Milk Art

So... The other day we had a fun milk experiment! We did this in the Spring with Cream and Skim milk (it did work a little better) and we decided to do it again! What kid doesn't have fun playing in something that would otherwise not be allowed?!

The above ingredients include:

(2) 9x13 pans (or however many different forms of milk you decide to use)

Different forms of milk. I.E. Whole, Skim, Cream, Half & Half, 1%, 2%, Soy, Almond, etc.

Food Coloring

Toothpicks or Q-Tips

What you do:

1. Pour milk into the 9x13 pans (If I would have been better prepared, I would have had one pan per child so each one could make their very own design).



2. Drop a few drops, of each color, into the milk and have the kids design the milk. Stop after every couple of minutes to discuss why each one is so different.



Yes, our chickens and turkeys are definitely a part of our family! If we are outside, they are following closely behind like a dog :) We love it!



The many swirls of colored milk.



Then, take paper and lay that over the top of the design! This is what we came up with! We, then, compared the different designs with the milk they were dipped into. The center was the Whole milk and the two outer were the Skim. You can clearly see the better of the two! After cleaning up, I baked the paper in the microwave for 30 seconds to dry it!

This experiement had no major learning curve or Einstein form of brain work, but it was MAJOR fun and we did learn a few things! Here they are:

We learned that the thicker the milk, the better it holds the design

We learned that moving the toothpicks quickly through the milk, mixed the color rather than swirled it.

We learned the further you held the Food Coloring from the milk, the bigger the splatter of color it made.

We learned that carrying a 9x13 pan is easy and so is carrying a jug of milk, but carrying the 9x13 pan filled with milk is quite difficult...Hmmm?! That was a thinker!

We learned that depending on how you poured out the milk, made a difference in the rainbow of colors it left behind on the bottom of the pan.

Having fun without making it a major, stressful, organized agenda can be lots of fun and very memmorable.

I really enjoy these days!

Hard Hats, Elevators & Rooftops...

Today was memorable! I'm not sure who enjoyed it more...me or the kids :)

My husband is a Lineman and was able to pull a few strings to get us a field trip. We got to go see how Electricity is actually made! From the coal coming off the train to the steam to the ash! It was neat to see it all in action.



We were able to invite a few friends along with us and their children. One of the moms said to me, "This will be remembered far longer than the same thing read in a text book." I'm so blessed to be able to give these memories to my children! Not to mention the generosity we received from the Plant Manager and Service Manager! They, literally, took us everywhere they could. We seen offices, stair cases, elevators, an antique 1925 Boiler and vintage house meters.

With us three moms and our 9 kids, we just followed in amazement. Like these little tidbits:

Did you know...The left over water and steam is pumped into a pond where the ash is settled, then the water is filtered and put back into the Mississippi. The water goes back in better than they found it.

Did you know...The ash that settles on the bottom of that pond is gathered and shipped down to a concrete business to use as fill for roads, sidewalks, etc.

Did you know...This plant uses low sulfur coal that's shipped in from Wyoming. Illinois coal has a 2% Sulfur level and Wyoming coal has 0.3% Sulfur level.

Did you know...Mid American Generating Plant has the best and longest record for safety.

Did you know...This generating plant was the largest West of the Mississippi until the mid 70's.



My children were able to see the coal being ground up into a powder form. They were able to see it being dumped in the lines that took it to the boiler. They seen the boilers, seen the fire inside that was a raging 2,500 degrees. They seen the steam stacks, the master control room and lots of buttons and gadgets. This is a day that I know will never be forgotten. The great part is...it's only the beginning... It's the beginning of the year, the beginning of their life ahead. So many more exploring adventures that are ahead of us. Oh...AND THE BEST PART OF THE FIELD TRIP: HARD HATS, ELEVATORS AND ROOFTOPS!!!!!
Speaking of that rooftop, we got to go up on it!


What a gorgeous view!! We were overlooking the Mississippi River! It was beautiful! We were standing right next to the smoke stack that you could see miles and miles away!



Up on the rooftop we also gotto see a train unloading the coal. There was a tractor out there on that huge mound of coal. He was levelling it out as the train slowly pushed along. The coal then goes into this huge elevator and makes it's way through the process. It was quite neat to see all the coal that goes into giving us our lights! What a neat process!


What adventures have you been on lately? Any adventures in your own yard?

Homeschooling Fun with Homemade Puffy Paint

Homeschooling holds a very special place in my heart. I love the moments of Ahaa! I love being able to spend time with my children and actually raise them. I love seeing improvements in their school work. I love that my kids know that whole milk makes better art than skim milk. I love seeing the look on their faces as their artwork comes out of the microwave! I love that my kids have a relationship with our mailman, water guy, Fed Ex and trash people. I love that we go on atleast three field trips per month and my kids are seeing the world around them. I love homeschooling my family!

Today was another fun experimental journey. We created puffy paint. I have had this recipe for quite some time. (Not sure where I got it from) I didn't have the ingredients as marked below, but thought I would try it anyways. I used all-purpose flour instead of self-rising flour, but it still worked nicely (not as nice, but still rised enough to make my kids grin from ear to ear).

Today myself and my kiddos created some puffy art!


It is really quite a simple recipe...and fun, too!

Ingredients for Puffy Paint:

--> 1T Self-Rising Flour
--> 1T Salt
--> 1 1/2 T water (just enough to make a paste)
--> Food coloring of your choice (just a few drops will do it)

Mix the flour, salt and water until it forms a paste. Too much water will make it watery and project will not turn out puffy! After mixed, put in food coloring until desired color. Paint your pictures as you normally would, then place each piece of artwork in the microwave for 45 seconds.

As you see in the picture above, I put each color in it's own bowl with it's own paint brush. I like this idea because the glass bowls all have lids and I can store them for a couple of days to use. They just loved the texture.



Painting with my children and teaching my oldest son his Roman Numerals today has been amazingly peaceful. I know that my children are really looking forward to tomorrow's craft...Flubber :)

Do you have any recipes to share? I would love to hear them...and try them, too!

2 days, 20 hours, 54 minutes and 13 seconds

I haven't written in awhile and I could think of a list of excuses why, but I think, instead, I'll just pick up where I left off. I will be writing about the life of a Lineman's wife.

Our daily lives are like any other 9-5 job...except my husbands starts much earlier; at 5:00am to be exact. We wake up at 5:00am together to do our daily reading. My husband gets ready for work as I have newly added a walk to start my day. He leaves at 6:15 to be at work before 7:00. His day starts and SO DOES MINE and my sons, my other sons and my daughters!!!

We have breakfast, usually a playdate or playing at home, an appointment, etc. Then lunch, nap for my daughter. My husband then comes home at 6:00pm, currently, as he is working 6 ten hour days. We have dinner together...ALWAYS TOGETHER, then play and bed for the kids as my hubby and I spend some quality time together.

That is how our weeks TYPICALLY go!

BUT...

On-call

weeks

ARE

SO

DIFFERENT...

The kids and I still have the same schedule and routine, but Dan does not!

He works...

And works...

And works...

And works...

In the past 4.5 days he has worked TWO 25-hour days!!!!! Yes, I didn't think that was possible either, but to my amazement, it is!

So, needless to say in the past 4.5 days, I have been on my own, COMPLETELY!

I know it seems like a simple task, but this also happened to be the week of

1. Two physicals,
2. Two eye exams,
3. Due to the physical, a lump was found on one son's knee who has to get a sonogram tomorrow,
4. Due to the eye exams I have two kids who now need glasses,
5. A dog who needs to go to the vet for a rabies shot,
6. A family reunion,
7. A youth group skit at TWO services last Sunday, which led us to church from 7:30-12:30,
8. Our first youth group girls study and
9. Our last home group meeting!

So, as I was talking to a friend today about not wanting to go to the grocery store, I think I can give myself a little credit on knowing that it is okay to simply be exhausted! I am there! I am exhausted and I CANNOT wait for Dan's on-call week to be completed in 2 days, 20 hours, 57 minutes and 18 sec...15 sec...12 sec...

You get the point!

So, I hope to encourage any other momma who may be feeling the same way. I know how you feel! I know what it's like to be scared to fall asleep because you're scared of what the next day brings, lol. I feel your pain, I feel the grays popping up, but I ultimately feel blessed. <--(Bet you didn't expect that one, huh?!) I do feel blessed.

I am blessed that my husband has a job that he adores every day, (even with lack of sleep and a grouchy wife every 12 weeks as he enters this crazy week) kids who are amazing with the transitition and a Lord who gives grace. That's the most important isn't it?

Grace!!!

My God gives me grace, my husband gives me grace, my kids do and so do my friends! That is a blessing and now is a time that I need it the most. So, thank you for that grace this past week! It's been noticed!!!

Now as I part from my blog on rambling, (Can you tell I haven't had an adult living with me the past few days?!) I hope you all have a fabulous end to your week. Mine will end in 2 days, 20 hours, 54 minutes and 13 seconds...

I did splurge...$1.00 for a Moolatte

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moth and dust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." ~Matthew 6:19-21

The above verse was what I woke up to this morning. God didn't stop there, He had more in store...

I normally don't watch a lot of tv, but this afternoon I flipped it on and it happened to be on Fox where The Desperate Housewives of Orange County was on. I watched it for about 10 minutes before I could no longer stand to see it. Here's what I witnessed...

A lady was having a birthday party on a private ship which her husband rented for her and had all of her friends as well. They were giving gifts as I witnessed her opening the gift from her husband...to my surprise it was a Rolex, but not a simple, ordinary Rolex... No, this one was laced with diamonds around the band, inside and out of the face, etc. Of course the price was announced and it cost over $40,000.00. This one was to replace her previous Rolex which "just" had diamonds on the face...

I couldn't help but think throughout that conversation, with looks from friends of jealousy and excitement that I felt bad for them. I mean $40,000.00 on a watch...

I'm not saying that I don't splurge, I mean I did just buy Velveeta shells n cheese and a shirt from the clearance rack at Old Navy, and a Moolatte at DQ for $1.00...Haha. It was Mocha flavored in case you're wondering.

I just find it SO important that we think about our money before we use it in a senseless manner. If all you're doing is thinking or worrying about money, that's a sign that it has control over you. Money itself is not sinful in nature, but what we choose to do with it can be. I'm not perfect in this by no means, there are many things that I purchase that I could live without. I do, however, find it important to enjoy a little something here and there. God gave us money to do good. What we give is because of Him that we're able. Just because you have the money, doesn't make what you're spending it on "right"...just a thought.

As part of homeschool we designate a finance lesson once a week and we talk about how we earn money, save it, tithe it, spend it. What its purpose is and what what God intended with it. To see my 6 year old son take all of his "spending" money from his jar, stick it in his pocket and take it to church for offering is one of those teachable moments. It may have been a pile of change, but it was all he had. Reminds me of a story... Teach your kids, its never too early to start!!

I pray that you hear this post with encouragement. Whether you are doing 'all the right thing's financially or have gone off the deep end and spend like theirs no meaning just because you can or maybe you've made the commitment to make wise choices and are still trying. Whatever phase you're in, I hope this blog post gives you just a little more encouragement to make it a little longer. The rewards speak for themselves. If you need help getting started in gaining financial wisdom, visit: for budget forms, saving tips, etc.


"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moth and dust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." ~Matthew 6:19-21

I'm smarter than you are??? Really???

I was talking to a sweet, long missed friend of mine a couple of nights ago and we got on the subject of our beliefs and how good it feels to read something in the Bible and, actually, get the meaning of it. Like recently realizing that I can't take my life where it needs to go. I mean I always "knew" that I couldn't control it...but I never fully grasped it. I used to believe that I had a free choice on all decisions that I make...which contradicts what I thought I knew. I have recently learned that NO! I don't have that choice, that only lies in the hands of our Maker. I have learned through searching and searching through His Word that God makes the sovereign choice for me and you!!

But, going through that, for me, was a moment in my faith that I will never forget! It was one of the first times that God laid a situation on my heart and stayed persistent as He put people in my path that I needed to talk to. I sometimes wonder, though, how so many Christians can get so defensive when someone else reveals what God has revealed to them. I'm not saying that I had many issues going through this, but their were some. However, I've been in that situation before with friends...we all have! I was in it as I was battling myself through this! I couldn't believe how something could be so different than what I had believed before. Here's where the selfishness came in..."What, that can't be. I know that's not right?!" But, truth is, I know a small tiny pen point of what the Bible holds...

Don't take this the wrong way, I don't feel that I know more than anyone else or any other viewpoint is wrong, I do feel that my relationship with God and my view of the future completely changed for the better once I took the pressure off of 'ME' and followed Him. I'm not trying to say that this is what you should believe as that is between you and God, but the point I'm trying to get to is why do we automatically get so defensive when a new insight to a, possible, new outlook of Gods Word is brought to our attention. I honestly don't feel that anyone going through a similar situation is trying to sound, "Better than thou" or "Smarter than you", but rather looking for help as they walk through this life altering situation that God has laid on their heart. Because 9 times out of 10, they're looking for insight to help be able to grasp what God is trying to reveal.

Going through this experience has, for me, been life changing. It has changed the way I pray. I look at the future with ease, my children with comfort, this world with peace and my life with excitement. I know that nothing is in my hands, it is out of my control...and, honestly, I am relieved of that. To know that God's will is so much BIGGER than ANYTHING of this world...including myself is an amazing gift and nothing short of a relief!!

I know that I pray that I will be able to hear through Gods ears and feel through His heart. Will you?? Will your ears be open when someone comes to you with Scriptural references to something that God has revealed to them? Will you hear as though God was sitting next to you?? God reveals to some what He doesn't to others...Why?? Well, how would we grow and learn TOGETHER if He didn't?! If we knew EVERYTHING, how would we learn ANYTHING?! How would we share His Word to other 'believers'? God laid this on my heart through Scripture and LOTS of friends who He revealed this very thing to, many years ago. Yes, I had to come to grips with knowing that I was NOT the first to find out...

What is God laying on your heart?? What is He wanting you to dig in and find out more about? What!!! Remember the ears that will be relieving to you as you go through this that someone else needs today. Maybe God's not laying anything on your heart at this point...but, maybe you have a friend who is?!!!

God bless!!

Crossing the street...how simple??!!!

Last week my daughter's preschool class took a field trip to the library, which is about a block away, so we walked. On the way there, the kids decided that they no longer needed their jackets, so they removed them and stuck them in the van. They were in a hurry as to keep up with the line of children walking excitedly across the street as cars waited for us. But...my son's were in such a hurry that they shut their coats in the sliding door causing the door to keep opening as I was pushing the button to shut it. I, then, had to run over and see what was going on, as my son is watching and all I heard was, "sorry, mommy!" Of course, as much as I wanted to make him fix it, I ended up doing it, as it was a lot quicker to do so. Then as all that was going on, I had to say several times to make my boys wait for me...FINALLY we made it across the street and continued walking to the library. We had all the kids with us and most parents, so we had a nice little crowd. We made it to the library and went inside to the story room. Once there the kids were talked to about how the library worked, we then read some books and got some crafts to bring home, (no, we haven't done it yet...) During the library, which homeschool causes us:

• To be there far too often,


• Renting out far too many books and


• Unfortunately, pay far too many dues

I allowed my boys to play on the computers (since being there so often becomes a bit mundane :)). The kids looked at how the books were returned when they stuck them in the slot, which they were all so highly amazed with that process.

Then, we walked back. As we were walking, I realized my boys holding hands by themselves in front of Elli and I. I then realized that as crazy as it was to cross the street and put a simple jacket in the car that it all diminished in a second of viewing a sweet moment between my children.

I then asked Elli if she wanted to walk with her brothers so I could take a picture and naturally, the boys seperated and the peanut was stuck into the middle. I find it so uplifting how I teach my children so much, but God still manages to show me teachable moments through them.

I pray that I keep my eyes open to those moments forever.

A Full House and Full of Personality

One of the neatest things with all three of my children, is being able to see and experience their differing personalities everyday!! If any of you reading this have more than one child, you know EXACTLY what I mean! One child is a poster child, the next is the goofiest, then the next is just silly! Don't get me wrong, I have plenty of those fighting moments between my three children... You know the ones, "Mommy he's bugging me!" "Mommy, he's being mean!" "No, mommy, he's being mean!" "Mommy, she's looking at me!" "Mommy, he's touching me!" Yes, I have plenty of those moments in my house, those are the humbling moments!! But, the times when I look at each of my children and see the God-given traits that make each one of my children unique are the times that I just smile with a blessed heart.

My oldest, Payton, is very serious, extremely organized and loves to stay on top of everything. A standard picture of him is typically just a simple smile with a straight head...very streamlined! My second, Landon, is the goofy one! He loves to be silly and make others laugh and smile. He is SO caring and wears his heart on his sleeve. A standard picture of him is typically...oh wait, there is no standard picture of him, haha. I have to try to get a streamlined one, but they usually end up with a silly face, head tilted and hands doing..."something"! haha, definitely two different personalities! Both boys love to help Dan outside and our neighbors when they can! They love serving others and I see their faith many, many times throughout the day.

My third, Elli, is just plain silly!! From the day she was born she has completely had her own sense of style! When she was younger, I use to think she had to wear certain clothes, everything had to be matchy-matchy (you know...matching pants, socks, shoes, shirt, bow...everything). Up until about a year ago, I started realizing that I'm making her be what society sees, rather than what she wants. Trust me, sometimes I have to put a stop to certain outfits, but for the most part she does a pretty good job in picking out clothes and dressing herself. Sometimes she asks me to do her hair a certain way, then she adds her own thing to it, etc. This is very difficult for a Type-A, very matching momma who has to have everything in it's place! But, this is one of the moments, that my child has taught me to loosen the straps and have a little fun!! Yes, we have been plenty of places in her favorite pajamas because she just couldn't part with them or have worn the same shirt for three days because (in her words, "It's my favorite!"

I am like my first son, more streamlined, organized and a little more on the serious side! Then God knew I needed a little sillyness, so He gave me Dan! Dan is the goofy one who makes up his own words to songs, who usually has a silly face in his pictures, who could care less if his jeans have holes and grease stains, because that's what makes him comfortable. Our children are a reflection of who we are. Whether we are teaching them or their teaching us, a family's personality as a whole is hand-crafted by God. I'm very grateful for the sillyness in my life that shines through my husband and children and I know the seriousness is the perfect balance to the goofy ones in our home!

A different spin on traditional

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." ~Proverbs 22:6

Many of you already know just how important homeschooling is to me. It is a major passion along with many other things like being modest, 1930 mannerisms, respect and a passion for learning. My days can be struggles, but they are ultimately filled with success on so many different levels. I love seeing my children grow in different areas and seeing their strengths makes me smile... Seeing their weaknesses makes me feel human ;) I take so much humbleness in knowing that even though I didn't think I could...God did! Many times He wants us to step out of our comfort zone so we can lean on Him even more!! Trust me when I say that my days can feel never ending and I feel as though I've not done my "job" that day. There are days that I just want to lounge and do nothing and then think..."Today, I could be kid-free!" But, then there are days that I've opened my eyes up just enough to see God 'wink' at me with just enough encouragement to move on to the next. There are days that my sons smiles are exactly what I needed, a day where my son finally remembered the second sound of the letter G. The day my daughter finally got 'yellow' and 'orange' right!! Those are the days that I know that I am right where God needs me to be!!

I have a very traditional style of teaching that I do. It's very traditional and I teach alot of what used to be taught that is really unheard of anymore. But...This past month our "style" of homeschooling has changed a bit! Rather than me teaching my children EVERYTHING, my husband has yearned to become involved. I teach everyday the never-ending phonics, math, writing, journaling, poetry, art and literature. My husband teaches 2-3 times a week on his love for Science and History! This works out great because then I can touch base with it a little during the day, but the actual teaching (which is something he LOVES) is done by him. I think it's great to have the entire family involved in school. The only draw back to this is the fact that, on ocassion, we Netflix history related movies and I can't complain because my husband's response is quite valid, "But, honey, I'm doing this for our children..." Maybe I should've thought about it a while longer, lol.

I will leave you with this last conversation that I was blessed to witness the other day...

One of the simplest comments from my daughter is one that I will cherish forever. We were sitting in the car driving. The boys in the third row, Elli second and Dan and I in front. Payton told Elli that she could do "something" when she grows up and she replied with this, "No, Payton, I want to be a mommy when I grow up. Just like mommy!"

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." ~Proverbs 22:6

A Blessing in Disguise

Today has been a day! I have found over and over again that God has so many plans for each of us that our little minds can never grasp it.

Today has been a day of so many different emotions. Happiness, saddness, angry, etc. I am happy to say that the end of the day has been in happiness and open-heartedness with my husband in our Lord. I needed that time with each of them after a long and tiring day!

Today I found out that my second born, amazingly sweet and caring, little boy has ADHD! When my doctor showed me the graphs going up and down so visciously, I became a little shocked.

"How could this be?! Not my baby boy!!" You see we have expected it for a few years, but seeing it on paper and seeing the graph go up as far as it could took the feeling to a whole new level. It suddendly sunk in all at that moment...that felt forever.

Afterwards, I had to talk to someone about it. As I talked to my friend, I became a little eased. Then I talked to my husband and felt even better. I soo realized that my son does have an "inbalance" and I am SO VERY THANKFUL that that's all it is.

I was reminded of that when I seen a friend's status, which led to me asking about her son (who has autism). She went on to talking about all his problems he's facing and as I felt awful for her and thinking how strong of a momma she is, I was reminded that even though that illness of her son's may seem so big to so many, it's a blessing as well. A blessing that we are still able to enjoy this life with them that God has granted us.

Our children aren't "ours", they're His!! We are "borrowing" our children from the Creator Himself. He has trusted us to care for them and to love them and teach them. So, as I went about my day I realized that I'm happy...happy to have a child with ADHD. I'm blessed that God has trusted me to care for Him in the way that He intended.

Thank you, God, for giving me the children that You know I needed! You do know best! I hope everyone reading this will look at your children tonight and see that God has handpicked YOU to be their parent. Regardless of temperment, potty training struggles, bedtime issues, sibling rivalry, terrible two's that last three years, or the child that is an easy dream. God knew that You are the Perfect parent for your child. They may not be perfect in earthly terms, but they are perfect for you and for God!! Enjoy your children and the blessings that God gives us, even when it doesn't feel like one at every moment in the day.

A Simple Kind of Day

"All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be." ~Psalm 139:16

Ahhh...that is what I'm feeling at this very moment. Kids are fast asleep (and have been for hours) and hubby is doing some research.

This weekend some of my family visited. We had a great time. Hockey game, Arsenal Island, Bowling, etc. One of my favorite times was simply playing games and watching a movie.

I have been shown many times how simple or complicated we can make life. Today was one of those days. I forgot to set my alarm, so missed Pre-K, missed running a few errands that I needed after the busy weekend. But, then as I started thinking how yucky my morning was, God showed me, yet again, that it wasn't important.

My morning consisted of a great family breakfast with strawberry pancakes, then we all gathered around the home school table and started at it. Elli sat there so quietly doing some mazes, coloring and flashcards while the boys started to journal. The journals both turned out to be about our phenominal weekend with our family who they adore. We learned more about telling time and did a few centers. Payton's got it! We made some Eagle wings as we learned about the great Eagle's symbol for our country. The boys couldn't believe that the Eagle's wingspan was taller than our ceilings. Love seeing their brains working and thinking!

The morning reminded me that when I "think" I know what needs to happen, God ultimately has planned what He knows we need. It was a very "simple" day and I was happy to have it.

This past year has been sort of like today... It wasn't MY "plans", but God knows what I need and what my family needs. It's funny how I look at the way I use to view the future and "plan" it, but now I look at the future and I say, "In God's timing", "If it's God's will for me". I have to remind myself daily that God is in control and:

He will Guide ME!

He will Lead ME!

He has Taken Control!

He is I AM!

He is My Present!

He is my Future!

Are we remodelling? If it's God's Will for us! When? In God's Timing!

Are we adopting?? If it's God's Will for us! When? In God's Timing!

We fully trust in God to lead us where He needs us to be. He has compelled our hearts for Him and we are so grateful for that. Regardless of what's on your heart today. It may be something that everyone knows, something that everyone "thinks" is okay, something that is unspoken... Whatever it is, rest assured that God's timing is Perfect timing! Let's turn all glory back to our Lord!

***I ask you all to think about your day...your week and see where God has changed YOUR "plans" to His plans! How did they turn out?? Did you see the better in His at the time? Do you now? What lesson was learned?

The start of the year

Welcome!!!

I am sooo excited to be blogging! I have been wanting to start one for some time now and kept putting it off. One thing I would like to try this year is blog. I hope to keep memories for my children and to have the chance to update all of our dear friends and family at once. I hope you all enjoy looking at our pictures and activities. I plan on posting any ideas that come along with homeschooling and our day to day life :).

First, I would like to say that Homeschooling is very new to me and I can't wait to get started. Here's how I came to know that homeschooling was the direction that was needed to take. When my first son started Kindergarten, he had a bully on the bus. That child said some HARSH comments to him. Ones a person should never have to hear their whole lives. I knew at that moment that is not what I wanted. I started doing research and calling the schools, superintendents and dear friends who have homeschooled. I then realized, that is what I wanted. The end of that school year, I talked to the superintendant and we set up a part-time homeschooling agreement. My oldest and second born would go three days a week and homeschooled two days a week. That went on until November, then I realized God was still calling me for more. At that time, I talked with my husband, friends, my dear MOPS Steering team and home group and realized that full-time homeschooling is what God was calling me to do. Christmas, in a public school system, regardless of how strong you are and how much you love God, is REALLY, REALLY hard!! SO many questions...which is good, but yucky to hear from your children!

SO....

NOW I'M HOMESCHOOLING MY CHILDREN!!!

I pray that God continues to work in me and my family and uses me as he has planned. I know this is where I need to be, but want to let you all know that I have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING against the public school system...it's just not for us. I want you to know this because I will probably post alot about our experiences with homeschooling :).

On to a little education about each of us and how we make up this Full House! First, I will start with the King, Dan! He is an amazing husband that any girl would be lucky to have. I find myself thanking God so often that He blessed me to share this life with him! He is a great playful daddy (see video below) and the kids know that daddy will always be the first to wrestle around with them. He is a Journeyman Lineman with Mid American Power and he LOVES LOVES LOVES his career. It's so nice to have a husband who really enjoys going to work. **Not to mention the fact that the kids thinks it's the coolest thing ever to have daddy climbing poles and helping people stay warm/cool. The LOVE his big truck too!!

Next up we have the Queen to make up the 'two of a kind' part of a full house. I am a stay at home momma/wife. I homeschool my children and love every second of it. I talked about my adventure in it above. I love using my imagination and creating things out of nothing. I get alot of my influence from other blogs of amazing women and those are listed in my links on the left. Please check them out. I love scrapbooking, making blankets and bows. I sell Pampered Chef and love the flexibility that it offers with our life. My husband and children are my pride and joy and I know that God has blessed us over and over. My goal is to continue to strive to be that 'Proverbs 31' woman. One that her children and husband call blessed. One who can make clothes for her family. One that devotes herself to God...by devoting herself to her family. I enjoy cleaning and organizing and one of the best feelings is one of encouraging another.


The 'three of a kind' section of our full house goes to our three children. Payton, my oldest at age 7 years, is amazing in all he does. He takes everything you say to heart and will hold you to it. He has a memory way too good for my explaining. He is smart and loves learning new things. I love taking him on adventures and the questions that he asks. He gets so much from everything we do. I love hearing the new comments and ideas bouncing around in his head.


Landon is full of life and spirit. He is 6 years old and loves being next to his big brother. He is rough and plays rough...that's what makes him, well, him! He will be outside helping daddy in the yard, cutting wood, etc. until we make him come in. I think he definitely has my husband's heart. He puts others before himself at all times. His heart is in the right place. He does everything a year ealier than Payton, because he learns right along side him. He rode his bike without training wheels at 4 years old!!!!! He learned how to tie his shoes at 4 years old!!! He's definitely a learner and loves it!


Elli is our strong willed child at age 3 years old. She has her daddy wrapped around her tiny, skinny little finger and he knows it. She is so full of life and always carries a smile. She loves her girly dress up stuff, baby dolls, changing clothes 3 times a day...you know, the normal girl stuff, lol. Just yesterday she got into my lipstick and had it all over her face....Ahhh, the joys, and YES! I wanted a girl, lol. She just fell yesterday at Burger King and busted her lip. Seeing her try to suck her thumb was sad...but I was secretly sitting back and going...hehehehe! :) It didn't work in stopping her, though...she's back at it today! :( Any ideas on stopping that from happening??

The next video, I want to post for no better reason than because it makes me smile. A little background. For Christmas, my husband got me a Wii Fit Plus and we became addicted to it right away. So, he is playing one of the Kung Fu games and had no idea I was recording. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do :)

Random fac: Did you know that if you let your eggs set out for 15 minutes before baking, they will rise better?!!

I hope you all enjoyed my first blog! I plan on a weekly update so check back often!!