I've Got This!

I love this weather! Although the beautiful colors of fall have faded to the ground and into large black bags and smoky ash, I'm still captivated by the unmatched, unrivaled, glorious beauty of Creation! 


Over the course of my nice easy run this morning, I saw deer, squirrels, big black crows and lots of worms...and then the rain began to fall ever so gently on the trees. What a privilege to be surrounded by nature! My body was numb from the cold, yet my soul was radiantly warmed by God this morning. This change in scenery is something that cannot adequately be described, but I feel like each falling leaf that catches my eye, God Himself has arranged for my pleasure. For the purpose of reminding me that He holds it all together, and He calls the shots. To help me remember WHO gets the glory. To keep my focus on Him, not on myself. Thank you, Lord for your marvelous work.


Job 38, 39, 40 and 41 are a wonderful read to help us remember who controls this universe:) Ask yourself these questions. Can you do ANY of these things or answer any of these questions? I can't! And I'm so thankful that God loves me enough to make me a part of His plan. Not only that, but He gives me life more abundantly than I'd ever know apart from Him. And the best is yet to come when we see Him face to face and fall at His feet in total worship of His majesty.


 Revelation 1:7 says-  "Look! He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him..." 


Amen! Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

This is serious...I'm needing help. Not my area of expertise. In fact, it's not even on my radar. And this would be okay, except now my husband is starting to hint around. He even came right out and said it this evening..."we need to do something crafty for Christmas this year." HA! Crafty? Me?? Why, I don't even own a glue gun! I have not a ribbon or pipe cleaner, a single stitch of fabric or spool of thread. Not a sewing needle in the house. 


Now I realize that this may come as a shock to most of you crafty bloggers out there. How can you be a homemaker and not at least know how to sew on a button or have a glue gun in your possession? Even funnier is that my mom was VERY crafty. I can't even tell you how many times I burned myself on the hot glue gun as a child. It was everywhere, always plugged in and dripping all over. She knew how to make beautiful things without any money or tutorials...why didn't that rub off on me?


So now you understand why I'm a little nervous about this sudden and very specific request from my husband. I'll be keeping a close eye on Edie's 12 Days of {handmade} Christmas over at lifeingrace for some ideas. But what will I need for crafting? All I can think of is obviously a hot glue gun...I guess I should just go walk around Michael's and look at what's available. I'm really in over my head in this arena...Any suggestions would be helpful. I'm stuck on pipe cleaners and hot glue. 


What else am I going to need for a successful crafting adventure with my family? 

Someone reached out to me last week. I was sitting alone at Main Street in our church-outside the kids' school. Watching for my husband, waiting patiently for him to get out of his class for the day. Sitting and stewing actually. Feeling divided and separated. Wondering what the heck I was doing there- didn't I have brains enough to get up and just go home and do my own thing while he was in class?? Surely I could have gone home, gone back to sleep for 2 hours, had a little quiet prayer time, cleaned up the kitchen, done some laundry....anything but SIT on my rear for 2 hours just to be close to my children and wait on my husband...when out of nowhere, some nice guy starts making smalltalk with me.


You see, I sit there in Main Street at least 3 days a week, reading my Bible, drinking coffee, every Tuesday watching hundreds of women walk in to a weekly Bible study. But I'm new here, and I'm not great at making friends. I get crazy insecure when I'm all on my own. I see these beautiful women-dressed up, all chatty with one another, how am I supposed to just throw myself into their conversations.."can I be your friend? can I go to Bible study with you?" Sheesh, so I just sit there wishing I had the nerve to walk in and be welcomed, albeit slowly, but it's a Bible study, surely someone would welcome me?!


So back to the nice guy-turns out he's a seminary student who was also waiting for his wife and he says to me- "you know, there's a women's Bible study going on down the hall right now. It's every Tuesday morning at 9, my wife is there now." OK, God! I've got it. I need to be in this study...so the nice guy, Josh, gives me his email address, his cell phone number, his wife's number...turns out they've found it very difficult to plug-in around here as well. They're organizing a Bible study at their home and have invited us. His wife, Mandi-called me Monday and asked if I'd meet up with her at the women's Bible study Tuesday morning...so I did. Anyway, my point is-God was at work. He knew the mess I was dealing with internally. He was right there with me. He heard my prayers. He answered them. 


He cares about every little thing that we face. He works on our behalf. I'm thankful for these new friends. I'm thankful for this AMAZING study that I'm now a part of. I even got to share a bit about some recent struggles I've had with un-confessed sin. Oooh. I don't think ANYONE likes to talk about that. It may just be the most difficult thing to face in your Christian walk. Especially because keeping it inside "avoids" a lot of heartache. Well, wrong. You cannot fully serve God and be in relationship with Him while your mind is divided. You'll ignore His prompting again and again to resolve the issue and do nothing to further your walk with Him. Remember that He loves you and will never leave you. He is WITH you in your time of trouble. You cannot disappoint HIM. He knows all...just be obedient! Pray and pray for the right way to confess your sin. Let the person you are telling know how difficult this is and how you know it won't be easy to hear, but that you know that you are being obedient to God and your whole purpose of revealing your sin is to be in true and complete obedience to God. And remember, God is with you!!


Ok, so that's that. 

DON'T MISS THIS-Genetically Modified Organisms COULD BE KILLING US!

Institute for Responsible Technology -

So many times, I think we get caught up in our feelings. Feelings are good, don't get me wrong. We are made by God to be emotional creatures. But we are too often led around by our feelings. "This makes me feel better, so surely I should pursue it." Or maybe "this doesn't feel comfortable, so surely God doesn't want to me do this..."

I don't really have much more to say about it, other than I'm aware of the danger of reacting according to my feelings or emotions. Oh man! I'd really mess up if I didn't know this one simple truth...God is in control. I might not have control of my life ever again. That's okay. God's got it. He loves me more than I could ever know. I'll just keep a quiet spirit and ask Him to continually show me His promise to always work everything out for good. For His glory. Now, this will only work for me if I keep my focus on Him. And that means every moment of every day. Then I'll be on the right track:)

Thanks, Lord for your love and guidance. Especially now while I'm completely outside my comfort zone.

If I could open up my chest and unlock my heart, I'm sure you'd see Fall spilling out of it. The crisp air, beautiful colors, leaves tumbling, children laughing, coffee spiked with pumpkin and spice...ahhh. Fall is just so cozy and calming for me. The difficult thing for me is not napping the day away! I'll sit and snuggle my coffee cup while reading my Bible, then skip around some blogs enjoying all the fun ideas and crafts. I live vicariously through the bakers and crafters at this time of year. Some of these bloggers are just extremely gifted! I'd honestly NEVER be able to come up with some of this stuff. The CUTEST cupcakes and cookies you're ever gonna see, the loveliest tablescapes, the most beautiful homes and decor...


So much to look at, it's hard to settle down and just look through and enjoy one at a time! I make sure to follow or subscribe to all of them so I can take the time later to go back and enjoy them. Someday, I hope to have more time to devote to my own blog. I'd like to run an etsy shop (what I'd sell, I don't know) or offer an abundance of ideas (? nutrition, oh wait, I already do that on my other blog) or something useful. Honestly, it's probably never gonna happen. I'm too much of a flake (and I hate that) to keep up with an intricate blog!! So this is probably all you're ever gonna get outta me. Just ramblings...I have had the hardest time focusing lately! It's horrible. Can hardly finish a thought...oops. SEE?? I was about to get lost again. Anyway, I love fall and that was the point I was trying to make.


I think the TV is eviilll. No, I'm serious. We sit and stare at it for hours and neglect our family activities. Never turning this thing off is driving a wedge between us. I HATE IT. I've talked to my husband about it. He agrees, but doesn't seem to want to do anything about it. It has been on allllllllllll day. I was bothered by my daughter when she needed help with her homework-why? I wasn't busy, I was just interested in what was on TV. My children shouldn't have to compete with the TV!!! Especially when they need help! God, forgive me:(( Help me!! You're never to busy to hear my needs, Lord. Sadly, I wasn't only watching TV, I was surfing the internet on my laptop! God, I seriously need to adjust the way I'm spending my time. Thanks for convicting me of this at this moment. I need to fix it. I know what to do, as You've already been telling me. Time for a serious step back from technology. A step in the right direction, closer to You and my family. Seriously! Why in the world don't I seek to stop this damaging behavior?? I've got to get this right and now. This is what I'd consider to be the "bread of idleness." And I'm stuffed beyond being uncomfortable. I'm choking on it. 


See what I mean about rambling??? Anyway, I hope to report to you in a few days or maybe even a week, that we've watched a lot less TV. Maybe I'll challenge myself to step back from Facebook for a full week. Sounds so silly, but it's the only connection I've had to people for the last 2 months:( Oh well, I need to seek only God in this time. Maybe, just maybe He wants to tell me something VERY important and I haven't been listening??? Thanks, Lord for making me aware. I'm listening now! What is it?

May I Whine?

Ok, did I mention how much I'm loving this Picnik stuff?? Check this out! I have a pretty good camera, not terribly fancy with all the different lenses and whatnot. In fact, the camera does WAY more than I know how to make it do. Does that make sense? I basically use it as a point and shoot and ignore all the other settings. But guess what? I don't even need to know how to use all the settings on my camera now!!! I can just upload a few pics from Picasa to Picnik and voila! This weekend, we're gonna get busy taking family pics so I can play around with them and make them look professional:))

I love the rain! Do you?? Of course, I realize that I sound a little bit crazy-but moving from the very dry desert to the East Coast is a treat. There are changes in the weather patterns, seasons, humidity, cool air, rain. I'm just really soaking it all in. I'd never experienced 3 straight days of rain before these last 3. Sure, it's uncomfortable to get out in it. Yes, my floors are streaked, my eyes are droopy from the lack of sunshine and the kids are a little stir-crazy. But what an experience! It's so peaceful to sit and sip coffee and glance out the window periodically and see the richness of the green trees, the shiny puddles on the blacktop. And the sound of water trickling off the house...so peaceful. 


I need peace right now in my life, and the Lord provides it in so many different ways. I particularly love this chosen method of relaxation :) In days past, I would have been baking up some cookies for the children to come home to or folding laundry for hours at a time, rushing to clean the toilets, tidy up the living room or prepare dinner before Daddy got home. These days, these resting, peaceful days- I get up earlier, get things done, and they're done. No waiting until the last minute to clean up and prepare. No stress. Time for me and my husband. Time for me and Jesus to just sit and be together. To rest in Him. He provides it all. He makes it so easy, I just have to follow. And it seems like there's just not as much to be done. Same 4 people living together, same stuff, same everything...just more dependence on God. More time to just be and enjoy life! I kinda lost my train of thought, so just enjoy the above picture and forgive me:P

These leaves are falling in my soon-to-be backyard:) This makes my heart leap for joy!! Now, these colors were made even more eye-popping by using Picasa. If you don't have it- go get it! I downloaded a free version online. I have only played with it twice, but it seems to be a pretty fun and useful tool. Of course you can always buy the full version and do even more amazing tricks! I pray you are enjoying the start of the fall season wherever you are today, God Bless!

HA! It's official!


We will be moving from our hometown of Kingman, AZ-to what my children will call their hometown-Lynchburg, VA! Things are set for hubby to attend Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary this fall. Everything is a go!! 


God, you're so faithful and so amazingly, awesomely over-abundant! You've shown us your love and your sheer power to move mountains! We have prayed and prayed for your will, and you have shown us that our hearts are in line with yours! I have grown to expect your best for me. I know you plan to use me in a real and mighty way. Thank you for what you're doing in our lives, Lord Jesus. 


So, anyway-a few of the things I'm looking forward to are:


1. The Community Market
2. Apartment living
3. Meeting new people
4. Beautiful scenery
5. Discovering new interests
6. Changing seasons
7. Flames and Hillcats games
8. Not knowing anyone at all (for a while anyway)
9.
10.


And the list will just go on and on...something I'm really looking forward to is the "not knowing anyone at all" part. There's something amazing about anonymity (I presume) that I can't quite put my finger on at this juncture. I'm surely going to appreciate it though. I just know it:) I am imagining a place where I can actually go to the store without seeing anyone that I MUST politely engage in at least a little friendly chit-chat. The obligatory nod or smile...you know what I'm saying. It's not that I'm unfriendly or want to be a 'loner' or anything. I think I'm just in need of a break...ya know? Some people can afford to get out of town for a few days, or go out of the country for a little RESET on life and dealings therein.


I just need to get away for a refreshing outlook. I need to be in a place where I WANT to make small talk with people. Smile and befriend people. Care about and LOVE people. I'm not making excuses for myself, but this town we're in isn't exactly...well, I'm not gonna go there. God knows what I need and I am humbled to know He loves me so much that He's making it possible for me to have this much needed change in my current status. Ahh, it feels so good! 


And so, I wish I had more time to share some details about the place we'll be moving to, but I don't have any. Time that is. I've gotta get up and start packing..

Sometimes we just need to be reminded of God's promises and how we can claim them for ourselves today. I'm about to dig into His Word for some guidance through this season of life. Would you join me?

Click on the link above to find out where I'm getting my study material:) While you're there, feel free to check out the entire website. There are TONS of great lessons, videos, radio broadcasts, etc. Good food for your soul!

Disclaimer: Things are moving, for sure, but there's nothing actually in motion at this time. So, just in case you are our family reading my last post...don't freak out!! When the time is nearer and clearer, we'll definitely sit you down and let you know:) PROMISE. 

It's definitely time. Too many doors have been opened. Some doors have even been completely shut. Other doors are still kinda halfway propped open with a door stop, leading me to the understanding that HIS timing is perfect. 


I wanna take out those door stops and just slam those last few doors shut! Get with the program. Although I don't want to force my will in the situation, I'm finding it difficult to find a happy medium! I can see the promises on the horizon, and after 5 long years of praying, waiting and growing, it's imperative that I just wait a little bit longer. Be a lot more patient. Hang on to the promises so that I can truly experience what God has in store for me. 


So, what's the big deal? Well, I'm obsessive-compulsive. I can't focus on anything else right now. I feel the need to not just plan as God leads, but to PACK THE TRUCK NOW. Anybody get what I'm saying? I'm the mom, the wife. I'm the cleaner, planner, organizer, and ultimately, packer. So now you know what I'm eluding to- MoViNg!


Not just a little move this time, either. A God-planned move. With God-sized promises built right in. Jeremiah 29:11 means something to me personally now. "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." What a promise! And, He promises to be right here with me all the while. How great is He? I just love Him so.


And I'm extremely thankful that I do not control the Universe! I can't see everything He's working out behind the scenes. I haven't received all of the details yet. But I can tell you, for 5 long years, I've been able to vividly imagine the place He has called us to. I've seen us not just living there, but carrying out day-to-day activities in this specific place. I've imagined that we'd be there for the long-haul. I've seen myself in real-life service to our Lord. In that place. I've sensed something BIG coming about. I've heard my children's laughter echo throughout my mind and longed to be there to give them more. 


I've been largely incapable of settling where we are. And I know I'm unsettled for a reason. Lots of great reasons to go. There's so much more that we want to do with our lives. For our children. For God. But there are also many reasons why it's going to be an emotional roller-coaster. We're leaving behind all of our family. All of our friends. All of anything that is familiar to us.


And that brings me to something else specific that I'm so grateful for at this season of my life. Friendship. God built friends into my life. The best ones. The kind you don't have to call everyday to maintain. True friendships. He knew how much I'd need them right now. Custom-made them for me. He loves me so much! He must to give me these wonderful godly women to share this change with. It goes without saying how much I'll miss them. I'm glad they understand with all their hearts what it means to be obedient to God in all things. I'm blessed by their counsel, their laughter, their listening ears and most of all, the shared tears yet to come. I'm excited and strong until I think of them not being there when all is unpacked in the newness of God's planned place. And then I realize God is BIG. His plans are greater than my own. He knows what He has in store for me. I trust Him. For He is God. 


And, hey, while Facebook is way more impersonal than face to face-it's something! And it's quicker and easier than writing a letter and mailing it like friends had to do back in the day! And we've got phones! Don't forget about phones!! Ugh...this is really going to be tough. 


Lord, thank you for loving me the way you do! Thanks for your promises and your provision. Thank you for friendships that last. Calm my spirit to be fully open to trust you and rest while I await your guidance from this moment forward. Prepare the hearts and minds of those we love and cherish. Bless them for their love and devotion to our family over these many years. May we bring you glory and honor through this time. In Jesus name, Amen.

I've recently been doing a lot of writing on a chalkboard surface...and thinking...and that's where the trouble begins. So, I checked out Edie's post over at lifeingrace. Ahhh-mazing! I now am obsessing about when and where I'd LOVE to have a chalk surface...for ME. Well, I guess the kids would enjoy it a little too. And maybe my husband would leave me a sweet little note here and there...Anyway, I thought you'd enjoy this GINorMOUs collection of chalkboard related stuff over at The Nesting Place.

Make sure you get some coffee and keep the kids occupied so you can browse through all of this stuff. Better yet, have the kids curl up with you and look at the ideas together:) Inspirational for the whole family! Good weekend projects or family projects that pay off for years to come.

Ok, I really love blogging:) Up to 3 spots now. Check me out right around the corner.

I don't expect rose petals in my bubble bath, chocolate truffles, or even a nice sappy card. I never wish for jewelry, money, or anything of the sort. Valentine's Day is always "just another day" for my husband and I. Well, aside from the banquet we attend to support our church's youth group going to camp each year:) We pretty much have an understanding that we don't really acknowledge the holiday. And I can honestly say I'm o.k. with that! My husband jokes and says "everyday is Valentine's Day with him." But, it's not far from the truth. My man is a vocal one. Supportive, affectionate, complimentary...just all around a stand-up dream guy! God must really love me to give me Jason as my spouse.

But, this year he just blew me away! He came home from work Tuesday with a package and took the kids aside and gave them a little purple box and told them to tell me "Happy Valentine's Day, Mommy! This is for you because you're the best mommy in the whole world!" So, about to cry, I opened the box and saw the most thoughtful gift I've EVER received. It's a heart-shaped locket necklace with charms inside. Charms that my honey picked out that just so greatly capture my heart! There are 3 kids inside, the 2 girls each with their birthstones, and my boy with his birthstone wearing a baseball cap. Then he chose a "J" initial to represent himself, a "walk with God" charm and an "I love coffee" charm. It is THE cutest and most precious gift. And a total surprise! MAJOR brownie points for Daddy:)) I just can't stop smiling at him and it has been 2 days since he gave it to me.

Can I just mention that this came at the PERFECT time for me? I have been ultra concerned about my man lately and our relationship! Not that we were on really rocky ground or ever have the potential of "not working things out" so to speak. We've just really gone through a difficult season of marriage lately. A few things have contributed to this: 1. He got a "promotion" at work and has had great new stress to go along with that. 2. We've just started to educate our children at home. 3. Finances are in the same wobbly boat even after that "promotion" so it makes it even more difficult to take on the extra stress and not be well-compensated for it. 4. I'm sure there's a 4.....so all these things have been taking a toll on what would typically be a pretty healthy line of communication. He has been quiet. He has been short with the children. He has been distant from me. Just very preoccupied. His phone has been ringing with work calls, emails, texts. His joy has been robbed time and time again. I've tried (most of the time) to just be understanding, keep my distance, keep the children at bay, pray for him...most of the time.

Ya know when you just get to that point where you've had enough and God just doesn't seem to be doing His part? Well, I can tell you from experience, that's when you need MORE THAN EVER to keep your mouth SHUT!!! I wish I could tell you that I learned by doing it the right way:( NOPE. I couldn't keep my mouth shut. Breaking point came, I broke. In front of the children nonetheless! Caused a HUGE stink. And guess what? The thing that made me break, well, I was justified for feeling the way I did! I just needed to keep my mouth shut a few SECONDS longer and God would have stepped in and handled it HIS way. But, I didn't. So, I learned the hard way. I hope I learned anyway. I pray I learned and don't have to repeat this turmoil again! And, ultimately, Jas and I talked things out (although it took longer than ever in 8 years of marriage) over the next few days. He was relieved to get some stuff off his chest, and so was I. We finally connected after a few months of being so distant and crabby! And to know that he had already ordered that necklace before we had our blowout means that much more to me!! He never stopped loving me with all his heart. He was just distracted. It really stinks that things had to get so uncomfortable, and ultimately really ugly to realize that we just needed to make time for US. To be boyfriend and girlfriend for awhile. To laugh with each other. Oh, I just love to see him smile at me!! It makes me feel like such a treasure to my man. I love to feel treasured. Don't you?

I pray for each of you who read this. I pray that you have much more strength in obedience to God than I do. I wish you'd take away from my story to keep your mouth shut. No, really! I know it sounds harsh, but it could really make all the difference! I waited MONTHS in obedience. Held my tongue. Did my best to be a servant of my husband without demanding anything in return. But, sadly I did not hold out long enough. I knew God would answer my prayers to bring my Jason out of his funk, but He didn't do it fast enough to suit me:( See what happens when you get impatient with God and start stompin' your feet like a little bratty kid? Ughh...let's try to finish strong next time, Talisha.

Go check out my first post on our homeschooling blog, please! :)) I'm still trying to figure out all this blogging stuff, so be patient with me, please. I just knew that I wanted a place separate from my own personal 'journal entries' on this blog to share what kinds of things we're doing over here at "sprouting oaks homeschool." Thanks for following me and God Bless you!

    I'm sitting here at 12:30 a.m. chuckling to myself. All these great dreams and aspirations I had of becoming this SUPER-BLOGGER.....why do I get so silly? My motto lately has become some form or "I don't serve____, it serves me!" You fill in the blank with whatever it is that you don't want to serve, as in, become a servant of, or slave to. For example, going to the gym serves ME. I tend to have a touch of OCD with some things. So, if I have a list with check boxes and I can't check off every single box by actually accomplishing (to the "t") what needs to be checked off the list, I get fussy. I start doubting my abilities and commitment. I start getting very critical of myself. "Well, if So and So had this list to complete, SHE'D have no problem with whatever it is. So what's wrong with ME?" I HATE that I compare myself!! It's as if I have no ability to measure myself against my old self, recognizing and celebrating my true accomplishments. Or better yet, how about just NOT comparing and measuring? Rather, I compulsively look for an ideal. I search sub-consciously for who I need to model myself after and only after I've fallen short do I realize what I've done. Yet again.
    And so this explains my recent depression surrounding my lack of "commitment" to blogging. And guess what? God is so good. He is helping me with this struggle of comparison. I'm not quite sure how He's doing it, but I am beginning to feel a small bit of release:) The mere fact that I'm recognizing it at this moment tells me I'm changing. The fact that I can laugh and not cry about it is an accomplishment in itself! I'm soo SILLY! I am a happy, happy girl. I am blessed BEYOND measure and feel so completely surrounded by God's grace in my day-to-day life. Why does it matter to me that I "measure up?"
    Ya know what? Right now as I am typing this God is showing me "PRIDE, PRIDE, PRIDE." Whoa. Right this moment He is showing me that my ultimate under-lying motive is not to actually measure up, but to be BETTER THAN EVERYONE WHO IS WORTHY OF COMPARISON. Good gravy. I'm gonna have to chew on this awhile. Anyone have a grain (or barrel) of SALT? And maybe a few gallons of coffee to wash it down?

All week, we've watched the same 10 episodes of He-Man over and over. Ugh...so done. But the kids have been insistent. "Daddy, when can we sit in your lap and watch He-Man?" It occurred to me almost instantly, these little children of mine are programmed to cram everything into a few days on the weekend. They fight for their daddy time, fight for meaningful time spent with us. I think it will be several weeks before they realize that we'll no longer adhere to that routine. That we're free to love on each other at 10am for example. That we can spend more time together laughing at the E*Trade baby, more time fighting over who is going to pick up that giant fuzzy bug in the kitchen floor. These are the things that I can understand as an adult to be the best times of our lives. My kids don't get it right now. They miss their class-mates and still talk about school as if they're on an extended break. I knew it would be something we'd have to work through, and I'm just so thankful that because they're so little, they have had a positive experience with school. I'm also extremely thankful that even though they miss their friends, they're excited and happy to be at home with me!

On another topic, I have been a cleaning machine! It feels so good to be a keeper at home. I have been on such a crazy schedule for so long with everything and everybody else demanding all of my time, that this last week has been amazingly productive. Inside the walls of our home, I have changed a bathroom faucet, re-organized our pantry, cleaned our kitchen top to bottom, painted the room we're now going to use as our school room, written out our favorite 21 meals, Bug helped with this task:) and so many more small things that I've just had to set aside for so long! I'm loving the idea of making a kitchen binder to hold our favorite recipes, meal planning stuff...anything to do with the kitchen. OOOH! Another thing I did that I'm extremely proud of, I made a cleaning kit. The beautiful thing about this is that I used some pretty kid-friendly items so that the Bug and my Sweet Boy can help me out. They LOVE to help me wipe and dust and vacuum (but cry while cleaning their rooms?!). I got a TON of terrific ideas about keeping my home from Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook. It's funny that I know what to do and how to clean, but love to read about how other people do things. I find it inspiring for some reason. Okay, that's enough I think to sum up this last week. Except, I have to say, my husband's birthday came and went and he now shares his birthday with the horrible Haiti earthquake:( My heart has been hurting for that place. I feel...well, probably the same as you all feel. Sick. Helpless. I feel like prayer, although necessary and powerful, just somehow isn't enough. And who am I to say that?? God is sovereign over all. He knew this day was coming long before we did. And I have to trust that whatever happens from here on out, things will work out according to His perfect will and plan. And I must also say, I just love Dr. Charles Stanley. I absolutely do NOT know what I would do without his ministry. I loooove www.intouch.org and use it daily for precious time spent with Jesus. I am encouraging you all to go there and explore if you haven't. I think it will be a blessing to you.


I need some feedback: I'm looking for computer software for the kids, learning games, etc...any ideas or specific things you use or have wanted to try??

Please be praying for the quick recovery and healing for the families affected by today's earthquake!! Such a tragic day for Haiti.

Keeper of the Home : Time to Get Organized!

I sooo just got myself in trouble starting this blog! I have seen many blogs, in fact, it was just about a week ago that I read my first blog on purpose. So, I guess it's safe to say I'm obsessed with blogging right now, and naturally, my next step into the blogging world would be this one. Wanna know how the sickness began? Read on.

My husband and I have been praying for a year about the decision whether or not to homeschool our 2 kids. We actually started out (half-heartedly) homeschooling our little girl, who I'll call Bug, in Kindergarten. It proved itself to be difficult, and at the time I was distracted by anti-depressant induced health issues, and was also faced with the reality of needing to go back to work to help out with finances. So, needless to say, I gave up. Quickly. In the meantime, I reluctantly dragged my baby into public school (the "best" of what this town has to offer-in our neighborhood, mind you). She was scared to death having never been away from her mother (no pre-school experience) and I HATED to leave her at a school all day. For I had never experienced this separation from my baby. It was a drastic change and a horrible feeling I won't soon forget. My sweet son, who was just 3 at the time, was safe with family while I went to work, so leaving him wasn't nearly as gut-wrenching.

So, Bug went to school. I went to work. My dear husband, went to work. My sweet son went to Grami's. Then I quit work, and started up a restaurant with my parents. NO SMALL TASK. Sweet Son started Pre-school at the local Charter school, while Bug attended 1st grade at the same school. Fortunately, during this time, the kids were chosen at random to attend the charter school together. They were now in a safe, loving environment that I felt better about leaving them in all day. So, the restaurant was busy growing, my family was busy growing, and I was just busy busy.
STOP THE INSANITY!!

And this brings us to where I am now...my daughter is in 2nd grade, my son a kindergartner. They are both doing very well at the local charter school. Excellent grades, wonderful teachers, superb principal and staff. And might I add, it takes years to get into this school. There's literally a waiting list that you sign them up for at BIRTH and hope they get in for Kindergarten or 1st grade. It's CRAZY! But it's an excellent school, so I understand why. Yet, I still feel the tug on my heart-strings (namely, the Holy Spirit) to bring my babies home with me. Did I mention I'm not working at the restaurant now? I feel comfortable, like I said, with the school and everthing about it. Except something is missing from my kids' daily lives. Enough Family. Ample Bible teaching. A 24/7 Christian worldview which they cannot have at their age without constant guidance! These are just a few things in number, but they are HUGE in my personhood. These three things are EVERYTHING in my life. The legacy I wish to leave these children is solely the knowledge that Jesus Christ is real and available to them and to everyone. I want my kids to know Jesus. I want my grandkids to know Jesus.

You get the point, so this is it. On January, 14, 2010, we will remove our 2 children from the charter school that we love, so that we may obey our God and pursue our rightful responsibility in training up our children in the way that they should go. It is with extremely great humility that I take on this task, knowing full well that I am NOT a teacher, that it's NOT all gonna be cupcakes and merry-go-rounds, and that we will have our struggles. Heck we may even fail, but I'll know in my gut that I obeyed God Almighty in this. So, therefore I'll leave any and all consequences of my obedience to Him.

So, to answer that first question...I was researching curriculum and stumbled upon some of the most amazing homeschooling/homemaking blogs. Some of them are chock-full of info, tips, and resources for all things related to the subject(s). From there, a new sickness was born, a research bug has bitten me. I'll share more of what I find over time through links on this blog. Yay me! I'm officially a blogger, and soon to be very happy mom with her children at home under foot and in training:)

On My Face