Malachi

Remember her? Well...she just had her first baby and this is him.

Thanksgiving

table runner and turkey placeholders from Bed Bath & Beyond

table almost ready

charles cuts his first turkey & my son and brother Noah

table set...minus drinks

kids plate+adult plate

rolls go on forks

my bros, sister, mom, and my family

Someday They Will Be Grown...

...but for now...

[photos taken at Portraits Innovations]

Thankful Thursday #69

[ by Mango Street Photography ]

Thankful This Week For:

1. My bff, having her first child on Monday...beautiful boy!

2. My new house, so thankful for the extra space so I can host Thanksgiving for the 1st time

3. A God who is stable, and that His Word is available and true

4. Almost 2 amazing years now of being in a small group at our "new" church

5. A lot of baby victories! Lots of pregnancies, births, and adoptions that FINALLY happen for others

6. That we aren't traveling this Fall, usually its every other, and I'm thankful for the break to nest here

7. How fun and wonderful homeschooling Nation kindergarten has gone. #thankyoupinteresttoo

8. All the hours my iPad has entertained my children...I might play with it soon too...it they will share

9. A marriage that isn't where it was last year, and a husband who is fighting for us---daily

10. My three precious, personalty full, busy, talkative, outgoing, brave, "all boy" little men in my life

What are you Thankful for this week?

Link up Below.

"Be thankful to Him, and bless His name." -Psalm 100:4

G is for Goat

G is for Goats

Jesus died for my sins. 

Hebrews 9:13-14

Isaiah 53:5-6

1 John 4:10

John 3:16

Reading scriptures about how sacrifices were used in the old testament and how Jesus was our sacrifice in the new testament.

The Goat in The Rug by Blood
Goats by Macken
The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Asbjornsen
Beatrice's Goat by McBrier

We read these four books shown above. Our favorite, of course, being Beatrice's Goat. A true story told about a girl whose life changes [literally from death to life], when her family is selected by a non-profit to receive a goat. We learned about goats can produce up to 16 cups of milk a day. Providing a much needed nutrition to poverty stricken families for up to 15 years. They can drink the milk, and make yogurt and cheese. Also, sell the excess daily to purchase other needed items.

So as part of lessons this week, we went to World Vision's gift guide and purchased three goats for three needy families. It was an awesome lesson for the boys! See video below.

As always, I found great craft ideas on Pinterest.

I is for Insect

I is for Insect

I am a wise child, so I work hard.

Proverbs 6:6-9; 10:4,5

Colossians 3:23,24

Caught a Dragonfly

We did insect puzzles. 

Bought some bugs for the kids to see in real size.

Studied their life cycles

Got an ant hill. However, I didn't read the directions and...well...killed the ants within a day. Apparently you're suppose to give them water, and not a cup of sugar, ha. Plan to order again.
 

A few insect crafts from my Pinterest category on bugs.




The books we read were:


1. Roberto, The Insect Architect by Laden
2. Hey, Little Ant by Hoose
3. Ant Cities [Let's Read and Find out Science 2] by Dorros
4. Simon & Schuster Children's Guide to Insects & Spiders by Johnson
5. Bugs are Insects [Let's Read and Find out Science 1] by Rockwell


We also watched an amazing movie called: Life in the Undergrowth by Attenborough

Grow

Grow

I think we get too caught up in arrival.
We neglect that we are...growing.
We expect.
"They" expect.
We expect that they expect.
Expectations really stiffle sunshine.
We don't have it all together.
We haven't arrived.
We're not in full bloom.
The Son hasn't come back and fully shinned on us.
We're in process.
Is this a license to not grow?
Certaintly not, who would want that?
I want to be beautiful.
I want to be all the magestic things I could be for Him.
For him.
For them.
For you.
But, I don't grow fast, or better if I expect more from myself than...
My best.
Where I am.
What I can do.
I only have this much time---
I can only do so much.
And that---is fine.
With Him.
Not always me, or them, but Him.
I'm growing.
Like it or not.
Thank you for your patience.
I hope to extend you the same---honor--
Grow at your own pace.
In love.
With love.
By love.
For Love.

He's worthy.

Thankful Thursday #68

Thankful This Week For:

1. Remembering it's Thursday before midnight [sorry!]

2. That a Mac Book is large so should *in theory* be easy to locate somewhere in my house...eventually...seems I've lost mine today

3. Thanksgiving is next week!

4. Motivations of love and not fear

5. NatGeoWild, it's Nation's new TV network he loves

6. That I *think* the last of the humidity & heat is gone...November, it's almost Christmas #takenote

7. That after three times of doing so, I'm not standing outside freezing waiting to get into a midnight Twlight movie. Ahh, my warm bed, and seeing the movie---on a much later date. Ha!

8. For everything that gets cleaned and organized, even if short lived, it's appreciated for those few mintues before---I shove more things back into the junk drawer so full you can't open it---again!

9. Boots, who have kindly hid my very semi-peeling/painted toe nails [hopeful a pedicure is in my future]

10. Texting, it's a way I take a "mommy break" and catch up with friends without having to scream over all the kids so the person on the phone can hear my words

What are [were? since it's so late] you thankful for this week?

Link up below.

W is for Water

W is for Water

Jesus gives my spirit living water to drink.

Isaiah 55:1-3

John 4:14

John 7:37-39

Last week we studied water and we had a lot of fun [and messes!] learning about it. We studied about how water gets from the mountains to the oceans, we learned about the water cycle, and we learned about the properties of matter [solid, liquid, gas].

We did the most science experiments for a unit to date. I didn't photograph them because...well...we were just having too much fun/water experiments and cameras don't mix.

We got some of our craft/experiment ideas also from...Pinterest...see my W is for Water board.

The books we read were:

1. Down Comes the Rain by Branley [Let's read and find out science]
2. Follow The Water from Brook to Ocean by Dorros [Let's read and find out science]
3. What is the World Made Of? All About Solids, Liquids, Gases by Zoehfeld
[Let's read and find out science]
4. The Water Hole by Base
5. Science with Water by Edom [Usborne Science Activities]

ABC & 123 ice cube trays can be found on Amazon.com

The boys sure did have fun, especially with the hammer and the bowl of ice toys ; )

Like A Flower Out of Soil

Nation brought a flower, like he often does, and some roots. I reached for "his" little spice jar I collect all his flowers for me in by the sink. They are separated---the flower---from the root, but in the water, you almost can't tell.

You know the saying, "like a fish out of water", well sometimes I feel like a "flower out of soil".

I can't decide if I should write to you about what I really want to write to you about, or if I should write to you about what you want me to write to you about...

Heck.

I think I've started cursing Monday's, I'm going to start planning super fun things on Monday's so "the suck" can't creep in. Usually it's the usual---cleaning up weekend house, catching up on laundry---oh and food---hit the grocery store, or wait till---next Monday---after all I can make bread and we can eat stuff out of the freezer all week, right?. Sorry kids, we're out of Cheez-it's, how about some croutons? But really, it's more than that, it's not even those chores that bug me, it's---something---I don't know to be honest with you.

I feel like a flower disconnected from my roots. Out of soil, and floating in water...ironically enough, by the kitchen sink. The kitchen sink where I stand most of my day.

I thank God for food to cook, shopping available, kids who are always full, a house to clean, soap to wash clothes with---inside! Still, "the funk" of Monday lingers. Drowning.

It didn't start off that way, even with 4 extra kids this morning, it was---usually nice. But two disagreements, school later in the day, a dinner I even chose not to eat [ha!] later---I'm crawling into bed early. Tear dried face, and wondering how I did today.

I tell myself.

You helped a friend.

You worked on your business.

You did dishes, laundry, and cooked three meals.

You got everyone to nap.

You schooled a Kindergartner.

[and don't forget]

You were out of your pj's before 9 AM.

Still, I didn't ENJOY my day. Where was my JOY? I live IN my day, but I want to live IN joy.

So when markers are on walls, and shredded cheese, rice and cheerios scatter the floor---I still smile. God, you're so good. Teach me to live IN joy. Turn my Monday's into dancing. You know the joy I feel towards the 3 pairs of eyes that look up to me all day, and the thankfulness I have in my heart for my blessed---abundant---ridiculous lavish life, but let me FEEL it.

Let nothing steal it.

Scripture & Snapshot 42

Thankful Thursday #67

Thankful this week for...

1. Friends who pray...when you're unnecessarily gloomy
2. That my best friend's brother---is in a better place
3. Starbucks Chai Latte
4. David Crowder Band concerts---just saw my last one this week. Always loved his comedic self.
5. Finishing up Beth Moore's bible study...gearing up to start a new one in 2012! [sounds weird to say]
6. Waking up sunlight hitting flowers
7. My mom spending the weekend with us [she cleaned, babysat, and organized!]
8. Hours in a bookstore---I could stay there all-day-long and never get bored
9. A busy husband
10. French Toast

What about you? What are you thankful for?

These Are The Days

Recently I heard the song "These Are The Days" by Natalie Merchant [not a Christian song] on the radio, and although I'd heard it growing up, it took on a whole new meaning now that I have children.


To me...it was reminding me to cherish these days...today...with my children. I just soaked up these words as she sang...trying to remember what my [blog] friend wrote about today and how when it comes to choosing between the temporary [day to day chores & tasks & demands] and the eternal [hearts of my children]. I pray more often than not I choose the eternal.

After all, all I can take to Heaven is my friends & family. I can't take my organized pantry or my washed and folded laundry. Isn't that what those silly Pharaoh's believed? I wonder if I had a tomb what I'd have in it? Would I have my pristine house and super mom accompaniments? Homemade baked bread does eventually turn to dirt just like everything else.


But not my little ones---they live forever.


Friends, cherish these days---with your little children. They are numbered. They won't be pulling at our shirts or sitting in our laps forever.

This song says "something will grow within you", and I remember when something did grow within me, and I know how the privilege of watching it grow outside me. Although much louder, much more work, and causing me more gray hair now...I'm still blessed.

Lyrics:

these are days you'll remember

never before and never since, I promise
will the whole world be warm as this
and as you feel it, you'll know it's true
that you are blessed and lucky
it's true, that you are touched by something
that will grow and bloom in you

these are days you'll remember

when May is rushing over you with desire
to be part of the miracles you see in every hour
you'll know it's true, that you are blessed and lucky
it's true, that you are touched by something
that will grow and bloom in you

these are the days
that you might fill with laughter
until you break

these days you might feel a shaft of light
make its way across your face
and when you do
you'll know how it was meant to be
see the signs and know their meaning

you'll know how it was meant to be
hear the signs and
know they're speaking to you
to you

And if you can handle this horrible 90's music video check out the song on YouTube. It's hilariously 90's so maybe just listen to the song and close your eyes and pretend none of us thought it was cool when it first came out.

Scripture & Snapshot 41

Psalm 91:10

In attempt to meditate and memorize The Word more, I spent a few dollars to help create a semi-beautiful way of displaying it. At Wal-Mart I bought the clear refrigerator magnet photo holder for $1 and the picture frame stand for less than $3. I bought enough to put one next to my kitchen and bathroom sinks.

I figure I'll write scriptures out on index cards and leave them there until I memorize them. Changing them out easily when that happens, and the clear plastic helps them from getting wet while we wash our hands or are doing dishes, etc.

How do you get in the habit of memorizing scriptures?

O is Octopus

O is for Octopus

Even the octopus praises the Lord.

Based on the scriptures about even the sea and everything in it praising the Lord

Psalm 104:24,25 and Psalm 69:34 and Psalm 148:7

Books:

An Octopus is Amazing by Lauber

How to Hide An Octopus by Heller

Swimmy by Lionni

Angry Octopus by Stasuyk

Gentle Giant Octopus by Wallace 

We made a few fun crafts that we found on Pinterest.

I enjoyed the books we read and we're now the proud owner of "Rockstar" our *pretend* pet octopus.

We also visited the GA aquarium to see one.