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Thursday, September 25, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
See You At The Pole
. . . . bzzz, bzzz, bzzz, crash, hit, smack, bzz, bzzz, bzzz, THUD! began our morning yesterday as the alarm went off and we tried to turn it off (okay I might be exagerating a little). Around 6:30 am yesterday, I went in to wake Sarah up for her first See You At The Pole event. She moaned a little and a quick smile showed me that she remembered why she was being shaken so early in the morning. She dressed, ate breakfast, brushed her teeth & hair, and washed her face. Her and daddy took off to the flag pole of the YMCA. The homeschoolers were meeting there for our See You At the Pole rally. She with a group of about 20 or so kids stood round the pole and prayed for our schools. Not just homeschools, but all schools. I was proud of her to take her stance. I'm sure it is way harder for the public school kids, but all around our great nation our younger generation held hands and bridged the gap and stood on the wall to pray to the One and Only God! Almighty Father in heaven is He! They prayed over school issues, american issues, and family issues. I know He heard them and smiled! He was pleased because they stood in faith and according to Heb 11:6, that is what pleases God!
Last night they held a "Saw You at the Pole" ralley at one of the local theatres. This is a time where the youth all over our city cross over denominational lines and form together for worship, more prayer, and some reading of His Word. Even though she woke up early and went to bed later than usual, a smile was on her face. Why? Because she had joined her heart with her God for her classmates, her friends, and her world! Will you join her and pray for our schools?
Our Cry for Help!
Last weekend was the first weekend in a very long series of weekends that Mike didn't have to work, go to the hospital, get a call from someone, and more. He actually had time off. I know that was refreshing to him. He did have to haul kids all over our town to their different events because I have a seminar on Saturday to go to. After the seminar, we rested for about an hour and then we took off for the fair.
While at the fair and Sarah was sailing through the air on a swing ride, Mike and I and the other two were over waiting and overhearing a conversation behind us. Yes, I actually heard very clearly a conversation this lady was having right behind me on her cell phone. Not because I was listening but obviously she was very loud for me to hear behind me. She was sobbing into the phone and talking frantically about being left and she didn't know what to do and so forth. Even though Mike and I wanted a family night out with just our family and no interupptions, I don't think God intended it to be that way. In our overhearing, we looked at one another and Mike suggested that I stay behind and see if we can help in any way and he would take the kids on to another ride. So that is what happened. Her name isn't important, but her story is.
She had called her husband to meet her at the fair and they were going to enjoy it with her three sons. She had three, one 14 (never met him as he was off with his friends somewhere), one 6 (she had one more week with him as he was going back to his daddy's because she didn't have custody of him), and a 10 month old that she had with her current husband. Did you catch that? All three were from different daddies and her current one (the reason why she was crying) had just left her in the park by herself. Her tears are what broke my heart because it wasn't that her current husband had left, it was because she was not able to ride any rides with her 6 year old son because of her baby. The current husband was supposed to watch his 10 month old so that she could ride rides with her son that she hardly ever sees and wanted a momentous time with him during the time she had with him. So my council, come with our family and let him have fun with all of us. And she did. We rode rides with him and she rode rides with him and my children, while Mike and I watch ed her baby. She was fearful for a while that maybe we were ax murders or kidnappers and would offscond with her baby (sometimes pastors and pastors wives are known for a lot of things!), but she quickly realized we were honest and just wanted to help her. She had grown up in church but promptly let me know she is not interested in it now and it had been a long time since she had gone. At the end of our time there we had gotten to know her & her sons. I don't know where she is now, but I'm praying for her to want to seek Jesus and the love He was able to show her through us at the fair. For that is what we did. We didn't judge her or condemn her, we just loved on her and I hope she saw Jesus in the love! That is what church is about!
While at the fair and Sarah was sailing through the air on a swing ride, Mike and I and the other two were over waiting and overhearing a conversation behind us. Yes, I actually heard very clearly a conversation this lady was having right behind me on her cell phone. Not because I was listening but obviously she was very loud for me to hear behind me. She was sobbing into the phone and talking frantically about being left and she didn't know what to do and so forth. Even though Mike and I wanted a family night out with just our family and no interupptions, I don't think God intended it to be that way. In our overhearing, we looked at one another and Mike suggested that I stay behind and see if we can help in any way and he would take the kids on to another ride. So that is what happened. Her name isn't important, but her story is.
She had called her husband to meet her at the fair and they were going to enjoy it with her three sons. She had three, one 14 (never met him as he was off with his friends somewhere), one 6 (she had one more week with him as he was going back to his daddy's because she didn't have custody of him), and a 10 month old that she had with her current husband. Did you catch that? All three were from different daddies and her current one (the reason why she was crying) had just left her in the park by herself. Her tears are what broke my heart because it wasn't that her current husband had left, it was because she was not able to ride any rides with her 6 year old son because of her baby. The current husband was supposed to watch his 10 month old so that she could ride rides with her son that she hardly ever sees and wanted a momentous time with him during the time she had with him. So my council, come with our family and let him have fun with all of us. And she did. We rode rides with him and she rode rides with him and my children, while Mike and I watch ed her baby. She was fearful for a while that maybe we were ax murders or kidnappers and would offscond with her baby (sometimes pastors and pastors wives are known for a lot of things!), but she quickly realized we were honest and just wanted to help her. She had grown up in church but promptly let me know she is not interested in it now and it had been a long time since she had gone. At the end of our time there we had gotten to know her & her sons. I don't know where she is now, but I'm praying for her to want to seek Jesus and the love He was able to show her through us at the fair. For that is what we did. We didn't judge her or condemn her, we just loved on her and I hope she saw Jesus in the love! That is what church is about!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Utterly good for you!
Attending the fair was not only exciting and fun, but it was also educational. They had many shows ranging from eating contest, singing kareoke, and entertainment. The show we attended and learned from was the Cow Milking show. Yes, I said it right. If you look at the picture, they had this dairy cow (Holstein) in a trailor and taught all about the benefits of milk and how they actually get the milk out and to you. Did you know in our state (not sure if in all states) there is a rule that you may not drink milk straight from any cow, it has to be your cow? Basically he could not allow us to sample this because it would be against the law. Unless it is your cow, it has to be pasturized before allowing anyone a sample of your cows milk besides you and your family. Interesting facts! Anyway, the gentlemen who taught this roaring crowd of about 20 or so, had some funny jokes; "The front end of the cow is called __________," the crowd rightly stated, "The front end!", he said, "The other end of the cow is called _________,?" and the crowd stated, "The back end," but he corrected us and said, "No it is the Utter end!" Too funny! He also said there is a cheese (because cheese comes from dairy milk) that you can't eat. Of course the audience asks which one? He states, "Nacho cheese." (now for those of you who are slow this is supposed to mean "not your cheese.") He demonstrated the cleaning of the "teets" and the clamping on of the pumps and then in the picture above you will see the container with the milk that he pumped that milk into. Did you know also that the milk is about 100 degrees in temperature? I didn't, but warm milk sounds yummy. Especially straight from the cow. Mike said because he lived close to a dairy farm growing up he tasted this milk often and said it is way good. I'm sure it is way fattening too. This cow easily produced several gallons of milk during this one show. So there you go, we not only were entertained but taught as well.
Monday, September 22, 2008
A Fair to Remember!
We received some free tickets to the state Fair this past week and decided to take an adventure. So I'm thinking, this is a 2 state fair, it is probably big, right? I mean during my childhood years there was always a county fair to go to and it seemed big to me! So off we went and what to our wondering eyes should appear? A Fair to Remember but definetly not as big as we had thought. The kids had a blast and Mike and I have to stories to share! The kids think this is way cool, booths of all sorts and sizes that offer candy, cookies, stuffed animals, and Funnel Cakes! YUM! Rides of every sort and shows that make you snort (laugh!). By the time we left our tummies were sick from all the sweet stuff we tasted and drank to the round and round rides that we rode (I only rode one, daddy rode 2!) (I don't do the round and round stuff too well). The kids all said in unison, "Thank you mom & dad for taking us, that was the best!" So whether or not the size makes the difference, I'm sure it doesn't, because my kids will always remember the Fair!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
The grenade went off . . .
The Trenches
It was one of those mornings! You know the one I’m referring to, you’ve been there. You actually woke up that morning before the kids and sat down to be with the Lord. You had tried your best to keep your mind focusing on Him, but it kept focusing on the day ahead. You prayed and put your armor on asking the Lord just to keep you safe. With your armor on, your fingers ready for war and your hands ready for combat (Blessed be the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle (spankings and finger waggings need training you know!)Psalms 144:1) you felt pretty safe. But then it hit, the hand grenade in the trenches you were hunkering down in and all explosions happened around you and when the dust settled you surmised the damage and cried out, “What happened Lord?” “Did I hear Your Call wrong?”
That morning your husband had a lot on his mind and simply walked out of the house with a mere goodbye. Your children woke up all on the wrong side of the bed and all of them were arguing by breakfast time. You kept your cool by calmly reminding them of their Christian duties to serve one another and as they grumbled and rolled their eyes at yet another one of your lectures they ate in silence.
Chores were done half heartedly and we were all around the table to do our Bible study late again and then there was the argument whose turn it is to read today. History re-alouds got out of hand while they were supposedly listening they were bouncing a little ball around and someone kept getting knocked in the head. All our group time was up when Math needed to start. All three needed help at the same time! After all were squared away I went in to help with Algebra (a four letter word in our house) and my daughter was convinced she heard many statements from the video this way and when I reminded her that is not what he said she argues. So I rewind the video and to prove to her what he said and she was sure he said it different earlier. However we continued and then finally on the last problem, I’m trying to guide her and finally she looks at me and says, “I can do it!” So I go out of the room only to find her working on this problem which I knew she was having trouble with 20 min later and she finally states it just can’t be done. I ask her if she needs my help now and simply show her a mistake she made early on and she finally finishes. About this time I get a call from dear husband and I ask candidly and sarcastically, “When can I put these kids in school?” I was completely serious. I had had it that morning and was really struggling. The grenade had gone off in my trenches and all my reserve was gone. I was reacting and not very proactive. All I had been taught went out the window and here I was suffering from the injuries I had receive from all the shrapnel (words and arguments of the morning).
As I sat down to grade papers a few minutes later the anger festered up inside me even more as I realized that one of my children had underlined Hat and Coat as Verbs! And the grading went on but got even worse and my anger was seething now.
When out of the blue my dear daughter walks in and with tears in her eyes and emotion in her voice, “Mom, I’m sorry I didn’t trust what you were saying to me in Math. I’m sorry that I yelled at you and I’m sorry that I did that.” She was truly sincere and truly sorry for her sins and my heart melted and God reminded me in the very moment, “This is why I’ve asked you to homeschool.”
Everyday I hunker in my trench and ask the Lord to protect me. I have my children with me, but every now and then the enemy sneaks a way through the trench and delivers an explosive blow. However my Lord is there with me and because I’ve homeschooled my children and taught them more about character and wisdom and Him, they survive and we all come out in the end standing tall and remembering His call to homeschool and why we do it.
The musings of a really, really insane homeschool mom!
It was one of those mornings! You know the one I’m referring to, you’ve been there. You actually woke up that morning before the kids and sat down to be with the Lord. You had tried your best to keep your mind focusing on Him, but it kept focusing on the day ahead. You prayed and put your armor on asking the Lord just to keep you safe. With your armor on, your fingers ready for war and your hands ready for combat (Blessed be the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle (spankings and finger waggings need training you know!)Psalms 144:1) you felt pretty safe. But then it hit, the hand grenade in the trenches you were hunkering down in and all explosions happened around you and when the dust settled you surmised the damage and cried out, “What happened Lord?” “Did I hear Your Call wrong?”
That morning your husband had a lot on his mind and simply walked out of the house with a mere goodbye. Your children woke up all on the wrong side of the bed and all of them were arguing by breakfast time. You kept your cool by calmly reminding them of their Christian duties to serve one another and as they grumbled and rolled their eyes at yet another one of your lectures they ate in silence.
Chores were done half heartedly and we were all around the table to do our Bible study late again and then there was the argument whose turn it is to read today. History re-alouds got out of hand while they were supposedly listening they were bouncing a little ball around and someone kept getting knocked in the head. All our group time was up when Math needed to start. All three needed help at the same time! After all were squared away I went in to help with Algebra (a four letter word in our house) and my daughter was convinced she heard many statements from the video this way and when I reminded her that is not what he said she argues. So I rewind the video and to prove to her what he said and she was sure he said it different earlier. However we continued and then finally on the last problem, I’m trying to guide her and finally she looks at me and says, “I can do it!” So I go out of the room only to find her working on this problem which I knew she was having trouble with 20 min later and she finally states it just can’t be done. I ask her if she needs my help now and simply show her a mistake she made early on and she finally finishes. About this time I get a call from dear husband and I ask candidly and sarcastically, “When can I put these kids in school?” I was completely serious. I had had it that morning and was really struggling. The grenade had gone off in my trenches and all my reserve was gone. I was reacting and not very proactive. All I had been taught went out the window and here I was suffering from the injuries I had receive from all the shrapnel (words and arguments of the morning).
As I sat down to grade papers a few minutes later the anger festered up inside me even more as I realized that one of my children had underlined Hat and Coat as Verbs! And the grading went on but got even worse and my anger was seething now.
When out of the blue my dear daughter walks in and with tears in her eyes and emotion in her voice, “Mom, I’m sorry I didn’t trust what you were saying to me in Math. I’m sorry that I yelled at you and I’m sorry that I did that.” She was truly sincere and truly sorry for her sins and my heart melted and God reminded me in the very moment, “This is why I’ve asked you to homeschool.”
Everyday I hunker in my trench and ask the Lord to protect me. I have my children with me, but every now and then the enemy sneaks a way through the trench and delivers an explosive blow. However my Lord is there with me and because I’ve homeschooled my children and taught them more about character and wisdom and Him, they survive and we all come out in the end standing tall and remembering His call to homeschool and why we do it.
The musings of a really, really insane homeschool mom!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
5:55 am. . .
And they are off! The robotics team were on their way very early this morning to receive our official assignment for building our Robot. The only thing we know is the rules for the competition and the sneak peek about their upcoming competition "Just Plane Crazy".
I heard the alarm go off at 5:00 this morning and after rolling around and telling myself to crawl out of bed around 5:05, I made it into Sarah's room only to be surprised with the light on, her in the middle of the room completely dressed, packed, and playing with her camera. She was too excited to sleep. Sarah was our official designee to go for our family to the Kick-off Assignment. She rode with the head of our team and one of her friends. She was way excited and I had to remind her that the people in her caravan might not be morning people and would not be open to a chatty girl early in the morning. She got the hint. However her crew was just as pumped as she was and off they left. Godspeed!
We are still on the homefront and most of the family was able to sleep in. But it's opening day here too for FOOTBALL!!!!! "Are you ready for some Football?", Zech asks. Also for some, "We've got Spirit, GO, TEAM, GO!", Cheerleading! God is so wonderful and we are able to have her cheerleading team cheer at the same time Zech's team is playing football! So at 10:00 you will hear the roaring of the crowds (yes just moms, dads, grandparents, and friends), the crash of the helmets (not really because this is flag), and the cheers of the girls routing for their team (really they just like looking cute in their outfits and jumping and flipping and such!).
So its opening day for a lot of activities in the Roberson Academy today! I'm sure our ceremonies won't be as elaborate as the Olympics, but my kids are sure to win the Gold! Maybe not the gold medals, but the gold of friendship, fun, and sportmanship. Let's Go Team! (whichever team you are on!).
I heard the alarm go off at 5:00 this morning and after rolling around and telling myself to crawl out of bed around 5:05, I made it into Sarah's room only to be surprised with the light on, her in the middle of the room completely dressed, packed, and playing with her camera. She was too excited to sleep. Sarah was our official designee to go for our family to the Kick-off Assignment. She rode with the head of our team and one of her friends. She was way excited and I had to remind her that the people in her caravan might not be morning people and would not be open to a chatty girl early in the morning. She got the hint. However her crew was just as pumped as she was and off they left. Godspeed!
We are still on the homefront and most of the family was able to sleep in. But it's opening day here too for FOOTBALL!!!!! "Are you ready for some Football?", Zech asks. Also for some, "We've got Spirit, GO, TEAM, GO!", Cheerleading! God is so wonderful and we are able to have her cheerleading team cheer at the same time Zech's team is playing football! So at 10:00 you will hear the roaring of the crowds (yes just moms, dads, grandparents, and friends), the crash of the helmets (not really because this is flag), and the cheers of the girls routing for their team (really they just like looking cute in their outfits and jumping and flipping and such!).
So its opening day for a lot of activities in the Roberson Academy today! I'm sure our ceremonies won't be as elaborate as the Olympics, but my kids are sure to win the Gold! Maybe not the gold medals, but the gold of friendship, fun, and sportmanship. Let's Go Team! (whichever team you are on!).
Friday, September 12, 2008
Friday Fotos!
Spirit Team Meeting, coming up with Cheers!
Isabella demonstrating her cheer
Sarah riding a horse (they all had an opportunity a couple
of Saturdays ago to ride a horse and have a great time)
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Meet George Jetson . . .
Yes, Robotics is in! It feels as though we are living in space because of all the robots have taken over, however as I get in my car and realize that it can't zip up and out and straight to where I need to go, but has to drive over roads not so straight I take in that I'm not living in the Jetson world after all!
We had the coolest field trip yet this last Tuesday. We visited a college close by to get a hands on experience in the field of Robotics! We were able to see the a welding robotics arm and how much better their welds are than actual humans. The kids were also able to use a robot arm in order to pick up pucks and place them in a certain area. They were taught X,Y, Z principle. When the kids were asked do they know that, one child responded as he blushed, "Sir, that means examine your zipper!" LOL! We all got a good giggle but that was not the principle he was looking for. The X made the arm move from left to right, the Y made the arm move up and down much like our shoulder, and the Z made the hand move in a circular motion like our wrist. They all had great fun working these robots and seeing what they could do. Amazingly so the college professor explained to our kids that MATH was really important in the world of Robotics. Go Professor! I repeated that to my kids several times since then!
Enjoy the pics!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
About my Blog!
The wonderful lady who created my new look for my blog asked me a few questions before she started and I thought it was really creative to include "me" in my blog. What do you mean? I mean she wanted to know what I liked, my favorite scripture, the title to my blog, and my picture. At first I thought of the many scriptures that hold me up and secure my walk in His Way and there are so many. However the verse I chose held me up so many times and still does. You see, I can get overwhelmed. Overwhelmed at being God's child is a good thing because that is a good overwhelm, but overwhelmed at the fact that my husband chose me, overwhelmed that he still chooses me and needs me, overwhelmed that God has given me three wonderful children to raise and overwhelmed of whether or not I'm going to mess them up terribly or not. Overwhelmed when I can't talk to my mom anymore cause she is in Heaven with Him. Overwhelmed that He has gifted me to teach others His Word and yet it is a higher calling that has stricter consequences and I feel like I'm just touching the surface when I get there! Overwhelmed at my schedule whereas most people shudder when they see my "big black book" and how filled it is and I stuff homeschooling into all that! So my scripture at the top truly leads me to Him who is higher and wiser than I could ever be and leads my heart to not be overwhelmed.
Now the title: Amazing Grace! I know that so many christians use this, but God so radically saved me that I can't help but shout out AMAZING GRACE, HOW SWEET THE SOUND! He saved me and loved me when the whole world felt like it was crumbling in around me. He saved a wretch like me that it was every bit an amazing feat! There is a song a cousin-in-law of mine sings (Matt Roberson) that says, "What can I do, but praise You, what can I do but live my life for You! Hallelujah!" I love that line in the song and I try to live my life just that way.
And the picture! Well its the only picture with me in it (my husband doesn't want to be on the blog) that I actually like. I generally don't take pictures with me in because two reasons. One I'm the only one with the camera and two, I just don't like pictures of me!
Well that about says it all. It tells my readers a little more about what I told the creative Heather as she reworked my blog and made it a masterpiece! Thank you Heather once again and thank you for allowing me to tell you all a little about myself.
Do you have amazing grace and feel overwhelmed? Go with God, He will lead the way!
Now the title: Amazing Grace! I know that so many christians use this, but God so radically saved me that I can't help but shout out AMAZING GRACE, HOW SWEET THE SOUND! He saved me and loved me when the whole world felt like it was crumbling in around me. He saved a wretch like me that it was every bit an amazing feat! There is a song a cousin-in-law of mine sings (Matt Roberson) that says, "What can I do, but praise You, what can I do but live my life for You! Hallelujah!" I love that line in the song and I try to live my life just that way.
And the picture! Well its the only picture with me in it (my husband doesn't want to be on the blog) that I actually like. I generally don't take pictures with me in because two reasons. One I'm the only one with the camera and two, I just don't like pictures of me!
Well that about says it all. It tells my readers a little more about what I told the creative Heather as she reworked my blog and made it a masterpiece! Thank you Heather once again and thank you for allowing me to tell you all a little about myself.
Do you have amazing grace and feel overwhelmed? Go with God, He will lead the way!
All that is going on!
Well it has been a while since I've posted. I'm sure I could come up with a list of excuses to present my case before you however after I write out all that is going on you'll get that I'm just very busy!
School started about a month ago for us, but all the activities had not started just yet. Well that has changed because we have started the WAR book club (Wild About Reading), the Boys Book Club, Volleyball, Football, Cheerleading, Robotics club, Awanas, Bible Drill, and Enrichment. I'm sure there is more but that is all I could remember.
Enrichment is our Monday's out when we adventure out and into our "school" mode allowing other moms to enrich our children lives with experiences better than ours. My kids are taking Old Testament History, crafts, recorder, cooking, sewing, Texas History, Photography, sign language, and study skills. Their first day was yesterday and they were very excited. They love enrichment.
Sarah is reading Out of the Silent Planet, by C.S. Lewis for her book club (a science fiction trilogy), and Zech is reading Castle in the Attic for his book club (zech's book is below his reading level in fact he read it in about 2 hours but he enjoys the rough and tumble getting together with the boys and just playing hard). Sarah with her birthday money purchased the Kingdom Dawn series and has already read the first 4 books! Sarah is also tackling learning the SAT program. She will do the SAT, the PSAT, and the ACT this year from home on practice test and that will help her be ready to take the actual ones her freshman year of high school!
Tomorrow I'll talk more about our robotic club and all it is doing but this year we truly have a well rounded and very busy school year. The kids are learning so much and yet are truly excited about their studies (except math & a few other things they don't like, but Zech is liking his math!). So as you can tell we are learning, maturing, and growing in so many ways!
School started about a month ago for us, but all the activities had not started just yet. Well that has changed because we have started the WAR book club (Wild About Reading), the Boys Book Club, Volleyball, Football, Cheerleading, Robotics club, Awanas, Bible Drill, and Enrichment. I'm sure there is more but that is all I could remember.
Enrichment is our Monday's out when we adventure out and into our "school" mode allowing other moms to enrich our children lives with experiences better than ours. My kids are taking Old Testament History, crafts, recorder, cooking, sewing, Texas History, Photography, sign language, and study skills. Their first day was yesterday and they were very excited. They love enrichment.
Sarah is reading Out of the Silent Planet, by C.S. Lewis for her book club (a science fiction trilogy), and Zech is reading Castle in the Attic for his book club (zech's book is below his reading level in fact he read it in about 2 hours but he enjoys the rough and tumble getting together with the boys and just playing hard). Sarah with her birthday money purchased the Kingdom Dawn series and has already read the first 4 books! Sarah is also tackling learning the SAT program. She will do the SAT, the PSAT, and the ACT this year from home on practice test and that will help her be ready to take the actual ones her freshman year of high school!
Tomorrow I'll talk more about our robotic club and all it is doing but this year we truly have a well rounded and very busy school year. The kids are learning so much and yet are truly excited about their studies (except math & a few other things they don't like, but Zech is liking his math!). So as you can tell we are learning, maturing, and growing in so many ways!
Monday, September 8, 2008
I gotta a new LOOK!
Do you like my new blogger look? Wow! I can't believe it, it is beautiful! Just like the lady who helped me with my new look, she is beautiful too and I've never even met her! Thank you, thank you, thank you for Heather! She was so wonderful to do this for me.
So send your comments my way to tell me if you like the new look!
So send your comments my way to tell me if you like the new look!
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