home, and we are much relieved. The kids missed him so very much. He needs to take it easy for a few days, but will return to work on Monday (and is quite relieved that he won't miss the Chesney/Urban/Rimes concert on Saturday). He will follow up with the cardiologist in 2-3 weeks, and they will continue to monitor his heart's function to make sure there is no further decline.

Thank you all for your prayers. God surely heard the cries of so many on our behalf. You are all truly a blessing to us.

In Christ Alone,
Barb

Today

I received a call at 7:00 this morning from my DH, from the ER! He said that he was having difficulty breathing. To keep it short, they are doing a heart catheterization tomorrow. Depending on what they find, any or all of the following are possible: a pacemaker, an intra-aortic ballon pump, angioplasty, a stint, emergency by-pass.

If you are so inclined, please pray for us to the Great Physician, who knows all and is sovereign over all.

In Christ Alone,
Barb

Today

We didn't do much today as DH had a medicine headache. After church, I ran out to get "sliders" and we took naps and watched "The Last Crusade."

Tomorrow begins our 14yods' summer volunteering, so clothes for the kids are all laid out and the diaper bag is stocked. We have to be out the door by 7:45. I keep asking myself, "Why did I agree to this?" We'll see how it goes. The younger three and I will attempt to find a park in the area so that we don't have to drive the 30-45 minutes home, then go back and pick him up, then drive home again. (It physically hurts to put gas in the van these days!)

In Christ Alone,
Barb

on Children

"What we want to do with our children, is not merely to control them and keep them in order-but to implant true principles deep in their hearts which shall rule their whole lives; to shape their character from within into Christ-like beauty, and to make of them noble men and women, strong for battle of life. They are to be trained rather than governed. Growth of character, not merely good behavior-is the object of all home governing and teaching. Therefore the home influence is far more important than the home laws; and the parents' lives are of more significance than their teachings. Whatever may be done in the way of governing, teaching or training-theories are not half as important as the parents' lives. They may teach the most beautiful things-but if the child does not see these things modeled in the life of the parent, he will not consider them important enough to be adopted in his own life."

-- J. R. Miller, Home-Making

De-Cluttering

Those of you who have lost family members will understand what this is like. We spent 6+ hours today going through my husband's family home after losing over the last several years his father, his mother, and his sister. You would understand what it is like to go through one person's belongings, but to go through three persons' belongings is overwhelming.

We are moving into the family home at the end of the summer. Our family of six will live in the 2 bedroom 1st floor of a 2-flat. (Once we get the basement cleared out sufficiently, our 14yods will have his own bedroom there, as well as probably some play space for the kids.) My husband's brother occupies the 2nd floor.

There are some repairs which need to be made to make the home livable, including bathroom & roof repairs. There is much cleaning and clearing out and organizing to do, in addition to lightening the load in our current place (it's amazing how much you can accumulate over 18 years of marriage) and packing up what we decide to keep. It actually feels good to toss in the trash various belongings which you no longer feel you need to cart around from home to home. After all, if it never got unpacked from the previous move, you probably don't need it, right? I know, I could have a yard sale. Well, "been there, done that," and I really don't have the desire or the energy to find a place to store it all, price it all, and then end up having to pack more than half of it in a car and find a place to dump it anyway. Why not just dump it at the start? Well, you say, "what about Ebay?" I've tried that, also, and honestly, I don't want to have to pay them for every item I sell and I really don't want to have to box up and ship things. (I have sold books on Half.com before with some small success.) I even tried "LiveDeal.com" and "Freecycle." Too often, those I left items out for did not pick them up and I got tired of relisting, and then having to bring the items back into my home or throw them out anyway. I know that those of you who seriously feel recycling, reducing and reusing will find my attitude difficult to understand. Please have some compassion on a weary mom with a full summer schedule.

Still, DH and I feel good about what we accomplished in those 6+ hours and are really ready to call it a day.

I think Father's Day will be quiet for us, spent at home perhaps playing games or watching movies or reading aloud. Next week starts a crazy summer schedule, which I'll discuss when I'm not so tired, because thinking about it makes me tired.

In Christ Alone,
Barb

Today

I was awakened by the alert on my cell phone that a text message had come in, before 6:00 this morning. I didn't get up and check it and return the call until 6:20. Finally crawled out from under the 2yo (don't ask) and read my Bible and journaled. Switched laundry around and picked up a few items, got dressed, ate breakfast and did internet. Kids are almost all dressed, fed, and ready for the day. I think we'll do a partial day then do our pay week shopping -- WalMart & Aldi. Tonight is the chili cook-off at church (yeah, I don't have to cook!) and our houseguests arrive, so we'll have to do some housecleaning also.

I think we will go do some work at our "soon to be home" tomorrow. Still need to say more about that, but need to get started on the day.

I still debate whether this blogging thing is just a waste of my time or worth it. Anyway, my time is definitely up right now.

In Christ Alone,
Barb

on Wives

"a virtuous woman is a crown to her husband"

-- Proverbs 12:4

"He that is blessed with a good wife is as happy as if he were upon the throne, for she is no less than a crown to him. A virtuous woman, that is pious and prudent, ingenious and industrious, that is active for the good of her family and looks well to the ways of her household, that makes conscience of her duty in every relation, a woman of spirit, that can bear crosses without disturbance, such a one owns her husband for her head, and therefore she is a crown to him, not only a credit and honour to him, as a crown is an ornament, but supports and keeps up his authority in his family, as a crown is an ensign of power. She is submissive and faithful to him, and by her example teaches his children and servants to be so too."

-- Matthew Henry

on Time

Since I have not much wisdom of my own, I'll often be sharing quotes I pick up here and there. Hope they bless.

"Guard well your spare moments. They are like
uncut diamonds. Discard them and their value
will never be known. Improve them and they will
become the brightest gems in a useful life."

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Don't say you don't have enough time. You have
exactly the same number of hours per day that
were given to Helen Keller, Michelangelo, Mother
Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson,
and Albert Einsten."

-- H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

"Though I am always in haste, I am never in a hurry;
because I never undertake any more work than I can
go through with perfect calmness of spirit."

-- John Wesley

Backyard Swim

It was soooo hot when we went out, that as soon as the 14yo finished enough of the yard, we set up the pool. The funniest part was when it was inflated but not filled, two of the kids were standing inside it, and the wind caught it and it blew over. They got dumped on the ground as it blew away! Too funny. Good thing grass is soft.

Our little inflatable pool is not as fun as the big pool at my uncle's condo, nor is the water heated, but the kids had fun. Still, no matter how much they shiver, they never want to get out.

In Christ Alone,

Barb

Baby Beluga

My best girlfriend works at Vancouver Aquarium and called me the other night to tell me about their newborn baby beluga! Poor dear, she hadn't slept in her own bed for days. I think the baby's mom got more rest than she did. Anyway, check out the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXBzGf54-Ik

Today

OK, so despite my saying I'm always going to just get up earlier so I can get more accomplished, it rarely happens. Self-discipline is lacking, the bed is comfortable.

But, once up, I am quickly moving. So by 9:00 I had showered, moved a load to the dryer and started a new load, washed the leftover dishes from last night (GASP! I know, that's a major confession that there are often dishes left overnight -- people are our dishwashers and, well, it happens sometimes, especially on a small group night), updated the check register and paid a couple bills, made the beds (sort of - don't ask!), checked a couple other things online while eating breakfast, got the two younger ones dressed, and probably some other things I can't recall right now.

We did our morning school work, and now I think we'll take the afternoon off and go outside. The 14yo will mow 3/4 of the church lawn for Dad before the storms roll in, the younger ones will play, and I think I'll start "Passionate Housewives." Helping Dad get the extra work done is, I believe, worth taking the afternoon off of studies, especially when it looks like the weather is going to conflict with our schedules for the next few days.

The painter didn't come today as I had hoped. He says he'll be here Tuesday.

We'll likely do a full day of studies tomorrow. In the evening, the church is having a chili cook-off (I know - in June?!) to fund-raise for an afterschool program they're hoping to start in the Fall, so I won't have to cook dinner, and we're having two overnight guests. Before and after chili, dh will begin to weed out unnecessaries from the storage room. We need to lighten our "load" in preparation for moving at the end of August (more about that later). Some more lightening Saturday, possibly going to our soon-to-be home to do some preparations there, and finishing yard and cleaning/janitorial work around the church.

Whew! But for now -- some time outside relaxing.

Take a few moments yourself to enjoy the day and your children. :-)

In Christ Alone,
Barb

"Another Hive of Bees"

My 6yodd and I have been truly enjoy these stories. Even the younger boys will sit and listen sometimes, and they both look at the book cover and remember "Danny" and "Debbie." Some of the stories are quite long. In fact, she fell asleep in the middle of one earlier this week. So they really aren't geared for the younger kids. But we enjoy reading aloud together in the evening, and this is a great choice. There is a book that actually comes before this one, "A Hive of Busy Bees," that we haven't purchased or read yet, but we very much want to.

I love using stories to teach character lessons -- after all, isn't this what Jesus did so often?! -- because the lessons really sink in as the characters and situations become alive to the children.

This book is great bedtime reading! Enjoy!

Another Hive of Bees: Stories That Help Build Character for Children 5-10 By A. B. Publishing Danny and Debbie, like their cousins, decide they want to spend some vacation time on the farm with their grandparents. For children who have only know city life- each day presents exciting opportunities for them to experience new situations- especially the first day, when they encounter a hive of angry bees. From this episode grandma chooses stories from her scrapbook and skillfully develops some character lessons for each evening bedtime BEESTORY.

Reading

I have always loved to read. Rather than play like most kids, I spend most of my time in my room, on my bed, with a precious book. Nancy Drew were my favorite. I still think books are precious, and our home is filled with them. Even moreso as a homeschool mom. To think of getting rid of a book gives me panic attacks. (OK, not quite, but I have to think long and hard before disposing of a book.)

So you will find many, many book reviews here (in time, as I compile them).

If you, too, have lots of books, I found a great took for cataloguing and sharing your book list with friends: librarything.com. Check it out, it's wonderful.

Also, if you have a Facebook page, check out Visual Bookshelf.

Please note that many of the links I include with my book reviews are "affiliate" links, so if you think you might be interested in a book and want to purchase it, I would so appreciate you using my link as I get a small commission on your purchase. (Every little bit helps.)

Happy reading!

In Christ Alone,
Barb

About Us

Welcome to my blog. We are a homeschool family of 6. My DH is a chef. I am a stay-at-home, homeschool mom to four gifts from God. Our oldest is 14. He has a desire to be a rescue or missionary pilot. He has wanted to "fly" since he was around 8 years old. Our only daughter turns seven next month. She enjoys taking violin lessons and wants to raise sheep. Our 4yo is a bundle of energy, and wakes up ready to go full throttle all day. I wish I had just half his energy. His determined nature leaves me hopeful that he will accomplish whatever he sets out to do in life. Our 2yo has a wonderful smile and likes to give hugs and kisses. He is learning all kinds of things at an incredible pace.

I chose this title -- which is no easy task, since just about everything you can think of it taken! -- because it reminds me that we are all projects in The Master Carpenter's hands. I hope you will see through my posts that I definitely don't claim to have it all together or have it all figured out. I will right up front confess to struggling in several areas -- in my eating habits, in my lack of exercise habits/discipline, and in being patient and controlling my temper, among others. But the wonderful thing about Jesus is that He loves me just as I am, and also loves me too much to leave me this way. So, He is always working to sand the rough edges and remove the flaws.

In Christ Alone,
Barb