June flowers

Travel, travel, travel ....

2012-02-09T22:56:00.001-06:00

Picking up from where I left off a few posts ago ..... after Richard & I enjoyed our beautiful February wedding (45 degrees, no rain), we left for the wedding reception in Richard's green Saturn, stuffed full with my belongings!! Remember- not only was I getting married, I was also moving my things to my new husband's house in Rogersville, Missouri!! My blue Geo Prizm was also full to the brim with my stuff, and I wondered how the Prizm would make its way to Missouri .... seeing how we didn't want to travel separate!!!! [Richard says he had it all under control, I just didn't know it ... :)]

While at our reception, one of Richard's Uncle's from Kansas offered to drive our Prizm to Missouri for us. He and his wife had traveled by airplane to Indiana, but one of them had gotten very sick and preferred driving. Their plan was to drive the Prizm to Richard's house in Rogersville and then get a ride to the Springfield airport, where their car was parked. I was very grateful- though I felt sorry about their flight experience. :(

Talking with people at our reception, I must have subconsciously realized I wasn't going to see many of the people (including family) for quite awhile .... so I lingered and lingered. lol! :)

Richard & I finally made our get-away, but not before Richard's brother, Matt, decorated the Saturn. We had obviously lingered a little TOO long, giving Matt & his helpers plenty of time to completely stuff the car full with balloons. It was so funny!!! :) :) :) [the photographer had to leave before Matt was finished with the car, and before Richard & I took off ]

Saying our last goodbyes to friends and family, Richard and I sped away, honking and throwing lots of balloons out the windows. In case you're wondering about "Sarai" written on the car window... Matt jokingly called us, "Sarai & Abram". :)

We were headed for Rogersville, Missouri in order to drop my stuff off ... before traveling to Tulsa for a long flight to Hawaii!!! Yes, my head is spinning reading this. I can't believe how much we traveled those first two days as husband and wife!!! :)

About mid-day the next day (Sunday, Feb. 22nd), we arrived in Rogersville to drop my stuff off at the house. Richard's Uncle & Aunt arrived with my Geo Prizm not too long afterwards! This was back in the time when we didn't have cell phones, so it's a wonder we both arrived in Rogersville within the same hour!

We took Richard's Uncle & Aunt to the Springfield, Missouri airport, then headed toward Tulsa. [Richard got a good price for tickets flying out of Tulsa; he paid for the entire honeymoon, by the way].
Hawaii was a gorgeous place, and we had a wonderful time exploring two islands: The Big Island, and Kuaui. We enjoyed kayaking and snorkeling, walking rain forests trails, and viewing magnificent water falls!! We also took a submarine ride in the ocean and explored a volcano that was slowly erupting into the ocean.
One of the Bed & Breakfast's we stayed at served fresh fruit every morning .... the best I have ever eaten in my life!!!! I felt quite spoiled. I mentioned several times to Richard that I felt as if we were in the Garden of Eden .... :)
We hardly wanted to return home .... Richard would soon resume work at the Postal Service, while I would adjust to being a new bride in a new home, in a new state. We had spent a total of 10 glorious days in Hawaii, and now were headed into "real life".

[to be continued...]

~My Curriculum choices will be continued...~

2012-02-06T22:53:00.002-06:00

My husband asked why I was talking about school curriculum instead of continuing our story after our wedding day. "You went from marrying to me, to home schooling three children!" he pointed out, encouraging me to add a few more stories....
Let's just say I became quite distracted by my everyday life of home school. lol! :)
In case you were anticipating my curriculum choices (or maybe just math), I'm listing them briefly, planning to expound on them after my stories are finished.

Sara's curriculum choices:

Elementary Math: Christian Light Publication (Mennonite based)
Middle school Math & up: Saxon Math- additional help readily available for parents struggling to teach higher-level math.
English: Shurley English if your child enjoys hands-on English with mom. If child is an independent learner, s/he will not like this program.
English for Independent Learner: Rod & Staff, if you can stand the diagramming. :)
Handwriting: A Reason for Handwriting- wonderful program, and it goes through 6th grade.
Spelling: Spelling Workout series- we all love it!!!!
Science: Apologia Science, The Young Explorer Series (Elementary)
Latin: Latin for Children is pricey, but well worth every penny! My boys are loving the lessons on DVD, and I'm glad I don't have to teach Latin. Praise the Lord!! lol! :) :)
History/Literature/Church History/ Writing: Tapestry of Grace! I don't think we would be successful with this curriculum without being part of a local Tapestry co-op. We're kept accountable to complete each week of reading and study- for discussion and participation during Friday's co-op. The pace has kept us all on our toes, which is a very good thing. It's what we need!!

~As mentioned above, I'll expound more on these curriculum choices once I've finished sharing more of our story. I look forward to my next post about our Honeymoon and (my) move to Missouri!!! :)

~On Teaching Reading~

2012-02-03T23:03:00.002-06:00

As you may know, I am a home school mom to three children, and have taught them to read for what seems like... forever???
My children have not been easy to teach~ but, I have finally found what works! Straight forward, simple, and to the point. :)
A couple of months ago, I struggled with frustration over my oldest continuing to dislike reading (he's in 6th grade), my middle child having trouble "seeing" certain words, and my youngest constantly confusing several letters. A visit to the eye doctor proved there were problems with my readers' eyes. My oldest needed to begin eye exercises to increase his "tracking" skills (otherwise, readers grow weary too soon); my younger two children had an Astigmatism in both eyes. Knowing this information at least helped calm mommy fears that I was doing something "wrong". I should have taken them to the eye doctor sooner!
No glasses yet for my two youngest, but if they were in a regular classroom, they would for sure wear glasses and be near the front of the classroom (not a "bad" thing, of course).

She'd rather be singing in the rain ... :) :)

At times I'm tempted to worry about my 1st grader confusing letters, then remember where we started and how far she's come. Knowing that her astigmatism sometimes causes phonics confusion, I force myself to slow down and practice more patience (Ack, I don't like that word, do you? I am lacking!!!). :)
How easy to complain to myself that I've never had an easy reader (how silly of me), instead of being thankful for what I've found works for us.
Every child and parent has different learning styles, and I hope the following list is helpful to you, too:

The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading may seem to move slowly at first, but I have loved using this book with my kids- all the way through the 3rd/4th grade reading level. I strongly recommend purchasing the supplemental magnet board, magnet letter tiles, and flashcards. Using the book without the supplements will seem dry, and a bit boring. Children look forward to playing with magnet letters after their lessons, and will make concrete connections with what was learned in the book. Also, mom can have flashcards ready & handy, instead of rushing to create some at the last minute. Sometimes, saving time is well worth the money spent. Check Amazon out for deals!! :)

Explode The Code workbooks are simply wonderful!!! I love using them in addition to the above resource, and the children absolutely look forward to their phonics work/practice. I've alternated days between The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading and the Explode the Code workbooks. Using both in one day for an early reader would overwhelm the child, unless you have an advanced student. Older grades (like 3rd), may be fine using both in one day (don't bother purchasing the Teacher's guides, unless it's important to you that your child completes all the post-test's at the back of each workbook). I usually purchase the workbooks from a Mardel store or online.

I've loved starting my readers out with Bob Books! I've been able to check-out all the book sets through our Public Library, but have often thought that I should have purchased them when my oldest was learning how to read. We would have put them to good use over and over again. :)
I also love Abeka's Basic Phonics Set and their First Grade Readers. As a former Abeka user, I can tell you that I'll always love their readers!!!! :) :)
FYI, Peace Hill Press recommends this list of Beginning Readers. Most of these books can be found through the Public Library.

Now to figure out math programs .... lol!! I'll tackle this more difficult subject next time (hopefully). I'm not promising I'll have it all figured out, I'll simply share a few discoveries.

~"Yes"~ :)

2012-01-28T12:23:00.000-06:00

I moved into an apartment in New Castle, Indiana, and my job hunt began. I was eventually hired as the lead teacher for three and four year olds at a brand new Preschool/Daycare center, and loved my job very much! My time line in these blog posts is a bit off ... I believe I was a teacher for about two months before Richard proposed. It's hard remembering time lines from 14 years ago! :)

I was doing well on my own, the weather was changing crisp and cool, and I was still answering Richard's lists of questions. :)
Richard flew me down to Missouri one weekend in November, and I was "almost sure" he would propose to me during this trip because of the questions he had been asking. I had a nice visit with his family (his parents were visiting their children in Missouri at the time, too), and I remember it being a fun, full weekend. :) Sunday morning church service (and lunch) came and went, and I began to doubt myself. "Maybe Richard isn't going to propose this time," I thought. The timing had seemed perfect with his parents visiting Missouri too, but maybe Richard had something else in mind. I was to return home early the next morning, and thought to myself how he was running out of time.
Later in the afternoon, Richard mentioned that he needed to stop by his house to drop something off. He had just purchased a little house in Rogersville, and the whole family (including me) had already taken a walk through it. I agreed to accompany him, thinking he was going to take me out to dinner afterwards. :)
At the house, Richard scrounged around in his trunk while I wandered around the garage a bit, finally growing impatient and walking inside the house. I was taking my time wandering around since Richard had seemed to misplace something (he told me later he didn't really have anything to drop off, so was trying to act like he was busy looking for something).

I ended up in the kitchen, gazing at the old kitchen cabinets. Richard finally closed his car's trunk to walk into the kitchen and ask more questions. "Do you like the cabinets? We could always paint them." I nodded and talked a little about how I had painted the cabinets in my apartment. We continued on and on about the cabinets in the kitchen. It wasn't until he asked, "Would you like to live here?", did I realize where he was headed. I answered, "Sure- I think I'd like to live here someday..."
He then proceeded to ask if I'd marry him, and my answer was "yes". :) :) :)
Afterwards, Richard took me to a jewelry store to pick out an engagement watch; the church we attended taught against jewelry, including wedding rings.

We were both very excited over the upcoming wedding, settling on a wedding date 3 months away. I still can't believe the whirlwind it was! After returning to Indiana, my days were filled with wedding plans, phone calls, and shopping (besides working as a teacher in the Day care, of course). Since Richard, my mom, and sister all lived far away from me, most of the planning was over the phone. My sister helped coordinate music, sending cassette tapes through the mail. It would have been nice if we had the Internet back then!! Richard & I decided we would memorize special, non-traditional vows, and sing a song to each other ("Cherish the Treasure"). Looking back, I think I would have been less stressed on my wedding day if I didn't sing or have vows to memorize! lol!! :)
Shopping for a wedding dress, I realized very quickly that I would not be able to afford a used dress (or at least one I liked). I was scraping bottom financially with paying for the wedding. My dad was not good in health and no longer worked a job. Mom was working, but it was simply a difficult time. I momentarily thought Richard & I could elope ... hee hee ... then decided against the idea.

I took a chance, and asked Richard's mom if she would mind making my wedding dress. I knew she had sewn her daughter's wedding dress, and figured she would not be thrilled with the daunting task. She agreed to the project and I felt so relieved! We went shopping together for the wedding dress material and other items; I also found material to make my own veil. :) My pastor's wife made all the bouquets, flower girl basket & corsages. She also lent floral pieces she had used at her own wedding (oh- I think I borrowed her hoop/slip, too! ].
Somehow, everything came together, and on February 21, 1998, Richard & I walked down the aisle of the church we had met. Yes, we successfully sang "Cherish the Treasure" to each other, and did not forget the words to our vows. :)

Remember a blog post ago when I talked about not putting God in boxes because He's too great and Sovereign? What's funny is that after we were married and living in Rogersville, Missouri .... we thought we'd live there for the rest of our lives. Isn't God amazing, and life such an adventure?!! :)

~Changes~

2012-01-22T23:15:00.000-06:00

I discovered that Richard had called and asked the pastor for my address. :) Richard's family and the pastor's family were long time friends and knew each other pretty well, though did not attend the same church. I had met Richard's dad, mom, sister, and youngest brother during a church service in January --and had eaten dinner with them when most of the congregation went out to eat afterwards. At the restaurant, I talked with Christi (Richard's sister), about her upcoming wedding in March [yes, Richard is the oldest in his family and two of his siblings married before he did].
What's so funny & ironic, is that I recall Christi telling me about a single older brother in Missouri, laughing about how he didn't know what he wanted in life. I had thought to myself that I did NOT want a man like that. I guess I just needed to meet him. :)
Richard visited my church in April, after his mom and sister told him about me. So .... remember when he asked what my name was? He already knew it!!!! Not only did he know my name, but he already knew quite a bit about me!!!!

Though I was thrilled God had sent Richard into my life, I was a little confused. My original plan was to eventually move closer to the church I attended, marry, and live in the Central Indiana area the rest of my life. Richard lived in Missouri and showed no interest in moving back to Indiana; plus, he was involved in a different church group where his dad was a pastor!! This didn't quite line up with what I thought God would have for my life .... :) A friend in college once told me that one cannot put God in a box, because He works outside boxes all the time. I proceeded to read various Psalm passages, realizing just how mighty and in-control God is, and how silly I was for attempting to contain His handy work. I also read Isaiah 55:8: "'My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my Ways your ways,' declares the Lord."
The more I got to know Richard, I knew that he was "the one" for me ... and I resolved that no matter how difficult it might be making the church change and moving to another state, somehow it was part of God's plan. [our church groups were very similar in beliefs, but most people only married those within their own group. Closer to our wedding date, when others questioned my marrying Richard- I questioned myself again- returning to the same resolve. I knew in my heart this was a "God thing".]

My employer was interested in my future dreams/desires and in Richard and my relationship, asking questions what I'd likely do in the future. I've always been a transparent individual, which is good in some ways, not so good in others (like ... in business). Not only did I proceed to share too much of my plans/dreams, I also talked about Jesus and discussed various topics with her. I couldn't help but wonder later if she had been offended.
I was deeply disappointed and saddened when my employer told me she had found another nanny, and I was free to go. I was too immature and inexperienced to know how to deal with or work out any misunderstanding, and didn't fight against her decision. My employer was doing what was right in the professional business world, protecting herself from possibly losing a nanny (she later told me that I was the best nanny she ever had).
I chose to stay in the Central Indiana area since I didn't really want to leave the church I was attending (remember my dream/plan to move closer to church?). In the back of my mind, I was also thinking about Richard and how his parents lived in the area... I wouldn't want to move too far away .... lol!! :)
We had only been dating for seven months, but Richard was asking all kinds of scenerio-type questions ... what would we teach our children (with coming from two different backgrounds) .... how would I handle a rebellious 16 year old ....could I see myself living in Missouri ... ;)

I knew a proposal was right around the corner....

No ordinary Sunday ... ;)

2012-01-18T11:29:00.004-06:00

Life was pretty good as a live-in nanny during the week, visiting relatives and church friends most weekends. The church I attended in Central Indiana was a sister church to the one my parents attended in Northern Indiana. Actually, when I moved to Indianapolis for the nanny job late summer, the church building was being remodeled- formerly was an old home. Until the building was ready for services, the pastor's family invited me several times to accompany them to a sister church in Ohio. I'd stay the night at their house Saturday evening, and we'd leave bright and early Sunday morning to arrive in time for the morning service! We would visit with the Ohio church people all day, returning to Indiana Sunday night. Seeing how I was the only youth in the church getting started, I looked forward to the Ohio trips. lol! :) [yes, the sister church in Ohio was closer to us than the one my parents attended].
Our last trip to and from Ohio (around October), the pastor asked me if I knew how to play the piano. Yes, I had taken lessons ... (but was not a good player). Since there was no one else in the new Indiana church who knew how to play the piano .... I ended up being the church's piano player. I was quite embarrassed and uneasy about this, and made sure I practiced, practiced, practiced on my keyboard at "home" (the nanny home) whenever I could~!
My mom was an organ player in her own church and gave me her extra Hymnal, which already had chords penciled in-- my lifesaver!!! *Whew*!
It was customary for our church not to have music selections planned ahead of service, so being piano player was the scariest thing I've ever been in my life. Many Sundays (and Wednesdays evenings), a Hymn would be suggested--- and I wouldn't know how to play it- I'd break out in a sweat!! I eventually learned how to "fake play". Songs I hadn't practiced or didn't know well, I'd just chord along in a different key (one I was familiar with), and people would think that I was playing the piano. They didn't seem to notice what key I was playing it in, either. :)
One Sunday evening in April, after having played a melody of Hymns before service started, I looked out into the audience from my little piano bench, and noticed a handsome, unfamiliar face sitting in a pew all by himself. I wondered who the young man was, and was SO grateful that I knew how to play the Hymns that were selected! I asked myself where I had seen the young man before, finally coming to the conclusion that he must be a relative of the family who had visited our church's revival services several weeks prior (I could see a family resemblance).
After service, I stood around chit-chatting with people as always ... when the unfamiliar young man walked up to me, and stuck out his hand for a handshake. "Hello, I'm Richard Sorrell- what's your name?"
We talked for a little while- about how Richard was from Missouri, visiting his family in Indiana, and how I was a nanny in Indianapolis, having recently returned from a trip to San Francisco, CA with my employer. We would have talked longer than 10-15 minutes, but since the congregation was small, I soon realized that everyone was staring at us (so it seemed, anyway).
After saying "goodbye", and "it was nice meeting you", I made my exit.
While driving to my "nanny home", I moaned and groaned at myself. "I met the nicest guy tonight, and I'll never see him again since he's from Missouri. Why didn't I talk to him longer?" :) All the way home, I told God that Richard would be the type of guy I would like to get to know if He could please send someone like him into my life .... I liked Richard's confidence and the way he could carry on a conversation (I was tired of guys who couldn't talk more than chit-chat, and he appeared my talking type... and yes, he was also cute). I naturally tend to err on the side of caution and a bit of negativity, so I proceeded to tell myself there was no possible way I'd ever see Richard again and that I might as well not give him another thought.
A little over a week later, I returned home from my church weekend, to find that my employer had placed a yellow envelope- addressed to me- in plain sight where I'd see it (she wasn't home at the time). Taking a quick look at the return address and seeing Richard's name, my jaw dropped. "How on earth did he get my address?" I shrieked, ran through the house jumping up and down before even opening the envelope to read the card. :)
In the card, Richard stated that it had been nice to meet me ... and after a bit of chit-chat, said to feel free to write back. Of course I wrote back! I made myself wait a week and a half before mailing the letter though. :) haha ....
Correspondence soon turned into phone calls, which eventually turned into his visiting Indiana again. He visited Indiana two or three times while we were dating, and flew me down to Missouri twice to visit him and his brother's family. I enjoyed staying at my future brother-in-law's house, getting to know my future sister-in-law and toddler niece! :) At this time, Richard's parents still lived in Indiana, so I saw them a lot when Richard visited Indiana, too ... I admired how much fun they had when they were together, and could see myself marrying into the family.

[to be continued ....yes, I'll share how Richard got my address, too ...]

~Daughter of a librarian~

2012-01-14T08:43:00.001-06:00

How interesting, that I would have a meat cutter dad, and a librarian mother. :)

How could two individuals from total opposite ends of the spectrum get together?!

Dad met mom's Uncle Ralph, a pastor in the Central Indiana area at the time, then was introduced to my mom at church. The joke is that dad liked Uncle Ralph's preaching so much, that he decided to marry his niece. :)

Dad had been married once before, so after becoming engaged, mom and dad discovered they could not get married in Indiana because of some legal issues. They had already dated awhile and didn't want to wait two more years to be legal! Mom received a teaching/librarian job offer in California (over the phone), accepted the offer, then made plans to marry her fiance' on the way to California- a little chapel in Las Vegas!!! Wow-my parents were pretty young and adventurous!! :) After about two years, they moved back to Central Indiana, where mom finished her Master's degree in Library Science and where their first child was born.

By the time their baby of the family was born (me), they lived in Plymouth, Indiana, then eventually moved to South Bend to live next door to my maternal grandparents
.
What exactly did I learn from my librarian mother? English rules, spelling, and a great appreciation for books at the library. No, that's not to say that I was a natural speller. I was a notoriously terrible speller!! My childhood arch enemy was Mathematics, and I cringe to think about my journey through it. Mom worked very hard with me on math and spelling skills. I'd struggle for awhile- and once it was through my head, "had it" for life. Well, the spelling skills anyway. :) [Once mom was through with home schooling, she returned to the work force- loves her job as a school librarian. :) ].

I always admired how smart my mom was! Not only was she expert in literature, grammar, writing and spelling ... she comprehended math, history and science!! Well ... maybe not all areas of science, but if she didn't know something, she'd research and educate herself (the librarian in her). :)
When the time came for my high school graduation from home school, she planned a nice graduation ceremony at church, just for me! Cap, gown, diploma, speeches- everything. :) I'll never have any high school reunions since I was the only graduate (no home school group), so it's nice having those graduation day memories.
When deciding what college to attend, it was my mom who visited campuses with me and helped through the paper work, financial aid, and scholarships. I was very excited to be accepted into Taylor University!!! I knew mom was especially happy, seeing how she had attended Ball State University- in the same neck of the woods as Taylor.

After receiving my AA degree in Early Childhood Education, I earnestly asked God what I should do next with my life. Tuition was too expensive to continue schooling at Taylor without a solid goal, and I honestly had no idea what I wanted to do. Looking back, I was on the right track-why did I doubt? I should have transferred to Ball State University and finished my major in Education with English emphasis. ha! :) :) I laugh because I was like my mom and didn't know it (or hadn't wanted to accept it at the time~ silly me)!!! [her major was English, later pursued Library Science] :)

I made the decision to get a job instead of return to college. If my mom was disappointed, she never let on. She simply encouraged me to do what I felt was the best ... :)
I was hired as a nanny by a lawyer in Indianapolis, but first I cleaned and organized her house and worked odd jobs in her Law firm, waiting for her first baby to arrive (I needed a job, she wanted me as her nanny). I enjoyed many awesome (first) experiences traveling with my employer, and taking care of her little boy. :) While rocking the little boy in my arms, I'd often look forward to the day I'd have my own little family, wondering what the future held. Living and learning in the real world challenged this sheltered Midwest little girl. I was forced to dig in deep to figure out what I firmly believed. God knew just what he was doing, both in challenging and blessing me.
As an added bonus, while a nanny .... I met my future husband!!!!!!!

[to be continued....]

~Daughter of a meat cutter ~

2012-01-10T09:55:00.000-06:00

Funny how certain memories come rushing back to you at the most unusual times. :)
Last week while we were still visiting Richard's family in Missouri, his parents gave us some fresh meat all wrapped in thick white paper (not sure where they got it, but it wasn't from a store).
As soon as I saw the tightly wrapped white packages.... I suddenly transformed into a little girl wandering around a small grocery store in Northern Indiana where my dad worked- behind the meat counter.
My dad was more than a meat cutter-- old timers would have called him a "butcher" [I really sound old now- lol~]. I remember his showing me large chunks of meat hanging from hooks in the walk-in coolers/freezers (gross) ... and recall his story or two about how he cut up deer meat for some customers who came to the back of the store, requesting the service (he and his boss did this occasionally for people-- I'm thinking only for a select few).

[My mom & dad ]

Memories of dad at work involved a bloody white apron (eww), enormous blades guided by dad, cutting meat after meat after meat .... :) . Then, he'd pack the smaller pieces into those little white papers and hand them to the customers. I never figured out how he folded and tucked those papers so tightly- how do they do that?! Oh yes, he also sliced lunch meat too, of course. :) I've always liked watching those slicing machines.
Dad was a great people-person who made customers feel special with his chit-chat (never knew a stranger), going to great lengths to please picky customers. :)
He'd sometimes come home from work complaining how certain people were difficult to please and how one can't make everyone happy. :) Seems like he cut, wrapped, then re-wrapped three different cuts of the same type of meat for an extra picky customer, only to have the customer turn up their nose and claim they didn't want any of it. In my girl heart, I held a grudge against that customer. Haha! :) :) Most of the time, customers were reasonable and dad loved talking with them while serving their meat orders. :) His stories from work often included new co-workers ('twas a very small country store, so co-workers included cashiers) and whether or not they were good workers. Poor workers irritated him, and workers who couldn't talk while working, amused him.
He ALWAYS came home smelling of raw meat, and I often noticed how his hands were slightly swollen and red. He'd tell me it was from working with cold meat all day long. Now I wonder why he didn't wear gloves?!?! ;) He enjoyed working with people, but didn't necessarily like his job.
Oh yes-- how can I forget dad's words: "If you could see what I see every day .... you wouldn't be eating the stuff...", which explains why dad cared little for meat (especially disliked chicken), and one reason why mom cooked many casseroles. lol! :)

Returning to present day 2012 .... little white packages lie waiting in our freezer ... reminding me of dad (will I, or won't I cook them?). :) Haha~ :)

Me ... the daughter of a meat cutter in Northern Indiana .... marrying the son of a minister in SW Missouri. Not even my little girl mind dreamed up such a thing. Funny how life goes ... and I feel quite blessed. :) :)
I'll have to tell that story another time~! :)

Christmas & Happy New Year~ 2012~

2012-01-04T16:36:00.001-06:00

What a beautiful Season celebrating the birth of our Savior~! I've always loved Christmas- the darkest time of the year illuminated by the Light of the world~ :) :)

Celebrating our little family Christmas .... look what Daddy put together for his little girl! A new Kidkraft kitchen (purchased online thru Amazon- decent deal)! Richard had spent an entire day (almost) putting the kitchen together, and then covered it with blankets since it was much too large to wrap. Oh how exciting when we brought the covered kitchen into the living room to watch Ashlyn "unwrap" her gift. I'll never forget the look on her face!! :) :) :)

A day or two after Christmas, there was a little dusting of snow- just enough for a snowman or two~

After our little family Christmas, we drove to SW Missouri to spend time with Richard's family (and to see the New Year in!). What an amazing trip. We managed to stay up very late all three evenings! :) haha~!The weather had warmed significantly. It was a beautiful 50-something degrees during our get-together. We couldn't have ordered better weather for the cousins running in and out of Grandma's house~! :)

Pictured above are the little girl cousins (Kendra is the oldest girl- not pictured here); below are all the rowdy boys! You have no idea how much talking & convincing it took for them to sit still for this photo. ;)

Last, but not least, below are ALL the cousins- including Kendra! :)

During our time together, we read family predictions we had all written 10 years ago, stashed away [and forgotten, I admit] until this New Year celebration. Many of the predictions were funny and hilarious, others were pretty close to how life actually turned out! I'm now working on some new predictions for the next 10 years to contribute- newly amazed with how quickly time is passing. My children will be 17, 20 & 22 in another 10 years. My Word!!! My New Years' Resolution is to treasure life's small and insignificant moments, as they may end up being the biggest ones (realized much later).

I only have ten more years to shape my children's lives-- and should make any important changes NOW~ [ready, set, GO!!!]!! Lol!! :) :)

~Happy New Year~~ Blessings to you in 2012~!

Thanksgiving visit and a December Birthday!!

2011-12-14T19:53:00.001-06:00

We traveled to Northern Indiana over the Thanksgiving weekend to be with my extended family. We combined both Thanksgiving & Christmas, enjoying our visit while the cousins had a blast playing together (as always)! :) :)

The "Shelley" Grandkids .... except for the ones who didn't want to be photographed~! [and minus Brooke and Amber who were with another side of family]

I eventually caught Katie (above) and Brandon ... they are NOT too old for photos!! :) :)

I can't believe how grown up they're getting. Brandon's in his first year of college now.

Full of turkey, potatoes, salads and pies, we gathered to open gifts. Can't you hear the chaos? :)

After a relaxing time spent with family walking down memory lane (and finding a few Black Friday deals), we headed back home to Illinois. I needed to begin planning for my daughter's birthday the very next week! :) I felt a little "out of it" since I was still not feeling the best. I had physical therapy appointments to keep in-between home schooling and planning/shopping for her birthday party. I didn't want to let Ashlyn down since she was hopping excited over turning 7, so I pushed myself forward with the B'day plans, hoping that what little I was putting into it (so I felt) would help make her day special.

We settled on a gingerbread theme .... partly because I figured I could find things more easily at the dollar store this time of year (haha). I drew a picture of a gingerbread girl on paper, rolled out and cut the gingerbread dough, put it in the oven --- and presto!!! Ashlyn was thrilled to help me decorate the gingerbread girl once we had the frosting made and colored. As you can see, we had bought candy just for our gingerbread cookie, too. :) :) She loved it!!!

We invited 5 little girls to Ashlyn's party, read them a classic Gingerbread Man book (from library), played two games (hot potato game using a gingerbread girl cut-out; pin the bow on the gingerbread girl), and then made gingerbread boy & girl ornaments (boxed craft from Michael's).

Yes, these little princesses had a BALL together!! It was so much FUN for me to watch their enthusiasm, listen to their girlish chatter ... and then when the party was finished, see them run off to Ashlyn's room to play castle and dress-up. What a wonderful play-date they had! :)

I'm so thankful for my 7 year old!!! Thank you, God, for having blessed my life abundantly~! :)

~When you're uninspired~

2011-11-30T23:15:00.001-06:00

I experienced a "let-down" yesterday when my physical therapist informed me that I actually had NINE sessions to complete with her, not SIX. Not that I don't like my physical therapist, but the routine of visiting the pt office with the kids is getting a little "old" now. I'm thankful for great children who don't complain .... they love watching the TV in the waiting room (LOL~!), and bringing their books to read. My pt ends December 8th ... I'll continue my exercises and anti-inflammatory meds for an additional 3 weeks until I visit the doctor again (follow-up). I get sore after "regular" in-depth tasks (like cleaning out my daughter's bedroom), so I suppose it's going to take awhile to feel back to normal again.
In the midst of building patience (life), I've been doing my best to be the home school mom I should be, plan for the Christmas Season, and for my daughter's 7th Birthday (next week)!!!
Something you might find interesting ....
I've been working on a poem that has been sitting on my laptop for awhile. I normally find poetry very hard to write and avoid it. I know that since it came together during my most uninspired moments, it's not really my own. The very last stanza doesn't rhyme, so I'll most likely add to it later on ... Lord willing~ ;)

Dusty,dirty, hopeless and worn,

nothingto offer Heaven but scorn.

scheming,pleasing, pious, a fake,

worldlyhonor was all mine to take.

Shallow,gossip, thirsty for truth,

lookingfor someone, not knowing who.

Confused,numb, heartache and tears,

Disappointmentand failure give way to fears.

Standstill within chaos, hear voice call my name.

“GiveMe your rags, your tears, your shame”.

I’mstartled to find a strong hand holding mine,

“Whoare you!?” I’m filled with a new hope, new shine.

“I’myour Maker; I have other plans for your life.

Theroad won’t be easy, but I’m here by your side.

I’lllead and protect- just place your smaller steps inside mine-,

Whenyou can’t hear my voice, press in closer …

I’llalways be holding your hand.”

2011-11-17T11:55:00.001-06:00

Thankful there's nothing terribly "wrong" with me. I just need to have physical therapy for three weeks and take some anti-inflammatory medicine. :)

I must admit that these last few weeks have been very overwhelming with learning and re-learning some very basic facts of life ... like having patience, being content, prioritizing, exhibiting the 1st Corinthians 13 kind of love .... the list goes on and on and on .....

Once I pull my life together, I'll share all I've been learning.
Haha- LOL! :) :)

:) :) uh ... hi!

2011-11-13T21:57:00.001-06:00

Sometimes there's so much to say, a writer actually has writers' block !!! :)
Since last writing on my blog, my family doctor referred me to an Orthopedic Surgeon to check things out- hopefully a step closer (?) to perhaps figuring out why the Scalene spasm took place and why I'm still experiencing mild random symptoms. Richard will be accompanying me tomorrow, leaving our kiddos with some church friends. I'm almost expecting the Dr to order more tests (like an MRI), so I'm not enthused about this visit (more time, money, etc.), but I understand the importance of being thorough~ :)

A week ago, I was blessed to be able to attend a Women's Ministry conference with other ladies from church ... what a challenge and encouragement all at once. I'm still re-reading the handouts and notes, applying Scripture to my every-day life ... I just might share a few things later on. :)

While on my way home from the conference, Richard took the children to their Tapestry of Grace Unit Celebration-- a Medieval Feast!!! I was able to see the tail end of the fun ... what excitement!! I'm amazed with how much hard work goes into these celebrations within our homeschool co-op (the Tapestry co-op meets on Fridays). We've been learning about the Middle Ages these past 12 weeks, now moving into the study of the Renaissance.
Oh my! I just remembered I need to copy some pages for this week's school!! :)

I'll leave you with a couple of pictures to enjoy:

King Caleb was thrilled to be chosen as one of Royalty to sit at the Head Table!! :)

~A few Monday thoughts~ :)

2011-10-31T08:54:00.002-05:00

I'm back! :) Life has been happening lately, and when you add that to home schooling, there isn't much time for hobbies! ;)
Besides our family's typical schedule of home school, extra activities, and marking the next thing off our "to do" list, I've been in the process of learning what it means to be an intentional wife, mother, and friend to others. I may not get things quite right every time, but I'm praying that God works through this little blob of clay. :) :)

Here's a photo I took recently of the kids .... they are growing up so quickly! We're only one year away from our oldest becoming a teenager! Children change quickly like the passing seasons ... yes, I become more sentimental the more they grow, and the OLDer I grow!
This past weekend I experienced a scalene muscle spasm for the first (hopefully last) time, passed out from the pain, then rested an hour before I could get up and walk without much pain or nausea. I'm thankful for my husband, grateful that he was HOME that particular morning. I found out later there was a chance he would have been out of town that morning.
After he arranged for the children to be supervised at their home school co-op (Fridays; God's perfect timing), Richard took me to the doctor for a visit and x-ray, and then allowed me to sleep for the rest of the day. Actually, I've rested all weekend long.
Yes, I have a wonderful, caring husband. :)
No, I don't know what caused the scalene muscle spasm- most likely was a crazy fluke. The doctor says it's "difficult" to pull such a muscle without strenuous activity. [Hmm ... what on earth have I been doing?!]
What I do know, however, is that God is concerned about every minute detail of people's lives and always covers our nitty gritty needs. I find it interesting how we tend to notice His hand in the details much more prominently when bad things happen. : ) :)
Well, it's a new day at the beginning of a new week ...
Thank you, God, for your faithfulness and love (Psalm 118). :) :)

[yes, I'm feeling better ... time for school!!]

~ Relationships~

2011-10-17T00:24:00.001-05:00

Wow~! I'm in the process of learning about relationships.

First and foremost, God comes first, though much easier said than done. My challenging mommy moments rarely find me praying for direction, as I'm usually busy trying to figure things out for myself. Crazy, isn't it?! I assume every thing's moving in the right direction and under control, only to make terrible mistakes or exhibit bad attitudes, requiring eventual apologies to my husband and/or children. During those times, I question why I didn't take a time-out to pray for help? Perhaps I subconsciously think God's not interested in my day-to-day details of life. Nothing could be further from the truth!!! If "loving the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength" was included in both Old and New Testaments in the Bible, then surely that includes our every-day moments, in both thoughts and actions. Loving and obeying God comes first, the rest will follow! [Deuteronomy 6; Mark 12:30; Matthew 22:37; Luke 10:27]

I'm also learning what loving my husband really means.
Richard & I bought a little book of "love dares" a little over a week ago called, The Love Dare (Fireproof's devotional for couples), and have gotten so much good out of it already . No, it doesn't matter how long or short you've been married; all couples have room to grow and learn together. We've been married nearly 14 years and continue to learn- LOTS! :)

Each devotion covers different aspects of Love- such as "Love finds favor", "Love Keeps an Open Mind", "Love Does Not Complain" [ouch! really?], "Love Finds Opportunities". Scripture is referenced each day, and the reader may be given a "dare" for that day (i.e. praying for spouse's day or eliminating unrealistic expectations).

Last, but not least, much of what I'm learning about loving God and my husband, also applies to loving my children and other people in my life!
When my son hides his dirty, filthy socks behind the picture frames in the living room making me want to announce rather loudly (with angry face), "when will you ever learn to put your socks in the dirty clothes basket?!?!?"
When my daughter slowly picks her way through the food on her plate and I feel like moaning, "Hurry up and eat! We don't have all day!"
When my other son plays out imaginary Star Wars stories and fails to hear me say, "It's trash day! Please take the trash can to the road".... then I find him wondering around the yard, claiming he "forgot" what I said.......
I am to LOVE, be PATIENT, and speak the truth in LOVE!!!
True love LOVES through annoying habits, then keeps on training and teaching (patiently, calmly) ..... :) :) Yes, of course it's impossible seeing how I'm an imperfect human!!!!

I'm praying for our day tomorrow ... I'm a desperate mom in need of daily grace.

Nashville

2011-10-02T23:05:00.000-05:00

[ahem] ... I didn't promise I'd write while in Tennessee, I only said I intended to, right? ;)

As you may know, Richard needed to go to Nashville, Tennessee for some training, and the rest of us tagged along with him! :) On the way, we stopped in Kentucky to see Mammoth Cave, then stopped by Camden, Tennessee to visit my oldest sister, Lynn. It was very nice seeing each other again! :) I grew up knowing I had another older sister, but did not have the privilege of meeting her until approx. nine years ago. I'm very thankful she is a part of our lives; the missing puzzle piece added to our family picture. :) Did you know that my dad is great-grandpa to a total of 7 children (I think. I don't remember numbers well)??? Yes, the guy on the right thought he'd join in on our little reunion ... I believe he said his name was Ronald.
Yes, I am the baby of the family, by the way. Two older sisters, one older brother (No, NOT including Ronald).

Mammoth Cave and the visit with my sister, Lynn, were the only things planned before arriving in the Nashville area (Oh- and Richard's visit with a cousin in Nashville--they had a good time catching up too). I simply hadn't taken the time to plan before we left home! Once in our hotel, I began researching fun, inexpensive things to do while Richard was in training. We ended up visiting Franklin, Tennessee, to window shop and enjoy beautiful scenery. Should you ever find yourself in the Nashville area, do make your way to Historic Franklin!!! :)

Tennessee's capitol building (and the surrounding grounds) is lovely -- but make sure you're ready to climb over 200 steps, up a very tall hill! :)

I admit it's puzzling why the Parthenon would be located within the city of country music, but is indeed a grand place to visit! We had just finished studying Ancient Greek and Roman History last year, the Ancients still fresh enough on the kids' minds to appreciate the Parthenon (the only full size replica in the world). One can look around on the outside of the Parthenon for free, but there is a cost to go inside to see the Greek goddess Athena and Nike, along with replica's of Greek ruins. The cost includes an art museum in the Parthenon's basement. I'm not an art expert, but they were definitely not Ancient works of art. I'm thinking late 1800's to mid-1900's.
We also saw the Grand Ole Opry building(s) [both historic and modern], the Walk of Fame, and other "free" sights in downtown Nashville, including the Frist Art Museum where kids under 18 are free. Well, maybe not totally free since we had to pay for parking for a few of those sights. :( :( lol!

We enjoyed our change of pace as a family, though I missed Richard being with us during our afternoon excursions (yes, we successfully finished school work during the morning hours).
I am thankful the kids & I had this time together ... and could see & hug Richard when he arrived "home" (hotel)! :)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now it's back to our usual routine tomorrow morning ....    :)
....and can I say that I love my brother in Indiana??!! He helped me fix a computer/Adobe issue via email! I am so excited to be able to PRINT things that I need off my teacher resource CD's!!! Woo Hoo! Computer savvy older brothers are great! My teaching/schooling year has improved. :)   :)   :)   :)

I'll share all about our curriculum in another post. I have a long week ahead- Goodnight~!     :)

Happy Birthday to my husband~! :)

2011-09-22T00:08:00.003-05:00

Wasn't Richard the cutest little guy you've ever seen??? :) :) He just celebrated his 39th birthday, and the rest of us had so much fun wishing him a happy day (with plenty of teasing)!!!! :) :)

I am so grateful that God hand-picked him to be my husband. Richard's my very best friend on the face of this earth, and I've learned so much about life in general being married to him!

What an amazing adventure we've had so far!

The first seven years of our marriage we lived near Springfield, Missouri; this winter we will have lived in Illinois for seven years. Should God enjoy working in 7's ... what's to come next? Or perhaps we just like to wonder and dream if something might happen since life has been pretty mediocre for awhile (within every-day life adventures). :)

I'm looking forward to whatever God has ahead of us ....

.... including a business trip to Tennessee!!! Richard hasn't been on an out-of-state trip for at least two years, and we are very excited to go with him! No, it won't be vacation since Richard will be working while I find things to do with the kids, then we'll rush back home (Illinois) because of the end of the fiscal year (Government employee).

In spite of that, we're anticipating a little change of scenery! :)

Alright ... it's a full day tomorrow and the next day too!!! Goodnight, and I shall update you in Tennessee (at least I intend to)!!!

Visitors :)

2011-09-16T16:56:00.000-05:00

We had some visitors this week ... all the way from Vanuatu, South Pacific!
Bill and Christine Widup (and four children) stopped by to see us on their way to Indiana from Missouri. They are back in the States for a couple more months before returning for another 4 year term in Vanuatu, teaching/assisting the natives to better care for and educate themselves (i.e. agriculture, nutrition, etc.) .... including eventually reading the Bible for themselves. Here's their website [click here]

How do we know the Widups?
We met about 7 years ago when we lived in Springfield, Missouri, and were both new to the same church- an Evangelical Free church. The Widups were from Indiana (something in common with me), home schooled their children and were in the process of becoming missionaries. Now, seven years later, our family lives in Illinois, and the Widup family will be returning to Vanuatu sometime in November or December.
Yes, I know I talk a lot about time flying by .... and it really does!! This January, we will have lived here in Illinois the same amount of years that we lived in Springfield, Missouri!! Seven years both places.    :)
So ... we have many "homes" around the States, no one particular place/region "more dear" to us. I can honestly say that I am unable to choose one place I'd like to live for the rest of my life. I really don't care where I live, as long as I'm with Richard and our children!!    :)
Speaking of Richard & my kids ... I need to get off this blog and make dinner! lol! A full weekend and week lie ahead ... will share more next time....   :)

Pass me some Thyme (time), please?

2011-09-11T23:41:00.000-05:00

oh my, how time flies by!!!!

Other than not being able to capture time in a bottle,
busy, tired, not fully alert ... we're doing well!
Blessings mix in with challenges, making life "good" and blessed.    :)

In addition to life :), I've been experiencing those familiar "stirrings" inside, reminding me that I need to WRITE, make time to WRITE and quit making excuses why I can't WRITE.
I've had a couple of stories in my heart for quite some time.... I know they're gifts that I need to use and practice, but I struggle finding TIME to write. I've been told if I just sit down and make time to WRITE, inspiration will come .....

Will it really? What about having home school on my mind most of the time?

Our first weeks of home school have come along well, though I have already noted several areas in which I need to tweak and improve, including the kids' school schedules.
We recently enjoyed a (simple) Greek/Roman celebration at home to help review last year's study of Ancient Greece and Rome. The children had so much fun dressing up!!!    :)
We are now learning about the Middle Ages, including early church history. I use to FEAR World History/Church History when I was in school. Now, I love learning along with my children, and it all makes better sense now!!

Back to writing ...if my husband is telling me that I need to write, I've left my "gift" sitting on the back-burner a little too long.

So ... I'm coming up with a "solution" for myself. I'm going to create a strict schedule for myself--separate from the family calendar. A "Mommy -free time" chart - though we all know and understand it's not really "free" time.   :) Hmm .... lol!! I sure hope this works~!
I'll let you know how I'm doing with my schedule in a couple of weeks!!!
In the meantime, enjoy these photos of the kiddos all dressed up with no place to go!!!    :)

What to do with an anxious dog-??

2011-09-02T23:04:00.000-05:00

[I trust] I've discovered the secret for helping your dog overcome anxious thoughts when left home alone:

1. Leave the dog on the stake in the backyard every time you leave the house (as opposed to leaving him in crate inside the house to create a mess).

2. Progress to leaving the dog in the crate outside the house, in the shade- somewhat out of the way of distractions (& with water)- where you know the sun will not move to while you're gone.

3. By the way, you will have been giving your dog anxiety medication along with doggy treats for when you return home to a calm dog. Now, try gradually stopping the medicine while continuing the yummy dog treats. :)

4. Once the dog is holding up wonderfully outdoors in his crate, happily anticipates his treats and is completely off anxiety medicine ....

5. Try leaving him in his crate, in the house!! Place the crate in a spot where he cannot see any windows or doors (less disturbing). Continue treats every single time you return home to a calm doggy.   :) Chances are, he will be great inside the house because he will have learned to be calm outdoors in his crate.

Yay! I'm so glad to report that our dog, Gabe, finally behaves himself when we leave him home alone. We have not yet left him inside the house for more than two hours ... but he has definitely improved!! He still lays his ears back, tucks his tail under and timidly weaves his way into the crate when we call him to it, but once inside, does well.    :)   :)   He has no problem with his crate at bedtime, so we know he's simply scared when we leave the house.

Hip, hip hooray for calm dogs!!!!!! :) This whole procedure has taken us a little more than a month ... but it's been worth the time!
I'm hoping that whatever caused his anxiety to surface, will not happen again for a very long time!!!

Happy Birthday to my boys~!

2011-08-30T08:33:00.001-05:00

My how the years continue to fly .... my boys are growing up too fast! Am I ready for the teenage years? Not quite sure, but at least I've been growing up along with my boys all these years ... :)
Caleb is now 12 years old!! He wanted a family party and a flag cake.... and my, how I loved the fruit with cool whip ( for frosting)!! Mmm, yum!!

Antonin turned the big #10 -two weeks after Caleb's b'day- and chose a car party! He inviting three of his friends to celebrate with us. He was so excited helping me decorate his race car cake, adding a few Lego pieces for a special touch (tree, and a piece that resembled a car battery). :) Yes, we've been loving the extra Oreo cookies since we don't normally purchase them (crushed Oreo s for the road)!! :) Yum~!

A thankful tid bit

2011-08-22T22:43:00.001-05:00

I cannot believe that it's only been ONE week since we went camping as a family. So much has happened since then!!
After packing our things up at the campground last week, Richard turned the key in the ignition, and there was nothing but clicking sounds. We looked at each other and wondered what was amiss and what we should do. Thankfully, we had a nearby camper neighbor who readily agreed to help us. Not sure it was the battery, the neighbor and Richard went ahead and jumped it with cables. Sure enough- our van sputtered to life and we were on our way home. I was so grateful there was someone to help us in the middle of the state park (no bars for cell phones)!!
Soon after arriving home from our trip, I realized we had over-due books from the library, owing a substantial amount. I was prepared to pay the balance, money in hand, but the librarian (for whatever reason) asked if I would just pay $5 and the rest would be canceled. Wow!!
After thanking the librarian, I realized I had just experienced another little reminder of God's grace and what He does for us. Of course, we come before God with NOTHING to offer. He cancels out what we owe, and blesses our lives instead of demanding anything from us (why wouldn't we want to please/live for Him afterwards?).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This week is very full of activity!! Tomorrow, I have the privilege to care for a friend's children while she goes to some appointments. Our children are similar ages (their daughter is 4 yrs younger than ours, but she & Ashlyn still enjoy playing together) ... we're looking forward to it!!! :) :)
Two more things ... my parents are coming for a visit on Wednesday, and it will be nice having them! They'll leave us on Saturday morning ... and then we'll celebrate Antonin's 10th birthday with a party (not that we won't celebrate with gma & gpa--that didn't sound right. lol!). Caleb turned 12 just two weeks ago ... I'll need to add b'day pictures soon.
Last but not least ... we have begun our seventh year of home school (though we are taking a break for gparent's visit)!! I now have a 6th grader, 4th grader, and 1st grader~! One would think I would be an expert by now. I know that God will strengthen me moment by moment, day by day~ or at least I expect that to happen ....

More tidbits to come later .... I really should grab some shut eye.
Goodnight~ and remember all the little things in life that God blesses us with (especially ones most easily overlooked and taken for granted)... and tell Him "thank you" :) :)

Pics of camping :)

2011-08-14T22:42:00.002-05:00

Richard and the children setting up the tent. Just look at those excited faces!! :) :)

We had perfect camping weather with lower to mid-80 temps and no rain! :)

We love chili dogs!! Mmmm... and S'mores. :)
[I now look at the above photo and wonder why we didn't move the logs out of the way. :) ]

The children loved swimming and wading in Rend Lake, Illinois. Ashlyn had collected 12 seashells the day before. After her seashells were thrown out accidentally (oops), we returned in photo below, to find more.

While Richard waited in the van for us (we would then be on our way home), I prayed inside that we'd be able to at least find 12 sea shells. Ashlyn was so excited after we found 14 seashells, and a very unique flat rock with what looked like a natural design on it. I did not take the time to notice that the rock had a heart shape in the center until we were back in the van. Ashlyn squealed, "Mommy, the rock has a big heart and a little heart in it!!"
After pausing for a moment, she added, "Maybe this is a letter from God!" :) :) I took the rock from her, and sure enough ... one big heart, and one tiny dark heart slightly to the left, inside big one. :) In the photo below, the heart shape is sideways ... can you find it?
How this rock was made (natural or man made), we'll never know, but what a special treasure to find!! For some reason, Ashlyn now thinks the rock belongs to me and has left it on top of my dresser. :) She must instinctively know that I'm touched with reminders of God's love.

Our family "get-away"

2011-08-14T18:28:00.001-05:00

We did not take a "typical" vacation this year, and I began feeling more and more like I was being smothered by our house and needing a break before our school year began ... so we went camping! Actually, Richard would tell you that we've been wanting to go camping for awhile and that he had been planning this all year. For me, however, I desperately needed some time away ... :) Not that life is terrible, we simply all need some time away to refocus on what's really important in life!
I must admit that I'm not the natural camper type. We hadn't been camping as a family for 7 years!
Even an unnatural camper can relax and have a good time enjoying nature. :)
The weather was absolutely perfect for being outdoors, and we were surprised at the absence of mosquitoes! Yes, bugs, wasps and spiders were bountiful, but didn't seem to bother us too much. :)
We had a wonderful time enjoying each others company, riding bikes, walking Gabe, and then simply sitting outdoors feeling the cool breezes on our faces and listening to the bugs chirp (yes, I know that sounds gross ... but honestly, it's quite mesmerizing). Our meals were quite simple since my whole goal was to relax, and no one seemed to mind or notice. :)

I will share some photos soon of our quick family camping get-away, while wishing our trip could have lasted a bit longer than one day and night. Honestly, being removed from the "norm", the rush and go of life, was certainly what I needed. I'm sure that I'll be longing for more get-aways again VERY soon!!!! lol!!
On the way home from camping, we heard this Steven Curtis Chapman song, reminding me that every little thing God puts into my life (believe it or not) really is meant to bring a smile to His face- to bring Him glory. When feeling desperate to get away from it all, I tend to think of all things stressful and difficult in a negative light. Nothing could be farther from the truth, and I need to remember this throughout the year-- especially the school year (now that I have a challenging Middle schooler). [click the highlighted text]

If I didn't believe in a Sovereign God, I think I would go crazy. Honestly! God, please give me strength this new school year!!! :)

Story of my life~

2011-08-09T23:49:00.003-05:00

Have you ever wanted to throw yourself down on the ground kicking and screaming?? I've always wondered what my kids would do if I behaved in such a way? They'd probably look at each other and laugh. I don't think they'd take me seriously.
Yesterday was a magnificent, beautiful, glorious day. We tackled tasks around the house, made phone calls, ran errands, caught the mailman in time, saving a trip to the post office (another Ebay sale). To top it all off, the weather was simply perfect. Absolutely perfect summery day meant for running and twirling in a field of flowers -- or better yet, a mountain side of flowers.   :)
We soaked in a perfect, glorious walk around the block with the children (and dog, Gabe), minus the wild flowers or mountains.
Then, a beeping sound reached my ears, and I suddenly realized that my new cell phone (purchased 1 1/2 weeks ago) was making noises. Still not familiar with all its sounds, I pulled it from my pocket and noticed the screen said "Sync" something or other. Once I exited to a screen that looked familiar, I realized that every single one of my contacts in the address book had been deleted!!! How on earth this happened while my phone was in my pocket, I'll never, ever know!!!
Instantly, my reserve melted away and I longed to throw myself down on the sidewalk!!!!   "AAAaahhhhhh," I so badly wanted to scream, "THIS IS THE STORY OF MY LIFE!!!"
When my husband later told me, "Sara, it's impossible for something like that to happen! How can a phone erase all contacts while in your pocket?!", I again wanted to wail, allowing torrents of tears to stream down my face, "THIS IS THE STORY OF MY LIFE!!!"
lol!! Yes, I resisted the urge to do so ... because the kids were watching.   :)
I've added most of my contacts back into the phone-- and everything's going to be ok~!

This may not be a good time to tell about my getting lost while looking for the (specialists) Dr's office today. Everything turned out all right with that, too. And yes, I refrained from wailing when realization hit that I was lost- since the kids were with me. *sigh* story of my life, and I've learned even TomTom can lead you wrong.
[on a more serious note ... it really does help memorizing Bible verses, bringing them back to mind in times of momentary mommy panic :) :) ]

August notes~

2011-08-08T12:39:00.003-05:00

Wow, time always goes by fast, doesn't it?!
We're still working with Gabe (he's still anxious), though he's just fine outside on the stake when we leave the house. Too bad he isn't a slightly bigger dog and could just stay outside most of the time ... in the rain and snow ....

We had company this past weekend! Richard's sister, Christi (and family) from SW Missouri. As always, we had a nice time. The girls were so excited to camp out in the living room with their sleeping bags, bringing arm loads of stuffed animals and dolls to sleep with them. :) :) The boys were happy to be together too, staying up 'til late talking and talking and talking .... :) I'm sure they've made great memories.

We had a total of six children in our house over the weekend-- lots of fun!   :) :)
Now that our company has left, I'm preparing for a doctor's visit and for Caleb's 12th Birthday!
As you may know, I have a lot of allergies along with an autoimmune thyroid problem (Hashimoto). In trying to decide between an allergist or endocrinologist, I chose the latter. This will be my first time to visit a specialist of any kind and I'm already amazed at the process so far. Besides taking filled-out paper work and expecting to fill more out at the office, I'm suppose to bring my meds and supplements in their "original containers". lol!! Ok, so maybe you don't think this sounds funny ... but I do. I wonder if anyone ever takes a suitcase along.   :)   :) : )
~~~
All my Ebay items have successfully sold, receiving more $$$ out of them than what I'd get at a resale bookstore! Yay! Now that my "old" home school items have sold, a small pile of other miscellaneous items is now growing outside of my closet .... I've decided I kind of like selling on Ebay.    :)   :)
~~~~
Yes, I'll have a 12 year old by the end of this week!!! I'll share about Caleb's special day later. I need a little more planning time ... lol! Up 'til his 8th b'day, I had his b'day celebrations planned out to a T a whole two months before his actual birthday..... :) not anymore!

~Gabe~

2011-08-03T23:59:00.004-05:00

I love this pic of Ashlyn making Gabe pose~!
If you've kept up with my blog, you may be wondering how Gabe (almost 2 yrs) is doing with his separation anxiety. Sad to say ... not well at all. :( When his anxiety first appeared in June, we began puppy 101 crate training which helped temporarily, but he has reverted back so badly I honestly dread going anywhere. I may put him on the stake in the backyard when we leave tomorrow morning to run errands. Yes, this makes me upset ... yes, I'm trying to breath deeply and stay calm. LOL! :) :) I regret ever having taken him with us to Missouri in June, as I'm positive that's what triggered his anxiety (for this to make sense to you I'd have to go into a long story).
The children & I took Gabe to the vet today to purchase some anti-anxiety medication-for use with the "puppy 101 crate training". We were charged for a physical exam after they simply weighed him and talked with me .... *sigh* .... I know that vets and dentists are very important (and needed) professions, but I often envision dollar signs $$$$ hovering above their heads while they listen to clients' woes.
Hopefully, hard work and consistency with "puppy" training will pay off and we can take Gabe off the medicine (it's only one month's supply so this training had better come through~!).

I have been selling my "old" home school materials on Ebay, and have been very pleased so far!! This was the right time of year to sell my items, of course, and the whole process (including shipping) is much easier for me than packing them up for a book sale. I've also been finding other items around the house to sell, amused at how my whole family is getting into the Ebay kick. Daily, they bring me random items to list for them. lol~!!

So much more to say ... so little time .... as always. :) I'll write again soon~! :)

Oh how the years go by ...

2011-07-25T10:04:00.000-05:00

There's an "old" Amy Grant song ...
(chorus)

And oh how the years go by

And oh how the love brings tears to my eyes

All through the changes the soul never dies

We fight we laugh we cry as the years go by

There's nothing that causes a person to realize just what's most important in life (personal relationships with God and others) than when tragedy or personal trials strike. A friend was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, and she is three years younger than I! She and her young family have a long fight ahead of them, as it appears the cancer is an aggressive form. I pray God teaches me how to be the friend I should be and how to walk beside them throughout their journey.

Just yesterday, I was a bit impatient with my husband (yes, I'm that way now and then). Several hours later, I thought how silly the "issues" I had with my husband were in comparison to sudden tragedy (i.e. the recent shooting in Norway), or being diagnosed with cancer.
I was reminded once again just how life does not revolve around me .... lol!! :)

Ask God what His will is for you, hug a family member, and remember how the little, petty things in life really don't matter ... what ultimately matters is our relationships. "...we fight, we laugh, we cry, as the years go by .."

2011-07-16T10:32:00.001-05:00

I'm trying my hand at a couple of new things this summer. Selling on E-bay and sewing clothes for the kiddos. How fun! Uh ... what did I just say? I think I meant what interesting, educational experiences. With more experience I will definitely think it's loads of fun! :) I'm making pj shorts for the boys and a simple summer dress for Ashlyn. The kids are excited to watch each step of the sewing process, and I'm hopeful that I'm teaching them along the way, too! It's funny how they'll ask questions and I won't know all the answers, but at the same time kind of neat that we can learn together. :)
As for Ebay, I've decided to try selling old and not so old home schooling material that's been in my closet! It's time to de-clutter our home-school!
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I've been trying to simplify my life this summer and am hoping I can carry the same simplicity into our school year this fall. With the crazy health issues that pop up now and then, I must be careful not to get too much on our calendar. My desire is to enjoy my kids and have fun with my family-- not run a rat race trying to keep up with what everyone's doing, only to become overly stressed out and my health run down in the process.
Richard and I are in the process of figuring out the children's activities for this fall, praying for much wisdom. We're presently not involved in very much (on purpose). While we want our children to be involved in what they're interested in, we don't want to rush through dinner or be gone from the house every single week night!! Simplicity is a beautiful thing.
Sometimes I look at other families and wish we could do half as much as they do (and be able to handle it just fine). This all comes back to not comparing with others and exercising contentment, right? :) Seems like I'm constantly re-learning these lessons.
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No, I don't have any horrible disease or anything, but I can only handle so much of life. As mentioned before, I struggle with Hashimoto thyroiditis. Basically, I'm not a high energy person and am required to pick and choose where/how I expend my energy. Yes, I'd love to do more in life (and with others) besides home school my kids .... and as a result, often feel guilty. :) lol! Funny how human tendency is to desire more than what one has.
I'm on a journey to become a more thankful person-- I'm sure of it!! :) :)

My update on life~ :)

2011-07-13T23:41:00.002-05:00

I need to update you on my father-in-law! The cancer was indeed contained to the prostate, and he's slowly recovering from surgery. Thanks for your prayers~ we are all very thankful for God's goodness to Paul (& Lynette)!
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I also need to share that my children are taking piano lessons, and that I've meant to take a picture of them at the piano, but since I'm so forgetful and cannot wait any LONGER to write about them playing the piano.... I hope you won't mind waiting for photos! :)
Caleb wasn't very enthused about beginning piano lessons a month ago, but has surprised me with his devotion to practice every day (w/o being told?? No Way!!). I've tried on and off teaching him piano (for years), but we didn't get very far. Now that we have a piano teacher come to our house, he's very concerned about keeping up with his practicing. Earlier today (before his teacher arrived), he commented, "I need to get this song perfect so Miss Betsy will say I've done a good job." Of course this made me laugh inside and wonder why on earth I've ever bothered teaching my kids in the first place!!   lol!!   Antonin likes his piano lessons too, and provides competition for his older brother. Caleb was the one who complained the loudest when we told the boys they were taking piano lessons, and now he's the one who practices piano the most.   LOL!!!
Ashlyn began showing an interest in the piano too, and had her first lesson today! I was slightly taken back by how excited she was, and inwardly hoped her little bubble wouldn't pop too soon .... there IS hard work involved with taking piano lessons, you know ....   :) :) :)   When Miss Betsy arrived at our house today, Ashlyn talked a mile a minute to her teacher about the little songs she could play in her primer and/or by memory, and on and on .... then afterwards Ashlyn told me that she was shy at first during her lesson and then came out of it. lol! Shy?? Really?
I love seeing Ashlyn's excitement for life and hope she never changes!! :)   :)   :)
Richard often tells me that Ashlyn is like me. Yes, and no. I am excited about life, then second guess my excitement and feel guilty and/or silly about it later. Aren't grown women like me supposed to be less happy/smiley and more "normal"? Yes ... that's the battle of my life ... hopefully I can "help/influence" my daughter to NEVER second guess herself!!   :)
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The title of this post says "My Update on Life". I apparently thought I could cover everything in one post! Well ... that's impossible! There's so much to say!! Like ... how we've received the boys' IOWA test results and how I'm encouraged they are ready for their next grades! I'm amazed how a boy who can dislike reading so strongly, can test so well in the reading area. Surprisingly, math was not a strong area on the test though both boys excel in math at home. I'm wondering if different math curricula use varied math vocabulary/terms, making a difference in test taking? I'm glad there's a way to show a child's progress from year to year (and encourage home school moms) ... and good practice taking "bubble" tests...!! As I've said before, achievement testing does not necessarily test a child's full knowledge. The child tests to learn how to take tests!
I'll continue this "update" next time ... goodnight, sleep tight!

:) Funny story :)

2011-07-08T10:32:00.006-05:00

Our summer has been going by very quickly and we're still not doing too well with our "summer schedule" [cheesy grin].    :)
However, looking on the bright side, life continues to be interesting, teaching many lessons!    :)
Something I've recently learned is to never take others words seriously (or an obit), unless there's undeniable proof (or perhaps checking things out ...).
Three years ago, a single mom with a son my own boys' age lived across the street. The boys played a lot in our yard and we got to know the neighbor boy quite well. After about a year or so, the mom had a new boyfriend and she and her son moved away (I'll call her "Nancy").
Last summer, my next door neighbor brought over the obituary section of the newspaper. She thought for sure that a lady described in the obits was "Nancy", the single mother who use to live across the street. Reading the obit for myself, I agreed that it sounded like her ... but I wasn't positive about the photo- I didn't think that it looked like her. My next door neighbor was "pretty sure" the obit described Nancy, especially since the people who lived next door to Nancy thought the photo in the obit indeed looked like her. The obit even mentioned a son, "Henry", the correct age of our former neighbor Nancy's son, so I wasn't sure what to think! After awhile, I began thinking that perhaps the "Nancy" mentioned, WAS the Nancy who had lived across the road. I felt so sad inside and even said a prayer for her young son, thinking how terrible and heartbreaking it would be for a boy that age to lose his mother. I was grieved inside, wondering if I had reached out enough to the family when they were our neighbors.

One year later .... a week ago, my doorbell rang. I opened the front door to find Nancy and Henry standing there!! LOL!!! I refrained from exclaiming, "You're not dead!!!", and invited them in for a few minutes. They were on a bike ride in the area and had just stopped by to say hi!! :)   :)
Yes, this was a very funny experience and will continue to tickle my funny bone for a few more days.   :)
[~of course- it IS still a very sad thing that a young boy somewhere lost his mother~ it's just obvious more than one "Nancy & Henry" existed ]

In and out of the hospital

2011-07-02T00:16:00.001-05:00

Tuesday morning, June 28th, Richard and I awoke at 4:30 AM and then woke the children at 5 AM ... because we wanted to arrive at Columbia, Missouri's hospital before Paul's scheduled surgery (we had a 2 1/2 hr trip ahead of us). We enjoyed watching the beautiful sunrise the first part of our trip ... but I'm not sure I loved it enough to awaken again at 4:30. :) :)
We were excited/grateful to reach Columbia before Paul's surgery, with enough time to sit and visit awhile with mom and dad Sorrell! The Doctor was obviously running late, but that didn't bother us. Well, it was a concern for Paul, with his fasting for over 24 hours!!! :)

Here we are saying "Goodbye...", before Paul is wheeled away to surgery~

After waiting awhile for the actual surgery to begin, I took the kids to a nearby park while Richard stayed at the hospital with his mother. The boys had a great time with the scooters they had brought, and loved the nice, big swings! :)

Ashlyn's favorite part was the water park! I've never seen a public park with such a nice water area! There was a "spraying fountain" area, and then a separate "beach" area where one could play in the sand or swim in the lake! Needless to say, the kids had a blast and thought they were on vacation ... :) :)

After a couple of hours (?) at the park, the kids & I returned to the hospital to find that the surgery had been successful, and that Paul was slowly recovering. The photo below was actually taken the next day, soon before Paul was released from the hospital and before we left for home!!
A whirlwind of a trip, and we were exhausted afterwards, but it was well worth it. :) :) This is what being a family is all about. : )

Yes, Paul is recovering well ... and it will be another week until we hear the test results (regarding cancer).
It's late and I'm tired~! Goodnight! :)

Smile, it's Monday :) :) ~

2011-06-27T08:35:00.002-05:00

Yay-- so thankful it's going to work to leave Gabe with a neighbor who's home all the time and has a dog. Gabe really likes the neighbor's dog, and we're thinking he will less likely be anxious and make messes if he's not left alone (will always be with another dog). Being left alone causes his anxiety, so this set-up should work for now. When we return from Columbia, we'll need to continue our doggy training 101 with practice leaving him in his crate while we're gone (one starts with 10 minutes, then extends the time longer, giving treats when returned home to a "good", un-anxious dog).
6 AM will come around quite early Tuesday morning (tomorrow), the time we're planning to take off for Columbia, MO. We don't know what time Paul's surgery will be, so he might be in the operating room before we arrive at the hospital (will take us 2 1/2 hrs to get there; surgery will last approx. 3 hrs), but we're going to try our best .....
Even if we don't make it before surgery, we'll be there with Lynette (my mother in law) during and after the surgery.
Ashlyn keeps getting excited over our "trip", asking when we're leaving. I keep reminding her that this trip is not a vacation. As mentioned in my previous post, we're taking a few things for the kids to do at a nearby park, along with their swimming gear (there's a water area in the park, too!).
We've never experienced anything like this before (surgery/cancer), so it's difficult knowing how to prepare the kids .... I'm praying for Wisdom! Oh-- and I hope it doesn't rain~!

Visitors from Indiana and why "36" scares me~ :)

2011-06-26T13:58:00.005-05:00

My sister's family from Northern Indiana came for a visit this week! This was their first time to our house in Illinois, and it was good to have them here! We took the Metro link (train) into St. Louis to visit the Arch, walk around Union Station, and walk some more. :) Time flew by very quickly as always. We all had a great, fun time together, and Ashlyn was in "girl heaven", surrounded by four girl cousins. :) So glad they were able to visit us this summer, but sad that all good things must come to an end~!

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Richard & I (and kids) plan on traveling to Columbia, Missouri this Tuesday to be with Richard's parents. As mentioned in my previous blog post, Paul (Richard's dad) has cancer and will be having surgery in Columbia. My in-laws live in Springfield, Missouri, but feel most comfortable with a doctor in Columbia. I've looked up parks in the area, and am prepared for the kids getting restless!   :) If we need anything else, surely we'll find our way around ok with my GPS (TomTom).   :)
One little "hiccup" in our plans, is that our previous trip to Missouri caused our dog, Gabe, to become much more anxious (he's always had an anxious tendency). After returning home from our Missouri trip June 13th, (we had taken him with us to visit family, keeping him outdoors at relatives house), he began panicking in his crate while we were out and about, and we'd come home to messes and a frightened dog. He never did this prior to our Missouri trip, so obviously keeping him outdoors and in a shed at night at our relative's house was a bad idea (wouldn't you know something like this would transpire at such a time as this?!). Obviously, one cannot expect an indoor dog to be an outdoor dog. We went back to puppy 101 training and got him back on track with staying in his crate like a good little doggy while we're away from home (with treats as a reward), and he did great all week long dealing with our brief absences (grocery shopping, Dr. visits, etc.). Today, however, we came home from church to another mess in Gabe's crate and a shaking dog. So ... we're trying to figure out what to do with him while we're in Columbia! No, this is not the best timing in the world since we don't want to leave an anxious dog in the care of a dog sitter!! [he's not anxious every single moment of absence, it's a random thing. We're a bit frustrated and wish dogs could speak English]. We had asked a family if they'd like to dog sit while we go to Columbia, but now it's looking like we need a dog psychologist instead (sarcastic).
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Before age 36, I'd never been "hit on" nor cussed out by strangers. One week after turning 36, both have happened!!! UGH!! :(
**Last Monday, after a routine Doctor visit, a young adult male in the office complimented me on my clothes, which I thought rather odd. I ignored him ... but then he asked with a big grin, "Did you hear what I said?", proceeding to give the compliment again in a much louder voice. I said "thanks", and walked away. I couldn't believe the man was so bold! No, I was not flattered. :( :( :(
** Just a couple days ago, while riding home on the Metro link with my family and my sister's family, a strange lady came aboard the train and started walking up and down the aisle, begging for money. We all politely refused to help (would have given her food if we had had some), and she moved on to others. After about 10-15 minutes, I realized she had returned to our area of the train to ask a lady for some food. She then sat down two seats behind me. While talking with my sister and nieces across the train aisle, I felt a creepy feeling that she was watching us. My children were having fun with my sister's children, and I couldn't put my finger on WHAT was wrong about the strange lady watching us-- but I felt uneasy and tried to discreetly let my sister know that the next Metro stop was ours. I didn't want to advertise loudly when we were getting off. Richard didn't take my cue, however, and announced to my sister's family that we were getting off at the next stop (in a loud voice). LOL!    :) :) Moments later, the strange lady got up to stand in front of us in the aisle as if to give a speech. She cussed us out, informing us that we were white trash. Before sitting down, she angrily said she wished we would all die. Her words were meaningless to me, but the children were frightened by the experience (understandably). After hurrying off the train more quickly than you've probably ever seen people exit a train, one of the children was in tears and counseling sessions ensued with all the other children as well. Yes, we reported this strange lady to the Metro Security people.
**See what I mean? Year 36 is beginning to frighten me!!!?    lol!
I'm praying for a better week (for everyone (including Gabe)-- not just me)!!!   :) :)   lol!!   :)
After re-reading this, it's apparent we ALL need psychologists!!!!!!!! :) bahaha

Where do I begin?

2011-06-19T18:05:00.002-05:00

Sometimes life is full of emotion, without adequate words to say. This post, however, is a good attempt. :)
I'm thankful for my sweet husband, his family, my family, our family, and a new year ahead with loved ones (I turned 36 yesterday). I'm such a blessed lady who often takes wonderful things in life for granted. I've been trying to stop and smell the roses lately. It's natural for me to make lists and mark each item off one at a time, but I long to enjoy my kids this summer ~~enjoy our family to the fullest~~
Not that I don't enjoy my family during the school year ... summertime is just "different" from school!! :)

A week ago, my in-laws celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary! Prior to the celebration, all the guys in the family went camping together for several days while the ladies hung out and prepared for the 40th celebration. It was a whirlwind weekend, and it took me a few to days to recover afterwards (lol!!), but everyone had a nice time together. Driving around Springfield, Missouri reminded me of years gone by when we use to live there as a young married/young family couple~! Time marches on ....

A happy Father's Day, by the way, to all the men in my life. To my own father in Indiana who taught me the importance of honoring & serving God, my father-in-law in Missouri who taught his son to be a good manager of a home (of which I'm very grateful), and to my one and only husband, Richard! Our children are very blessed to have him as their daddy. :) :) What more can I say?!? :) :)

Life carries both good and bad news. My bad news is that Richard's dad, Paul, has prostate cancer. Surgery is scheduled for a week from now, and we are surrounded by many unknowns. We pray that the One who knows the answers will calm our hearts and quiet our fears. Our immediate family has never been through anything like this ... and though we believe in a Sovereign God, trusting can still be difficult.

Well, I succeeded in typing a blog post!! Time to impatiently stand over the roast that's cooking in the kitchen. It's suppose to be my husband's Father's Day meal-- late. Perhaps he'll overlook the late-ness with the fact that there's Coconut Cream pudding in the fridge!!!!! lol!! :) Dessert first on Father's Day, why not?!

One of those days ...

2011-06-07T12:03:00.001-05:00

I've been having one of "those" days. We're preparing for a trip to visit family and fitting other things into our schedule before leaving. My doctor informed me that I needed more blood tests ... and I would like to think it's because she is concerned about my health and well being as a unique individual who just happens to grace her office a few times a year (she can't wait to see me--Yay!!)... but realistically, it's simply time for a check-up according to the calendar and medication prescription details. LOL!!    :) So ... I got my blood drawn early this morning after fasting. Thankfully, I waited until after my blood was drawn to ask how many viles of blood were taken. SEVEN?!?!    :(   :(
As you can imagine, I've been in a slightly tired state of mind after fasting and producing 7 viles of blood. Yes, I immediately consumed a snack as soon as I left the lab office with my kids [picture a composed individual walking along slowly with her kids in a parking lot, calm, cool, collected ... then suddenly throwing a van door open and gulping down food in the front seat].   :)   Hahaha!   :)
In my tired state of physique, I've been having a difficult day dealing with my oldest's attitude issues. I've heard that these "tween" years improve by the time the child turns 14 or 15. Let's hope for that anyway~   :) I remember having issues as a tween too ... and now it's my turn~~ I just don't think I'm as patient as my mom. How did she do it?!
*sigh* lol!!
Time to return to packing ..... and another snack :) :)

My little girl can ride her bike (w/o training wheels)!! :) :)

2011-06-05T22:46:00.001-05:00

I am SO proud of my little girl!! Ashlyn rode her bike today with daddy following not too far behind ...   :) :)
It's taken her a long time to learn- comparing to the boys when they were her age. I've often wondered to myself, "Will she ever learn so we can enjoy family bike rides again?"    :)   :) After months of encouragement, prodding from dad, and hard work- she did it!!!!     :)    I am so thrilled that with a little more practice, we should be able to enjoy a family bike ride soon. I have not been on a bike ride with the family for THREE years (when Ashlyn outgrew the kid carrier thing on the back of the bike)!! It's been way TOO long!!! :) :)

Along with the excitement, I'm also feeling sadness over my baby growing up! I've reached the middle-aged years where I oohh, ahh, and google over other people's babies, longing for another pair of chubby baby feet in our house- yet knowing those days are gone forever. Why didn't I enjoy my children more fully when they were babies??? Waahhh ... probably because I was trying to get through each day, encouraging them to reach each new milestone!! AAAaaaaahhhh ["ah", as in wailing].

I realize there are different "seasons" in motherhood, I simply don't handle the growing pains very well. I'm probably feeling more sentimental than normal since I'm having another b'day this month, and our oldest child turns 12 this summer. I feel tears coming on .....

Praying for Joplin, Missourians

2011-05-24T00:00:00.000-05:00

My mind cannot begin to take in the devastation of Joplin (in photos and on the news). I'm sure it's even more heartbreaking in person. Here's a link that will take you to KY3 TV station's photo gallery. Notice the video (image #35) that someone took while taking shelter in a convenience store. Once the tornado hit, shattering the windows, all the people ran to take cover in a walk-in freezer/cooler (??) ... I cannot imagine holding on for dear life, possibly holding onto your loved ones, wondering whether you'll walk out alive. Obviously these folks in the convenience store survived ... but many others in Joplin did not. My heart is deeply saddened for the many who lost loved ones (the death toll is 116, as of now)~~ May Peace wrap His arms around people's hearts during this tragic, uncertain time. I don't understand why God allows terrible things like this to happen, but I do know that He is in control, holding the world in His hands. I pray that good will come from this- though we cannot see anything at the moment but much pain, heartache and hopelessness.
I'm praying for you, Joplin. God bless~!

p.s. Joplin, Missouri's recent tornado is said to have been the worst one to EVER hit Missouri.

Joplin's tornado~!

2011-05-23T11:49:00.003-05:00

Click this link to watch the massive tornado form! How amazing!! The destruction was so devastating, and it hit awfully close to home! Richard's family lives in Springfield ... only an hour and a half away from Joplin.
I'm so glad they were safe!

Seeing the news, photos, and videos, made me think about what I posted yesterday regarding loneliness.
Savor moments with friends and loved ones because you don't know when the world as you know it, might change or be taken from you! Take the time out of busy schedules to get to know others on a deeper level. Shatter prisons of isolation, saturate deserts of loneliness. Consider quality time with others a high priority on your calendar. Shouldn't it be the most important (after God and your family, of course)?
Don't get comfortable and take life- or others in your life- for granted!! When tragedy strikes, would you rather cry with regret for not having spent more time with an individual, or thank God through your torn, aching heart that you were blessed with such a friend? Heart aches are not easy, but they're better than regret. Let's not stifle God's gift of relationship with pride, fear, insecurity or bitterness. These relationship hindrances pale significantly when faced with reality-or tragedy-in life.
Seize each day God's given, and share it with others!!
:) :) :) Blessings! :)

A quiet spot

2011-05-22T22:04:00.005-05:00

Look at what our family worked on all day yesterday!! We were all very exhausted afterwards, and that's an understatement! I have a new appreciation for pioneer people who not only worked extremely hard day after day, but somehow managed to cook a full meal in between their outdoor work!! How they pulled that off, I'll never understand (hmm ... maybe they cooked outside).

How exciting to get this project started and finished in one day! I should have taken a "before" shot so you could really appreciate this along with me. :) :) We've wanted to improve our backyard for such a long time... all the weed pulling, tilling and flower planting was worth while!!
No, my muscles are not sore from yesterday (Yay for having exercised with P90X) ... but I've literally been in a sun daze. I think working in the direct sunlight zapped my brain, causing me to realize that I'm no longer a young 20 year old.
I'll [hopefully] soon paint and stain the bench, and then gradually add other items to this new "quiet spot" in the yard. :) Here I'll sit and think. I'll ponder what's wrong with our culture. [warning: turning philosophical]. Why do people keep so much to themselves and not work at getting to know others? They may have incorrect impressions of people they think they know. Why does our human nature tend to think one "knows" people after having had a handful of conversations, or with staying safe with surface, chit-chatty questions or topics. How can one assume they know how others "tick" after such conversations? I've come to the conclusion that most people are afraid to get to know others, because it would mean opening up and sharing more about themselves in the process.
What if one desires to learn more from others and to build relationships, but no one has time to reciprocate because they're too busy?
Mother Teresa once said: "in the developing world there is an epidemic of poverty, in the west an epidemic of loneliness."
I don't know how to conclude this thought. :( Sorry ... this wasn't a planned topic. :)   :) I pray that God will help me reach out to others in the midst of this "epidemic", instead of focusing on my own self. I pray I won't miss opportunities to bless others within the busy-ness of life.
Goodnight~!!    :)
[ I may not want to be zapped in the sunlight again for awhile....]     :)

A -mile-a- minute- thoughts :)

2011-05-17T00:28:00.003-05:00

When I was twelve years old, someone told me I could easily talk some one's leg off -- and I must say that I've never quite outgrown that trait. :) :) I even talk my husband to sleep every evening. lol!! :) The bad part is that I don't remember what I've already told people ... but I'll blame that on "mommy brain". :)
The first thing I'd like to share, is my ROSES!! Earlier this spring I decided to risk planting four rose bushes along the fence in our backyard, not having any prior experience with roses. I'm still learning, not yet a "pro", but at least they appear to be thriving so far!! Here's one bush that has bloomed ["Angel Face"]. The other three bushes [other varieties of roses] are on the verge of blooming-- what anticipation! :) :) I'm excited, along with the children. Every morning they fill me in on all the flowers in our yard - especially the rose bushes. :)

I'd love to grow a veggie garden with the children. The reason we never started one at this house, was because we originally did not know how long we'd live here. We've lived in this location longer than anywhere else now and we still don't have a garden. lol!! Every year, Richard & I discuss whether we should plant a garden like the one we had in Republic, Missouri [after planting a garden in MO, we moved the very next year]. This discussion has gone on for six years. ;) The next house we move to, we'll definitely have a garden. :) :)

My future schooling plans are also on my mind this evening. You may already be aware that I was taking one writing class at a time, attempting to reach my goal of Writing Certificate. When I worked through the previous classes, I was only homeschooling one child (Caleb was attending school at that time and Ashlyn was too young for school), so taking a class and meeting deadlines wasn't as difficult. I've home schooled all three children this year, and have found the task to be quite consuming, I don't see how I could take a writing class and not be overly stressed. I don't want to neglect my kids or their schooling! You may have also read about a "dream" I had recently- the fact that God wants me to write. I began struggling internally with my thoughts. God wants me to home school, yet at the same time, write? How can these two work together?! Surely He knows I'm not Superwoman.

After prayer and going back and forth, I decided that I wouldn't take anymore classes while home schooling full time. I will study writing helps on my own (no deadlines; flexible), cutting out time 3 evenings a week to devote to my writing hobby. Of course, this means that I need an "editor" to challenge me .... hmmm ... a friend is already coming to mind ... :) :)

I'll most likely return to school once I'm no longer home schooling full time--whenever that might be. :) Only God knows the future, and I'm glad I don't have to know all those details yet. Well ... it WOULD be nice knowing .... lol! :) Whenever I do return to school, I'll most likely finish my Education degree so I can get a teaching job later on (more practical than being a writer). Isn't life funny? Hahahah :) At least I know that my home schooling experience may actually count for "experience" later on~ :)

[By the way, I'm thankful for my good husband who helped guide me thru this decision process]

A poem for spring

2011-05-14T12:37:00.003-05:00

~Flowers~
dig a hole as deep as its roots,
gently pat each flower in place~
water generously, sport a sunshiny face.
Don't be discouraged with slow growing blooms,
think of what they'll become if given some room.

[I wrote this poem after planting flowers with my daughter, Ashlyn, and hearing her say, "Tuck them in nice and cozy!"] :)

Happy Mother's Day, Part 2 :)

2011-05-08T20:19:00.001-05:00

What lovely weather to celebrate Mother's Day! My kids (& hubby) made me feel so special bringing home some lovely tulips yesterday, then sharing sweet cards this morning and taking me out to eat after church. :)
I wish sometimes that I could capture moments in a bottle to enjoy later. :) :) :)

I'd like to take a trip in the past and undo all the silly and harsh things I've ever done as a mother, like impatient moments during potty training (my son was only TWO for crying out loud), or making a Walmart-run with a colicky newborn (who on earth did I think I was?! Supermom?).
I'm so thankful for the children who call me "mom", and I pray that God will work in and through me while I train and guide them. What a huge responsibility preparing children for real life down the road! How overwhelming at times (even with a Godly husband's guidance)!!
I pray that even in my humanness- while asking for my children's forgiveness, or prayerfully, brokenly seeking direction- they will recognize God's hand in our lives. I'll never be "good enough" or the perfect parent, and that's ok.
The following link will take you to a song that is my prayer for Motherhood (along with other areas of my life as well)~~ "Savior, Please", Josh Wilson [move your mouse cursor over here! :) ]

Happy Mother's Day~!

2011-05-05T23:58:00.001-05:00

I'm grateful for the gift of my mother! She not only took good care of us and trained us well- but played the organ and taught us to sing.   :)   :)
I grew up taking her music abilities for granted, never once saying "thanks" for teaching me and my sister how to sing. Practicing songs around mom's organ was a normal part of life for us, and we looked forward to that time together each week. Our family sang nearly every Sunday, and mom was faithful to sing a solo when we had not prepared for a family song. I don't remember when I began singing, and I think the same is true for my sister. Mom started us young and kept us singing!    :)
Now that I'm in my mid-30's (oh my), I'm appreciating mom's diligence because I realize all the hard work she put into us!! I have enough challenges just with our children's day-to-day routine and home school .... let alone teach them how to sing!!!!!!!!!!   The fact that mom made time in her week to teach us to sing and worship God, means a whole lot more to me now that I'm a mom! Makes me want to pass on the importance of worship to my own children (though it won't look the same since I don't play the organ; and I haven't made it a habit to sing together each week). It's never too late to try adding worship to our evening ...
I am attempting to upload a couple of videos of mom singing and playing the organ (Dec '09), but am not sure they're uploading correctly- hmmm ....
I'll post a picture just in case the videos don't work.
Have a wonderful Mother's Day thanking God for the special gift of your mother!    :)

A note about Gabe .... and Osama Bin Laden! [what a combination-- lol!!]

2011-05-03T08:32:00.010-05:00

The children enjoyed playing with the camera yesterday. They were attempting to come up with a prize winning photograph of our family dog, "Gabe". :) :) The batteries in the camera went dead before they could finish all their ideas, so poor Gabe will most likely sit through more picture taking tomorrow~ Yes, it was Ashlyn's idea to dress him up. :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Drastic change of subject ....

Nearly ten years after 9/11, Osama Bin Laden has been brought to justice- especially for the many families who lost loved ones that tragic September morning. I don't know that anything other than Osama Bin Laden's death would have been more acceptable. We're talking about a mass murderer of innocent lives. Justice must be served!
I've been quite amused by some reports and opinions in the news.

I do not believe Obama ordered this attack for re-election, nor that Bin Laden wasn't the person killed. People are always going to criticize the President and then come up with various types of hypothetical questions/scenarios. DNA tests proved the man killed was Bin Laden. Honestly, isn't Elvis supposedly alive after 30- some years after his death? ;)
I believe that President Obama did what needed to be done, and I give him the credit for following through on Intelligence he received, then ordering the military to act (awesome work, military!!). Yes, the Bush's (and Clinton's) were on the same manhunt and never found Bin Laden, but from all appearances, Pakistani's were trying to hide Bin Laden. I think it would have taken just as long to find Bin Laden's hiding place, no matter WHO was President of the United States. By the way, there were some reports several years ago that Bin Laden had died, but how can we trust Pakistan [interesting how Pakistan remains silent after the capture/murder of Bin Laden ... hmmm]??? I'm more inclined to believe our armed forces who put their lives at risk.

For those unsettled, thinking the US should have shown Christian kindness ("turning the other cheek") to Bin Laden, try telling that to the thousands who lost loved ones because of his actions.
True, Christ never fought wars, but that wasn't God's purpose in sending His Son to earth, either. Christ was sent to redeem a sinful people and to replace cold, ugly sinful hearts with tender, pure, warm ones (to glorify God). Christ's focus was on Eternal peace, not worldly, temporal peace. He even said He did not come to bring peace, and that following Him would cause divisions and wars [click here to see passages from Scripture].

I'm sure Bin Laden's death will not mark the end of terrorism (or any other unrest) internationally or nationally, since this world will always be a fallen, sinful place. That said, God has always been and always will be in control of the HIStory of mankind (oh yes, and Justice must be served, as He is a Just God). We need eternal peace in Christ so we will not fear what's happening around us.
Of course, this brings up the question, "why did God allow sin to enter the world?" ... oh dear! lol! :)   :)
I'm not a theologian, but will answer simply: God had a perfect plan in place when Adam & Eve ate the apple.   :) :) My God is a proactive God, not reactive, and has always been in control.
Here's the "Answers in Genesis" website in case you are interested in tough questions and answers, like why does God allow pain and suffering!   :)

Well, I'm now stepping down off my little soap box and getting on with our day .... a beautiful new day that God has made. Let us rejoice in it knowing that He's in control (Read all thru the book of Psalms in the Bible!)

Our last day of CBS

2011-04-28T22:54:00.002-05:00

What a wonderful, yet heartbreaking day. Wonderful, because two and three year olds are so fun to play with. Heartbreaking, because it was not only the end of the CBS year, but my last time to teach. In a previous post, I explained why I will not be teaching next year. After the heartbreak of saying goodbye to the little ones today, I actually came home and questioned my husband whether we had made the right decision. Yes, we had made the right decision. Many different seasons come and go in a mother's life, and my present season requires me to focus more on the time-consuming task of educating and raising our children [I'll have a 12 yr old this summer, and WHOA, do we need help!!! lol!].

I'm so thankful I had the opportunity to teach the little ones during the Community Bible Study this year (CBS website). I've learned much about one's response to God (a willing heart), knowing that He will equip us to complete each task. Each week at CBS, I'd see God fill in gaps- especially unexpected ones.
Filling the gaps had nothing to do with any one's ability, intellect, or skill, and we'd all recognize that God met us there each CBS morning. So ... in the spirit of Joshua (we studied Joshua through Kind David in CBS this year ) ... take that first step. God will step in and complete the task for you, causing you to wonder why the worry in the first place, and what on earth just happened?! [ Joshua 1:9- " Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” NIV]

Though we will not be participating in CBS next year, I am so grateful for the lessons learned this past year! I'll continue being "strong" and "courageous" home schooling my children, doing laundry, and peeling potatoes- doing exactly what God has called me to do. That said, I've learned that God is not a "stuck in a rut" God. He tends to shake things around often so that His people don't get comfortable. :)
Hmm .... I wonder what will happen next?

God is faithful~ :)

2011-04-14T00:13:00.004-05:00

The Matt Sorrell family :)

We enjoyed a short visit from Richard's brother's family!! What a pleasure to have them at our house again! The spring weather made for a superb day of visiting and playing; the children had a blast as always with their long lost cousins.    :) :)   We'll be getting together with Richard's family again in June for some special events (40th anniversary, boys' camping trip, etc.), so everyone is now anticipating the month of June.
Surprise, surprise! My blood test came back saying I'm "normal". While I'm thankful, I'm also a bit disappointed that my issues cannot be quickly fixed with a simple adjustment in medicine. I'm exploring alternative remedies, and will eventually share what I find.   :) :)   Until then, I'm tired of talking about my health, especially since I'm not that bad off. Time to go onto something else!!
I've often said that figuring out what God wants me or my family to do would be so much easier if He would just write it in the clouds or speak in an audible voice from Heaven. He knows we'd do whatever He wanted if He'd just tell us!!!!
We've been trying to figure out which extra-curricular activities our children should participate in, whether we should continue to attend and/or teach CBS (Thursday Bible Study), along with how much involvement should be put into our local home school group. A few friends have also been praying that we would sense God's direction. Does God really care about our daily routine and activities? Oh yes He does!! Does prayer really work? Yes!!!
I began noticing some issues with my children I had grown blind to, and felt the impression that I needed to be home more often. Not exactly what I wanted to "hear" .... but if one's home schooling, it goes without saying that you're to stay at home ... ???    ;) Yes, we'll continue our Friday home school activities, but will be cutting out a thing or two during the week. Yes, this means I will not teach CBS next year. I love teaching the little ones and have no doubt God's been smiling down on us thru the year. However, the tugging at my heart for my own children cannot be ignored.
I know this sounds odd, but I awoke this morning with a "picture" in my mind, with the impression, "I want you to write".   I know this sounds crazy, but it really happened-! After the initial awe of the experience, I immediately began typing on my laptop before the children awoke. As the story begins to unfold, I may share it here a chapter at a time. Yes, I'm taking this seriously- this was as close to an audible answer as one can get!   :) :)
God answers ordinary prayers, sometimes sooner, sometimes later. I now know [sort of] what I'm supposed to do with my time this year. Home school and write stories that pop into my head. lol!!   :) : ) We're trusting that He'll also take care of all the other question marks above our heads, and ultimately know He will, because He is faithful!!    :) :)
Continue praying for all those question marks above your head. You might have to wait awhile, but you will receive an answer! Remember, He delights in you and has a perfect plan for you!! [Psalm 139]   :)   :)   :)

long awaited spring photos ... and other thoughts ;)

2011-04-05T23:24:00.003-05:00

I figured I had better hurry and add these lovely snowy spring photos ... :) :) ... this was our last snow fall of the year ... March 25th & 26th! Amazing!

Do you see the green buds on the bush?

Richard helped the boys build this snowball!


Frosty the snowman in March! :)

I have been feeling as if I'm playing catch up lately. It's probably because I'm a wife, mother, housekeeper, and teacher- but sometimes I get discouraged, wondering what's wrong with me. I never thought, for instance, that I would have fines waiting to be paid at the library, and unable to renew books online since my card expired two weeks ago. What?! Ok ... it's time to pay a visit- no pun intended. :) :) :) We live outside of city limits, so we're one of those folks who pay to use the library. :(
As I was saying, I begin to feel discouragement creep up on me, and then realize that I've missed checking my thyroid levels since we were sick for two months -and I had put it off. UGH! Do you realize how hard it is for mothers to have proper health care-especially home school mothers?? Medical locations are only open from 9-5. Honestly, do you think most mothers enjoy taking all her children to an appointment to be stared at and asked, "Is school out today?"; "Oh, you must have your hands full ...I'd never be able to teach my kids, they'd drive me crazy! I don't know how you do it."
Many times I feel like responding, "[ahem], what do you mean? I AM crazy?!?!?!" " I'm honestly losing my mind, specifically why I'm seeing the doctor today!!! This is what being a home school/stay at home mom looks like, people! [said while fluffing out hair to look like a maniac]!!!!", "I'm just like anyone else except that I don't have a life outside the home, thank you very much!!!!"". Instead, I bite my tongue and exhibit perfect politeness 'til we're out of the doctor's office.
LOL!!! I'm exaggerating of course, and yes, I end up remembering that I do have a great life in and outside home ... I'm blessed. Really- I am. ;) I just need my thyroid levels checked again .... *sigh* .... lol!
Earlier today, I "happened" to read Psalm 37:4, "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart .." I had this "ah-ha" moment while the word "also", jumped off the page at me. God already delights in each of His children- even within our crazy, ridiculous mommy moments or within discouragement. He longs for us to delight in Him with the same eagerness He delights in us!! I'm not a theologian and might be way off, but this is what I personally got out of the word "also". :)
God has greatly blessed me, and I'm thankful for this life I have. Even in the crazy/catch up moments ....
I just need to continue in my pursuit of Christ~~ and delight in Him!

springtime is here ... along with snow! :) :)

2011-03-26T21:22:00.002-05:00

What a creative Heavenly Father we have!! :) Snow has been falling this afternoon, total accumulation reaching 4 inches ...?? We'll see in the morning just how much snow is on the ground! I haven't seen too many snow storms at the end of March- what a treat!!! [more photos to follow in later post]

We weren't home to take many snow photos today, because we were experiencing the home school Expo in St. Louis! We enjoyed several speakers and browsed numerous home school curriculum vendors. We took the children with us, along with a backpack filled with books and goodies. Our oldest had settled on being bored the whole time, but after talking about how we expected [good] attitudes, he [and the others] held up beautifully!! I am a pleased momma! :) :) :) Since I knew what curriculum we would need to purchase for next year, we took advantage of no shipping fees. I'm now half-way finished with our schooling plans for next fall!! I'm a bit in denial that I'll have a 6th, 4th and 1st grader. My goodness! Where does time go, and what on earth is God doing?!?!? I never thought I'd be homeschooling 6th grade, let alone three students. Don't even talk to me about 7th & 8th ... I can only deal with one year at a time. :) :)

I've been thinking about family lately, since several family members have-or will be- passing through our area for a visit. A funny story popped into my head during my "family thoughts", prompting me to share:
When meeting Richard's family for the first time, I knew that his brother, Matt, was funny and had a good sense of humor, but it took me awhile to get used to his ways. Richard worked the evening/night shift at the post office after we were first married, and his days off were random. I received an unusual phone call one evening, from a "Mathello Sorrello". He spoke in a broken English/Spanish accent, politely asking for Richard. Mathello informed me of some business dealings he needed to talk to Richard about, insisting that Richard return his call. I painstakingly wrote down his message, then hung up the phone. Puzzled over the phone call (it had seemed a little odd), I impatiently waited for Richard to come home [no cell phones back then]. As soon as Richard saw the message and asked me what the man's name was, he began laughing out-loud. "That's Matt, Sara! That's Matt!" LOL!! :) :)

So much to say ... so little time ....

2011-03-20T23:47:00.002-05:00

So much has been going on, I hardly know where to start. Yes, the children and I finally got over a flu virus after two weeks of up & down and all around, and now the seasonal allergies have begun. Even on antihistamines, I walk around with an allergy bubble in my head (dull headache), feeling tired and slightly like I'm on drugs. Nausea is a "normal" part of allergies, too. Oh great ...!! I knew I should have visited an allergy specialist before allergy season hit. I suppose I thought antihistamines would help.[one cannot be tested by an allergy specialist unless they've been off antihistamines for a week. I'll have to wait now 'til this season's over]
In case you (reader) know me personally, please don't be puzzled by any unusual behavior. Until June rolls around, I cannot guarantee I will be acting "normally". lol!!
God's been teaching me a lot lately about contentment and trust. I find this difficult when I'm not feeling well ... I would rather crawl in a hole somewhere and hide until the month of June. Hmm, that makes me think of potatoes. :) Yes, I made Irish food on March 17th :)

A heart-shaped potato!! Happy St. Patty's Day!

Last week, during a Nancy Leigh DeMoss (DVD) mini conference at our church, I learned even more about trusting, obeying & contentment.
Implementing trust means that I'll be faithful in prayer and obedience. I've heard this lots of times through my life, but I often need reminders with application to every day life [the entire book of Romans in Bible].
Instead of sitting in a chair wishing my dull allergy annoyances away, counting down the days 'til June, I can read or recite Psalm 139 and then pray that God will bless our family's day together. God alone knows all about our family, our individual needs, and remains the only One who can transform a grumpy mom into a contented one. :) Not to mention that my kids are watching and taking on my grumpy attitude!!!
There is so much more I could share about the True Woman conference, but the experience was like drinking out of a fire hose! I cannot share it all here!!! If you're interested in learning more, you can visit True Woman online (click here)
After attempting to digest the truths during the ladies' conference, I had an interesting experience at the store. The children and I were in the check out lane, placing items on the conveyor belt. I had pulled out my debit card, fully intent on paying for the groceries, when the lady behind me came around the carts to say something ... I couldn't believe my ears! She explained that she didn't know why, but felt that God wanted her to pay for our groceries. When I saw tears in her determined eyes, I let her pay.
I was so shocked, I'm hopeful that I told her "thank you". LOL!!    :)   :)   While pushing our cart to the van, I told the children that we could now be looking for someone else to bless. I was touched by this experience, and it brought me to tears ....
I pray that I won't miss the opportunity because of focusing on silly allergies! :p   There's always someone out there "worse-off" than yourself! Look for others to help instead of looking at your own problems, Sara!

Yes, I need to trust, obey, and be content. The God who created me and wrote my life story (including the not so good stuff I'd rather erase), is the same God who cares for and watches over me even when I'm not in need.
I'm thankful for a very patient, long-suffering God, full of mercy and grace, I'm hopeful that whatever lesson (s) He's trying to teach me will be readily learned (eagerly learned??). I must not take His mercy and grace for granted! I can be thankful in life, no matter how I "feel", and pass on His blessings to others!!!
I hope this made sense! I think it's time for me to drink some tea and go to bed!!    :)   Goodnight!

Sex Trafficking in America --- Really?? :(

2011-03-16T00:28:00.001-05:00

Not too long ago, people at our church made bracelets out of soda pop tabs to help raise funds for International Crisis Aid, an organization that helps victimized girls in and around the St. Louis area. Yes, trafficking happens in the Midwest!! So sad and heartbreaking, but a very true reality. These girls and women are people just like you and me, trapped in a hopeless situation -one not easy to escape. Yes, it's really here in America. Don't turn away from the ugliness .... it's only by God's grace it never happened to you!
Someone on Facebook shared this web link from a recent Family Research Council broadcast, and I thought I would pass it along. I tried to embed the actual web broadcast, but it didn't work. Please click on the the link below [while I tell myself to take a computer class].

* click here * to visit the Family Research Council web page

I pray that we take this trafficking problem seriously!! We need to be diligent and proactive, protecting our children on the Internet and staying involved in their lives!! We also need to pray for the victimized girls and women [and young boys too], actively finding ways we can be of help (even just faithfully praying-- in the long term!!!!). :)

Alas! My sickly head!! [a silly tale] :)

2011-03-04T09:52:00.001-06:00

None of us saw him coming. He pounced unmercifully onto my sweet little daughter late Saturday night, then attacked my innocent son the very next morning. I stayed home from church with the sick little ones, dutifully filing my recently organized recipes. The flu enemy crouched nearby, watching my every move, waiting to spring!
"POW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" [thump, crash]
I jerked back in surprise on Monday to discover I was experiencing slight chills and achy bones. These two vices pressed in harder and harder until I was held fast to the recliner in the living room. The headaches started its chorus with the fever, and it was all I could do to keep my eyes open.
Only two in our family stood tall and strong: Caleb the courageous, and Richard the Lionhearted [LOL]. :)
Caleb the courageous took care of the house (with my instruction) and also brought me water, Tylenol, bananas,oranges, hot chicken broth, and applesauce.   :) Our struggle with the flu enemy continued on and on .... and on...
until both children started coming out of their fever furor triumphantly!!! Well -except for a nagging cold type of cough. :(   :(   :(
I felt encouraged, trusting the end of my own battle was near ... I could almost taste the freedom!!!!!
The thermometer declared a normal temperature, and I leaped out of the recliner -a little too soon.
My fever began climbing again, and would spike into the 103's when Tylenol wore off! Yikes! [it was also high with Tylenol]. I sank back into the recliner in defeat (and tried to sleep midst the children's activity around me). The headaches were much worse, the flu enemy throwing daggers into my left temple. I fought for dear life within my delirium, thinking I surely must be DYING!!!!   Richard the Lionhearted took a few hours off work to help around the house, to take my hand and assure me this was NOT the end of the battle if he had anything to do with it!!!! His fighting spirit encouraged my own, and I commended his bravery with the housework.   :)
One of the flu enemy's daggers had progressed into an ear infection, but treating the infected ear soon brought much needed relief.
May this be the end of my delirious sickly head with the retreat of our enemy!
Friends beware! The flu enemy may be waiting to pounce on your family next!!!!

[Thanks for reading this silly post- lol! I'm still weak and tire easily, but am doing MUCH better. The kids? They're great! The flu hasn't made them weak at all- ah, childhood. :)   :) ]

Antonin's first Taekwando Tournament

2011-02-23T10:47:00.005-06:00

Alright ... I've climbed down out of the clouds to realize that I need to share Antonin's very first Takwando tournament with you!! Our son started this "sport" (hmm, "fighting" is a sport?) a little more than one year ago, and we've been surprised with how much he enjoys it. He appears to be a "natural", and I'm not sure what to think about it. lol!! Seeing how springy he is on his feet, I had suggested he go into gymnastics or dance, but he didn't care for those ideas. Knowing his coaches makes me feel better, as they are in our small group at church. :) ["don't let my boy get hurt!!"-- lol!! just kidding~]

I felt quite nervous for Antonin, and was amazed by his calm face while waiting for his turn to sparr. When his turn came, my heart was in my throat because he was up against a green belt (he's an orange belt), bigger than him. I began to relax once I saw just how well he was doing against the green belt without getting clobbered. Of course, they wear so much padding, I don't think anyone would have been seriously injured .... ??? lol! :)

After sparring two rounds, Antonin won 3rd place in his division!!!! So very proud of his hard work and perseverence !!!!! :) :) :) :) :) Below is a photo of Antonin with Coach James~

Yay, Antonin!! :) :) :) More important than the 3rd place ribbon he won, I'm so pleased with what he told me later. He told me that at first he was nervous, but then prayed that God would help him. Once he walked out onto the mat, he says he wasn't scared anymore. He beamed as he told me that God had answered his prayer. I told him even if he hadn't won anything, God still had answered his prayer of not being scared, and I still would have been very proud of him. :) :)
Perhaps our parenting is actually making a difference in his life after all - in spite of our own human selves. :)

13 years and counting :) :)

2011-02-22T09:35:00.002-06:00

We just celebrated our 13th Wedding Anniversary ... for a whole week.   :) With our anniversary being exactly one week after Valentine's Day, we usually spread the cheer throughout the entire week. :)
Richard made a gourmet (yummy) meal for us one evening, and brought home a dozen red roses .... and I soaked in all the sweetness.  If you recall, last week was quite challenging, so these special treats meant a lot to me. :) :) Yes, I'm a blessed woman.
Saturday, we enjoyed our first St. Louis Symphony Orchestra experience - along with Chris Botti!! What a fantastic night!
Photos were not allowed in the magnificent Powell Hall, but we found a willing person to snap the above picture before the concert began. We look all alone in the pic ... but Powell Hall was a full-house once the concert began!! It was a sell-out. The performance was a mixture between jazz and classical, and we enjoyed our first experience immensely!!!    :)

I found a quote: "Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass ... but learning how to dance in the rain", and thought it went well with this Steven Curtis Chapman song ("We Will Dance"). I'm looking forward to 13 more years with my best friend in the whole world- and yes, I shared this with Richard for our Anniversary.    :)   :)   :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Jqkui2vIKo {click on the link}

Richard had a song for me, too!!   :)   :)   :)   :)
Celine Dion's "I'm Alive" (aww ...how totally sweet of him!!!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PNwpkbZAI0

Alright ... time for me to climb out of the clouds and get with the daily routine now .... :) Have a great week, and I'll write again soon~   :)

Me oh my! :D

2011-02-18T20:13:00.001-06:00

Well, I am thankful to report that I've survived a challenging week. I'll just be up front and acknowledge that something is out of whack in my body, and I'm going to need to visit the Dr. again. I'm either taking too much medicine, or not enough!! Yes, keeping the thyroid balanced can be tricky, and at times disheartening (I don't like blood tests or playing the balancing game).

What I find rather fascinating, is at the moment I feel everything has gotten on my nerves and I need a cup of tea to calm myself, my husband speaks up, "Sara, have you ever thought of finishing your schooling degree to become a teacher one of these days?"   LOL!!    :)   :)   :)
How encouraging, after such a hard week of homeschooling (& other activities/events)!!    :)
I have an Associates degree in Early Childhood Education (didn't have enough $$$ to continue with school as a young adult), and thirteen years later, returned to school via online writing classes in hopes of developing my writing skills. However, Richard thinks that no one makes money writing, and has suggested I consider being a teacher once the children are out of the house. Maybe- just maybe- I should be taking classes toward a Bachelor's degree in Education!?!? I never even THOUGHT of this before -- probably because I have home schooling children.   :)   :)   :)   Hmm , something to think about and consider --for later in life.
My mother is an Elementary school librarian, and I honestly think that's the path I should have taken right out of high school ... but I wanted to be "different" at the time ... lol!!      :) Actually, choosing Early Childhood Education was an awfully close path to my mom's, now that I think of it ...   :)

Hooray for our finishing all this week's school work & activities!!!   :)   We are now entering school week #24, and we still love the Tapestry of Grace curriculum, by the way.    :) :)
Signing off to drink some refreshing tea (and look up Dr.'s phone number) .... happy mid-February sunshine to you!!

Ice, snow, tea & emotions

2011-02-07T19:35:00.001-06:00

We are thankful for having kept our electricity during the massive ice/sleet/snow storm that came through the midwest late last week!! We ended up with mostly ice and sleet, then later, three inches of snow. Saturday night, it snowed about 4 more inches!! What a beautiful winter wonderland!!

Of course, with ice, sleet & snow, comes cancellations of "normal" activities and events. I hardly knew what to do with myself (and the kids) this week with no place to go. Yes, playing outside and spending time with children is nice, but we're a home school family and normally play/spend time together, so snow days don't hold much change for us at home. :) :)

I enjoyed a tea party with Ashlyn Saturday. :) I love her "can do" attitude in life, and hope she stays that way! She had suggested having our own "girl party" after handing me a couple of old b'day plates - I have no idea where she found them. We baked cookies together, then fixed scrumptious berry hot tea. What a special time together. I thank God for my little girl. :) :) :)

Today began a new week ... of no cancellations (so far). For whatever reason, my emotions/hormones(??) were haywire today, and I didn't feel like going anywhere. Staying home wasn't an option, however, so what transpired was an "out of it" mom on errands with children who got on her nerves. I've never claimed to be a perfect mother, I just pray I'm a good/decent one. After making a few stops and visiting one grocery store, I decided I didn't want to hear anymore begging for items in the store, or arguing in the van. While in the parking lot of another store, I totally changed my mind about going inside, and drove us all home. I then went straight to my room for a "time out". Crying sometimes helps~~

I don't have an uplifting conclusion for this post, other than hope for a better day tomorrow. I will need to eventually walk thru that fabric store's door to purchase additional fabric for my sewing project. The second sewing class is this Wednesday!

sewing ...

2011-01-30T23:20:00.000-06:00

In my previous post, I was all excited about taking my first sewing class at the library. Now, I've come down off my cloud nine and have numerous butterflies in my stomach!!!!!!!!! What on earth did I get myself into??
The good part is that I think I'm getting closer to learning my sewing machine's language. We actually got along quite nicely in class once my instructor figured out the tension problem (yes, my machine puzzled her at first, too). It's good knowing my machine and I are now on speaking terms... and that I can attempt a few projects. That is ... after I practice more stitches and re-threading.
I wasn't able to pin all my pattern pieces to my fabric because I didn't have enough! I had pre-washed it, and it obviously shrunk. Yes, I washed it in cold water, delicate cycle. Hmm ... next time I'll know to get a yard and a half when I'm supposed to purchase one yard!! Ha [just kidding]! Anyhow, everything's going to work out nicely since I can use a contrasting fabric for the pockets and waistband of the apron. :) :) :) Yes, I'm making an apron-- Lord willing.
Ashlyn keeps telling everyone that I'm going to make a dress for her, and I keep telling her to allow me to first make a simple apron!!! One step at a time, sweet child!!! lol!! :) I must admit that it's encouraging to see her faith in me. :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
I'll take my cut-out pieces back to class in a week and a half and begin sewing them together. One can work in-between classes on their own if they want to, but with the problems I have had with getting along with/understanding my sewing machine (i.e. machine consuming the fabric and thread), I feel it's best to have our interactions monitored for the time being. In the meantime, I'll practice on scrap material ...

*whew*, this has been a draining day!!! For the seamstress out there, I know all the above sounds funny ... but for some people, sewing machines really do speak different languages!!!!

January thoughts :)

2011-01-29T20:53:00.002-06:00

Remember three weeks ago when I said that having a clean house with professionally cleaned carpet was so wonderful?   lol!
Well ... last night, Antonin vomited all over the carpet in his room. He had chosen to lean over the side of his top bunk bed, causing a pretty big mess. Caleb had to awaken for me to strip the bottom bunk, too. ugh - lol! What's funny is that the children have not done this for a very long time since they now recognize the yucky sick feeling and normally make it to the bathroom in time. Ironically, I had mentioned to Richard the other week (before getting the carpets cleaned), that this was a good time to clean carpets since the children were past the "vomiting all over the place" stage. Ha ha!   :)

Yes, I've adjusted my attitude, and acknowledge that there's more to life than clean, stainless carpet!   :) :)
Antonin bounced back very quickly today, and was "himself" most of the time! I'm grateful his sickness didn't last very long and am hoping no one else gets this "bug". I can't stand seeing my kids sick!   :( : (   Sickness remains a part of life, of course, so we'll see what transpires ... [but please. ... no more!! lol!]

Oh--I am SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm going to a sewing class tomorrow. Ashlyn & I went shopping today for some material and thread, and now she wishes she could go with me to the class, too. lol! Life is so sweet with a daughter. :) This sewing class is my "mommy time" though ... I'll teach her to sew whenever I get the hang of it myself.   :)
Wish me luck, as I've had problems in the past with my sewing machine eating my projects. I'll hopefully learn the language tomorrow ...   :) :)

Have a wonderful weekend, a Happy end of January ... and I'll share more later~!    :)   :)

B a friend-!!

2011-01-26T23:43:00.001-06:00

When I was young and felt lonely, my dad would tell me that if I wanted to have friends, I needed to "show myself friendly and be a friend". I've followed that advice all my 35 years, but still lack [close] life-long friends, and have discovered that friendships come and go with the ebb and flow of life. I've often thought that friendliness means nothing to most people and makes me look like a cheesy "nice girl". One must find other individuals with similar interests to be friendly with, I told myself. Well, that's the rational side of myself talking. The emotional side of me still says that I need to be friendly with everyone I meet. No, friendliness is not cheesy if it's genuine!   :)
I then came to the conclusion that no one enjoys being with you more than the individuals you grew up with. However, I soon threw that notion out of my head because it sounded so terribly negative!! I think the problem in our adult world, is that we're simply too busy to get to know each other on a deeper level. Children have all the time in the world to visit with other little children. We (moms) have to make the time!

I've been missing my cousin Penny lately ... she's a year older than I, and though we grew up several hours away from each other, enjoyed laughing together every chance we got-- usually twice a year. :) We wrote lengthy letters back and forth, drawing cartoons of real or made-up happenings near the end of our letters. :) Life was fun and carefree with Penny.   :)
God loves growing people up in life, and midst the growing pains and life lessons, Penny & I would pick up where we left off in our (mostly silly) giggly conversation. Yes, well into our 30's. =)
Penny's family now lives in Oklahoma, so we cannot stop to see them on our way to Indiana! Penny's husband is a worship leader and/or teacher within the Wesleyan church in OK, waiting on God's leading for a pastoral position sometime in the future.

I plan to take time out of my schedule once a month to get to know someone a little better (like, have them over-?). I must be intentional, or it won't get done!!   :) I'm in three different Bible studies with ladies all around me. How a person can desire deeper friendship while surrounded by so many people, means one thing: She is an interpersonal, relational female.   :)

It's late at night ... but school's on my mind :)

2011-01-21T00:25:00.001-06:00

Today was quite a snowy day!! I am SO thankful to have an eleven year old who LOVES to shovel snow. :) Shoveling is one chore I don't ever have to remind him to finish. He comes inside for breaks, but always finishes the hard work on our long driveway ( half of the circle drive). Richard was out of town yesterday & last night, then called today saying he needed to delay coming home one more night because of the snow. We're anxious for his return tomorrow, and I'm so thankful I have an eleven year old son who loves to shovel!! :)

Yes, CBS was canceled today, as was the teacher unit planning tomorrow morning (unit planning isn't done every week- more like quarterly or so). I took advantage of my time with laundry & cleaning of all things! lol! The children had a lighter day of school work since all other kids were enjoying a snow day, and I finished my curriculum plans for this semester.

While we have been enjoying Tapestry of Grace very much, I've been missing some "fun" literature. I visited Sonlight's website to look thru their 3rd & 5th grade readers' lists, and came away with some great recommendations. I painstakingly checked all the book titles through our library system (online, of course) to discover they had most of the titles-- Yay! I also use the library for our Tapestry books, though I think that next year I'll make several purchases instead.

I then visited Rainbow Resource online, to purchase some items for this new semester! RR is the one place I can usually find every single item I need. I found the piano books mentioned in my last post, Explode the Code, Apologia Science notebooks to go with our next Apologia Science book, Typing Instructor (Caleb especially needs to type since he hates writing), along with a few other home school items. Yes, I'm taking a plunge with implementing these "extras" into our already full schedule ... but I feel that learning to type and play the piano [or in our case- a keyboard] are very important skills that cannot be overlooked or ignored any longer!!! It's time for me to take action, even if I'd rather not. I would rather just sit back and write on my blog .... but I have to be... a ... teacher!!
Alright .... that's all for now. Goodnight!!

learning to read & other school notes :)

2011-01-19T21:18:00.001-06:00

Teaching my daughter to read has been so much fun (so far)!! How exciting, yet bittersweet, to teach my "baby" how to blend letter sounds to make words and sentences. She's still reading quite slowly and with help, but I know that with plenty of practice she'll be a great reader.    :) :)  I'm thrilled to see the progress and hear her little voice slowly sounding out letters. :)
I've used a variety of different reading programs with all three children, and now that Ashlyn's my last Kindergarten student, think I've finally found the perfect blend.
We've been using Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading along with their magnetic board and flashcards, which I highly recommend!! I've discovered one should always purchase the optional material when it comes to Classical curriculum. Abeka, on the other hand, can easily be used in pieces. lol! We're using Abeka K4's reading booklets and their manuscript "Writing with phonics"--party because they were left over from our previous home school years. Mixing and matching works well with these two curricula. :)
[by the way, I'm sharing curriculum links--look for highlighted titles. I still don't know how to imbed pictures from the Web within my posts ... including links is the next best thing   :) ]

I've been wanting to implement some type of foreign language, but this is honestly above and beyond my capabilities. I think we're going with a fun "Song school Latin", even though it may be a little childish for 5th grade Caleb. lol!! English from the roots up, may also be something I can handle, building vocabulary skills at the same time!   :)

I am about ready to give up finding a digital piano off Craig's List. I'm looking for an 88- weighted keyed digital piano (if not a real piano), for the boys to take piano lessons with a piano teacher (other than me!!). We have a keyboard (63 keys), but not what's required for paying a teacher to give lessons at our house. Though I'd rather not, it's looking like I'll need to teach the boys myself --on the keyboard we have for now. We'll use the Bastien series on either Saturday or Sunday afternoons. Whenever we find a piano and move it into our house, however, I'm quickly finding a piano teacher!!!!!!     :)

I have been amazed at Caleb's 5th grade math! He's needing a protractor already! I remember taking Geometry in 10th grade, but 5th grade? wow! At least I like Geometry .... I've always understood it better than any other math. It simply makes sense!
In spite of my liking Geometry, I've been questioning, "If he's learning this in 5th grade, what will he be learning in 10th?!?!" Yikes!!! :}   lol!!     :)

Well, I think I need to go now ... it's snowing outside!!!   Woo hoo!!!! If there's a snow day tomorrow, there will be no CBS. What will it be ...???? I'lll need to finish my Bible Study homework just in case! lol!   :)

Cleaning and taxes :)

2011-01-15T23:53:00.002-06:00

Wow! There's nothing like a wonderfully clean house!!
We had two rooms in our house professionally cleaned (living room and boys' room), and we feel it was SO worth it!! We had thought about replacing our carpet, but found it still has life left in it--yay!!   :) I feel as if we've spring cleaned part of the house early, and won't have to tackle as much, come spring.
Ahhh... [deep breath, exhale] .... there's something wonderful about a clean house! I know this sounds cheesy, but clean houses lift my spirits!! No, the cleaning is never done in a busy household, but at least one can enjoy the journey with refreshing scents ....   :) [ ha ha ha]

In case you haven't heard, our newly sworn-in Illinois Governor passed an outrageous tax law. Thanks to him, our income tax has gone from 3% to 5%, and now the neighboring states are hopeful they can lure Illinois residents away from the Land of Lincoln. http://topnews360.tmcnet.com/topics/associated-press/articles/2011/01/15/135108-neighboring-states-gleeful-over-ill-tax-increase.htm
Another article: http://topnews360.tmcnet.com/topics/associated-press/articles/2011/01/15/135108-neighboring-states-gleeful-over-ill-tax-increase.htm
Hmm, who wouldn't want to leave the most politically corrupt state in recent history (not to mention ridiculous tax laws), where Chicago rules the roost- leaving no voice for the rest of the people? Huh, really?!
Most people can't simply up and move because of their jobs- and in this economy, one must stick with what they have. In several years, however, I'm sure some businesses will move out because they can no longer survive the oppressive tax crunch. I think a lot of people will seek job transfers out of this place, contrary to Illinois belief! My guess is that most of the "escapees" will be from Southern Illinois ....
LOL!     :(   I'm very disappointed in this new law (like you couldn't tell~).   :)

This recent tax increase fans Richard's desire to move to Colorado. How will we be able to continue living in Illinois with even higher taxes? Yes, we can survive on one income, but it'll be challenging I'm sure.
Well, if there's anything I know about God, He's in control, and there's nothing we can do to stop Him. On the other hand ... I really need to be praying!!   lol!    :)

Life is good ...

2011-01-12T11:13:00.004-06:00

Hope your new year has been happy!!
We spent our new year in Missouri with Richard's family, celebrating the extended Sorrell Christmas. We all had a great time together (as usual), and our children had a blast with their cousins. Richard & I also enjoyed a date while my mother in law watched our kids. Quiet time with your spouse can't be beat. Can you believe we will be married 13 years this February? I sure would like to know where time flies to!!!
I'm beginning to feel a bit restless .... nothing ever, ever happens around here.
Therefore, I'm going through each room in the house, organizing and cleaning everything! I'm really quite pleased with how things are going, though I wish I could come up with a few new decorating ideas. Hmm ... I suppose a trip to Lowe's or Home Depot may help-- along with browsing thru (but not buying) their home improvement magazines. lol! :D
Last night while thinking how nothing interesting happens (same old, same old, nothing new, nothing new), I decided it really wasn't a good idea for me to focus on the "same old", and that I needed to ask God to help me remember that He's the One who makes life interesting. So .. I asked God to help me stay focused on Him and not on life being "interesting or not interesting". Life really is good, so what's wrong with me?!

Oh-- one exciting thing happened yesterday. Ashlyn read 12 words with some help! Even with her being my third student to teach phonics/beginning reading to, the experience is just as amazing!! In time she'll be a great reader ... my "baby" is such a big girl now! Such a bittersweet experience to hear your "baby" reading little words like "cat" and "hat"! :)

p.s. If reading this thru Google Reader, you'll be puzzled why an additional post shows up right after this one. *sigh*, deleted posts continue to show up thru Google Reader!!! I've always known I need to think before I write/talk ...

"My Daughter"

2010-12-29T11:13:00.000-06:00

Hauling mounds of laundry, adding soap to shopping list,

my daughter taps my arm and asks for a kiss.

Another round of washing dishes, turn dinner to a simmer,
my daughter tugs at my arm and asks if I’ll play kitties with her.

No one picked up the Legos and the living room’s a mess!
my daughter asks if I’ll watch while she twirls in her princess dress.

Praying I have my act together, lists and agendas in sight,
my daughter pulls at my sleeve to ask when we’ll fly her Dora kite.

Running short on time, appointments and deadlines to keep,
I search to discover my daughter in bed, fast sleep.

Striking a good balance between work and play remains a mom challenge, quite easy to neglect one for the other.
God, please keep this poor mother balanced!

Looking ahead to a new year-- 2011

2010-12-28T19:26:00.005-06:00

We enjoyed a beautiful Christmas together as a family- a white Christmas - and now look forward to 2011.

I cannot believe how quickly time is passing, but acknowledge that time (or disappearance of time) remains a fact of life.

Remember our visit to the dentist a week ago? The kids had their routine check-up, and we found that Antonin needed two teeth fixed (fillings had fallen out). We needed his teeth taken care of before the end of the year since we won't be continuing part of our dental insurance (too expensive-- though 'twas what we needed this past year with our numerous dental issues, including my root canal). A week ago, there were absolutely no openings. I decided to call this morning to check for openings, thrilled to hear the receptionist say they could take us right then -- within the next 15-20 minutes! I hurried myself and the kids in a flurry to get out the door, and am grateful we live 15 minutes away from the dentist office!!! I'm so thankful everyone's teeth are set for this next year ... and hope they stay that way! :)

This has nothing to do with teeth .... but a friend invited me to take a sewing class with her! Sewing has been something I've left on the "backburner" since I've struggled with my sewing machine in the past. I have desired to "learn the language", so agreed to attend the January and February sewing classes at the library!! I really am excited, though a bit apprehensive. How potentially embarrassing for an instructor to observe my panicked attempt to rescue material from my sewing machine's fits of intense hunger. On the other hand, how encouraging for someone else to understand the machine's language, and with a simple adjustment to my "mad machine", set my sewing problem free!!! I certainly will learn a thing or two! :) :) :)

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-21T18:21:00.005-06:00

[the above photo shows a few of the CBS (Community Bible Study) children's teachers putting on a skit for the little ones. I played the part of Mary]

Today was special. :)

After some shopping this morning, then organizing & cleaning our house (we're on Christmas break from school), a lady stopped by our house to give me a Bible verse. In CBS, the children's teachers and group leaders draw names and exchange verses instead of gifts. I had not attended the brunch where the exchange was held since much was happening that particular week and we couldn't "do it all". The Bible verse given to me, typed and attached to wrapping paper, rolled and tied with ribbon, was Psalm 138. How sweet to read the reminder that God is faithful to fulfill His purposes in our lives. :) :)

Later in the evening, our doorbell rang, and I opened the door to Christmas Carolers!!! :) :)

This was our first time to be on the receiving end of caroling, and must admit I was taken off guard. lol! :) :) I kept trying to wave the rest of the family to the front door, and all Richard asked was, "who is it?". I didn't want to shout clear across the house, so I said, "I don't know", though I did recognize the four teens & one adult from church. I was honestly thinking, "Who cares who it is --- just hurry and come here, Richard!!!" :) What a fun treat listening to them carol! :) :) :)

Yes, today was very different from yesterday ... yay! :)
[insert guilt for writing yesterday's post --hope I didn't complain too much]

Now to finish my Christmas planning-- the meal and traditions for the special day. :)

one of those bubble bath days ....

2010-12-20T15:28:00.013-06:00

I'm so thankful I have survived this day so far, and that we do not rush to appointments with horse & buggy!!! [by the way, this photo was taken downtown Belleville ... they have free horse-drawn trolley rides this time of year] :) :) :)

I awoke early this peaceful morning as my hubby was leaving for work and while the children completed all their chores. I had totally forgotten about picking up my medicine yesterday ((sigh)), since it was Sunday and I don't normally pick up medicine on Sundays. Yes, I admit that I have become much more forgetful in my 30's. ugh! I honestly need a pad of paper (for lists) that my children won't run off with, drawing cute little childish markings all over... :)

Back to my story--

The children's dentist appointments were scheduled this morning for 8:25, 8:30 & 8:40.

I calculated that if we left early enough, we could pick up my medicine through the pharmacy's drive-through window (wonderful convenience, by the way), still making the dentist appointment on time.

We were on schedule, the pharmacy stop putting us behind a tad more than I wanted it to (of course). We were only approx. 5 minutes late for the appointment, and five minutes away from the dentist office, when I received a [cell] call from the dentist. The receptionist wanted to know if we were still planning to come. I explained that we were almost there, and how we had made an important stop beforehand, which put us a tad behind. The lady told me that they could fit two of the children in, but maybe not all three since we were late. I thought it was an odd thing for them to call and tell me this. When we walked into the dentist office, we were only 9 minutes late according to their clock. Maybe I just thought this experience was strange since we've never been late before -- for any appointment. lol! Yes, the crew ended up cleaning all three children's teeth, by the way [ahem].

This has just been a small tid bit of our day ... many more crazy things have happened (though actually on schedule-YAY)! I need to relax with Christmas music, burn candles in fireplace, and fix dinner. Perhaps enjoy a bubble bath later on. Wait a minute --- making dinner is relaxing? Ha ha ha! :)

Best wishes for scheduling & planning your Christmas day!!! :) :) :)

Good 'ole redheaded Anne :) :)

2010-12-15T22:22:00.005-06:00

I love taking breaks throughout busy seasons to read books- especially the Christmas season. : )I light candles in the fireplace (easier clean-up), put my husband and children to bed, and pull out a book to read. :) Yes, I'm a natural night owl, so I accomplish my reading and writing at night.
As the title to this post indicates, I'm reading Anne of Green Gables. :) This evening, I was laughing hysterically over how Anne thought her puffed sleeves helped her through a dramatic public recitation, along with Mrs. Lynde's inability to respect a minister after his confession of stealing a strawberry tart from his aunt's pantry as a child. LOL! :D
I had forgotten just how lovable, hilarious, and heart-warming Anne is. If she had been a real person, I'm sure we would have gotten along quite well. I had a friend in college who told me that my writing reminded her of L.M. Montgomery's. Now that I'm an adult, I realize it's because I tend to ramble. The one thing I notice with Anne's stories, is that they go on and on .... part of the heart warming charm, of course. Ah- beloved, redheaded, kindred spirited Anne. Everyone loved her so much, it didn't matter how much she rambled. Isn't that what all imaginative people long for? To be loved no matter where there stories bounce around? :) :) :)
Alright ... I may be able to write an essay on the "depths of despair" imaginative people face, but for now it's back to reading more of Anne. Time for more good laughs!!! :) :)

Where do I begin?

2010-12-06T18:35:00.004-06:00

I'm not really sure where to begin with telling about our Thanksgiving trip! We all had a pleasant time, and I find myself becoming more and more sentimental with every passing year (old age? LOL!). So whatever I'd write here would end up belonging in a personal journal, pouring my heart and tears out. :) :) :)
Perhaps sharing our recent Christmas letter can more accurately describe my joyful and thankful heart! :)
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Dear Friends & Family, December 2010
‘Tis the time of year to reflect on God’s goodness and faithfulness in the midst of chaos and ordinary, the many contradictions and blessings of life. I am often reminded that we make our plans, but God ultimately directs our steps and equips us for jobs or circumstances He assigns.
Health
Soon after the beginning of this year, my (Sara) health improved after having lingered in a fog for a time with my autoimmune disease. A variety of factors may have contributed to the change, but we cannot pin-point any one thing. I’d like to think that learning to ski down the bunny hill last Christmas may have contributed to the improvement, but I’m not sure! If I can lean forward while flying down a snowy hill, surely I can face anything! J.
In our quest for healthy living, I began grinding our own flour to make bread, though I’ve found that consistency and practice remains my greatest challenge. My appreciation for pioneers multiplied significantly. Sam’s Club did not exist for back up if bread recipes flopped from a temperamental oven or if they forgot to make bread one week! Overall, I have enjoyed making bread this year and continue to learn and develop this new skill.
Vacation
In June, we stopped to see Richard’s extended family in Guthrie, OK en route to Colorado. While in Oklahoma, Richard showed us landmarks of sentiment where he lived from age two to nine, including the creek where he drowned (obviously was revived).
Once in Colorado, we found Estes Park and Colorado Springs quite captivating, and now Richard dreams of moving near the Rocky Mountains. Such a move would actually help our aggravating seasonal allergies, so I’m not totally against the idea — though not fully convinced.
A few of the nature highlights included spotting a bear, watching several elk walk across tundra, and greeting friendly marmots near the top of a snowy mountain. Richard did not enjoy the high- elevation sickness that accompanied our mountain adventure (at one point over 14000 feet above sea level), and concluded that motorized mountain climbing would not be added to his list of hobbies.
We also visited Focus on the Family, Olympic training facility, Air Force Academy, and Celestial Seasonings tea factory. Visiting the Air Force Academy increased my appreciation for men and women serving our Country, and I tried picturing my boys attending campus with such a gorgeous backdrop.
What?!
This year held a few surprises. Ashlyn accidentally poked her fingers in my left eye during church this spring, scratching my cornea. Ouch! Though the experience was quite painful, I’m thankful that eyes heal quickly -- and I no longer hold Ashlyn on my lap. I’m also grateful for church friends who took our children while Richard & I waited a couple of hours in a walk-in clinic. I occasionally still favor my left eye.
We never thought we would have a dog inside our house! We discussed adopting a pet for the children, and actively searched for one in July. We soon found “Gabe”, a mixed-breed, medium-sized dog, and surprisingly fell in love and rescued him from the pound. He was 10 months old, timid in nature, and good with our children. Gabe has now become a part of our family, though I cringe at each white dog hair discovered in the laundry basket or in my kitchen, frantically whisking out sticky masking tape to de-hair my kitchen rug. The struggle to contain dog hairs continues …
School
After much prayer and self examination on my part, we decided to home school all three children, trusting it was the best option for our family. Teaching children at home remains the most challenging, and rewarding, full time job. I never thought I’d teach fractions, decimals or geometry to a fifth grader, and laugh out loud when I consider what I’m doing. :) We don’t know what the future holds with schooling, but we’re trusting He’s in control, working all things for our good (Romans 8:28).
Besides showing Caleb how to find the area of a triangle, I stay busy with our third grader (Antonin) and Kindergartner (Ashlyn). We’re presently studying Ancient World History, and meet each Friday with a home school group for extra-curricular activities.
Caleb sometimes reminds me of his dad, with his interest in statistics, geography, and math. He also finds science fascinating, learning about God’s creation in astronomy and staying up to the minute with weather facts. Caleb was also the top scorer on his soccer team this year, using both strategy and fast legs! We are proud of his perseverance this year.
Antonin began learning guitar this year, and tries to pick melodies out by ear. Hopefully, he will carry on with this interest, but at the moment says he wants to learn trumpet. He looks forward to handwriting every day, claiming he wants to be an author. He does well in all subjects, enthusiastically trying new and different things — like Taekwondo! We are pleased he’s now an Orange belt. His joyful heart makes us smile.
Ashlyn is learning to read, and looks forward to our time together reviewing letter sounds and completing her workbooks and coloring books. I have a hard time believing she’s turning six years old this month (Dec. 10th), and that this year is my last to teach Kindergarten. Ashlyn does not have a favorite subject, but I’ve been amused watching her write addition problems on paper, complete with correct answers! I honestly have not taught her anything but plain ‘ole numbers, and think that either she’s being tutored by her older brothers, or has inherited number crunching skills from her father. Perhaps none of our children will struggle with math like I did as a child.
At times I wonder whether I’m home schooling to teach my children, or to learn information and facts for myself. What an enlightening experience participating in a Seder meal while studying the Ancient Israelites. As a family, we also visited a Messianic Jewish congregation one Saturday. How lovely learning more about the culture our Savior lived while on earth.
With studying Ancient History in school and Old Testament Prophets in Bible Study (CBS), we’ve been absorbing how the Old Testament points to Christ, and how faithful God is even when we’re not. I co-teach the two and three year old class during the Bible Study, and have enjoyed the two hours on Thursdays with ten little children and two other co-teachers.
I completed my second writing class this summer, putting to practice what skills I’ve gleaned, seeking a few quiet moments at night to dabble in writing projects.
God bless your family this season and throughout the coming year. His grace and mercies are new every morning, sufficient for each ordinary or difficult task (Lamentations 3: 22-23).
Our family at the Garden of the Gods in Colorado

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Thanksgiving 2010

2010-11-30T09:39:00.006-06:00

Oh my! I tend to do things the hard way.... LOL! After talking with my brother, Joe, I discovered that there is indeed an easier way to cook pumpkin!!! Following my previous pumpkin instructions, just leave the pan in the oven longer until you are able to scoop pumpkin out of the shell!! No need to cut the shell off that way. :) :)

Joe gave us 5 more pumpkins to cut, cook, and put up for pies! He reminds me of our Grandpa Pletcher. He gardens, cooks, bakes, and also succeeds with mechanical, techy, and electrical projects. He knows how to do a lot of different things (I could really learn from him!). The following birth order photo was taken during Thanksgiving in Indiana ... yes, I'm the youngest. :)

The Shelley cousins all had a great time together as usual ... everyone is growing up so quickly!

I have so much more to talk about regarding our trip, but will have to share more later. My kids are needing me!
~~Hope your Thanksgiving was very blessed with food and family - especially pumpkin pie! :) :) :)

Pie pumpkins!

2010-11-19T18:50:00.008-06:00

My son video taped me giving (and showing) step by step instruction on how to get the pumpkin out of pie pumpkins, but the video ended up too long to upload to this site! I've finally given up after hours of attempts- Ugh! Here's the written version:

*Getting the pumpkin out of pie pumpkins*
*First, you'll need to cut your pie pumpkin in half with a sharp knife. Don't worry, this really is the hardest part of the whole process.
*Next, clean all the seeds out, not worrying about removing all the strings (it's ok-- I promise).
*You will now place both pumpkin halves, cut side down, in a baking dish with about 1 1/2 cups of water. Place in a 200 degree oven, for about an hour and a half (maybe longer). Baking the pumpkin softens the shell so that you can cut it off!
*Take the pumpkin halves out of the oven and carefully cut the softened shell off. Cutting the pumpkin into quarters makes this task easier.
*Once all the shell is cut off, cut pumpkin into large sized cubes, and boil in a pan of water. Remove from heat when tender (but not mushy - don't overcook!).
*Drain pumpkin, then mash with potato masher.
*Fill blender half full with cooked pumpkin, and blend 'til smooth! This step takes care of all those strings, isn't it great? :) :) :)
* Measure 1 1/2 cups of pumpkin for your pumpkin pie recipes, filling quart sized freezer bags or going ahead and making your pies!!! I can usually get 2- 3 pies out of one pie pumpkin, depending on its size.

I have about 5 "pies" in my freezer, wondering if I should put up more pumpkin before pie pumpkins go out of season!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I made the silly mistake of not taking my medicine this morning since I had forgotten to pick up my refill from the pharmacy the day before ... crazy, crazy. I've decided this is not a good thing to repeat in the future. I've been in a cloud for most of the day- *yawn*, The kids had been sick for a couple of days this week, contributing to my forgetfulness to actually get in the vehicle and pick up the medicine!! Oh well ...

Tomorrow will be a better day ... with the meds taken as they should, along with my ability to think and remenber things more clearly (I hope so, anyway)! lol!

Here's a random photo to cheer me up- ;) Our daughter Ashlyn loves playing with her little friends, and I love this pic:

This photo was taken during Reformation night at church (October 31st)! :D

Gorgeous fall

2010-11-13T00:19:00.006-06:00

We've been experiencing a lovely Indian summer in the midwest, so I thought I'd take advantage of this warm November to take some outdoor photos. After charging the camera batteries, getting everyone ready for pics, and finding the tripod, we posed and smiled. What a bunch of pictures we took of everyone! Out of all the family photos we snapped, however, none them turned out -- partly because someone enjoys being silly in photos. UGH!
I'm including a few pics for your enjoyment. :) :)

After waiting for three and a half weeks to hear a response (normal time frame), my manuscript was rejected. I'm very happy that I had received a positive response to my query letter, and am setting the rejected article aside for awhile. I'd say that it's time for a few new ideas [said while refraining from deleting the Word document, since I'm sick of working on it]. :) I'd really like to work on stories for children next, but will need to do a bit of research first. Yes, I'm aware that I can now try pestering other magazine publishers with my rejected article ...... ;) ha!

Trying to find a magazine that fits with your article & writing style, is similar to playing "pin the tail on the donkey". The writer has a good idea what publishers want to read (from guidelines in the Writers' Market or on publisher's web sites). However, editors may prefer that writers use a different tone or take the topic/idea in a different direction, for example. Finding the balance between what you think editors want to read, and what is on your heart to shout to the world makes the art of writing very tricky. So far, I'm not certain I have discovered this balance, but I'm determined to keep trying!! :) No, this was not my first rejection, by the way.

I need to get to bed!!! Good night!

A poem for fall :) :)

2010-11-04T22:09:00.002-05:00

Dry leaves fall from shivering trees,
breeze nips at my nose and tickles my knees.
Time to search for warmer clothes,
for thirty little hands and toes.

Up the attic steps we climb,
grope in the darkness, turn on the light,
Sweaters, mittens, treasures galore,
Try them all on to ask if there's more.

Sort them, ditch them, inspect the clothes,
prioritize, organize, you know how it goes.
Oh, how these moments slip away!
One season I'm hanging 2T's, the next-- size 8.

Seasons' swift moments I have no control,
but I'll treasure and care for the hands that I hold.
Grant me the wisdom and strength for each day,
guide, and enlighten each step of my way.

[I am not 100% pleased with this poem (goes from funny to serious too quickly, for one thing), but I'm stopping for tonight. I'm up way too late writing!! Will finish later, just thought I'd share this much with you]

Fabric Memories

2010-10-27T23:24:00.004-05:00

I'm amazed that certain smells can trigger vivid memories! This evening I was preparing tomorrow's lesson for the 2's & 3's at CBS (the story of Joseph's coat of many colors), and decided to look through some old fabric my mother had given me a few months ago. The box of fabric had been my Grandmothers, and several of the fabric items dated back to the early 1970's. Choosing swab of material to use for my lesson, the distinctive (perfume? lotion?) smell of my Grandmother triggered memories of her love for sewing. How can material still smell like her after so many years of being stored in a box?!
The memories reminded me how much she's been missed, and then I began to feel guilty that I was cutting her old material for a "dress-up paper doll activity". *gulp*!
No ... I'm sure she'd be happy to see some of her old material being put to good use (I plan to use it for Ashlyn's doll play afterwards, too).
Here's a photo of both my maternal Grandparents at our wedding in 1998.

???

2010-10-25T23:56:00.008-05:00

I have a hard time coming up with "titles" for my blog posts. I also have difficulty coming up with "subhead titles" within articles. I thought I had my requested article all finished to send to an editor, but then Richard didn't like some of the subheads (yeah ... blame it on him--lol), and so I made last minute major changes. Thanks, Richard! :) Only seven more weeks to hear something back from the editor (takes 8 wks or longer for a response). Whatever happens, I'm just glad I received a positive response to the query letter! Yay! :) :)

We enjoyed our first Tapestry of Grace Unit Celebration last weekend! :) :) Every nine weeks (or unit), the Tapestry co-op throws a "party" to help bring history alive. These first nine weeks, we studied Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Sumeria, and the Law given to the Israelites through Moses. We also learned more about the Tabernacle in the wilderness, along with why and how the Passover and other Holy days were celebrated. As you can see in the following photos, the kids loved dressing up and attending our first Passover Seder meal. What a fun experience! :) We found the lamb very tasty, the parsley & salt water bitter, and the horseradish with unleavened bread terribly BITTER!!! The best part was eating the Charoset (a sweet mixture of apples, dates & nuts that each family prepared ahead of time to bring to the celebration). We were reminded that life is both bitter and sweet, full of sadness and joy.

Taking the kids to a Messianic Jewish service the very next day was a wonderful finale for all we had studied. What a lovely end to an enlightening unit of study. :) :) :)

Our studies are now full of India, including the geography and how they still live like they did thousands of years ago. We're finding the Buddha storybook and The Story of Little Babaji quite interesting. :) Next week, we'll visit China's way of living. :) :)

I'm not feeling the best (stiff neck--possible sinus silliness?), and this week has not slown down ... so I'd better get off this computer! Have a wonderful week!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) :) :)

What a week (or two)!!

2010-10-16T18:55:00.006-05:00

Wow! These past two weeks have flown by really fast!

Last weekend, we took a quick trip down to Missouri to surprise Richard's parents and wish Dad Sorrell a happy 60th Birthday! Do you think he looks surprised in this photo? We had a very nice time with family, and hope that he had a very happy b'day. :)

On our way home ... I received a phone call from a childhood friend, Lori, whose father used to be our pastor. Lori's family moved away to Virginia when we were ages 12 and 13, and we saw each other off and on throughout our teenage years. Now, we're both married, with children of our own, and attending similar type churches (Reformed). We saw each other for the first time in a long time, approx. two years ago. What a treat for them to come through our area again!! Yay!

Lori, her husband and children, plan to be missionaries. We were blessed to hear their passion for helping and discipling/mentoring the people on the other side of the world. Should you have any interest in missions within SE Asia, let me know, and I'll connect you with Lori's family (they are looking for people to join their team and serve in Asia with them!). Our visit flew by rather quickly, and it was a bittersweet moment seeing them leave our house, knowing it would be the last time to visit for a long while--they leave this winter.

The visit with Lori's sweet family was on Tuesday. The rest of the week was full with our school work and other activities and responsibilities that accumulated rather quickly. I honestly don't know where the time went or how anything got done, but somehow everything important was finished in time! Thank you, God! :) :)

Interestingly enough, right before Lori and her family left our house, she told me that she was still waiting for me to write a book. lol!! :) :)

The very next day, I received a positive email from a magazine publication, requesting I send the article (manuscript) I had previously queried - a whole three months ago!!! I was initially excited, then became very nervous. I'm thinking I'll be rejected once they read the manuscript, but at least I know that I have succeeded with writing query letters!!! :) :)

I had forgotten all about the article ... found it in my documents, edited some more, and am now ready to send it. I'm enjoying this learning experience. Hooray, for my first ever positive response!!! :) :) Now my writing will be scrutinized at and speculated on, while deciding if the article fits their publication. [Ack! lol!! :) :)]

Don't oversleep final's week! :)

2010-10-06T22:06:00.003-05:00

Along with the beautiful fall weather ... returns memories of the two or three years I was in college. :)
My first semester, I had 3 finals in one day, then overslept the next morning--causing me to miss a 4th final. I had missed my computer final--Oh no!.... I called the professor in desperation, asking if I'd still be able to take the final exam. He was very gracious, and let me join in with his second (or third) class later that day (whew).

A year later, my roommate & I took a class together--a Humanities class that was very challenging. No matter how hard I studied, I got mostly B's, a few A's. My roommate studied less than I did and always came away with A's. [Ack!!] Within Humanities, the first semester covered Art, second semester covered music, so we had two different professors through the year: Prof. R for Art appreciation; Prof. K for the music portion.

The morning of our final for the Art portion dawned bright and early .... and both my roommate and I OVERSLEPT!!!!!!!!! Our alarm clock had decided to stop working, and we were both very frantic and upset! We had even missed breakfast for that morning (cafeteria), so we scrounged around in our room and found what we could munch on--lol). We discussed our predicament awhile, and decided to continue studying for our other finals and call Prof. R later. A couple hours later (when we knew he'd be in his office), my roommate & I tried to decide who should make the phone call. "I think you should call him," I said, "You're a much better speaker and more level headed for situations like this."
"No," my roommate frowned, "You come across as more believable. I think you should call him."
We then rehearsed what we would say to him .... eventually deciding that it would be me who made the phone call.
I nervously dialed the number, patiently listened to the ringing, then hesitated when Prof. R answered. I explained who I was, told why my roommate & I had missed our final, and could we please still take the exam? Prof. R was kind and after a few moments of hesitation, said he would let us both take the exam, but strongly recommended not letting this happen again, because Prof. K would never consider giving us a second chance for the music part of the course.
We were SO relieved ... and grateful for the next semester's warning. We never again overslept. :) :) :) :) :) :)

Introvert or Extrovert--that is the question~

2010-10-03T18:00:00.007-05:00

--Funny story--During one of my Psychology classes in college, the professor conducted an experiment, claiming that extroverts will admit they are extroverts, but introverts will not admit they are introverts, because of the cultural negative connotations attached. He proceeded to ask (along with descriptions of each), "If you are an extrovert, raise your hand" [half of the class raised their hands]. He then asked, "If you are an introvert, raise your hand". I was the ONLY one in the whole room who raised my hand. lol!!! The professor told me that I was not a true introvert because I raised my hand, but I still think the real reason is that I've always been an ultra honest person (to a fault) , with little regard for cultural peer pressure--most of the time (sometimes I'm just naive)! :) Hmm ....would having been home schooled have had anything to do with it? [6th grade and up]

Since then, I've considered myself a "friendly/talkative" introvert, but my husband claims I'm definitely an extrovert. Maybe one of these days I'll know what I am .... lol! :)

Here's what a "blog things" quiz site said about me [just for fun--click on "site" to take quiz and find what you are too. lol :)] :

"You Are 40% Extrovert, 60% Introvert
You're a bit outgoing but also a bit reserved. Like most people, you enjoy being social, but you also value the time you have alone. You have struck a good balance! " [My thoughts: ME? Balanced? I don't know about that .... something I'm striving for though ... ]

Antonin :)

2010-09-27T22:54:00.005-05:00

Our son can be sooo funny ... yesterday during our church's small group fellowship, a friend brought some tissue paper for the children to make tissue flower crafts. Fun, fun! :) :) After Antonin picked out his tissue paper colors, he was asked if he knew how to fold them accordion style. "Oh yes!", he exclaimed loudly, "I know how --that's what I do to church bulletins!!" :) LOL!! :) :) Now you know what happens to the church bulletins each week ... :)

Here's Antonin playing "Twinkle, twinkle Little Star" on the guitar-- I am super proud of him! He's enjoying his guitar class very much! We'll consider more lessons if his interest continues.

I grew up playing piano, but never learned any string instruments. Curious, I asked Antonin to give me a lesson ... and I actually played Twinkle Little Star too (eventually)! :) :)

Tears -- a good thing :) :)

2010-09-24T16:06:00.008-05:00

What would you do if you came upon an individual who was crying? Would you ignore them-giving them space, or would you approach them as originally intended? Would you automatically think something was terribly wrong? Would you take the time to listen to them, or if they didn't want to talk, walk away without thinking less of them?
I just wonder what you would do ...
I noticed several people today on Facebook mention they just wanted to sit down and have a good cry. I need to add myself to that group.
No, nothing horrible happened this week-- everything is perfectly fine. Richard returns home this evening, I successfully lit the gas water heater yesterday without his help (yay!!), we've finished all our school work for this week, and experienced a calm CBS day on Thursday.
So ... what's the problem?
In both CBS and the church we attend, they talk a lot about how God equips those He calls. If He asks you to do something, He's going to provide the means for you to complete the task.
You may remember my apprehension with home schooling all three children, along with the co-teaching at CBS. I had been praying that I would sense God's nearnesss while Richard was gone this week (it really does make a difference in our home school and life in general), and we experienced an inner calm during Richard's absence --even with all the crazy happenings at our house. I sensed a peaceful confirmation that I'm right where I'm supposed to be in my role(s). [yes, I'm aware that life will not always be this peaceful every time Richard's out of town, but I am thankful for this gift :) :) ]

I had memorized Ephesians 2:10 as a young child ["For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works"] .... but years later truly understood what it meant.
God created me with a particular plan in mind to glorify Himself. I'm to keep Christ continually in focus (personal relationship), not measuring myself to man-made standards- being mindful that "good works" in this life have nothing to do with me or anything I can conjure!!! Life is all about Him.

And--by the way--tears, happy or sad, are good for us. God gave us these tears, so don't be ashamed when they fall. Jesus wept, too, and is moved by our prayerful responses to Him [i.e. in Scripture, Jesus wept along with others even though He knew that He was going to raise Lazurus from the dead].

So .... what's your reason for crying?? :)
Mine happen to be happy tears--- along with RELIEF this week is coming to an end.
Now Richard can come home and wonder what's wrong with me. :) LOL! :)

September ...

2010-09-20T14:44:00.005-05:00

Wow! My dear, sweet husband is now 38 years old!!!! I keep telling him that the great thing about having birthdays anymore, is that he is always older than me. :) :) :) Leave it to him to inform me that even without birthdays, he would still be older [I'm three yrs younger]. :)

I'm really missing him even though it's only been a few hours since saying goodbye. He left on a jet plane to attend a work-related conference in California, which happens to be his first trip in quite awhile (I'm not used to this anymore). I know this week will go by very quickly with the kids' soccer, home schooling, CBS & Tapestry co-op, but I'm still going to miss him. :( :( He's only gone for ONE week, for crying out loud!! :) :) I think by Wed. I'll be ok ...

I decided to get back into my P90X routine this evening. I'm far from being a body builder (nor am I a wanna -be), but I need to resume regular exercise. I had been good with exercising for awhile .... but then slacked off during the summer. :( :( :( Though I eat fairly healthy and am thin, I have very high cholesterol and need to follow Dr's orders. I am proof that cholesterol can often be a hereditary problem... ugh!

I like P90x (click to go to site) because of the variety. There are 13 different DVD's that cover everything from shoulders & back, to yoga, and basic kick boxing. Many people work out every single night, but that would be way too much for me!! Two to three evenings a week should be sufficient! :) :) Like any other fitness program, I think the hype is a bit silly! I did not choose P90X based on those ab commercials. I must confess that I fast forward through most of the pull-ups, since they do about 100 each time! LOL!! I can only do 1 1/2 pull ups at this point, but at least the program's variety works for me ... and I'll become strong and "ripped" one of these days when I work myself up to 100 pull ups [said with sarcastic tone---LOL!!!].

Ok .... time to walk with Gabe (our dog) and the kids ... we all need a calming walk after our Blue Monday .... :) :) [you didn't know it was blue, did you? lol! Blue Monday without Richard ...]

More school tid bits :)

2010-09-16T22:33:00.004-05:00

Everything is coming along very well with home school and CBS (on Thursdays)!!! This was week four of our home school, and week three of CBS. I'd say everything is going great since the house work, laundry, and other projects continue to be finished as well. :) :) That said ... there have been plenty of bumps in the road, I'm not the most perfect teacher in the world, but from what I understand ... that's part of being human. :)

This was actually my first day to teach the 2's & 3's their Bible lesson. I co-teach with two other ladies, and this week's Bible story was mine (we all pitch in with everything else, but take turns with the days' opening time and story). Noah's Ark has always been a simple, fun story, but it was very difficult telling/reading, since the eight little children constantly stood up instead of sitting down. I had placed a blue sheet on the floor to resemble water, and we were all supposed to sit on it and pretend we were in an ark (for the story). Well ... I'd like to know the secret to keeping toddlers sitting still!!! lol~!!! :) I cut my lesson a tad bit short after realizing they were all so full of energy and in desperate need to move around! :) Yes, they had already run around in the gym prior to the story time (and had had a rest time). It was simply a very energetic day-- and we all survived with lots and lots of action songs, acting out animals, stomping around the room, duck, duck, goose, etc.!!! :) :) After the children left, and the teachers met in Leaders' Council, they said their classes had been unusually full of energy as well. Hmm .. is it a full moon? :) :) *Whew*, was I tired once we arrived home!
I am thoroughly enjoying co-teaching and studying the Old Testament Prophets in our own Bible Study. Looking forward to next week!!

As far as our home schooling goes ... we have been studying Creation to Noah's Ark this week, then will focus on Ancient Mesopotamia next week. The children are looking forward to their home school co-op tomorrow afternoon, which is good accountability for us and provides educational discussions I wouldn't have time to think up (art & geography projects too). I've been really proud of my boys keeping track of their schedules and completing their schoolwork as requested. :)
Ashlyn loves her Kindergarten work, and I enjoy working with her. She is only 5 and a half years old, and already tells me things like, "Mom, did you know that one plus three makes four?" I have honestly not been teaching her math facts. Just simple, plain numbers!! When she out of the blue stated, "Mom, four plus four is eight", or when she calculated how many days a certain event was going to take place and correctly said, "... we will leave in three days, right Mom?", I felt a little blown away. When I was a little girl, I struggled with math. Amazing that my daughter loves numbers. Wow~! Thank you, God! :)

Antonin will be (Lord Willing) learning more how to play the guitar ... this is something he's been talking about for a long time, so we'll see what happens. I hope he stays with it even when he grows tired of practicing (if you grew up taking piano lessons, you know what I'm saying...that goes for any instrument of course).
:) :) lol!

Labor Day and school stuff ....

2010-09-07T15:43:00.003-05:00

Ahh ... nothing like the changing weather ... from hot to cooler, that is. :) :)

We've been able to enjoy wonderful breezes thru our open windows lately~~~ beautiful, glorious fall-like breezes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'd sleep in a hammock if I had one! :) :)

We enjoyed some Labor Day weekend visitors: Christi & Derek Probst from SW Missouri (Richard's sister's family). We had a fun and full day in the Alton, IL area. A few of the highlights included stopping at McD's for a Mocha Frappe, and standing in the middle of an old brick road for a Historic picture-taking opportunity. LOL! [sorry, no photos taken with my camera to share; Christi took them on her high powered, sophisticated camera]:) :) :) We also learned more about the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, and how the Locks & Dam work on the Mississippi. :) All educational, of course.

Above: Stair step Sorrell/Probst cousins :) :)

Now that our company has left [sniff, sniff :( :( ], we've been getting back into our routine.

This week in school, we continue studying about God's Plagues on Egypt, and then Moses' exodus ... into the dessert! We'll be flash-backing to civilization in Mesopotamia soon. Today was full and challenging because of the holiday that made our school week shorter. Their schedules for today were complete by this afternoon, and I was VERY proud of my kiddos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :) They worked very hard today (two tests, as well).

Yes, CBS [Community Bible Study] went well on Thursday, though there were some bumps in the road--I hear that is normal. We're now preparing for this Thursday .... and my children are helping me find leaves, acorns, and pine cones that I can take to show the 2's & 3's (w magnifying glass). No matter what you have planned, this age group has a very short attention span, so we may end up with extra time at the end again .... lol~! There are two other teachers with me, and we are taking turns teaching the lessons. I have lesson 3 (next week), which happens to be about Noah's Ark. Should be fun! :) :)

Ok ... I need to get off this computer and fix dinner. I'll talk again soon!!

One more b'day .. :)

2010-08-28T19:30:00.006-05:00

Happy 9th B'day, Antonin!! I had fun making his b'day cake (yes! It turned out!), though looking at the photos, I can see now that the yellow lego was a bit lopsided. lol! Oh well ... my sweet, brown-eyed boy loved his cake--and enjoyed eating it, too. :) He and his friends went miniature golfing after eating cake and ice cream at our house. I think everyone had a good time! :) :)

It has been a very full week for us! We started school, attended "teacher training" (for a Bible Study for ladies and kids), and then I participated in a Mom's night out last night! This morning, the kids had soccer games, and then I quickly finished the b'day cake in time for the party! :) :)

What wonderful time invested and spent ... though I'm now very tired and ready for bed!! I'm looking forward to a day of rest tomorrow. I love Sundays and the Reason we worship (Christ). :) :)

Have a Blessed wknd .... goodnight!

New school year & new experiences --Yay!

2010-08-24T22:19:00.005-05:00

When I was young, I remember my dad and grandpa Shelley (different times) becoming emotional (crying) while sharing a testimony in church, or reminiscing on "days gone by", and I was usually embarrassed by their expressions. :)

Well, I can see now that the older I get, the more emotional and teary eyed I become. Now it's my own kids who look at me questioningly, "Mom? What's so sad and/or happy about that?" One of these days they'll understand. :) :)

So ... why am I sad and/or happy? hmm ... no, I'd say I'm feeling bittersweet. I'm teaching my baby girl how to read this year!! I honestly cannot believe she's old enough yet--but here she is-- five and a half, and an eager beaver with her lessons. :) :) :) I am so blessed to be able to spend this time with her --tickled pink, actually. :)

In our home school schedule for this week, we planned for a huge chunk of time to be taken up with my teacher training with CBS (Community Bible Study--where I'll be teaching 2's & 3's), so we covered a lot of ground these first two days of our home school. The children will take their homework and books in backpacks while I'm in training tomorrow (yes, child care is provided)! I'm not sure exactly what to expect with this training ... but it will take most of the day tomorrow and Thursday. In case I have confused you, it's ok .... things will make more sense as my experience with CBS progresses on this blog. :) :) The Bible Study begins in September, and it's for children and adults of all ages. [yes--my children will be participating in the study as well].

These "new experiences" with home schooling and teaching a preschool Bible class on Thursdays, fills me with excitement (YAY!! So Excited!!!!), along with a tad of overwhelming feelings if thinking too carefully about it (Whoa ... what am I doing?!). :) :) This Scripture recently encouraged me that it's not all up to me (or all about me): "I have made you and I will carry you." (Isaiah 46:4) I feel comfort knowing that whatever I do, it's by God's grace that I do it, and I can rest in that thought ( with not being anxious). :) :) I am so thankful for His grace.

Know what tomorrow is? Antonin's 9th B'day!! My sweet little boy is growing up so fast (but don't I say that every year?) I'll need to come up with something new to say. :) :)

For now, however, I need to go to bed.... goodnight!! :) :) :) I'll share more about B'days later ...

Oven woes ...

2010-08-19T13:41:00.002-05:00

Well, I did not call the appliance man. My husband is too cool as a cucumber and told me to try turning on the oven again. What?? Even though something went "BOOM" the last time it was on? I squinted, carefully turned the oven knob... and waited.

I was thankful nothing exploded. :) :) lol. I might add that I've always had an electric range ... 'til moving to this house (took some getting used to gas).

This time, the oven thermometer matched the numbers on the range ... and then when I baked cookies to test it out, they actually turned out ok. They weren't completley "normal", but they were close to normal.
Prior last night's oven"boom" episode, the thermometer in the oven had been several degrees off, causing distress for my baking goods. Now, it's pretty normal (??) ..... I have never been more confused over an oven.
Since we cannot pin point any particular problem ... this mysterious, temperamental condition will most likely continue in my kitchen. So ... if you are planning to visit us or are looking forward to sampling some baked goods, be forewarned that anything now baked in my oven could potentially be unrecognizable (but not hazardous to any one's health).
Enough about my oven -- it's causing me to feel stressed. lol! :)

Happy August!

2010-08-19T08:43:00.005-05:00

What a great weekend spent with family and celebrating Caleb's 11th B'day! :) : ) Caleb and his friends (including cousin Winston from out of state) enjoyed cake and ice cream at our house before going bowling. They all had a wonderful time, and it's still so difficult to believe I have an eleven year old in our house!!!

We loved having Richard's brother's family at our house through the weekend ... the only thing I did not enjoy was having a temperamental oven. I ended up shopping at Sam's Club for some treats because everything I had baked in the oven crumbled to pieces after flipping it out of the baking pan. LOL! Yes, I had had a bad baking day. :) : ) In fact, this was the first year for me NOT to have made Caleb's b'day cake. I was extremely disappointed when it all happened (what a waste of time to bake for four hours, only for the items to not turn out or crumble on the counter. Believe me, I was upset. lol!! :) )

I'll come back to the oven in a minute ....

Both the girls and boys had a blast together over the weekend, and we're so glad we could have them! Matt & Stephanie went on a date Saturday during the party, so the girls and I spent some time together .... though it really was stifling hot outdoors and we stayed inside most of the time. :)

Then on Sunday evening, Richard took me on a date, leaving our kids with Matt & Stephanie. From the sounds of things, we were not missed one little bit. :) :)

Richard took me to the St. Louis Muny (check the link out), and it happened to be the last night for the season!! What a wonderful treat to be on a date with my man!! :) :) : ) We enjoyed the evening very much ... and were out LATE!! Everyone was asleep when we tip-toed home. :) :)

The next day (Monday), we all headed out to the zoo ... we later said our goodbyes and returned to real life at our home. lol! When people come to visit us, we often feel as if we are on vacation. :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now that the Sorrell August vacation is over ((lol)), I'm focusing my attention onto this coming school year! As stated in an earlier post, I will be home schooling all three children this year, and while I am slightly overwhelmed with the idea, I know that this is the best thing for our family and that if God has placed/renewed this desire in my heart, surely He will equip me to complete the task. I was encouraged recently with Isaiah 46:4: "... I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." Notice the word "sustain" is mentioned twice ... so He really must mean that!! : ) :) :)

We are all very excited about our school year (it's mom who's slightly overwhelmed--lol), and have our daily schedule half-way finished. I need to fill in the afternoon and evening slots for the children (and myself), so that we are purposeful with our time. Yes, we schedule in the free and play time too .... I've found that placing everything on a schedule works so much better than nagging. :) :)

[I'm including links to the Sources mentioned above and below--check the words (links) out]

That said, we aren't such rigid people that we'll be thrown off course by being off schedule an hour, or stress over interruptions in our day. The schedule serves as a tool in our house ... to keep us on track. :) :)

We have our curriculum set with Tapestry, Christian Light (math & some reading), Teaching Textbooks for Caleb, and Shurley English (to mention a few things).

Ok ... back to our oven. I was all set to use a temperamental oven (setting it on 400 degrees for it to bake at 350 degrees) ... but then something happened last night while I was fixing dinner. While the oven was trying to preheat, I heard a pretty good sized BOOM in the oven and could smell gas (we have a gas range). It scared me!! I turned the oven off and finished cooking dinner with the microwave. I guess we'll have to call the appliance guy out here again to figure out what's happening with our oven. When he was here last time, he didn't find anything wrong with it. UGH! Maintenance men can be frustrating (or maybe it's that ovens are frustrating).

B'days ...

2010-08-09T23:35:00.007-05:00

While in Indiana, we celebrated our summer b'days with my side of the family. We hadn't ever done this before -- it was a lot of fun!! Nephew Brandon and Caleb were sung to at the same time

...as were Antonin and cousin Andrew. :) :) All four boys have late July or August b'days (and they are ALL my parent's grandsons. Isn't that cool??). The boys did not seem to mind sharing the b'day song, candles, or CAKE!! Yum! We all had a nice time playing, talking, eating, fishing, and playing some more. :) Too bad all the granddaughters didn't share the same b'day months --they are spread throughout the year, so it wouldn't work to celebrate them together.... but then again, I'm sure something could be figured out. :)

Caleb will be turning eleven this year and experiencing his "Golden B'day"!! Eleven on the eleventh of August!! Plus, he will have his b'day on the day he was born (Wednesday).

: ) :) :) :) He is looking forward very much to his special day. He's been watching the mail closely, but I keep reminding him that we've already celebrated his day in IN ... and that Richard's side of the family may send their wishes with Uncle Matt & Aunt Stephanie this wknd (yes, they are coming to visit us). This weekend should be very fun and busy!!!

By the way, I often feel one-sided writing on this blog because no one ever "talks back". UGH! Please feel free to tell me all about yourself as well (email if you know me, of course). :) :) :) Occasionally, I'll talk to people about something and they'll say, "I already know ... I've read it on your blog." lol!! Or, they'll say that they feel they know me well from reading my blog. Well, I don't know who's reading this, so please don't be offended by my initial blank stare. :) :) :)

Anyhow ....back to this blog post .... :) :) :)

.... We have been making some decisions lately that have been a bit overwhelming (to me). Honestly, Richard is not effected by much of anything. He's cool as a cucumber in any situation. :)

Remember the Community Bible Study the children and I attended last year? Well, I was asked to consider helping in one of the preschool classes. I prayed and considered it ... and could never come up with a reason not to do it ... and said that I would join the Team. Today I found out that I will be in a classroom with two and three year olds along with two other teachers, so I'm not quite so nervous now. :) :) Eventually, I'll most likely have the three year olds since they split them up this year between the 2's and 4's b/c not enough teachers (?? long story). Our CBS Thursdays will begin bright and early ( 8:30am), and end mid-afternoon (2 pm), since I will still be participating in the Bible Study for the Core Leaders, which takes place after the "regulars" have had their Bible Study, picked up their kids, and gone home. [*Whew*, that was a run-on sentence, wasn't it?). My children participate in their regular CBS classes, then go to an "after care" location 'til I'm finished with the Core Bible Study (yes, we'll be taking our lunches--long day). We are all very EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :) :) :) I'm thankful for this opportunity to serve and to give back what has been given to me for several years (in general). :)

The other newsy tid bit, is that I will be home schooling all three children via Tapestry of Grace curriculum. We are looking forward to this adventure together, and the children especially anticipate the co-op on Friday afternoons. Yes, our Thursdays and Fridays will be pretty busy-- A good busy, though! :) :) :) We will be studying Old Testament Prophets in our CBS study, which goes along nicely with our "Ancient History" in Tapestry. :)

The school we sent Caleb to last year is an excellent school, and we don't regret having sent him. However, sometimes parents change their minds for the good and benefit of their family and/or child (unique needs/situations).

Oh my!!! Look at the time!! I'm up way too late and really should be fast asleep by now.

I will share more about our school detail & plans, but not until next week since we have company this weekend--and an ELEVENTH B'DAY!!!

Have a wonderful night/day/however you interpret the clock. I'm hoping there aren't too many typos within this post .... *yawn* ..... ZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

photos! :)

2010-08-08T14:05:00.010-05:00

We had a great time in Indiana ... always wish we could stay just a bit longer since the time goes by so very quickly. Been missing everyone in my family this week and thinking about my childhood. Thought I'd share a few photos and reminisce a bit. :) :) Yes, I may be a bit young to do much reminiscing ... but I really should write some things down before I forget it all (from losing brain cells --lol)!!! Above is my mother and I ... she took off her glasses so I could see if we looked alike. Hmm ... I still think I mostly look like Dad. I think it's my nose.
Below is my sister and I ... when we were younger, people always got us mixed up and sometimes even thought we were twins (even though we were 4 1/2 yrs apart). Now that we're older, we don't look as much alike (???). I still think we have the same kind of nose though. [I know this sounds funny]

While we were visiting old sites of interest in Plymouth, Indiana, we stopped to let the kids play at the park. The old equipment I remember playing on was no longer there and most everything was new. Well, this old slide [in photo] was still there--I do remember this slide. :) :) I was hoping the old "Witch's Hat" would be there at the park, but it was gone (too bad --- probably a child got smashed so they got rid of it). I LOVED riding on the Witch's Hat when I was a girl! It was so much fun! The hat shaped contraption whirled round & round as well as back and forth as it bounced off the middle pole (w rubber tires) which held it in place. It was much more fun than the merry-go-round. My kids will never get to experience the thrill for themselves. Oh well ....

Scroll down to see a photo of the church we attended when I was a child. We attended there until the mid-80's when the congregation moved to a different location further out into the country. Many, many good memories on Pearl street in Plymouth. This is the place where I flipped over & over the railing and played along the sidewalks/side of church with my friends. Since my parents were leaders in the church, we would often arrive early, which explains why I'd play before church started. No, this building is no longer a church-- now it's someones residence. I really would have liked to have gone inside ....

If I remember correctly (when it was still a church), there was a nursery for nursing and/or sleeping babies on the left hand side as you walked in, and a place to hang coats on the right. I used to play with the coat hangers. This was also the area where mom would take me for spankings during church. I remember it vividly!!! lol! :) :) Believe it or not, I was a restless little girl and remember being taken to the coat area quite frequently. A story my mom has shared with me is that I moved around so much during service, the pastor finally asked my parents to change seats because I was distracting him during his preaching. lol! :) :) Mom says that even when I was sitting, I'd move a foot or leg back and forth ... I was never quite still.

Ok ... back to the inside of the old church .... once you walked thru the coat area/nursery, you came to the sanctuary, and at the back of the sanctuary were steps that went down to the basement. Sunday school classrooms were in the basement, and I recall running all over the place downstairs (remember, we were often at church before service began... and then often stayed past service time as well. Lots of opportunity to run around in the basement). :) :)

One Sunday school teacher had a very large tin container of crayons. I still remember that overwhelming Crayola smell before class started.... and the coloring pages I'd color ... :)

There was a room in the basement where the youth met, and once when I was --maybe 8??-- not quite old enough for the youth group, a friend and I eavesdropped near the open door. The youth leader asked my older sister a Bible Trivia question, and I knew the answer to it. While my sister hesitated, I shouted out the answer, and then ran away from the door, giggling with my friend [I'm not certain what my friend & I were doing down there]. :)

Alright ... taking you back upstairs to the sanctuary, the windows were stained glass, the pews were hard wood, and I was too young to sit with my older siblings during song service while Dad led the singing and Mom played the organ. Mom sat me in a little Sunday school chair -- right beside her organ. When I began leaning over to wave at the audience, mom moved me to the other side of the organ where I could not see anyone. Now that I'm a mother myself, I'm amazed that I stayed in that little chair the whole time!! wow!! Mom continued to do this, until I was old enough to sit with my brother and sister without getting into any mischief. :)

I think I was around 3 or 4 years of age when I finally sat with my siblings during song service.

I also recall singing with my mom while sitting with her on the organ bench. Several years ago, my grandma Pletcher told me that it had tickled her to see me, at age two, singing special songs right along with my mom. I believe my older sister would have been singing with us too. Mom started us both singing so early, I cannot remember when we even "began" singing together.

I remember the singing and music more than the preaching ... I hope it wasn't because I was busy writing notes and drawing pictures to my parents (and a boy I liked) during church. I was in about 3rd or 4th grade when the congregation moved away from this building, by the way.
I began following along in my own Bible and taking notes, around 4th grade. God changed my heart and gave me a desire to follow him, somewhere around 4th grade.

Oh the memories .... :) :) :) I'm also thankful for God's hand on my life ... only He could have transformed my heart. :) :)

And ... last but not least .... above is the house I lived in from age 18 mos. to 6 years. Wonderful memories!! I had two neighborhood friends ... a boy and a girl. The neighbor boy always said he was going to marry me someday. lol! Funny how things are when you're kids. :) :)

Well, I think this has been enough of my memories for one blog post. :)

My next post will be in the present day here and now .... some decisions we've made as a family and how we plan to cope with it all. lol! :) Stay tuned!

Wow ... time flies!

2010-08-04T16:08:00.003-05:00

We recently took a trip to Indiana to visit my family, and brought our new little dog (Gabe) along. What a great dog--we couldn't have asked for a better pet!
While in Indiana, we visited the small town of Plymouth, Indiana, where I was born ...
the older I get, the more sentimental I become. I wanted to take photos of the house I lived in as a small girl ('til age 6), and the old church we used to attend until the congregation moved to a different location in the mid-80's. Warm fuzzy memories came back to me, so I talked Richard's ear off and bored the kids. :) :) :) I recognized the library and post office as buildings my mother and I walked to. That's the way small towns are, of course. One walks everywhere. :)
The street we lived on was also familiar ... I recall riding my little bike up and down the sidewalks ... and little did I know at the time that my maternal grandmother was born in the house just down the street from where we lived!! :) :) Plymouth really is a nice, charming Indiana town (or maybe I only think so because of the warm memories), but we had to leave when my dad was unemployed for several months, eventually finding a job in South Bend, IN. My mom did not want to leave Plymouth, but knew it was the right thing to do for our family .... and that is how we ended up next door to my grandparents on the south side of South Bend, where I lived from age 6 until leaving for college at age 18!! Wow! I am feeling really old at the moment!!
I have many vivid memories of the little white church in Plymouth ... the building has now been made into someones home. I had to refrain from peeking in windows or ringing the doorbell to ask if I could have a tour. :) I'm sure it's completely remodeled on the inside and would not even look the same now.
With Plymouth being such a small town .... I wondered if I caused folks to grow suspicious or curious with my taking photos of old sentimental sites. While in the library, I noticed people glancing my way (I wasn't even taking pictures), so somehow they must have known we were out of towners (hmm.... perhaps most people don't look around at everything like I did--I remembered the library!!! Mom used to take me there all the time!!!).
Hee hee ... :) :) I did my best to blend in ...... but honestly, most people don't stop to take a picture of a fire station ..... ha ha [my great-grandpa Sullivan was a firefighter in Plymouth].
Anyhow, we all had a nice time visiting with family in South Bend, and celebrating the kids' summer b'days, too!!
I will share photos when I have a little more time ... I need to make dinner!!! : ) :)

Rest in Peace ...

2010-07-23T10:54:00.005-05:00

My aunt sent the following obituary ... and I was touched with how Uncle Harold and Aunt Goldie ended up dying in the same month, five years apart, three days difference. As mentioned in my previous post, they were the sweetest couple you've ever seen. I had not realized that they had married on Uncle Harold's birth date! I find it quite interesting that God took them out of this world the same month .... sort of bittersweet (a tear jerker ...).

Love and prayers to all my family in Indiana ... my home state 'til age 22 !!
[FYI: Aunt Goldie was my maternal grandpa's sister]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Isaac Harold Barlow Isaac Harold BarlowDec. 3, 1909 — July 19, 2010 ARGOS — Isaac Harold Barlow, 100, of Argos, went to be with the Lord July 19, 2010 at 9:35 p.m. at his daughter's residence following a lengthy illness. He was born Dec. 3, 1909 in Argos, to William Warren Barlow and Emma Jane (Bowman) Barlow and lived all of his life in the Argos community. He married Goldie E. Pletcher Dec. 3, 1938 in Anderson. She died July 16, 2005. He worked as a molder in several foundries: Studebaker Foundry during World War II, Bremen, Argos, and Rochester Foundries, and retired from Plymouth Foundry in 1964. He then worked part-time for IRECO and Indiana Tool when he celebrated his 70th birthday. He was a graduate of Argos High School's class of 1929, and was a member of the Plymouth Church of God, Plymouth. Harold was of a quiet, unassuming disposition and manifested that gentle, patient, humble spirit of a true Christian. He was always quick to tell others that the Lord was an integral part of his life. He is survived by his children: Priscilla Norris of Argos, Gene Barlow and wife Alma of Argos, Donald Barlow and wife Kathalene of Staffordsville, Ky., and Rosemary Ferrill of Rock River, Wyoming; 15 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Ruth Lee of Vallejo, Calif. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; brother, Joseph Barlow; sisters, Anna Imes and Francis Crabb; and three grandsons: Carl Barlow, Scott Ferrill, Nathan Norris

Sweet memories ... and a phone call

2010-07-20T10:09:00.008-05:00

My thoughts and prayers are with family in Indiana today. My mother called last night to let us know that my great uncle Harold had passed away. He lived a wonderfuly full life, reaching 100 years of age!! As a child and young adult, we attended the same church as my maternal great aunts and uncles, so I knew them just as well as my own grandparents. One of the fond memories I have, was watching Uncle Harold and Aunt Goldie walk hand in hand (or hand in crook of his arm) down the sidewalk to church. They were a sweet couple ... he called her "mama". :) :) Uncle Harold was also quite a talker and could tell story after story to prove his point on any subject. I was always a shy girl, so I'd listen to him and nod politely at certain intervals. He loved children and would often chuckle aloud at their antics. :) :) He was a very sweet man, and will be fondly remembered by many.

I received an unexpected phone call from my husband yesterday ... a family we hadn't seen for eleven to twelve years were on a trip thru our area and were stopping to see us (I had a half day's notice for the overnight stay that my husband offered)! I (of course) rushed around the house flustered, not at all thrilled with what was taking place. My children were witness to my gradual attitude transformation ... :) :) God was faithful to show me the ugliness of my selfish heart and how this particular family needed hospitality and friendship. Right at first I thought it was impossible to get the house and food ready/prepared in time. However, everything fell into place --as it usually does. When will I learn that it's not all about me and all about sharing Christ's love with others.

Well .... the "Managers of Their Homes" charts (creating and maintaining a family schedule) are working wonders for our family!! I think I have finally found something that works for us. :) :) Just had to squeeze in that bit of free advertising. Have a wonderful July day!!! :) :)

Hashimoto, Allergies and what not ....

2010-07-14T15:48:00.012-05:00

Before I share a little about my Dr. visit, I need to admit that I feel a little silly posting this on my blog. Struggling with Hashimoto thyroid can be a real battle for women, and my purpose for sharing is to possibly encourage and/or inform in case someone is seeking tid bits of info. for themselves. While this autoimmune disease is neither life threatening nor extremely serious, the symptoms (and emotions) are quite real, and sometimes difficult to deal with [no, you're not alone]!

First of all, it appears that the left lobe of my thyroid still has some life in it, though not functioning normally like the normal-working right lobe. That said, the left side has indeed returned back to its original size (in spite of being "damaged"/ mildly abnormal/effected), and the Dr thinks the improvement could have something to do with my taking iodine! She smiled and said that most Doctors would not admit such a thing. :) :) Taking iodine also helps the immune system to hold back Hashimoto's destructive work [Vitamin D3 helps the immune system too]. Technically, Hashimoto is separate from thyroid conditions. The thyroid just happens to be the organ Hashimoto decides to attack and eventually destroy over time. No, there isn't any way to kill Hashimoto off. One can only hold Hashimoto back ... and no one knows where he came from. Unfortunately, the immune system is confused and backs Hashimoto's work, pouring energy and resources into the destructive behavior.
I am thankful for the good news that all is well, aware there are others who have it much worse than I (I'm still in the early stages of Hashimoto, and the past 2-3 yrs have been enough!! So glad everything has stabilized and improved).

I also wanted to find what I was allergic to, seeing how I was so sick this spring. I am allergic to the following:
Maple (Box Elder), Walnut tree, Sycamore, Cottonwood, White Ash, Oak, Elm ,Hickory/Pecan tree, Bermuda grass, Timothy grass, Common Ragweed (short), Rough Pigweed, sesame seed, Peanut, and a slight allergy to Wheat.

Umm .... slight allergy to WHEAT, you say?? We grind our own wheat and make our own bread ... is this ok??? As long as I don't consume a lot of bread, it sounds like it's ok ... hmm ...
I guess we'll need to keep an eye on this (and research).

I was surprised to see that I'm allergic to peanuts!! No more peanut butter for me, I suppose, though it is just a moderate allergy. I'll stick with Cashew butter. :) :) :)

So ... for the seasonal allergies, my plan is to take allergy meds every spring. lol!! Like I didn't already know that. :)

Our new family member~~ :)

2010-07-11T13:22:00.005-05:00

Wow~~ whatever got into me? :) Me--former cat lover, dog despiser, Ms germ-a-phobe who grows tired of cleaning up after everyone. Spring cleaning my entire house .......
only to adopt a dog????????? What?? I never thought I'd see the day I would allow a dog in our house!!
Only love would mess with people's minds like this. :) Love for my children and for the husband who feels that owning and caring for a pet teaches children responsibility. :) :) Oh-- the reason we cannot have a cat, by the way, is because our oldest is allergic to cats.

So, we now have a new member in our family, and yes, I am truthfully excited!!! :) :) :) :) :) :)
Meet Gabe~~ he is a quiet, friendly little thing, but of course the quiet part could just be his getting used to us and his surroundings. He is about 15 pounds and shouldn't get much bigger since he is 10 months old. His adoption papers say that he is a papillon mix, and I know that his mother was a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

What we know about Gabe, is that he was with his mother in the pound from day #1, and then after his mother was adopted out, stayed with a foster mom for three weeks. We are happy to provide Gabe his first real home! :) :)

I'm now reading info. regarding how to keep your house from smelling like a dog, along with dog whisperer tips.

Gabe's growing accustomed to our home and family life (sleeping alone in his crate at night, for example. Last night was ruff ...). He is really good with the kids, housebroken, and a very sweet dog (but awfully quiet!). I'd like to start working with him on commands "come" and "sit". According to the foster mom, however, we need to let him become familiar with us and our house before dog training, so will wait a little while ... maybe whenever he falls to sleep at night without barking (the only time he barks is when he is in his crate).

We'll eventually get so used to dog smells ... that we'll begin smelling too. oh no! Please don't tell me that we'll start smelling like dogs everywhere we go!!! On our way home from church, Richard looked at me and asked if our van smelled like a dog or if it was his imagination. I couldn't smell anything ... lol!! We are beginning to get paranoid. :) :) :) If you really stop to think about it, humans don't naturally smell very good either ....

Have a wonderful afternoon (and enjoy your dog if you have one) !! :)

Happy Independence Day!! :)

2010-07-04T16:19:00.003-05:00

We hope you are enjoying your 4th of July--appreciating the freedoms we so often take for granted in this blessed country of ours. I pray that God will continue to bless our country. :) :)

Yesterday, we enjoyed riding the Metro Link (train) and soaking up the sun during the St Louis 4th of July parade (we were sitting right in the sun). There were a lot of huge balloons, decorative floats, and LOTS of candy!!! Um ... I mean, lots of candy for the kids. :) :) The theme this year was "A night at the movies".

Here are just a few photos ... never fear, underdog is here (or is it "near", not "here")!!! :)

I thought this trio from the Wizard of Oz was pretty cool!! :) :)

We had a good view of the Arch throughout the parade, and thought it made a cool photo op. :)

We plan to see some fireworks this evening -- hopefully. Not sure where we're going to see them yet!! Again, happy 4th!!!! :) :) :)

List of goals dwindling (yay)

2010-06-30T20:09:00.004-05:00

I just love this photo of the kids enjoying their Popsicles. lol! It's the best! :) :) :)
Besides soaking in the sweet, lazy, watermelon eating days of summer ... I have been gaining ground on my summer to-do list. I'd say that I have about two more days of spring cleaning and sorting left. Today, we washed windows and vacuumed cob webs of all sorts throughout the house. I have also eliminated many of my hobby piles from our bedroom, thanks to the file cabinet we got for my birthday. :) :) Only a little more to go .... I am really proud of this transformation! :) Actually, I'm working on transforming all our bedrooms into more improved rooms ... I'm looking forward to sharing photos, and this will be a great incentive to stick with it, room by room. :) :)
Right now, I'm very tired and ready to go to bed!!! Wow, I don't think I've ever been ready for bed at this time of evening before (8:30 pm)!!! lol!

An attempt at humor

2010-06-27T22:50:00.006-05:00

Ok ... here's my humorous assignment--it looks different from the Word format, of course. :)
Since I do not always find my present-day challenges (stories) funny, I had to think back several years ago when the kids were still toddlers and preschoolers .... hee hee ... stories become more funny as time marches on. :) :) :)

Mommy Moments
by Sara Sorrell
I have discovered motherhood to be the most fulfilling job on earth — and the toughest on mental elasticity. I recently posted a checklist on my kitchen cabinet with a few important reminders for mothers like myself who need encouragement during the chaos.
Beware of Travel
Never back a vehicle without first studying the rear view and side mirrors. I also recommend looking over both shoulders, especially in parking lots. Should you hear a “thump” while backing, please investigate instead of assuming the kids are playing catch with their shoes.
Listen to your children’s insistence that they hear a hissing sound. Don’t laugh that the sound may be a trapped wasp or snake in a vent, as this ssssound may signal a deflating tire. Calmly pull your vehicle over and investigate, replaying tire changing drills in your head.
When the children fight in the van, stop on the shoulder of the road to deal with the situation. Do not reach behind your seat while glaring into the rear view mirror. The vehicle in front of you may stop suddenly, or the driver behind you may decide to pass with a dirty look.
Expect the Unexpected
When your children cry, “Mom!” in unison, the timer continually beeps, the iPod blares from sticky little hands, the doorbell rings, your naked toddler tepees the bathroom with an entire roll of toilet paper and overflows the toilet, hold your breath one minute before moving, reacting, or cleaning. Let the children watch a video while you don hazardous waste camouflage. Ha! Moms are known for uttering regretful words while cleaning up after toddlers.
Several minutes later when your husband calls from a business trip in Florida, remember that he really does appreciate all you do at home, when he asks, “So, how is your day going?”
Count to ten and remember that when you are an old lady you will miss these days.
Avoid Assumptions
When your husband returns home from work or from a business trip, put aside your frustrations from the day, week, or month, and greet him cheerfully — or at least try. Yes, it’s okay to be honest and whisper through clenched teeth, “I have some things to talk about after dinner ....”
Remember that when he first arrives home, your children may transform into little angels, giving him the impression that you are overreacting to the day’s events. Compiling lists throughout the day takes all emotion out of situations and succeeds in fully articulating the gritty details.
Prioritize
Plan date nights with your husband, even when you feel that life in general has drained all creative juices from you. He cannot read your mind when you need a break to reconnect with him. Your man works hard all day, and may need a gentle reminder to help plan something fun — just make sure you have a list of suggestions.
Absolutely do not take the kids along on your day or night out. Leave them at home with a babysitter or switch off babysitting with another like-minded family, if money is an issue. Make date night a priority, no matter how much the children scream for you. Remember, your child’s phase of screaming will pass, and so will tipping the babysitter to stay.
Reassess
Being Mom remains a special, high calling from God, even when you feel overwhelmed with cleaning bathrooms, wiping noses, and maintaining relationships. You are shaping the lives of your children, and these moments are racing by much quicker than you realize. What you do now really does matter, in spite of your grueling routine.
Live a balanced life by considering resumption of a few interests and hobbies, no matter how small. You will not only feel saner in the midst of unpredictable days, but will eventually pass knowledge and skill on to your children — including mechanical engineering and plumbing. Most importantly, make time for prayer and devotions. You may feel you will never regain misplaced brain cells, but remember that God looks on the heart and not at your frazzled, outward appearance. Keep regular appointments with God for strength and endurance needed for the rigors of motherhood.

Summer planning (for future) & dogs

2010-06-26T20:32:00.005-05:00

After sending in my final assignment, I found that I'd received a 98.2% for the class! I was very, very excited because I purposely chose difficult topics for most of my assignments. One of the articles, a humorous one, was especially challenging since I'm not naturally a funny person. I will share it soon .... first, I'd like to tell you what we did today!
We visited a home school consignment/bookstore today in St Louis, and I decided I really must visit more often! I have some materials of my own that I could bring in for a trade.
Anyhow, one item I did end up purchasing, was a practical home school scheduling guide, Managers of Their Homes. I have been eying this resource for quite some time, and I figured today was the day to begin exercising more of my organizational muscles. Every mother, whether she wishes to admit it or not, struggles with organization in some area within her household/ home-school. That said, no perfect home school exists (or ever has). We must remember that these home school tools are not meant to create "perfect" homes! They are great tools for guiding us into a less chaotic direction, but nothing--absolutely nothing-- can create perfection (don't forget that, self). :) : )
My areas of weakness lie in meal planning/preparation (it's so time consuming!), and creating chore lists/daily schedules for the children. So often I find myself "playing things by ear", and being a bit too spontaneous with their daily duties. My children enjoy structure and routine, and this is an area I really must work on (like, no breakfast until beds are made!).
Oh-- I now have a filing cabinet-- another means to organize the little neat piles in my life. : )
Wish me a bit of luck ... thanx! :) : )
One more thing ... everyone else in the family has been wanting a dog. I haven't really wanted one, because we have some costly home improvement things to take care of, etc, etc. Plus, I've just never been an animal lover. However, today we visited a pet store (animals from rescue shelter), and I just about fell head over heels with a mixed breed -- something spaniel crossed with something else-- it was a small, but fully grown dog (one year), NOT HYPER, and had the best, calm personality! He had white, with short hair, and didn't shed as much. I thought he was cute! No one else in the family agreed. :( :( Lol! I thought it was funny that for once in my lifetime I actually liked a particular dog ... and no one else liked him!! Ha!
I'll now research dogs to become more familiar with the different breeds/mixed breeds, so I'll be informed when we visit pet stores/shelters (and persuade the rest of the family). :) : ) I hope that we can find a dog a lot like the one we saw today ... [must be small, fully grown, calm, friendly, little shedding ...]

Great things ... :)

2010-06-22T22:01:00.008-05:00

I received wonderful news on my 35th B'day. My thyroid ultrasound came back " normal overall" (not sure what that means). I also heard back from my class instructor and was able to send in my remaining assignments. :) :) :) I'm working on one last required article, which is due June 28th, and then I'll officially be finished with this class.
By the way, I'll see my doctor in July to discuss everything ...
I'm thankful that I've been feeling good, and that allergy season is finally over with!! Yay!!!

This is VBS week at a church down the road from us, and I've been enjoying three hours alone in the morning, working on projects. I've been working on my last required article, organizing photos, cleaning the house, researching home school topics, and working on nursery ideas [uh--we are nursery coordinators at our church] :) :) :) I do miss the kids during VBS ... but the time goes by very quickly. Before I know it, they are home again playing on their slip n slide in the backyard! :) :) Oh, the wonderful, lazy days of summer!! lol!!
We're actually pulling a few of the books off the shelf to review math and phonics ... :) :)
I need to write Popsicles and lemonade on my grocery shopping list, now that I think of it. :)
I'll type again soon ...

Year 35

2010-06-17T12:55:00.008-05:00

Oh my! My 35th Birthday is right around the corner --- bright and early tomorrow. Mom says that I was born at 6:29 am, June 18th. I know this sounds funny, but every June 18th, I try to be awake by 6:29 am. One year I slept thru my B'day morning, and felt so disappointed afterwards. lol! :) :) No one can locate my newborn photo (*sigh*), but here's a picture of when I was four months old. Apparently I enjoyed laughing and smiling without a care that I was toothless and bald. :) :) :) That's what I love about babies and young children, by the way. They are who they are and don't care what you think! :) :) :)

As a child, my Birthday usually came right during Church Camp meeting time (in Ohio) and around Father's Day, so many of my Birthday memories include Church and honoring my dad [not a bad thing ]. One year, a family at camp meeting --who we barely even knew-- gave me a b'day gift (I think I was turning 8). I could hardly wait to open it!!! I excitedly held the wrapped package close, until I had the "ok" to open it. Inside, there was a mirror to hang on my bedroom wall at home, "Sara--God's Princess", written at the top. A praying little girl was positioned in the bottom left of the mirror. I was very elated and remember chattering non stop about it to my parents and sister. :) :) lol! :) :)

I don't feel 35 ... well, maybe I will tomorrow. :) :) :) Just kidding. I'm still the same little eight year old inside, with a few more life experiences and maturity, of course. :) :) :)
I'm so grateful for God's goodness, and look forward to what else He has for me this new year! :)
Here's a song from Matthew West (click on the link) that pretty well sums up how I feel about life. Christ is my everything--so thankful for His faithfulness to transform me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eF3kVYKIt3Y&feature=fvsr

June flowers

Travel, travel, travel ....

~My Curriculum choices will be continued...~

~On Teaching Reading~

~"Yes"~ :)

~Changes~

No ordinary Sunday ... ;)

~Daughter of a librarian~

~Daughter of a meat cutter ~

Christmas & Happy New Year~ 2012~

Thanksgiving visit and a December Birthday!!

~When you're uninspired~

:) :) uh ... hi!

~A few Monday thoughts~ :)

~ Relationships~

Nashville

Happy Birthday to my husband~! :)

Visitors :)

Pass me some Thyme (time), please?

What to do with an anxious dog-??

Happy Birthday to my boys~!

A thankful tid bit

Pics of camping :)

Our family "get-away"

Story of my life~

August notes~

~Gabe~

Oh how the years go by ...

My update on life~ :)

:) Funny story :)

~~In and out of the hospital ~~

Smile, it's Monday :) :) ~

Visitors from Indiana and why "36" scares me~ :)

Where do I begin?

One of those days ...

My little girl can ride her bike (w/o training wheels)!! :) :)

Praying for Joplin, Missourians

Joplin's tornado~!

A quiet spot

A -mile-a- minute- thoughts :)

A poem for spring

Happy Mother's Day, Part 2 :)

Happy Mother's Day~!

A note about Gabe .... and Osama Bin Laden! [what a combination-- lol!!]

Our last day of CBS

God is faithful~ :)

long awaited spring photos ... and other thoughts ;)

springtime is here ... along with snow! :) :)

So much to say ... so little time ....

Sex Trafficking in America --- Really?? :(

Alas! My sickly head!! [a silly tale] :)

Antonin's first Taekwando Tournament

13 years and counting :) :)

Me oh my! :D

Ice, snow, tea & emotions

sewing ...

January thoughts :)

B a friend-!!

It's late at night ... but school's on my mind :)

learning to read & other school notes :)

Cleaning and taxes :)

Life is good ...

"My Daughter"

Looking ahead to a new year-- 2011

Merry Christmas!

one of those bubble bath days ....

Good 'ole redheaded Anne :) :)

Where do I begin?

Thanksgiving 2010

Pie pumpkins!

Gorgeous fall

A poem for fall :) :)

Fabric Memories

???

What a week (or two)!!

Don't oversleep final's week! :)

Introvert or Extrovert--that is the question~

Antonin :)

Tears -- a good thing :) :)

September ...

In and out of the hospital