We have special guests at our church this weekend. Apostle Jeff spoke last night. This morning, the men will have breakfast at a restaurant with Apostle and the ladies will have brunch with Cindy, Apostle's wife, at our church. Tomorrow morning they will both speak at our church service. I like these kind of weekends a lot. I like belonging to a church that gets together and has fellowship.
One thing that always gives me a chuckle though is that the women all bring things they've made to the brunch but all the men have to do for their breakfast is show up, order their food, and eat. Shouldn't us ladies get a break once in a while and go out to eat? I don't mind cooking/baking its just so stereotypical the way its always done.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Clay Camp 2
Well, clay camp is officially over. So what does the inkpot look like? I will never know. All the kids' pottery from the pottery wheel shattered into many many pieces during firing. Oh, well.
Here's a couple more things she made over the two weeks:
The windchimes will hang in dd's room.
I think the King Cobra is my favorite.
Her favorite new toy.
She's getting better at it all the time.
Here's a couple more things she made over the two weeks:
She's getting better at it all the time.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Today's Treasure
Click on the picture and then hover over each item to get a description of the items and the cost.
IMG_4670
Originally uploaded by Lyrpapper
IMG_4670
Originally uploaded by Lyrpapper
All the exercise that I have been getting lately riding my bike has been really nice, I've dropped 2 pounds without even trying. Yeah me!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Hygiene
Does anyone else have a hard time getting kids to shower/bathe?
You'd think getting clean and smelling nice was some horrible request, lol. Its especially interesting when you need to be somewhere and they take forever. This would be why I only schedule things in the afternoons, so we have all moring to get ready ;) The funny thing is, once they're in the shower, they don't want to get out (not that I blame them, it feels so good).
Its not a big thing (I don't make them do it every day) but I was wondering if anyone else experiences this.
You'd think getting clean and smelling nice was some horrible request, lol. Its especially interesting when you need to be somewhere and they take forever. This would be why I only schedule things in the afternoons, so we have all moring to get ready ;) The funny thing is, once they're in the shower, they don't want to get out (not that I blame them, it feels so good).
Its not a big thing (I don't make them do it every day) but I was wondering if anyone else experiences this.
Nellie
I have a very dear sister and mentor in Christ. Her name is Nellie. I can talk to her about so many things, she never makes me feel ashamed, loves me unconditionally, encourages me, prays for me, seems to know when I'm down and calls to check up on me, does thoughtful things for my family and I, and I could go on and on.
Today she called and said that she bought two packages of whole wheat pita bread at the Schwebels outlet, just for me. I love whole wheat pita bread! She blesses my life in big ways and small ways and I just had to tell you about her. We all need someone this special in our lives and I am so glad to know her.
Today she called and said that she bought two packages of whole wheat pita bread at the Schwebels outlet, just for me. I love whole wheat pita bread! She blesses my life in big ways and small ways and I just had to tell you about her. We all need someone this special in our lives and I am so glad to know her.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Magazines, Magazines, Magazines
Woo Hoo!!! Our public library had its annual magazine giveaway and this is our haul.
Yeah, the magazines are 6 years old but who cares, they were free (great for all of us on strict budgets). The kids and I will be engrossed in these for the next few days.
For me the crochet, knitting, and cross stitch magazines will be useful for years to come. I also hope to glean some insight from Popular Photography.
Noelle is excited about the American Girl magazines because now she can write her answers to puzzles and quizzes in them. The Dog Fancy magazines will be cherished by her as well, she's dog crazy!
Kyle was happy about the Astronomy and Archeology ones because he has just recently begun digging into these areas.
Yeah, the magazines are 6 years old but who cares, they were free (great for all of us on strict budgets). The kids and I will be engrossed in these for the next few days.
For me the crochet, knitting, and cross stitch magazines will be useful for years to come. I also hope to glean some insight from Popular Photography.
Noelle is excited about the American Girl magazines because now she can write her answers to puzzles and quizzes in them. The Dog Fancy magazines will be cherished by her as well, she's dog crazy!
Kyle was happy about the Astronomy and Archeology ones because he has just recently begun digging into these areas.
Clay Camp
Noelle is into week 2 of clay camp at the park. She loves to work with clay and is having a blast. I thought I'd share some of her work.
The top one is a coil pot and the lower one is a pinch pot. These had to be fired in a kiln before painting.
This rainbow was made from a self drying clay.
She also had the opportunity to use a potter's wheel and got clay all over herself which she thought was fun. However, she was not happy with the results (I haven't seen the ink pot yet) because she was trying to make a vase for me (such a sweet daughter).
The top one is a coil pot and the lower one is a pinch pot. These had to be fired in a kiln before painting.
This rainbow was made from a self drying clay.
She also had the opportunity to use a potter's wheel and got clay all over herself which she thought was fun. However, she was not happy with the results (I haven't seen the ink pot yet) because she was trying to make a vase for me (such a sweet daughter).
Monday, June 23, 2008
Unconsious Mutterings
- Goodbye :: need a break
- Cage :: I feel like I'm in one
- Buddy :: dog
- Magic words :: I Love You
- Library :: my fix
- Fall in love :: not today
- Tense :: sick of life
- Work! :: sick of that too
- Empty :: me
- Heat wave :: would be nice
http://subliminal.lunanina.com
Well, that was telling, wasn't it.
Friday, June 20, 2008
New Quote
I was talking to Kirk about this before he left for work. Then I find this reading email:
"We must learn to accept the fact that during their developmental years children cannot be expected to exhibit adult behavior."
~Robert Mendelsohn, M.D.
"We must learn to accept the fact that during their developmental years children cannot be expected to exhibit adult behavior."
~Robert Mendelsohn, M.D.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Interesting...........
Sounds a lot like why I unschool :)
This is also why we love the library andlibrary, school, the internet.
This is also why we love the library andlibrary, school, the internet.
Adoption
The Focus on the Family broadcast today brought some thoughts to mind. Actually, questions. The program was exploring the way things were in 1968 by talking with a panel of people who were teenagers during that time. One of the ladies got heavily involved in drugs and prostitution but when she got pregnant decided to keep her son and be a single parent.
My mother put me up for adoption and I was adopted in 1970 at about a month old. The back of my birth record has details about my birth parents. Some of those details are fuzzy to me at the moment but I can go look them up. My adoptive mother is okay with me trying to find them (my one brother did find his birth mother to resolve that area of his life). I have wavered off (mostly) and on about trying to find out about them. I have some paperwork that I can fill out and send to the International Soundex Reunion Registry but something holds me back. My husband is against me looking (he doesn't want me to get hurt) but that isn't my reason.
Anyway, the radio program got me wondering what circumstances surrounded my conception. And of course this post brings more questions to mind. Have I waited to long? Do I have brothers and sisters? Are they good people? Does all this matter? Why stir things up? What's my heritage? What's my medical history? Are they looking for me? What if they aren't looking for me?
I'm not stressing about any of this but it feels good to get it out there.
My mother put me up for adoption and I was adopted in 1970 at about a month old. The back of my birth record has details about my birth parents. Some of those details are fuzzy to me at the moment but I can go look them up. My adoptive mother is okay with me trying to find them (my one brother did find his birth mother to resolve that area of his life). I have wavered off (mostly) and on about trying to find out about them. I have some paperwork that I can fill out and send to the International Soundex Reunion Registry but something holds me back. My husband is against me looking (he doesn't want me to get hurt) but that isn't my reason.
Anyway, the radio program got me wondering what circumstances surrounded my conception. And of course this post brings more questions to mind. Have I waited to long? Do I have brothers and sisters? Are they good people? Does all this matter? Why stir things up? What's my heritage? What's my medical history? Are they looking for me? What if they aren't looking for me?
I'm not stressing about any of this but it feels good to get it out there.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
More Quotes
“It is as true now as it was then that no matter what tests show, very little of what is taught in school is learned, very little of what is learned is remembered, and very little of what is remembered is used. The things we learn, remember, and use are the things we seek out or meet in the daily, serious, nonschool parts of our lives.”
-John Holt, How Children Fail
"Birds fly, fish swim, man thinks and learns. Therefore, we do not need to motivate children into learning by wheedling, bribing or bullying. We do not need to keep picking away at their minds to make sure they are learning. What we need to do, and all we need to do, is bring as much of the world as we can into their lives; give children as much help and guidance as they ask for; listen respectfully when they feel like talking; and then get out of the way. We can trust them to do the rest."
—John Holt, How Children Learn
-John Holt, How Children Fail
"Birds fly, fish swim, man thinks and learns. Therefore, we do not need to motivate children into learning by wheedling, bribing or bullying. We do not need to keep picking away at their minds to make sure they are learning. What we need to do, and all we need to do, is bring as much of the world as we can into their lives; give children as much help and guidance as they ask for; listen respectfully when they feel like talking; and then get out of the way. We can trust them to do the rest."
—John Holt, How Children Learn
El caminito del Rey
A friend sent me this video. Wow! I was sweating just watching it. I think the guy who took the footage is either really brave or really stupid, not sure which though, lol.
Unconscious Mutterings
- Purchase :: groceries
- Squeaky clean :: rubber ducky
- Blended :: smoothies
- Wednesday :: hump day
- Function :: math
- Look down :: not from heights
- July? :: fireworks
- Raspberry :: black cap
- Assertive :: my husband
- Cracker :: barrel
Wanna play?
http://subliminal.lunanina.com/
Stephanie got me started
Amigurumi
This little elephant is so cute and one of many free Amigurumi crochet patterns here. Noelle is in love with them and I guess I know what my next few projects will be :)
I also like these ones:
Here are some more patterns for amigurumi. I guess this little guy is my first project for my little dog lover.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Father's Day
This is what Tom (Kirk's dad) got for his special day. A property fence installation!
Mom and Dad bought the fencing but Kirk and Tommy (sons) did the installation. When it came time to put the pickets in, everyone else got in on the action and we were done in less than 10 minutes (too busy to take any pictures of that though).
I really like it, although I doubt I'd ever spend $600 on a fence that didn't offer privacy ;)
Mom and Dad bought the fencing but Kirk and Tommy (sons) did the installation. When it came time to put the pickets in, everyone else got in on the action and we were done in less than 10 minutes (too busy to take any pictures of that though).
I really like it, although I doubt I'd ever spend $600 on a fence that didn't offer privacy ;)
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Sharing Unschooling
I don't talk too much about unschooling around those who homeschool in my community. We are the only family that does as far as I know. I just mentioned (about 2 years ago) belonging to an unschool list in my state and another mom said (accused was more like it), "You aren't one of those unschoolers are you!?" We weren't at the time but heading in that direction. We were very relaxed/eclectic then.
Well, for some reason I talked about it the other day (maybe because the "school year" was over?). I didn't get a bad response this time, quite the opposite actually. Now she wants to know more about how we go about unschooling and fulfilling our state's requirements. We talked for a while and I felt like I was just being confusing. Anywho, she invariably asked what they always eventually ask, "But what about math?" Ky wants to use an algebra curriculum we're borrowing from another family, so I told her about that. Was I chickening out? A little. Why? I've been asking myself that for four days. I think its because I'm not very eloquent in person (not sure I'm very eloquent about it in print either :-P )
Here's what I wish I would have said to her. "What about math? It surrounds us everyday and Kyle and Noelle use it all the time. We don't pull out a textbook, we live math." There doesn't that sound better? lol
Their questions always seem to relate to some kind of timetable. I mean come on, who decided what should be learned when? Who/what gives them that authority? I sure didn't. If it were important to God, wouldn't He have explained it in scripture? If he does, and I've somehow missed it, would someone please point it out?
Okay, I feel better. Thanks for reading :)
Note: I believe its still unschooling if the child asks for the materials that are schoolish in nature.
Well, for some reason I talked about it the other day (maybe because the "school year" was over?). I didn't get a bad response this time, quite the opposite actually. Now she wants to know more about how we go about unschooling and fulfilling our state's requirements. We talked for a while and I felt like I was just being confusing. Anywho, she invariably asked what they always eventually ask, "But what about math?" Ky wants to use an algebra curriculum we're borrowing from another family, so I told her about that. Was I chickening out? A little. Why? I've been asking myself that for four days. I think its because I'm not very eloquent in person (not sure I'm very eloquent about it in print either :-P )
Here's what I wish I would have said to her. "What about math? It surrounds us everyday and Kyle and Noelle use it all the time. We don't pull out a textbook, we live math." There doesn't that sound better? lol
Their questions always seem to relate to some kind of timetable. I mean come on, who decided what should be learned when? Who/what gives them that authority? I sure didn't. If it were important to God, wouldn't He have explained it in scripture? If he does, and I've somehow missed it, would someone please point it out?
Okay, I feel better. Thanks for reading :)
Note: I believe its still unschooling if the child asks for the materials that are schoolish in nature.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
You Wild
Kyle thought this was pretty cool. The jacket was bought at a yard sale and our next door neighbor's son (who is heading for Iraq in a month) gave Ky the beret.
Check it out!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Malachi 3:3
It says: 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.'
This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.
That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mentio n anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought abo ut God hol ding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says:
'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.'
She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front o f the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.
The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'
He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.
'If today you are feeling the heat of the fire , remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.
We all need to remember that God is watching over us, and that whatever we're going through, we'll be a better person in the end.
This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.
That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mentio n anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought abo ut God hol ding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says:
'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.'
She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front o f the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.
The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'
He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.
'If today you are feeling the heat of the fire , remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.
We all need to remember that God is watching over us, and that whatever we're going through, we'll be a better person in the end.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Unschooling
"To parents I say, above all else, don't let your home become some terrible miniature copy of the school. No lesson plans! No quizzes! No tests! No report cards! Even leaving your kids alone would be better; at least they could figure out some things on their own. Live together, as well as you can; enjoy life together, as much as you can." -- John Holt
Sunday, June 8, 2008
My Saturday
Had dance practice in the morning. So glad there was air conditioning! Half the routine learned.........
Lunch, then off to community yard sales.....
Our treasures for the day:
Lunch, then off to community yard sales.....
Our treasures for the day:
- light poncho - $0.25
- fluffy, cuddly doggy purse - $0.75
- large campbells soup mug - $0.75
- Chocolate isn't a vegetable? candy dish - $0.50
- 2 quart pitcher - $0.10
- Captain Underpants books - free
- more books - free
- bright pink slinky - free
- shorts and skort - $1.00
Walking in the hot humid weather sure takes its toll.......
Laundry, dishes...........
Returned library books, got some more. Also 2 movies..........
Bought fruit to make a fruit salad for dinner. We also had coleslaw. I refused to cook and make the house any warmer............
Watched movies.........
Friday, June 6, 2008
Today?
Okay, here comes the heat wave with all the humidity. It looks like summer weather has finally arrived, sigh....
I think we'll stay inside and play Sega, by the fan....
Maybe later, we'll sit on the deck and make our fairy house.........
Been reading email all morning, one of my elists just kind of took off.........
Nachos for dinner, refuse to turn the oven on.........
I think we'll stay inside and play Sega, by the fan....
Maybe later, we'll sit on the deck and make our fairy house.........
Been reading email all morning, one of my elists just kind of took off.........
Nachos for dinner, refuse to turn the oven on.........
Yesterday
Realized I hadn't blogged in a couple of days....
Needed a copy of our dance routine song. My cd burner doesn't work so downloading music to copy onto cd's is not a possibility. You'd think since I owned the song I could transport it to another computer that has a cd-burner? HAH!
No one showed for dance practice last night. I remember specifically being told that Thursdays were a night she could be there, hhmmm ......
Instead, went in and prayed for the upcoming VBS our church and another church is putting on in July. I'm going to be the resident photographer and video presentation person. We have a booth at a local festival to raise money for the VBS becasue we are believing for a lot of kids........
Forgot to buy garbage bags the first time, forgot my debit card the second time, rode my bike to the store the final time.......
Needed a copy of our dance routine song. My cd burner doesn't work so downloading music to copy onto cd's is not a possibility. You'd think since I owned the song I could transport it to another computer that has a cd-burner? HAH!
No one showed for dance practice last night. I remember specifically being told that Thursdays were a night she could be there, hhmmm ......
Instead, went in and prayed for the upcoming VBS our church and another church is putting on in July. I'm going to be the resident photographer and video presentation person. We have a booth at a local festival to raise money for the VBS becasue we are believing for a lot of kids........
Forgot to buy garbage bags the first time, forgot my debit card the second time, rode my bike to the store the final time.......
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Saving Money on Gas
With the high cost of gas (looking like its only going to get worse) I am glad we live in a small town so we can ride bikes whenever we need to get somewhere. Our town also has enough stores to meet our basic needs, even if one of them is a Walmart ;) We own a bike cart so I can use that for bigger trips to the grocery store, we even use our backpacks.
I watched a story yesterday online about a man who decided to park his truck for 31 days and refuses to drive. He bought a bike and is riding that back and forth for his job, planning on giving the money he saves to help feed poor children in Africa. Maybe it won't hit the gas companies in the wallet but he feels so good about what he's doing he may go beyond the 31 days. There are ways to save money on gas if people are actually willing to do things differently.
Since I'm not driving the van Kirk is driving it instead of his truck. We save quite a bit in gas that way. We've been discussing replacing his truck with a fuel efficient car for this winter for my use. We'll be walking this winter as much as possible but can't get grocerys any other way then. At least, not that I've figured out yet.
The biggest benefit I'm finding in riding my bike is the exercise. We also get around about as fast as driving with all the traffic stops.
What are you doing to save on gas?
I watched a story yesterday online about a man who decided to park his truck for 31 days and refuses to drive. He bought a bike and is riding that back and forth for his job, planning on giving the money he saves to help feed poor children in Africa. Maybe it won't hit the gas companies in the wallet but he feels so good about what he's doing he may go beyond the 31 days. There are ways to save money on gas if people are actually willing to do things differently.
Since I'm not driving the van Kirk is driving it instead of his truck. We save quite a bit in gas that way. We've been discussing replacing his truck with a fuel efficient car for this winter for my use. We'll be walking this winter as much as possible but can't get grocerys any other way then. At least, not that I've figured out yet.
The biggest benefit I'm finding in riding my bike is the exercise. We also get around about as fast as driving with all the traffic stops.
What are you doing to save on gas?
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