1st day of school!

Yes, I'm a terrible mother for making my kids start school on Labor Day! But it is "labor" day right. It just seemed like a great day to kick everything off so we went for it. Washington State has one of the later school start dates...most states all start the end of August. Not that our schedule is determined by that, but it worked out to be a great start time. I'm thankful that I had already gotten all of my curriculum lined up and school area organized back in July. This summer has been sooooo busy. Camps, Vacation Bible Adventure, Missions Trips, teaching on Wednesday nights, Impact Kids on Sundays, and on and on it feels like. I can't even believe that it's September!!!

We had a bit of a rough start this morning getting back into the groove, but ended up getting a lot accomplished and went out for a milk-shake when school was done. I planned to be done by around 2 pm, but we ended up going from 8:30-3:30. We started with our song for the month "Trust in the Lord" and then did some dancing which got Javon in a bad mood. He isn't one prone to dancing. You'd think so because of his outgoing (slightly hyper!) personality, but he has never enjoyed dancing around with me to music. Reagan on the other hand would dance with me all day. After that we worked on our weather cart which I was very excited about starting and went and checked out what kind of clouds there were....overcast! Surprise, surprise! It's Seattle. The chart took a bit longer than expected because of having to get it all set up for the month. 

I use ACE curriculum so then we dove into our PACE work. 

Math - Money and Time

English - Review of the alphabet. Writing upper and lower case letters and going over the vowels and consonants. 

Social Studies - Reading and questions about Jesus saving us from sin. 

Science - Creation Days

Word Building - Review of a list of new spelling words, drawing shape patters, and writing some of the new spelling words. 

He also did his typing and then art with dad. 

We didn't get around to health (once a week) and piano, but we'll shoot for tomorrow. I didn't want to push anymore. He worked really hard and I was very proud of him. Although there were times during the day I thought this is the HARDEST job anyone could ever have. The patience required during these young years is pretty intense. I can see why some moms feel like they can't do it. It has to be a passion/conviction or there's no way you could pull it off. 

In the middle of all that, Reagan did real preschool for the first day. Last year she pretty much did a portion of what Javon was doing in Kindergarten, but his year he has much more written work so I had to work with her separate on some preschool activities. She really enjoyed all the attention!

We read 5 books about the zoo. 

Worked on counting to 20.

Found things the color blue.

Watercolor painted a picture.

Colored a picture with crayons. 

Worked on a memory verse.

Danced and sang and played dress up. 

Anyways, it was a VERY long, but rewarding day. Even if no one else ever sees or understands why I'm doing this, my kids will reap the benefits and I also know that God is watching and cheering me on. Praise the Lord for His grace, provision, and never-failing love. 

Tomorrow is a new day that will present new challenges and I will try to figure out some new positive ways to teach and continue reinforcing things I'm already doing. Oh, and then there's church and the house and all the things that come with them, but for today I'm just "Mama" teaching my children to the best of my ability how to love God, respect others, and be the smart little people I know they are! 

Blessing to you as you begin your '08-'09 journey!

I'm back!

Wow, what an amazingly difficult, rewarding, and amazing 10 days!!!! We left Thursday morning and drove and drove and drove. Our trailer tire blew out while I was driving but praise the Lord we were only a mile away from an exit where we could get it repaired. We drove to Riverbank, CA until 1 AM and then slept at a church. I was messing around and went to fake kick Abel and fell flat on my back. It knocked the wind out of me and hurt really bad but was pretty funny. That was until my tailbone was bruised for the next few days. :-) We got up and left for Mexico early the next morning. I had the privilege of driving through L.A. this year which took FOREVER! We went like 33 miles in 3 hours. It was ridiculous. When we finally saw the Mexico border sign we were all excited. Once we crossed the border, the exit we needed to go to Ensenada was closed. We pulled over and asked for directions and a Mexican policeman came up beside us and ask what we needed. We told him directions and he said that if we'd give him a "drink" he'd take us to the bypass. Our dear Miss Madeline offered him a bottle of water and he shook his head! :-) He then changed his request to dinner. Pastor Josh asked if $10 would do and he didn't seem pleased but pacified. He took us to the detour on ramp and then told us to slip the money in his glove. It was so crazy! But we got to our destination.

We stopped at Taco's Pablano for the beginning of many taco stand stops. I knew that Javon would not eat beef or pork on his taco so I asked if they could be a "queso" taco. They did and everyone else saw it and started getting them. Last time we thought we only had two choices, but our eyes were opened to a bean pot and cheese tacos this year!!!!
Here is what the majority of the farm workers' homes look like. It is basically made out of tarps, pallets, cardboard, and whatever else they can find. It is heartbreaking to see it.
The kids did amazing. They never backed away from anything we asked them to do! They jumped right in with both feet and shared Jesus' love with people. I am so proud of them.
We passed out a lot of food, helped build a home for a "working poor" family, held two community hot dog feeds where we sang and shared the gospel then passed out bags with toiletries and toys in them, plus did a service Sunday night and VBS on Wednesday at the church we went to last time. This time was more broken up than last time, but in the end we saw that God was in it all. Everyone did really great at being flexible. Javon played and played and played with the kids. He didn't care that they were dirty or didn't speak English, he just went right up to them and starting playing. As a mom, I can't even tell you how proud I was of him and how excited I was to see God using him. He just did things with Jesus' love because he wanted to and it felt right, not because we made him. It was so amazing to watch him serving and interacting with the kids. We also worked with the children's home kids this year. The girls would get up early each morning and brush the kids teeth, feed them breakfast, clean them up, we also spent all Sunday afternoon cleaning their entire childcare room. Everyone worked together and did great. Did I mention how proud of them I was?

I have tons of pictures that I'll keep posting. It's nice to be home, but Let the Little Children Come Home will remain in our hearts and we are excited to see what God has done when we return!

Power Lab was powerful!

I have about 20 seconds to post because I'm leaving for Mexico in about 3 hours. Yes, Mexico to do 2 more VBS's with 13 other wonderful people. Pray for me....I've been sick all weekend and this week. My voice is completely gone, but I wouldn't any of the crazy business! I love it all. 

See ya the end of August!

Power Lab Vacation Bible Adventure!!!

Busy, Busy, Busy with Power Lab Vacation Bible Adventure! Just stopping by to say Hi. I don't know when I'll be able to actually post anything worth reading. :-) I am directing our Power Lab VBA this week and then next Thursday we're off to Mexico for 10 days on our Missions Trip! I check in soon........hopefully!

My beautiful girl!

Flag Cake

I finally made a flag cake! I've always wanted to but never wanted to spend the money on blueberries. Blueberries were on sale this week for 2.49 a pound so I got some for the first time ever. 

So yesterday Reagan and I made a flag cake. Check....one more all American mom thing done! :-)

WHAT! NO NIGHT SERVICE!!!

I am beside myself right now....My jaw about hit the floor....My "are you serious" reflex is still going over and over in my head! Above you see some pics from Jr. High Camp just a week and a half ago. Well, this was a NIGHT service where God was moving, kids were giving their hearts and lives over the the Lord to serve in ministry, etc. 

So here's my rant....we did not go to kids' camp this year which makes me really sad because I absolutely love camps and know that God does amazing things in kids' lives. But we just didn't have kids this year that were able to go either financially or because their parents just don't understand the value of it spiritually. Anyways, camp has always been a couple of hours away but this year they changed it to a camp which is 9 miles from our house. So tonight I decided to go out and check out the night service at the new location. I arrived...saw 20 or so kids walking around about 6:45 PM...made my way to the chapel where they were having what I thought was pre-service activities. I asked what time service started thinking maybe it was 7:30 PM and then all of a sudden everyone got up and left. I was confused. I followed an adult out and asked what time evening service started and he said there was no evening service. What? Can you say that again please? Surely I had misunderstood...so I asked again. No, I heard right. After picking my jaw up off the ground I asked when service was. He said from 10-11:30 AM. Well, yeah, that's morning service. That's what time it's always been. But he said that was the only service this year. Really?! I have been to a LOT of camp meetings in my life and I know that there is something completely different about morning service and evening service. Not that God can't move in the morning as well, but the kids are simply not as receptive and lunch doesn't wait so you HAVE to end at a specific time. What about lingering around the alter as God works on these kids' hearts? I am still in complete shock! 

As I was processing this new found "system" I asked the gentleman what they did from 7 PM on. He said they had free time until 9:30 PM and then came in for some worship and late night activities for an hour. Really....2 1/2 hours of free time when they could be in service hearing the Word of God and worshipping Him. Hhhmmmm. That doesn't sound like a very good trade off to me?! I am seriously going to look into other kids' camps for us to attend next year besides our districts. I know that the leadership I'm sure has their reasons, but I simply cannot believe that the tradeoff is worth whatever they feel they are gaining. There are two large churches in the area that both put on their own camps and I will be checking into them for next year. Wow, I'm seriously in shock!

Wow, what a wonderfully busy summer! It has been non-stop action, but well worth it. Here is a few pics of us at Jr. High Camp. I have a ton more that I'll get up over time, but here were a few highlights. The weekend before Jr. High Camp was spend at Kent Cornucopia Days advertising for our Vacation Bible Adventure and the youth made cross necklaces to raise money for our Mexico Missions Trip. That was the same weekend that Josh rode in the Seattle to Portland Bike Ride. Yeah, CRAZY busy weekend. I got home about 11 PM from the street fair and some guys from church picked Josh up in Portland and drove him home late that night. The next morning we were off to Jr. High Camp. It was honestly one of the best camp experiences I've had with the kids. They are all great kids and we had a really good time together. The services were wonderful and the kids entered into worship and ate up the sermons and alter times. I was very proud of their maturity level for Jr. Highers. There is nothing better than watching kids worship the Lord and pray with a heart that you know is open to the Holy Spirit and what He wants for their life. The girls had a chance to pray with a girl that gave her heart to the Lord for the first time and they were very excited to share in that process with her. Camps are such a special, important time in these kids' lives and I'm so thankful that I was able to share this week with them!

Well, we got home from camp right before it was time for my friends wedding rehearsal. So by the time I got home I was pooped, but excited about the wedding the next day. It turned out beautiful. I don't have any pics because I was running around and forgot to take any, but it was very nice. They had worship music in the service and it turned out very nice. I was honored to be a part of this important day. Congrats Mellisa and Marty!

Then as soon as that was all over it was full steam ahead getting ready for Power Lab Vacation Bible Adventure. 15 hours and a lot of paint later....we look ready! :-)

Reagan's theory on armpit hair!

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As we were getting ready for bed last night, Reagan reached over and began to rub my armpit stubble. Yes, I know... weird. She asked what it was and I said that God made hair under people's armpits and that someday she would get it to. She said she didn't want it. :-) I said that I didn't either but God made it for a reason. She asked, "Why?" I said, "Why do you think?" She said, "Because God got MAD at us one day and made armpit hair." I started laughing and said I didn't think that was it but she insisted. She said that we were being goofy and silly and making mean faces and so God got mad and gave people armpit hair. So there you go folks! Now you all know why we have armpit hair!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Auburn Day!

We had a really fun family day at Auburn Days on the 4th of July. Everyone went to the park and had a really fun time. We played mini-golf, rode the ponies (Javon was immediately sneezing and rubbing his eyes!), went to the petting zoo, played on bouncies, looked at the old cars, and Jack went with us so he had to meet every dog that passed by! It was a very good day. Then we went to Nana and Pappa's for fireworks. I hope you had a great day as well!

Puppies, puppies, puppies!

My life is consumed with puppies right now. I feel like I have 5 kids! I don't know how those of you with 5 kids do it! :-) All I do all day long is feed kids, feed dogs, bathe kids, bathe dogs, clean up the kids' messes, clean up the dogs' messes, and then it's time to start all over again!

They are sooooo cute though. J.J. (Jack Junior) is the salt and pepper little boy. Cherry is the all black little girl, and Paint is the little girl that Reagan is holding with white on her toes. They are getting super playful and have individual personalities. We get to see them playing and fighting and cuddling because they are in a swimming pool in our family room! The kids play with them and love on them all the time. We've been taking them outside for potty breaks and they LOVE the grass. It's cute. Every night we lay them on our tummies while we watch TV and cuddle with them. It's going to be weird when they go to their new homes, but nice at the same time because they do require a lot of time. Someone will get really great pups!

If any of you out there in cyber space are looking for an adorable Mini-Schnauzer leave me a post. They are AKC and vet checked. There due claws have been removed and tails docked by a vet. Plus you will receive a free vet check with AKC registration. They will receive their first puppy shots and worming before purchase and can go to their new homes in two weeks. 

If you have kids Mini-Schnauzers are a wonderful breed. We have had no problems at all with Jack and Sophie with our kids. They are non-shedding which is wonderful! They will be between 11-14 pounds. 

$575 - Leave a post if you or anyone you know would be interested. 

What really maters?

Thank you so much to lovesschool.blogspot.com for sharing this amazing poem....

I Have Not Been Educated
by Carolyn Caines

If I learn my ABCs, can read 600 words per minute, and can write with perfect penmanship, but have not been shown how to communicate with the Designer of all language .... I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I can deliver an eloquent speech and persuade you with my stunning logic, but have not been instructed in God's wisdom.... I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I read Shakespeare and John Locke and can discuss their writings with keen insight, but have not read the greatest of all books -- the Bible -- and have no knowledge of its personal importance... I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I have memorized addition facts, multiplication tables, and chemical formulas, but have never been disciplined to hide God's Word in my heart .... I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I can explain the law of gravity and Einstein's theory of relativity, but have never been instructed in the unchangeable laws of the One Who orders our universe .... I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I can classify animals by their family, genus and species, and can write a lengthy scientific paper that wins an award, but have not been introduced to the Maker's purpose for all creation, .... I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I can recite the Gettyburg Address and the Preamble to the Constitution, but have not been informed of the hand of God in the history of our country .... I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I can play the piano, the violin, six other instruments, and can write music that moves men to tears, but have not been taught to listen to the Director of the universe and worship Him, ... I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I can run cross-country races, star in basketball and do 100 push-ups without stopping, but have never been shown how to bend my spirit to do God's will, .... I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I can identify a Picasso, describe the style of da Vinci, and even paint a portrait that earns an A+, but have not learned that all harmony and beauty comes from a relationship with God, .... I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I were to graduate with a perfect 4.0 and am accepted at the best university with a full scholarship, but have not been guided into a career of God's choosing for me, .... I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I become a good citizen, voting at each election and fighting for what is moral and right, but have not been told of (or believe) the sinfulness of man and his hopelessness without Christ,... I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

However, if one day I see the world as God sees it, and come to know Him, Whom to know is life eternal, and glorify God by fulfilling His purpose for me, THEN I HAVE BEEN EDUCATED!

Garden Time!

"Why aren't there any tomatoes yet Mommy?" That is the question that I hear 10 times a day right now. "Well, it takes time for them to grow." "But we planted them last week!"

Patience is a tough thing when gardening. :-) Sunday afternoon we planted our small garden. 4 tomato plants, 2 yellow squash, and 2 zucchini plants. We had fun planting them. Javon helped dig the holes. Reagan helped pull weeds, and they both helped water. Oh, and we planted basil as well! 

Are you a gardener? I'm not, but I enjoy having fresh tomatoes soooooo much. I wish I could have them year 'round. They are so much better than store bought. Store bought tomatoes are ridiculously expensive and have no flavor. I really hope that ours do well. 

It's also a fun thing for the kids to watch things grow and get to pick them. 

Have a happy 4th!

I'm back!

Well, I 'm back....but I can't post any pics right now of our trip to CA. We had a great time and really enjoyed spending time with my grandparents. The best thing of the trip was watching the kids enjoy it so much. Javon had more freedom there to ride his bike back and forth between houses (less than a block apart). Reagan had a room full of Barbie dolls to play with. We all went 4wheeling almost every day and had a blast. And the swimming pool was so nice. Living in Seattle area we only have an indoor swimming pool, but I love outdoor pools. It's just different. 

As far as school goes, we're done for the summer except a Summer Bridge Book that Javon is doing 2 pages a day in. I got his curriculum for next year in the mail while I was gone and had fun going through it all. He has several more subjects next year but he's getting faster at his work. I'm the most excited about his Lit and Creative Writing. It looks really good. 

Well, I'm going to go for now, but just wanted to check in and say HI.

Blogger Failer!

I have failed as a blogger! Not only have I failed myself, but my fellow blogging world! :-) To all those who look at my blog on a daily, weekly, bimonthly, or annual schedule....I apologize.:-( When you click on "blessed mommy" and see the same picture day after day after day I know that you get angry, upset, frustrated, but most difficult for me to stomach - disappointed. Yes, disappointment that I seem to have nothing going on in my life worth writing about. Disappointement that I have not taken pictures of my beautiful children in the past week. Disappointment that I have not cared enough about my friends and strangers to bring joy into their life when they look at my blog which has absolutely no valitity to anything pertaining to their life. For all of that, I am deeply sorry! :-)

Well, here are a few of the things that have been going on in my life over the past week that I have failed to report mostly because I didn't have any pictures to back up my stories!!!

June 5th - 9 year anniversary....great night with my hubby. Probably the best anniversary ever. We were both being sentimental and just talked about some of the stuff that the years have held over dinner. Then we went to see Chronicles of Narnia and then home. My sis' watched the kids. Thanks

June 6-8th - Ladies Retreat....all I can say is "What happened at Sambica - stays at Sambica!" There were some funny times, but there were also some great times spent iwth the Lord. I also really enjoyed hanging out with the ladies. My age and older alike. It was fun.

Cars - Our car broke down and we have spent the past 2 weeks figuring out what to do. Thanks to lots of support and help from friends and family we have 1 car up and running and another on it's way! Thanks everyone!

Puppies - Taking care of the puppies has been a family project. Reagan has renamed the dogs. The boy now has 3 names. Josh calls him Maleak, Reagan calls him Jack and I call him J.J. for "Jack Junior". It's a good thing that his new family will give him a real name. :-) Then the girls' names have changed to Paint (because it looks like her toes were dipped in white paint) and Cherry (because Reagan saw my bag with cherries on it and thought it would make a good name). They are getting sooooo chubby and cute. Their eyes and ears opened this week.

Homeschool Convention - Saturday we had so much to do but I couldn't give up going to the Homeschool Convention. I use A.C.E. Curriculum and am very happy with it, but I love to look around at all the other stuff. Some of my finds outside of my curriculum for next year is a calendar book for Javon which I love. It has 2 years worth of daily calendar projects. You chart "something" for an entire month....life the shape of the moon-the tempurature-what kind of clothes you wore-snowfall amounts-all kinds of stuff. Javon did a weather cart for a month and loved it. I think we'll have a lot of fun with this. Both the kids got a recorder (flute) and I've had fun playing all kinds of songs on it, Reagan loves playing it while Javon plays piano, and Daddy is about to through them both out the window! :-) I also found a really cool penmanship and drawing book in one. Anyways, it was a good day just looking around.

Father's Day - We had a good day at church. Kids' church was busy but fun. Then we went to Longhorn BBQ for our annual "beef day" for daddy.

Now I'm busy getting ready to go to California to visit my grandparents for a week. Neither set of grandparents have a computer let alone the internet, so once again you will see this same post for a week. I told you I am a blogger failer. If I were a hard core blogger I'd drive the 60 miles to Reno and find an internet cafe or something. Oh yeah, I don't have a laptop! Well, it looks like I'll just have to say goodbye for now! Have a wonderful week!