Happy Birthday to my little buddies

Aaron and Gregg are my July birthdays. It makes me sad to realize how fast time has gone and how grown up they are getting. From the beginning they have been the best of friends and love one another's company. They do everything together. Here are a few of their "ways" they have about them:

They do their school together everyday

If they have a special treat they do NOT eat it until they are together

If one is alone without the other and receives something special they always make sure they share it

They go jogging together

They lift weights together

Love motorcycles, camping, shooting, and anything outdoors

They pray at the same time and end their prayers at the same time

When it's their day for the kitchen they count the dishes and divide in half exactly so they are equal in loading the dishwasher (go figure)

For their birthday they got an xbox to share between them and NEVER do they argue over who's turn it is or how long each is taking.

I think I can count on one hand how many times in their whole life I have heard them quarrel. Truly they are the best of friends. They even say when they get married they want to live next door to each other!! I love these guys!

My thoughts on my boys are:

They are ever so polite. They open doors for women, (including their sisters and mom)

They give up their seats to women and girls.

They carry heavy items for their mom and sisters, and other girls.

Their sister Christie likes to go jogging and no matter what they are doing when she goes they jump on their bikes and go with her so she doesn't go alone.

They've never laid a hand on their sisters and treat them with kindness.

They are very protective of their sisters and their mom.

They both have great faith in the Lord.

Both love their daddy and the three are always together when possible. They show respect and honor to their parents and the best thing of all is that never do they go to bed at night without giving a hug and a kiss to their mom and dad. Did I say I love these guys! Happy Birthday Aaron and Gregg.

AARON

Gregg

Wordless Wednesday~My napping princess in cowboy boots

Baby Vance is growing strong

It is truly a great blessing to see Baby Vance growing stronger everyday. The cardiologists are pleased with his progress and are thinking that his next surgery will be set around his fourth month. Needless to say we are very happy indeed to see him doing so well. To read about his beginnings go HERE

Trusting "Natural and Gentle Learning"

"I am beginning to suspect all elaborate and special systems of education. They seem to me to be built upon the supposition that every child is a kind of idiot who must be taught to think. Whereas, if the child is left to himself, he will think more and better, if less showily. Let him touch real things and combine his impressions for himself, instead of sitting indoors at a little round table, while a sweet-voiced teacher suggests that he build a stone wall with his wooden blocks, or make a rainbow out of strips of coloured paper, or plant straw trees in bead flower-pots. Such teaching fills the mind with artificial associations that must be got rid of, before the child can develop independent ideas out of actual experience." Anne Sullivan

I wonder if Anne Sullivan was a fan of Charlotte Mason! CM was 24 years older than AS but it does make you wonder as she seems to have similar ideas when it comes to the growth and education of children. In my own 23 years of homeschooling I have seen this play out in my children. I have found though, that it is something you need to trust in because our minds are not geared to think in these terms. In order to do so we need to jump off the 'conveyor belt' of our own experiences of being taught in the public school fashion and renew our minds and hearts to accept and embrace the more 'natural' and 'gentle' methods of living and learning before we can pass them on to our own children. Reading the great works from Charlotte Mason over the years has been a great help in showing me how real learning can and does take place. Through living books, hands on learning, short, daily lessons in the 3'rs,

plenty of free time to explore individual interests, (which leads to rich imaginations) and spending lots of time out of doors learning about God's world in the raw. It's in doing these things that I've seen the fruit of her work being played out in the lives of my own children. If you are interested in learning more about Charlotte Mason's work click HERE.

What kind of cookie is that Mary?

"Oh, it's the different kind!! You know, the kind you eat with a fork!!"

Mud Puddles

2 sticks butter

1 1/2 C. all natural sugar

1/2 C. brown sugar

1/2 C. milk

1 teas. vanilla

3 T. cocoa

1 C. natural peanut butter

3 C. oatmeal

In a large sauce pan combine butter, sugars, milk, vanilla, cocoa, and peanut butter. Melt all together and stir in vanilla and oatmeal. Spoon onto wax paper to cool. As you can see from the photos, we never let them rest long enough to harden!!

Daddy Daughter Moments

Mary said, "Daddy, can I do this too?" He told her it was a daddy job; to which she matter of factly said, "I wish I was a daddy so I could do it too!" As usual he couldn't resist letting her work along beside him!

What a guy, helping his little girl with her sewing.

He's the greatest guy ever. He does such a great job at all the little things. Which I have found are usually the most important things of all.

Wordless Wednesday~My Little Daydreamer

Our Popsicle Sticks "Check List"

They begin in Mama Bears big, white container...

And they end up in all the Baby Bears' itty bitty containers!! Then back to the white container.

All of the school age children have their own jar and set of sticks with their color. (Of course Mary isn't 'school age' yet but she's still old enough to know if she's being left out!) At the beginning of the day all the sticks are in my container. In the morning I place each child's sticks in their jar. Written on each stick are their various school subjects and chores that I would have them do that day. When they have completed what is on a stick they simply place it back into my container. In this way, I can see at a glance who has finished and who hasn't. Plus, another bonus about the sticks that paper check lists don't have is the convenience of putting into the jars only subjects and chores I wish for them to accomplish for the day. For example, if I have plans of an outing later in the afternoon I may only put half of their sticks in their jars. If we plan on a long day at home it may get more!! This works especially well for our weekly subjects. Science, geography, poetry, biography, and history are not done every day of the week and are normally taught by me with all the children together. It also helps keep me to be accountable to see to the weekly core subjects because if it's in the jar then they will expect me to get the class taught so they can "check" it off!!

Daddy's Famous PROTEIN Shake

My husband takes his protein seriously!! He makes this shake right after he runs his 5 miles or after a session of lifting weights. So if you are looking for protein, this is for you!!

He starts with filling the blender with lots of raw milk, a tablespoon or two of whey, chocolate syrup, which I weaned him from and had him use natural cocoa. Then he adds a few frozen bananas,

a couple of whopping tablespoons of ground flax,

a huge scoop of all natural peanut butter,

about a cup of organic cottage cheese, then he tops it off with 4 or 5 fresh from the farm eggs.

Whips it all in the blender and gulps it down while I watch and try to keep my stomach from turning upside down!!

Do we clue them in about the rain.....

Or should we let them figure it out on their own?

Who needs a ladder.....

when you have a strong brother?

Mission accomplished

Oh Man, I'm in hot water.....

That is if there is any water left to be in! It's kind of like when you wreck the car and it's your fault and you have to own up to it to your hubby. Well, my hubby is due home tonight after being gone all week and for the most part he is going to be happy to see me......until he finds out that the children left our hose running in our leaky swimming pool for over 24 hours. Not a pretty picture considering we have a well. A really old well. I don't think the kids need a pool anymore because they can just swim in the yard!! Hey, there's an idea. It will be like living on the island again!! Now, I only have to pray that he reeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaly, really, missed me a whole bunch this week!!!!!!!!!! He's an extremely easy going guy though but I just hate rain on his parade with an ugly mishap!

Wordless Wednesday

I ATE Meat Today

So WHY!! do you ask that I am blogging about this? Because I dislike meat very much and this is a big deal to me. But my dislike for meat isn't because I'm anal about dead animals, (although, seeing a dead dear hanging in my garage waiting to be gutted and cut up does nothing to whet my appetite!) nor am I a vegetarian, or anything like that! I simply don't like it!! My dear husband is on me all the time to take in more animal fat through meats and not just cottage cheese and eggs which is where I get my animal protein from. So to prove to him that I did indeed have my months supply of meat I snapped a photo of it to show him. He has been out of town all week until this Saturday so he misses the opportunity to pat himself on the back for his perseverance!! If I could "talk" to him I'd tell him, but he is way up north by the Canadian borders on a high adventure with Aaron and there is no phone reception. I was missing him so I thought I would do something nice for him. That's why I ate meat!!

I stir fried small bits of organic beef with garlic, onions, mushrooms, and red pepper in olive oil. I added a bit of sea salt and served it with homemade whole wheat tortillas. It wasn't half bad. So now I can say that I have my fix for a few months!!

Trust

I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me. Psalms 57:2

It is such a remarkable gift to know that your children walk in truth. And this is especially true when they have children of their own I have learned. It's one thing to "trust" yourself to make right decisions when it's only YOU involved, but when you have to figure 'life' out for an entire family then the ball rolls in a different direction since there are so many more issues involved. Yesterday I had the wonderful opportunity to just sit and chat on the phone with my oldest daughter Juli for quite a while. It was so nice. The children, hers and mine both were occupying themselves nicely while we 'visited' with each other. She and her husband Kelly are in the middle of making strong decisions for their little family that requires much prayer and direction from the Lord. How wonderful for me to know that they are turning to the ONLY source wherein they can receive those blessings. I lean heavily on the word TRUST and I have learned that it is such and important attribute to have in this life. TRUST in our Heavenly Father, TRUST in ourselves and in the training that we are giving to our children as we raise them. We can and must be willing to put our trust in the Lord and in His word. There is 100% unfailing truth in His word that we can trust in every-thing.

I also have found that we can 'trust' our children to make righteous decisions based on their own hours in prayer. We will always be their parents, we will always be there for them, but nothing is more wonderful than knowing that they can stand, and will stand strong in this life when the rains come and beat upon them, when life brings those unending questions, decisions that have to be made, worries or concerns because they know, that nothing is too big for our God. My married children are still quite young. But they are finding that their faith is key in bringing them through the storms of life. And uniting their faith with their spouses is doubly important.

I am here to tell you that NOTHING in this life is greater than raising our children in the word of God. The time we have with them is so precious. And short. It is our duty to see to it that they are brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord so that when they are grown, they will not depart from it.

Are we praying for our children's spouses, (future ones included?) Do we pray that our children will be lead to righteous men and women who's parents have placed in their children the precious teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ? So that when they marry, the legacy of faith will continue on with them and their children. And on and on through generations. What a great responsibility we have. Fortunately we are not alone. Our prayers of faith are our weapons. And when we call upon the Lord in faith we will not be forsaken. What a great blessing!!

The Shiniest Semi I've Ever Seen

And it gave a very cool reflection of our vehicle on it's back door. (good thing my windshield was clean)

You're A Grand Old Flag~Happy Fourth

You're a grand old flag,
You're a high flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave.
You're the emblem of
The land I love.
The home of the free and the brave.
Ev'ry heart beats true
'neath the Red, White and Blue,
Where there's never a boast or brag.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.

You're a grand old flag,
You're a high flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave.
You're the emblem of
The land I love.
The home of the free and the brave.
Ev'ry heart beats true
'neath the Red, White and Blue,
Where there's never a boast or brag.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.

Patience

But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Psalm 86:15

Patience has been on my mind lately. Not sure why, maybe I'm struggling with it, maybe my children are, who knows....but Ive been thinking about how important it is. And one things rings true no matter what. Patience and tolerance are 2 very different things. I'm sure you all know that already but here lately the two words seem to be getting confused with each other while being used to speak of our current culture. However, I'm not going there, I just wanted to "research" the word patience a bit so I could practice it more!!

As I read the following scriptures I am amazed at the patience the Lord has for me/us. I don't understand it, and most likely never will understand it (at least in this life) just how

P A T I E N C E (and loving) our Father is. At least for me anyway, HOW can He put up with me? I am in CONSTANT need of patience and forgiveness. Why is that? As I look at my inner self I shudder.....I shudder to think how the Lord can be so patient with me. Let alone forgiving and loving to such a rebellious one as I. This hymn says it ALL.

I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,

Confused at the grace that so fully He proffers me;

I tremble to know that for me He was crucified,

That for me, a sinner, He suffered, He bled and died.

O it is wonderful that He should care for me

Enough to die for me!

O it is wonderful to me!

I marvel that He would descend from His throne divine

To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine;

That He should extend His great love unto such as I,

Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.

I think of His side, pierced and bleeding to pay the debt,

Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?

No, no! I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,

And testify all my desires He doth fully meet.