tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44096285918080553552024-03-14T03:37:11.182-04:00In the Waiting Room"Wait for the LORD; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD." Psalm 27:14Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12473423473787783011noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409628591808055355.post-58334996180730421162012-09-02T10:55:00.001-04:002022-05-16T09:54:20.849-04:00The problem with time...Does anybody else get overwhelmed by how fast time goes by? I have been looking at pictures from the past years and thinking about how long it has been since...or how many years we have been... and I cannot believe how fast time goes by without me noticing. Another reminder to try to slow things down and relax a bit and enjoy the time as it is actually passing. It is so hard to remember that, when I am in the day to day grind of things.Then I have an aha moment, and I realize what I am doing and the need to take notice of the activity that is going on around me.<br />
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I have taken several deliberate steps so far to really enjoy this school year with the kids:<br />
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1.) Get every time saver, schedule helper in place now- here are examples of a few things I have done, self-grading math programs for the younger crowd, pre-printed handouts for Tapestry of Grace,set up files for each week of Tapestry of Grace now, research crock pot recipes and use the crock pot, let others plan and cook dinner<br />
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2.) play lots more games with the kids, board games, review games for school, family game night<br />
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3.) more laughing, any time things are funny or even not so funny try laughing, lots of laughter<br />
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4.) less stress, a little more mess and ease up on the reins of control-I don't have to be the one who is doing it all, all of the time, delegate and look the other way and smile when others do the chores around the house<br />
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Well, it is a short list, but it is my attempt to take real steps at enjoying the new school year that stretches out before our family with such promise. I want to be present in every moment of it! <br />
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<br /><br />Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12473423473787783011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409628591808055355.post-83273908367899820082012-06-07T13:05:00.002-04:002022-05-16T09:54:40.185-04:00Inside Out Kind of Love<b>Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. </b><br />
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I came to a "deep" realization yesterday...God loves me from the inside out! How is that for profound? I have been reading a lot about LOVE, love between husband and wife, love for your kids, love for yourself, love of country and of course, love for God. It struck me yesterday that God loves me from the inside out. What I mean is that He loves me despite what is inside of me, tucked away, for no one else to know but me. That is the kind of love that overlooks all faults and shortcomings and encourages you to continue on in, walking with Him and living for Him everyday. He works on the inside and His love shines to the outside of me. He isn't afraid to get in the darkest places of my life and love me.<br />
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I am crazy about that kind of LOVE! Inside out Love, loving someone past all their yuck and encouraging them to become all that God has created them to be. Getting a glimpse of who God is growing them to be, by loving their inside. I want to love with this kind of love, my husband, my kids, my family and friends, and myself. Lord, help me care for others the way you care for me, and to see them as you see me. I want to love with an inside out kind of love.<br />
<br /><br /><b></b>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12473423473787783011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409628591808055355.post-44521744068585342172012-06-06T10:37:00.002-04:002022-05-16T09:55:54.547-04:00Back to WritingI have been gone from the blogging world for awhile and thought it was time to start writing again. Life has passed quickly these first 6 months of 2012 and now we are getting ready to finish up our 11th year of homeschooling. We now have rising 11th, 8th and 5th graders in our homeschool. Wow! <div> The time is slipping by so quickly.
At our homeschool association meeting last night we received our beautiful yearbook for the 2011-2012 school year. I get all misty eyed when I look through the pictures of families doing their family things and all of the activities homeschool kids find to do during the year. It gave me a new sense of urgency to make sure we are hitting all of those things I always wanted to do before our first student graduates from our homeschool. Wonder if he will mind making salt maps, picking apples, and going to the rodeo in the coming months. </div><div>All kidding aside, it did encourage me to once again make the days count as I see them slipping by. Back to writing and back to being more deliberate in living each day.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12473423473787783011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409628591808055355.post-17975088276769061392012-01-30T08:48:00.006-05:002022-05-16T09:56:51.889-04:00Refining ProcessMuch like other aspects in a Christian's life, I find the homeschooling of our three kids to be a refining process for my life. <div> It is funny because you wouldn't think things I love so much, like books and reading and organizing could be so refining, but add them to being with three kids all day, every day and you get REFINEMENT.
I have to laugh because sometimes I just don't see it when I am in the middle of a heated discussion about long division and why it is important even though we have calculators. </div><div>God uses all things in a Christian's life to refine the heart. He is constantly chipping away everything old and replacing it with more of Him.
Actually that sounds really great. As I homeschool my kids I am becoming more like Christ, when I allow Him to be in control of the homeschooling! Plus, I am being renewed! Renewal is a good thing.
So bring on the endless questions, tears, and mounds of papers needing to be dealt with. My God is a BIG God! </div><div><br /></div><div> Psalm 51:10-12
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from Your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12473423473787783011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409628591808055355.post-31403042115792115812012-01-25T12:22:00.009-05:002022-05-16T09:58:51.488-04:00Fabric, Buttons, and Foam Oh My!I have a crazy confession. I am overwhelmed by fabric stores. When I walk in the store I see rows and rows of fabric and have no vision for what to do with any of it. Once when I was a teenager, my Mom and I chose fabric and even pinned it to a dress pattern and never realized the dream of the end product. It sold quite nicely at a yard sale to someone else who could realize our dream. <div>I don't sew, I don't really craft and I so want to join the club!
This morning was different. I had the fun of going to a local fabric outlet store to choose some fabric for recovering loveseat cushions in our bonus/school room. I went with a friend that loves fabric and can see the vision and realize the dream. I have visited this store before, but not ever to actually be the person buying the fabric.
I had so much fun! There are rows and rows of fabrics of all kinds and colors and for every budget. Foam, buttons,cording,and tassels and every thing else fabric fill the space. This trip it all looked like possibilities. I had a very good guide who definitely knows her way around all things fabric. I saw lots of fabrics. One type of fabric had monkeys and palm trees while another fabric had big purple swirls with orange accents. Being pretty conservative in taste and knowing the cushions are on loveseats that teenage boys sit on frequently,I chose a chocolate brown herring bone pattern. I love it! I can get a pop of color with all kinds of different wacky pillows. <div>I am excited to see how the cushions turn out for the room.
I had such a good time and the folks were so friendly and actually very funny. For sure next time I need to look at fabric, I won't be as nervous about heading to the store. I believe I can see the vision now and will realize my fabric dreams. What fun!</div></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12473423473787783011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409628591808055355.post-60377423124867559562012-01-10T08:21:00.005-05:002022-05-16T10:00:13.469-04:00Heavy HeartToday I am sad. It is not just a passing twinge of sadness, but a heavy hearted weighty sadness. There are so many "hurts" that I am aware of in my own life, in the lives of family and loved ones, friends, and even casual acquaintances. <div>I am looking for the Balm of Gilead to soothe these "hurts".
I know JESUS is the only answer for these "hurts". He is the Balm of Gilead. He is the great comforter and the ultimate in peace giving relief. So as I go throughout my day today, every time I feel a twinge of that deep sadness, I am going to pray for the "hurt" and the person that goes along with it. </div><div>I will lift up those twinges in prayer today, remembering </div><div>Zephaniah 3:17 "The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." I am thankful there is something to do with all of sadness and that JESUS holds the ultimate relief.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12473423473787783011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409628591808055355.post-75906669390356691452012-01-01T12:28:00.003-05:002022-05-16T10:01:18.850-04:00Joyful 2012!My homeschool support group, Lighthouse, is getting ready for our January meeting on the topic of joyful mothering/homeschooling. I sent this out to our group in preparation for our time of sharing and encouragement this month. I am looking forward to hearing some fun ideas to keep JOY as part of our daily homeschooling routine.
When I think of the word JOY, I always think of this time of year, probably because of the Christmas carol "Joy to the World". Take a minute and read through these lyrics of this familiar carol:
Joy to the World , the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.
Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.
Pretty amazing words, I thought, as we move into the new year. For me JOY is rooted in another word PEACE. "My peace I give to you..." John 14:27 In a devotion in Charles Stanley's IN TOUCH magazine, he explains how Jesus said this to his disciples just hours before his crucifixion. There certainly was no JOY in that situation but his Joy and His peace were not dependent on the circumstances surrounding Him. Jesus gives every believer His peace which leads to JOY. Our faith is how we experience this gift of Peace and ultimately Joy.
Charles Stanley points out some truths to remember to help us in our quest for joyful mothering/joyful homeschooling. These same truths are echoed in the words of the carol "Joy to the World".
1. God is in control of everything.
2. He loves me and will see me through all circumstances.
3. To have Christ's peace(and JOY) I must yield my life to Him.
4. I have a limited perspective and understanding of my circumstances and God's purposed for allowing them.
5. The Lord promises to work all things out for my good.
6. I must live in sync with God.
7. Scripture is my foundation for peace.
In Touch magazine, December 2011
I am looking forward to our meeting Tuesday and the sharing and encouragement with ideas for joyful homeschooling as we start our new year.
Happy 2012! Happy New Year!Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12473423473787783011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409628591808055355.post-39413433943330338172011-12-29T09:58:00.004-05:002022-05-16T10:01:32.848-04:00Winding Down 2011I cannot believe the date on the calendar, surely it is incorrect, it is December 29 already. It is time once again to pull out the new calendars,transfer birthdays and important dates from the old to the new, and add doctor appointments from cards I have been collecting in my desk for this occasion.
I love the week between Christmas and New Year's Day. It is a time of reflection it seems like for everyone. We all long to be better, do better and look better in the new year. I am humbly reminded that even though I may set goals and make plans for the new year, unless God is in them, they will not matter in the long run, and probably will fizzle out in the short run.
I am amazed at how God has brought our family through the 2011 year. The year that our youngest received the unexpected diagnosis of type 1 diabetic, along with a scary stay in the PICU, while his Dad was at annual training with the Army National Guard. We are 6 months into this new way of life, and I would like to say everything is sailing along smoothly, and in some ways things are much better, but in other ways not so much. There are still so many unknowns and uncertainties that this diagnosis brings. My husband and I are not scared any more about giving our son his 4-5 shots daily, and he has gotten used to pricking his fingers countless times during the day, although the last couple of days have been rough. His fingers have been hurting, and he doesn't want to check his blood sugar, but he has to, because we don't have any other way of knowing for sure what is going on inside of his body. It is a tough sell for a 9 year old boy. Also, I can tell you the carb count of countless foods, which has raised my own awareness of what I am eating. Siblings have learned to deal with a big intrusion to our family's way of life prior to diagnosis. It is still a process.
Looking back at 2011, I can see it being woven into the tapestry of our family's life, and I know that God will use what can be seen as bad for His good. Strength, endurance and a new found compassion for families with children with chronic illness has stirred within me. I am looking forward to 2012 and a fresh start. As the last couple days of the year wind down, I am earnestly seeking God's plan for our family in 2012, moving forward in a hope that only He can provide. God and me in 2012,it has a nice ring to it.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12473423473787783011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409628591808055355.post-45239397360487375862011-12-07T11:06:00.009-05:002022-05-16T10:01:57.518-04:00Gift of a Christmas TEAWell, another Lighthouse Homeschool Association Mom's Christmas Tea is in the books! What a wonderful time of blessing last night as Moms gathered to focus on "Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas" brought to us from the heart of God by Mariel Davenport of http://www.growingodliness.com/
Here is a summary of her talk- Using the letters in JESUS' name she refocused our hearts on the true meaning of Christmas. J-JOY, the joy we have in Christ, like the joy the angels spilled out from Heaven the first Christmas night. E-EVANGELIZE, the shepherds were the first evangelists, sharing what they experienced with everyone, just as we should share our personal encounters with God with those around us. S-SACRIFICE, Joseph sacrificed his rights in being Jesus' earthly father, Do we sacrifice for others in His name, or do we dwell in the world of self-pity? U-UNDERSTANDING Mary pondered all of the wondrous events of the first Christmas in her heart, as we need to pause and ponder God's gift to us this Christmas and finally S-SAVIOR, Jesus' name, a name above all names, still today His name is one to be in awe of, remembering that He grew from a baby in a manger to a Savior on the cross.
I have always enjoyed this special evening of fellowship and encouragement in my homeschooling group. Tables were decorated creatively with the beautiful colors of Christmas. Everything looked beautiful in the soft candlelight and shimmering gold and silver that filled the room. The food was delicious as always and the conversation was sweet. I got some fun ideas for decorating from all of the incredible displays.
I love getting lost in these type of delightful times of fellowship and love, and imagining that this is what HEAVEN will be like, everyone gathered together in, one accord and in fellowship and love, the rush and busyness of life melted away.
I truly feel that I unwrapped one of the very best gifts of this Christmas season. Thank you JESUS for friends, fellowship and most of all I thank you truly for the gift of your LIFE and for the second Christmas that is yet to come!Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12473423473787783011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409628591808055355.post-13834359065625359642011-12-05T09:26:00.002-05:002022-05-16T10:04:08.749-04:00Sacred ChaosHere I am once again with too many months since I have blogged. <div>We have entered the last month of 2011 with whirlwind speed. Last night I took a deep breath in and asked God to help me with all that looms ahead. I have been reading a really good book called Sacred Chaos: Spiritual Disciplines for the Life You Have by Tricia McCary Rhodes. She offers up suggestions of connecting with God despite or in the midst of a chaotic life. I must say, I "stumbled" upon this book, but it has been such a blessing. It reminds me that God is not scared of a little turmoil or upheaval, He just would like to be included in it! I often turn to every other thing to get my check lists marked off, caffeine, delegation, prioritizing, but the first thing I need to be doing is inviting God to dwell with me, right smack dab in the middle of everything.
So, I have learned I can grab moments with God anytime there is a pause in my family's chaos and in doing so, God can turn our chaos into something sacred. <div>Thank you God for reminding me, where you are is the best place to be, and that You, can handle chaos. </div></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12473423473787783011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409628591808055355.post-57046989730102644282011-08-28T23:10:00.005-04:002022-05-16T10:02:57.432-04:00Migraines and Hurricane IreneOur great state has just weathered Hurricane Irene who proved to be quite tenacious as she held on for all she was worth throughout the day on Saturday. As she pulled away last night and headed up the Eastern Seaboard she left behind reminders of her extended visit. For me that means another migraine headache.
It is getting so that I can forecast drops in the barometric pressure based on my headaches. I really thought that might be an old wives' tale but after researching and looking at articles I realize that there is some real truth to the headache-weather connection.
I am looking forward to a calm week weather wise in North Carolina. Watching the tropical update forecast, there is talk of a new depression just coming off of the coast of Africa. Hopefully it will stay far away from the East Coast and leave all those cleaning up after Irene alone.
I wonder if I should start naming my migraines? So long Irene.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12473423473787783011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409628591808055355.post-46066800216594432732011-08-22T17:09:00.004-04:002022-05-16T10:02:38.921-04:00Starting AgainHello, it's been a long time! I am starting to blog again after a long break. We are starting our new school year and our 11th year of homeschooling. Today was our official first day of school complete with a yummy breakfast and devotions around the breakfast table. I have missed that time of connecting each morning with the kids. Everyone worked on organizing their school areas, cleaning out notebooks, cubbies and file folders. There is something so wonderful about new beginnings. The fresh school supplies are piled up on the table ready to be distributed to the dare I say it, eager students!
I have the honor of leading the homeschool association that our family is a member of in our area. I serve with an amazing board of women that are all volunteers! We had our family kick-off picnic for our association at a local park with over 100 people attending. It was a lot of fun, with a lemonade stand complete with yummy cookies. Ladder ball, water balloons and a parachute were among some of the activities enjoyed by people who came to the picnic. It was a great way to see lots of people and for everyone to connect before the busyness of the school year begins.
There are many new challenges for this year for our family both individually and collectively. One of the biggest challenges we all face is the new diagnosis of our youngest son as being a type 1 diabetic. It is tough, working out routines, dealing with frustrations and learning to balance this new part of our family life. We are trying to make things as normal as possible for everyone, but sometimes they are just not.
I am going to try to blog more regularly, if not for any other reason than for a sort of therapy for me. I don't have any grand ideas that I have a huge following, but I do think it is important to document what God is doing in my life as a reminder of His faithfulness and His goodness to me.
Looking forward to more posts.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12473423473787783011noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409628591808055355.post-81743939764588106642011-04-18T14:13:00.005-04:002022-05-16T10:02:22.523-04:00A different kind of spring breakA chance to catch my breath for a few days has offered me the opportunity to write a little bit. Our area has been hit with tornadoes in an extraordinary manner, not seen for over 20 years in NC. As the aftermath unfolds,many have lost their lives and many more their homes and things that were precious to them. I still cannot believe how close the tornadoes were to our home and yet how far away they were at the same time. Drive up the street and take a right turn and the devastation unfolds. Our family was talking about how remarkable the destruction of a tornado is, how it dessimates one home and leaves another right next to it untouched. Unexplainable...
It serves as a reminder once again to hold on to things loosely in this world and to love your family and those you hold dear, magnificently, every day, even when they are not lovely and you don't want to do it, because you never know what the next turn in life's path will bring your way. Lavish the love on them!
I am grateful for the pause in school for this week, but seek now to make it more meaningful. I want our family to help the ones around us that are suffering from the destruction left behind after the tornadoes. We are so fortunate to have been spared from the tragedy so close to us. Friends have been effected, we will start, of course, with them. This could be a huge marker stone in my kids lives', where they see faith in action helping the hurting,trying to make a difference in Jesus' name. I am so grieved over the families whose lives have been so tragically touched by Saturday's events. I want it to make a difference in what we do this spring break with our days. I want it to make a lasting difference in how we are as a family, how we relate to one another, to those around us.
Praying for all of those across North Carolina that are hurting and suffering.
Psalm 34:18
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit..."Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12473423473787783011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409628591808055355.post-6326198103686709202010-11-20T20:11:00.005-05:002022-05-16T09:53:50.276-04:00Getting Ready for A Big Tea<script src="http://www.everystockphoto.com/widget.php?imageId=241040&size=large" type="text/javascript"></script>
I am helping to plan a Christmas Tea for my homeschool group. We are expecting around eighty ladies to come for an evening of tea and delightful finger foods while enjoying Christmas music, a wonderful guest speaker, door prizes and lots of fun. <div>I have been working on the lists of who is bringing what and preparing emails with all the information our members need to know so that the tea will go well.
As much work as big events tend to be, a tea party for 80 ladies, I love to serve the ladies in my homeschool group, Lighthouse Homeschool Association. </div><div>I feel so blessed to be part of such a diverse and ever-growing group of families all educating their children at home.
Table hostesses are working on creating unique tables with Christmas themes for this evening. I cannot wait to see how everything looks. I will take pictures and post them after the event in December. For now I can breathe a little easier knowing that the plans are in place and begin praying for the ladies that will be coming for an evening of Christmas tea.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12473423473787783011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409628591808055355.post-66530109154934228472010-11-13T07:47:00.004-05:002022-05-16T09:52:41.344-04:00Back after taking a breakLife has a way of speeding up sometimes, so fast that I get dizzy! I have been taking a break from blogging for just that reason. We have been flying through the months of September, October and now half way through November!
The last few months have been filled with dance and basketball tryouts, choir rehearsals, Boy Scout camping trips, quick trips to the beach and just doing life. We have delved into everything full force this fall. <div> I am looking forward to the holidays this year and the break in activities that both Thanksgiving and Christmas bring for our family. I love settling in with hot chocolate and a good book and hearing the kids playing in different parts of the house or outside in the beautifully colored woods. I love being able to be home for extended periods of time without having to run out to a meeting, practice, or other committment. </div><div> So I am back from a break from the blog, but looking forward to the upcoming break to catch our collective breath and enjoy some family time together. Enjoy these gorgeous fall days they pass by so quickly. Before I know it I will look out the back windows at the lovely woods and the leaves will be gone from the trees and more time will have passed quickly by.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12473423473787783011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409628591808055355.post-21644434086814166712010-08-30T06:48:00.003-04:002010-08-30T07:02:31.591-04:00School has begun!We have several weeks under our belts as the new school year gets into full swing. We are getting ready to start week 4 of year 4 in Tapestry of Grace! My oldest has had one meeting time for his Biology and Spanish courses and my daughter has tried out for Nutcracker and awaits the announcement of parts for this family Christmas favorite.<br /><br />Ready or not, school has definitely sprung around our house. I just keep telling myself to ease into the year and add a few things each week. I am being decidedly fierce about our calendar as individuals as well as a family. This time last year dear husband was in Iraq and we were in a flurry of activity. We also were anticipating his arrival home for R&R. Sometimes it seems like a dream that he is home with us now. I want to make sure that we have plenty of time to just be a family and continue to work on our re-connections as the new school year marches on and more and more things get going.<br /><br />The kids have made a strong start. They are getting back into the world of schedules, books and reading! Anyone who uses the Tapestry of Grace curriculum knows that there is always plenty of reading to be done. Much prayer has gone into the start of this new school year. I have been reminded to add some interesting field trips and fun elective times into our schooling. I often get so involved in the nuts and bolts of school and schedule that I forget those things. My youngest is eight now and he has done many of those fun field trips as a toddler in a stroller. He needs to get to do them again as a curious eight year old.<br /><br />I am thankful for the new school year and also thankful for the gentle pushes to extend myself and constantly be examining how to encourage my kids to excellence and fun. It is going to be a great year!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/219/7C6325C268387B6D4EAF5C44C3BF6150.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12473423473787783011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409628591808055355.post-54163775478574289232010-08-03T12:06:00.003-04:002022-05-16T09:51:27.886-04:00Together At Last!Dear husband and I are actually together for the first time in three years to celebrate our wedding anniversary. This year we are celebrating nineteen years of marriage!
For the last three years he has been deployed in Iraq or training to go to Iraq. We are very thankful to be able to actually be together this year. There is something special about still being excited about our anniversary even though we were so far away from each other. It has made this year's anniversary more poignant in the fact that we made it through those separations and now are reunited.
My prayer is that we never get so use to being "married" that it does not matter to us that we are apart on our anniversary. Happy Anniversary soldier boy! I love you.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12473423473787783011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409628591808055355.post-6747075013255322552010-07-05T10:04:00.005-04:002010-07-06T13:08:12.907-04:00Two Days in a RowI was trying to create a blog signature after being inspired by my friend Beth at http://nclighthousekeeper.blogspot.com/, but I was not successful! I can't get the background of my signature to match my blog background. Oh well, it was fun trying to get it to work.<br /><br />I am however successful at posting two days in a row. I don't have anything exciting to update about this morning. I had a nice early morning walk, made a pot of steaming coffee, and now I am going to enjoy a cup out on the deck before it gets too hot today.<br /><br />We are planning a game day inside for the family. Our youngest is going to get a lesson in how to play RISK on the dining room table. I am not sure what else is in store for our last day of family vacation, maybe a little family ROCK Band. I am going to go make waffles and cook some link sausage now. I think I will make some brownies and some more sweet tea and maybe we will grill out marinated chicken breasts tonight. I have loved our five days of family vacation. Great food, lots of laughter and fun times this family vacation, and all at home! We also got to see more fireworks last night at the top of our street. <br /><br />Tonight we will top it all off with new episodes of American Pickers and Pawn Stars! Happy July 5th and happy second day in a row blogging!Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12473423473787783011noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409628591808055355.post-2622990920219340592010-07-04T12:37:00.006-04:002011-04-10T11:46:14.757-04:00Happy Birthday America!Happy 234th Birthday America! Our family has been enjoying a "vacation" at home this year over the 4th of July Holiday. We are near the end of our five days of family fun in our home, and I have enjoyed our time together celebrating our great nation's birthday. Red, white and blue are the colors of our vacation. I pulled out every patriotic thing we own and the kids have been wearing all of their red,white and blue regalia. One of our dogs is wearing her own patriotic gear as well. <br /><br />We have been blessed with swimming in our neighbor's pool while they are out of town for the holiday weekend. We watch their kitty cats and get to swim. What a swap! Last night after swimming, we had some pizza and cheese dip and then a fabulous, free fireworks display, courtesy of our town just a short walk up the street. Our days have been filled with things I remember from my own childhood,talking with neighbors, bug spray, a little sunburn and lots of yummy summer time food. I made a family favorite, blueberry pound cake. <br /><br />Today, in honor of the official day of Independence, we are grilling out burgers and corn on the cob and having sweet watermelon. Later the night sky will be filled once again with the bright light of our kids running around with sparklers and before that some silly string! The tournament of tailgate golf will continue this evening. Our oldest has pulled ahead, however a rule consultation has determined that yesterday's tournaments may be tossed out because points were not awarded correctly. Competition in our family is fierce!<br /><br />We have tried to slow down and enjoy our kids and play hard with them the last several days. Honestly, I am pretty tired, but I am having fun and hoping that the kids will remember fun times at home with Mom and Dad. All the aches and pains of pool volleyball and crazy badminton will pay off one day when the kids are sitting around remembering the times we spent together as a family. We are truly blessed to live in a land of freedom and our family is so grateful to have my dear husband home with us to celebrate Independence day. Last year he was in the heat of Iraq away from all things family, it was just another day. We definitely are making up for that this year!<br /><br />Happy Independence Day!Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12473423473787783011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409628591808055355.post-3917169626846744132010-06-27T16:31:00.004-04:002010-06-27T17:00:38.137-04:00The Busyness of SummerWell, summer is up and running at our home! A week of summer overnight camp, basketball camp,and hot baseball games are just some of the things that have filled our days so far. We have enjoyed a week at Saddle Ridge Ranch VBS and open house at Sunflower Art Studio viewing our budding artist's creation, throw in trips to the pool complete with picnic lunch,a trip to the beach, NYC and the American Girl Doll Store, and seeing movies on hot afternoons and you have a great start to summer time fun.<br /><br />Then of course I have all of the time for preparing for our new school year. I have ordered about half of my curriculum and am waiting for the arrival of TOG YEAR 4 on my front porch. I have looked at my 4 inch and 5 inch ring binders and priced out the plastic page protectors. I can't wait until the back to school supplies sale begins. Nothing better than glue sticks and spiral notebooks on SALE!! I am trying to get my resources organized for next year for TOG, a friend of mine suggested having a basket for each Unit and filling the basic with resources I found right now so I don't forget to include them during the units. Great idea!<br /><br />I am trying to get all of those things on that long list that I make during the school year that I would like to do in the summer such as,organize and clean up our school room, clean up the attic, right down things done from the last school year that never made it in the my notebook, and well you get the idea. I love the promise of summer, long, lazy days of summer to get done all the things I put off during the school year. This year I am making good use of my days...or at least I am trying to so I feel like a had a summer!<br /><br />I have just attended a two day leadership retreat for my homeschool support group. That has gotten me all fired up about this coming school year. I am getting ready to talk about Organization for a ladies group at my church and I am preparing for a Resource Fair and Used Curriculum Sale that my homeschool support group is sponsoring at the end of July. I am also going to host a small group of ladies at my home that are just getting started on homeschooling to try to offer them some encouragement. I am going to help with a Homeschooling 101 type meeting my support group is holding at the beginning of July as well.<br /><br />I am getting ready for our "down and dirty" all day, Tapestry of Grace co op meeting this upcoming week. The leader of our TOG co op group is having us to her home for planning. The moms in the group will sit down together and prayerfully plan our year of Tapestry. Expectations for the kids as well as for the moms will be discussed. We will plan the Unit Celebrations and the calendar and then each team of teachers will get together and start collaborating on the plans for co op activities each week. I am very excited about the new school year already!<br /><br />Summer time and all of its promise is upon us, and I want it to be a relaxing and productive summer of 2010! <br /><br />Busy, busy, busy, but still it is summer and time for some fun!Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12473423473787783011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409628591808055355.post-32990368099573719072010-05-05T08:48:00.009-04:002022-05-16T09:50:29.331-04:00Seize the Day! Remembering Gracie<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xvFotP1A-_k/S-IHYcheKXI/AAAAAAAAAT0/uNPRQdI1hTw/s1600/15304_1270730974339_1411816449_30630322_766197_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467941014136039794" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xvFotP1A-_k/S-IHYcheKXI/AAAAAAAAAT0/uNPRQdI1hTw/s400/15304_1270730974339_1411816449_30630322_766197_n.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 300px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 400px;" /></a>
And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years. ~Abraham Lincoln <div>Over the course of the last several days I have been reminded once again of a very important lesson that I began to really understand over 2 years ago and that is the lesson of living each day to the fullest.
My sister and her husband just had to put their precious Golden Retriever, Gracie, down late last night. The dog was not yet two years old, but in her brief time with them she had lived large! She was so well taken care of and went everywhere with them and touched many,many people's lives and hearts. She was gentle and sweet and intuitive. </div><div>One of my lessons from this loss for our family is to remember to love deeply and live each day completely. Also, to do the things you dream of doing today or begin to make a plan to do them right now.
I heard a story about a man who was dying from cancer and he scheduled a trip that his family had always wanted to do, to swim with the dolphins,only after realizing he was going to die. The host of the show that interviewed this man went out the next day and booked the same trip for his family not wanting to wait another day for the some day to arrive to take this dream trip.
My dear daughter and I are traveling in a few weeks to NYC to realize a dream she has had to visit the American Girl doll store...soon, before I am ready she will have left her dolls on the shelf and be moving on to other things. I don't want her to miss out on this dream.
So, I encourage you to seize the day! Carpe Diem! God has blessed me with another day of life and I am going to fill it to the brim. Live your life in largeness.You will not regret it!</div><div>To change one's life: Start immediately. Do it flamboyantly. No exceptions. ~William James </div><div> May you live all the days of your life. ~Jonathan Swift</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12473423473787783011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409628591808055355.post-37214145489601288922010-04-21T09:49:00.004-04:002010-04-21T10:10:07.393-04:00I Surrender All....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.freefoto.com/images/05/08/05_08_5---Cross-on-a-Hill_web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.freefoto.com/images/05/08/05_08_5---Cross-on-a-Hill_web.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />"If my life is surrendered to God, all is well. Let me not grab it back, as though it were in peril in His hand but would be safer in mine!"<br />Elisabeth Elliot<br /><br />Thanking God for the peace and surrender that He has allowed me as we finish up our ninth home school year. I am at perfect peace concerning decisions that we will be making in the very near future for dear son's next steps in furthering his education. He is beginning his high school years...and I am trusting God with it all. I love this quote from Elisabeth Elliot, one of my favorite Christian writers and speakers. I am constantly reminding myself to not take back what I have surrendered to God. I know it is not safer in my hands and that He knows what is best.<br /><br />Over the last 2 weeks I have been in prayer about our oldest and whether or not he should go out for high school after being home schooled the first nine years of his educational career. I am continuing to pray and sit back and watch as God works in my heart and in my son's heart as well,and in our family. Oh, so much I am the richer for it and the surrender of every little thing about it to Him. Instead of pushing my will on my son, God is working His plans out in His time. Instead of nagging and arguing and crying, I have surrendered it to God. Thank you God for your faithfulness and thank you for whatever the end results will be concerning the high school years. In the end, the question of where my son will spend the next four years in school is not important, but how we get to the answer is. Thank you God that at least this time, I followed the call to surrender it all to you, after I began to take it upon myself to "fix things." Now, I can see the long term working of it all and my heart swells at your mercy and your provision. Thank you for growing my faith and the faith of my dear son.<br /><br />Now if I can remember to surrender everything all of the time...that is the real question and I hope that I can remember how God has met me here and now.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12473423473787783011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409628591808055355.post-24539678069585290042010-04-10T08:41:00.006-04:002010-04-17T08:49:41.948-04:00Homeschooling Quandary"Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding,If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding." Proverbs 2:3-6<br /><br />I am praying over a homeschooling quandary. I am sure that many, many homeschoolers go through this very exact situation, asking this question. I know this because I am hearing it all around me right now. Do I continue to homeschool all the way through high school? My oldest is a rising 9th grader and we are confronting this question head on in our home right now. I have made a mental list of all the pros and cons. We have had many, many discussions. My husband and I have prayed and continue to pray over the answer to this question.<br /><br />One thing I know for certain, whatever our final decision it will not be one that is made without much agonizing and prayer. I am twisted up inside thinking about the next four years and how they will effect my son in his life long journey. I am not worried academically about how to provide for him. We are so blessed to live in NC and the opportunities available are so abundant. I know it will be challenging to continue through high school. I also know that God is up to the challenge! Either way the questions are much greater than, can I homeschool through high school?<br /><br />So we will continue to seek God's wisdom. I know that the answers will come and that they will be the exact right ones for our son and for our family. It is just getting there that is the struggle, right? Once again I find myself in the waiting room.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12473423473787783011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409628591808055355.post-5896563456672564592010-04-02T07:47:00.003-04:002022-05-16T09:48:31.714-04:00Good Friday<a href="http://www.silk.net/RelEd/clipart/Jes-1008.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>Some of us think at times that we could cry, "My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?" There are seasons when the brightness of our Father's smile is eclipsed by clouds and darkness; but let us remember that God never does really forsake us. It is only a seeming forsaking with us, but in Christ's case it was a real forsaking. We grieve at a little withdrawal of our Father's love; but the real turning away of God's face from His Son, who shall calculate how deep the agony which it caused Him? In our case, our cry is often dictated by unbelief: in His case, it was the utterance of a dreadful fact, for God had really turned away from Him for a season. O thou poor, distressed soul, who once lived in the sunshine of God's face, but art now in darkness, remember that He has not really forsaken thee. God in the clouds is as much our God as when He shines forth in all the lustre of His grace; but since even the thought that He has forsaken us gives us agony, what must the woe of the Saviour have been when He exclaimed, "My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?"
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
The Spurgeon Archive
I loved this quote about the agony that Christ suffered on the cross on Good Friday. Puts everything else in my life into perspective when I think of all that He did for me and the pain He suffered as His Father turned His face away...thank you Jesus.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12473423473787783011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409628591808055355.post-69341427578173441362010-03-15T08:27:00.006-04:002022-05-16T09:48:07.533-04:00Let the Spring Cleaning Begin!<a href="http://maids-express.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/springcleaning.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>I love this time of year. The feeling of newness in the air is intoxicating and has spurred me on to thinking about Spring Cleaning! I love to clean, really I do! I love the feeling of satisfaction I get when I have scrubbed and polished and weeded through all the stuff that seems to accumulate over the long winter. The problem is finding the time to really clean!
I am formulating a plan for my spring cleaning so that I can accomplish the big clean up, but in a reasonable way so that I am not up to my ears in dust bunnies and old projects and clothes that are two sizes too small! I am learning as I get older to tackle things with a little more grace mixed in with my gusto so I don't BURN OUT and not get anything done.
Besides, spring cleaning my home I feel God's prompting to get my spiritual house in order as well. I have lost some of my "shininess" as I put it! I have been running so hard with so many balls up in the air with my dear husband deployed and gone for us for 15 months, that my quiet time, and my seeking of the Lord has been a brief happening each day. I am cleaning out my schedule this spring too and where others may be increasing their schedules as the warmer weather is ushered in, I am trying to weed out the things that are not necessary so that I can carve out time to spend on my most important relationship with my Jesus. So many things creep in to my daily planning and before I know it they have taken over the sweet garden time I have with Him. No more! Time to start pulling weeds and cutting back the overgrowth of a over-packed schedule. The great thing I know is that when I do that, every other area of my life falls into order. I love order! Order in my relationship with Christ, order in all my relationships, order in our homeschooling and order in the house!
I love Spring time!Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12473423473787783011noreply@blogger.com0