Monday Musings

Did you ever just have one of those days where it all seemed to fall into place-- that the kids actually loved the lessons and asked for more?  We had one of those days today and I am so grateful!  :-)

Have I mentioned that I absolutely love Apologia science?  Kiddos #3 and 4 are doing their Zoology 3 this year and we are really enjoying the journey.  We did an experiment today about camoflage.  M & Ms were put into a laundry basket with certain colors of construction paper inside.  The kids had 2 minutes to find as many as they could.  We got to make hypotheses about what colors we would find, which we would have a more difficult time finding and why.  It sounded like so much fun that their older brothers just had to come in and try it themselves!  :-)

We also did an antonym/synonym/homonym scavenger hunt.  Each card let them to somewhere else and then gave them a clue to find the next card, and so on.  I had it end where we keep their snacks.   
:-)  They were so excited about it today that they begged for another one tomorrow.  I don't know if I can be that creative 2 days in a row! 

The card above took them to the inside of the freezer.



This one took them to the couch.  :-)  etc, etc. 

This afternoon was everyone's music lessons, so it was a great end to a great day.  Will every day be like this?  No.  Will I assuredly see the rolling eyes or hear the "this is boring" sometime soon?  I'm sure.  But, I will bask in the success of this day until then and be very thankful.

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
Colossians 2:6-7

Weekend Highlights

On Friday, before heading over to Church to help set up for our flea market, we went to the store and bought Kiddo #1 his guitar for lessons that will be starting on Monday and a glove for Kiddo #4 for baseball on Tuesday.

Saturday was my birthday, and I was blessed to be able to spend the day relaxing with the kids.   I wore one of the new outfits my parents gave me to go out to dinner and a movie with the hubby.  I really want to see "Courageous," but since it doesn't come out for another couple of weeks, I had to choose something else.  We saw "Contagion."  It was actually pretty good-- a realistic scenario of what life would be like when a deadly flu strikes.  And, how refreshing that there were no obscenities, drugs, sex or graphic violence!

On Sunday, my parents did their annual canning of tomatoes.  After Church, Kiddo #4 helped put basil in the jars.  We get to enjoy gravy (tomato sauce) for another year!  :-)

I hope everyone had a blessed weekend, as well!  :-)

Thankful Thursday

Today, I am especially thankful for:

1) a great first day of homeschool baseball

2) an awesome homeschool swim and gym program at the YMCA

and 3) wonderful Biblical resources and children who are eager and interested in learning about God's Word.

If you can't read it, it says "Jesus sees out of eyes of compassion."

The children each had to choose a verse that they wanted to put on the back.  This one is from 1 Sam. 16:7b.  It reads "Man looks at the outward appearance but I look at the heart."  Another kiddo chose "The Lord keeps close watch over the whole world, to give strength to those whose hearts are loyal to Him."  2 Chr. 16:9a

This one reads "The Lord watches over you...The Lord will keep you from all harm." Psalm 121

This post is linked up with http://themarathonmom.com/thankful-thursday-family-time.htm

September 11

We were given a prayer on our way out of Church today.  I would like to share it:

Almighty and Ever-Loving God,

we remember September 11, 2001,

and pray for all those who were

affected by the terrible events of that day.

We remember, with love and respect,

all of those who went tragically to their deaths.

We remember those who still suffer from their

injuries of that day ten years ago and pray for

their recovery.  We remember the still

grieving families and friends and all who

lost loved ones.

Gracious Lord, comfort all who mourn,

embrace all those in sorrow, give courage to all who suffer.

Continue to console them in the hope that all who trust in You

will find peace and rest in Your Eternal Kingdom.  Bless them

with Your presence and surround us all with Your love.

God of peace, who vindicates all injustice, bless all those defending

and protecting our country and its ideals of freedom and liberty.  God

of all nations, look with love on this world and on its people.

Restore tranquility to all nations and bless the work of Your creation.

Heavenly Father, answer our prayer and bring us hope through Christ,

Your Son.  May Your kingdom of justice and of peace reign and may the

earth be filled with Your glory.  Amen.

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Church was so touching today.  Not only because of the patriotic hymns or the meaningful sermon, but because of the Scripture readings.  How fitting (and a complete God-incidence, for sure, as these readings were chosen decades ago) that we were to hear Sirach 27:30-28:9 "Wrath and anger are hateful things.....the vengeful will suffer the Lord's vengeance......Forgive your neighbor's injustice," Romans 14:7-9 "For this is why Christ died and came to life, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living" and Matthew 18:21-35 "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive?  As many as seven times?  Jesus answered 'I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times." Wow.  This speaks volumes.  How difficult and what a challenge to all of us, especially on this day.

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I know we all remember where we were 10 years ago today.  I was in my living room, six months pregnant with our 3rd child, playing with our 2 year old.  I had just dropped off our 3 year old for his first "preschool" morning at the church down the street.  My dad called and told me to turn on the tv.  I saw the towers fall live.  Those images, as I'm sure they will with you, will haunt me the rest of my life.  All of our lives changed forever that day.  Being a soldier's wife, I knew our lives would change, too.  It wasn't immediate, but he was deployed to the Middle East and was there when our 4th child was born.

Looking at our now 13 year old, who is now about 6 feet tall, it seems like yesterday that he was that eager 3 year old wanting to go hear Bible stories and color!  Yet, looking at our now 10 year old, it has hit me that it has been a lifetime, his entire lifetime.  The emotions, as I'm sure it is with everyone, are hard to describe and are still as raw as they were that fateful day.

Watching the ceremonies on tv today, the lump in my throat and the pit in my stomach were hard to ignore.  We must remember.  always.  It saddens me that the flags are all gone, the churches are no longer filled and American's love for money and all things material seems to have returned with a vengeance.  We must continue to pray for our nation, our brave servicemen and women and for each other.

God bless America.



The Week in Review

This week was a good one in many ways and a sad one, as well.  As many of you know, my dear grandmother passed away last Friday and was laid to rest on what would have been her 94th birthday, this past Wednesday in Arizona.  My dad preached at the funeral.  I know she was very proud of him.  Many have already asked for copies of his beautiful sermon.  We were blessed to have her in our lives.  She was a excellent example of what it means to be a godly woman-- always forgiving, always smiling and always praying.  She was a dedicated wife to my grandfather until his death 4 years ago, a few months shy of their 70th wedding anniversary.  I pray that I may live up to that example in my life and always have God and family being the top priorities.  Here is the photo that was in her obituary.  She was only 18 and it was always a favorite photo.

In our homeschool this week:  We did start school this week and it went really well!  I actually put together a daily schedule for each child in 15 and 30 minute segments; and although committed to not being "controlled" by it, it was a great guide and the kids followed it easily and seemed encouraged that they knew what they needed to be doing and when.

I also became committed to having their lessons and material being much more hands-on, which not only kept them engaged, but was fun and they were much more able to recount what they did and learned.

The photo below is of the "Bowls of Mercy Sock Toss"  activity found in the book "52 Family Time Ideas."  The kiddos all loved it and not only were able to explain what they were doing and why to their father later on that day, but were so helpful to each other in trying to "accomplish" the task.  :-)

The first few days of Pre-Algebra were really successful for kiddos #1 and 2.  I love to see the cooperative learning between them.  Kiddos # 3 and 4 started Apologia's Zoology 3 and I cannot say enough about the program, even after just a few days.  Kiddo #3 is already telling everyone about Dr. Jane Goodall and how she "habituated" with the animals.  :-)

We went out to lunch on the first day, a Phillies game on Wednesday night and went bowling with some friends on Friday.  A great way to end a great first week!

What I am reading: I have several books going at once!  I am reading "Beyond Band of Brothers" by Major Dick Winters (yes, I am a history geek, lol!), "Warrior Prayers: Praying the Word for Boys in the Areas They Need it Most," "31 Days to Clean: Having a Martha House the Mary Way" and "Raising Real Men."  :-)  There are probably more that I am forgetting to list! 

A quote or photo to share: "If you don't behave as you believe, you will end up believing as you behave." ~ Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

Prayer to begin a school year

A friend sent me this prayer for the first day of school that I wanted to share.  We are beginning our studies tomorrow.

Prayer to Begin a School Year

Blessed are you, Lord God,

Creator of body and mind and heart;

You have sent the Spirit of wisdom and knowledge

To guide your people in all their ways.

At the beginning of this new school year

We implore your mercy;

Bless the students and moms,

That together we may grow in faith, hope, and love

As we learn from You and each other

How to follow Your Son Jesus.

Expand the horizons of our minds,

That we may grow in wisdom,

Understanding, and knowledge;

Deepen our commitment to seek the truth of Your ways;

And enliven our faith to reach out to those in need.

Glory and praise to you, Lord God,

In the Church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever.

Amen

Wordless Wednesday- Fishing! :-)