Moving on…..

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A New Year!

In my life this week…

2012 is here! We started out the new year with a bang. Lots of dancing and singing on the wii, dinner with a family friend, crazy fireworks all over the place, and a Saints win!  Not much more that a ole’ girl could ask for.

Big Sis turned 14 years old on January 2nd. I always say that I am going to be prepared for her birthday, yet it always sneaks up on me. Last minute planning included a bowling party, some special time with a friend from out of town, an afternoon in the French Market, and  beignets at Cafe Du Monde. Overall, I think the birthday was a success.

In our homeschool this week…

We had a three day school week to start off the new year. And one of those days was a field trip day   The entire family went to see War Horse. It is a fabulous movie!!! It is rated PG-13 due to the violence; however, we chose to see it with all the girls because of the historical nature of the information. After all, the movie is about World War I! I was concerned about Lil’ Sis with some of the scene involving the horses. She did get teary eyed and cuddle with the Man during those scenes. She just needed to be reassured that it was a movie and those animals were not really harmed. I knew that she was okay when she said “that is a movie we are going to HAVE to buy!”

We also used the War Horse curriculum from the Homeschool Movie Club.  We love movies and enjoy learning through movies. We have used the Dolphin Tale curriculum and, now, the War Horse curriculum. Both were wonderful. I think that I learned as much (or more) than the girls did.

If you “like” the Homeschool Movie Club on facebook, you will see some wonderful opportunities. Homeschool groups around the country got to screen the movie on a big homeschool day.

I am inspired by/I am grateful for/I am praying for…

Woman who are committed to praying for their husbands.  I have meet some wonderful ladies in my accountability group who are praying for their husband as well as the Man. It’s not too late to buy the book and join the challenge.

I’m reading…

31 days of Prayer for Your Spouse

Ryan’s Return

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

This city is absolutely football crazy this week. Well, it is always football crazy. But because of the Sugar Bowl, the Saints are in the playoffs, and the BCS championship being in town, it is extraordinarily crazy. So in honor of the Alabama/LSU game…….

a life of gratitude (281-298)

So it’s a new year. I continue counting. Counting all the many blessing that the Lord has so graciously given me. I can’t imagine where this journey will lead us in 2012. One step at a time – that is how I go through this journey. Trusting that His path is straight and trustworthy. Knowing that in my own strength I would fail.

281. a few relaxing days with no school (yet still learning)

282. The realization that someone had stolen our debit card numbers before the damage was permanently done.

283. a bank employee that understands the frustration of waiting for money that we didn’t spend to be credited

284. the understanding that God is sovereign and will carry me when I can’t carry myself.

285. 31 Days to Pray for Your Spouse

286. a new group of friends bound together through accountability

287. an idea that the Lord has placed on my heart (praying that I follow His lead – because I know I can not succeed on my own).

288. New debit card coming in the mail before the long holiday weekend.

289. a restful sleep in the daytime after working a night shift

290. a New Year’s Eve full of family fun

291. watching Middle Sis and a wonderful friend play Just Dance for 3 hours.

292. 8 different places setting off fireworks at midnight so that we had a wonderful show in the sky without leaving home

293. serving the children in our church community on the first day of the new year

294. a stroll around the neighborhood with the Man

295. the Man listening to (and not laughing at) the endeavor that the Lord has placed on my heart

296. his encouraging words “Don’t doubt yourself. That is a good idea and you can do it. Keep praying”

297. a friend traveling from out-of-town for Big Sis’ birthday

298. the fabulous gift that was given to us 14 years ago – Big Sis!!!

Beginning a new year….

2012!! Really!!! I’m not one to make New Year’s resolutions. Mainly because I can never keep them and feel like a failure. So, no New Year’s Resolution for me. Instead I have all these ideas of what I want to accomplish in the next year swirling around in my mind.

I want to be a better photographer and develop those skills into something profitable (or at least use it to serve others more effectively). 

I want to write more.  Maybe through blogging.  Maybe other avenues.  I have several ideas that I am praying about right now. Maybe this is the year!

I want to go on an international mission trip. It has been several years, and I have the itch

I want to have a productive and fun homeschooling year. I want to end strong and begin again in the fall strong.

I want to be a better wife. In order to do this, I am committed to praying for the Man on a regular basis. I have joined the 31 days of prayer for your spouse. Great devotion ebook. And accountability partners from across the country. It is going to be fun watching God move.

Click here to view more details

Anyone else out there that does not do New Year’s resolutions yet has a list in their head of things they would like to accomplish in the next year?

The Last One of 2011

WOW! Another year has flown by. So many things have happened in our life this year. So incredibly blessed to be on this amazing journey. I can think of nothing better to celebrate 2011 than a review of the year with pictures.

A new wedding band to replace the one I lost. The chance to renew our vows. And it was all a surprise!!

A teenager…

Mardi Gras

Dinner on the Americana cargo ship with good friends

Big Sis playing basketball on the Hornets court then a Hornets game

St Patrick’s Day parade in the Irish channel. Throw me sum cabbage mister!

A graduation

The Bonne Carre Spillway opened to prevent flooding on the Mississippi River

Middle Sis going into the youth group

Fishing with Papa in FL

Youth Camp in Orange Beach, FL

Camp Garaway

Trip to Texas

Seeing a long-lost bestie

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

The Help by Kathryn Stockett is a based in Jackson, Mississippi, at the time of the civil rights movement. Each character comes to life as they tell the stories that only someone living in the South during this dramatic time can.

Skeeter just graduated from Ole’ Miss and desires to be a journalist. She has gone against everything her mother and her friends stand for. She isn’t married at the age of twenty-three. AND she wants a job.

Abileen has been a maid for many years and has raised many white children in addition to one of her own. She has seen her share of difficult times. Her wisdom and caring shine throughout the book.

Abileen’s friend, Minny, is also a maid and a wonderful cook. However, she has trouble keeping a job because of her sassiness.

Each of these women tell their own personal story about white Southern women and the colored woman who take care of their homes. At times the book is laugh out loud funny. At other times I found myself with tears running down my face. I loved the characters and loved the story. It brings a new perspective to Southern life in the 1960′s.

Now I can’t wait to see the movie!!

a life of gratitude (256-280)

So many wonderful blessings this time of year.  Such a joy to spend time counting my 1000 gifts!

256. Meeting the newest addition to our family

257. The joy of watching my brother as a new father

258. New cowboy boots for Lil Sis. She has been wanting some “forever”

259. Sleeping in my king size bed (that the Man won’t move to NOLA)

260. Visiting friends that I worked with in GA.

261. Spending time with great friends we don’t talk to or see very often but always know that they are there.

262. Lil Sis getting jealous when I get “under the chin kisses” from other babies. She knows that she will always be my baby

263. Nature walks on rainy days

264. Family gathered around the dinner table together and sharing all the same childhood stories that they share everytime we are together.

265. The stewed tomato saga

266. Cousins playing together

268. The “You might be a Redneck if….” book that had the Man laughing out loud.

269. More time with the newest addition

270. Safe trip home

271. Christmas eve with our international friends – new and old

272. An email address and possible contact with others on one of the cruise ships

273. Playing Santa to our international friends – we might have given them the only Christmas present they will get this year.

274. Spending Christmas eve watching The Nativity Story – our newest family tradition

 

275. The birth of our Savior  “And she  gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”  Luke 2:7

276. Mary who willing gave birth to the Christ child despite the hardships that she would have to face   “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been [The first stage of marriage in Jewish culture, usually lasting for a year before the wedding night, more legal than an engagement] betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:18

277. Joseph who chose to raise Jesus as his own child. ”But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:20

278. Observing the Lord’s Supper and having teachable moments with the girls

279. Christmas day spent with friends. It is hard to be away from family, but we are blessed with incredible friends who open their homes and their hearts.

280. Placing the last ornament on our Jesse Tree.

A Beautiful Message

So blessed and thankful this holiday season!

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the  government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Take time to celebrate the birth of our Savior!

a life of gratitude (245-255)

 Blessing abound! Hearts are opened! Ready to receive the most fabulous gift - the coming of a baby whose life and death would change the world.

245. His blessed assurance

And Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.  Luke 1:46-47

 

 246. Christmas music

247. Great Christmas memories – so many that are etched in our heart.

248. Fall semester finished strong!

249. How I grow through parenting and all the each girl teaches me

250. Anticipation of a road trip to Georgia and family

251. His Provisions that are always right on time

252. Goodbyes to dear friends who are moving to the next phase of their journey

253. Safe travels

254. Kids that are GREAT travelers

255. Past Christmas memories with family that is no longer here (but live on in our hearts)!

December Nature Study in flip-flops :)

“Can we do another nature study this week in science lab?” This is the question that I got asked by three different kids this week. So guess what we did! We went on a nature walk. While I tried to figure out exactly how to do a “preparing for winter” nature walk, the kids had no problems observing all kinds of fun things.

We discussed the obvious weather issues. It isn’t suppose to be 71 degrees and humid in December. Nor should we be wearing shorts and flip-flops! However, it was! And we were! And everything was wonderful

We took off with binoculars, science lab journals, and a camera. The first thing we spotted was the blue jay. He was flying around the oak trees and finally landed long enough to snap a quick picture.

We think that this little fellow is a barn swallow but are not 100% sure.

We went from observing the tops of the trees to finding words to describe the base of the trees. This one looks like “a big animal claw.”

The girls noticed the ant hill at the base of the tree. And the boys wanted to poke it with a stick. The ants swarmed and provided enough oohs and aahs  that several other kids (not in science lab) came and joined us Since the first ant hill was so much fun, these two went searching for more. see, we really are in shorts and…. okay, no flip-flops…. they are barefooted! I had on flip-flops.

Earlier during the day, I had noticed hundreds of moths flying around several of the big trees. I intentionally headed us in that direction to see what we would find. Hundreds…and I mean hundreds…of buck moths. Everywhere! Everyone caught at least one and examined it closely. I overheard one girl state “These are actually kind of cute. Too bad the caterpillars are so hateful. It doesn’t matter how cute the boy is. If he is hateful, he is out of here!” And she let the buck moth go. To the best of my knowledge, no buck moth was harmed in this adventure.

Well the co-op is finished until after the new year. The kids have enjoyed the nature studies so much that I think we will continue to have them once a month. Any advice on how to direct 19 kids on a nature walk would be helpful. I want them to be able to explore and come up with their own learning opportunities, but I also feel like I need to give them some guidelines and directions.

Journey on! Get outside and enjoy all of God’s amazing creations!!

Check out Barb at The Handbook of Nature Study for lots of great ideas!