Happy 85th Birthday

Grandma celebrated her 85th birthday yesterday. With the girls and my sister, we drove up to C'ville to visit with her on this momentous day. It's not every day that you get to celebrate 85 years of life!

We had a great visit. My aunt, who lives in the area, was able to join in the fun.

We went out for lunch. Here is Rebecca showing Aunt Marilyn how to play Tic-Tac-Toe, not the paper version. It's kind of like Miss Mary Mack.
While Grandma rested for a bit, we played a rowdy game of Uno Attack. Here we are singing Happy Birthday to her.

Make a wish and blow out the candles.

Me and Grandma

Aunt Marilyn annd the girlies

I have the absolute utmost respect for our Pastor. I have never met a more humble, dedicated man than him.

Tonight, after our Wed. night Bible study and prayer meeting (message from Phil. on being true and sincere), he held a meeting. I am still in awe at times on how these things are handled. No decisions are made without bringing it forth to the flock. He has all of the details for whatever the meeting is about and doesn't hide anything. After giving us details and showing us a visual aid (usually something on the projector), he has an open forum of sorts. The church members are encouraged to ask any questions that concern them- and being baptist, we all have our opinions!- Our Pastor then answers everything to the fullest. There is no dancing around the subject, no details withheld.

The last meeting was on taking on more missionaries. Our pastor has a heart for missions and is in fact going to Cambodia and the Philippines next week. Our church raised $3500 last year to build a church in the Philippines so some of the men are going to the dedication and to tell others about our saving Lord.

The meeting beforehand was to discuss a new sign for the front of the building. The church raised $35,000+ to pay for the new electronic sign. This money was given without any special offerings being taken up or fund raisers. People in our church see a need and then take care of it. I love it!

Tonight's meeting was on remodeling the sanctuary. It's impossible to find a seat on Sunday mornings, a very good problem to have, but something must be done. Things they will do include pulling out and replacing the sound booth, new equipment for sound, lighting, seating, carpet, walls, and ceiling, and drapery. Overall, the estimated cost is outrageous but he wants to do this without taking out any type of loans.

There were dozens of questions that people had and our Pastor didn't even break a sweat in fielding them all without a bunch of nonsense thrown in. He amazes me.

I'm all for it and can't wait to help where we can.

I'll take some pictures this Sunday before any of the work starts for those who are interested in seeing the progress. I'm excited to see all of the updates that will be made!

Ewww SNAKES!

The girls have been taking classes at the local state park. The instructor does a fabulous job! That coupled with Rebecca's love and curiosity for science, makes it very enjoyable. Mrs. Christen is doing two series of classes right now. The Wednesday classes are on Earth Systems and Tuesdays are on Living Organisms. Today, my children and Brysen got to be apart of great hands-on class about reptiles and amphibians. As you can see in these photos and the short video that they enjoyed handling the snakes and turtles.

Bitter sweet

Well, basketball season is over for us. It really flew by! All that's left is the awards ceremony next Saturday. Rebecca's team did awesome, as did they all. They won 7 out of 8 games. She only scored 4 points out of the season but had some great defensive plays as well as offensive. Her grandparents from Yorktown and my mom came to see her play this morning.

The end only means one thing...soccer season! Soccer season starts in 3 weeks from today. Then our Saturdays are shot for the next 11 weeks. Both girls are playing soccer again this season so double games, double practices...just different times and different nights for practice.

I'm glad the girls have found something athletic that they both enjoy doing. They take after their daddy in that aspect.

Verse to ponder:

Matthew 5:5

"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.:

What is meek? Is it a quiet, mousy person with no personality or opinions to speak of? No, it is giving total and complete submission of your life over to the Lord.

In the past year, I have really tried to live a life pleasing unto the Lord. Between studying and the preaching I get at church, I am learning so much. I have been a Christian for 13 years and a year ago I realized that I wasn'y growing anymore. I was in an enviroment that was good for baby Christians but once you stopped worshipping the preacher and looked into His Word, you realized there is so much more to learn.

I still have a lot of work to do. Be honest, we all do! If we lack in our Christian life, what does that say about us? About our God?

My advice for you is to pick a verse, a Godly character that you need to work on and then strive to be that kind of person. Little be little, I can see the differences in my life from just a year ago.

I once read in a Christian Womanhood magazine about how we need some quiet time in our lives. This is so true. In a day and age of tv, radio, CDs, MP3's, ipods, etc., we really don't have a lot of quiet time in our days. How can we expect to hear the still small voice from our Lord with so much racket going on? I think of Moses and how he was on the mountain top for 40 days with God. He had to get away from the partying, the music, the loudness of the Isrealites to hear from God. Even though that was thousands of years ago, why should it be any different for us today? God hasn't changed.

Take some time and enjoy the peace and tranquility. Talk to God and listen for His response. Meditate on the scriptures. Pick a verse and memorize it, apply it to your life and then repeat it once you've gained control in that area of your life. It's still a struggle to let Him have all of my anger over those who have hurt my family and myself but as Jesus has forgiven them, so have I. It becomes easier each day and then I can concentrate on those other characteristic flaws I have. For me, right now, I'm working on becoming meek instead of outspoken on all my opinions.

What is it that you need to work on?

What you excuse in moderation your children will embrace in excess.

Last night, around 11:30, Rebecca woke up with an upset stomache. She came to my bed and asked if she could sleep with me. Since that's the absolute first time every in 8 years, I was a bit shocked. Instead, we went to her bed and she was shaking. She wasn't running a fever but I thought"Here we go. We're in for a long night." She was exposed to another child yesterday who has had the stomache flu run through their house and I'd warned her not to touch or get too close to that child. As we were laying there, she turned over and asked me "How do you give your fears over to the Lord?" I asked her what she had to be afraid of. She was scared of getting the throw up virus and miss church today. As my heart swelled with pride, I told her how you pray about it and them trust God in whatever the outcome may be. After we prayed, she said her stomach was still hurting a bit and was trembling! We prayed again and I felt her relax. By now, it was well past midnight and I was tired. I knew she was feeling better when she started talking about her basketball game. She went back to sleep, slept all night and was fine this morning. It's amazing to see the joy in her eyes when God answered her prayers.
Many adults never come to the realization that we need to turn over our fears, our anger, sin and ultimately our lives to the Lord. I'm proud of the christian maturity my 8 year old daughter has shown over the past year.
Another incident came up this weekend where Rebecca was blamed for doing something she didn't do- Emily had done it and it was pretty serious- and she handled it very well. She knew the right thing to do was apologize and take the blame and move on! I'm so very proud of her!

Yes, it's ANOTHER video of Rebecca doing back handsprings. I never tire of watching her put Jay's money for gymnastics classes (over the past 6 and a half years!) to the test.

Ashley's Birthday Party

There was a great time had all around at Ashley's birthday party! Enjoy the slide show.

THe Proverbs 31 Woman

The qualities that are found in Proverbs 31 should not be thought of as a threat, but much rather as God's pattern of a fulfilled, joyous, and dedicated woman whose goal is to be for God's glory. Note the following guidelines:

1. She is loyal. To her husband (10-12).
2. She is faithful in her home (13-16).
3. She is tireless in her responsibilities (17-19).
4. She is generous toward the needy (20).
5. She is fearless about her circumstances (21-23).
6. She is diligent in business matters (24).
7. She is prepared for the future (25).
8. She is wise in her utterances (26).
9. She is dependable in daily duties (27).
10. She is praised by her family (28-29).
11. She is beautiful in her conduct (30).
12. She is appreciated by her neighbors (31).

If we love to follow God's Word in true obedience, then each of us can be "a crown to her husband" (Proverbs 12:4), and "to the praise of His glory" (Ephesians 1:12).

Putting off the inevitable...

Ok, this has gotten out of hand. Instead of sewing, I'm going through some pictures. These are from this past summer when Jay took Rebecca to a monster truck show. She thought the trucks were cool but the best part was being with daddy.

*When my dad used to take me fishing or to work with him, even though it was a bit boring, I loved that one on one time with him.*

Check out how HUGE those tires are!!!

Becca was still talking about the monster truck show just yesterday. The impact we have as parents on our children is unfathomable!

Procrastinating...

In putting off what really needs to be done, I've changed the background on the blog. What do you think?

And since I'm already going to pay for it, I thought I'd leave you on this note:

GYM/SWIM

Once a week, for 8 weeks, the girls are taking a gym/swim class at the YMCA. The main reason for signing them up was so they could learn to swim before the summer even though they have limited access to a pool.

Here are some of the photos from their first class. This is a group shot of the class. Even though seven of the children are from our co-op, Rebecca and Emily still stuck together. It's amazing to see how strong their bond is out in public, to see how much they rely on each other. They've learned at their early age that friends come and go but they'll always be sisters.



When Rebecca saw that they were going to be working on basketball in gym class, she was enthusiastic. She loves the sport! Emily, on the other hand, doesn't really care for it. I think this photo says different. She seemed to really enjoy it and had great control of the ball.

Here they are sitting on the edge of the pool looking cute as can be.

*Thanks Mary for the suits at the end of the summer last year!

Rebecca jumping in- more like flopping in!

Em makes a little splash

This week, they did evaluations to see what level they were on, practiced jumping in, doggy paddling and other beginner activities.

I can't wait to see what the next few weeks have to hold.

Happy Valentine's Day

Today we went to the circus with some other homeschoolers. It was a lot of fun. I was dreading it and seriously didn't want to go. I thought of the children and my arm was twisted. Brysen's grandma went and she was a huge help. She was there to help me figure out where we were going once we were seperated from Amy, whom I was following. Also having another adult there made me feel more secure as I hate going to big crowded places with the children. I watch too much CSI and Without a Trace!

Hope you enjoy the video and slide show!

13 years...

It's pretty fitting that I dreamt of my dad last night. Today marks the thirteenth year since his passing. Thirteen years ago, people told me the pain would lesson and they were right. It's not as hard now as it was then. Life just seems to press on.
I have so many memories and at times like today, I allow myself to sit and contemplate on all that he was and all that he has missed in my life these last 13 years.

I have so much I'd like to say but all I can get out right now is, Dad, I miss you.

Guestbook

This is a gentle reminder for those of you who frequent this blog to sign the guestbook at the bottom of the page. It's simple and won't take up much of your time!

Thanks!

I have pictures from yesterday's gym class as well as the swimming lessons the girls are taking. I may not find the time tomorrow to post as we have a busy day of school, house-hold chores and the dreaded dentist. I hate the dentist and am feeling sick over having to go!

I don't think we're in Kansas anymore Toto

These are some of the news bulletins from our local weather channel from yesterday to this morning. All of this because of high winds!

Right now Reporter Wayne Covil is in Dinwiddie where four fires have broken out over a four mile stretch. Residents are being asked to evacuate and Wayne says the smoke is so thick he can hardly see to drive.

On the Chesterfield/Henrico line, tractor trailers have overturned at the Varina/Enon bridge. Reporter Tracy Sears was there - and we got pictures from State Police. She's also been tracking down storm damage and found burning trees laying on power lines, trees on cars and lanes of traffic re-routed to get around damage areas. Her report is coming up in our 6:30pm newscast.

Wayne Covil says that Dinwiddie brushfire is near Flatbush and Waltersmill Road. It is so widespread, it could be more than 1,000 acres. Smoke from the fire can be seen north of Colonial Heights. It's a rural area, so farmers are being told to let their livestock loose so they can get away from the flames. Flames are 30-40 feet in the air.

Most homes have been evacuated in this rural area of Dinwiddie...Also, Dominion Virginia Power reported more than 33,800 customers without electricity in central Virginia because of the high winds,and about 26,000 were without power in northern Virginia.

The Governor has declared a State of Emergency for 21 counties in Virginia.

10 fires throughout the county. The larges in Freshwater Creek, 400+ acre fire. It's caused mandatory evacuation route 703 spring road and route 700 johnson road - deputies are going door-to-door and asking people to leave their homes. They have two shelters opened up for citizens.

In addition, the high winds have taken down trees and power lines 4,000 people without electricity - shelter opened for those people as well.


As of 8:45pm, 23,895 Dominion Virginia Power customers are without power in the metro Richmond/Tri Cities area. That's according to the company's web site. Tonight's low is expected to be 16 degrees farenheit, that could be a problem.

And the latest news for today reported at 5:20 a.m.: Dominion Virginia power crews are keeping busy this morning. Currently, 10,149 people across our area are still without electricity this morning. That's down from 30,000 yesterday.


Yesterday, I thought for sure that one of my children were gong to blow away or that a tree was going to land on my house. The report states wind gusts up to 63 mph! It was unbelievable. We came home from church yesterday afternoon and the garage door wouldn't open. After hearing the neighbor's generator going, we determined the power was out. No biggie, I assumed. It was 60 degrees and we were planning on sandwiches for lunch. Plus I had a book I wanted to finish reading. Jay goes to get the details from the neighbor. The power had been out for about 20 minutes and he expected it to be off for a very long time since a transformed blew. The neighbor then left to buy gas and oil for the generator. No sooner had he left the street and the power was back on. Others in our area have not been so blessed.

My father in law has been without power since yesterday. We tried to get them to come here for the night but they were stubborn and said they'd tough it out. It was to get in the teens last night with a chill factor making it in the single digits. I prayed for them and waited all night for a phone call saying they were coming to get warm. They must have toughed it out. BRRR
Last night, I was tiding up before bed and my feet were freezing! After an hour or so, I decided to check the thermostat to see why I was so cold. Hello! Jay turned the heat off when we got home since the power was out and forgot to turn it back on. It was only 66 in here but I can't imagine how cold it is for those 10,000+ people in the area without power.
Obviously our house is toasty enough now because Emily is wearing her bathing suit! There is a reason though. The girls start their swiming lessons today- but not until this afternoon! I think she's a little bit excited!

Tuesday's photos

I completely forgot about these pictures I took of the girls yesterday.

Here they are with Ashley enjoying the swingset their daddy, grandpa and great grandpa built for them.

What an absolute gorgeous week we have had so far! We have been soaking up the warm rays as much as possible. Yesterday, Rebecca finished her schooling in record time and with their friend Ashley over, the girls played outside practically all day. The high for yesterday was 76. That's Virginia for you! If you don't like the weather, wait a couple of days and it'll change. It is suposed to get very cold again by the end of the week.

The girls have been taking classes at a state park near by. The Tues. classes are on mammals, birds and reptiles. The Wednesday classes are on archelolgy, rocks and soil. Today, the class learned differences between rocks and minerals, types of rocks and then went in search to see what they could find.

Here is Rebecca showing the beginnings of her findings. She is an avid rock collector and has looked forward for this class for a very long time.

I think Becca found the best one. It had a hint of green to it but once cleaned up, it was a beautiful green. The project for me, now, is to try to find out what type of rock it is.

*As you can see by the crazy hair do that the cold front is blowing in.

Below is Emily showing the teacher her rocks.
Here's Em shaking it up. They put a few of the rocks in a vial of water and shook like crazy several times to clean them up. It was a fascinating class that we had to continue at home.

Weird sleeping arrangements

Children are funny!

I have realized that I don't need to take things quite so seriously.

These girls are only young once and I'm trying to see the humor in all that they do- instead of rolling my eyes or just seeing the mess they make for one day, there won't be polly pockets or Barbies all over the place.

The night after their little im-promptu sleepover, I got distracted on putting the air mattress away. I went upstairs to give them kisses and this is what I found. Instead of pulling the air mattress out completely for both of them to sleep on it, poor Em was sleeping on the floor! They were sound asleep too! So, I left them as they were and around 3 a.m., I was awakened by "Sissy, move over!" Emily was trying to push Rebecca over and had climbed up on the air mattress with her. I did put her in bed that time.

A few nights later, Rebecca was late in finishing her school work. So Emily had taken a shower and red herself for bed before Rebecca even finished up her schooling. While Becca went to take a shower, I had Emily lay down in bed to wait for her. Rebecca couldn't find the body wash and was yelling Emily's name at the top of her lungs. Emily wasn't answering so I came upstairs to find out why. She was sound asleep in bed. She WAS tired!

When Rebecca went to lay down, she couldn't because Emily was in her way. In the dark, I started to move her but couldn't figure out what type of sheet or blanket she was covered up in. Turns out, she took the pillow case off a pillow and climbed in. As Jay, Bec and I laughed over her, she never woke up. The next night, I found Becca asleep in the pillow case as well only she didn't remove the pillow first.
I would like to say that they must get their weird sleeping arrangements from their daddy but since I slept in a cardboard box for months as a child, I know they get it honestly from their momma. Or maybe it's just a childhood thing.

I recieved this from a fellow sister in Christ and homeschool mom. It is too good not to share with others.

Real Resolutions for Moms By Karen Ehman

"...forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus...

Philippians 3:13b-14 (KJB)

Devotion:

It's that time when many of us are making New Year's resolutions, so how about some resolutions for mothers? Here are mine:

I will put my Bible before the television, the radio, the telephone, and even before good Christian books, for my children will know my priorities by the way they see me spend my free time.

I will make my prayer requests known before God and my children, enlisting their help in the process and informing them of the outcome, for by letting them help when I petition our Lord will they learn of a living God who still answers prayer.

When times of crisis, conflict or confusion arise, I will hit my knees before I hit the phone knowing that by my example my children will discover that although friends are important, God alone is the one who holds the solution to life's every problem.

I will erase the words of luck and lucky from my vocabulary and will instead by my speech point my children toward the One who orchestrates every detail of our lives and brings all good things to pass, for by this my children will learn of an omniscient God.

When bad things happen, I'll neither grumble nor complain, but will instead help my children see that in the scope of our lives even the bad times are allowed for a reason, for by this my children will learn quiet trust in their Maker.

When normal childhood mishaps occur, I will remember that although difficult, it is still easier to remove grape juice from off-white carpet than to erase harsh and unloving words hurled at a child whose chubby little fingers have failed her, for by this my children will see a God who understands when our best efforts fall short.

When my children have witnessed something ugly in me - unkind words, an angry temper, harmfull gossip, biting sarcasm or even my infamous mommy pout when things don't go my way - I will confess it as sin before them seeking their forgiveness, for by this my children will develop the much needed habit of wiping their spiritual slate clean before God and man.

I will teach my children the importance of cleanliness and order while at the same time remain sensitive to the fact that a skinned knee or hurt feeling is more crucial than a spotless floor or uncluttered counter, for by this my children will learn to value people above things.

I will make time for the lonely, the sick, the elderly, the difficult to love, and will bring my children along, for with each afternoon visit, each ride to the doctor, each raked lawn or washed window they will have opportunity to serve Jesus by serving the least of these.

I will make our home a haven of rest and retreat from the outside world and a welcomed place for my children's friends, for with each impromptu backyard soccer game, each video viewed on a rainy day, each cup of hot cocoa or chocolate chip cookie, my children will have opportunity to practice the art of Christian hospitality thereby learning to share all God has given them.

I will by my actions and my speech let my children see a mom love their dad, for by this will my children sense family stability at a time when marriages all around them are crumbling.

I will not require of my children obedience, honesty, patience or kindness without first being willing to submit to the same rules whether in speed limit, in miscounted change from the grocery store or when answering a toddler for the fourteenth time, for by this my children will see a mother who is also learning and not a perfect parent to whom they'll never measure up.

In all things will I remember that more is caught than is taught.

There are little eyes upon you, mom. You are the first Bible your children will ever read.

Dear Lord, may my goals this year spring from a right relationship with You and may carrying them out point others heavenward.

In Jesus Name, Amen.

Application Steps:

Pick just one or two resolutions that have to do with your role as a wife or mother. Tell a friend and have her hold you accountable for carrying them out.

Reflections:

Of the above resolutions, which are the most difficult for you? Why? Do any of the things mentioned come more naturally for you? Have they always? Or have you seen growth in your life in these areas?

Power Verses:

I Timothy 4:12

"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.(KJB)

II Corinthians 5:17

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (KJB)