Parenting

I am in the middle of reading "Be Fruitful and Multiply" by Nancy Campbell. It is a study on looking into the Bible and what it has to say about having children. Today I read this and even though I know it, I like the little reminders that parenting is the most important job we have.

"Parenting is the highest calling God has given mankind. Every other career is subservient to this one. Everything else we do in life serves our highest calling of teaching and training the next generation for God."

I think it is good to remind ourselves from time to time that our children are a blessing and gift from the Lord. They have been given to us for this time to train and raise for Him with hope that they will be ready one day for the calling he has for each and every one. At times it overwhelms me to think of how big and important that job is, but on the other hand I feel blessed that God has allowed me the privilege to have these wonderful people to mold and shape into usable vessels for Him.

I'm back

Above is my bucket garden. We currently live in townhouse and just have a small patio with that short strip of grass you see. I have wanted to plant a garden for some time, but we lived in an upstairs apartment for 6 years then moved over here last year and it was too late to plant. Anyway I bought the buckets and my dear brother came over and drilled holes into the bottom of them to help drain excess water. I picked buckets because it will be easier to handle and move if we are to find a larger rent home in the next few months. That way they can travel with us to the new place.

I have 5 tomato plants, 2 green and one yellow bell pepper plants, 2 egg plants, 3 squash and cucumber plants. The plants in the blue bucket are broccoli. I was able to get them all planted last weekend when I was off and are looking really good so far. I am really hoping that they can be a learning experience for the kids and that they live and thrive to give us some great veggies.

I may be off line for a bit

Over the last few days our computer has been giving us trouble.  It has been slowly dying over the last year and we think it is just about done.  It has had a nice life of over 6 years and we are trying to see if we have the funds for a new one.  Hopefylly so, but if not I may not have daily access to a computer for some time.  

Hope you all stay doing well!  :)

Poetry Thursday

This is another by Ruth Bell Graham

Jesus wept.

But why?

Knowing what lay ahead

moments away........

Was it becuase

He had not come ,

when He heard

Lazarus might die?

Lazarus was dead!

Was it in sympathy

with their raw grief,

faith's impotent lack?

Or could it be

because He 

had to  bring Him back?

I had never thought of this as a reason why Jesus would cry in the story of Lazarus.  Maybe it was a combination of all those things, but I am sure it hurt him terribly to have to bring him back to live in this world.

Walgreens

These deals were done in 4 separate shopping trips. First stop last week bought the items in the bottom picture. Large bag of wipes, 2 things of shaving cream and TP, used one of my $10 catalina's from Huggies deal and paid $3.09 out of pocket.

Second trip got the two water color pads and big markers for just under $4.00 they were all on clearance at $1.09 each.

Third and 4th trips were done today. First stop got Bull Frog sunscreen on clearance for $2 (usually $10), baby toothpaste for $1 on clearance, two Reach toothbrushes and floss. Paid $3.24 out of pocket by using one of my $10 catalina's and got $6 catalina for the Reach deal.

Next stop bought 8 more single bars of Dove soap and another pack of TP. paid around $4.00 out of pocket and got another $10 catalina.

So for all the above I spend between $14-15 out of pocket and got back $16 in catalina's to spend again. I plan on trying to do the Dove deal again before the month is over.

Poetry Thursday

Miracles by Walt Whitman

Why, who makes much of a miracle?
As to me I know of nothing else but miracles,
Whether I walk the streets of Manhattan,
Or dart my sight over the roofs of houses toward the sky,
Or wade with naked feet along the beach, just in the edge of the water,
Or stand under trees in the woods,
Or talk by day with any one I love,
or sleep in the bed at night with any one I love,
Or sit at table at dinner with rest,
Or look at strangers opposite of me riding in the car,
Or watch honey-bees busy around the hive of a summer forenoon,
Or animals feeding in the fields,
Or birds, or the wonderfulness of insects in the air,
Or the wonderfulness of the sundown, or of stars shining so quiet and bright,
Or the exquisite delicate thin curve of the new moon in spring;
These with the rest, one and all, are to me miracles,
The whole referring, yet each distinct and in its place.

My Father's World: Introduction

After much research and contemplation, we decided on My Father's World for Boog's kindergarten curriculum. I decided to go ahead and start now, so that when the baby comes in August I can take a few weeks off.

The first 2 weeks is about Creation. We first read the creation story out of the Bible, then color, cut and paste the numbers 1-7 on a green background. There is one number for each day and each number has pictures on them to help reiterate the creation story. ( I just made my background out of 4 sheets of green construction paper.) We used them to learn these numbers. This is something Boog has trouble with. He learned and memorized all the letters so quickly, yet he is still having trouble recognizing the numbers all the time. If anyone has any suggestions I am open to them. :)














We also reviewed different letters of the alphabet each day. ( He already knows all of these and the sounds each letter makes) . We worked on spelling his name and counting up to 20. He is catching on really quick.

We also used contruction paper and made our own pictures of each creation day, to make a creation booklet.














We are only into week two of this, but overall it is very easy to follow. I picked this because of the reviews that stated the teacher manual was very easy to follow. It lays out what you are to do each day. There is a book suggestion in the back for each lesson. It is a combination of classical, Charlotte Mason and unit study. There is lots of hands on work, which I like. Since Boog has a hard time just sitting still for seat work.

Anyone who is local that would like to take a look at it, just let me know. We can get together and you can take a look through it.

Walgreens deal

Walgreens has a deal this week for Huggies. Buy $25 in products and get a $10 catalina coupon to spend in store like cash. They are on sale for $10 a pack and there are some coupons out there online for $5/one and $3/one. For the month of March you can buy 8 Dove products and get a $10 catalina to spend in store like cash.

So first trip I bought 3 packs of Huggies, 8 single bars of Dove soap, one bottle of Fructis shampoo (there is a $2 off coupon in the monthly saver, making it $.99), one tube of toothpaste (coupon for $2.50 in monthly saver, making it $.49), and 3 packs of gum for $.99.

Total out of pocket was $33 and come change. I got back the two $10 catalina's. So in essence only spent $13.

Second trip bought 3 more packs of Huggies and tried to use my catalina from the Dove and it would not take, but I spent $21 and got another $10 catalina back.

So I spent $54 out of pocket today, but have $30 to spend. I am going to try roll over one of my Huggies catalinas for more Dove and hope to get another $10.

So everything you see in picture cost $24. Not bad for 6 packs of diapers alone!

Fun with Friends

Today we headed to the zoo with some friends. Boog's lesson today covered the 6th day of creation which made it a good day to head over and see some animals.

Here is a pic of the group, we had a great time. Of course we could never get all of them looking at the camera at the same time.

Poetry Thursday

THE ROAD NOT TAKEN


Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost


I remember very well reading this poem in high school and knowing that I wanted to take the road less taken. At the time I was not living for the Lord, but over time as I have grown in my faith know that this is a road not taken very often. I am so very thankful that God has led me down this path and opened my heart to that path so many years ago.

Removing the Dross

Have you ever had one of those moments where God opens your eyes and heart? I had a revelation today of some of the dross that needs to be removed from my life. My poor Boog recieved the brunt of my anger. Was he being annoying? Yes. Did he deserve to see me loose control and rage? NO!
My first thoughts were "I cannot do this, I cannot keep them at home acting this way". I realized right away that was not a thought from God. Right after that thought, God's still, soft voice said "this is why I have you home with them". I then remembered a word that was spoken over me years ago when Boog was still small. These are not verbatim: "God is going to change you, if you continue after Him. One day you will look back and not even recognize yourself". I knew God was saying he was using my kids to challenge me and change me daily.
I then pulled my first born to me and apologized all I could. We hugged for a long time and cried together. We then prayed for each other.

Proverbs 25:4

Remove the dross from the silver, and out comes material for the silversmith;

I want to be material that God can use for his Glory. Please keep removing the dross!

Thrid Day and Mercy Me

I think I have posted some of their stuff before. I really like them. This new one is great and speaks so much to me. Just to rely on God for direction and revelation.




I like this one by Mercy Me.