Expressions from our Youngest

Expressions from our Youngest
Love it!

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Five Minute Friday



It's time for Five Minute Fridays with the word GRASP.  Just hook up with this link to learn how and participate.

To all moms, take advantage of the teaching moments to grasp with your children.  They need you.  Even though they can at times be difficult, they are calling out to you in their hearts to tell you they need your love, hugs, and encouragement.

It is a mom who knows their child best.  It is a mom who can instill confidence for the virtuous aspects of life.  You do not find this in all public classrooms.  Please grasp these moments with your children to bring the Lord of Lords into the life of your families.

Pray and read the bible together.  God's Word is powerful.  It shines light on everything Even the corruption in our government.  I was stopped by my son to go to the pool now.  I've gotta get going.  Grasp these moments and enjoy them with your children.  Here is a picture of my little homeschool co-op.  We had fun today with friends!!!






Tuesday, May 28, 2013

7 Quick Takes


 
 
1.
It's time for 7 Quick Takes (a little late).  My seven year old is trying to tell me that the Big Foot may be real.  They are mostly in South America.  He believes they are mostly in mountain areas with a lot of trees.  His friend and my 13 year old daughter have told him that this is so.  They may be in North America too.  His friend heard one close his bedroom window one night.  He was stepping, breathing, and slammed the door.  In the morning, he climbed out the window and he saw the footprints.  I told him not to worry because our dog would bark at it if it came to our house.  He said, "not all dogs bark at Big Foots."  My son said he thinks he saw one yesterday in the plants.  He watches videos about them that are made by ButchyKid.  Therefore, I asked him to show me one.  He showed me one where Big Foot (man dressed up) stole a turkey being barbequed.  Unfortunately, he did something not to cool to the turkey and threw it at the camera man.  My son didn't seem to notice what he was doing exactly as it was quick and pretend.  Anyway, he knows this is a funny one.  You never know what your kids see and hear.  My son said he believes in Big Foot 50%:  "half of me believes and half of me doesn't believe."


2.
I am so proud of my oldest son.  He will be busy this summer traveling between his internship, working on his research project at college for grad school, and home here.  It has been a benefit for both my sons to attend in-state college at University of Maryland.  There is a Catholic Student Center on campus where they have fellowship with other Christians.  Their faith has been maintained even though they went to a secular school.  He recently broke up with his girlfriend of two years, but I believe he may have made the right decision.  He is communicating much better now.  There was something that just wasn't quite right.  We don't know if they will get back together or not.  They were very close at one time and are both living the single life as far as I can tell.


3.
My oldest daughter worked as an official lifeguard for the first time this year.  Last year she was a substitute and filled in when others had to take off work.  It is a wonderful job that all three of my oldest children have held (two currently hold this position this summer).  I can tell she worked hard because after she came home in the late afternoon...all she did was sleep.  There used to be crabby managers at our pool but they left and one got married (poor guy).  Now there should be a happier crew at the pool.  These two crabs were liberal witches who happen to be sisters.  They sit up near the front row in Church so everyone can see them.  They make my stomach churn because years ago they had two good employees fired.  I remember walking by one in the grocery store and she almost knocked me down as she was blabbing on her cell while charging through the store.  Their father is taking classes to try to be a deacon at our Church.  This will be awful!!!  We currently have good deacons. 


4.
I am so thankful that my second oldest son came home from college not too long ago when I was having symptoms from my illness.  He really helped me a calmed me down to take my meds.  I have PTSD and was doing a lot of pacing.  It's a miracle that he came home then.  I am so grateful for his loving heart.  My dear sweet father always told my husband and I that this son was going to surprise us.  He continues to do so.


5.
My husband and I have been trying to go on walks together more often to stay in shape.  Yesterday, we had a great morning walk for about an hour.  Nevertheless, my upper right leg is hurting today from arthritis.  I'm hesitant to call the doctor because sometimes I just need to rest for a week or so until it returns to normal.  Half the time I make an appointment...only to find that it has healed by the time of my appointment.   It's crazy.  In the mean time, I gain more weight because I do not exercise as much.  This is starting to drive me batty.  I'm hobbling around today homeschooling my son and doing chores.  I have to try to eat less now since I'm not getting the exercise I usually do.  Say some prayers that the pain goes away.


6.
Our puppy, Bella, is eleven months old now.  She is part Akita and Shepherd.  She is adorable but is chewing everything in sight.  I will be bringing her to dog obedience next month.  I hope my leg is better for this.  My son just opened the front door for her to look out.  She is a good watch dog too.  She woke me up the other night when she thought my older son was an intruder as he forgot his key.  It's a good think the timing light went on so I could see who it really was at the door.



7.
I'm so glad we didn't listen to one of my doctors who recommended not to have any more children after three.  We have five kiddos with the last two being complete surprises.  God knows what is best for us and he has blessed us abundantly with our children.  I'm so grateful that my faith is put first before anything else.

Friday, May 24, 2013

The View with a Head Cold



It's time to link up with Mary Jo for 5 Minute Friday where you just write for 5 minutes without thinking or editing much.  Ready GO...

The post says to "show me what you've got" but I do not feel like I have too much because I'm coming down with a head cold this weekend.  Therefore, my view of this weekend is kind of 'iffy' when I don't have a lot of energy.  My hubby left this morning to help at the beach house for the weekend and he had a cold too.  This Memorial Day weekend we will be apart for the beginning of it with miserable colds...both viewing life blowing our noses and taking brief naps among the chores.

Nevertheless, I'm hoping tomorrow I'll feel better to have tacos with my five kiddos.  Then by Monday maybe hubby can barbeque and we can really celebrate our fallen heroes.  We'll pray together so that our stuffy heads will get a better view of the beauty of this holiday.

Even though the view of my world is topsy turvy right now because I've also had to go up on my meds for PTSD  and the world seems to be passing me by at times, I will still keep a chin up to be thankful for my beautiful family and that I have some time to cuddle under blankets on this cold day in May in Maryland.  I must be going now to run some errands a visit the friendly doctor.  Maybe the fresh air will do me some good and give me a new view of my environment. 

Thank you for listening...if anyone out there cares (just kidding).

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

A Simple Woman's Daybook - May 2013




I'm posting to A Simple Woman's Daybook for the month of May.

Outside My Window:  It is an overcast, foggy, and damp day today in Maryland after a hot, bright day yesterday.  Yesterday I was so fortunate to take a warm bath because my legs and arms are soar from all the walking I've done the past week or so.



I am thinking:  I have to feed the dog and bring her out soon so I'll have to take a break in the middle of this post.  She will cry at the door soon as I just fed her.

I am thankful for:  My husband who took the girls to school today so that my first grader and I can get ready for later today when we have to be out and about.  I am also thankful for those that survived the tornadoes in Oklahoma too.

From the learning rooms:  We completed the entire Harcourt Science text and are almost done with the Story of the World History Text, Volume 1. I am so thankful for these two sources of curriculum my first grader used this passed year.  We will be continuing with Math, English, and Journaling for the rest of the summer.  Next year I will be teaching my son Latin and I have to become familiar with the text soon to plan the year out.

From the Kitchen:  We had leftovers last night and the kids had grill cheese.  I am glad we were able to eat the leftovers of pot roast, mashed potatoes, gravy, and carrots so they did not go bad.

I am wearing:  My blue pj's

I am creating:  One more craft to trace for our journal writing class tomorrow.

I am going:  To my eighth grade daughters promotion event later today to prepare her for entering the ninth grade next year.  We also have a doctors appointment beforehand.

I am reading:  Pride and Prejudice and I just ordered Intellectuals and Race by Thomas Sowell.

I am hoping:  I hope our soar throats go away soon so that we can have co-op at our house tomorrow.  I also hope I have the energy to clean a bit later for the company that is coming for the class.

I am hearing:  My first grader is asking me questions occasionally, I hear Fox and Friends in the background, our puppy chewing on her toys, and birds chirping through the screen door.

One (two) of my favorite things:  Seeing my oldest son graduate from college the other day and seeing my daughter go to her first prom this month.

Around the house:  Our puppy picks up things like 'pens' if they fall on the floor and chews them.  I have to grab them from her before ink spills all over the rugs.

I am wondering:  How the people in Oklahoma are doing with the devastating tornadoes that went through their communities.  We will have to pray for them soon.  I am also thinking I have to wear flat shoes today because of my soar legs.

A quote to share:

"One who jabs the eye brings tears: 
he who pierces the heart bares its feelings.
He who throws stones at birds drives them away,
and he who insults a friend breaks up the friendship." (Sir. 22: 19-20)






Tuesday, May 21, 2013

First homeschooler to graduate college!


What a joy yesterday to see my oldest son graduate from the University of Maryland with honors!  He will be working on his funded research paper to be published over the summer while holding onto an internship that he has had for over a year in the Engineering field.  Next year he will be going to grad school at University of Maryland.

We are so proud of him and I can't help but keep having visions while he walks up on stage to get his degree of Colin as a baby.  I don't believe how proud and happy he has made my husband and I feel.  I believe a large part of his success comes from his love for the Faith!!

I still homeschool my first grader and we still have prayer, bible, and devotion every morning...about 30 minutes worth of Faith strengthening.  It has been central to our quest to grow in truth and love!! 

Please always know, even when times are rough and the kids are pulling you in ten different directions...you can stop for an instant and let God's Word mold your hearts to be invigorated to work towards virtue!  Always turn to the Lord in your homeschooling efforts and He will see you through!

If you would like to get a few ideas on keeping the Faith alive and well in your homeschooling endeavors...please join and glance at my website at http://nucleusoflife.com/.  I don't know how to manage it real well yet but it is fun to try.  I would love to have more members though.  I also have a Meetup group at http://www.meetup.com/nucleusoflife-com/.  Feel free to join and look around.

Here are some more pics from his graduation:











Monday, May 13, 2013

Mother's Day 2013


Yesterday was such a blessing for me as a mother.  All of my children took time from their busy schedules to wish me a happy Mother's Day.  Hubby fixed a steak dinner, my college sons surprised me with yellow roses, and God let the sun shine down on us frolicking in the back yard with the dog.

When my children show us, as parents, that they love and appreciate us, it is the best gift one can ever receive.  All the money in the world can not buy this kind of love and devotion to our Christian family heritage as an American family.  Every American family needs to know the great history of our country and its founding so that their confidence in our system is fostered through the continued establishment of virtuous moral laws and through our voting processes. 

We can no longer accept the fact that our public schools stopped teaching authentic historical truth about America because our children will start believing that America needs to be punished...like so many in our country rant about.  These are lies that will bring down our Godly heritage if we continue to let our schools ignore our historical truths.

Our children believe in our Christian heritage through our active participation in their early education.  We put their knowledge of our Christian heritage at the center of their lives so that they strive for discipleship in the Lord and virtue in all their endeavors.  All parents need to be active participants in the education of their children.  The public schools do not seem to do as good a job as parents anymore.

I pray that all mothers can feel loved by their children on Mother's Day because their children appreciate the family heritage and traditions passed on to them from their parents.