Happy New Year!

As I've been praying about what my focus should be for 2009, one word keeps coming to mind. I've thought of other words, pondered other words, considered other words but this word keeps coming back.

The word I wish to characterize my life in 2009 is prayer. It seems so simple yet it something I continually neglect and something that shows my lack of faith in God's Word and in His promises.

My ladies' Bible study has been studying prayer for the past few months and I have been challenged and stretched as I contemplate how lacking my prayer life has been. How many times have I lacked wisdom because I simply did not ask? How often does peace elude me because I do not seek God in prayer?

I want to practice praying without ceasing. I want prayer to be my first thought no matter what the circumstance. I want to lift up my husband, my children, my friends. I want each of them, each of you, to know that they are in my prayers and that I labor for them before the very throne of God.

Andrew Murray puts it this way, "Though in its beginnings prayer is so simple that the feeblest child can pray, it is at the same time the highest and holiest work to which a man can rise. Prayer is fellowship with the Unseen and Most Holy One. The powers of the eternal world have been placed at prayer's disposal."

So, at the beginning of this new year, this feeble child of God commits herself to the high and holy work of fellowship with the Most Holy One and looks forward with great anticipation to the growth that will come and the answers that will be received.

Happy New Year, friends! I would love to hear the word you have chosen!

Lesson Planning-Jr. High

Today's focus is Footloose and the second semester of her 7th grade year!

Here's a list of her course work:



Bible: The Life of Christ from Christian Liberty Press

Math: Saxon 8/7

English 7: Spelling Workout Book G; Applications of Grammar Book 1; Literature using Progeny Press guides

History: We are getting a quick overview of all of world history using two volumes of Story of the World by Susan Wise Bauer for 7th and 8th grade.

Science: Year one of The Rainbow

Music Theory: She's using the same Alfred's book that her brother is.

French 1: Using Bob Jones through The Potter's School

Like her brother, speech club is her favorite time of the week! She is working hard at preparing for four events per tournament. She has quite a knack for humorous interpretation.

An art class on Wednesday afternoons rounds out her busy weeks.

Footloose is a hard working student and a joy to teach every day!

Lesson Planning-High School

This week is lesson planning week for our second semester. Today I'm focussed on Turned Loose and his sophomore year.

Here's a list of his course work:



Bible:Systematic Theology using Berkhof's Manual of Christian Doctrine

Math: Precalculus (He will actually earn two math credits this year as he took Algebra 2 over the summer and 1st quarter of this year.)

English 10: Advanced Composition (through The Potter's School), grammar review, American lit

History: AP US History (also through The Potter's School)

Chemistry: Using Apologia (again, through The Potter's School)

Latin 2:: The Potter's School

Logic: Advanced Formal Logic (1st semester) and Material Logic (2nd semester) both using Memoria Press Materials

Music Theory: Using Alfred's Essentials



He also works hard at his favorite endeavor-his speech and debate club. Tournament season is upon us so we'll have to work extra hard at staying on track.

High school has certainly been a challenge but the rewards of seeing your now young adult work towards his long term goals are very fulfilling!

Tomorrow...7th grade planning!

A gift for Grandma

A couple of months ago, my grandma handed me the scrapbook I gave her 10 (no, the zero is not a typo!) years ago for Christmas and told me to finish it. Ten years ago is when I started homeschooling and, well, I really haven't done much of any scrapbooking at. all. since that time. I'm sure my fellow homeschoolers can sympathize.

Plagued by guilt, I realized that the woman is 87 and does deserve to see as many of her photos done as possible, I decided I'd have to do at least a few pages before Chrsitmas. Of course, I procrastinated until the day before Christmas Eve but I finally got four layouts done.

They don't look anything like the beautiful layouts in the scrapbooking store but she seemed to enjoy them and that's what counts. She did try to hand the book right back to me but I shook her off and told her I'd work on some at home and then just bring the pages when I come to visit (which is about 2-3 times a month). She looked skeptical but didn't seem to want to push on Christmas after all.





(I have *no* idea why Blogger is rotating this photo! But, I can't get it to post right...oh well...)




I love that woman and am glad that I could give her something special! Merry Christmas, Grandma!




(BTW, I will definitely be getting this book back when she goes home to the Lord. So, I did scrapbook the original pictures but they are all scanned into the computer in case anyone else would like to have prints.)

Our learning room makeover...

Footloose approached me a couple of months ago and asked if she could have her room redone for Chrsitmas. After talking it over with Dad, we agreed and started making plans. Somewhat inspired by her idea, I decided to makeover a corner of our "school room" for On the Loose. Being the baby, he has to share and really didn't have a space of his own.

This photo is what it looked like before. It was Footloose's space where she writes her volumes of short stories, books, song lyrics, etc.



Here it is emptied out and vacuumed! She had a lot of stuff under there! :-)




Redone for On the Loose!



The bookcase was repurposed. We moved it in from another space. The baskets contain lots of his toys. One holds all of his Thomas trains. One holds his Duplos. One holds all of his small cars (Hot Wheels, etc.). One holds stuffed animals. You can see his games on the top shelf with the bin that holds all of his art type supplies. The bottom shelf has his Lauri pegs, some puzzles, a few board books, his Magna Doodle and some lacing buttons. On top is his Melissa and Doug wooden clock. The baskets are the only thing new here.




The bench is a new purchase through Company Kids. I think two of the baskets are still empty and one holds all of his gears. It looks like a fun place to read or draw on the Magna Doodle! The table is a new purchase, too. I'm really happy with it! It will last him for several years!




Here was his reaction on Christmas morning. In his defense, he's been sick for two weeks and just wasn't feeling himself. ;-)



And, this is Footloose's new space! This wall previously had nothing on it. The tile system abover her desk is from Pottery Barn Teen. She wanted it for her room re-do (which is still in the process) but it just wouldn't fit anywhere so we put it above her desk.



Hopefully our new space will inspire learning and creativity!

No Room at the Inn

Our plans were made ahead of time. The five of us were going to go to my grandma's house, take her out to dinner and then join her for a candlelight service at her church. She has attended this church for twenty-six years and this is the first time she has attended a Christmas Eve service. She always tags along with us and does what we have planned.

On the Loose turned out to be sick today (still!) so he and hubby stayed home while the big kids and I carried out the rest of the plan. Our dinner was tasty and the service was lovely. Lots of beautiful Scripture readings and singing of carols that nearly brought tears to my eyes.

As the account of Jesus' birth was being read from Luke, I was struck by the words that there was no room for them in the inn. Can you imagine? Turning away Immanuel--God with us? I wonder if any of those who turned away the Lord that night realized later what they had done. I wonder if any of them eventually trusted Him as their Savior.

Isn't it like the world? We are all so busy and so concerned with our own lives, our own needs, our own busyness, our own...how many times have we, effectively, told Him that there is no room for Him in our "inn?" I am so thankful that He has invaded my life and that He dwells with me but how often to I still turn Him away?

He humbled Himself taking on human flesh to save His people from their sins. Is there room for Him?

He grew in knowledge, stature and wisdom before God and men. Is there room for Him?

He displayed His power by His miracles. He turned water into wine, calmed the storm, healed the sick, raised the dead. Is there room for Him?

He ministered to the less fortunate. He loved them and comforted them. Is there room for Him?

He ate with the sinners and extended His grace to them. Is there room for Him?

He called the little children unto Himself. Is there room for Him?

He subjected Himself to a painful and humiliating death offering Himself as a sacrifice for us. Is there room for Him?

He raised Himself from the dead so that we might be justified before the Father in heaven. He offers us eternal life in His very presence. Is there room for Him?

As we remember the baby in the manger today, may we be ever mindful that God became flesh and dwelt among us that we might become children of God. He gave Himself for us that we might be reconciled to Him. Make room for Jesus. Let Him have your whole heart and love Him with all of your heart, your soul, your mind and your strength.

Merry Christmas, friends. May the peace of the Lord enrich your sould as you make room for Him this Chrsitmas!

New Calendar

I love a fresh new calendar! Every year I search for the perfect one. In hangs in my kitchen. I like it to be cute but it has to be very, very functional. It needs fairly large grids since we're pretty busy. I don't like cutesy stickers or anything of the kind.

When I think about it, I'm actually quite hard to please in the calendar department. :-) Last night, while out Christmas shopping, I think I found a winner for the year. It actually shows three months at a time and I can configure those months any way I want. I've started transeferring my information and I think I'm going to be happy. Here's the link and here's a photo (or two ;-)) of it hanging in my kitchen:





If you have a favorite calendar, link me to it, please! :-)

Word of the Year for 2009

At the end of last December, I joined my friends on the message boards at Five in a Row and chose a word I hoped to characterize my life over the course of 2008. My word was *compassion*. I knew that several people in my life would need an extra measure of compassion over the course of the year.

My dad and stepmom both dealt with cancer treatment. My aging grandmother needed more help. My sister had infant twins and is raising them on her own. The Lord impressed compassion upon my heart and gave me a desire to serve these loved ones trying to meet their various needs.

Through the time I have spent showing compassion, I am the one who has been blessed. I have been blessed by the generosity of my grandma. I have been blessed by time spent with my dad and stepmom. I have been blessed to have little Finn and Lucy in my life.

As I look forward to 2009, I have a word in mind. I would like to invite you to join me in choosing a word. Ponder it for a while. On January 1st, I will tell you my word and I would love to hear yours. I plan to share how my word is changing and blessing my life on the first Monday of every month and I hope that you will share with me how your word is impacting your life.

May our lives be changed as we purpose in our hearts to make a change!

And the Winner is...

Thank you all for having fun with me. :-) Footloose and I read all of the entries and each chose five. We had three of the same five. After a short discussion, we agreed on our five finalists.

We put those five names into Footloose's stocking (made for her the year she was born by my friend Heather...it still looks brand new!). Turned Loose made sure they were mixed well and On the Loose drew a name.



And, the winner is:



Lisa will be receiving the coveted box of chocolate covered strawberries! :-)

Thank you all for sharing your stories with us. Footloose and I thought Ruthanne deserved a special shout out for the funniest entry!

As for me...I received a special gift Christmas of 2006. When our Katherine passed away, I told my husband that I would one day love a piece of jewelry with a sapphire (her birth stone) in her honor.

A few weeks before Christmas, he took me into a local jeweler. We'd had lunch at an Italian place next door and Don knew the jeweler through his involvement with our local Chamber of Commerece. We had been meaning to stop in for some time.

I found a gorgeous ring in one of the cases with three diamonds across the front. I shared with Don that it was exactly what I had in mind but with a sapphire in the center instead of the diamond. We left the store and I forgot about it.

We were celebrating Christmas at home early that year because we had plans to travel to Williamsburg and Washington DC over the Christmas holiday. So, we were having our family Christmas the Sunday before. We were all ready to go to church that morning when Don stopped me at the door and said something was missing. I asked what and he said, "I'm not sure but I think you might find it in Katherine's stocking."

I reached in to her stocking and found a small box. The tears began to flow as I opened the box and found the ring. The diamond had been exchanged for a beautiful sappire that shined like the love in my heart for my dauther in heaven.



I wear it every day and am reminded of her waiting for me and for my husband's gentle love which he constantly showers upon me.

May each one of you bask in the gift of God's love for you this Christmas and I pray that He blesses you and allows you to be a blessing to those around you. You are all a blessing to me.

Merry Christmas, Friends!

2008 Christmas Letter

All of my cards went out in the mail and I've loved receiving so many. I thought I'd post our annual letter and photo here for anyone I missed. :-) Our letter was written by Footloose this year:

Bonjour! Hola! Aloha! Salve!

Greetings to all in every different language!

Wow- it’s hard to believe another year has whisked by, leaving us all in a whirl of tears and laughter. Our family has had a year of excitement and joy, happily going wherever the Lord takes us. We’ve been to Sedona, Vail, Las Vegas, Bryce Canyon, and Lake Tahoe for the fifth time! Talk about travel!

Dad turned 41 this year- talk about over the hill! He still owns his computer programming business and has been working as hard as ever. He’s also been making monthly trips to San Francisco, one week at a time, to work for a client up there. We sure miss him while he’s gone! But most importantly of all, he’s the best dad anyone could ever ask for.

Mom is now 39, but she doesn’t look a day over 40! She runs the roost every day with selflessness and care, and is the best teacher that ever walked the planet. She loves each and every one of us deeply, almost as much as she adores the Lord.




Turned Loose is… 16?! Where has the time gone? It seems like only yesterday he was running around in diapers. But now he’s grown up, and he’s seriously looking into a career in science. He’s been taking a chemistry class, right along with advanced composition, US History, and his second year of Latin. He sure is a handsome, intelligent young man, and we all love him.

Then there’s On the Loose. The little stinker is 3 years old now! His life basically revolves around trains. Any flat, horizontal surface is officially dubbed a train track. We often find his Duplos, all lined up in a row, on the living room floor with him pulling them around, with a “Choo! Choo!” He’s definitely a high maintenance little fellow, but we still love him. (Most of the time)

As for me, I’d rather be typing away at my latest novel than anything else. Writing is simply what I love best. Music also plays a huge part in my life. My iPod’s always playing, and my headphones have seen better days. But most of all, I live for Him. That comes over everything and dominates all. Nobody in the our family loves anything as much as our Savior.

Our church is thriving and we’re welcoming visitors every Sunday. There’s been quite the blossom of babies in the past year, and On the Loose has found a couple playmates. Turned Loose and I have been participating in an NCFCA Speech and Debate club. It’s become a big part of our lives- we spend three hours every Monday night at club, and, with the tournament season drawing near, we definitely need all the practice we can get!

But most of all, we praise the Lord that He’s given us another year to live to its fullest, and is laying out another one for us to look forward to. We hope that all of you are experiencing the same pleasures and joy as we say ‘goodbye’ to 2008, and ‘hello’ to 2009.

Much Joy and Best Wishes to All,

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”- Revelation 22:21


PS...Don't forget to enter my Christmas giveaway!

A Chrsitmas Giveaway...:-)

In the spirit of fun, laughter and friendship, I'm offering a Christmas giveaway!

Here is the prize:



To enter, tell me about your favorite gift you have ever given or received. Footloose and I will choose five of those entries. On the Loose will draw one of those randomly and Turned Loose will supervise for accuracy and honesty--you know, like those accounting firms that keep the Oscars above board.

These are the most delicious berries ever in spite of anything you might have heard to the contrary. ;) I look forward to sharing them with one of you!

We'll choose the winner on Tuesday, Dec. 16th. My blog is set to accept annonymous comments so anyone can play. :) Of course, if you leave a comment, be sure to sign your name so I know who I'm choosing.

Oh...Footloose--Family members will not be eligible to win the prize! :)

Merry Christmas, Friends!

Faithfulness...

One year ago, almost to the day, I was blessed to deliver a message at a ladies' holiday tea. I thought I'd post it here being that it is the holiday season once again. I pray that it offers encouragement to anyone who listens.




With love to you all...

An Easy,Yummy Treat...

During this season of Christmas gatherings and cookie exchanges, I find myself looking for quick and easy things to make that will make mouths happy.

I thought I'd share one such "recipe." :-) I call them peanut butter blossoms. They couldn't be easier! The ingredients are simple: a tube of sugar cookie (or peanut butter cookie) dough and a bag of Reese's Peanut Butter cups.



I use my Pampered Chef mini muffin tin. Roll the dough into one inch balls and drop them into the greased (I spray it with Pam) muffin cups. Put them into a pre-heated 350* oven. My oven has to be babysat. It's ancient and doesn't cook consistently. With that in mind, they take about 6 minutes in my oven but I would guess 8-10 minutes in a normal oven. :-) As soon as they come out of the oven, gently push a peanut butter cup into the center of each.



Let them cool completely and enjoy!





Note: You could definitely make your own cookie dough and peanut butter cups from scratch but then it wouldn't be quick or easy...although it would still be yummy!;-)