Busy, Busy, Busy

OH...MY....GOODNESS!!! It has been so HECTIC around here! We have been busy not only with school, but we have had a bacherlorette party, a rehearsal and dinner, and a wedding to get through these past 2 weeks. And let me tell you.......IT WAS AWESOME!!!! We have had such a wonderful time of fellowship with friends and family we have not seen in quite awhile.

I will post more about our happenings and some pictures from the wedding as soon as I get them uploaded.

Another Contest

If you like contests as much as I do, go on over and visit MontanaMama. She is giving away something that would help pass time during the loooooong winter months to come. She has chosen something that is near and dear to her heart, Created to be His Helpmeet and the companion Journal. You better check it out quickly. Her contest ends September 21, 2007 at 6am.

MOM

MOM

How blessed I am to have been born to such a wonderful Mother. Everything I am I owe to you. Your strength and wisdom guides me, your love for life inspires me, your kindness and grace warms me. I have never met another person like you, and know in my heart that I never will - you are one of a kind. I can only wish to have the light that you gave, for you touched all those around you with your warmth. I am proud to be your daughter and could not have asked for more in a Mother.

So much time went by and I never said thank you or I love you, Mom enough. Today, I do yet it’s just a little late. God took you from those who love you most. He took you to his kingdom where you are with your parents, daddy, Vickie, Aunt Mickey, Uncle Jimmy, and the many others that have gone on before you. I know you're happy and free of the pain you suffered. Although my heart aches for you to be here with me daily, I find peace in knowing you can be wherever you are needed now. Watch over us always and forever you will stay in our hearts. It's hard to believe that you have been gone from us for three years already, although it seems like yesterday that you were Promoted to Glory! You are so very loved and deeply missed by us all. But we know in our hearts you live!

You gave me the best present ever, Mom...the gift of life, and I will never forget all of the unconditional LOVE you have given me. All the good times you and I shared. The times that you were my shield, my comfort and my friend, will always be remembered. You already know that I LOVE YOU with all of my heart and I will never forget you, because the day you left me, you took a big piece of my heart with you. Until we see each other again in heaven, I will keep the memories, all the kisses, and all of the warm hugs in my heart. I will love you……….ALWAYS AND FOREVER.

Dawn Marie (Nanna)
August 20, 1933 - October 18, 2004

Wordless Wednesday

I Am So Proud and Excited . . . . .

Oh My Gosh............I can't believe how much work Kiddo has completed these past two days. I AM SO PROUD OF YOU! Now mind you, it did not come without a couple of crying and whining bouts, but in the end, he pulled it off. Soooooo on Friday, Steven, David, and I, (The girls are not going because Goose has to work and Bean would rather be anywhere else!) will be taking a field trip to the American Museum of Frontier Culture in Staunton.

The Frontier Culture Museum is an outdoor, living-history museum and educational institution of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Museum currently features six permanent, outdoor exhibits comprised of original farm buildings from Britain, Germany, and Virginia. These buildings have been carefully documented, dismantled, transported to Virginia, and restored. The Museum's exhibits serve as the settings for interpretative and educational programs designed to increase public knowledge of the diverse Old World origins of early immigrants to America, of how these immigrants lived in their homelands, how they came to America, and how the way-of-life they created together on the American frontier has shaped the success of the United States. The Museum's plans for the future include the expansion of its exhibits and programs to include an American Indian and West African exhibits, a working grist mill, and mid-1800s American village. I CAN'T WAIT! I think I am more excited than Kiddo is.

Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong era. The homesteading way of life has always fascinated me and I have always wished I could have lived back in that time. My family thinks I am a little crazy though because I am trying to live like that now. It is not only because I enjoy making my own laundry detergent, hanging out the clothes, and cooking a weeks worth of meat at one time out on the fire to save using the electric, etc that I do these things, it is out of necessity. Going back to being a one-income family is not an easy task.

When Skippy and I decided to homeschool Kiddo, I resigned from my Sign Language Interpreter/Special Education Teaching Assistant position after 11 years. It has been a big adjustment for ALL of us, but it has been an extremely rewarding experience. Not only that I get to be home with Steven, but I am also getting to spend more time with our girls as well. That is something I did not expect since they both had working hours that were, for the most part, opposite of what mine were, but a job for Bean and a shift change for Goose, brought us all closer together. Now if we could just get Skippy home a little more!!!! The poor man is working three jobs so I can be here with Kiddo. However, once the weather turns colder, he should be home a little bit more. YEAH!!!

We have a long journey ahead of us, that we know. Everyday we are learning to trust God more and more, and know that he will provide for us. All we need to do is........................... HAVE FAITH AND BELIEVE!!

Finally.....Some Time Together

David and I had a little bit of alone time yesterday so guess what we did? We sat down and planned our menu for the week. That's right. Fun, huh? Actually, it WAS! It is something we have not done for a LONG time. I am hoping this will become a habit for us. It really does help take away some of the frustration of trying to figure out what to make at the last minute. It also helps our oldest daughter with her Weight Watcher's program. She knows ahead of time what we are having so she can either adjust her points or make something she can eat. This is what we have planned for the week:

Monday: Pigs in a blanket, brown sugar baked beans,
and chocolate chip cookies for dessert

Tuesday: Spaghetti with sausage and homemade tomato sauce, salad,
and foccacia bread

Wednesday: Grilled fish, rice, zucchini w/bread crumbs & lemon pepper,
chocolate velvet cake for dessert

Thursday: Breaded pork chops, homemade mashed potatoes, and glazed carrots,
chocolate velvet cake for dessert

Friday: Sausage & peppers over rice (yummm..........one of my favorites)

Little League and the President

Over the summer, David, Steven, and I had the awesome privilege of attending our local Little League's girls T-ball team (5 & 6 year olds) play a softball game. David had been the league president for 6 years prior to this and was given tickets to attend this event. This was not your ordinary T-ball game played on your ordinary softball field. This was T-ball game was played on the South Lawn of The White House with President George W. Bush.

Luray was picked from a random drawing done by Little League International. What an honor for these girls and their coaches to be selected! The families and board members were also invited.

When we arrived, we were all given a tour of The White House, then lead out to the South Lawn where the games would be played. We were shown which bleachers our team's cheering section were to sit, where we could then choose our own seats. As we were walking up the stairs, we noticed two RESERVED tickets on the end of the row. One said Michelle Griffith (she is the softball Commissioner) and the other said The PRESIDENT. "David.....look who will be sitting right there! Quick, grab that bench!" We sat in the next row back so we could get a good shot , I mean a better look at him.

After President Bush made his announcements, the Jonas Brothers sang the National Anthem, which was followed by the first pitch. The temperature that day was a STIFFLING 98F in the shade with a bad storm quickly approaching. The President and Ms. Griffith then took their seats in the bleachers. After everyone was seated, we let Steven go sit on the steps like we always do at the games. He hates being confined. Well, Steven was sitting there for a few minutes watching the game when President Bush reached over and touched him on the shoulder. He started talking to him and asking him questions. David and I said...."Oh no! He is going to start talking about SpongeBob and video games!" To our amazement, he didn't. Guess what he DID talk to him about? He said, "My mom is going to homeschool me! I can't wait!" President Bush said...."Your mom is doing what she thinks is best for you!" He then asked Steven if he wanted to take a picture with him? He said...."I need to ask my mom first." He then looked over to me and shouted..."Is it okay if I take a picture with him?" I smiled and nodded my head. "Okay, thanks!", yelled Steven, and then he gave us a . He went over to the President and I swear, that child looked like he was going to sit right down on top of his lap. He almost did but then turned and decided to kneel down right beside him where the President then put his hand on Steven's shoulder. Steven looked up at him and they both started to smile.

~WHAT A KODAK MOMENT!!~

After the game, The White House provided a picnic lunch and musical entertainment for everyone. Steven could not wait to eat. He was more excited that they were handing out as many hot dogs, pretzels, chips, peanuts, and cookies that you could eat, and as much soda that you could drink....than he was that he met and sat next to the President of the United States of America!!!! I think I am going develop that picture and send it to the President and ask if he would sign it. I would LOVE to have that framed! That would be so AWESOME!!

Even though it was extremely hot that day, EVERYONE that went that said they had a WONDERFUL time.

Thank you President Bush and Little League International for giving all of us this awesome opportunity.

Wordless Wednesday

A Little Bit About Me

I love random blogging.....You find out so many INTERESTING things about people. Soooooo, I thought I would fill out a questionaire that I received and tell you a little bit about me:

Name: Laura

Birth Date: February 7

Age: 18-24 25-29 30-49 50-69 70+

Marital Status: Married and LOVIN' IT!

Anniversary: November 23, 1986

Husband’s Name: Skippy

The most influential person in my life has been: My mother - I miss you, Mom!!!

I like to spend my free time: Being with my kids, reading, spending extra time with my chickens, gardening

These prayer requests are dear to my heart:

Ongoing Needs: My family's health and spiritual well-being

Immediate Needs: To financially be able to continue to stay home

Family/Friends in Need of Salvation: My brother Richard, and my close friend, Sonya

Beverage: I have two....Sweet tea and Diet Pepsi

Dessert: I know this must sound crazy, but it's Peanut Butter Cap'n Crunch

Cartoon Character: Wile E. Coyote....who else!

Magazine: Mary Jane's Farm

Book: My Bible, The Left Behind Series

Author: Beverley Lewis/Wanda Brunstetter

Interest/Hobby: Asperger's Syndrome, gardening, quilting,learning html and graphic design so I can design my own blog and eBay templates

Bible Verse: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future!" Jeremiah 29:11

Hymn: It Is Well With My Soul, How Great Thou Art

Color: All

Flower: Wild flowers

Holiday: Christmas

Snack: Same as dessert.....Peanut Butter Cap'n Crunch

My Children’s Names And Ages: Goose: 20, Bean: 19, Kiddo: 13 My

Grandchildren’s Names and Ages: Don't have any at this time. Would like for my children to get MARRIED first!

Autism Awareness

Please help spread the word about Autism and together, WE CAN FIND A CURE!

HOMEschooling

Good morning on this glorious day!

The sun is shining....

the birds are chirping....

coffee is brewing....

and the cows across the field are moooooooing. What a wonderful way to start the day!

We decided to do things a little differently this week. I thought we would do some HOME schooling as well as home SCHOOLING. Skippy and I felt that Kiddo should start taking on a little more responsibility and a little more helping around the house. He already helps with putting away the silverware, feeding the animals, cleaning his room, vacuuming the family room, and a few other chores. We want him to learn and develop more life skills for later on.

Kiddo is learning how to cook and he is doing a FANTASTIC job. He made scrambled eggs for breakfast and it was DELICIOUS! Then I showed him how to unload and load the dishwasher correctly, NOT the way he thinks it should be done. Boy, is he a quick study!!!

We then worked on some of his regular subjects before we headed off to do something FUN with my sister and her kids. After that, we did a quick run to the grocery store to pick up meds and a couple of things before we went home and had a dinner of leftovers. I love having leftovers as it makes dinner fast and clean up a lot quicker.

Today, we started off with sorting laundry and the reasons why we don't want to bleach a red pair of underwear with white shirts and socks. lol We then went through the entire washing process from start to finish, followed by learning different clothes drying techniques. Steven really enjoyed this and wants to know if we can HOMEschool everyday!

Homeschooling has been a remarkable and exciting journey for us. I can't wait to see what unfolds next year!

Poor Boog

We just found out today that my 5 year old niece, Boog, has strep throat. Between hitting the yard sales and Erik's birthday, we have been around her quite a lot the past 3 days. Please pray that she recovers quickly and that the rest of us don't get it.

Thank you!