Adventures in Raising Girls

Can you spend 30 days away from social networking?

2012-02-01T09:38:00.000-08:00

By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.

Ecclesiastes 10:18

I'm sure there are a lot of us out there who have the best of intentions when using social networks like Facebook and other forums. We want to share our lives with our families and friends. It starts off small and then eventually can spiral into a huge time sucker. I have done it myself, I'll sit down for a minute to check my email, my "friends" updates and read a blog or two; suddenly it's been an hour or more, the kids have messed up the area that was just clean, I haven't showered yet and have to leave for music lessons in 30 minutes. ARGH!!

I decided to take a 30 day social network fast. I started yesterday the 31st and will continue through February 29th. I will try to blog as I go, but I'm not promising anything. ;)

I noticed yesterday I reached for my phone a few times without thinking to "check on my friends". I never made it onto the websites because I remembered I'm on a break. Seriously, has it become that much of a habit to want to know what a bunch of people had for lunch? How much can this be affecting my job as a mother, wife, teacher, homemaker?!? I have justified it in the past as needed some type of adult conversations during the day, but are these real conversations? Are they real interactions? It's void of much stimulation because there is no real relationship being built there, yet I can tell you what everyone had for dinner last night. Wouldn't it be better for me to prepare my home for my husband to return and then get my adult conversations from him? Or perhaps actually call someone on the phone? Who does that anymore?

I'm fairly sure most of my "friends" from Facebook don't read my blog here when it's not posted to Facebook. I guess that it's a good thing, so I can continue with my break. I've got to get off of the computer now, before I get sucked in.

Sonnets, Mat and Sam

2012-01-26T21:25:00.000-08:00

I have finally reached a break through with Emily and Julia and their "reading". We have been working on the sounds of letters for well over a year and it's been challenging to say the least. We have not been as rigorous as we could have been, they don't have a wide attention span and part of the privilege of homeschooling is being able to have a custom fit education and move at their pace. It's much more fun to work math problems and play learning games than it is to drill them on sounds. They learn better when they don't think they are having to sit and learn; games and cards have been their favorites. I have tried several different approaches to teaching them to read and each time it seems frustrating for them, and eventually me too. I was feeling quite defeated and inept to teach my children to read.

Sometime around Christmas, a family we know gave us several boxes of homeschool curriculum they were no longer using. Oh, this is where it gets better and we discovered BOB Books inside our new lot of goodies.

These books start with a few simple words and slowly progress adding more words as you go. In the first book "Mat" it's as simple as Mat sat. Mat sat on Sam. Sam sat. etc

We have already been working on learning sight words so am, on and at were already words they knew. To make a long story shorter, using these books they quickly began to understand blending sounds to read the words. When they each read that first book themselves it was a moment of sheer joy; I swear I heard trumpets sounding in the sky. *grin* They were so proud, I was so proud. Who would have thought hearing your child read, "Mat sat on Sam." would bring tears to your eyes? We are progressing with this system as it seems to be working wonderfully for us.

Kiley and August are half-way through their last year as middle schoolers. Next year is High School. I wont lie, this scares me almost as much as teaching Emily and Julia to read. They are flying through this grade, they have finished more than half of their Pre-Algebra lessons. Their Physical Science has been a blast. We bought a curriculum that came full of different experiments and projects. It has been a challenge for them and I think that is fantastic. So far they have built, motorcars, steam boats, and wood gliders. With each project they have several lessons or experiments that go with it. It has definitely provoked their brains to step outside of their comfort zone.

Most recently they have been studying Sonnets, and had to write their own. They followed the Shakespearean format with three quatrains and one couplet at the end. Like this:

A
B
A
B
C
D
C
D
E
F
E
F
G
G

If you're an English expert please be easy on us, we're still learning. I'm not sure how well they followed the iambic pentameter, any nice advise or tips would be helpful. They are hoping to enter their Sonnets in the county fair poem contest.

Escaping the Zoo

by August

The animals are escaping the Zoo,

Over there I saw a big, hairy bear

Oh no, oh no, what ever shall I do?

A hairy beast gave us all quite a scare

Next to get out, was the slippery seal

Slithering down was a serious snake

The child walking by gave a loud squeal

All of the creatures are making a break

They are all leaving except for the fish

Swinging form tree to tree is that brown chimp

For this to go away, that is my wish

At lunch they decided to eat the shrimp

All of the animals have left the Zoo

Oh no, oh no, what ever shall I do?!

**************************************

Summer Walk

by Kiley

A nice walk is something you all should do

Just take a breath and go outside to walk

You don't have to go someplace that is new

If you get tired just sit on a rock

When you're walking, take a look at the trees

Or take off your shoes to feel the soft grass

Go by the bay to feel the windy breeze

or the big city is a place to pass

And look up at the blue and cloudy skies

Get a better look and walk up a hill

When you reach the top just sit there and stare

And don't move a muscle be very still

But by then your eyes are heavy and deep

So just close your eyes and go right to sleep

I suppose that's enough for now. Yawn. Goodnight. I will post more soon and include some pictures from our Christmas.

New Furniture

2011-12-22T23:30:00.000-08:00

I love how blessings sometimes come so unexpectedly.

August said the other day she wanted a desk for her room. She has started getting into scrapbooking and she also likes to do quilting and wanted a place to be able to work in her room.

Kiley has needed a dresser and bedside table since we moved in here earlier this year. She and August used to share a room and a dresser but when we moved here and they got their own rooms, Kiley was left without a dresser. She has been using two small 3 drawer things on wheels and it wasn't enough space for her clothes.

On this past Sunday our next door neighbor told Adam they were giving away a girls bedroom set, and would we be interested. When Adam got home from work tonight he went next door to bring it all over. A desk, a dresser, and a bedside table. What a wonderful blessing. God is so good.

It's beautiful too and matches a bedside table that August already had. It's a good quality vintage 50's or 60's set made from real wood, not particle board. Our neighbor said we are the 4th family to have the set and it's over 50 years old.

Here is August's new desk and bedside table. Kiley took the matching bedside table that August had because it's a little bigger and wouldn't fit next to the desk. Isn't this just wonderful?

I really love this dresser. I am such a sucker for vintage stuff. I tried to trade Kiley for my dresser but she wasn't going for it. She is so happy.

God knows our needs and these types of blessings always remind me that he cares about little details in our lives.

Merry Christmas.

Christmas Countdown

2011-12-19T08:43:00.000-08:00

Christmas is coming.....

I made each of the girls an advent calendar this year. These were fun to make, the girls are enjoying them each morning.I filled them with candy, cute ornaments and little prizes like chap stick, Christmas erasers etc.

Haley's was the first. Hers is made with cardboard favor boxes glued together in a pyramid. I used my large hole punch and some Christmassy scrapbook paper to make the circles and then sticker numbers for the dates. I decided to mix up the dates on the calendars to give he girls a little extra challenge in finding their prize each day.

Emily is next. For hers I wrapped two paper grocery bags in Christmas wrapping paper. I glued little red and green paper bags on the front and added velvety red bows from the dollar store. I had to hole punch the top and bottom of each piece and connect them with ribbon.

For Kiley's I had planned on making paper tree cones and having them sit up with prizes underneath each one. I ended up stringing some twine and using clothespins to string the cones up on our wall instead. I used the pattern from Family Fun Magazine.

I modified their largest cone and made it bigger. Their large wasn't large enough for me. Their small ones were also too small for what I needed them for so I didn't use that size.

Julia's calendar is the only loose laying one. I made hers from toilet paper rolls. I cut scrapbook paper to the size of a toilet paper roll, glued it on and folded in the sides to make pillow boxes. I added a ribbon to tie them shut and of course each has a date so she can find her prize.

Finally, August. Hers is very simple and not what I was originally intending to do, but it turned out great in spite of that. I added pretty paper to brown lunch bags and clothes pinned them to ribbon hung on our stairs.

The house looks really cute with the calendars as extra decorations. I look forward to doing this again for them next year.

Also on our craft list....

The girls put together a Gingerbread house. We picked one up while shopping at Trader Joe's the other day. I really liked this kit, it didn't have pre-made yucky icing, instead it has you mix your own royal icing. The gingerbread pieces appear to be real and the candies are all dye and chemical free.

Sorry it's a little blurry, I've been using my phone to take pictures.

And lastly, I made some ornaments this year. I found this super cute tutorial on a craft blog I was looking at. These glitter mittens were so very easy and turned out so adorable. I used some of my great-grandmothers vintage buttons.

We have a lot to do still to get ready for Christmas. I'm hosting Christmas Eve at our home this year. I'm both excited and nervous.

Merry Christmas and God Bless You!

Pillowcases finished

2011-12-17T09:13:00.000-08:00

For the last 3 days I've spent a lot of time stuck in my bedroom sewing gifts for my children as well as nieces and nephews.

I am making pillowcases and homemade play dough for my niece and nephews this year. I used a pattern from the One Million Pillowcase challenge - I used this easy roll up pattern.

MIA

2011-12-15T09:55:00.000-08:00

Wow! I can't believe how long it's been since I've blogged. I tend to use facebook more since it's faster and easier to upload pictures and say what I want to say. However, facebook seems to be doing some creepy things lately, leading me to want to use my blog for that stuff instead.

Right now I'm in crazy cram mode. I have 5 stockings I'm frantically trying to sew for the girls' as their Christmas Eve gifts, (usually it's jammies). I'm also making some ornaments, and crocheting 2 blankets and some dishcloths. Each day seems to be flowing by like it's on fast forward. I am also hosting Christmas Eve dinner at our new home this year and I've not even begun to think about preparing for that. I've decided to not send out our annual family picture and Christmas card this year, because I have no picture and no cards, and I can't see where I'm going to fit it in.

Kiley, August and Haley are all playing extended season soccer this year and it's keeping us busier than usual for this time of year.

I have many other things and pictures to share, and I'll try to get that up as soon as possible.

Merry Christmas.

Eureka!

2011-09-14T13:14:00.000-07:00

Monday, I took all of the girls on a field trip to Columbia Historic State Park. It's an old gold rush town about an hour and a half from us. We aren't studying CA history this year but we needed to get out and do something fun.

The old Main Street makes you feel like you are walking around back in the 1800's. They have the original Wells Fargo Bank along with the shipping station. The character of the shops have been maintained well. Some of the sidewalks were still wooden. The shop owners all wore costumes specific to that era.

They had a dress up room for children

This was an old bowling lane with 3 small heavy balls and wooden pins.

Old 2 story school house. There was one room on each story

The school before it was restored

infamous dunce cap

The headstones in the cemetery were interesting. The old ones from the 1800's didn't have birthdates, but years aged instead. This one said this person was murdered. The headstones for small children didn't bear the child's name only son or daughter of the parents names.

We are planning on going back again to do some gold panning. It was a fun trip and a nice day.

Funny thing about facts

2011-09-12T09:13:00.000-07:00

Starting Back to School

2011-08-24T23:30:00.000-07:00

We started back to school on the 15th. August and Kiley started 8th grade, Haley 6th grade and my little babies are big Kindergartner's now. Oh where has the time gone? I was nervous about our homeschool days and how it would go helping Kiley and August and also doing Kindergarten with the little ones, but it has worked out fine.

Julia and Emily in their new 1st day of school clothes, with their new binders.
Big sisters drew Mario Brothers characters for them.

Kiley and August, 1st day of 8th grade, Pre Algebra

All set to work. They are learning to their whole names.

They are using flour in a cookie sheet to help them learn to write the letters.

see

August and Kiley are working on their Advanced Physical Science forces lesson.
They are building motorized electric racers.

Our first week back in school mode was tiring but exciting too. The girls were all ready to start learning again. I had an 8th grade reading list all ready to go; it included 20 different novels. Considering the public schools only read 4 a year, I figured 20 would be good. They have already read close to 5 of the books. I guess we will be expanding our list some. I have abandoned the text book thing this year, except for math. The books last year were so boring. We are doing a lot more reading with non fiction documentary books we find at the library. This provides a lot more detail into the things we are studying.

Right now Kiley and August are learning about the Declaration of Independence. They have each chosen one of the signers and are researching and writing a report on that man. August chose John Adams and Kiley Chose John Hancock. Did you know that both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on July 4th? Neato huh?

Our little kitty Nora is doing well, she is growing so quickly. We are trying to get her litter box trained, which she does fairly well. I am using a small aluminum cake pan because she is much too small to get into a full size one. She is still drinking formula from a bottle but I'm hoping to get her eating real food by next week. She is having fun being a kitten and is very playful now. She's such a cutie. The other day her brother came over for a play date. They were playing together liked they missed one another.

Nora and Chino

This is Garf our big boy checking out little Nora

It's late. I'll write more soon. Good night and God bless.

Comment Questions

2011-08-22T14:46:00.001-07:00

I have received a lot of comments containing questions lately. Thank you so much for all of your interest. I will go through and answer your questions in the comments sections. I have been terribly busy with getting back into school mode.

Teeny tiny kitten

2011-08-12T10:46:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday we were given a tiny baby kitten. We estimated her age at about 2-3 weeks. Her little eyes were open but she couldn't walk very well or eat on her own. There were 3 kittens found and the people who found them couldn't keep them. After the girls, who's dad is wrapped around their fingers, were able to convince him we needed a 3rd cat, we went and picked her up.

Here is our little Nora with August. This was in the car after we picked her up on our way to Wal-Mart to get her some kitten formula.

We made her a little shoe box bed to sleep in. Emily and Julia gave her their Beanie Baby Lamb which she loves to snuggle with. She has to be bottle fed with special kitten formula for the next couple of weeks. Feedings happen around the clock.

Trying to show hot teeny she is, here she is curled up in Adam's hand.

She spent her first few days sleeping in this little box, except for when she was being held, which is about 80% of the time. We were worried about her getting too cold without her mommy and we wanted to keep her next to our warm bodies. I made her a sock filled with uncooked rice (not pictured) to warm in the microwave, she loves it and cuddles right up next to it for her naps.

Here is little Julia holding the kitten on her first day with us.

Yesterday she really started wanting to explore more. She has outgrown her little shoe box already. She learned how to climb out of it and I decided it was no longer safe. She now is sleeping in a clothes basket with some warm blankets. She is teething and likes to gnaw on our fingers, a habit we will have to break before she bites hard enough to hurt. Her wobbly legs are getting stronger and we have let her explore a little more. Already, she is sleeping less and starting to act like a bigger kitten. Next week we are going to have to litter box train her and start to wean her from the bottle.

Isn't she darling? I was laughing with my husband the other day. I mentioned to him that when I was asking God to bless us with a new baby, this isn't exactly what I had in mind. Perhaps I should have prayed for a human baby?

Bucket List

2011-08-01T09:33:00.000-07:00

I was thinking the other day about certain things I really want to do in my life before die. Some are silly and some very important. Here are a few of those.

1. Solve the Rubik's Cube
2. Sew a Quilt
3. Learn a different language
4. Memorize the book of Ruth
5. Bowl a perfect game
6. See Ireland and Germany (where my ancestors come from)
7. Volunteer in a Nursing Home
8. See my family saved
9. Write a "don't open until I'm dead" letter to each of my children
10. Have a son
11. Live in a different state
12. Drive across the country with my husband, after our children are gone

From Our Babies in Heaven

2011-07-25T11:45:00.000-07:00

I found this poem today on a forum I joined. I was having a rough day. I would have been 33 weeks today, and my heart aches for my little one. I hope that God sees fit to allow us another child. I know it's in his hands, but the unknown can be hard sometimes.

A message from our angel babies.......

I have not turned my back on you
So there is no need to cry.
I'm watching you from heaven
Just beyond the morning sky.

I've seen you almost fall apart
When you could barely stand.
I asked an angel to comfort you
And watched her take your hand.

She told me you are in more pain
Than I could ever be.
She wiped her eyes and swallowed hard
Then gave your hand to me.

Although you may not feel my touch
Or see me by your side.
I've whispered that I love you
While I wiped each tear you cried.

So please try not to ache for me
We'll meet again one day.
Beyond the dark and stormy sky
A rainbow lights the way.

It's My Birthday!

2011-07-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

Today is my 32^nd birthday. While I’m still in shock at being in my 30’s, I am so thankful for all of those years. Each and every day of life is a wonderful gift. I realize that there are people who don’t get to live to 32. Despite life’s challenges, I love where I am and who I’m with. I hope the Lord allows me another 32 years.

Here are 32 things about me

Each morning when my alarm goes off I think of ways to not have to get up.
I love hot chocolate and Shirley Temple movies on a cold rainy day.
I don’t like to wear shoes.
I love crème brulee and wish I had a kit with the blow torch.
I share my birthday with my brother in law and I love that.
I despise blue jeans (always have), they have never fit me right, not even when I was skinny. I can happily go the rest of my life without ever having to try another pair on.
My life has ended up in a completely different direction than I originally set out for. I’m so happy about that.
My parents had to put me into a religious group home when I was a teenager because I was totally out of control. This saved my life.
I met my husband (in the group home) when I was 15 and we hated each other. If you would have told me then that one day I’d be married to him, I would have laughed myself silly.
I found out I was pregnant with twins a few short months after graduating High School.
I started smoking cigarettes when I was 13 years old, it took me until I was 29 to be able to quit for good. I quit cold turkey March 1, 2009. It’s embarrassing to admit. It’s such a horribly strong addiction and nearly impossible to quit. Without the support and encouragement of my husband, and lots of prayer, I don’t think I ever could have.
I have a hard time finishing things that I start. I tend to get really excited about something and then the excitement dies off and it falls by the wayside. For this reason alone, I will never attempt scrapbooking.
Sewing and crafting are relaxing to me.
I love loud yelling preaching.
I wish I would have played an instrument when I was a child.
I love cooking for my family. My husband and kids are the best people to cook for. Every night at dinner they tell me how good the food is. This makes me want to cook for them again.
I never ever thought I was the SAHM type. I set out with a career and thought that is what was best. God had a different plan for me. Being home these last 4 years have been the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.
I have great parents. My mom stayed home with us during the day, and worked at night. I never even realized she was a SAHM until I was an adult. My dad, even though he didn’t live with us, still saw us 4 or 5 days a week.
I am addicted to reusable shopping bags. I have to refrain from buying them at every store I go to. My favorites are the ones from Trader Joe's with the surf boards on them.
I think Rice Crispy Treats are the grossest thing ever made. Just the thought of them makes gag.
My favorite period of adolescence was 7^th and 8^th grade. I’m not sure why, but I can remember that part of childhood better than any other part.
There are many things that I’ve done in my life that I hope my children never find out about. I would be devastated if I disappointed them.
I am eternally grateful to my friend who led me to the Lord.
I act like a big silly dork with my kids. They love it.
Disneyland is one of my favorite places. I love how friendly and clean it is. I love it so much I spent my 30^th birthday there with my husband and no kids. ;)
Being married is more wonderful and more challenging than I ever would have thought. There are things I’ve learned about humbleness and love that I never could have learned otherwise. I can’t imagine living life without Adam, he is my best friend.
I dislike my handwriting and am guilty of trying to change it constantly.
I am the queen of biting off more than I can chew.
I want so badly to have another child. I love babies, and I wish I could have 10.
I don’t have eyebrows. Well, I do have them, but they are so blonde you can’t see them. This makes my forehead huge, so I dye them a light color brown so that they are visible.
I have a terrible habit of talking before I think.
My favorite dinner is white people tacos; I could eat them every night.

Blessings,

Kimmie

Tossing Time Again

2011-07-19T09:21:00.000-07:00

We have been in our new home for nearly 6 months. In a few short months we went from 900 sq ft to 800 sq ft and then to 1550 sq ft. The final move was so exciting, almost like moving into a mansion with all of this fantastic space. However, it also has somehow caused our "stuff" to increase. Slowly our extra space is diminishing. As I look around I wonder how on earth we fit all of this stuff in our previous home. It's definitely time to get back to declutter mode. I don’t know about you, but too much stuff around makes me grumpy, full of anxiety and extremely stressed out.

It was around this time last year that I was blogging about my, Operation Declutter, to rid our home of 500lbs of clutter. I didn't quite meet this goal but I did make a huge dent, and it felt amazingly better. I'm brushing off my declutter skills and attacking our house before it gets too far out of control. I'm not sure if I'll be weighing the clutter this time (I don't have a scale). I do plan to start in the very top corner of the upstairs (my bathroom) and then work my way down to the very bottom opposite side of the downstairs (the bottom bathroom). I will be going through each and every drawer and closet to toss, toss, toss.

Declutter Plan

To leave no drawer/closet/under bed untouched
Sort all items into one of four categories.

1. Throw away

2. Give away

3. Sell

4. Keep - Reorganize

This is one of the best times of year for me to get rid of a huge quantity of "stuff". Our church holds its annual Christmas in July Rummage Sale on the last Saturday of the month. This is the end of our Missionary Month where the focus is on the Missionaries that our church supports. All of the proceeds (except for the youth snack booth) are divided up and sent to our 10 Missionary Families. I will be donating some things there and also holding a garage sale of my own. I will also be selling some things online through Etsy, Amazon and eBay.

Today is my starting day, and I'm hoping to just work work work and get this done in a couple of days and not drag it on. The longer it takes the less motivated I become. It also is the kids' summer vacation and I want them to enjoy their time off of school, we have only 4 short weeks left.

And into the chaos I go....

Kimmie

Getting Ready for the Next School Year

2011-07-05T10:44:00.000-07:00

This weekend I've been working on all of our lesson plans for the upcoming school year. We will start back in full swing on August 15th. I am almost finished with our Kindergarten plans through the end of September. I will post more on that later when I'm finished.

For Kiley and August's 8th grade year I have just finished the outline for their US History. I am not going to be using one main textbook this year because they are very limited in information and are pretty boring to read. I have not decided on all of the books we will use yet, but we will be utilizing our public library and the wonderful world of the internet. Here is the outline for this year, this is just the minimum that we must cover.

8^th Grade US History

1. End of 7^th Grade Review and Magna Carta

2. Declaration of Independence 1776

3. Lincoln’s presidency: Gettysburg Address 1863, Emancipation Proclamation 1863, Inaugural address and second inaugural address 1865

4. Lives of leaders and soldiers on both sides of the war. War Department General Order 143: Creation of the U.S. Colored Troops 1863.

5. Developments and events in the war, General Lee’s surrender at Appomattox. Surrender of Fort Sumter via telegram 1861 Articles of Agreement – surrender of the Army of Northern 1865 Virginia.

6. Reconstruction and effects on political and social structures of different regions.

7. Wade-Davis Bill 1864

8. 13^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Abolition of Slavery 1865

9. 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Civil Rights 1868

10. 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Voting Rights 1870

11. Dawes Act 1887

12. Sherman Anti-Trust Act 1890

13. Keating-Owen Child Labor Act 1916

14. Inventors: Thomas Edison-Light Bulb 1880

15. Articles of Confederation and the Constitution. Declaration of Independence 1776, Articles of Confederation 1777, Constitution of the US 1787

16. Federalist Papers, No. 10 & No. 51 1787

17. Powers of government set forth in Constitution, Fundamental liberties ensured by the Bill of Rights. Constitution of US 1777, Bill of Rights 1791

18. Ordinances of 1785 and 1787. Northwest Ordinance 1787

19. Interstate Commerce Act 1887

20. Alien and Sedition Acts 1789: conflicts between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton/emergence of two political parties

21. Basic law making process. Constitutional provision for citizens to participate in political process, monitoring and influence on government.

22. US Physical Landscapes, political divisions and territorial expansion during terms of Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison. Louisiana Purchase Treaty 1803, Jefferson’s Secret Message to Congress – Lewis & Clark Expedition 1803,

23. Washington’s 1^st Inaugural Speech 1789, Washington’s Farewell Address 1796

24. Rise of capitalism. Jackson’s opposition to the National Bank. McCulloch v Maryland 1819, Gibbons v. Ogden 1824

25. Political and economic causes and consequences of the War of 1812, major battles, leaders and events. Treaty of Ghent 1814

26. Influence of the Monroe Doctrine 1823, westward expansion, and Mexican American War. Andrew Jackson’s Message to Congress 'On Indian Removal' 1830, Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo 1848-

27. Pacific Railway Act 1862

28. Development of the agrarian economy in the South, significance of cotton and cotton gin. Patent for Cotton Gin 1794

29. Election and presidency of Andrew Jackson (Lewis and Clark expedition and removal of Indians- Trail of Tears).

30. Homestead Act 1862 Check for the Purchase of Alaska 1868

31. Texas War for Independence, Mexican American War,(Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo 1848)

32. Northwestern Ordinance 1787 in education, banning of slavery in Northern States

33. Slavery issues and annexation of Texas and California’s admission to the union as a free state. Compromise of 1850

34. State’s Rights Doctrine, Missouri Compromise 1820, Kansas Nebraska Act 1854, Dred Scott v Sanford 1857, Lincoln Douglas debates.

Doesn't that look like so much fun?

Happy Independence Day

2011-07-04T09:33:00.000-07:00

In Congress, July 4 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.—That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.—That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it; and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.—Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavored to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their acts of pretended legislation:

For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the Lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free People.

Nor have We been wanting in attention to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.—

WE, THEREFORE, the REPRESENTATIVES of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do.—And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Signed by ORDER and in BEHALF of the CONGRESS,
JOHN HANCOCK, PRESIDENT.
ATTEST.
CHARLES THOMSON, SECRETARY.PHILADELPHIA: PRINTED BY JOHN DUNLAP.The 56 signatures on the Declaration appear in the positions indicated:

Column 1
Georgia:
   Button Gwinnett
   Lyman Hall
   George Walton

Column 2
North Carolina:
   William Hooper
   Joseph Hewes
   John Penn
South Carolina:
   Edward Rutledge
   Thomas Heyward, Jr.
   Thomas Lynch, Jr.
   Arthur Middleton

Column 3
Massachusetts:
John Hancock
Maryland:
Samuel Chase
William Paca
Thomas Stone
Charles Carroll of Carrollton
Virginia:
George Wythe
Richard Henry Lee
Thomas Jefferson
Benjamin Harrison
Thomas Nelson, Jr.
Francis Lightfoot Lee
Carter Braxton

Column 4
Pennsylvania:
   Robert Morris
   Benjamin Rush
   Benjamin Franklin
   John Morton
   George Clymer
   James Smith
   George Taylor
   James Wilson
   George Ross
Delaware:
   Caesar Rodney
   George Read
   Thomas McKean

Column 5
New York:
   William Floyd
   Philip Livingston
   Francis Lewis
   Lewis Morris
New Jersey:
   Richard Stockton
   John Witherspoon
   Francis Hopkinson
   John Hart
   Abraham Clark

Column 6
New Hampshire:
   Josiah Bartlett
   William Whipple
Massachusetts:
   Samuel Adams
   John Adams
   Robert Treat Paine
   Elbridge Gerry
Rhode Island:
   Stephen Hopkins
   William Ellery
Connecticut:
   Roger Sherman
   Samuel Huntington
   William Williams
   Oliver Wolcott
New Hampshire:
   Matthew Thornton

Text found here

"Definition of Marriage" A Picture of Salvation

2011-06-27T14:36:00.000-07:00

This is a fantastic sermon on marriage and how it is the picture of salvation.

At the Fair

2011-06-24T22:02:00.000-07:00

Just a quick check in and update. We've been pretty busy and I haven't had a chance to sit down for long to type. Our county fair opened up on Wednesday. We went down to see how the girls did with their entries.
I have a couple of pictures of August's entries I am posting. Kiley's art projects were posted up really high and I couldn't get a good shot. She received 2nd place ribbons for all of her art projects. August received 3rd place ribbons for two of her art projects and for her quilting project, 2nd place ribbon for her table setting and a 1st place ribbon and Best of Class ribbon for her tempera closeup animal painting. They were very happy with their accomplishments. I'm so proud of them.

We skipped he rides at the fair and stuck to the free stuff. We are going back again in a week so the girls can work at the cake booth.

August's Tablesetting "A Very Berry Brunch"

August's quilting

Tempera Painting

Petting zoo

The little girls got their hair curled with a "special" $125 curling iron. I did not buy it.

What an Evil Woman

2011-06-11T09:04:00.000-07:00

Recent Stuff

2011-06-09T21:32:00.000-07:00

We are certainly enjoying the start of our summer vacation, a little too much perhaps. The girls and I have all been sleeping in a little extra and without all of the places we have to go during the week it's been nice to relax a little.

August just finished her quilting project. She and Kiley took quilting in 4H this year. She made a wall hanging with hexagons. She worked very hard on it, even staying up late at night to get it all done. She did a great job. Tomorrow we are dropping it off at the county fair grounds. She is hoping to win a ribbon, I think she has a good chance.

I received a wonderful housewarming gift in the mail this week. My sweet Mammy bought the KitchenAid Mixer I wanted. I really wanted the mixer in Ice color. It's gorgeous, cheery and sort of retro looking. I can't wait to try it out. Doesn't it look lovely?

In other news, I joined the gym with my Mama. We went down there last Sunday afternoon and signed up for a membership. It's only $10 a month and right around the corner from my house. We also got some personal training sessions, of which we've already done 2. The trainer, a very nice woman, was certainly sweet and easy our first session. By the second session she was tough and pushed us further than we thought we could go. It was wonderful and I'm feeling better. I am working on getting rid of about 35 lbs. It's been hanging around too long and it's starting to scare me. We have a history of heart related problems in my family and I need to get my body fat percentage down.

I also am in the middle of doing the Cabbage Soup Diet, where you make a cabbage soup, more like a veggie stew with cabbage. You can eat as much of it as you want for 7 days. Each day has another item you can eat along with the soup. It's meant to be a jump start type of program that helps to get rid of cravings for sugar and bad carbs, with the promise of some weight loss after. I'm hoping it will help gear me toward better healthier food choices and habits. I'm hoping with the gym and eating better that I can get rid of my extra 35 in the next year. So far I'm down 3.5 lbs.

Tomorrow the 10th is our 5th wedding anniversary. Our kids are all going to my Dad and Step-Mom's house for the night. We are planning on going out for sushi. It's been so long since we've had sushi, I am really looking forward to it, and some time alone.

Andy Griffith vs The Patriot Act

2011-06-04T10:49:00.000-07:00

Andy Griffith and the unconstitutional spying of the unPatriot Act.

Hello? Is this thing on?

2011-05-27T09:46:00.000-07:00

Where to begin....Have a seat, you may be here a while.....

We've been pushed head first into our wildly busy summer. It's been a while since I've written anything, of course I know you're all frantically desperate to know what we've been up to. I'm taking a stab at that humor thing again, working? Ha!

Last week was our final week of the school year. We had our final meeting with our ES and were declared DONE with 7th grade. Whew! We have one more lesson in Social Studies/History to finish, but I am holding off until right before school starts. In 8th grade we will be doing Early US History, our final 7th grade lesson leads us into that. I'd rather it be fresh in their minds. We will continue with math over the summer, math skills seem to be easily forgotten and I don't want to spend the beginning of the year playing catch-up. We have received some of our 8th grade curriculum already, mostly math and the manipulatives for Pre-Algebra and all of our Advanced Physical Science experiments. I am going to scour over the internet this summer to find an acceptable History curriculum. The California Standard text books are ~~boring~~ not very detailed. They try to sum up a range of hundreds of years in just a couple of paragraphs. It'd be nice to find something a little more detailed. I did find an awesome book on the Constitution at my favorite thrift store last week. Score! Oh, and I got a full Strong's Concordance for just $1.00. I was stoked. Anyhoo, I ordered Emily and Julia's unit study curriculum. They will be starting Kindergarten. I will write a blog post on our curriculum once we get closer to the school year. I don't even want to think about most of it for the remainder of the summer vacation.

Last weekend, Adam went on a “roughing it” camping trip with some of his friends. The four of them went to Indian Valley Reservoir. This is not your Mama's camp ground. They had to 4-wheel in, sleep with huge fanged spiders, and dig latrine holes. There aren't showers or bathrooms. Each day they would pack up the trucks and go on a 4-wheel excursion and camp where ever they ended up. One of the guys nearly lost his truck in the river. He hit a deep spot and it started to float away, luckily the passenger hopped out and tied it to a tree. They were able to get it out of the water but there was some flooding that killed the stereo and power seats. I'm sure that was scary. They fished, and shot their guns, lassoed lizards and did "man" stuff. It sounded like quite a weekend. I was happy that Adam as able to get away and relax. He works very hard and it’s nice to have a break.

The wives of the men who were camping, and I all went to our girlfriend’s daughter’s 1st birthday party. It was a Hawaiian Luau, with a roasted pig and everything. She had a ton of activities for kids to do; the kids had a great time. I made a wooden initial bow holder for the sweet little girl. She always has the most darling bows in her hair. Here are the pictures:

(click pictures to enlarge)

Our 4H year ended this week. It was quite the feat to finish the girls' record books and get them turned in for judging. They took 12 different projects (classes) this year. Each project has to have a report turned in detailing what they’ve learned at each different meeting. Most of the projects only have 4 or 5 meetings, others have 7 or more. In addition to the project report pages, they also had to make a Personal Development Report and list all of the other activities and community service acts they participated in. They have to include pictures of activities of their choice and work samples, it all goes into a 4H report folder and has to have 5 divided sections, their picture, a table of contents and a cover page. It's a big deal, they get judged on it. We only submitted ours to be judged at club level this year, next year we may submit it to compete at a county level. The record books were due Wednesday. It was so much work the girls vowed to stay on top of it throughout the year next year so it's not as overwhelming. Kiley and August have several different 4H things they are entering in the County Fair this year. Each has 3 different art projects, and August is also submitting a quilting project and a table setting. I really am enjoying the 4H program, as are the girls. Our particular club has a daytime 4H group; this is the one we belong to. It's all homeschooled kids and their parents. The girls and I have developed some wonderful new friendships. I am grateful we found this group. 4H offers such a wide variety of learning opportunities(our club doesn't do animals). This year the girls' projects were, Healthy Living, Quilting, Physical Science, Educational Games, Mini Mall, Softball, Musical Presentation, Cake Decorating, Fine Arts, Arts and Crafts, Table setting, and Drama. We meet twice a month on Monday's for an entire day. Our club has some wonderfully fantastic kids. There seems to be a different type of maturity in homeschooled kids, I've come to discover. They also participate in various community service projects and competitive areas. Kiley and August both signed up to work at the 4H cake booth at the fair this year and August has signed up to be an official 4H photographer next year. This is all in addition to their regular school subjects. And people think that homeschooled kids have no socialization and stay home all day. *humph* Actually, our ES Charter School supervisor said my girls do more than any kids she's supervised.

We signed up both sets of twins for city league soccer this year. It will be August and Kiley's 6th season playing, and Emily and Julia's 1st. Kiley and August are fantastic soccer players. Kiley is one of the best goalies I've ever seen. I played soccer for 15 or so years, and loved it. I'm glad my girls share my love. Emily and Julia are thrilled to be playing this year. Haley will be continuing her basketball career, which coincides with the soccer season. Are you starting to see what I mean by our wildly busy summer?

I have no idea when I'll get back on here to write more so I'm just going to put as much as I can now. Aren't you fortunate?

I came across this charming little organic herb box at Trader Joe's. It has Basil, Oregano, and Parsley. Isn't it cute?

Yesterday I baked some snacks up. I have been making my own granola bars for a couple of months. They are so much better than the store bought ones and my family gobbles them up. It's hard to keep them in stock. I made 36 yesterday, I'm sure they will all be gone by Sunday. I turned my very ripe bananas into two loaves of banana bread for our breakfast this morning. I am NOT a breakfast person. I really am bad at making/eating breakfast. My poor, poor kids usually fix cereal or eggs. I'd much rather cook lunch and dinner than breakfast. Oh well, can't be perfect in every area *snort*.

And I'm about ready to wrap this up. Emily and Julia are going to spend the weekend with my Dad and Step-Mom. They are overly anxious to go. Weekends at Grandma and Grandpa's are ALWAYS great fun.

Father’s Day is fast approaching June 19^th. I still haven’t figured out what I’m doing for my Husband/Dad/Father-in-law… I have a feeling, with as busy as we are, it’s not going to be as exciting as it could be. I think I may just take the kids to the store to pick out gifts for their Daddy.

Have a fantastic weekend everyone. God bless.

*ETA, I can't figure out why my post is in two different colors. I can't fix it either, oh well.*

Sweet Baby Poem

2011-05-18T20:33:00.000-07:00

I've heard this a couple of times. It's way too sweet.

My Baby

My heart is like a fountain true
That flows and flows with love to you.
As chirps the lark unto the tree
So chirps my pretty babe to me.
And it's O! sweet, sweet! and a lullaby.
There's not a rose where'er I seek,
As comely as my baby's cheek.
There's not a comb of honey-bee,
So full of sweets as babe to me.
And it's O! sweet, sweet! and a lullaby.
There's not a star that shines on high,
Is brighter than my baby's eye.
There's not a boat upon the sea,
Can dance as baby does to me.
And it's O! sweet, sweet! and a lullaby.
No silk was ever spun so fine
As is the hair of baby mine.
My baby smells more sweet to me
Than smells in spring the elder tree.
And it's O! sweet, sweet! and a lullaby.
A little fish swims in the well,
So in my heart does baby dwell.
A little flower blows on the tree,
My baby is the flower to me.
And it's O! sweet, sweet! and a lullaby.
The Queen has sceptre, crown and ball,
You are my sceptre, crown and all.
For all her robes of royal silk,
More fair your skin, as white as milk.
And it's O! sweet, sweet! and a lullaby.
Ten thousand parks where deer do run,
Ten thousand roses in the sun,
Ten thousand pearls beneath the sea,
My babe more precious is to me.
And it's O! sweet, sweet! and a lullaby.

Do You Know Enough to Pass a Citizenship Exam?

2011-05-14T20:50:00.000-07:00

These are sample questions that can be found on the test that is given by INS for citizenship to the USA.

I wonder many students graduating high school can get these correct? I have a feeling the results would be sad.

How many can you answer?

1. What are the colors of our flag?

2. How many stars are there in our flag?

3. What color are the stars on our flag?

4. What do the stars on the flag mean?

5. How many stripes are there in the flag?

6. What color are the stripes?

7. What do the stripes on the flag mean?

8. How many states are there in the Union?

9. What is the 4th of July?

10. What is the date of Independence Day?

11. Independence from whom?

12. What country did we fight during the Revolutionary War?

13. Who was the first President of the United States?

14. Who is the President of the United States today?

15. Who is the vice-president of the United States today?

16. Who elects the President of the United States?

17. Who becomes President of the United States if the President should die?

18. For how long do we elect the President?

19. What is the Constitution?

20. Can the Constitution be changed?

21. What do we call a change to the Constitution?

22. How many changes or amendments are there to the Constitution?

23. How many branches are there in our government?

24. What are the three branches of our government?

25. What is the legislative branch of our government?

26. Who makes the laws in the United States?

27. What is the Congress?

28. What are the duties of Congress?

29. Who elects the Congress?

30. How many senators are there in Congress?

31. Can you name the two senators from your state?

32. For how long do we elect each senator?

33. How many representatives are there in Congress?

34. For how long do we elect the representatives?

35. What is the executive branch of our government?

36. What is the judiciary branch of our government?

37. What are the duties of the Supreme Court?

38. What is the supreme court law of the United States?

39. What is the Bill of Rights?

40. What is the capital of your state?

41. Who is the current governor of your state?

42. Who becomes President of the United States if the President and the vice-president should die?

43. Who is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?

44. Can you name thirteen original states?

45. Who said, "Give me liberty or give me death."?

46. Which countries were our enemies during World War II?

47. What are the 49th and 50th states of the Union?

48. How many terms can the President serve?

49. Who was Martin Luther King, Jr.?

50. Who is the head of your local government?

51. According to the Constitution, a person must meet certain requirements in order to be eligible to become President. Name one of these requirements.

52. Why are there 100 Senators in the Senate?

53. Who selects the Supreme Court justice?

54. How many Supreme Court justice are there?

55. Why did the Pilgrims come to America?

56. What is the head executive of a state government called?

57. What is the head executive of a city government called?

58. What holiday was celebrated for the first time by the Americans colonists?

59. Who was the main writer of the Declaration of Independence?

60. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

61. What is the basic belief of the Declaration of Independence?

62. What is the national anthem of the United States?

63. Who wrote the Star-Spangled Banner?

64. Where does freedom of speech come from?

65. What is a minimum voting age in the United States?

66. Who signs bills into law?

67. What is the highest court in the United States?

68. Who was the President during the Civil War?

69. What did the Emancipation Declaration do?

70. What special group advises the President?

71. Which President is called the "Father of our country"?

72. What Immigration and Naturalization Service form is used to apply to become a naturalized citizen?

73. Who helped the Pilgrims in America?

74. What is the name of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to America?

75. What are the 13 original states of the U.S. called?

76. Name 3 rights of freedom guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.

77. Who has the power to declare the war?

78. What kind of government does the United States have?

79. Which President freed the slaves?

80. In what year was the Constitution written?

81. What are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution called?

82. Name one purpose of the United Nations?

83. Where does Congress meet?

84. Whose rights are guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights?

85. What is the introduction to the Constitution called?

86. Name one benefit of being citizen of the United States.

87. What is the most important right granted to U.S. citizens?

88. What is the United States Capitol?

89. What is the White House?

90. Where is the White House located?

91. What is the name of the President's official home?

92. Name the right guaranteed by the first amendment.

93. Who is the Commander in Chief of the U.S. military?

94. Which President was the first Commander in Chief of the U.S. military?

95. In what month do we vote for the President?

96. In what month is the new President inaugurated?

97. How many times may a Senator be re-elected?

98. How many times may a Congressman be re-elected?

99. What are the 2 major political parties in the U.S. today?

100. How many states are there in the United States today?

I'll make a separate post with the answers in a few days.

My Prayer

2011-05-13T10:06:00.000-07:00

Dear Lord: I want my life to be pleasing to you. Please help me focus and help mold and change my heart to live this way. Show me your wisdom in my perceptions and reactions. I ask in Jesus name, Amen.

Matthew 5:39-

³⁹But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

⁴⁰And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.

⁴¹And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

⁴²Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

⁴³Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

⁴⁴But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

⁴⁵That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

⁴⁶For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

⁴⁷And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

⁴⁸Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Coin Purses

2011-05-12T07:49:00.000-07:00

I made the cutest little coin purses for Mother's Day this year; they were so easy to make. I'm planning on doing a tutorial soon. I had found a couple of DIY instructions and changed it to fit my own preferences. Here are a couple of pictures of the ones I made.

The Best Mother's Day

2011-05-09T01:23:00.000-07:00

First, Happy Mother's Day to my Mommy readers. I had a fantastic day; truly a memorable one. This year, I told Adam that I wanted to go on a hike and have a picnic. The weather has been so warm lately it seemed like a great idea. On Saturday, I made fried chicken and potato salad to bring for our picnic the following day. I quickly learned that it's a bad idea for my family to be at home while I'm cooking fried chicken that they can not immediately eat. Daddy went ahead and took all five girls shopping for Mother's Day gifts. They were so excited to shop, they even used their own money. Kiley said it made her feel more grown up and responsible to buy her gift herself.

Sunday morning we woke up early; all five girls gave me the gifts they had been so excited to buy. I have never seen them so anxious to give me something. It was fascinating to see what each girl picked out. Kiley bought me the cutest purse. I have been saying I wanted a new one. Haley bought me a new wallet; this was such a nice treat, because mine has been falling apart. August bought me a set of gorgeous stone and bead bracelets. Julia picked out an adorable notebook for my purse. I told her that I really liked notebooks, and she said, "that's what Daddy said when I picked it out". I could just squeeze her guts, she's so darn cute. Finally, Emily picked out a small pink lantern that holds a tea light candle. I loved it. I was so overwhelmed with the care and thought they put into the gifts they bought. I think the fact that they chose to use their own hard earned money, shows such a huge amount of love for their Mommy. Of course we would have given them money, but thy were all so excited to buy the gifts themselves, we couldn't deny them that. I can't even begin to express how utterly blessed my life is, and how completely wonderful my children are. I hope to have more some day. I love being a mommy. I can't think of anything in life that could be better.

We all went to church as a family and then headed out to the park. We met Adam's parents in downtown Sunol and drove out to Sunol Regional Park to picnic and hike. I'm bummed I forgot to take pictures of our picnic, but the 150 other pictures should make up for it. We found a nice place to lay out our picnic blankets and we ate. After we ate we were ready to hike. The weather was cooler than I was hoping for but it wasn't uncomfortable. We hiked along a trail named "Little Yosemite" It's about a 3 mile hike round trip; halfway up there is an area with rocks and waterfalls. It was quite beautiful there. On the way back we hiked along the creek. It was fast running water and the white tips were pleasing to watch.

August and Emily loved the hike especially. A brought her camera and took a bunch of pictures and Emily thought everything was, "SO BEAUTIFUL!" Julia mostly complained that she didn't like the walk. It's a little bit of work for a 5 year old. so I don't blame her. She did much better on the walk back along the creek. Adam and I took turns taking pictures. I'm so glad his mom and dad were able to come share the day with us. I love my family.

I'm adding a ridiculous amount of pictures: You've been warned.

It's Friday?

2011-05-06T13:13:00.000-07:00

Please tell me this isn't so! Where did the week go? (rhyme not intended) I wish I could say I've finished all of the laundry for the week; finished making my Mother's Day gifts, and I'm all set for Sunday. I wish I could say that. Ha! If procrastinator had a photo it would certainly be mine. To avoid going upstairs to fold the 3 loads of laundry, I'm blogging instead. I should go up and fold, but it's really hot up there; it is cool down here. I can foresee it now, I will be crying to my husband at 10pm tonight when he's heading up to bed and I still haven't finished my gifts.

*reasons with self*

Kimmie!

Just get your work done. Get off of the computer!

You'll be happy you did your work first!

*ponders it and walks in a different direction*

Er, um, here are some cute photos of Emily and Julia doing math today! Happy Friday.

A Good Night

2011-05-06T00:46:00.000-07:00

Thank you for letting me pour out my heart onto your computers in my previous post. I'm recomposed now and feeling much better. I appreciate all of the kind comments. Sometimes a girl just needs to get stuff off of her chest. Definitely a weight has been lifted.

I had a special treat tonight. My sweet sister in law (husbands sister) came over and took me out for ice cream. No kids, no husbands, just us. It was lovely. We were able to sit and talk for a while. I love my husbands family. I really lucked out with my in-laws.

Good night. God bless. Sweet Dreams.

Being Real

2011-05-05T02:49:00.000-07:00

Hi, I don't know most of you but welcome to this rare view into my heart.

The last several months have been trying. While still mourning the loss of the baby we will never know, I have to go on everyday just the same. Talking about it seems silly when people consider it a mass of cells, no better than a chicken. For only a few short weeks we were in love with that baby whose heart would never beat. That child was a combination of mine and my husbands love, not a blob of tissue. I think I get lower with each passing month that yields a negative test; I want my baby back! I need to trust God more.

Often times, I feel alone in the world. I'm surrounded by opposition at every turn. It seems my husband and children are the only ones who are safe. I am regularly feeling invisible, the odd man out. I know people don't like me, including some of my own family. My husband says, "why do you care? We love you". I shouldn't let it bother me, but who enjoys not being liked? It would be so much easier to "fit in".I know this will never happen. I have chosen a life that just doesn't fit in.

I'm solely a woman trying to make the best of what I have; to be able to express my love, beliefs and convictions and raise my girls into, good, honest, loving, caring and godly young women. I feel at times I'm thought of as unloving, uncaring, hateful. It would be nice if everyone saw what my husband and children see. Am I a bit rough around the edges? Perhaps. However, I LOVE my family and my friends, and would do anything for them. I would lay down my own life for my husband and my children. My loyalty is steadfast.

Still, I feel attacked on every angle these last few months. Most recently an individual has found it amusing to semi-anonymously mock me and then lie about it and cause my integrity to be questionable in front of my own family. This makes my heart break. I'm not a dishonest person. I'm not a crazy person. I have never done anything malicious to this person. I have feelings. I'm a person too. I have found that those who preach words like equality and tolerance are not proponents of either one entirely. Rather, they only want others to be tolerant of what they believe to be true and right. Causing strife, and attempting to defame someone to their own family, is plain callous.

Recently I've found it comforting to stay up late and read my Bible and cry by myself. I really need to pull out of this rut. I should stop feeling sorry for myself. It's stupid. What kind of sappy, inadequate woman am I? Christ suffered so much, more than I ever will,and here Iam being a weak, lame, baby.

Most days are wonderful. I hope and pray that I can get past this hard part in my life. I hope those who feel the need to poke fun at me will go away. My words don't always come out the way they were supposed to; this can lead to not seeming very smart. I'm pretty sure I've always been above average. I always got put in those smart classes. *sheepish grin* I can still try to be funny can't I?

Thanks for reading my ridiculous post. I have to be up in 2 hours to fix my husband's lunch and coffee. Good night. And if it's not too much to ask, please say a prayer for me. I really need one.

Was it worth it?

2011-05-04T23:48:00.000-07:00

10 years. Trillions of dollars. Hundreds of thousands of lives. 2 illegal wars. All for the life of one man?

On Lying

2011-05-03T15:28:00.000-07:00

These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

A proud look,

a lying tongue,

and hands that shed innocent blood,

An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations,

feet that be swift in running to mischief,

A false witness that speaketh lies,

and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Proverbs 6:16-19

Don't tell a lie, is probably one of the very first, notably important lessons we learn as a child. It's not too far fetched to suggest lying is ingrained in our sin nature. Humans will generally default to a lie when feeling vulnerable. It surely is the go to choice for children when the judgement of their character is at hand. Under pressure, it may seem like the best defense against protecting your reputation. We have all done it at one time or another. What has your lying cost you?

What good has ever come from telling a lie?

Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. Proverbs 12:22

I'm not writing here to condemn you for lying, I have lied myself. The Bible states we should judge righteously. I'm not judging your lying, rather pointing out just what lies can do. I've been on both the giving and receiving end of lies; it's not a pleasant experience either way.

God wanted to make such a point about lying that he included it as one of his 10 Commandments. Commandment #9 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour" Exodus 20:16

Lies can swiftly become arduous, spiraling out of control, requiring you to recall the exact tale you told. The lie paves the pathway to more and more lies sending you striving to cover up or explain the lie(s) already told. In turn the story has to become more detailed and elaborate to escape being found out. Lying causes fear, anxiety, and stress.

Lying creates crippling wedges and ruins relationships. It has been responsible for destroying marriages and business partnerships. It is a prevalent characteristic in narcissistic and sociopathic personality disorders. The betrayal perceived from lies have caused people to commit heinous acts like physical abuse and murder.

Do you realize what the lie potentially does to your integrity? A man/woman is not worth much without their integrity. I remember my father always saying "Your word is your bond". Trust can be lost forever. The truth you speak (or lack thereof) is manifest in the quality of your character. "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh." Luke 6:45

I believe that as humans, we all desire to find truth and we expect truth. In our conversations with others, we assume the truth is conveyed. When we purchase products we demand they be presented in truth. When we trust a person of a certain profession we expect that they profess truth in their conclusion.

Truth is like the light, and lies like darkness. Light can't exist in darkness. It is always best to tell the truth, lest someone find you to be liar. Confessing a lie before you are found out will gain much more respect than having to be proven a liar.

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Proverbs 21:8

Musings

2011-05-02T21:34:00.000-07:00

It's been busy around here. We are wrapping up our school year and getting ready for our crazy summer to begin. 7 of our friends had babies last year, so we are up to our ears in 1st birthday parties, youth conference, kids' sports, swim lessons, and a couple of camping trips. Our Anniversary this year falls on the same weekend that my husband's brother is graduating from college, so we probably won't be doing anything special.

I'm looking forward to the break from school, so we can relax a bit. Next year is going to be a lot busier. Emily and Julia will be starting Kindergarten, and I'll be teaching arts and crafts classes, working on the community service and skit committees for our 4H group. I'm incredibly excited about being a project leader in 4H next year. Kiley and August are getting all of their entries ready for the county fair this year. Last year KIley won the Judges Favorite for her bird painting. They have a chance to win better awards if they enter more items.

Emily and Julia are such smart little cookies. I don't think Kindergarten will be a problem for them. They have already grasped math concepts and can add really well. They seem to "get" math, but not letters so much. I'm just going to take the reading a little slower. They are looking forward to being able to read on their own.

Kiley and August are going to be entering their last year of middle school. They are doing pre-algebra and US history. If any of you mommies have any US history curriculum that is less secular based, I'd be happy to receive comments on what would be good. We will be going from the Revolution through WWI. Science is going to include a lot of hands on experiments. This should be fun. And they will be continuing in their violin lessons along with teaching their younger sisters how to play, and getting paid for it. I'm also planning on having them teach me the proper use of commas, since I am obviously comma impaired. However, thanks for continuing to read anyway.

I had my share of interesting blog comments this week. It's funny that my blog view numbers go up daily, but people only comment on abortion posts or posts about reprobate weirdos. *shrugging shoulders*

I have a couple of comments that I need to approve, but I'd actually like to reply to them, so hopefully I'll get to that tomorrow.

I need to finish making my Mother's Day gifts for this year; I hand made cards too. I've never made cards before. They turned out cute. I'll post pictures of the creations after the fact. I'm excited about Mother's Day this year. I'm spending it with only my hubby and kids. We rarely get outside time for just us as a family, and since our anniversary is booked, this will be like the make up for that.

Kiley and August had their second cake decorating class and they are doing quite well. The cakes are yummy but never good when you're trying to lose some poundage.

I have more to write about, but I'm tired. Aha, this will keep you in suspense, and you will have to return to find out what else happened. *grin*

Betcha didn't know I could be funny. Good night and God bless you.

A Point Well Made

2011-05-01T17:16:00.000-07:00

I received this twice in emails from my husbands mother and aunt and thought I'd share.

I think this just may be the best pro-life message I've seen.

A Point well made!!!

A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said:
'Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even 1 year old and I'm pregnant again. I don't want kids so close together.

So the doctor said: 'Ok and what do you want me to do?'
She said: 'I want you to end my pregnancy, and I'm counting on your help with this.'
The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence he said to the lady: 'I think I have a better solution for your problem. It's less dangerous for you too.'
She smiled, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request.
Then he continued: 'You see, in order for you not to have to take care 2 babies at the same time, let's kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we're going to kill one of them, it doesn't matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms.
The lady was horrified and said: 'No doctor! How terrible! It's a crime to kill a child!
'I agree', the doctor replied. 'But you seemed to be OK with it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution.'
The doctor smiled, realizing that he had made his point.
He convinced the mom that there is no difference in killing a child that's already been born and one that's still in the womb.
The crime is the same!

If you agree, please forward. Together we can help save precious lives!
Learn from Yesterday, live for Today, hope for Tomorrow.. "Love says I sacrifice myself for the good of the other person. Abortion says I sacrifice the other person for the good of myself..."

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his REWARD. Psalm 127.3

Some Things I've Learned Along the Way

2011-04-30T22:31:00.000-07:00

1. It's impossible to keep the Play-Doh colors separate. Stop stressing over it.
2. Band Aids are cheap and will make a hurt child stop crying, especially in the absence of blood.
3. Forgive your spouse for everything. Didn't Jesus forgive us for everything?
4. If you stand up for what God says is right, people will not like you. This includes members of your own family.
5. One sure way to guarantee spilling your coffee is to wear a white skirt.
6. No matter how many times you use a hot glue gun, it's impossible to walk away without at least one burn.
7. Little kid hugs are the most wonderful things in the world.
8. Mothers should do anything and everything they can to be home with their children. The children deserve it.
9. The second your children are born, someone presses the fast forward button.
10. It never fails, no matter how hard you try, there will always be single socks.

The Little Twins Love Laundry

2011-04-30T12:41:00.000-07:00

E and J love to help Mommy with the laundry. Up until last week, their job has been to gather the laundry from their hamper, and Mommy and Daddy's hamper, and bring it downstairs to the laundry room. They have been asking to learn how to run the washer and dryer for a while now. Over the last couple of weeks, they've been learning. Finally, this week they got it down. They can separate the clothes by color, put the load in the washer, add the soap and turn it on. You can tell by their excitement how proud they are of themselves. Moving the clothes to the dryer is a little more difficult. We have a top loader, and they are still small, so they need Mommy to help them. Get the clothes at the bottom of the washer. They have worked it out between them to alternate running the washer and cleaning the lint trap and turning on the dryer.

Folding clothes are a whole different story, and that is reserved for me. I'm a little particular about how things are folded. They do like to put their dresses on the hangers and put them in their closet. I'm so happy that someone in this house is excited about doing laundry. Though I'm sure it will be short lived.

E and J are extremely independent little girls and are constantly trying to do things on their own. They want to be just like their big sisters and their Mommy. They really don't like being told they are too little to do something. At the mention of that phrase sets their determination to do it, only to prove you wrong. I admire this in them but there are times when they really are too little.

Guard your Daughters

2011-04-29T11:45:00.000-07:00

This is who our daughters' role models should be:

Abigail
Ruth
Esther
Sarah : Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. 1 Peter 3:6

Not this: (click the words for the link)
Disgusting, reprobate, blasphemous, satanic, devil worshipping thing

The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Crafts for Little Girls: Fun with Paper Dolls

2011-04-27T09:44:00.000-07:00

I love free and easy projects for kids. I like toys and activities that spark their imaginations and urge them to explore their creativity. My mother introduced me to printable paper dolls awhile ago. I bought a ream of card stock and printed sheets of paper dolls and their clothes, I attached a pair of child scissors and gave these as a gift to the little girls at our church. These are fabulous to bring in the car in a folder. I remember having paper dolls as a child and I really liked them. There are so many free printables online. Here are some and their links.

Marilee's Paper Dolls II

Betsy McCall Paper Dolls

Making Friends

Caitlin's Paper Dolls
Printable Paper Dolls
Money Saving Mom
My previous post
Ann of Paper Doll Land
Karen's Whimsy
Pre-Victorian Brides

Happy Cutting

Drunk Man Crashes Easter Morning Service

2011-04-24T20:24:00.000-07:00

Our morning started bright and early, at 4:30am. Our church has a sunrise service on Easter morning to celebrate the resurrection of our Saviour Jesus Christ. The sunrise service was cold and drizzly, but nice just the same. We meet at a park on a hill nearby our church so we can see the sun rise while we sing hymns and have a lesson about Christ's sacrifice on the cross and resurrection for our sins. What an amazingly wonderful thing he did for you and me. Why anyone would choose to die without his salvation is truly beyond my comprehension.

Sunrise Service

It's a tradition at our church to have a huge breakfast after the sunrise service where the men and boys do the cooking and serving. It's sort of their thank you to the women for taking care of the cooking and serving of the food for all of the other gatherings during the year. The men cooked, french toast, bacon, sausage and scrambled eggs, and the young boys served the plates of food to all of the women and girls. One of the women has 10 children ( her 11th blessing on the way), the look of gratefulness in her eyes when she was told that she could sit down and her food would be brought to her and her children, was priceless. Of course we ladies always talk about how weird we feel just sitting there while the men/boys cook and serve. Just to humor them, we let them do this once a year. *grin*

Trading Silly Bands

The regular morning service is followed right after breakfast. Usually on Sundays we have a morning church service, but on Easter both services are in the morning so that families can spend the rest of the day with their families. This year our regular service had a guest yeller. It was a little surprising, and a little scary at the same time. Toward the end of the sermon a man walked in and started yelling at the pastor and challenging his beliefs. Before I continue, I want to first address that the entire sermon was focused on the proof that Jesus Christ is God, and how some people think he was just a great prophet or a good man. So...This man, was wearing a giant poncho and had a guitar. He was extremely drunk and yelling. He stood toward the back of the pews in the aisle and announced that he was the Angel Gabriel and he had a message to tell us. He screamed at our pastor asking, "Why are you teaching from the 2nd testament? Jesus of that testament was the anti-christ. The true christ has not yet come. We are all sinning by worshipping this false Jesus of the 2nd testament and he is not God and there is only a 1 part God and we should serve him only" **I kid you not, he came in yelling and carrying on about exactly what our pastor had been preaching on.** He was asked by the pastor to sit down so he could hear and learn why he was preaching that Jesus is in fact, God. He sat for a moment and then stood up and started yelling a bunch of twisted scripture and how he did his homework before he came in so he could give us this message. One of our men walked over to him and told him if he wasn't going to sit and listen then he would have to leave. "Gabriel" started getting angry and asking why had security been called on him. This was sort of funny because the man who got up to talk to him, is a huge security type looking man. He refused to sit and be quiet so he was nicely escorted out while yelling, "I'm being thrown out of my lords house?". Once he was outside, our pastor finished the sermon, prayed for "Gabriel" and we closed the service. Our pastors wife saw him drinking a beer outside of the church near the curb by the street. Another 1st time visitor drove him home, but I guess they didn't know each other. It was all very strange.

The "Gabriel" incident was a little scary, you never have any idea what a crazy belligerently drunk person is going to do. All of the children remained very calm, but expressed later that they were scared. Our men handled it and made sure everyone was safe.

I tried to get a snap shot of "Gabriel" but this is all I could get. He's in the passenger seat but you can't really see him.

On a different note, we had the family over to our house this year for lunch/dinner. Usually we gather at one of my aunts' houses, but since we bought a new house, they let us have the honors. Everyone brought food and snacks. K & A made Hummingbird Cake Cupcakes yesterday. They were awesome. We stuffed some plastic eggs with puzzle pieces, green army men and a little candy so the kids could hunt out in the back yard. It was such a lovely afternoon. E has been singing, "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder" all day. It's cute. The little ones are old enough to begin to understand the reason for celebrating Christs resurrection and what he did for us.

I hope you had blessed day with your loved ones.