Breakfast with Mom Day

One of the many joys of homeschooling!!

Fair Field Trip - 10-13-09

I apologize for the delayed updates!!! I'm playing catch-up!! :)

Nathan is doing GREAT in school and loving his new PSP Program!!(Private School Satellite Program)

On October 13th, we took a trip to the Fair... just him and I... why?? Cuz it was raining that day! Everyone thought we were crazy for going, but it actually turned out to be a great day! We had a blast, and got to see and do everything we wanted to do w/out having to fight the crowds!!! We didn't really get soaked, because there was plenty of indoor exhibits to entertain us during the sporadic downpours! :)

Here's a picture we took of ourselves! :)

Here's a picture of Nathan panning for gold.

He did this last year too, but was VERY interested in it this year!

School Cake Decorating Contest

The school that we enrolled Nathan in as a satellite student is having a Carnival fundraiser on Saturday. As part of that Carnival, they are doing a Cake Decorating Contest, and then those cakes will be used for a "Cake Walk" during the carnival! Well... we are so excited and enjoying homeschooling, yet being part of a school... we thought we'd do a cake for the contest!!

Well... I'm not a cake decorator.. never have I even tried.... so we opted for creative and unique!!!

So here it is:

Our "Caramel Apple" Cake

We found the idea on the "Family Fun" Website, and it was pretty easy considering you are dealing with a round cake and lots of gooey caramel! LOL! It turned out easier and better than I expected given the experience level combined between me and my 10 year old son!! :)

So we are excited to take our cake to the school and see the others that are submitted too!

Winner or not, we had alot of fun! :)

Homeschooling....

Sorry for the delay in posting.... I've been a little caught up in my other blog these days, and also in preparing for school to start! We delayed our start date a little due to some recovery time needed from surgery. But I believe that delay was a God-thing....because it allowed us to have the time to find out more about a local Christian School program I'd heard about. We were able to get Nathan enrolled in it, and OH MY we are having fun!!!!

He is now enrolled in Clovis Christian School's PSP (Private Sattelite Program), which means we are still doing Abeka curriculum homeschool (using the DVD program), but we are under the umbrella of Clovis Christian - therefore we have a little flexibility in the program!! (much needed) And Nathan also is able to go on campus for Music/Chior, Guitar Lessons, and PE... he is able to have lunch/recess on campus since that directly precedes his classes, and he is also able to be a part of all of his classes parties, field trips, rally's, etc....

Let me say, HE LOVES IT!!!

It's the perfect mix of homeschool and private school. He gets to go on campus (In a UNIFORM!) and spend time w/his friends (Yes he has already made friends!), take regular classes, enjoy recess and other traditional school activites.... all while still loving homeschooling!!!!

Last year was harder under the Abeka accredation umbrella, we really struggled with the workload.... but now under this new program, we really dig homeschooling, let me tell you! He's a sponge and we enjoy being able to take the time to creatively apply some of the learning as we go.... (can anyone say makeshift bug-aquarium in a jar? LOL!) Pulling out of the Abeka program, though still using the curriculum under CCS's accredation umbrella has completely free'd us this year, and we are having lots of fun! Not to knock Abeka's program, it's great, but the workload is horrendous, and private schools don't do every assignment under the sun that Abeka offers... so why should we have to??

So needless to say, be prepared for lots of fun updates as the year goes on... we are planning lots of fun activities and field trips.... I'll share as we go! :)

Upcoming Fun Events:

• October 14th - A trip to the Fresno Fair
• November 2nd - a tour of the "USS Midway" in San Diego, CA
• November 2nd-7th - A cruise to Mexico... a kids "Science Lab" on board the ship, snorkeling and learning all about ocean life, and touring a city in another country.... FUN FUN!

E-Mealz

You have to check out this site!! It was recommended to me by a friend who heard about it on the Dave Ramsy show.... and I'm hooked!! It is only $5.00/month and well worth the money for the time and sanity it saves! Great recipes, easy shopping, and time saving!!!

Just had to share!!!

http://www.e-mealz.com/

Meal Plan Options

Weekly meal plans based on your grocery store sales...provided with a complete aisle-by-aisle grocery list. Just print and go! Each one of these plans represents hours of planning, shopping and recipe testing for only $5 a month! Choose which is best for you. All of these plans are designed with your whole family in mind, even the plans created for weight management! You choose the store... we provide the plan each week!

Friendship

None of that Sissy Crap

Are you tired of those sissy 'friendship' poems?
Well, here is a series of promises that actually speak of true friendship.
You will see no cutesy little smiley faces on this-
Just the stone cold truth of great friendship.


1. When you are sad --I will jump on the person who made you sad like a spider monkey jacked up on Mountain Dew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2. When you are blue -- I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.

3. When you smile -- I will know you are plotting something that I must be involved in..

4. When you're scared -- we will high tail it out of here.

5. When you are worried -- I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining, ya big baby!!!!

6. When you are confused -- I will use little words.

7. When you are sick --Stay away from me until you are well again. I don't want whatever you have.

8. When you fall -- I'll pick you up and dust you off-- After I laugh my butt off!!

9. This is my oath...I pledge it to the end. 'Why?' you may ask -- because you are my FRIEND!


Friendship is like peeing your pants,
everyone can see it,
but only you can feel the true warmth.

(I received this from a friend via email today... liked it so much, I had to share!)

Happy Birthday Mom!

I find myself wondering...
Did I give you your due..
For all that you've done for me
Did I ever thank you?


For all of my childhood memories
For helping me deal with life's stresses
For helping me accept my defeats
And celebrate my successes?


Or for teaching me the value of hard work,
Good judgement, courage, and being true
The laughter, smiles, and quiet times we've shared
Did I ever thank you?


If I have forgotten, I'm thanking you now
You taught me right from wrong....
I hope you know how much you're loved and appreciated
I hope you, instinctively, knew all along.


Happy Birthday Mom

In his time...

In His Time...

In His Time....

He makes all things Beautiful

In His Time...

Lord, please show me everyday

As You're teaching me Your Way

That You do just what You say

In Your time

I haven't remembered or sung this song in years, but for some reason have been singing it all afternoon! I think it must be my word for the day.... We can't get discouraged by the things we see, because He's always working.... in HIS time!

I can only Imagine.....

This is one of my absolute FAVORITE songs... and this is what is on my mind today! I just keep listening to this song over and over with tears rolling down my face..... Had to share... (You'll probably need to go to the bottom and turn the playlist off... but you'll be glad you watched the video...)

This is awesome.. you have to try it!

1) Relax and concentrate on the 4 small dots (in a single line) in the middle of the picture for about 30-40 seconds.

2) Then take a look at the wall near you (or any smooth, single colored surface)

3) You will see a circle of light developing

4) Start blinking your eyes a couple of times and see what starts emerging....

Freedom

What is Freedom?

Is it merily a word that we sing about, learn about in school, and hold as a banner... yet something we take for granted each day in our lives? I never want to forget the price of freedom, the price that must be paid each and every day, because as soon as we stop fighting for it, we lose it.

• This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. ~Elmer Davis

Freedom must be maintained on two fronts ~

We not only have to maintain our freedoms as a nation, but we must work daily to maintain our freedom spiritually. Just as our brave soldiers must be ready to fight for the freedoms of this nation, we must be alert and ready to fight against the things that bind us spiritually.

I know you may think I'm only talking about "religious freedoms", and YES, that is so important. But I think we create our own prisons more often. Why not choose to live free?

• Are we bound by inforgiveness or grudges? - That will steal our freedom!
• Have we begun taking our relationship for granted, therefore allowed things to slip in and come between us and God? - That is a lack of freedom!
• Have we failed to maintain a constant communication with Him? - No more freedom!

There may be many things in each of our lives, things that we hold on to, and all it has done is rob us of our freedom in God... release it... we must fight off the things that seek to steal our freedom, things that will come between us and our relationship with God. We have full access (unrestricted) to God and growth in HIS Spirit... are we exercising our freedom? Or are we settling for mediocrity??

I have compiled a list of definitions of Freedom, think of them from both aspects... both in appreciating the Freedom of our Country, and analizing our Spiritual Freedom.

Freedom is:

• The condition of being free of restraints.
• Political independence.
• Frankness or boldness; lack of reserve
• The capacity to exercise choice; free will
• The right to unrestricted use; full access
• The right of enjoying all of the privileges of membership or citizenship
• A right or the power to engage in certain actions without control or interference

As I took time to reflect today, I just had to share! I also couldn't help but be reminded of a great song that our Pathfinders Youth Band sings...

Freedom Song

Do you want to go
to the place they call freedom
Do you want to see
like the free see
Do you want to dance
in the land they call freedom
Do you want to go
Do you want to go

Jesus, come take us
to the foot of the cross
Where we have been
bought now
Freedom is ours
We take it up
We take it up

Jesus, come make us
a free generation
Spreading salvation
Freedom is ours
We take it up
We take it up

Freedom for the world
Freedom for a generation
Let us call to every nation
Come

I hope everyone has a Blessed Independance Day!

Captured...

Yesterday, Brian and I went to the local music store that he loves to frequent, because he had a gift certificate burning a hole in his pocket. (Father's Day gift from my parents) I had also promised him a Father's Day-IOU for some new effects pedals, but we were so busy that weekend, he decided to wait for adequate shopping time. (Anyone who knows my husband, knows that "adequate" shopping time at the music store can only be measured in HOURS)

Well.. When we got there, the owner was busy - and as Brian frequents this shop often, he likes to deal with the owner. (they have quite a relationship formed - another clue as to how much time he spends there) So as we waited for him to complete another sale, we browsed the store.

That is when he saw it......

THE American-made Fender Strat with upgraded Humbucker pickups that he has been eyeballing for MONTHS! Of course, he has only dreamed of it, because it has been way out of our price-range! But there it was on the wall.... it was used, a trade-in but it was in Mint Condition!! I watched as he picked it up, with a look in his eyes I can remember fondly from the "dating days" ....

I must take a moment to mention that my husband is a great musician! But he predominantly plays the guitar, and has built a good collection of guitars. He has an acoustic that he got as a teenager, a Korean-made strat that he played in the USO tour oversees, a beautiful Koa wood "bluesy" strat (Korean-made also), and a Crafter combo electric/acoustic guitar that he plays all of the time on the worship band at church..... and he loves all of his guitars, but oh how he has wanted this American-made Strat for so long.

All I can say is, my honey was due for a blessing, that's the only explanation I can think of... The owner was motivated to sell, and sold that guitar to us for a small fraction of the asking price! I think he could see that Brian might sleep there that night if he didn't!! We walked out of that store, completely within our budget, and my darling husband had the guitar he's been dreaming of! I'm so thankful, not because we have a 5th guitar.. but for the smile he can't wipe off of his face. :)

In the meantime, I thought I would play with some photo editing and took some pics while he was having his love-affair with his new little red "hottie"! :)

Congratulations Dad!

Happy Retirement!

Dad,

I know you've waited a long time for this day, and now that it's here you probably feel sick with uncertainty... but Oh what an exciting day it is! :)

We're so happy for you, you've worked hard all of these years and you totally deserve this day! (And all of the days to come, of course!)We are happy that you will now be able to spend your time doing things around the "farm", since that's where your heart is!!

Love you so much... what a great accomplishment!

It's time to celebrate! :)

Brian, Brooke, and Nathan!

Bon-Bons

I'm a housewife,

I sit around and eat bon-bon's all day!! :)

Any of you that hold the very esteemed title of "Domestic Goddess", "Domestic Engineer", "S.A.H.M" (Stay-at-home-mom), etc... You know the above saying is SOOOO far from the truth. Yes there is a reason this position is very coveted, as there are times we can sit with our feet up, or relax on a pool lounge in crystal clear water, watch our chick-flicks and cry at the sad parts (alone, without being teased) even though we've seen them 100 times... but I believe I can get any one of you in the same position out there to agree, we are busier than we ever were when we worked a J-O-B! The small but mighty difference is... we are busy doing the things that benefit our family, our church, and most of all our sanity! So busy or not, it definitely is the best job around.

Believe it or not, though, I am not here to write about being a DG, or eating bon-bons... I'm taking a moment to reflect on how much I appreciate my position... bon-bons or not!

Why you may ask?

Because... I hung up my DG Crown for the day to go help my hubby work on a big and tedious job that he needed to get done in a short amount of time. Hubby owns a painting business, and at times - especially during the summer, he gets quite booked up and has to squeeze jobs into shorter time frames . (Not complaining, we are blessed!) But when this happens, sometimes he will ask me to come help him do prep (masking off, cutting in, remove hardware, etc) to save him time... and this happened today. I was a good sport, but this was a huge job with TONS of prep, and boy was my entire body screaming at me. Up and down, squatting down, on my knees, on a ladder, over and over and over again. I couldn't help but think about my poor hubby and how he does this day in and day out... Each time I leave a job after working with him, I have a whole new appreciation for what he does and how hard he works to support our family. I am so greatful, I could just cry sometimes! He always blows it off and says "oh, it's just hard because you aren't used to doing this kind of work" but I know he's just being modest and I love him for it!

Thank you, Honey, for working so hard and allowing me the freedom to stay home and do all of the wifey and mommy things that I love so much! You are the best hubby a girl could ever ask for!!

... and now that I'm done reflecting, I must get back to my bon-bons! :)

Happy Father's Day

First of all, I'm sorry this is late, I forgot to publish yesterday!!

Today is a day to honor Fathers, which I personally believe doesn't happen enough!

I feel completely blessed that I grew up in a home that remained intact. Our home wasn't perfect, as none are... but we were together, and that was what mattered. The love, loyalty and longevity that I learned, still sticks with me today. It programmed the way I see life, the way I make decisions, the way I feel about family... all of it! I'm proud of that!

I honor my dad! He taught me so many things, it would be hard to list them all.. but I'm thankful for him and all I learned from him.

I appreciate the dad he is and the grandpa he is. He is so good at teaching Nathan things around the "farm"... priceless knowlege and memories they are making! I'm so greatful!

I love you, Dad!

I also want to honor my grandpa... we have lived apart most all of our lives (he in North Carolina, me in California), but I have always been Grandpa's girl! I am his only grandchild, therefore I get to be the favorite! :) Last Fall, he completely thrilled us, by agreeing to move here and share the rest of his life with us! I couldn't be happier! I love the relationship and immediate bond he built with my son, I love the bond he quickly built with my husband! I am so greatful for the man he is and the legacy he passes to us!

You are the best, Grandpa! I love you!

And last, but DEFINITELY not least, I honor my wonderful husband! Brian, you are everything I could have ever hoped for in a man, husband, father! I am so proud to be your wife and so blessed to share my life with you! It's so fun... this forever we live each day! You are an awesome father and I thank God every day for the man He gave me!!!

Veggie time!!

Man, I sure do love my parents' summer garden! :)

Farmers Market Fun..

Wow, a fantastic end to a fantastic day! After my wonderful day spent with my best little gal, we decided to meet up with our dear friends and go enjoy the Farmers Market! What a nice evening we had there, walking leisurely, stopping to talk to people we know, eating yummy "fair food", good music... oh I want to go back next Friday night!!

Little Miss Trinity got to ride a horsie... She's been begging forever, and how can you top a horsie in a tutu???

But here's my "topper"... The ultimate highlight... I got to hold baby Rory Maclaine!! That made my night for sure!! :-) I could have stood there all night holding that darling boy! Good job David and Stephanie! So glad I ran into you!

On to dreaming about funnel cakes, and little cuddly babies...and looking forward to the next Farmers Market experience! :-)

Birthday fun for ME...

First of all, no.. Its not my Birthday.
But my friend Heather took her son and my son on a birthday excursion (her son's b-day) and in trade, I got Trinity for the day!!! Oh such fun!!

I love this girl...full of giggles and girliness!!

I'm blessed....

Pest control 911

(Shudder)

Summer Fun @ the Discovery Center

On Monday, my friend Nancy and I decided to take our kids to the Discovery Center here locally. Apparently we went there as children, though I'm disturbed that I don't remember this.. (My mom verified this of course) but as old as I'm feeling (losing my memory and all) I COMPLETELY enjoyed the experience!

We (and the kids.. :-)) got to fish in the stream with nets, climb into a space capsule, walk through the amazing garden of the sun (which has every garden variety under the sun, I must add!)... Overall and amazing little Fresno treasure! I even got to see a growing artichoke... I had never seen one in a garden before.. Way cool!

But the highlight??? The amazing photo-ops... Oh how I can't wait to dress my kid up in cool clothes and go back with a better camera!! :-)

more on that later...

I just figured out that I can blog from my phone!! Can we hope for more updates? :-)