Is was gorgeous this morning as the sun came up and touched the tops of the snow covered trees...magical.

Winter Begins

Our first snow of the season. The kids were so excited and wanted to go out badly.  We finished our schoolwork. The question was where was all the snow gear. I'm not really sure why winter seems to catch me off guard. It comes pretty much the same time every year. I headed to the garage in search of the plastic boxes. They were not buried too deeply and soon everyone was outfitted with enough warm clothing for some fun in the snow.

Yes, those are shorts that Gabe has on. He is always warm, even in winter. I'm sure once he can go sledding, he will at least don snow pants.

There is something so magical about the first few snow falls of the seasons.  Even those of us that are hot summer lovers, stop to enjoy and smile.

First Snow

Our first snow of the 2011-2012 winter season. It is always so beautiful and exciting. Now, if I can just remember what I did with all the winter gear.

An Autumn Walk

It has taken us several weeks, but we have finally settled into somewhat of a weekday routine that is working. Having all of the younger children back home for schooling has been a big challenge for all of us. We are seeing some very positive results, which reaffirms our decision to bring the kids home from public school.


We have enjoyed being able to again take our frequent walks. We live in a lovely area with lots of country roads and nature to enjoy. I get a nice brisk walk, the dogs get some exercise and the kids like to run in the woods, throw stones in the river or find treasures along the way.

You can see the scoured river bank behind the children, remnants of hurricane Irene. This river overflowed it's banks in several areas.

The trees are hanging onto their leaves this fall and this oak was looking mighty handsome with all the variations in leaf color.

Max, our new puppy, has especially enjoyed these outings as everything is so new to him. He spends so much time sniffing everything he can reach. He is already Gabe's buddy and Gabe accommodates him by allowing him to roam all over. Gabe is very good with animals and all our pets seem to gravitate toward him.

We saw this Monarch flying very timidly. I'm sure he was very close to his last days. It is sad to see them go, but just another part of the yearly cycle of nature. He was definitely a bright spot among the brown leaves.

These fellows were looking for a handout. I love the little donkeys. They are so cute and we can hear them braying from our house. What a funny creature they are.

These little walks refresh and energize us to get back to our schoolwork. Sometimes that means more books, but sometimes it is just to discuss and enjoy the treasures we bring home.

Geocaching

We introduced some friends to the fun activity of Geocaching. It is such fun sharing caching with other people. I think they are hooked.  The first cache of the afternoon.  It was in an area that I'm guessing was flooded by hurricane Irene.  The container was a bit damp, but not too bad.

We found four caches, two of them in cemeteries.  Gabe thought this headstone looked like a Guillotine.

Wonderful afternoon spend with special friends.

Camping in Maine - Day 1

It is amazing to me how difficult it was finding a week that worked for the whole family to go on our summer camping vacation. With Bess in college and working, Brian's job as time consuming as ever, several great church activities and a couple summer weddings, it was a logistical challenge. Here we were pushing the end of August and finally making our way to Bar Harbor, Maine. Brian and I have been to this area a few times in the past, the first time for our Honeymoon twenty-five years ago, but the children have never been. We love taking them to new places.

The drive up was uneventful in a good way...light traffic, no problems, happy children and dry weather. We stopped to fill up the van and ourselves at lunchtime and one more time just to let everyone stretch their legs. We made the trip in nine hours. After the days and days of driving last summer, this seemed like a short outing.

We are staying at the Bar Harbor KOA. Brian didn't have any trouble backing into our site and we were hooked up and ready in no time. It is a lovely campground right on the water. We walked down to the water and knew we were going to have a great time.

The kids quickly collected some shells and rocks. Poor Gracie wanted to go into the water so badly, but we did not want to deal with wet dog right away. Tomorrow will be soon enough.


Rachel's arms raised to the sky pretty much expressed how we are all feeling. It is wonderful and we are all so pleased to be here.

Bess looking lovely as always. We are so glad that she was able to work out her schedule to join us. We realize it will be harder and harder for her to get away from school or work to come on our family vacations.

Let the adventure begin!

Quiet Time Basket

Having a consistent quiet time has always been a challenge for me. I'll go through times where it seems easy to set aside the time and to stick with it and other times it seems like just one more thing to add to my busy day of many things I don't have time for.

Recently I signed up at Good Morning Girls. This is an online accountability techie thing where you get a group of women together and check in with them each day. I always do better when I have to report to someone else. I am very hopeful that this will help me make my quiet time more of a priority.

So, I dusted off my Quiet Time Basket (QTB) and restocked it with things that are important to me. Basically, my QTB is a simple basic with books and other supplies that make it easier for me to just pick it up and have a productive quiet time. The location isn't important, it can be my favorite chair or outside or even with me when we go camping.

Here it is all stocked and ready to go. Now, to clarify, this is not my study stuff. That is a whole different kettle of fish. I need to sit at a table or desk to do my serious Bible study. I have several study Bibles, commentaries, dictionary, concordance, maps, etc. This small basket is for sweet, precious times with my Lord, intimate times, when I quietly read smaller portions of His Word, pray and meditate. The way I think of it is that there are times when Brian and I sit down and seriously discuss finances, the house, the children, our goals, etc. and then there are other times when we are just in sweet fellowship, talking about what is on our hearts and sharing the simple pleasures of being together and conversation. This is the contrast between my Bible study and my quiet time.

Here are all the things in my basket....a small Bible (I like NAS), my prayer journal, a devotional (Utmost for His Highest right now, but I have several I rotate through.), two books I am or will be reading, my reading glasses, assortment of pens and pencils, tissues, hand cream, gum, lip balm, a second little notebook (I use this to jot down things that come to my mind that I don't want to forget, but I don't want to be distracted.), my mp3 player (I have lots of praise and worship songs, hymns and sermons loaded.), a candle and matches and a small assortment of note cards (Often someone comes to my mind and I'll write them a quick note.).

I am sure there are many other items that you could add, perhaps a small silk flower, your favorite cd and player or a sketch book, anything that would make your quiet time more personal and meaningful.

So, I encourage you to put together your own Quiet Time Basket.

My Birthday

My family knows that I enjoy being recognized on my birthday. Other holidays and special occasions can come and go and although I enjoy when we do celebrate, it doesn't bother me much if we don't, but on my birthday, I like a bit of a fuss. It doesn't have to be over the top, but just something special here and there.

Brian took the day off. Those of you that haven't figured it out, I really love my man and like nothing better than spending time with him. This alone would have been special enough. He got the kids up and on the bus while I caught a few extra winks....heavenly.

We went out to lunch (with Gabe) at Subway (my choice). Brian often comments that I am a very low maintenance wife. :-) We ran a few errands and did a bit of shopping.

He had intended to make a cake, but we were out most of the day. We stopped and picked one up. We decided to have dessert first as Bess had a babysitting job. So we did cake and ice cream when the kids got home from school. It was very yummy and the kids thought it quite the treat to have dessert first.


I opened my presents. Brian is always very generous. I got new birding binoculars, three Cricut sets, a portable speaker for my mp3 player, a wireless weather station, a shirt and some jewelry, plus several precious cards from the kiddos. Just perfect.


After dinner, Rachel gave me a very long, wonderful foot rub. She has such a servants heart and knows what her momma loves. She is so sweet about it and loves that it makes me happy.

I received tons of birthday wishes online from friends far and wide and phone calls from family.

It was a very pleasant day spent with the people I love most. Thank you, Brian and children, for making my day so special. I feel so very loved and blessed by you all.

Homeschool Mother's Journal

In my life this week...

Enjoyed the spring like weather...so nice after our long, snowy, cold winter.

In our homeschool this week...

Gabe is working along well, although we never seem to manage to get it all done. He is finally making good progress with his math, which makes me very happy.

Places we're going and people we're seeing...

Visited a local maple sugar house this week. We also met up with friends and enjoyed fellowship, the lovely weather and some exercise. Bess and I went to the Asian and Korean markets. That was very interesting. It makes me want to look up some recipes to cook, now that I know I can get all the ingredients locally.

My favorite thing this week was...

Our Secret Sister Reveal Dinner. Always tons of fun fellowship with my sisters in Christ. So much laughter and a sweet time of prayer.

What's working/not working for us...

Still trying to figure out how to stay more focused and get more done. We are getting the basics done well, but some days I have a terrible time adding the extras.

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have...

Feeling I need to "get back to my roots" in our homeschool. I want to revisit my Charlotte Mason material and figure out how we can do what I want to do with a more relaxed natural way of learning. Not loving the school at home type atmosphere so much.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share...



If you would like to participate in The Homeschool Mother’s Journal click the image at the top of the page.

40 Days - Day 7

As I continue to figure out what it means for me to focus on Jesus in a consistent, daily way, I am discovering that so much is attitude; an attitude of worship, an attitude of service in my life.

"so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Colossians 1:10-14

"...bearing fruit in every good work..."

Wow, does that mean even while doing the dishes, the laundry, and housework? Can I really develop an attitude of doing all good work to the glory of God, even the seemingly mundane?

"...you may have great endurance and patience..."

If I work toward bearing fruit in all good works, I'll have more endurance and patience? I sure could use some of that. Attitude!

"For he rescued us from the dominion of darkness..."

I love this!

Today I am going to practice giving thanks in all things and to bear fruit in every good work, to amp up my attitude and view all my work as worthy unto the Lord.

Sugar House Field Trip

Today we went on a field trip with our homeschool group to the Dry Brook Sugar House. It was a very pleasant day, with sunny skies and not too cold. I kept Rachel, Hannah and Dan home from school so they could come and our friends Julie and Alexius rode up with us. Bessie's schedule did not allow her to attend this time. This happens more and more and is a more difficult reality of her growing up. Lots of lively conversation and a stop for donuts made the drive enjoyable.

The children watched as they saw a tree being tapped in the more tradition way with a drill, spile and bucket.

Then they learned how this particular sugar house does it with taps, tubing, large tanks and an oil fired evaporator. It is still a very labor intensive operation and during sugaring season, these folks work very long hours.

We had lunch in their very nice dining room and were treated to ice cream with maple syrup, yum.

The entire evaporating process was explained and questions were asked and answered. All the kids were given activity books and little bottles of syrup.

Before leaving, we wandered around the cow barns (the family that runs the sugar house also owns a diary farm). Everyone is always reluctant to leave their friends.

Gabe especially enjoys spending time with his buds.

I think Dan wanted to climb right in with the cows. All the kids had a great time.

If you live in or close to NY, they will be having Maple Weekends on March 19-20 and March 26-27. Many sugar houses will have open houses with demonstrations and activities. Check here for participating sugar houses. Visiting a sugar house is great family fun.

40 Days - Day 6

Thought a lot today about what it means to focus on something. Here is the definition of focus from the dictionary:

As a noun - a central point, as of attraction, attention, or activity

As a verb - to bring into focus (okay, so I hate when they use the word to describe the word)

So, if I am working this Lenten season on having Jesus as my focus then he should be the center of all my attraction, attention and activity. And if I am going to focus all my attraction, attention and activity on Jesus, then it needs to be an active thing, not just a passive thinking about him sort of thing.

Today, I am working on cutting out some extraneous stuff. I am not thinking of it as giving up things for Lent, but a refocusing on Jesus, which requires giving up some things that don't necessarily support that goal and will be more long term and not just for Lent.

This will be an ongoing process and as I come across things that seem less good than other things, they will probably go. It is tough to assess all areas of your life and make decisions of what stays and what goes, sort of like sorting my clothes. As I lighten the load, it seems to get easier, but I know in the area of activities, it will be harder than deciding to get rid of that dress you haven't worn in a year. Lots of prayer and discernment will be needed.

40 Days - Day 5

Today was one of those days when several things quietly happen that shake me a bit, make me ponder and leave me with new nuggets to chew on and figure out what it all means.

So many friends seem to be going through very difficult times, finances, marriage, children and I often feel so powerless to help. Saying, "I'll pray.", doesn't seem enough, although I know that is the best thing I can do at times. But it feels like coming upon a starving man and telling him you'll pray for him when what he really needs is something to eat. How can I physically help people meet their immediate needs while also praying fervently for their difficulties. I have no easy answer to that one.

I have been struggling with a couple decisions that would more than likely cause some upheaval in our family. Not necessarily bad, but change and that usually means discomfort. I have been trying very hard to not get ahead of what God wants. I've shared with Brian, he is praying, I am impatient. I would love to have clear cut answers, but I've never been one to see very clearly. I follow God in the dark most of the time and often in the dark on a foggy night.

As I was driving here and there today, two songs back to back struck me right to the heart. The first one was Cry Out to Jesus by Third Day and the second was Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns. In the middle of singing my heart out (I was alone in van.) my throat caught and I began to weep and not just gentle tears, but an actually sob coming from somewhere deep down and I found myself asking, do I cry out to Jesus and listen to the voice of truth and the answer is most of the time, no. Most of the time I listen to the whispers of the great deceiver that drag me down and keep me from hearing much of anything except lies.

As I lay in my nice hot bubble bath tonight, reading Ann Voskamp's book One Thousand Gifts this passage struck another chord.

"Always, the failing. I yell at children, fester with bitterness, forget doctor appointments, lose library books, live selfishly, skip prayer, complain, go to bed too late, neglect cleaning the toilets. I live tired. Afraid. Anxious. Weary." pg. 27

Wow, tired, afraid, anxious, has she been living in my head? So many days this is me and my life.

What do all these things mean? I don't even begin to know, but God is speaking and I'm trying to listen. Change is coming one way or another. If I listen well, it will be for the best, but perhaps not the easiest. Is the best ever easy?

Toothy Grin

Dan lost one of his top front teeth yesterday. He has lost a few on the bottom, but this is his first top tooth. He was so pleased with himself for working on it all day and getting it out. I think he will look so different once those big boy teeth start coming.

40 Days - Day 4

"Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart." Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

I've been thinking a lot today about this passage. How important it is to surround myself with fellow believers, to share the journey.

How often have I failed in being there for others when they needed a companion to lift them up after they have failed? Life can get so hectic, so busy, but to what end? What is all the busyness about? Is my life bearing fruit of substance or just busyness for the sack of being busy?

Jesus surrounded himself with a select group of companions. He was teaching, but he could have accomplished this totally alone, he needed no one. I like to think he enjoyed the companionship of others as much as we do and I can think of him eating, laughing, talking and instructing.

We were created to need others, to gain strength and security in companionship with others. The Bible instructs believers to gather together in fellowship.

I am going to strive to be more purposeful in my relationships and more accessible to my fellow travelers, more willing to walk along beside and share the road and any burdens that come along.

40 Days - Day 3

In response to today's tragedy, the earthquake in Japan and subsequent tsunami, I found myself praying and praying some more, for friends in Japan and Hawaii and for strangers whose lives will be forever changed.

The earth seems to be groaning, shifting and moving. So much activity from this world we live on. Many are screaming end times and I suppose we are, but God's timing is not our timing and no one knows the day, but as a woman in travail, these are all symptoms of the inevitable. Jesus will return and there will be great tribulation.

"For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows." Mark 13:8

All of this gives me a sense of urgency, to be right and ready, to repent and pray, to seek God's face more diligently and purposefully, to make my actions and decisions count for eternity and not just for this temporal life I'm in right now.

Project Simplify: Master Closet

Trish at Simple Mom is hosting a blog project to focus on decluttering and simplifying. I am reading Trish's book, Organized Simplicity and it goes along well with the blog projects.

The first area to tackle was the master closet. I have to chuckle at the idea of a master closet as we have a very old home and only have a few closets. There is certainly nothing masterly about our closet, (long and narrow and slanted ceiling) but it is the closet that Brian and I use.

After working on and off this week, I was able to get the closet done. We were also suppose to tackle dressers and anywhere else our clothes were stored. I did not finish it all. I did most of my drawers, but I have clothes stored for off season, so those will wait. This will definitely be an ongoing project.

Without further ado...

Before....here is the closet door, which happens to be where I hang the half dozen outfits I rotate for church. The closet was too cramped and I did not like having to dig for my clothes each week.

After...no clothes, wiped clean and looking so much nicer.

Before...my end of the closet. The clothes were packed in there and so many of them I hadn't worn in years.

After...about half the amount. Things are easy to see and there is room for everything to hang nicely so they don't wrinkle so much. There is still a mish-mash of hangers and I will be replacing them with new hangers. I'll ask Brian to go through his end of the closet when he returns for his latest trip.

This is the pile of clothes that will be going away. My parent's church holds a monthly clothing sale and all the proceeds go to their missions program, so these will be donated there.

This is the colorful pile of hangers that I didn't need. These will get sorted with most going in the trash.


Ah, it is feeling good already to be lightening the load and paring down.

40 Days - Day 2

Deciding to participate in this meme was easy. I liked the idea of taking the days between Ash Wednesday and Easter to direct my thoughts toward the cross and the sacrifice Christ made for me. But what will that look like for the next 40 days. I'd like to think my focus is on Christ most days, so how can I magnify that into a deeper experience?

As I posted yesterday, we started reading Amon's Adventure. This will be a fun way to include the children. They enjoy read alouds and we have found the books by Arnold Ytreeide to be fun and exciting and also offer plenty of opportunities for discussion.

I've also have a Lenten devotional and have ordered Bread and Light: Readings for Lent and Easter. I plan on doing some hands-on activities with the children.

The devotional states that Lent should direct our attention toward human sin and God's gracious solution. Realizing my sinfulness and the need for a Savior.

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." Psalm 51:17

So, for today, my focus is on how very much I need a Savior and just how high a price was paid for my sinfulness.

40 Days - Day 1

I'm participating in 40 Days of Seeking Him, hosted at A House Upon the Rock. I am hoping this will help me keep my focus on Christ during the days leading up to Resurrection Day.

I was not raised in a liturgical church and we do not attend one now, but we have enjoyed activities for Advent and I am hoping that we can make Lent equally meaningful. Whereas neither Advent or Lent are Biblical, I feel they are worthwhile traditions if carried out with the purpose of making Christ the focus of the season.

I have no big plans yet, except we will be reading Amon's Adventure by Arnold Ytreeide. He is the same author who wrote Jotham's Journey, Bartholomew's Passage and Tabitha's Travels. We have enjoyed these stories during Advent and look forward to reading this newest book about the days leading up to Christ's crucifixion and resurrection.

I would love to hear about your plans for Lent.

Weekly Daybook

For Today...March 8, 2011

Outside my window...The trees are coated with a thick layer of ice from the storm Sunday and yesterday. The sun is shining so bright and the sky so blue. It looks like a million diamonds sparkling. The snow is fresh and white and the ice is slowly dripping under the warmth of the sun. The birds flit back and forth from the feeders to the trees.

I am thinking...about being a better momma and what that would look like and how to get there. A change is in order, but making those changes might be more difficult that I think.

I am grateful for...random blogs that encourage and uplift. I found a few today that made me cry (in a good way) and warmed my heart with ideas for change and renewal.

From the learning rooms...basics today after a snow day yesterday. Gabe is making good progress and working well this year.

From the kitchen...all quiet today. The kitchen needed a lot of clean up after the power outage. Probably one of our comfort foods for dinner...Velveeta mac n' cheese with ham.

On my mind...how to make our home run better. Things are always so cluttered and chaotic. Working on scaling down and simplifying. I know that seems like a fad word these days, but simple would work much better for this family.

I am creating...finishing my latest cross-stitch block, a very colorful train, for my stitching group.

I am wearing...black wind pants and a pretty light blue fleece pull-over.

I am reading...Mystery Mile by Margery Allingham and One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.

I am hoping...that I can really bring about some change and not just think about it. I have the best intentions and ideas, but often stumble on the follow through of implementing them.

I am hearing...the computer fan, the sump pump, Gracie the dog snoring and Gabe chewing ice.

I am Pondering...simplicity. What will that look like for this family with all our likes and dislikes. How can we scale back without sacrificing the things we enjoy.

One of my favorite things...a simple text, "I love you."

A week plans for the week...the usual activities...exercise class and Zumba, choir, praise and worship, mid-week club for the kids, youth group and Bible study...and a few extras, meetings at the school, a jewelry party and missions meeting at church. And best of all, on Sunday we'll pick Bri up at the airport.

Go to The Simple Woman to read more entries.

Here is a picture I'd like to share...the trees after the ice storm.

Off Again

We are accustomed to Brian's trips, which happen on a fairly regular basis. The past several years have seen an increase in the number of trips and the length of those trips.

He was away for six weeks this fall, home for about a month over Christmas and now has gone again. We feel his absences greatly. We know his trips are short compared to many we know, but it is still hard on all of us. This time of year can be especially hard as winter seems to cause more problems with the house, vehicles, storms, etc. and we don't spend as much time outside, so all feel the cabin fever a bit.

He said goodbye to Rachel, Hannah and Dan as they got on the bus. Bess, Gabe and I took him to the airport. It was a beautiful winter day. He checked in and then we hung out in the observation room. Eventually we have to say goodbye. We have learned to be a good military family, no tears until after he leaves us. We gave hugs and kisses, smiled and sent him on his way.

We watch him pass through the security area. It is fun to watch the people go through here. They allow military families to go all the way through if we like, but we find it is harder on all and just prolongs the inevitable.


When he finally passes through and we can't see him anymore, then we sometimes cry. We are fine. We manage. We miss him. His homecoming will be sweet and much anticipated. The cycle repeats.

New Year's Day Walk

The weather the last few days has been quite warm. After a very lazy morning, Brian and I decided to take a walk.

We pass the same river several times as we walk along our road and each bend has it's own character. Even though it has been warm, there is still a lot of snow and most of the river is frozen.

I love the sound and sights of the water. It swirls under, over and around the ice, making interesting patterns.


We took a detour over to the falls as it is always lovely. Most of it was still frozen over, but there was a nice splash of water at the bottom.

We appreciate the opportunity to get out, just the two of us, to walk and talk without the bustle of the children. It was a splendid walk.