Pockets of Time

Lin-sanity has Lin-vaded Our Home!

2012-02-16T15:15:00.014-06:00

Seven Lins in a row! That’s Lin-credible! We are going Lin-sane!!

As I scribbled some notes for this blog post while waiting for our son’s dentist appointment this morning, I realized that Lin-sanity has indeed Lin-vaded our home. We now call our older son “Jeremy” and our younger one “Lil Lin.” And don’t forget about Coach Lin and Mama Lin to finish the family. The Asians are coming out in droves to see Lin play, chanting S.A.T. at his games (that’s sooooooooooo Asian), reading every Lin article online, and watching Lin highlights over and over on espn.com.

This Taiwanese-American, Harvard graduate has inspired a new generation of Asian basketball players, all two of them. I realize I’m exaggerating, though it can seem that way in Wisconsin where our boys play.

I listen to comments from the crowd when our 70-pound, sixth-grader brings the ball down, “Oh he’s so little, but he really knows how to handle the ball. He’s really fun to watch.” When our “Lil Lin” scores, the crowd seems so surprised. He’s made 3 of 7 3-point shots this season and, when confronted with three 200-pound defenders (no joke) blocking his way at half court, “Lil Lin” finds a way to dribble or pass around them.

Our eighth-grader has a passion for basketball, which he brings to his tournament team. Lin is a good role model of a smart, Christian athlete who puts team ahead of self and works hard to improve his game. The other day our sixth-grader told me he had a new favorite NBA player, Lin, to replace his former favorite Yao. Perhaps people will stop calling our tall teenager Yao now. We’d be fine hearing “Jeremy” instead.

The significance of Lin is showing that Asian-Americans can succeed in something other than medicine, engineering, and accounting. He’s the native son who we claim as our own and hope our kids aspire to be: Harvard-educated and competitive in the National Basketball Association. He seems to handle the attention with humility and ease, staying true to his faith, and not taking success for granted.

For our Asian family whose boys are heavily involved with sports, it’s important to find an Asian-American who excels in this area in addition to academics. When we spot another Asian on the court, our boys usually end up guarding them and chasing the American dream, which is what Linning is all about.

14 More Tips for Successful Family Trips

2011-12-15T09:55:00.002-06:00

My last article has been published over at Heart of the Matter today. After three and a half years of writing monthly for this parenting website, I've simply run out of things to say. I've enjoyed the opportunity to contribute and share my thoughts on a variety of topics. I'll miss it going forward and hope to update my personal blogs once in a while. For now, you can find me on Facebook, which I check regularly. Merry Christmas, everyone!

Fathers

2011-11-15T19:54:00.002-06:00

In addition to Thanksgiving, November is the month of my father's birth, so I decided to write a blog post about Fathers at Heart of the Matter this month. We met for lunch on Saturday with my parents, brother, and his wife to celebrate another year of life. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Field Trip: The Creation Museum

2011-10-11T09:38:00.003-05:00

In August we took a field trip to the Creation Museum on our way to the East Coast. Please read my article at the Heart of the Matter to see what we did at this well-made museum. If you're able, we'd recommend stopping at the Creation Museum to learn more about life's origins. Enjoy your visit, and prepare to believe!

Life without Limits

2011-09-19T08:49:00.003-05:00

On our vacation this August, our family read Nick Vujicic's amazing book, Life without Limits. After we returned from the east coast, our boys wrote book reports on lessons learned and applications for their lives. At Heart of the Matter, please read about what the boys and I gained from this incredible man born without arms and legs. It may transform your life.

Organizing a Used Curriculum Sale

2011-08-22T19:10:00.002-05:00

In June, my friend Lisa D. and I organized a Used Curriculum Sale for our local homeschool group. I wrote about the inner workings of this sale in an article at Heart of the Matter Online. Please take a look and leave a comment. Thanks!

Bittersweet Birthdays

2011-08-01T22:54:00.004-05:00

If you've ever felt a twinge of sadness while watching your little boy grow up, then this article on Bittersweet Birthdays is for you. It seems to hit me hardest with my oldest, as our younger one still seems little to me. While there is a hint of nostalgia, these are sweet days indeed.

Free Heart of the Matter Magazine!

2011-07-20T14:41:00.004-05:00

The latest Heart of the Matter Magazine is online with my article, "Planning for Next School Year," on pages 22-23. This is my first article published in this free homeschool magazine, with the article title on the front cover too! Enjoy reading the articles in this online publication and let me know what you think.

Getting to Know Me

2011-06-22T09:26:00.002-05:00

I have a "Getting to Know Lisa" post at Heart of the Matter today with some quirky facts and tidbits about me and my family. Feel free to share something about you!

Wasting My Life

2011-06-15T15:01:00.002-05:00

If you've ever felt as though you are wasting your time, education, and energy as a full-time mom or home educator, then the "Wasting My Life?" article was written for you. Please join me at Heart of the Matter today and share your thoughts.

Planning for Next School Year

2011-05-09T16:46:00.004-05:00

Please join me at Heart of the Matter today for my post on Planning for Next School Year. It's that time when many teachers think to the future and choose what they'll be doing next year. What curriculum do you use?

Tiger Mom

2011-04-29T17:36:00.003-05:00

Please join me at Heart of the Matter today for my article, Am I a Tiger Mom? It compares Tiger Moms to western parents and tries to find a balance somewhere in between. What type of mom are you?

Wearing Jeans after All These Years

2011-04-21T18:00:00.002-05:00

Remember the jeans you wore in junior high? I'll admit I was a nerd. I didn't care about fashion, hair, or makeup until much later in life, and I wore the faded jeans with a rainbow on the back pocket that caused me to be taunted much of seventh grade. It wasn't the fashion or the style, at least not according to the "popular" girls. But I didn't really care.

In high school, I had a couple pairs of Lee jeans that matched my maiden name. I also owned a pair of white jeans that got lost over the years, but the Lee jeans are still in my possession. The last time I wore those high-waisted, tapered pants was about a decade ago at a farm field trip with friends.

Since that time, our family has been denim-free. My husband never liked jeans, and our two boys and I found them uncomfortable. The kids live in athletic pants instead, while I have my two black slacks that take me through the winter, which is long here in the frozen tundra.

Recently, however, I found jeans on clearance at Target for $6 a pair which made them very hard to resist. Since my Lee jeans have long gone out of style, I was very tempted to try these out. After several minutes in the fitting room, I made my decision and walked out with a deep-dyed, straight cut pair of blue jeans. I soon discovered that these weren't as comfortable as my black pants. Though they aren't skinny jeans, I can only wear them when I don't eat. Not practical, to say the least.

Looking around at the Kohl's clearance racks another week, I found a pair of black jeans for $10.80. Since I'm so used to wearing black, I thought these would be perfect. They are a size bigger than the blue jeans, boot cut, and comfortable.

Now I have two pairs of jeans from which to choose, though there is also the issue of shoes. Not having worn jeans for so many years, I didn't know what people wore with their jeans. Boots seem to be popular in the winter, as are sandals in the summertime.

I can see why people like jeans. They are versatile and you can dress them up or down and wear any kind of shoe with them. Certain kinds are comfortable and everyone, from infants to senior citizens, wears jeans.

Watching basketball games this winter gave me lots of time to check out everyone's jeans and shoes and get ideas for this blog post. So if you see me at a game staring at someone's feet or pants, please excuse this new jean wearer and allow me a little latitude. With my non-faded black jeans on, I may be sporting a different attitude.

What are your favorite jeans?

Sharing Our Testimony

2011-03-23T20:56:00.003-05:00

Please visit me at Heart of the Matter to read My Testimony. At our LIFE Group (small group Bible study) this past Sunday night, we each got to share our testimony with the group. What a blessing to hear how the Lord saved us and who has influenced us spiritually through the years. Feel free to share your testimony or describe how someone influenced your life in the comments section below.

More Than a Game

2011-02-23T12:29:00.003-06:00

Please visit me at Heart of the Matter today as I write about basketball being More Than a Game to our teenager. Do you have a child who loves sports? Or one who has a dream that differs from yours? Then this article is for you. Have a great week, everyone!

Above All, God

2011-01-25T14:55:00.003-06:00

Wow, it's been a long time since I've updated this blog. With the holidays behind us and a new year ahead of us, I'll try to blog a bit from time to time. I've found that Facebook provides a faster way of uploading pictures and writing quick status updates when that is all one has time for. I still write monthly at Heart of the Matter Online, including my latest post, Above All, God. Please check it out, find me on Facebook, and visit my blog for updates. That's all for now. Take care!

Word-filled Wednesday - Caves

2010-11-01T18:18:00.004-05:00

And they shall go into the holes of the rocks,

and into the caves of the earth,

for fear of the LORD,

and for the glory of his majesty,

when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.

~ Isaiah 2:19

Last Thursday we took a field trip to the Cave of the Mounds with our home school group and learned about the different formations in this cave. I was surprised to see the word cave appear 41 times in the Bible. I chose this verse from Isaiah for this week's Word-filled Wednesday.

Word-filled Wednesday is not about books, authors, artists…it’s about God and HIS WORD ONLY. WFW is about celebrating the gift of creativity through God’s Word. To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, please visit Internet Café Devotions.

Word-filled Wednesday - Babes

2010-10-26T17:18:00.004-05:00

As newborn babes,

desire the sincere milk of the word,

that ye may grow thereby:

~ 1 Peter 2:2

These photos were taken at a beautiful baby dedication this past Sunday. One baby is a few months old, while the other is just a few days. May we all desire the sincere milk of the word and grow thereby.

Word-filled Wednesday - Missionaries

2010-10-19T20:45:00.005-05:00

And he said unto them,

Go ye into all the world,

and preach the gospel to every creature.

~ Mark 16:15

It was a great blessing to see our missionary friends today, though our time was short as they were in town for a missions conference. This photo includes veteran missionaries to India as well as a young family on deputation as they prepare to go to Brazil. Missionaries have a special calling on their life, as they go and preach the gospel to a lost and dying world.

Word-filled Wednesday - Child

2010-10-10T14:19:00.003-05:00

For this child I prayed;

and the LORD hath given me

my petition which I asked of him:
~ 1 Samuel 1:27

A young couple dedicated their 8-month-old son in the morning worship service today. Our pastor shared thoughts on children and parenting, including the verse above. May we all dedicate our lives, and our children's lives, to the Lord.

Word-filled Wednesday - Happy

2010-10-02T20:59:00.004-05:00

For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands:

happy shalt thou be,

and it shall be well with thee. ~

Psalm 128:2

As a spelling activity, our 10-year-old son wrote his spelling words with toothpicks. After completing his words, he arranged the toothpicks into a face. Seeing this face simply makes me smile with happiness.

Usborne Books eShow

2010-09-29T16:29:00.004-05:00

Are you interested in great books for your kids? Then look no further than my Usborne Books eShow. Usborne provides educational, affordable books that kids love to read! I discovered Usborne a few years ago and wished I had known about them when my children were young. At 10 and 13, they still enjoy the Usborne Books we've collected over the years and look forward to new titles each year.

On the Usborne website, please note the Bargains on the top left column and the New Titles on the top right column. The Monthly Specials link at the bottom of the website is always a hit.

My eShow will run through October 13th so you can stock up on birthday and Christmas gifts too. All online orders will be delivered to your door. Invest in Usborne...the books kids love to read!

Word-filled Wednesday - Midst

2010-09-21T22:38:00.004-05:00

For where two or three are

gathered together in my name,

there am I in the midst of them.

~ Matthew 18:20

Our church ladies gathered together this past Friday for a baby shower for one of our young moms. We enjoyed a devotion based on God's Word, played some fun games, ate delicious snacks, and conversed into the night. It was a blessing from above.

Word-filled Wednesday - Mist

2010-09-14T18:38:00.003-05:00

But there went up a mist from the earth,
and watered the whole face of the ground.
~ Genesis 2:6

This photo was taken at a farm on Saturday where had a Family Fun Day with our church. It had rained that morning but cleared up as events got underway. The mist rose from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground.

Word-filled Wednesday is not about books, authors, artists…it’s about God and HIS WORD ONLY. WFW is about celebrating the gift of creativity through God’s Word. To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, please visit Internet Café Devotions.

Word-filled Wednesday - Fountain

2010-08-31T21:01:00.005-05:00

For with thee is the fountain of life:

in thy light shall we see light.

~ Psalm 36:9

We took a walk by the lake tonight and captured this photo of a fountain on top of the Monona Terrace with the State Capitol in the background. I thought this verse was quite beautiful and fitting.

Tackle It Tuesday - The Office

2010-08-30T20:59:00.006-05:00

When my hubby declared we were going to tackle my office and the big black garbage bag appeared, I became afraid. Very afraid. Things could turn ugly very easily, and they almost did. The boys quickly gathered their toys out of my room, which made the office look about 50% better. Next came all the boxes of books, piles of paper, and other miscellaneous stuff that has gathered dust in my office for years. Why did we keep these phone books from 2004 or my 10-year-old’s Kindergarten books?

You know it’s bad when I took a break to clean the deep fryer. Anything but go through that office. Plus we ran out of dust cloths. Not good.

As I reluctantly returned upstairs, I slowly made progress going book by book. Some items I put in the “for sale” box for our homeschool used book sale, while other items would simply go foee. Once I cleared out some shelves on the bookshelf, I could neatly stack the ones I wanted tr fro keep. Box after box was slowly being emptied and the office continued to look better and better. In addition, my hubby set up our new wireless printer/copier/scanner in my office. I love it!

Now I can actually walk through my office without stepping on Legos or bumping into boxes and I can print without having gray stripes streak down the paper. Our two boys want my office as a bedroom, so they won’t have to share one anymore. However, I’m not giving it up, at least not yet. I mean, where would I put all my stuff??

For more Tackle It Tuesdays, please visit 5 Minutes for Mom.

Word-filled Wednesday - Children

2010-08-24T18:50:00.004-05:00

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD:

and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

~ Psalm 127:3

After church on Sunday night, we took a photo of the ladies and babies. Seeing all these little ones reminded me of this verse.

Word-filled Wednesday - Fight

2010-08-17T21:15:00.002-05:00

I have fought a good fight,
I have finished my course,
I have kept the faith:
~ 2 Timothy 4:7

This photo is just for fun, as we've recently taken up boxing at our local gym, and only against a punching bag, of course! Seeing the photo brought this verse to mind.

Word-filled Wednesday - Moon

2010-07-27T21:30:00.010-05:00

Praise ye him, sun and moon:

praise him, all ye stars of light.

~ Psalm 148:3

We saw this beautiful full moon as my husband and I drove home from our anniversary dinner on Sunday night. May we, along with all creation, praise Him as our Creator.

Tackle It Tuesday - Back to the Bob

2010-07-26T21:40:00.007-05:00

This past Wednesday, between my birthday and anniversary, I made my semi-annual trek to the hair salon for a new summer 'do. I showed my hairdresser a picture from a Pantene ad and asked if it was a bob that was flipped back. She said it was, so I went back to the bob (after growing my hair out a bit) and my hairdresser curled it off my face.
It definitely has more bounce than my normally straight hair and is easier and lighter during these warm, humid days.
That's my main tackle this past week. What are you tackling today?

For more Tackle It Tuesdays, please visit 5 Minutes for Mom.

Show & Tell - Birthday Roses

2010-07-22T13:15:00.009-05:00

For this week's Show and Tell Friday, I'm posting some photos of my birthday roses that I received on Monday from my boys.
These hot pink roses bloomed bigger than we expected.
We were at my parents' home on Monday, so my mom let me borrow her pink Mother's Day vase.
To view more birthday photos, please visit my family blog. For more Show & Tell, please visit Cindy at My Romantic Home.

Word-filled Wednesday - Birth

2010-07-19T21:59:00.005-05:00

And thou shalt have joy and gladness;

and many shall rejoice at his birth.
~ Luke 1:14

This verse reflects on the birth of our Lord, and our joy and gladness in his coming to earth to be our Savior. We also rejoice at the births of loved ones. My mom served delicious strawberry cheesecake for my birthday on Monday. May the joy of our birthdays point us to the One who gives us joy and gladness.

The purpose of Word-filled Wednesday is to share God's Word (no famous quotes or other literature) through photos and a Bible verse! To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, please visit Internet Cafe Devotions.

You can also visit me at Heart of the Matter Online to read my recent article on Summer Learning.

Word-filled Wednesday - Fellowship

2010-07-05T18:09:00.004-05:00

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.

~ 1 John 1:7

This photo was taken at our monthly ladies night out with our church friends. We enjoy sweet fellowship with one another because of our common bond in Christ. The purpose of Word-filled Wednesday is to share God’s Word (no famous quotes or other literature) through photos & a Bible verse! To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, please visit Internet Café Devotions.

Today (July 6th) was our younger son's 10th birthday. To see photos from his special day, please visit our family blog. Happy Word-filled Wednesday!

Word-filled Wednesday - Rainbow

2010-06-29T09:18:00.004-05:00

And it shall come to pass,

when I bring a cloud over the earth,

that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:
And I will remember my covenant,

which is between me and you

and every living creature of all flesh;

and the waters shall no more

become a flood to destroy all flesh.

~ Genesis 9:14-15

We saw this beautiful rainbow to the east amidst a thunderstorm last week. To the west, a stunning yellow and orange sunset filled the sky (see previous post). The purpose of Word-filled Wednesday is to share God’s Word (no famous quotes or other literature) through photos & a Bible verse!

To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, please visit Internet Café Devotions.

Word-filled Wednesday - Sky

2010-06-19T14:23:00.003-05:00

Hast thou with him spread out the sky,

which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?

~ Job 37:18

During a thunderstorm last night, a bright yellow light filled the sky as the sun descended. The vivid yellows and oranges made for a surreal photo above the house and treetops.

The purpose of Word-filled Wednesday is to share God’s Word (no famous quotes or other literature) through photos & a Bible verse!

To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, please visit Internet Café Devotions.

Word-filled Wednesday - Church

2010-06-15T08:30:00.003-05:00

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter,

and upon this rock I will build my church;

and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

~ Matthew 16:18

This past Sunday we heard the thought that the church is our protection, which led me to this verse. This photo was taken of the front of our church building. More information on our church can be found here.

The purpose of Word-filled Wednesday is to share God’s Word (no famous quotes or other literature—only the beautiful word of our Father) through photos & a Bible verse!

To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, please visit Internet Café Devotions.

Word-filled Wednesday - Teaching

2010-06-06T17:26:00.005-05:00

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;

teaching and admonishing one another

in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,

singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

~ Colossians 3:16

The above photo was taken at church of the adult Sunday School class taught by our Pastor (in the blue shirt and striped tie). The purpose of Word-filled Wednesday is to share God’s Word (no famous quotes or other literature—only the beautiful word of our Father) through photos & a Bible verse!

To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, please visit Internet Café Devotions. To see photos from our son's 13th birthday, please visit our family blog.

Word-filled Wednesday - Love

2010-06-01T20:36:00.006-05:00

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples,

if ye have love one to another.
~ John 13:35

The purpose of Word-filled Wednesday is to share God’s Word (no famous quotes or other literature—only the beautiful word of our Father) through photos & a Bible verse!

Our church ladies met at Olive Garden last Tuesday for a ladies night out to show love one to another. To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, please visit Internet Cafe Devotions.

Kim & Andy's Wedding

2010-05-26T22:33:00.016-05:00

Our friends Kim and Andy were married this past Saturday. The wedding party included a handsome ring bearer and a lovely flower girl.
The moment Kim arrived with her father, she looked radiant as the bride.
The back of her dress looked beautiful too.
The ceremony included the blending of the unity sand and a solo by the groom's brother.
The couple exchanged vows and rings and were then pronounced husband and wife.
The newlyweds were presented at the outdoor reception on a beautiful day in May.
The guests enjoyed mingling and eating on the front lawn of the church. I got to catch up with Jen, who flew from California to attend the wedding.
Ashley and I wore matching dresses.
Sarah and Suzette looked lovely in their flowing spring skirts.
Andy and Kim posed with the sharp-looking Lees in purple.
The cake was beautiful and delicious!
We gathered some of the ladies together and posed with roses.
Tricia and Deb wore matching polka dot dresses.
This final shot has the happy couple posing with most of the Hannas. We wish Andy and Kim all the best in the years ahead. Congratulations!

Word-filled Wednesday - Mothers

2010-05-21T16:47:00.006-05:00

But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time,

houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers,
and children, and lands, with persecutions;
and in the world to come eternal life.

~ Mark 10:30

The purpose of Word-filled Wednesday is to share God’s Word (no famous quotes or other literature—only the beautiful word of our Father) through photos & a Bible verse!

Here’s my friend and fellow baseball mom as we wear our matching shirts and watch our sons play ball. For more Little League pictures, please visit my family blog.

To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, please visit Susan at http://susan2956.blogspot.com.

Show and Tell - Mother's Day

2010-05-13T14:41:00.009-05:00

For this week's Show and Tell Friday, I'm showing my Mother's Day rose bouquet. Our 9-year-old son chose the color, as red has always been his favorite.
The dozen roses are still blooming in our dining room.
My hubby and boys gave me a beautiful card to go with the flowers. We had a wonderful Mother's Day together, starting with church and proceeding to a Thai restaurant for lunch with some friends. We ended our day with a fire pit and apple pie at our friends' home. To see more Mother's Day pictures, please visit my family blog.
For more Show and Tell Friday, please visit Cindy at My Romantic Home.

Word-filled Wednesday - Future

2010-05-08T21:36:00.006-05:00

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,
says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil,
to give you a future and a hope.
~ Jeremiah 29:11

I'm posting this Word-filled Wednesday a few days early, since I need to catch up on both my blogs. We memorized this verse as part of our ladies Bible study as we read through the book, "Loving God with All Your Mind." This verse came to mind as we attended a college graduation this past Friday. God is giving us a future and a hope. Let's trust Him for our future.

The purpose of Word-filled Wednesday is to share God’s Word (no famous quotes or other literafilled ture—only the beautiful word of our Father) through photos & a Bible verse! To find more Word-Wednesdays, please visit Lori at www.allyouhavetogive.com.

Double Baby Shower

2010-04-24T20:16:00.008-05:00

From bridal shower last weekend to baby shower this morning, we've been busy blessing the special people in our lives with love and gifts. Beki and Kelly are both expecting baby boys in the coming weeks, so we did a joint shower for them.
The shower started with a quiz about Beki and Kelly's due dates, names, and other pertinent information.
We're glad for all the ladies who could come. Terri, in the pink striped-shirt, presented an excellent devotion today.
We enjoyed a delicious brunch of salads and breads, and then the moms took turns opening their presents. They received lots of cute outfits, bibs, blankets, and other baby essentials.
We got a group shot of the ladies who remained until the end. Thanks to all the women who made this shower a success.
For more baby shower pictures, please visit my family blog. Blessings to Beki and Kelly as they look forward to the arrival of their baby boys in May or June.

Bridal Shower

2010-04-17T20:36:00.005-05:00

Last night a group of ladies gathered to celebrate Kim's upcoming marriage in May. Kim was showered with many gifts including kitchen and bath towels, knives, prep bowls, place mats, and rugs.
We played fun games, enjoyed a variety of food, and took group shots at the end.
We wish Kim and Andy a happy, joyful life together. For more shower photos, please visit my family blog.

Ultimate Blog Party 2010

2010-04-08T18:58:00.013-05:00

Welcome to the Ultimate Blog Party hosted by 5 Minutes for Mom. This online party helps connect people from around the blogosphere.

Welcome to my public blog, Pockets of Time. I also keep a family blog named after our two sons. Our boys are 12 and 9, and we are in our 6^th year of homeschooling. My family blog chronicles our homeschooling adventures, which entail all aspects of life.

As a homeschooling mom, I wear many hats including teacher, wife, blog author, newsletter editor, and home business owner with Young Living Essential Oils. My background is in accounting, though I’ve been an at-home mom for almost 13 years now. I’m a regular contributor at Heart of the Matter Online and a quarterly editor of our homeschool newsletter, FISH Tales.

I’ve blogged over three years at my family blog and almost two years on this blog. I decided to make my family blog private while writing publicly here in order to participate in memes and keep up with everyone. Since I don’t post pictures of our boys on this blog, I posted some pictures with my friends, who helped me celebrate a milestone birthday this past year.

We strive to provide a Christian home for our children where they can grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ daily as we read God’s Word, memorize Scripture verses, and participate in our local church.

Thanks for stopping by, and feel free to leave a comment. I’ll be sure to visit all the bloggers who comment on this post. Have fun at the Ultimate Blog Party and check out the fabulous prizes! My top prize picks are: US31, 32, 37, 52, 55, 73, 74, 87, 88, 107, 112, 113 and USC 3, 8, 15, 25, 36, 37, 40, and 44.

Word-filled Wednesday - Passover

2010-03-30T19:34:00.003-05:00

Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover,

in the feast day, many believed in his name,

when they saw the miracles which he did.

~ John 2:23

We learned about the Seder of Passover meal at church this past Sunday with a demonstration involving four friends. The lesson showed us the significance of the Passover and how the elements point to our Savior, Jesus Christ.

The purpose of Word-filled Wednesday is to share God’s Word (no famous quotes or other literature—only the beautiful word of our Father) through photos & a Bible verse!

To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, please visit Amydeanne at the 160 Acre Woods.

Tackle It Tuesday - Spring Cleaning

2010-03-29T17:26:00.008-05:00

At the start of our spring break this Monday, we decided to commence our spring cleaning. We had lots to do, as our house was filled with clutter, dust, and assorted Lego boxes. The whole family pitched in, and this is what we have accomplished so far:

Cleaned out the silverware drawer
Recycled newspapers
Laundry
Dishes
Cleared off the coffee table
Returned library books
Bought a birthday gift and birthday wrap
Dusted the ceiling fan, curio cabinet, and various surfaces
Vacuumed
Organized the Tupperware shelf
Washed and organized 50 Rubbermaid pieces
Organized bookshelves and cabinets
Flattened empty boxes
Filled a box for our garage sale
Changed the storm door from glass to screen

What spring cleaning have you tackled? For more Tackle It Tuesdays, please visit 5 Minutes for Mom.

Word-filled Wednesday - Spring

2010-03-16T19:50:00.004-05:00

Truth shall spring out of the earth;

and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

~ Psalm 85:11

The purpose of Word-filled Wednesday is to share God’s Word (no famous quotes or other literature—only the beautiful word of our Father) through photos & a Bible verse!

I caught this photo at the spring flower show and conservatory field trip last week. To see more field trip photos, please visit my family blog. To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, please visit Christy at Critty Joy.

Word-filled Wednesday - Peace

2010-03-09T14:54:00.005-06:00

And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

~ Philippians 4:7

My mom and I have been discussing peace recently and learning more about Jehovah-Shalom, the LORD is Peace. This past Sunday we celebrated my mom's birthday and Christmas with my brother. To see more photos of our belated celebration, please visit my family blog.

The purpose of Word-filled Wednesday is to share God’s Word (no famous quotes or other literature—only the beautiful word of our Father) through photos & a Bible verse!

To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, please visit Lori at www.allyouhavetogive.com.

Show & Tell - Lilies

2010-03-04T14:43:00.008-06:00

I'm joining Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday.
At our weekly grocery trip on Wednesday afternoon, our nine-year-old and I searched for flowers for a science lab. After perusing the floral department, our son chose these lilies.
With the bright sunshine this week, the lilies soaked in the sun and blossomed.
During our science lab today, our boys identified and measured the different parts of the flower but didn't have the heart to dissect them. We decided to observe and enjoy them instead. The lilies brighten our home and give us hope that spring is right around the corner. What are you showing and telling today?

WFMW - Orange Peeler

2010-02-23T14:57:00.003-06:00

This is my first time participating in Works-for-Me Wednesday, hosted by www.wearethatfamily.com. In the past, I always used a plastic knife to cut brownies. One time I couldn't find a plastic knife in the house, but noticed I had a plastic Tupperware orange peeler in my silverware drawer. I used the flat side of the peeler to cut the brownies, and now it is officially my brownie knife. So that is what works for me. What works for you?

New 'do

2010-02-03T22:07:00.006-06:00

This afternoon I made my semi-annual trek to the hair salon for a cut and style. After telling my hairdresser I wanted my cut to be longer and fuller, she replied that a fuller bob would be outdated and a perm would not be worth the money every three months. Instead, she showed me how to style my hair using a one-inch flat iron and curling the hair vertically. With lots of hair spray and no brushing after the curl, this was the result.
She curled it all the way around, saying I could use a curling iron or hot rollers instead.
The curls could all face the back, or they could alternate forward and backward. I'm sure my attempts will never match hers, but it was fun to be curly for a day.

Please visit me at Heart of the Matter on February 4th for my article on the love of reading.

Win a Rosetta Stone Product of Your Choice!

2010-01-25T23:17:00.001-06:00

Surround your family with language. By taking them there!

Travel to Paris, Madrid and Barcelona with Homeschoolers from all over the United States. Join Rosetta Stone Homeschool, Heart of the Matter and Fusefly on the inaugural Homeschool Language Learning and Networking Trip August 2-11, 2010. Become immersed in new lands, explore history, culture, art and community. And truly speak to the world. For more details visit www.RosettaStone.com/Homeschool/LanguageLearningTrip.

Hurry, registration for the trip ends February 15, 2010.

For your chance to win a Rosetta Stone language product, please visit Heart of the Matter. Entries are being accepted until February 1st.

Word-filled Wednesday - Waters

2010-01-05T21:23:00.006-06:00

The purpose of Word-filled Wednesday is to share God’s Word (no famous quotes or other literature—only the beautiful word of our Father) through photos & a Bible verse!

And God called the dry land Earth;

and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas:

and God saw that it was good.

~ Genesis 1:10

We visited Corpus Christi on our Christmas trip to Texas and saw a beautiful beach. I posted trip pictures on Facebook and on my family blog. To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, please visit Penny at PennyRaine.com.

Tackle It Tuesday - Christmas

2009-12-21T20:46:00.007-06:00

I feel fairly prepared for Christmas this year, after tackling the following:

Mailed 100 Christmas cards with a family photo inside.
Completed my shopping.
Wrapped all our gifts.
Had an early Christmas lunch with my parents.
Made Chex mix and attended a friend’s Christmas party on Saturday.
The kids had roles in the children’s Christmas program at church this past Sunday. For photos, please visit my family blog or my Facebook account.
Cleaned all three bathrooms (must be that nesting instinct of wanting a clean home).

I also wrote an article on “Same Kind of Different as Me” over at Heart of the Matter. Please visit me there.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

For more Tackle It Tuesdays, please visit 5 Minutes for Mom.

Show & Tell - Lego Helicopter

2009-12-17T19:45:00.008-06:00

For this week's Show and Tell Friday, I'm displaying our 12-year-old's Lego helicopter. After reading the book AH-1W, he was inspired to build a 4H-1Z Super Cobra.
The helicopter has a four bladed rotor system.
It also has eight 'hellfire' missiles, two tow missiles, and a canon.
For more Show and Tell Friday, please visit Cindy at My Romantic Home. Wishing you all a joyful Christmas and blessed New Year!

Blizzard

2009-12-09T15:01:00.007-06:00

A snowstorm dumped over a foot of snow last night, with a few more inches on the way. We awoke to a snowy deck, with the white stuff covering our chairs, table, and grill.
Our backyard bushes looked like works of art shaped into hands.
After finishing some of their schoolwork, the boys bundled up and headed outdoors to shake the snow off the bushes.
They had a fun time getting the bushes to look green again.
Our bushes have grown a lot since we got them several years ago. We plowed our driveway once and are waiting for the street plow to come through before turning on the snow blower again. Good thing our neighbor had some extra gas, to fuel our snow blower for the storm ahead.

Usborne Books eShow

2009-12-03T20:53:00.001-06:00

You are invited to an Usborne Books eShow to explore the world of Usborne Books. A child's interest in reading and learning is stimulated by the lavish illustrations and informative content. There are over 1300 bright, colorful and fun titles covering activities, puzzles and a wide range of subjects for children of all ages.

Usborne Books - the books kids love to read!

Hosted by: Lisa
Place: www.ubah.com/HOS164772
When: Today thru 12/12/2009 11:59:00 PM

Everyone is welcome, so invite a friend to shop online this holiday season.

It's a rewarding experience when a child opens a book and discovers the magic of reading.

Tackle It Tuesday - Christmas Photo Edited

2009-11-16T20:39:00.005-06:00

After sending our original family Christmas photo to Tracy to edit, we received the edited version from her (you can view it here or on my family blog). We had a choice of red or blue background for the Christmas card and chose red (view it here).

Are you doing a photo Christmas card this year?

For more Tackle It Tuesdays, please visit 5 Minutes for Mom.

Word-filled Wednesday - Fathers

2009-11-10T16:59:00.010-06:00

Children’s children are the crown of old men;

and the glory of children are their fathers.

~ Proverbs 17:6

I thought of this verse, as my father’s birthday is today. This photo was taken a couple Christmases ago. Happy Birthday, Dad!

To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, please visit Lori at www.allyouhavetogive.com.

Same Kind of Different as Me

2009-11-08T21:33:00.003-06:00

I finished reading the amazing true story of a modern-day slave, an international art dealer, and the unlikely woman who bound them together. Same Kind of Different as Me is a heartwarming tale of two men, one rich and another poor, and how their lives intertwine because of a woman called by God to serve in a homeless mission. The story is well-written, humorous, touching, and inspiring. The two men alternate telling their tales, a chapter or two at a time.

We meet a dirt-poor sharecropper named Denver who worked the land by picking cotton for ‘the Man’ but earned no money. In his 20s, Denver hopped a train which led him to Fort Worth, Texas, where he lived on the streets, a step up from where he began.

We also meet Ron, an international art dealer with humble beginnings, married to Deborah, a woman who would lead him to a homeless shelter and encourage him to befriend a homeless man she saw in her dream.

Through its language and imagery, Same Kind of Different as Me has the flavor of To Kill a Mockingbird. This book explores the themes of true friendship, being different, suffering, and homelessness. In fishing terms, some people practice “catch and release.” This term can be applied to friendship as well. While some friendships are “catch and release,” others are forever. This book is a story of faith, courage, fear, and forgiveness.

Deborah was an incredible woman of faith, from the way she handled her husband’s infidelity to her treatment of the homeless. What was Deborah afraid of? Not the homeless, but that she’d miss her calling in life. Are you afraid of missing your calling, of wasting your life? How can we combat this fear, which can keep us from fulfilling our purpose in life? Are we willing to take that risk to reach out to others, to make a difference in their lives, to show them the way of eternal life?

This book had me in tears, as the two men finally meet and as Deborah faced the biggest challenge of her life—cancer. The cancer was not only a physical battle, but a spiritual journey for Deborah and those who prayed for her day and night.

Deborah’s legacy lives on in the lives of those she touched—her family, friends, and the homeless she befriended and served so faithfully. Can we care about people the way Deborah did?

I’m looking forward to reading more of Ron and Denver’s story in their follow-up book, What Difference Do It Make? Let’s make a difference in our world today.

Show & Tell - Lego Tank

2009-11-05T20:58:00.009-06:00

For this week's Show & Tell, I'm displaying a Lego tank built by our 12-year-old son. He fashioned the Lego tank after the M109A6 Paladins he read about in a library book. The tank contains two guns: a machine gunner on top and a huge howitzer cannon at the front.
Inside the tank is the cockpit, with the gunner sitting in the back. The mini-figure on the right controls the radar, while the figure on the left fires the cannon.
Below deck, these two mini-figures load the howitzer cannon. Also below deck, two large gray engines power the tank.

For more Show & Tell, please visit Cindy at My Romantic Home.

Word-filled Wednesday - Mother & Son

2009-11-03T22:00:00.004-06:00

The purpose of Word-filled Wednesday is to share God’s Word (no famous quotes or other literature—only the beautiful word of our Father) through photos & a Bible verse!

For I was my father's son,

tender and only beloved

in the sight of my mother.

~ Proverbs 4:3

Our 9-year-old son gave me this Lego mini-figure and said it was Mom. I love the words in this verse, how a son is tender and beloved in the sight of his mother. Mine truly are! To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, please visit Penny's blog.

Tackle It Tuesday - Family Christmas Photo

2009-11-02T20:37:00.003-06:00

After church on Sunday, we attempted our annual family Christmas photo. We took several shots using our tripod and camera timer, and found one to send to Tracy to edit for a holiday card. I had won a giveaway on Tracy’s blog where I can have this service performed free. We decided on the photo where we looked the happiest, rather than a traditional one as in years past. To see pictures from our self-photo shoot, please visit my family blog.

I’m also writing at Heart of the Matter today about Life Science coming to life.

What are you tackling today?

For more Tackle It Tuesdays, please visit 5 Minutes for Mom.

Word-filled Wednesday - Tower

2009-10-27T22:35:00.004-05:00

The purpose of Word-filled Wednesday is to share God’s Word (no famous quotes or other literature—only the beautiful word of our Father) through photos & a Bible verse!

And they said,

Go to, let us build us a city and a tower,

whose top may reach unto heaven;

and let us make us a name,

lest we be scattered abroad

upon the face of the whole earth.

~ Genesis 11:4

This past Sunday, our 9-year-old son built this tower out of Lincoln Logs at my parents' home. He asked me to take pictures and include a verse for Word-filled Wednesday on the tower of Babel. To see more weekend pictures, please visit my family blog. To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, please visit Susan here.

Word-filled Wednesday - Cakes

2009-10-20T14:36:00.004-05:00

And the people went about,

and gathered it, and ground it in mills,

or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans,

and made cakes of it: and the taste of it

was as the taste of fresh oil.

~ Numbers 11:8

A friend made this beautiful chocolate cake for another friend's birthday a couple weeks ago. When looking for a verse on cake, I was surprised to find so many to choose from. More birthday party photos can be seen in previous posts and on my family blog.

The purpose of Word-filled Wednesday is to share God’s Word (no famous quotes or other literature—only the beautiful word of our Father) through photos & a Bible verse!

To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, please visit Christy at Critty Joy.

Word-filled Wednesday - Laughter

2009-10-13T19:38:00.004-05:00

The purpose of Word-filled Wednesday is to share God’s Word (no famous quotes or other literature—only the beautiful word of our Father) through photos & a Bible verse!

Then was our mouth filled with laughter,

and our tongue with singing:

then said they among the heathen,

The LORD hath done great things for them.

~ Psalm 126:2

We enjoyed laughter and singing at our dear friend's birthday party last Friday. To view more party pictures, please visit my previous post. To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, please visit Lori at www.allyouhavetogive.com.

Surprise Party

2009-10-10T19:19:00.008-05:00

Our good friend Tricia celebrated a milestone birthday yesterday with 50 family members and close friends. Her husband Kevin surprised her by planning this party behind her back. While Kevin whisked Tricia away for an hour, guests arrived at their home with a lasagna dinner from the Olive Garden, an amazing homemade cake, and wood for the bonfire. Several children helped blow up balloons and decorate the house for the happy occasion. When Kevin and Trish arrived at home, she chatted with her parents for a bit before realizing a crowd awaited her in the living room. She was very surprised!
Our friend Lynnette made a stunning chocolate cake, complete with truffles and lace frosting on top. Friends came from far and near to celebrate with Tricia and her family.
She received lots of fun cards and gifts, making light of the inevitable process of aging.
Now she's caught up with me as we head into a new decade together.

Happy Birthday, Trish!

Word-filled Wednesday - Friends

2009-10-07T08:47:00.006-05:00

The purpose of Word-filled Wednesday is to share God’s Word (no famous quotes or other literature—only the beautiful word of our Father) through photos & a Bible verse!

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly:

and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

~ Proverbs 18:24

We enjoyed a ladies night out yesterday to celebrate our friend Tricia's birthday. God has blessed us with a great group of friends! To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, please visit Penny at PennyRaine.com.

Caramel French Toast

2009-09-27T09:26:00.002-05:00

I first tried this delicious caramel French toast at a baby shower and asked my friend April for the recipe. She's allowed me to share it with you. The French toast is wonderful warm from the oven and later reheated as leftovers.

1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 Tbsp light corn syrup
1 tsp. vanilla
chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
12 slices bread
1 1/2 cups milk
6 eggs, slightly beaten
1/8 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
nutmeg

In saucepan, bring butter, brown sugar and corn syrup to boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until thickened. Pour caramel mixture into greased 9x13 pan. Sprinkle with pecans. Place six slices of bread over caramel mix; top with remaining bread (for a double layer of bread).

In a large bowl combine milk, eggs, vanilla, salt and cinnamon. Pour over bread. Sprinkle with nutmeg. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Uncover and bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes until knife comes out clean. Enjoy!

Tackle It Tuesday - Usborne Show

2009-09-22T21:31:00.006-05:00

I hosted an Usborne Books show last Thursday and tackled cleaning the house and setting up for the show beforehand. We used the available table space to display Usborne's learning palette and wrap-ups in addition to their wonderful books and kits.

Our 9-year-old son set up the books on our coffee table. We enjoyed having friends over for a book party. There's still time to shop online or book a show. I try to host one "demonstration" party a year and look forward to attending more shows booked from mine.

What are you tackling today?

For more Tackle It Tuesdays, please visit 5 Minutes for Mom.

Word-filled Wednesday - Children

2009-09-15T21:50:00.004-05:00

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD:
and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
~ Psalm 127:3

Attending a baby shower this past Saturday, this verse came to mind. Children truly are a blessing from the Lord.

The purpose of Word-filled Wednesday is to share God’s Word (no famous quotes or other literature—only the beautiful word of our Father) through photos & a Bible verse!

To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, please visit Critty Joy.

Word-filled Wednesday - Free

2009-09-08T22:14:00.003-05:00

If the Son therefore shall make you free,
ye shall be free indeed.
~ John 8:36

While visiting the zoo this past weekend, we spotted a white peacock walking freely in the park next to the zoo. Apparently some animals escaped the zoo a week before, with a monkey still missing. This peacock seemed to enjoy its freedom, which made me think of the above verse. To see more zoo photos, please visit my family blog. To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, please visit All You Have To Give.

Tackle It Tuesday - Supply Drawer

2009-09-07T15:17:00.008-05:00

While our 12-year-old worked on his math paper last week, I decided to tackle my school supply drawer while I waited. The above photo shows an "in progress" picture of the plastic drawer. I'm not sure how I accumulated 100 balloons and 1000 rubber bands or why.
Above is another "in progress" picture of the stuff I emptied out of the drawer and placed on our dining room table. After finding pencils, glue sticks, and tons of tape, I realized I didn't need to buy any more school supplies this year.
After emptying out the drawer, I wiped it down to get the dead bugs out.
Afterward, I placed all the supplies back in the drawer in an organized fashion so that I can find things when I need them. What are you tackling today? For more Tackle It Tuesdays, please visit 5 Minutes for Mom.

Tackle It Tuesday - Usborne Party!

2009-08-29T17:37:00.007-05:00

It’s been a couple years since I hosted an Usborne Books show in my home, so when a new friend told me I could earn $110 of free books for hosting a $350 show in September, I jumped at the chance. Our boys have loved Usborne Books since we discovered them a few years ago. The colorful illustrations and interesting content draw them in. Since we started school on August 17^th, they’ve been reading our Usborne Books voraciously and looking for more.

So I booked a show for September 17^th and also have an eShow going at the same time. The eShow is nice for out-of-town guests who can shop online and have the books delivered to their door. The home show is great for perusing the books and then deciding what your kids will love.

So far I have advertised the show via Facebook, our homeschool group’s classifieds, and email. I also made an invite list and a wish list from the newest catalog. I’ll be deciding on food for the special event and then sending reminders out as the party draws nearer.

What are you tackling today?

For more Tackle It Tuesdays, please visit 5 Minutes for Mom.

Word-filled Wednesday - Wind

2009-08-25T22:16:00.006-05:00

He sendeth out his word,

and melteth them:

he causeth his wind to blow,

and the waters flow.

~ Psalm 147:18

We found this field of wind mills fascinating on our way to camp this August and thought of this interesting verse on wind. To see more camping photos, please visit my family blog. To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, please visit Susan at Forever His.

The Pob

2009-08-20T17:08:00.006-05:00

In my second visit to the salon this year, I decided to get a pob or assymetrical bob. Though I've had this cut before, I decided to go shorter in the back that I normally do.
My hairdresser has been styling lots of pobs these days and says it's her favorite cut. I think it's become my favorite too.
Here's a couple more pictures from day 2. It never looks the same as when you walk out of the salon, but I think I look more like "mom" now.
I'm also writing about "The Perfectionist" at Heart of the Matter today. Please visit me there!

Word-filled Wednesday - City

2009-08-18T21:32:00.006-05:00

And the city had no need of the sun,

neither of the moon, to shine in it:

for the glory of God did lighten it,

and the Lamb is the light thereof.

~ Revelation 21:23

In our visit to Chicago a couple weeks ago, we had this breath-taking view of the city from our hotel window. Later I read this verse in Revelation and realized how amazing it will be to see the city where the Lamb is the light. To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, please visit Critty Joy.

Word-filled Wednesday - Iron

2009-08-11T11:19:00.005-05:00

Iron sharpeneth iron;
so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
~ Proverbs 27:17

On Saturday we gathered with friends for a cookout and games. It's a blessing to have Christian friends who can sharpen one another spiritually, as iron sharpens iron. To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, please visit Lori at All You Have to Give.

Word-filled Wednesday - Heavens

2009-08-04T22:32:00.004-05:00

The heavens declare the glory of God;
and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
~ Psalm 19:1

The view from the Skydeck of the Willis (Sears) Tower can inspire awe. How much more do the heavens declare the glory of God.

To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, please visit pennyraine.com.

Word-filled Wednesday - Tower

2009-07-28T22:43:00.005-05:00

And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower,

whose top may reach unto heaven;

and let us make us a name,

lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower,

which the children of men builded.

~ Genesis 11:4-5

Since the beginning of time, people have attempted to build a tower whose top would reach to the heavens. While viewing the Willis (Sears) Tower this past Saturday, these thoughts came to mind.

To see more Chicago pictures, please visit my previous post or my family blog. To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, please visit The 160 Acre Woods.

Weekend in Chicago

2009-07-27T10:42:00.007-05:00

For our 17th wedding anniversary, we decided to take a family weekend trip to Chicago. The boys had never ridden the elevator to the Sky Deck of the Willis (Sears) Tower before, so we made sure to stop there on Saturday. The Tower is impressive, with the Sky Deck located on the 103rd floor.
After waiting in line for almost 2 hours, we arrived at the Sky Deck and caught this view of Chicago. On a clear day you can see four states.
The Tower's newest attraction is the Ledge, a glass enclosure in which you can look straight down.
We caught one last glance before heading back to ground. Later in the evening, we drove to the Streets of Woodfield to visit Lego Land where a giant Lego giraffe greets visitors.
The boys left empty-handed, as they already have so many Lego bricks at home. For more Chicago pics, please visit my family blog. What are your favorite sites in Chicago?

Dealing with Disappointment

2009-07-24T10:30:00.006-05:00

Growing up, I don’t remember ever feeling disappointed, at least not in a big way where it impacts my whole life. In a job interview I was asked about a time I faced disappointment, and nothing immediately came to mind. I didn’t play varsity tennis, but was content to be on the JV team. It wasn’t that important to me, as I focused on my studies.

Having children now, it brings dealing with disappointment to a whole new level. There are certainly times when the kids disappoint your expectations, perhaps acting in ways that seem embarrassing to you. However, we recently experienced a disappointment in our family that was not caused by unmet expectations, but rather a lack of readiness on our son’s part.

To read the rest of the story, please visit me at Heart of the Matter Online.

Word-filled Wednesday - Laughter

2009-07-21T19:03:00.002-05:00

Then was our mouth filled with laughter,

and our tongue with singing:

then said they among the heathen,

The LORD hath done great things for them.

~ Psalm 126:2

This photo caught a moment of laughter between our 9-year-old and me. What a blessing it is to laugh and sing and know the Lord has done great things for us. To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, please visit The 160 Acre Woods.

Friends & Forty

2009-07-19T17:03:00.006-05:00

On the occasion of my 40th birthday, I decided to bring my camera to church for a few photos with friends. After the morning service, four of us gathered in the hallway for a quick photo shoot.
Recognize these ladies? We went out to Chili's the other night (see previous post) and hope to do it again (perhaps for someone else who will be turning 40 this year!).
I also got a shot with Jamie, whose husband is currently our interim pastor. Jamie and I had met many years ago, when our kids were just babies.
Lastly, I got a photo with Debbie as we headed outside. We used to bowl together in a church league. I'm thankful for the good friends we've made through the years. To see some photos with the boys, please visit my family blog.

Birthday Dinner

2009-07-17T13:35:00.009-05:00

In honor of my 'big' birthday coming up this Sunday, my friends took me out to dinner at Chili's last night. They must have tipped off the waitress, as she brought me an ice cream sundae on the house.
I also received this pretty purse with greeting cards inside and a homemade card from another friend.
We posed for a few pictures to mark the occasion. I took a photo of the three ladies across the table from me, and then they returned the favor.
At the end, we asked the waitress to take a group shot for us and she happily obliged.
Thanks to my good friends for joining me for an early birthday dinner. The food was delicious, though sometimes on the hot and spicy side, and the fellowship was great. It makes approaching this birthday a bit easier as we reflect on the good times and the happy moments of our lives.

Word-filled Wednesday - Newborn

2009-07-14T08:44:00.005-05:00

As newborn babes,

desire the sincere milk of the word,

that ye may grow thereby:

~ 1 Peter 2:2

Last week I held a newborn baby, born to a family in our church in June. The baby's over 6 pounds now, but still feels light as a feather. It's fun to watch the little ones grow. May we be desiring and growing in the Word daily. To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, please visit Extravagant Grace.

Word-filled Wednesday - Flames of Fire

2009-07-07T22:57:00.003-05:00

The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire.
~ Psalm 29:7

I love the imagery in the Psalms. This photo was taken on July 4th as we gathered around a bonfire with family. I'll be posting more July 4th pictures on my family blog. To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, please visit The 160 Acre Woods.

Word-filled Wednesday - Lie Down

2009-06-30T23:01:00.004-05:00

The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb,

and the leopard shall lie down with the kid;
and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together;
and a little child shall lead them.
~ Isaiah 11:6

This photo of the giraffe lying down reminded me of this verse about different animals dwelling together. For more Word-filled Wednesdays, please visit Extravagant Grace.

Word-filled Wednesday - Friends

2009-06-23T22:43:00.007-05:00

A friend loveth at all times,
and a brother is born for adversity.
~ Proverbs 17:17

It's been a blessing to connect with old and new friends this summer, especially at our friends' bakery. For more friend photos, please visit my family blog.

To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, please visit The 160 Acre Woods.