Were They Angels?

There have only been a few times when I ran into some stranger that said just the right words or something that struck me enough to ask myself, “Could they have been an angel?” I know the Bible tells us, “Some have entertained angels unaware.” This tells me you or I could have spoken with an angel and not even known it. Wow! Well, this experience is one I have been meaning to write about.

I was in the Wal-Mart with N3 walking on the main aisle away from the restroom/layaway area when 2 people came towards us and when they got to us, they were very kind and “into” N3. So much so like I have never seen before with all my 5 children. There was such an interesting peace about that encounter that as they walked away, I thought to myself, “I wonder if we just entertained angels.”

Well this is where the story got even more interesting. After speaking with mainly N3, they continued towards the bathroom area. For some reason, after about 15 feet, they turned around and I had a strange feeling like they were following me. Although there was still a great peace about them, I felt slightly uncomfortable as I would with anyone following me and took a left on that next main aisle still near the back. They turned too! Still uncomfortable, I thought I have to turn again to be sure they are not following me. As I took another left turn that would have taken me towards the back restrooms again, they said, “I would not go that way if I were you.” OK, they truly had my attention then. I looked at them like, “Why?” and they said there was some man in the store that was over in the children’s dept. (on the other side of the store) that was looking at children and some parents reported him. They may have said something about wondering if he was back there where I was about to go, but I can’t quite remember that part due to realizing there was danger that I needed to get on alert about. Again, major peace with these 2, but I had a strong feeling it was time to get out of Wal-Mart! As they were warning me of not heading back there, they were so cheerful and pleasant and then walked off ahead of me. I went straight for the checkout looking everywhere, but saw nothing. Not even the 2 that warned me. Nothing in the parking lot either. We just went home safely.

Well, I may never know if they were angels as I suspected even more after the warning, but it is a reminder to me that God says in His Word that He has His angels watch over us and protect us. I am so thankful that we are in His hands and He is watching over us.

Our Family Christmas Recap

Wow! So much has happened over the Christmas holiday, but I will try to remember. I know these next 3 posts are not edited down, but we just want to remember all we can.
First off, before Christmas, we participated for the 1st time in Operation Christmas Child. I can honestly say that was the best thing I have done for Christmas in years! I was amazed how you can get so much in a lil box to give an entire Christmas to a child somewhere in the world that does not get a Christmas. All given sharing about God's love. I highly recommend it!

Another new thing I loved was decorating our blog. Oh, our blog seemed so cheerful & fun with bright colors to the tune of Jingle Bell Rock. I chose this song thanks to memories of visits to Grandma & Papa's (my Dad's parents) & playing it over & over & over on the real jukebox and playing it so loud the whole house was rockin.

We had our lil Christmas at home before the 25th. I think the thing that was the coolest is our new pingpong table. Dad and N13 have been at it the most. N13 can't wait to get back to it. N3 wanted cars, D12 wanted Narnia game, M8 wanted Wii games, A6 wanted a pirate ship, N13 mainly wanted NCAA 09. So thankful we could honor these wishes & more.

Christmas Recap III (Scott's side of the family)

As of Saturday after Christmas, we headed to Scott's parents house. Our first night there was fun catching up with all the family, eating Nana's Brunswick stew and getting into Mira's much appreciated Chocolate Rum Apple. Wow! That apple is good! The kids had fun with the traditional fireworks outside that Scott and his 3 brothers do every yr. They did it to the tune of the University of Florida's song. Elizabeth videoed it & put it on facebook.

The next day, Anna arrived in time for Nana's delicious spread for Christmas dinner. Scott and his brothers pleasantly surprised us by doing the kitchen clean up! That was a treat. Aunt Doris dropped in for a short visit and then everyone got into presents. Once again the chaos of helping 5 children get into their presents made me put my gift to the side. I usually get to mine last. Well this leads to a funny that Vivian and I enjoyed. On our way to our traditional shopping spot, Vivian asked what I got for Christmas. I was embarrassed that I could not quite remember, but responded, "Well, give me just a second and I will remember." Then after a minute or so I remembered that I never opened my present. We got a good laugh and I had something to look forward to when getting back home. :-) It was my soft pink robe. Oh, and I was so glad to hear how much J. Anne loved her Narnia bracelet that D12 picked out. D12 and May wondered how they got each other the same gift. They still don't know. Ha ha. (moms went shopping together)

We were so excited to get a visit from Scott's cousin, Ladd and Meredith and their boys. We had our traditional night of pizza and the kids had a blast together. We found out that Ladd and Meredith like snow skiing and now we have all sorts of plans up our sleeves.

Teri, the kids and I went to visit Jon and Elizabeth's beautiful home. We saw their closets that will make anyone jealous and the kids watched movies, played on the new swingset and enjoyed a fire. Somehow I missed the fire. OK, Jon & Eliz, I forgot about our new traditon of eating dinner there with the bonfire. How did we forget? Next year!

Vivian and I secretly got Teri all set up on Facebook. 30 seconds after asking someone to be friends, she got a note from her friend. That was wild. Before we could even get Teri in there she had messages. It was fun.

Most everyone enjoyed college football EVERYDAY! I am only a gator fan, so I ran off to other things while they watched that. Like, right now, they are watching football and I am redeeming the time to journal about our Christmas at Nana's. Yes, Papa, it is Nana's house. "Papa will be there too." I still love the story of the twins singing that song. "We're on our way, we're on our way, on our way to Nana's house." Repeat that. Then they added the "Papa will be there too." Wow the twins are now 16 and driving. Do they still sing that song on the way to your house? :-)As usual, all the 16 cousins had fun for 4 days running in and out doing all that they do and us adults visited and ate and ate some more.

Christmas Recap II (Kim's side of the family)

Off to FL with Grandma & Papa Steve. On the way, we stopped by Nana & Papa's to let Ali visit and stopped by to visit with the Bakers and Taltons in LAke City. They played football (of course!) and decorated cookies, fed the fish, took a wild ride on the polaris & more.

Once at Gma & PaSteve, we got to visit with Nanny & get settled in. Christmas Eve we were blessed to visit w/the twins. Oh and Jason! Ha ha. They were so much fun. We of course made our traditional Christmas cookies. NO ONE would let us get away with skipping that! We tried something new this yr that we all loved. We opened all our presents that night! We started out with PapaSteve reading the Christmas story. (Photo is M8 hugging PapaSteve after story.)D12 was excited to see that Gma found Narnia toys that he did not even know about! I can not even mention ALL we got, but it was fun & exciting. We got a good laugh out of mom opening a giftbag that I had stuck things in for other people & should've gotten it out. As she kept pulling things out of the bag, I would say, "Wait! That's not for you!" The last thing she pulled out was a card that said,"Steve". She said, "I guess this is not for me either." It was funny!

Christmas Day we set off to Uncle Steve and Darla's (Darla in photo w/1 of her many Christmas hats) for a visit with Dad's side of the family. Uncle Mike & his family arrived after us so that was the only sad part. Steve took Dad, Scott and the boys down the river on the boat while Aunt Betty and I tasted everything, I mean helped in the kitchen. Dad enjoyed seeing how much N3 missed him. The boys also enjoyed a ride on the golf cart. It was a short but sweet visit.



Later Christmas day, we headed to Bev & Craigs for dinner with Mom's side of the family. I really enjoyed this visit b/c the last 2 get togethers there, I was in the ER with my foot or A6's ear. We had a fun looking at that calendar (I expecially loved Burts picture in the calendar) & playing with Devin's new puppy, Buddy Lee Hatcher. We enjoyed time with the twins again and laughing at Gillian's 6 extremely different faces in 3 seconds after seeing Angie aim the camera at her. Buddy Lee Hatcher and Spencer also put on a show in the kitchen when Buddy treated Spencer's crawling around like his big brother puppy. I loved Sarah's reaction the the puppy name.Dillon loves writing books. This photo is Aunt Beverly giving him a ton of blank books. Thanks for a great dinner as usual & having us all over Bev!

The next day we headed the Papa Steve's side of the family to Sherri's house. It was so nice as usual. We enjoyed a great dinner followed by the much awaited present opening and then out to the front for skateboarding/football. D12& M8 really enjoyed the riding skooter. This it the part where the kids really start begging for more time. In fact we left N13 this yr for a while longer while we headed to see the awesome area our niece Anna works in and her beautiful apartment. That place is better than Worth Avenue! Way to go Anna!
Well, I am gonna save the Scott's side of the family for another post. Whew!

N3 Gets the Concept

I am having fun listening to N3 sing upstairs on the balcony. "He knows you when your driving in a car. He knows you when your on a Christmas tree. He knows you when you're opening a present. He knows if you've been good or bad." OK, so he is not the best with lyrics, but he gets the concept! I have found that is a good thing. I may not know who Jesus met on the road to ???, but I know he can meet a man on a road and completely change his future to following Him. I may not know what book John kept saying he was the beloved disciple, but I caught that I can call myself His beloved. The concept is what counts most!

Now, I just have be sure N3 knows it is God who really knows when you are driving in a car, on a Christmas tree, opening a present and most important when you are good or bad. :-)

SS Christmas party

We had a Sunday School party here Saturday night with our class. This a class of singles ages late 20s to 40s. They have been such a blessing to us and have challenged us in ways we never dreamed. These folks have such a desire to follow God and to reach out to the community with the love of Jesus. When Scott was asked to teach, I really hesitated due to too much on my plate, but they have just enhanced our lives in such awesome ways. So glad we are a part of this awesome group!

One of M8's Best Buds

One of M8's best friends, we'll call him A8, mailed us these pictures today. He and M8 became friends on the school bus last year. The two of them are the silliest things you have ever been around! And they are just alike. They live close by, so that has been fun. A8 is the one on the far right in the football picture and in the costume picture, he is Luigi, from Mario video games, in the middle. The costume picture fits him well even out of costume! A8 went to VBS with M8 and their silliness can be seen on the VBS video posted on Sat. June 28th (3:04 on the video).

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my niece & nephew's Christmas picture!

Aren't they adorable? Having Grandparent photographers THAT LIVE NEARBY really helps! Grandma told me that the twins were having the best time. G especially fell in love with that big teddy bear. I copied it from Facebook and pasted it here. That was easy.

Picture Day

We took some pictures today to maybe come up with a Christmas Card. I am not showing the ones that I sent to my magical mother to possibly fix up for a card incase we get to mail you one. But here are a few that did not make the cut.
This picture shows one where 2 boys are not really ready, so should we throw this picture out? Absolutely not! Look at D12 in the middle with his dog that shares the sweet message of trusting in Jesus. Let's see... how can we use this?

How about we crop everyone else out? But now we see the brothers we cut out. That is not so swift. We don't want them asking, "Why did you cut me out?" Then if you look at the next picture, you will see the final product from this ameteur.


Here was one of our first tries at a picture. Where is the spunk? Where is the thrill? A6 is playing the part, but the others forgot we were so happy. We'll keep trying.
Doesn't it look like N3 is saying, "How long is this going to take?"

America ~ Are We Sleeping?

PAUSE JUKEBOX BEFORE VIEWING THE VIDEOS

A new song by Casting Crowns.

Recap of Thanksgiving

A fun time with cousins!







This photo is of Jon & Elizabeth and their kids. On one of our ventures away from the cabin, we got this photo of Scott's brother's family. We stayed in a cabin just around the corner from Scott's oldest brother, Stuart, and his family. Nana and Papa were there too and stayed in another family member's cabin. The kids had a blast walking from cabin to cabin, fishing, etc.

N13 and I enjoyed playing with Papa's new car and GPS on the way over.

Elizabeth and I had fun realizing how much our husbands are alike.

I sat in a chair that did a split when I sat down. I got the bruise to prove it, but you don't want to see it. Yes, I am on a diet now! :-)

Anna, Stuart's oldest, was missing because she had to work. :-(

Scott's other brother, Bruce, and his family were missing too. :-(

My kids want me to get Nana's recipe for Brunswick stew. It was a hit for all my kids; I gotta have that recipe!

Mrs. Reynolds, Stuart's mo n law, was such a pleasant addition this year. Mrs. Reynold's kindness shined the whole time we were there. I hope I am like that one day. We celebrated her birthday while there.

Cousin Caleb was the biggest highlight for M8 and A6. Caleb is such fun and has such patience!

All the girls went shopping on Fri. in all the little shops. I found a new favorite coffee, got some Christmas shopping done, and had a great time.

Vivian was ever so sweet to take the kids for a walk to the lake.

The kids discovered and explored the tunnels for the dam.

I now see why Teri's kids did not want to part from her dressing. Yum!

Stuart's smoked fish and turkey make me want a smoker!

I realized my mom has got to teach me how to use her old camera. She made an award winning album with it, but my pictures make it look like I need a new camera.

My dad stayed home and was blessed by my friend, Goldie, and her family by them sending him a meal he just raved and raved about. Thanks Goldie! I luv that name!

C2 is growing up and becoming N3's buddy. So cute!

If this does not make you cry.... Operation Christmas Child

Don't forget to PAUSE JUKEBOX to see my videos!


The Lejla Allison Story from Jeff Douglas on Vimeo.

Except ye be converted, and become as little children...

A friend of mine told me about her precious 8 year old boy who loves and adores babies wherever he goes. Through this election, his parents decided he was old enough for them to explain the issue of abortion when it came up. The day after the election, he asked first thing, "Who won?" She found her son just sobbing as she told him it was Obama. How precious is the mind of a child whom all he could think about were all the babies that might have to die. That's love.

I remember when I was little and we watched a movie that showed Jesus having to die on the cross. I think it was a 2 or 3 night movie. The last night, I remember going to bed and just crying wondering how someone so innocent had to die. I was just so upset. I remember asking mom to be sure the movie was right. I could not believe it. I was so broken.

The mind of a child~ we should learn from them.

Matthew 18:1-4
At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying , Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him , and set him in the midst of them,
And said , Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted , and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

17 kids and counting - personal encouragement

I was blessed today to get to speak with Michelle Duggar, the mother of the 17 children on the TV show "17 Kids and Counting" found on the learning channel, TLC. In case you are not familiar, they are expecting their 18th child, home school, and are on a reality show. I got to share with her how her parenting techniques have so encouraged me and her children's comments and stand on certain issues have been a great influence on my kids. From watching the show, I was amazed at her sweet soft voice that approached the children that were needing instruction. Her children even shared how she is always that way, which made me wonder, "How does she do it?" I mean I try! I have even confessed to my children that I was wrong for yelling and how I want to change. I even thought of ways they could help keep me accountable. A couple times I shared with them an idea of getting a "NO YELL BELL" that my children were to go ring if I ever yelled, but we never got around to trying it. Actually after speaking with Michelle, I think I am going to try her method. First she so encouraged me by saying she too used to yell and was convicted that needed to change. She too started asking her children to hold her accountable but in a different way than my bell idea. She asked her children that if she ever yelled that they would come lay a gentle hand on her and remind her gently of her desire not to yell. She said sometimes when they did it at first that their little touch was like hot coals on her, but through time she got past the yelling and no longer deals with it. She made another major change by changing her yell to a whisper. She would remember the verse, "A soft answer turns away wrath." She still does it and does not have to fight the yelling anymore. Well, I am encouraged that I might be able to actually change. I am encouraged that all these things we need to work through are a process. I am glad I was on the right track of asking forgiveness and seeking accountability from my kids. Hey, there is a chance my kids may actually be able to report of me in the sweet way her kids of her. Thanks to Michelle for taking time to minister to me!

More FL fun

Our co-op friends from FL met us in Alachua while we were in town. We also got to see the Griffins, but I forgot to take a picture while they were there. I am hoping they send a picture of their family to show Scott how much the kids have grown!

The Bakers shared their awesome seats for N13, my brother Jason and PapaSteve to go to the Gator game. This picture is from their seats in the front row, not zoomed in! They were lovin it!



PapaSteve took N13 and D12 fishing one morning on Black Creek.

While we were there, we also did not get a picture at my Uncle Mike's Bday party that was at Aunt Betty's. I hope they send me one. I took my camera in, but never used it. It was good to see them too!

Time was too short! A6 got a BB in his ear. Thanks to N3! We spent a day at the urgent care center, then the ER downtown, then the ENT the next day all to still have that BB in his ear. One good thing came out of it. I got to see Glen and Debbie in the ER with their son! He had strep. When we go to Jacksonville, we try to get in visits with friends. I was going to have to miss seeing them this time unless she could make it to the bowling party. We only got to see my twin neice and nephew for about an hour at the party, so I was dissappointed with how little time we had there. But thanks Jason and Amy for staying until we got there so I could see them! The ER visit made our visit with mom's side of the family so short. Oh well. Next time!
N13 and I had such a short visit for Scott's side of the family. We get to spend time with them in a few weeks, so that is something to look forward to. The younger 4 boys got to stay a whole week and had a blast playing with their cousins and playing in a fort they keep talking about.

D12's B-day and FL pictures

Birthday party bowling and at Grandma and Papa Steve's in FL

We celebrated Nanny's 75th birthday along with Sarah and D12's birthday at Beverly's. We know D12 is not 11 and we think Sarah, my uncle Burt's wife, is not 45. Actually, D12 was technically still 11 here, so that works. Scott's daddy and my Nanny were born on the exact same day! Happy Birthday to Papa too. They are both celebrating the big 75!

The boys acted like they never saw the beach before. Well, 2 of them may not have and M8 did not seem to remember. We were not going to go swimming, but somehow we did. Well, they did while I prayed. They had a blast and we will definately allot for more time next time.

A N3 Funny

On the way home yesterday, N13 was kind of playing around with N3's hand and said, "Hey N3, do you like your hand?" N3 said, "Yes." Then N13 started acting like he was going to bite N3's hand in which N3 calmly responded, "You not like my hand?"

So Convicted!

I recently found myself telling my son to be careful what he learns from each of us adults in the family. Unfortunately, there are areas of each of our lives that these kids do not need to take with them. I told him there is one thing he needs to learn from his Granddad. It is love. As soon as I said that, I found myself convicted remembering scriptures, like “without love, I am nothing.” And “the greatest of these is love” All of this sudden my things I get irritated with my dad became nothing! I realized he may have some things I’d like to change (as with anyone that lives with me), but while I’m upset about dishes in the sink, he has “love”. Boy have I been missing it!

Even if I do good deeds and great things, according to scripture, if I do not have love, I AM NOTHING! Scripture is clear on that. Read for yourself: “Though I speak with the tongues of men & angels, but have not love, I have become as a sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gifts of prophecy and understanding all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have the faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

It truly convicts me about the part of having faith to move mountains. I have had many unbelievable prayers answered in very clear ways that it was from God, which has increased my faith tremendously. A dear friend of mine once told me the thing she learned from me was faith. I hope to share some of these answered prayers soon to encourage you to pray and remind you what God can do. But my faith is nothing without LOVE! Wow!

But do I have love? When I evaluate the definition of love, I think I am missing it! This is where God has me. I have a lot to learn!

Definition from 1 Cor. 13:4-8

Love suffers long and is kind: I do feel like giving up on people after a while. The world tells us about “tough love” for those who have failed over and over. All of this sudden I am taking that “tough love” idea to God for understanding if that is from him. I like the idea of tough love to be able to lay others burdens off my chest, but is that from God? Not sure yet… new thoughts here. As for the is kind part: How many times I can think of even recently that I was not so kind (being blunt and not considerate with my words) to someone, thinking in a round about was that it was it was deserved. This is my natural way of handling things when hard times come.

Love does not envy: Not so much lately, but this does happen.

Love does not parade itself, is not puffed up: Unfortunately, being honest, I think there are times in my heart I find it parading itself being proud of different things at different times.

Does not behave rudely: Well I have lost there! Some of my blunt words have been rude. I hear sarcasm at times and mocking come out of my mouth to my closest loved ones. I see this a lot if I am trying to focus on something I want to do, and not being considerate. (like if I am on the computer or watching a show that I act rudely to interruptions)

Does not seek its own: That goes along with my rudeness when someone interrupts me doing what I want (seeking my own). I feel this is in my life much more than comes to mind right now.

Is not provoked: Don’t I wish! I can be so calm with my children, but some of them know how to drive me past all patience! I have one child that argues, one whines, one jokes and interrupts class, and the other lacks understanding even after I explain things to him over and over which throws me off the deep end. Thankfully my little one does not provoke me yet. OK, I am excited that God proclaims this is even possible to not be provoked!

Thinks no evil: I won’t share the evil thoughts that come in my mind, but they come. I think this is not so much those quick bad thoughts that you have no idea where they came from. I think it means any type of harmful or revengeful type thoughts towards others.

Does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices in the truth: I think this means does not rejoice in sinful things, but rejoices in pure things of God. At this time, thankfully I am not recalling anything. I don’t doubt there is and I am not aware.

Love bears all things: I think at this point, I am bearing with what I am supposed to.

Believes all things: Hmm? What if they have a record of lying? OK, someone tell me what this means. I do know it hurts me when others do not trust me. Especially when I feel like I have a record of telling the truth. Like if I feel sick and cannot do my work, it hurts when I feel like people do not trust me and seem to be mad at me like I am not really feeling all that bad. Also there are times I have thought Scott should do certain things certain ways at work. I am recalling a time when I thought he should be able to come home early after working 2 weekends in a row. By my questioning his judgement and showing frustration with his decision, it showed distrust like I don’t believe what he is saying and don't trust him. That hurts him and is not loving him.

Hopes all things: I can see where love and not hoping for the best are opposites. I have seen myself not like certain people and in all honesty, I have hoped bad things for them. How awful! I think this is like Jonah not wanting the people of Nineveh to have good things after all the bad things they were doing.

Endures all things: sticks it out! Puts up with it. Wow! I am thinking of the girl in the bible who left her husband and cheated on him. She was later being sold as a slave where her husband happened to be, bought her and brought her back home. Now that is love! That is all of the above definitions of love!

Love never fails! This is something to ponder. I need God to change me from the inside out on love. I certainly do not like the thoughts of my life being NOTHING!

God, please work on me in all of these areas. Please let your perfect love shine through all I say and do. Please forgive my fleshly thoughts and create in me a clean heart. In Jesus name. Amen.

D12 had us rolling.

We had the biggest laughs with D12. He is in the dark about some of the election issues. He is not a auditory learner, so sometimes he does not pick up on things unless we communicate one on one. He read our blog recently showing what McCain and Obama were for and against. With his "newness," he had us rolling! I will never forget his words after reading the first 2 lines on that picture. Remember he only read about the marriage act(which we had to explain) and then the cloning issue. He said, "Don't you think he's going a little too far?" Then he read "Human life" and that Obama was againt it (again, not knowing what that meant). I hope you are getting his thoughts here. He then started demonstrating and saying,"OK, when Obama wins, everyone will say 'No human life!' and take out their guns, chicka chicka (that was the sounds of getting the guns ready and aimed) and then he will yell, 'Wait, no guns!' " Anyways, I love kids minds. I hope you see the humor. We did try to inform him on what those meant, but he still had fun making us laugh.

The large family feeling hit today.

I got home today and thought to myself, "Why am I so tired?" Then as I reflected on the day, I realized why. I woke up and got 4 boys ready for church and the fifth boy ready to go to the doctor. During our 45 minute wait until we had to leave for the doctor, I called several garden centers to find one that might have icicle pansies in yet. (I just learned these bloom all fall and are the first to bloom in spring.) Off to the doctor all to find out that A6 has Scarlet Fever. I about freaked out until the doctor explained that scarlet fever is simply Strep with a rash. Whew! That sounded a little more normal. But still we are treating it intently! After finishing with the doc, I went by Big Lots, right next to the doc office, looking for something to organize my office wires and such better. We got that done and realized I had N13's and M8's football pads in the van and would need to rush them home instead of getting the perscription filled. I got home, unloaded the organizers, got the football pads loaded in the jeep, got N13's shoes on to make him go with me to take D11 to a Birthday party and get the perscription. I did not want to leave N3 with A6 to get strep also. When we got to the birthday party, I spoke with the parents and got D11 all situated to go home with them since I would still be at N13's football game. I went home with the perscription and found out A6 wanted to go with us to the games. (Because you can buy sour candy there. :-) ) Oh, but before leaving, I could not help myself and organized half the office closet in my new bins. We headed out to catch the end of M8's game. Since M8 only gets to play in the last quarter, we were not in a hurry. We stayed for N13's game immediately following. While at the game, I videoed each play, visited with N13's friend, Zack, that came to watch and tried to keep 3 boys under my wing. M8 was so excited to join the other young brothers on the field and give out water. On the way home we picked up D11 at his friends house, spoke on the phone with Tonya B. while driving about a future trip to FL, and gave Scott a grocery list to get on the way home over the phone. This is when I walked in the door so blessed that Dad had the kitchen clean and dinner ready and was ever so thankful as I also was pondering, "Why am I so tired?" As I sat down to eat and thought of all that had happened today, I thought I'd better write this down so in the future I will remember these days. I ended my day with tucking my boys in, visiting with Aunt Betty on the phone and catching up and turning off the lights so I would not see any mess that needed to be cleaned and am now going to bed. Yae!

The Twins

My cutie nephew & his porcelain sister
(If you do not believe me, click on the picture and you will see!)



Grandma and Papa Steve had fun playing with their only baby girl.

M8's game pants

M8 is getting to sit on the sidelines this year a lot as a newcomer just like N13 did last year. Well after 4 games, I finally have to wash M8's pants. While watching N13's game, he spilt nacho cheese sauce on them! Hey at least he can say he got his pants washed faster than N13 did. :-)

I needed a good laugh!

A6 gave me a good laugh today. Last week at co-op he had 4 different classes to go to. The 4th class was Karate. On our second day at co-op, he started begging me not to send him back to his karate class. I asked what was making him not want to go. He said with a squeaky cry, "My teacher said if we don't listen, we are going to get beat up."

Poor guy, I was laughing so hard just imagining those inocent little eyes getting huge as he heard the teacher say that. I guess that shows he can't quite control that wandering mind and very active body. He did not trust himself to return to that class for fear of the corporal punishment! Extreme corporal punishment! My boys are having fun with that imitating what the teacher might do to you for different bad behaviors.

By the way the teacher thought it was funny too and tried to reassure him there would be no contact with anyone. Too late! A6 has decided to go with the much safer Spanish 1.

News on Home School

Wow! I can’t believe I am saying this, but home schooling all 4 went even better than sending two to school and home schooling the older two. M8 held me to trying it for a week. For one, having the little brothers join us for several subjects like science actually challenged the older boys. They certainly did not want little bro showing them up by remembering what angiosperm and gymnosperm were while they struggled to remember. Second, since we did school from 8:30 to 2:30 with only a 30 minute break for lunch, we were all free to do what we wanted and had time to each do a chore of the day and cook dinner. Last year, without a schedule, we would finish home schooling anywhere from 1 to 4:40, more the latter. The other boys got home from school at 4:10- 4:30 and had an hours worth of homework or more. This was also cooking time! Third, the mornings went much smoother not having to worry about finding shoes, ironing clothes, finishing homework or paperwork, or making lunches.

The schools here are further behind than where we came from. I was too busy to worry with it and let them go at the pace the school was, but I was disappointed to find that in order to buy curriculum for the boys for this year, I am having to buy all the material I bought for M8 in K when we home schooled him for A6 to do for his first grade year. In other words, A6, our 1st grader, will need to learn what M8 learned in K.

Well, I have a great perspective on the matter and am feeling overjoyed to have this opportunity to HS them. I went to school to be a teacher, because I love kids and teaching. I also wanted a career that would work well with the family. I never dreamed I would be teaching my own kids! I also am excited that I am in charge of choosing the curriculum, doing things my way, and have no deadlines as if I were teaching for someone else. I get to pick my own hours and do not have to get my kids or myself fully ready daily. I do not have the drive time, parent time, and meetings I am forced to take. Oh, and I do not have to do "impress the parent or principal projects" ;-) hee hee) Just a few weeks ago, I was with a lady who showed me the one room schoolhouse her mother taught 12 different grades in all her life, so that gave me a good perspective that 4 or 5 is not so bad! Oh, did I mention I get to decide if there is homework!! Woo Hoo!
We are doing a new co-op this year that is run like a school. One day almost every week, we will go to co-op and each of the boys will go to 4 separate classes. It sounds like it is going to be a great year! A6 will be taking Art, Character First, PE, and Karate. M8 will be doing the Tour of the World, Election Study, Character First, and Botany. D11 has a writing class, Election Study, Art and Botany. N13 has a writing class, Taking stock in “the state we are in” (they work in groups and get to do a mock run in investing money online competing with other students across the state), General Science doing the labs at co-op, and art. N3 is attempting the preschool activities.
I am looking forward to our school year this year!

Beth Moore Telecast to 716 sights!

When I heard Beth Moore was coming in town, I bought my ticket right away. It has been sitting in my closet for over 6 months. I had no idea it was going to be telecast to over 716 places internationally. One place was in my mother in law's home church. She was there watching the conference live with over 150 women.

I was with over 8,000 in one church. Over 70,000 people total were watching from all over. Beth Moore has been my favorite bible teacher for ever since before D11 was born. I have learned so many things that I have just felt that people do not need to leave this earth without knowing. Now I am not just talking the most obvious here, like knowing how to be sure you can go to heaven! That of course is most important, but I mean the other jewels in God's Word that connects the dots to many questions we have about the old testament and the new testament and answers questions like "Why did they sacrifice animals" and "How does that relate to us?"

Beth Moore was in Luke 8. ...he told this parable: 5 "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. 6 Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown." When he said this, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." 9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He said, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, "'though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.' 11 "This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. She explained this so well, and I would be happy to share my notes.