We brought our oldest to the MOA for her upcoming 12th birthday (which at the time of this writing took place yesterday). We had a fun filled day of rides and shopping for the birthday girl. I wanted my dear husband to experience the joy of shopping with his daughter. Which, as a side note, he did so good I think he should take over the role! Let me state first that our oldest is a very conscious and responsible shopper. She has something in her mind (like her dad), she goes in and searches the whole store for it and finds other things along the way (like her mom). If she is not sure that the item is something she wants (even when mom and dad are buying) or will wear forsure, she will remember it so we can come back later. I think that is very mature for a 12 year old, when she purchases something she wears it and it was purposed, not just a whim. So we are shopping and she goes from section to section quickly and all I can see as I sit on the comfy couch for pregnant ladies (and dads who bring there books while their daughters shop) is my husbands head moving swiftly around the store attempting to keep up.
In order to get the full picture of how precious this day will be in my memory you have to know what the other two beautiful children we have were doing. Our youngest daughter was picking out her own outfits and bringing them to her brother or myself to show them. When she wasn't looking at the clothes she was trying on sunglasses (very large sun glasses I may add, that took over her entire face) and showing them to her brother who was commenting "oh, that one is my favorite" or "that one even looks better then the one before" or "I really like those things on the side of that one" (those things may I add were decorative rhinestones). Her very good big brother was also helping her pick out outfits that actually matched. Which is very impressive in and of itself since his clothes don't match most of the time. While the middle of our family (as of right now) was being a good big brother to his little sister, he was timing his big sister on his new watch his daddy had bought for him the day before. So as I sat there watching all of this going on I had my son telling me mom it has been 7 minutes, how much longer do we have to be in here or how long is she going to take. I want it noted, thanks to little brother, that his big sister made it through her favorite store, looked at everything, noted in her mind the outfit she may come back for in less then 10 minutes. It was timed by her brother and as he was taking note that-that was far too long to be in a girl store I was thinking WOW! she's good. I attempted to explain to him that-that was an amazingly speedy trip through a girl's store with an almost teenager. He wasn't convinced. So we got to go to the next store...
Believe it or not we only went to two girls stores and our oldest was done shopping (which was good because so were her dad and brother). Limited Too our 2nd and last stop took a bit longer, a half hour. First, it is larger and second I had to take Talya to the bathroom (all the way over at Macy's). Eventhough I told my son that we were going he was so busy timing his sister (he was at 9 minutes, which was absurd in his mind for length of time to be in a store) and my dear husband was so into shopping with our oldest that he didn't hear me either. So by the time I got back with our youngest, I had frantic shoppers with bag in hand (she has already wore the outfit twice and shoes 3 times), searching for their lost family members. And as my son let me know, because of that we were in that store for 30 minutes! So a total of 37 minutes of shopping at the MOA, with a 12 year old, in her favorite stores. Someday my son will realize what a major deal that way, but right now, that was 37 of the longest minutes of his life :)!! He better hope the baby we are going to have is a brother, so he doesn't have 3 sisters to shop with someday!!
All in all it was a fabulous day. I got to walk around, sit around and accompany our youngest on the kiddie rides while my dh and other two children went on the "big kid" rides. And I made it through without even having a book. I was so happy I didn't have to go on the rides, bonus for being pregnant. I used to love rides, but now they don't like me. My dh was so "rided" out by 8:00 it was time for us to leave and go have dinner. Flautas at Chevy's for me-Yum!!
What an adventure, what a memory! We are so blessed and I am so grateful for my lovely husband and 3 (soon to be 4) beautiful children. I love being a Mommy (and to think there was a time in my life that I didn't want to have children, I think of all I would have missed out on and how lonely my life would have been-it's enough to almost make me sick!)!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Goals for 2008-2009
I am speaking that this is going to be a year of great growth for our family. I believe we are going to come to a higher level of understanding of God’s word, sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, great increase in interpersonal relationships in our family and outside of our family. I believe our Character will grow stronger to display the fruit of the spirit with each other and that it will bring peace and joy into our home (more of it). Mercy, grace and love will lead our thought process and decision making to bring Glory to God’s Holy and Mighty name and therefore create a stronger bond between us as a family.
As a mom I fully commit my days and my life to walking out my salvation in humility and true submission to Jesus Christ and obedience to His word. To the best of my ability and with the Holy Spirits help and counsel I will stay submitted, sensitive to His voice, stay in repentance for choices I make and stay in forgiveness and not be easily offended with situations that arise with others keeping prayer and the word as my lifeline on a continuous basis through the day. It is my desire to be a godly role model to my children and for them to become all that God has for them for His glory and for His kingdom. I pray that Jesus will be seen through my life to all I come in contact with starting first in my home and that my life will be a reflection evident to all of Jesus Christ the author and finisher of my faith.
Craig and I are committed to the training of our children. We have the greatest desire as their parents to see them succeed and grow in the love of Jesus. No one loves them here on earth as much as we do. As their parents we want them to have a blessed, peaceful and joyous life as they walk out their salvation and to have a Spirit of excellence in all that they do.
As a born again spirit filled Christian I have the confidence in God’s word to believe He will continue to direct my steps. I know He cares about every little detail of my life and that I can go to Him with all of those details and He will give me the direction, help and answer that I need. I believe He will hear the cry of my heart and bless me with those desires for His glory. I believe He is my protector and will defend me according to His word in Psalm 35:1-3 as I walk out the plan He has for my life. I believe the right people will be placed in my life along the way to bring me encouragement, guidance, support and love and that I will be divinely protected from the wrong ones. I also believe this for my husband and children. I believe that godly mentors and friends who love the Lord Jesus Christ and have a true love for His people will be placed in my life, Craig’s life and our children’s lives at the right times to help us in whatever way we need it at that moment. That the love of Jesus will gift those people to minister to us and help us with whatever it is that we need. And as we have been ministered to, we in return will show the love of Jesus through our lives and do the same for those we come in contact with being led by the Holy Spirit to minister to them in the way they need us to giving God the glory.
Educationally I am believing we will come to a higher level of understanding and revelation in God’s word and how it is intertwined through everything and to be used to bring glory to His name. We will make new connections in History, Science, Math, English, Writing on how the Lord uses these and has used them in the past to lead people to Him and that His hand at work will be evident to us. I believe we will have clear minds and we will be able to focus on tasks at hand, finish what we have started and persevere when we want to quit. Our attitudes will be a reflection of Jesus Christ and we will keep in the forefront of our mind that everything we do, we are doing it unto the Lord.
For each child I will follow the instruction of the Holy Spirit and the insight He gives me as their anointed mother to help them in what areas they need growth in and to encourage them through the process. Along with giving me wisdom and discernment in their strengths, I will do my best to enhance all areas of their education. I am committed to continue to instill in them a “love to learn” throughout their lives.
The specific area Craig and I are in agreement on that needs to come to a higher level this year is there writing. I will be using a program called Foundations in writing and will focus in on this skill. The other area of continued work is in their spelling. For Mason we will be continuing to work on reading and reading comprehension, using narration as a tool to increase his retention of what he has read. I am believing that he will develop a love to read this year and will fully understand/comprehend what it is he is reading. We will continue to grow stronger in the areas of their strengths such as Math, History and Science using all of these tools to enhance the areas of growth that need to be addressed in other areas this year. I will continue to work with Talya on reading and math. My goal for Talya is that she will be reading and have a love to read by the end of the school year.
As a mom I fully commit my days and my life to walking out my salvation in humility and true submission to Jesus Christ and obedience to His word. To the best of my ability and with the Holy Spirits help and counsel I will stay submitted, sensitive to His voice, stay in repentance for choices I make and stay in forgiveness and not be easily offended with situations that arise with others keeping prayer and the word as my lifeline on a continuous basis through the day. It is my desire to be a godly role model to my children and for them to become all that God has for them for His glory and for His kingdom. I pray that Jesus will be seen through my life to all I come in contact with starting first in my home and that my life will be a reflection evident to all of Jesus Christ the author and finisher of my faith.
Craig and I are committed to the training of our children. We have the greatest desire as their parents to see them succeed and grow in the love of Jesus. No one loves them here on earth as much as we do. As their parents we want them to have a blessed, peaceful and joyous life as they walk out their salvation and to have a Spirit of excellence in all that they do.
As a born again spirit filled Christian I have the confidence in God’s word to believe He will continue to direct my steps. I know He cares about every little detail of my life and that I can go to Him with all of those details and He will give me the direction, help and answer that I need. I believe He will hear the cry of my heart and bless me with those desires for His glory. I believe He is my protector and will defend me according to His word in Psalm 35:1-3 as I walk out the plan He has for my life. I believe the right people will be placed in my life along the way to bring me encouragement, guidance, support and love and that I will be divinely protected from the wrong ones. I also believe this for my husband and children. I believe that godly mentors and friends who love the Lord Jesus Christ and have a true love for His people will be placed in my life, Craig’s life and our children’s lives at the right times to help us in whatever way we need it at that moment. That the love of Jesus will gift those people to minister to us and help us with whatever it is that we need. And as we have been ministered to, we in return will show the love of Jesus through our lives and do the same for those we come in contact with being led by the Holy Spirit to minister to them in the way they need us to giving God the glory.
Educationally I am believing we will come to a higher level of understanding and revelation in God’s word and how it is intertwined through everything and to be used to bring glory to His name. We will make new connections in History, Science, Math, English, Writing on how the Lord uses these and has used them in the past to lead people to Him and that His hand at work will be evident to us. I believe we will have clear minds and we will be able to focus on tasks at hand, finish what we have started and persevere when we want to quit. Our attitudes will be a reflection of Jesus Christ and we will keep in the forefront of our mind that everything we do, we are doing it unto the Lord.
For each child I will follow the instruction of the Holy Spirit and the insight He gives me as their anointed mother to help them in what areas they need growth in and to encourage them through the process. Along with giving me wisdom and discernment in their strengths, I will do my best to enhance all areas of their education. I am committed to continue to instill in them a “love to learn” throughout their lives.
The specific area Craig and I are in agreement on that needs to come to a higher level this year is there writing. I will be using a program called Foundations in writing and will focus in on this skill. The other area of continued work is in their spelling. For Mason we will be continuing to work on reading and reading comprehension, using narration as a tool to increase his retention of what he has read. I am believing that he will develop a love to read this year and will fully understand/comprehend what it is he is reading. We will continue to grow stronger in the areas of their strengths such as Math, History and Science using all of these tools to enhance the areas of growth that need to be addressed in other areas this year. I will continue to work with Talya on reading and math. My goal for Talya is that she will be reading and have a love to read by the end of the school year.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
The End is in Sight!
Praise God! The beggining of the end is near! I am almost done spring cleaning. May-August (probably will finish in September), although Craig and I have cleaned everything out and gotten rid of so much and our home feels so great. Now I'm thinking about moving my girls in together to share rooms, Talya sleeps so much better when she is with someone else and that someone needs to be someone other then Craig and I!! Big sisters are good for that, I'll have to run my new thought by my husband.
I am also excited for another reason. I have written up my goals for the year and that is always a wonderful feeling being led by the Holy Spirit as a wife, mom and teacher!! I have a verse for the year. All of this I will be posting later, once my Laptop internet connection is back up and running from switching to Mediacom. But, this morning I'm heading to my 3 hour gestational diabetes test for this pregnancy, I can taste it now-thick, syrupy, sugar water flavored with lemon and lime. Oh yum, the anticipation-he he. I hope you know I'm kidding-YUCK!
Since writting up my goals Craig and I have decided to add the study of Greek and Latin to our childrens (and ours as well) list of goals to learn this year. I ordered my program the other day and am in the process of making the charts. I am so thrilled to be starting this. It wasn't even a thought before and as I have been praying through EVERYTHING for the year and each of my children I knew we needed to add this and Craig had that peace as well. How the flow is going to go this year, who knows? But, either way with the Holy Spirit as our guide-it will be annointed, blessed and wonderful. How great it is to serve such an awesome God, I am so blessed to be covered with the blood of Jesus and called by His name. And my gratefulness increases daily for what He has done (and only could have done) in our lives.
I am also excited for another reason. I have written up my goals for the year and that is always a wonderful feeling being led by the Holy Spirit as a wife, mom and teacher!! I have a verse for the year. All of this I will be posting later, once my Laptop internet connection is back up and running from switching to Mediacom. But, this morning I'm heading to my 3 hour gestational diabetes test for this pregnancy, I can taste it now-thick, syrupy, sugar water flavored with lemon and lime. Oh yum, the anticipation-he he. I hope you know I'm kidding-YUCK!
Since writting up my goals Craig and I have decided to add the study of Greek and Latin to our childrens (and ours as well) list of goals to learn this year. I ordered my program the other day and am in the process of making the charts. I am so thrilled to be starting this. It wasn't even a thought before and as I have been praying through EVERYTHING for the year and each of my children I knew we needed to add this and Craig had that peace as well. How the flow is going to go this year, who knows? But, either way with the Holy Spirit as our guide-it will be annointed, blessed and wonderful. How great it is to serve such an awesome God, I am so blessed to be covered with the blood of Jesus and called by His name. And my gratefulness increases daily for what He has done (and only could have done) in our lives.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Homeschool Happiness
Greetings friends and family, my love to each of you in Christ Jesus!
I love being a servant of the most High God and I am so thankful for what He is doing in my life and in my family. Craig and I had a wonderful discussion today on our goals for this year for our children. How awesome is that, we are in prayer and in the word and in agreement as husband and wife, listening to the Holy Spirits leading on what we need to be working on and when we discuss they line up with each other. Not only are they goals for our children, but they are areas in our lives individually that are taking us out of our comfort zones and challenging to us. The Lord is using our areas of strength to enhance our weakness's and benefit our babies at the same time.
There is so much I want them to learn and be trained in before they leave our home and Praise God that through educating them at home we have the time to sow into those areas of our children's lives.
Well, I'll have to continue this at another time, my precious little ones need me to give hugs and kisses good night. Blessings my loved ones and may your eyes, ears and heart be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit (even when He takes you to a place that is out of your comfort zone :), just remember He will be with you every step of the way). I love you!!
I love being a servant of the most High God and I am so thankful for what He is doing in my life and in my family. Craig and I had a wonderful discussion today on our goals for this year for our children. How awesome is that, we are in prayer and in the word and in agreement as husband and wife, listening to the Holy Spirits leading on what we need to be working on and when we discuss they line up with each other. Not only are they goals for our children, but they are areas in our lives individually that are taking us out of our comfort zones and challenging to us. The Lord is using our areas of strength to enhance our weakness's and benefit our babies at the same time.
There is so much I want them to learn and be trained in before they leave our home and Praise God that through educating them at home we have the time to sow into those areas of our children's lives.
Well, I'll have to continue this at another time, my precious little ones need me to give hugs and kisses good night. Blessings my loved ones and may your eyes, ears and heart be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit (even when He takes you to a place that is out of your comfort zone :), just remember He will be with you every step of the way). I love you!!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Home Sweet Homeschool
Well, so much for me not thinking about school. I get so excited thinking about it! I hadn't planned on homeschooling and the Lord had other plans for me. And now we are all so glad He did, we have all fallen in love with educating at home. We are going on our 5th year and I wouldn't trade a day for this blessed time we have had together, learning together, growing together. My initial reasons for homeschooling are so different then the reasons I do it now. After years of reading and researching I see the benefits and am living them out. I love watching the Lord work in my children's lives and seeing there sensitivity to the Holy Spirit increase along with their love to learn. Who loves my children more then Craig and I, who knows my children's strengths and weaknesses more then we do, who can spend as much one on one time with them as we can, who wants them to succeed and become all that God wants them to be more then we do-other then the Lord Himself no one else fits those qualifications for a fantastic teacher other then Craig and I!!
One of my many verses I stand on for raising my children is "All of my children shall be taught by the Lord and great shall be the peace of my children". I do my part and the Lord does His, how awesome is that. The growth in myself over the last 4 years has been amazing and the fruit that is coming from it in myself, my children, my marriage, my relationships is wonderful. How I have learned and continue to learn-I'm getting things I didn't ever get in school and I get to enjoy it right along with my children. What an absolute blessing from the Lord. I am so thankful He chooses to stretch me and take me out of my comfort zone. Putting them in school and working would have been way easier. The blessing though of homeschooling far surpasses any thought I ever had before on what it means to "train your children up in the way they should go and when they are older they will not turn from it".
All the things that didn't come naturally for me that I wasn't taught, like being a keeper of my home and being content at home the Lord is walking me through and has given me a love and passion for. Not to mention a desire to fulfill them, a revelation and understanding of the role I play in my husband's life and my children's lives to fulfill His plan for them. I am important in Christ, He does have a special plan for me and it is a good one and being a wife and mom, a keeper of my home is all part of it!
My goals for this upcoming year for all three of my children (and myself) are to learn and live out honor. I am reading this fantastic book called "Say goodbye to whining, complaining and bad attitudes in you and your children". I highly recommend purchasing it and then following through and reading it :)!
Individually for each child: Madison-writing, more independent working, reading comprehension and spelling. Mason-increased level of reading and loving to read, reading comprehension, writing. Talya-learn to read! I haven't sat down and written out my full list, but Craig and I have general thoughts on what we want to see improve. This doesn't include attitudes with chores and having them take over more responsibility in the home and their personal finances, but as their loving parents who want to see them achieve in life (and be brought before kings for God's glory!-this is another verse I am standing on, but need to find where it is in the word-I'm drawing a blank right now)that is all part of it!
Blessings to you in Christ Jesus-the love of my life!!!
One of my many verses I stand on for raising my children is "All of my children shall be taught by the Lord and great shall be the peace of my children". I do my part and the Lord does His, how awesome is that. The growth in myself over the last 4 years has been amazing and the fruit that is coming from it in myself, my children, my marriage, my relationships is wonderful. How I have learned and continue to learn-I'm getting things I didn't ever get in school and I get to enjoy it right along with my children. What an absolute blessing from the Lord. I am so thankful He chooses to stretch me and take me out of my comfort zone. Putting them in school and working would have been way easier. The blessing though of homeschooling far surpasses any thought I ever had before on what it means to "train your children up in the way they should go and when they are older they will not turn from it".
All the things that didn't come naturally for me that I wasn't taught, like being a keeper of my home and being content at home the Lord is walking me through and has given me a love and passion for. Not to mention a desire to fulfill them, a revelation and understanding of the role I play in my husband's life and my children's lives to fulfill His plan for them. I am important in Christ, He does have a special plan for me and it is a good one and being a wife and mom, a keeper of my home is all part of it!
My goals for this upcoming year for all three of my children (and myself) are to learn and live out honor. I am reading this fantastic book called "Say goodbye to whining, complaining and bad attitudes in you and your children". I highly recommend purchasing it and then following through and reading it :)!
Individually for each child: Madison-writing, more independent working, reading comprehension and spelling. Mason-increased level of reading and loving to read, reading comprehension, writing. Talya-learn to read! I haven't sat down and written out my full list, but Craig and I have general thoughts on what we want to see improve. This doesn't include attitudes with chores and having them take over more responsibility in the home and their personal finances, but as their loving parents who want to see them achieve in life (and be brought before kings for God's glory!-this is another verse I am standing on, but need to find where it is in the word-I'm drawing a blank right now)that is all part of it!
Blessings to you in Christ Jesus-the love of my life!!!
Summer Update
It's the end of July already, I can hardly believe it!! I started spring cleaning ages ago and am still at it, sigh. But, boy am I getting alot done and more importantly our main level is almost done! That is a huge blessing. The paintings all done and now all we have to do is the finishing touches, removal of some tape, placement of furniture... Our home on the main level has no more white walls with glue on them-YAY!! Craig's office is a mess, it's the location I have been putting everything that we need to go through to sell, give or put back into our home somewhere and I am almost to that room. That will feel oh so wonderful to have done and then the attic above the garage the last step before we have a garage sale. Craig wants to get rid of everything, I'm not that desperate!! Maybe that's because I've used his office as the room to store everything to go through-I'd want to get rid of it all then as well, let's say if it were in my laundry room!
The kids and I have had a wonderful summer, it has been busy and therefore gone fast-but wonderful still. We have been spending time at the pool, at lakes, at home, friends and just enjoying ourselves. And I have been able to somewhat lay aside thinking about school. I haven't even been reading many books this summer. Other then my constant companion the word of God. I don't put that in the category of books though, books can come and go but putting the word in me is a habit I started long ago as a priority in my life and a must for my everyday survival!! Praise God for the wonderful mentors He has placed in my life along the way as godly examples. The word, prayer, obey, keep it simple-I have been so blessed and continue to be blessed with the examples and experiences in my life. I am truly rich in Christ!! And so thankful for what He has done and continuing to do in my life. I am a walking, breathing testimony of a sinner saved by God's grace-who went to Church all of my life but didn't actually know that I needed to be saved, until the Lord put laborers in my path along the way and I saw that I was lost and heard the gospel message and a peace came in my heart and I knew that I needed to ask Jesus to my Lord and Savior. Thank you Jesus that you gave me ears to hear, eyes to see and an open heart to receive your son as my Savior. Everyday since then I have been thankful and filled with a joy that you can only understand once you have asked Jesus to come live in your heart. And a peace that even though the storm is raging around me, because I like in the world I am going to be OK. Because, He Jesus is with me!! It makes me so excited just writing about it. And I know I will be spending eternity in His presence worshipping Him!
I'm feeling happy all over now! Which brings me to another area, that I know the Lord will provide in. Craig's contract is up on July 31st, so as of right now he has a day off on August 1st-how wonderful!! He doesn't have a contract lined up yet (in the natural), but he will, the Lord will provide and has it set already. He has always been faithful to us. When we made the decision for me to stay home, the winds came and there were plenty (I mean PLENTY!)of opportunities for us to go back on our decision. But, we refused to compromise and we rode out the storms and the Lord showed Himself strong and mighty through them all because we choose to trust Him. So now when these times come around because my husband is a consultant and an entrepreneur, I have the memories of past experiences to bring back to my attention and I have confidence that the Lord will provide and see us through-victoriously!! Psalm 34 is a verse that I lean on and and gives me supernatural peace concerning provision.
My little nephew Elliot turns 1 on Saturday, I can hardly believe it. I waited patiently for years for my sisters to get married and have babies and now those babies are getting big. Tara is pregnant with baby #2 and due the end of January-Praise God! And my sweet, energetic nephew Isaiah will turn 2 in October and I am believing he will have lots of brothers and sisters to run around with and for his auntie to love on. They are so precious and cute and make our family laugh-we find such joy in all of them!! Our blond Mitchell with the gorgeous (I know your not supposed to say that word concerning a boy, but there is no other way to describe them) eyelashes, is a hoot. He has had things come out of his mouth from years ago that can still bring me to tears of laughter when I think about them today. And Allison my precious and only niece so far is a little tumbling queen, she can do things in gymnastics I am unable to do in my dreams! Craig and I are so blessed and our children are so blessed with the worlds greatest cousins!!!
Well I'm off to a day of swim lessons, birthday party and a whole lot of Hoel time fun!! Tomorrow is swimming lessons and tennis lessons. Which if you read this Dad, no tennis teacher ever will come close to you. After your lessons with them, they could have been teaching the class. And I bring that up because they both told me after the first day of class that Grandpa Terry is a much better tennis coach! The only thing you haven't done with them is the baseball game and that's because there isn't enough kids to do it!
Blessings my friends and I love you all lots! But, Jesus the author and finisher of your faith loves you best! Hugs...
The kids and I have had a wonderful summer, it has been busy and therefore gone fast-but wonderful still. We have been spending time at the pool, at lakes, at home, friends and just enjoying ourselves. And I have been able to somewhat lay aside thinking about school. I haven't even been reading many books this summer. Other then my constant companion the word of God. I don't put that in the category of books though, books can come and go but putting the word in me is a habit I started long ago as a priority in my life and a must for my everyday survival!! Praise God for the wonderful mentors He has placed in my life along the way as godly examples. The word, prayer, obey, keep it simple-I have been so blessed and continue to be blessed with the examples and experiences in my life. I am truly rich in Christ!! And so thankful for what He has done and continuing to do in my life. I am a walking, breathing testimony of a sinner saved by God's grace-who went to Church all of my life but didn't actually know that I needed to be saved, until the Lord put laborers in my path along the way and I saw that I was lost and heard the gospel message and a peace came in my heart and I knew that I needed to ask Jesus to my Lord and Savior. Thank you Jesus that you gave me ears to hear, eyes to see and an open heart to receive your son as my Savior. Everyday since then I have been thankful and filled with a joy that you can only understand once you have asked Jesus to come live in your heart. And a peace that even though the storm is raging around me, because I like in the world I am going to be OK. Because, He Jesus is with me!! It makes me so excited just writing about it. And I know I will be spending eternity in His presence worshipping Him!
I'm feeling happy all over now! Which brings me to another area, that I know the Lord will provide in. Craig's contract is up on July 31st, so as of right now he has a day off on August 1st-how wonderful!! He doesn't have a contract lined up yet (in the natural), but he will, the Lord will provide and has it set already. He has always been faithful to us. When we made the decision for me to stay home, the winds came and there were plenty (I mean PLENTY!)of opportunities for us to go back on our decision. But, we refused to compromise and we rode out the storms and the Lord showed Himself strong and mighty through them all because we choose to trust Him. So now when these times come around because my husband is a consultant and an entrepreneur, I have the memories of past experiences to bring back to my attention and I have confidence that the Lord will provide and see us through-victoriously!! Psalm 34 is a verse that I lean on and and gives me supernatural peace concerning provision.
My little nephew Elliot turns 1 on Saturday, I can hardly believe it. I waited patiently for years for my sisters to get married and have babies and now those babies are getting big. Tara is pregnant with baby #2 and due the end of January-Praise God! And my sweet, energetic nephew Isaiah will turn 2 in October and I am believing he will have lots of brothers and sisters to run around with and for his auntie to love on. They are so precious and cute and make our family laugh-we find such joy in all of them!! Our blond Mitchell with the gorgeous (I know your not supposed to say that word concerning a boy, but there is no other way to describe them) eyelashes, is a hoot. He has had things come out of his mouth from years ago that can still bring me to tears of laughter when I think about them today. And Allison my precious and only niece so far is a little tumbling queen, she can do things in gymnastics I am unable to do in my dreams! Craig and I are so blessed and our children are so blessed with the worlds greatest cousins!!!
Well I'm off to a day of swim lessons, birthday party and a whole lot of Hoel time fun!! Tomorrow is swimming lessons and tennis lessons. Which if you read this Dad, no tennis teacher ever will come close to you. After your lessons with them, they could have been teaching the class. And I bring that up because they both told me after the first day of class that Grandpa Terry is a much better tennis coach! The only thing you haven't done with them is the baseball game and that's because there isn't enough kids to do it!
Blessings my friends and I love you all lots! But, Jesus the author and finisher of your faith loves you best! Hugs...
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Is Our Home Still Standing...
That was the 2nd sentence to an e-mail my hot hubby sent me the other day. He was in Rochester over the weekend as a delegate for the Republican party state convention. Since I wasn't able to work on our master bathroom (which my dad confirmed the shower does need to be gutted and replaced) I went to work on the kids bathroom. I took down all of the cupboard doors and laundry shoot door, took out all of the drawers, to redo them. They were original to the home which makes them 32 years old and they needed a little Niki TLC. I am in the process of redoing them and went and purchased the hardware for them today. I primed and painted the bathroom, including the ceiling and have the molding purchased but not painted or cut yet. After I have finished with all of the doors and drawers, moulding and painting the bathroom is going to need a nice good cleaning. All of the sealant needs to be redone and I'm going to need to seal the grout in there. It's going to look wonderful once it's finished.
I'm almost finished with the top level of our home, and I started a week ago. Our main level looks like a tornado hit it. We are taking everything from upstairs that needs a new home and until I finish the top level that is just the way it's going to have to be. Talya's room was the last bedroom that needed to be done. We took down her bunk beds and now she is so excited because she feels as if she finally has a big girl bedroom. I however am having to go over all of her graffiti on the walls, seems as if she was practicing her name in numerous locations on her wall. Which would be simple if the wall had been one color, but it isn't. Once I have the remainder of the colors painted (I believe I have yellow, blue and purple left) then I can move on to the hallway. Although the hallway needs to have the rest of the wallpaper removed I'm going to wait on that, I'm not ready to tackle that project yet. I'll finish the doors to the pantry and the drawers and be done with the upstairs-finally!!! Minus, the bathroom shower we need to still gut.
It will be great to have all of these things done before the baby is born. I won't need to do a clean like this for a while and prayerfully next spring I can hire someone to do the windows and the rest of the spring cleaning and take a year off :). How does that sound Craiger?
Oh, and by the way Craig thinks I'm doing an outstanding job on our home and all of my "home" projects. Even though he teases and asks if our home is still standing!!
I'm almost finished with the top level of our home, and I started a week ago. Our main level looks like a tornado hit it. We are taking everything from upstairs that needs a new home and until I finish the top level that is just the way it's going to have to be. Talya's room was the last bedroom that needed to be done. We took down her bunk beds and now she is so excited because she feels as if she finally has a big girl bedroom. I however am having to go over all of her graffiti on the walls, seems as if she was practicing her name in numerous locations on her wall. Which would be simple if the wall had been one color, but it isn't. Once I have the remainder of the colors painted (I believe I have yellow, blue and purple left) then I can move on to the hallway. Although the hallway needs to have the rest of the wallpaper removed I'm going to wait on that, I'm not ready to tackle that project yet. I'll finish the doors to the pantry and the drawers and be done with the upstairs-finally!!! Minus, the bathroom shower we need to still gut.
It will be great to have all of these things done before the baby is born. I won't need to do a clean like this for a while and prayerfully next spring I can hire someone to do the windows and the rest of the spring cleaning and take a year off :). How does that sound Craiger?
Oh, and by the way Craig thinks I'm doing an outstanding job on our home and all of my "home" projects. Even though he teases and asks if our home is still standing!!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Spring Cleaning
It's that time of year again to start the spring cleaning. Top to bottom cleaning which includes windows. I think this was there favorite part, because they were able to go on to the roof in Mason's room to clean his. Maddie's windows didn't seem to take as long as Masons did. When they were finished with the window, Maddie went and got a sketch pad and drew what she saw in the backyard. Nothing like incorporating cleaning with a little art while you are at it.
My cleaning started out like all of my cleaning does, my brain going a mile a minute on everything I want to get done. I figured I would start upstairs and work my way down to the basement. I began in my bathroom, nothing grandiose. Just figured I'd take everything out of there, scrub down the shelves, walls, take off all of the hardware (and replace them of course), remove the towel racks from the wall, toilet paper holder and so on since we had areas that needed to be filled in, which would lead to priming and a fresh and newly painted bathroom. I knew my hot hubby wouldn't mind because I would do it all by my self. Oh yes, I forgot to mention that I also decided to remove the shower door since it was an original to the home and I found it gross. This is like the book if you give a mouse a cookie, if Nicole starts spring cleaning. Well, all was going wonderfully as planned. The budget was approved by the head of the home to go ahead with my freshening up, life was good, soon our master bedroom, bathroom would shine. Until...I decided to figure out what was behind the area of the wall that was bubbling to the right of the shower. Since, I am a curious person (sometimes to my detriment, or maybe more my husbands) I investigated. My investigation led to this picture....
The frame around our shower is rotting! I do not have a current picture however the area has grown larger since I took my first picture.
Bless my husband's precious heart, as if he didn't have enough on his mind. He may ban me from spring cleaning in the future if I continue to unearth (is this a word?) things like this.
I have my daddy-o coming on Saturday morning to examine the problem further with me and probably do a little more digging (he likes investigating as well, that's probably who I got it from-see honey it's not my fault!).
Three Ring Circus Act
Hot hubby and the kids decided to make it a little more fun on the trampoline the other night. So this is the Circus act they came up with! I wish I would have thought to have them do act after act so I could get it on one video, but I didn't. I may not be able to post all of the videos, but here is a little bit of the fun that took place in our backyard on our trampoline.
What a cool dad my children have! I think the coolest thing about him though is that he loves Jesus with all of his heart, soul, mind and strength. That he has made Jesus a priority in our home first by making Jesus his Lord and Savior, being involved in a local Church, reading the word to us (and being obedient to the word himself) and being a man of prayer. That's a rockin' cool dad in my book!! And the fact that he likes to have fun, laugh and be silly is an extra bonus.
Here is one more, hopefully I'll get one with Mason doing some stunts and Maddie's flip over her dad.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Spring Cleaning Surprise
I started our spring cleaning today and as I have a tendenancy to do I went overboard. I decided to start on the upstairs and work my way down to the basement. Each child was responsible for there rooms and being they are my children, they have the routine down. Top to bottom clean, which means windows and all. They thoroughly enjoyed this part as they were on the roof of our home cleaning the inside and the outside with old toothbrushes. Maddie decided to do a sketch after she was done helping her brother so she went and got a sketch pad, nothing like a little mix of art class with spring cleaning!
As the children were diligently working away on their rooms I went to town on my hot hubby's and my bathroom. Thinking I would take down all of the towel racks and everything else on the walls I would give it a fresh coat of paint and surprise Craig. Like I said I go overboard and bless my husbands heart he knows this about me. And generally doesn't mind as long as I do it myself and don't add more "to do" things to his already long "hot hubby list". All was going very smoothly, I got the go ahead from the man of the house to purchase the items I needed to make the room shine. I was scrubbing and cleaning and getting to the point where I could start the spakling, when I decided to investigate this area to the right of our shower that looked a little precarious. I thought it would be an easy fix, take off the parts that were wet and then putty it up good put a great sealer on and waala problem fixed. It didn't turn out to be that easy. Bummer!! As I started peeling, the problem kept going and going and going with the dry wall and boards behind the dry wall crumbling without me doing a thing to them. All I could think is what is my hot hubby going to say, augh.
So like any good wife I call my...daddy-o!! I explain the problem to him and tell him that it continues to get worse and I can't find the stopping point. And he assures me I'm doing the right thing, because it needs to be taken care of now rather then later. So I muster up the courage to call my hot hubby and to my absolute delight after I beat around the bush he says "honey, tell me what it is"...and so I do and he's OK about it. Turns out work is so busy that having to gut an entire bathroom and redo it doesn't seem like that big of a deal to him. Work must be pretty busy, if he doesn't mind taking on another house project, when he is currently overwhelmed to the max with the ones that are already on his list to do at home. Building a new home is sounding better and better to him everyday, and then moving and building another new one before that one has a chance to have anything go wrong with it!!
He is a wonderful home fixer upper hot hubby, we just have a lot to do right now and adding one more thing to his plate as his wife was not my goal when I started spring cleaning today. Actually I thought I was doing him a favor by bringing order and cleanliness to our home.
YAY!! A positive note to the day I successfully loaded pictures from my digital camera to my computer. That's one step in the right direction for me and cause to celebrate!!! Now I'm going to post them, in Jesus name.
As the children were diligently working away on their rooms I went to town on my hot hubby's and my bathroom. Thinking I would take down all of the towel racks and everything else on the walls I would give it a fresh coat of paint and surprise Craig. Like I said I go overboard and bless my husbands heart he knows this about me. And generally doesn't mind as long as I do it myself and don't add more "to do" things to his already long "hot hubby list". All was going very smoothly, I got the go ahead from the man of the house to purchase the items I needed to make the room shine. I was scrubbing and cleaning and getting to the point where I could start the spakling, when I decided to investigate this area to the right of our shower that looked a little precarious. I thought it would be an easy fix, take off the parts that were wet and then putty it up good put a great sealer on and waala problem fixed. It didn't turn out to be that easy. Bummer!! As I started peeling, the problem kept going and going and going with the dry wall and boards behind the dry wall crumbling without me doing a thing to them. All I could think is what is my hot hubby going to say, augh.
So like any good wife I call my...daddy-o!! I explain the problem to him and tell him that it continues to get worse and I can't find the stopping point. And he assures me I'm doing the right thing, because it needs to be taken care of now rather then later. So I muster up the courage to call my hot hubby and to my absolute delight after I beat around the bush he says "honey, tell me what it is"...and so I do and he's OK about it. Turns out work is so busy that having to gut an entire bathroom and redo it doesn't seem like that big of a deal to him. Work must be pretty busy, if he doesn't mind taking on another house project, when he is currently overwhelmed to the max with the ones that are already on his list to do at home. Building a new home is sounding better and better to him everyday, and then moving and building another new one before that one has a chance to have anything go wrong with it!!
He is a wonderful home fixer upper hot hubby, we just have a lot to do right now and adding one more thing to his plate as his wife was not my goal when I started spring cleaning today. Actually I thought I was doing him a favor by bringing order and cleanliness to our home.
YAY!! A positive note to the day I successfully loaded pictures from my digital camera to my computer. That's one step in the right direction for me and cause to celebrate!!! Now I'm going to post them, in Jesus name.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Pictures on blog?
Although Nicole makes me out to be a "techno-star", I have a lot to learn myself about the wonderful world of blogging and the internet in general. (By the way, "geek" is so... 1990's! We prefer "techno-star" now!)
I could not find any goofy pictures of myself at this point, however, something tells me that once Nicole figures out how to post pictures here, there is a good chance everyone will get to see a few. But for now, let's start out with someone who is a bit more fun to look at...
Good luck trying to figure out how to post pictures Nicole... I think you will figure it out!
Have blessed day!
- Techno-Star wanna be (Craig!)
I could not find any goofy pictures of myself at this point, however, something tells me that once Nicole figures out how to post pictures here, there is a good chance everyone will get to see a few. But for now, let's start out with someone who is a bit more fun to look at...
Good luck trying to figure out how to post pictures Nicole... I think you will figure it out!
Have blessed day!
- Techno-Star wanna be (Craig!)
Computer Genius
I'm speaking that heading over myself, all of my friends and family who may read this blog are welcome to agree with me on it. And I know some of you will have a higher form of agreement then others :), and not because you love me more but because you are the darling ones who help me-ALOT!
My hot hubby left me a reminder in my Calendar this morning to go on my blog. Included in his reminder (which I was an hour late for, because I was making GF bread, that in Jesus name will turn out), were step by step notes on what to do and how to do it. He was up last night late working on all of my items on my page, what a brilliant and wonderful husband I have. And patient husband because I know he dreads coming on my computer, it's rather messy, or so he tells me.
I did give him my word last weekend that I will learn. So I'm believing for the desire, which I know is what it boils down to. I need to have the desire to want to figure the computer out and all of the little details that go along with it. Although I am a first born and love order, structure, organization and my home looking perfect I do have a bit of a free spirit in me (or as my Daddy-o used to say I was his "flower child"-I think that description is a little dramatic myself). Either way it says in the Word that ALL things are possible to him who believes and I believe!!!
I think I'm going to learn how to upload pictures to my computer and then put them on my blog-first. I am a visual person, so blogs with pictures are my favorite! Being this is my blog, I can do it anyway I want (right honey? minus posting embaracing pictures of you making silly faces-not that we have any of those;)).
Maddie wants her own blog after she takes a Photo Composition class from my dad this summer in EP. I think she will be wonderful at it and she is such a natural photographer (Like my Daddy-o) the pictures will be amazing.
I call a blessing on your day and pray that the love of Jesus will shine brightly through your life today and touch those around you. Ohhh, I receive that for myself!
My hot hubby left me a reminder in my Calendar this morning to go on my blog. Included in his reminder (which I was an hour late for, because I was making GF bread, that in Jesus name will turn out), were step by step notes on what to do and how to do it. He was up last night late working on all of my items on my page, what a brilliant and wonderful husband I have. And patient husband because I know he dreads coming on my computer, it's rather messy, or so he tells me.
I did give him my word last weekend that I will learn. So I'm believing for the desire, which I know is what it boils down to. I need to have the desire to want to figure the computer out and all of the little details that go along with it. Although I am a first born and love order, structure, organization and my home looking perfect I do have a bit of a free spirit in me (or as my Daddy-o used to say I was his "flower child"-I think that description is a little dramatic myself). Either way it says in the Word that ALL things are possible to him who believes and I believe!!!
I think I'm going to learn how to upload pictures to my computer and then put them on my blog-first. I am a visual person, so blogs with pictures are my favorite! Being this is my blog, I can do it anyway I want (right honey? minus posting embaracing pictures of you making silly faces-not that we have any of those;)).
Maddie wants her own blog after she takes a Photo Composition class from my dad this summer in EP. I think she will be wonderful at it and she is such a natural photographer (Like my Daddy-o) the pictures will be amazing.
I call a blessing on your day and pray that the love of Jesus will shine brightly through your life today and touch those around you. Ohhh, I receive that for myself!
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Hip Hip Hooray My VERY first Blog entry ever!!
Greetings to the blog world! I am so very excited to be doing this. I am going to use it as a way to keep accountable, to remember that yes I am doing things with my kids and for Grandparents to check out what their mighty fine, super Grandkids are up too!! My main goal is to keep this fun. I want to instill in my children a love to learn and grow. More importantly I want them to have a firm foundation, routed and grounded in Jesus Christ, His word and His promises. So that when they are grown and fulfilling the plan and purpose that the Lord has for their life (which they have already begun), they will know what the hope of their calling is and not be swayed or moved by the world. But, that they will win souls and be wise, live righteously, love Jesus more and more every day, pray, be in the word, live the word, believe the word, teach it to their children and all people they come in contact with. I pray they will have joyous lives walking with the author and finisher of their faith!! And that they always remember and appreciate what their loving, adoring parents have given and sacrificed for them so they can freely give and sacrifice for others.
I also want everyone to take note that we are not a perfect family, within this little blog is only a small fraction of our daily life. This blog will note the activities we do, projects and fun we are having. What you can't see is the tears that go along with some of the things we are doing, teaching moments (which are frequent-for the kids and myself!) and so on. So as you read DO NOT come in to condemnation, I will do my best to be real and honest as best I can being fully aware of the limitations in portraying "the realness" of our daily life on a blog!!
Well, we are on our way to see our friends new home! YAY for new homes bought at really good prices!!
I also want everyone to take note that we are not a perfect family, within this little blog is only a small fraction of our daily life. This blog will note the activities we do, projects and fun we are having. What you can't see is the tears that go along with some of the things we are doing, teaching moments (which are frequent-for the kids and myself!) and so on. So as you read DO NOT come in to condemnation, I will do my best to be real and honest as best I can being fully aware of the limitations in portraying "the realness" of our daily life on a blog!!
Well, we are on our way to see our friends new home! YAY for new homes bought at really good prices!!
Friday, March 7, 2008
Welcome to our blog
This will be a fun and exciting way to share our inner most thoughts, and our deep dark family secrets... OK, maybe not.
However, this will be where you can find the Hip Hoppin' Happy Hoels Homeschool Happenings!
However, this will be where you can find the Hip Hoppin' Happy Hoels Homeschool Happenings!
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