Changing Seasons

After being without our computer for more than 2 weeks I've had some extra time to pray, contemplate, and look into some new ventures. I had been considering changing curriculums for one of our daughters who has low vision. In talking with a friend (thanks Kimmie) and doing some serious praying I've been looking into changing our curriculum for all the girls. The hard part for me is to change mid-year. In my mind - I like to prepare things ahead of time - it makes more sense to start fresh with something new. But as I seek out our options I don't think God wants me to wait another year. So I continue to pray and seek His guidance, so I can be where he wants me to be. It feels like life is changing with the seasons. I pray God makes our home as beautiful as the New England colors outside my window.

Just For Fun....

My friend Kimmie from Over the Moon With Joy
who is a follower of Jenni (One Thing)...
who is a follower of Linda (2nd Cup of Coffee)-
who created this little meme...
...sucked me in.



1. When you go to Wowmart, what one thing do you get every single time, besides a funky-wheeled squeaking cart full of frustration?
Diapers

2. What is something that people are currently "into" that you just don't get or appreciate?
Flip-Flops

3. What is something that really hoists your sail that other people might feel "ho-hum" about?
Crocheting

4. Favorite song to sing in the shower or car?
Depends on my mood. Usually country. Sometimes worship.

5. A really great salad must have this ingredient:
Cucumbers

6. Advice in a nutshell to new bloggers (one or two sentences):
Be yourself, share your heart, and make friends along the way.

7. What was the alternate name that your parents almost named you?
Christy

8. What in your life are you waiting for?
To have a cleaner house, be a better wife/mother, & to be transformed into the woman God wants me to be. (I'm still waiting:)

9. You get a package in the mail. What is it, and who is it from?
Something I won on Ebay...

10. Today--what song represents you?
hmmm......so many to choose from. I'll have to get back to you with just one.

12. How are you going to (or how did you) choose the clothes you're wearing today? What do they say about you in general or specifically how you're feeling today?
Jeans & a tee because that's what I like to wear when not leaving the house :).

Hope you'll play along too! Copy the original text for the meme over @
2nd Cup of Coffee

Learning from our Mistakes

I have always believed - and even shared with my children - that "mistakes are ok as long as you learn from them". If you don't learn then why or what needs to change for you to learn from the mistake? It always seemed like a fairly easy lesson to teach my children. Then our youngest entered the picture.

She is a joy, a blessing, and a delight........but sometimes she's far from easy. I'll give you a little background. She's been walking since she was 8 months old and it opened up a whole word of things to get into. I know this sounds normal, but for us it feels a little extreme. All our other children were quiet, compliant, and yes, even easy. I call her "Joy" - that's what she brings with her. Joy also tests my limits. She's a climber.......climbs on couches, up bunk bed ladders, tables, and more. No matter how many times she's told 'no' and removed from the object she's scaling she will jump right back at it in no time flat. Almost 2 weeks ago she was sitting at the kitchen table with one of her older sisters. I thought they were coloring nicely until I heard the bang. She decided to try to reach across the table for something and her foot slipped of the table bench. When she fell she hit the kitchen chair before the floor. She actually broke her collar bone (remember she's only 17 months old). Since that happened 12 days ago (but who's counting) she has fallen from the same bench 3 more times - one of those times actually landing on her bad arm. I'm just wondering when she's going to learn from this? I'm so glad she brings us joy......when she's not climbing of course :).

Oh....To Be A Princess

One of our vacation days we took the kids to StoryLand in NH. I knew they were the perfect age & it would be a fun day. My girls are definately girly girls. They play dress up, pretend they're at the ball, and much, much more. When they met Cinderella they were quick to point out why this lady was "not the real Cinderella". They gave me an entire list of things the park had done wrong with picking out their version of this princess, but for some reason they were not bothered in the least by this imposter. They enjoyed meeting her and getting their picture taken with her but, to my surprise, the hightlight of their day was getting to ride in the pumpkin coach. Maybe it was because in all of their imaginative play they had never been able to experience it for real. Whatever their reason I will never forget their excitement.

New Beginnings

I have felt for some time that God has been leading me in a new direction. Just some of the things I have felt God nudging me to do are:

• I have known for quite some time that it was time for me to take a step back from some of the responsibilities I had committed myself to.
• It is time to reorganize my house and do some cleaning out - so to speak.
• I have also felt as if I will be reaching out and making new friends. (This is a stretch for me because I am quiet until I get to know someone).
• Have a new focus for my household. (Ex: more responsibility for the kids, more focus for me so I stick to a schedule, etc...)

It was amazing to me that once I made the committment to following this path God was taking me down everything started to fall into place. I will be updating and letting you know about all that is happening soon enough, but I just want to encourage you that God may not give you the answers you are looking for until you agree to his wishes without questions. One thing I learned through this - and I'm glad it didn't take me too long to figure it out - is that God will be patient with us until we 'get it', so to speak. I look forward to sharing more with you in the week(s) to come.

Laughter

Laughter does not come easy for me. Don't get me wrong - I'm not a miserable person. I enjoy my life very much, but I have a hard time finding laughter in the midst of life, especially when it throws me a curve ball. As God works on me I'm noticing my children are much more able to laugh at a frustrating moment than I am. I've decided I want to see life through the eyes of a child. My children have been such a great inspiration as I learn to find laughter in the little moments.

Outdoor Learning

As we finish up the homeschooling year the girls seemed to have a little "spring fever". It was a very long winter here in New England. Once the warmer weather arrived there were more than a few days that we took school outside. From studying the wildlife to nature walks they always love the outdoors approach. It is always a favorite and the kids learn and take in everything around them. Here are some pictures from our adventures. We are looking forward to more warm sunny days. The learning never has to stop when you close the book.

One of my daughters named this baby turtle "Claws". She was very disappointed a few days later when I made her release him so he could go home to his mother.