Busy OCtober!!!

Hi been busy for the past couple of weeks. We celebrate two birthdays here at home in October, My Gabby & Nathaniel.  We some little intimate parties for them and I baked their cakes. Here are some pictures, see if you can guess what they like.

This month we had alot of unusual snow.  16inches of it!!!  And it fell right before Halloween, Ididn't mind!!  But my Husband and children weren't too happy, cause they wanted to go give out tracks..  but with the snow, they went out and gave tracts.  To their surprise people were very receptive.   God prepared their hearts to recieve the word.  Amen.

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 4:29-5:2 

Loving One Another

John 13:34- 35
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

I have been struggling with this lately. Wondering how life would be if we simply followed this command.  We are to love as JESUS LOVED, not the world's definition of a passing emotion, "No heartsrtings attached, Please."  I have made it my prayer, goal, my hearts desire, to love EVERYONE despite who they are, where they came from, what title they carry in the world and the position they have at church (yes, I know this is difficult, but it is Christ's commandment).  Will you do the same and love others UNCONDITIONALLY!!

angry bird crochet

I really want to try to do this for Nathaniel. so adorable.
http://angrybirdscrochet.blogspot.com/2011/03/new-etsynamespace.html





Crochet

Hi. Been gone for awhile.  We've had a loss here.  So dealing with grieving for a little one we never new. Pray for us.   While grieving picked up a hobby to help me cope; crocheting.  It is very relaxing!  Just finished my first baby beanie, wasn't perfect but a great acomplishment.  Here's the picture.

My adorable JoJo at 8 months wearing the beanie.  I made especially for him. :)

Thankful Thursday!!

It's not technically Thursday, a few more hours to go so I am writing a little early :)   I decided I needed to list some things I am thankful for since lately I've been complaining alot!!!  So here we go;
1. Thankful that God loves me with my all hangups.
2. Thankful for my beautiful family, especially my little JOJo
3. Thankful for the next addition coming in Mar. 2012, kind of unexpected, or was it?
4. Thankful through the nausea at times that is overwhelming.
5. Thankful for complete and utter exhaustion, means baby is growing.
6. Thankful for electricity, I value it and my central AC.
7. Thankful for running water, I like cleans hands.
8. Thankful for a running car, although it starting squeeking.
9. Thankful for Jesus. He's awesome.
10. Thankful for an understanding Husband.
I have so much more but I am tired now...

Honey!!!!

I interlibrary loaned this book called "Honey  For Your Child's Heart"  by Gladys Hunt. It was recommended to me by a fellow homeschooling mom who has a degree in English. It is an excellent book on the importance of family reading and choosing appropriate books.  The one thing that stood out to men was this, and I'll quote from p.p. 85 & 88: ....parents may not be really convinced of the importance of biblical instruction. "....But parents who never read the Bible outside of an organized meeting of the church are not likely to sense the urgency of instructing children in the most important truth in the world.  If we really believe that God speaks through this book, how can we possibly handle it so carelessly and leave the reponsibility for its content to someone else?

The goal of family Bible reading is to teach children to think biblically." Galdys Hunt

If you are able to get this book, read it.  I know you'll be Blessed.

An Ugly Trend!!!

As I nursed the baby this morning my husband read to me an extremely disturbing articlehttp://shine.yahoo.com/channel/parenting/the-no-kids-allowed-movement-is-spreading-2516110/.  Many businesses and corporations, grocery stores, theatres, etc. are beginning to ban children, yes that's right! No CHILDREN ALLOWED!  Some grocery stores are having "No children" shopping hours for those who don't want to be disturbed while shopping by crying children.  God forbid you need Milk or worse diapers!!!  Our culture who so eager to turn our children into tolerant accepting individuals is also not willing to put up the family and little kids.  Our world has increasingly become intolerant of children's behavior or the family for that matter.  Let us pray for God's protection. I think they missed the point when God said in His word:
 Psalm 127 : 3-6³
 Children are a heritage from the LORD,
   offspring a reward from him.
⁴ Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
   are children born in one’s youth.
⁵ Blessed is the man
   whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
   when they contend with their opponents in court.

Guest Hollow

Hi All,

It's been a while since I've been posting.  Too much going on with family and extended family that didn't have time to breath.  But wanted to share this webite called http://www.guesthollow.com/ this Mom wrote her own curriculum when she felt dissatisfied with the one she was using. As added Blessing, she gives schedules, printables, book lists, links to online media and advice on what worked and did not work.  Everything is FREE!!  A TRUE BLESSNG.  So I hope you are Blessed, she has available Ancient History, American History 1 &2, is presently working on Classical years (that's the one I'm lookin for).   Getting ready for the next shcool year.

A moment of quick relief

Hi everyone,  been extremely busy.  Can't list them all, but been juggling way more than I can handle.  My husband and I had stepped into some new things, being representatives for a Biblical Character Curriculum company at ENOCH, it was alot fun, stressful (we had baby Josiah with us) and a great learning experience.  On top of that portfolios & evaluations, all new these years.  I have learned to stretch myself beyond my comfort zone, and realized how much is really toooooo much. Learning to depend on God for all my strengths, without him I just can't do it. Realizing just because I am stressed doesn't I can snap at them just because I think their behavior is annoying at that moment.  God is teaching many things, with all these new things I must stop to reflect and see God's hand in everything.  I Praise God for all He has done.  I can breath for now a small sigh of relief for all the stresses that have passed and now ON To Cleaning This House.

Biblical Womanhood /Voddie Baucham

I have been listening to series of sermons/conferences by Dr. Voddie Baucham,http://www.voddiebaucham.org/vbm/home.html and am extremely Blessed, my husband and I have learned so much from just listening to them.  I recommend you listen to "Biblical Woman 1,2,3: The Law in the Light of The KIngdom", this series you will not find on his website, but you will find it on "Sermon Index":http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/viewcat.php?cid=696 just search under his name.  You will be Blessed, encouraged, strengthened and maybe even rebuked. Make sure your husbands listen to it, if they don't want to then just pray for them.  Enjoy !!

Nightime Crying Baby, Sleep depravation, guinea hens & PRAYER

Lately our little Josiah has decided that he was going to wake up at least 2-3 times a night.  So by Wednesday, I was suffering, irritable, impatient and exhausted.  So Mr. J is eating a tiny bit of cereal as of Wednesday night (and it's working), sleeping through the night again, Amen!!  So Thursday when I was hoping to catch up on some sleep, around 6 am my neighbors hens decided to come and pick some bugs under my bedroom window.  And if anyone knows guinea hens, they are startled very easily and tend to get very loud when anyone or anything comes too close to them.  I realized they going to wake the baby!!!  I prayed : Merciful God, please quiet those hens! I really need to sleep.  God listens even to the prayers that maybe we think are not that important. God knew I needed to be completed rested to help my family.  He heard my prayer and he answered it!  Praise GOd!

Trying to remind myself

I am trying to remind myself constantly that I am a new mom and I have a little baby makes things go a little slower.  My goal today on this wonderful, sunny, spring Saturday was to nurse baby after breakfast put him to nap.  Well I did nurse him after breakfast, it just seemed hours before I could step outside.  It was not until three hours later, that I was able to go outside.  But that is just the way it is right now, this is the season where the gardens don't get tended as much or as fast as I would like.  I AM after all growing and tending to a much more important plant; Josiah.  Every moment spent with him, is a true Blessing. An answer to prayers. S

Wilkerson Gone!

Today we mourn the passing of our Beloved Pastor Dave Wilkerson.  Known for his fiery convicting sermons, his book The Cross And The Switchblade and founding pastor of  Time Square Church.  I will always remember his thundering voice as he preached the Gospel.  I'll never forget him.

Writing for Clarity | CHART Online Seminars

Writing for Clarity CHART Online Seminars

Jeannie's Journal: Jeannie Fulbright's Blog: The Prayer Journal: Slowing Down to Listen

Jeannie's Journal: Jeannie Fulbright's Blog: The Prayer Journal: Slowing Down to Listen: "One of the most valuable benefits I found in writing down my prayers as I prayed them was that it took me much longer to write down my pra..."

Train Them Up: I need to learn Geography next Year!

Train Them Up: I need to learn Geography next Year!: "It was quite funny but a bit embarassing. At Quiet Valley during the tour of the 'One Room Schoolhouse' the pretend teacher asked a Ge..."

Train Them Up: I need to learn Geography next Year!

Train Them Up: I need to learn Geography next Year!: "It was quite funny but a bit embarassing. At Quiet Valley during the tour of the 'One Room Schoolhouse' the pretend teacher asked a Ge..."

I need to learn Geography next Year!

It was quite funny but a bit embarassing.  At Quiet Valley during the tour of the "One Room Schoolhouse" the pretend teacher asked a Geography question, What state has NJto the East, NY to the North, Maryland at the South, Ohio to the west.  My son who is always eager to answer and participate, raised his hand,  I knew in my heart he DID NOT know the answer!   He answered with all assurance: BROOKLYN! Everyone burst out laughing, even I.  He was a little embarassed but shrugged it off, he does like to make people laugh.  But it showed me that my kids need a deeper grasp of Geography.  So next year I'll be adding that to our madness of classes.  If anyone has any suggestions on curriculum or books, I'll take them.  Please let me know what worked for and what didn't.

VERY USEFUL FOR TEACHING

I happened to stumble upon this
http://www.wordsmyth.net/
 through Tapestry Of Grace curriculum.  It is a website that creates glossaries, dictionaries, theasaures, quizzes, etc. by typing in the words.    What is TOG? I personally am not doing TOG with the kids, but wish I were. I'll try to explain it , actually I won't, I'll just copy and past their explanation from their site ;http://www.tapestryofgrace.com/index.php;  is a homeschool curriculum: a

Tapestry of Grace

plan of study that helps parents provide a Christian, classical

education using a guided unit study approach, with the

history of the world as the core organizational theme. From

Grades K–12, all students cycle through world history every

four years, with all ages studying the same slice of history

each week, each at their own learning level.

Reunite Jackson 7: Tell NJ DYFS to Reunite the Jackson Family

Reunite Jackson 7: Tell NJ DYFS to Reunite the Jackson Family: "Targeting: The President of the United States, The Governor of NJ, The NJ State Senate, see more...The President of the United States, The ..."

Bird's Nests!!

Exploring Creation with Zoology 1: Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day

    

We've been using Apologia this year for science and we've all enjoyed it and learned from it immensely, especially me.. With the textbook we also used the notebook (workbook), which contained full lesson plans, puzzles, writing, and some minibooks, it is mostly geared for 3rd grade and up.  But now Fulbright http://www.jeanniefulbright.com/, has published  a Juniors Explorers Series geared to lower elementary.  To take full advantage of Apologia science & the Young Explorers Series I would recommend gathering all materials needed for experiments before starting,(something I did not do & regret). You'll definitely get more out of it.  The website also has "book extras", but cannot be entered without the password that is given in the textbook. There you will find links to different videos, coloring pages & many other things to enhance your lesson.  If you want a little bit of everything in science than any science curriculum will do but if you really want your child to learn about a certain creature or types of creatures or unit than Apologia is definitely for you.  My kids learned everything there is to know about butterflies, moths, birds.  We are now learning about bats, and I know that God made them with a very important role for our environment but this chapter is hardest for me not to get sick on.  Some of those creatures are seriously ugly!!!!   There is an article in the "Home Educating Family Issue 4" called "No Blurps Please"; which explains how teaching Immersion Science helps the student to truly learn more and soak up the material than jumping around from topic to topic just for the sake of covering the material.  "If you immerse your child in one field of science for an entire year, they will develop a love for that subject and a love for learning in general."- Fulbright      I look forward to doing another year of Apologia.
Hope you enjoyed this post and that it is useful to you.  Be Blessed!!!

Homeschooling.....

Homeschooling cannont be something you do out of fear or solely because your child has problems in school. You have to have a passion for this or else you will quickly burnout and call it quicks.  I was reading an article written by Steve Demme, and he used the story of King David & Uzzah.  David had decided to bring home the Ark of covenant, he consulted the elders and they decided to put it on a cart. On the way the cart tipped over and Uzzah held out his hand to hold the ark. WHen that happend, he died.  You see, Davids intentions were correct but his method was not.   And is what many parents do, depend on others to bring the word of God to our children.  It is not the church's or any oher program but ours.  Our hearts must be toward our children if we want them to keep their faith when they are older.  It is OUR responsibility and calling to educate our children the way intended it to be.  So, LET'S TRAIN THEM UP.

Time Wasters!!!!

It is very interesting, my husband sent me this article about 12 time wasters, but I would also call a "Christian's pitfalls into wasting time".  So I wanted to share with you, the interesting thing is it was published by Puritans in the 1600's, what's amazing about it, it IS similar to today.  I will give a translation for some others are self explanatory, enjoy. 

pilgrim@gracegems.org>

• 12 Time-wasting thieves!
  (Richard Baxter)
  
  "Redeeming the time." Colossians 4:5
  
  "That you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way." Colossians 1:10
  
• Thief 1. One of the greatest time-wasting sins, consists of idleness or sloth. = Just plain lazy
• Thief 2. The next thief or time-waster, is excess of sleep. = Over sleeping ( something I do alot since the baby came)
• Thief 3. Another time-waster, is inordinate adorning of the body. =  having your nails done (not talking about once in a while manicure, regular appt. at hairdresser, etc...
• Thief 4. Another time-wasting thief, is unnecessary pomp and extravagance in household furniture and domestic entertainments. = also $$ waster, constantly redecorating
• Thief 5. Another time-wasting sin, is needless feastings, gluttony, and drinking. = overeating
• Thief 6. Another time-waster, is idle talk. = texting, emails, endless gossiping on the phone
• Thief 7. Another thief which would steal your time, is vain and sinful company. = worldly friends
• Thief 8. Another notorious time-wasting thief, is needless, inordinate sports and games--which are masked with the deceitful title of recreations. = This is quite sensitive, I'll let the HS do it's work.
• Thief 9. Another time-wasting thief, is excess of worldly cares and business. = self explanatory
• Thief 10. Another time-waster, is vain, ungoverned and sinful thoughts. = self explanatory
• Thief 11. Another dangerous time-wasting sin, is the reading of worthless books, plays, romances, and novels. And also unprofitable studies, undertaken but for pride and vain-glory, or the pleasing of a carnal or curious mind. = self explanatory
• Thief 12. But the master-thief that robs men of their time, is an unsanctified, ungodly heart; for this loses time, whatever men are doing--because they never intend to do anything for the glory of God. = when our hearts aren't right with God, we will find endless ways to avoid him.
• "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do--do it all for the glory of God!" 1 Corinthians 10:31

Catalyst East 2010: Francis Chan

NO Whining!!!

How many times do we say that to our children..?  Probably too many.  The other night as we sat down for family devotions, we read from my son's favorite Bible, The Action Biblehttp://theactionbible.com/, a cartoon style Bible, we read about the Israelites in the desert and how they whined and complained about everything, water, food, fear of the giants in the land.  Still time and time again God provided for them and protected them, but yet the Israelites did not turn from their sin and stopped their whining and trust in God.  My husband pointed something out for the children to understand, WE ARE THE SAME WAY!!!  How many times does God provide for us, comforts us, answers prayers, gives us peace and we just turn around and complain about the next thing we cannot handle because WE LACK FAITH!!  How can we be a light to the world if others see us, especially our children, whine about the things we are constantly dissatisfied with?  We must be aware of these moments, stop and reflect on God's word.  He will not give us more than we can handle, he will not give us rocks for bread.  Our heavenly Father gives exactly what we need on a daily basis.  Oh, how I love Him, He is Faithful!!
Philipians 2:14-16
¹⁴Do all things without grumbling or disputing;
 ¹⁵so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,

Something New!

Blogging is something new to me, but I am sure is similar to being on a social network.  I will tell you a little more about myself.  I love Jesus and all that He is has done for me, I didn't deserve it.  I am a passionate homeschooler who loves to lapbook, (haven't made any in awhile, just had a baby;).  Love to share my heart about God, salvation, christian stewardship, marriage, child rearing & homeschooling.  When I have some free time I enjoy baking, doing a little sewing, scrapbooking & fellowship with others. I invite you to join me on this exciting journey and hope you will be encouraged, blessed and have some fun!!