Thankful Thursday- January 10

Day 2 in Washington, D.C.  You can see all about our adventures on Day 1 here.  :-)

I am thankful for the opportunity to be here with my children and see so many wonderful things.  I am thankful for my parents for their generosity in treating us to such a special time.  I am thankful that all of the amazing museums and attractions that belong to the Smithsonian are free of charge to enter.  And after seeing what we did on Wednesday at the Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum at Dulles, I am thankful for all of the men and women who not only designed our air and space craft, but those who tested then, flew them and in some cases fought in them.

I am thankful to be able to speak to my husband every night and see how excited the kiddos are when they relay each days' events to him.

I am grateful that we were able to arrange for a van to take the 7 of us to and from each day's destination for less than what it would be on public transportation.

If you have not been to the second location of the Air and Space Museum (at hangars located on the Dulles Airport grounds), I would strongly recommend it.  It is spectacular.  I think the most amazing thing, without a doubt is seeing up close the space shuttle Discovery.  To be right in front of, beside and under this massive miracle of machinery that flew over 150 million miles in space is awesome.  Yes, you read that right, 150 million miles!  She was the record holder in the fleet, flying 39 missions from 1984 to 2011, when the space shuttles were retired.

The kiddos and I learned so much.  We talked about satellites, the International Space Station, moon landings, and the sacrifices made by so many.

They got to fly on simulators

and view miles around up in the observation tower

I am grateful that the hotel where we are staying has a fitness room and pool and that the kids have been able to enjoy the facilities everyday.  I am thankful that the lifeguard at the pool was a friendly and helpful young man who would make us feel welcome and even help me adjust swim goggles.  He made my day when he told me what a lovely family I had and how well behaved my children were!  Yay!  :-)
I am looking forward to a day at the downtown Smithsonian museums on Thursday.

What are you grateful for today?

I'm sharing with these lovely ladies: ,Lisa at The Army Chap's Wife, NOBH,Miscellany Monday, Raising Homemakers and Modest Mom and Raising Mighty Arrows,, Spilled Milkshake,Crafty Spices,  Mom's Monday Mingle, Monday Mingle, and Field Trip Friday and Just the Stuff Ya Know

Wordless Wednesday (well, not so wordless!)- January 10

We are in Washington, D.C.!  (well, in Arlington, VA, to be exact!)  My parents wanted to treat us (isn't that sweet?) to a few days down here to see the sights. (hubby couldn't get off from work, so he is holding up the fort and getting lots of updates from the kids!)

The train ride down on Monday was fun for the kids

as was the evening swim at the pool at the hotel

And the day at the National Zoo was nothing short of amazing.  If you haven't ever been to the National Zoo, make it a priority!  It is nothing short of incredible.  I have been to a lot of zoos, but none have ever compared even remotely to this one!  It is truly a hidden national treasure. (and it's free to get in since it belongs to the Smithsonian!)  I absolutely LOVE that many of the animals can roam whenever they like (the elephants) and the exhibits are just so creative and beautiful.  It is wide open and scenic.  You have no idea that you are in the middle of a busy, capital city.  The staff was so friendly and courteous and the animals were so active (even the orangutan who teased my son with a bit of a tug of war game!)

(the kids and my parents)

Yes, that is a lion mid air.  They were really playing with each other.  The roars were unlike anything I have ever heard!

Linking up with: Judy H-J's Thoughts, Mama to 4 Blessings, Create with Joy, NOBH, Musings from a Stay at Home Mom, Tina's Wordless Wednesday,Judy @ CoffeeJitters and Wordless Wednesday at Wordless and  Living Well Wednesday, Favorite Things, Modest Mom,  Homemaking Wednesdays and Crafty Spices

Try a New Recipe Tuesday- January 8

Happy New Year!  Excited to have Try a New Recipe Tuesday starting back up after 2 weeks off for Christmas and New Year's Day.  I hope everyone had a beautiful and blessed holiday season!  :-)

I thought it would be fun to share with you my top 10 (in terms of highest readership) recipe posts from 2012:

10) Sugar Cookies- from June 12

9) Beef Noodle Skillet- from June 26

8) Nutella Muffins- from July 24

7) Shepherd's Pie in the Crockpot- from May 22


6) Coffee Cake- from May 15

5) Homemade Laundry Detergent- from October 8

4) Omelette in the Crockpot- from May 8

3) Homemade Tomato Sauce (gravy)- from July 31

and there was an exact tie for 1st place!

1) Potato Crust and Hamburger Quiche- from June 5

and
1) Crockpot Corn and Potato Chowder- from September 25

There are many others that were so close including Italian Pizzelles and Canning cinnamon apples.  Feel free to check them all out again if you would like to see them, or any of the delicious recipes that were shared from my readers on those days!  :-)


Linking up with the Gathering Spot, Kids in the Kitchen, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt my Tummy Tuesday, Domestically Divine Tuesday, Raising Mighty Arrows,Addicted to Recipes, Homemaking Wednesdays, Living Well Wednesday,NOBH, Judy H-J's Thoughts, Wisdom Wednesday , Favorite Things, Modest Mom, Full Plate Thursday and Melt in your Mouth Monday and Show Off Friday and Tuesday's Table and Look What We Did and Titus 2sday,  Mom's Monday Mingle, Monday Mingle, Crafty Spices, Better Mom,Create with Joy, Thursday's Treasures, Tasty Thursdays

My "word" for 2013

I had never heard of selecting a "word" for the New Year before seeing it on many friends' blogs this week.  The idea started growing on me.  I am not a fan of resolutions, per se, as they are rarely kept and are so general like "be happy," "be healthy" or "lose 50 pounds."  We've heard them all before.  No how, no why, no little steps, just broad statements.  In my dad's sermon this past Sunday, he talked about having goals instead of resolutions and how with God's help, we can achieve those goals one step at a time.

So, with that in mind, I started thinking about a word that encompasses the goals that I have set for myself in 2013.

2012 was filled with many good memories.  I blogged my "2012: A Look Back" post and you can see it here.  It was a good year and as I said in the post itself, "Much has happened; memories have been made, lessons have been learned, love has been shared."

Looking to 2013, what would I want to focus on within myself and permeate more to those around me?  After much thought, I came up with

(thank you SO much to Melanie from at Only A Breath for the beautiful button!)

OPTIMISM

In the dictionary, it is defined as:

1) a disposition or tendency to look on the more favorable side of events or conditions and to expect the most favorable outcome

2) the belief that good ultimately predominates over evil in the world. 

Synonyms: confidence, hopefulness, cheerfulness.

What a word!  It really sums it all up, doesn't it?  To exude confidence, hopefulness and cheerfulness while knowing that good will predominate over evil and to always see the best in any situation.

The optimism of children in their innocence doesn't seem to last very long.  What happens to adults that they become so negative, so down, so much in a "rush" that the beauty of each situation, no matter how small, is somehow missed or overlooked?

The simple joy of my children, like in these photos from midnight on New Year's is what I want to focus on, cherish even more and encourage.  Life truly is too short to worry, rush and not have a cheerful disposition.  Children will, looking back, I truly believe, remember a mom who smiled and sat down to play before one who shooed them away so she could clean up; they will remember a mom who stopped to smell the roses with them rather than the one who shooed them along so they wouldn't be late.  And so on.

"Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."--Joshua 1:9

"So do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of its own.  There is no need to add to the troubles each day brings."--Matthew 6:34

"Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you.  I do not give it as the world does.  Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid."--John 14:27

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.  And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.  He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."  And He who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new."  Also He said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."-- Rev. 1:1-27

A quick thank you to all of my readers, friends and family who voted for my blog in the recent Homeschool blog awards.  I was so humbled to be named in the Top Ten for Homeschool Mom blogs and was recently notified that I also was awarded this honor in the photo category.  I just LOVE taking photos.  My kids laugh that my camera is permanently attached to me!  :-)  Maybe it is my little way of trying to capture and preserve their childhoods, because I know that the time is fleeting and they are growing up too fast.  :-)

Linking up with  Word 2013 at Ben and Me and these lovely ladies: Mom's Monday Mingle, Monday Mingle, Modest Mom, Crazy Mama, Homemaking Wednesdays and Raising Mighty Arrows and Titus 2sday and Clever Chicks Blog Hop, NOBH, Weekly Wrap-up, Homeschool Mother's Journal, Show-Off Friday, Learn and Link and It's a Wrap, Friendship Friday and Friday Connection and Fun Friday, and Only a Breath.

Happy New Year! (and top 10 posts from 2012)

Happy New Year!  May God bless each of us and our families in 2013!

Here are some photos from our New Year's Eve celebration at the bowling alley.  It is always a fun time with family and friends.

can't bowl without the pigies!  :-)

the kids and my dad playing hangman

It was a great evening with old and new friends (On the left is hubby and I.  In the center is a dear friend who was Kiddo #3 and #4's preschool teacher and on the right are two new friends who joined us with their son for a fun night!  Their son is on the homeschool bowling league with our children.)

all of the kids after their evening of bowling, eating and friendship.  :-)

Also, here are the Top-10 most read posts  on "Home to 4 Kiddos" for 2012:

10) Our Curriculum 2012-2013

9) Make Life Meaningful Monday- June 18

8) Homeschool Mother's Journal/Weekly Wrap-Up January 6

7) Celebrating Mothers

6)Try a New Recipe Tuesday- October 9

5) Make Life Meaningful Monday- July 2

4) Try a New Recipe- July 31

3) Review and Giveaway for Advent

2) Try a New Recipe Tuesday- September 25

and the most viewed post on my blog in all of 2012 was......

1) Print-a-Palooza- Monday October 1

Linking up with On, in and around Mondays in addition to Wisdom Wednesday, Living Well Wednesday, Mom's Monday Mingle, Monday Mingle, Modest Mom, Crazy Mama, Homemaking Wednesdays and Raising Mighty Arrows and Titus 2sday and Clever Chicks Blog Hop, Mama to 4 Blessings, Create with Joy, NOBH, Musings from a Stay at Home Mom, Tina's Wordless Wednesday,Judy @ CoffeeJitters and Wordless Wednesday at Wordless and  Living Well Wednesday, Favorite Things, and Crafty Spices, Better Mom