FREEDOM

Remember back when I wrote about there being a "hippie gene?" Well, I think I have proof. This child of mine loves hanging out in antique shops, as does her mother. When we go, she likes the music they play. Songs like "Freebird", "Magic Man", "Brown Eyed Girl" and most recently a little Pink Floyd and Clapton. She is a hip, man! We were walking along in the antique store and Olivia said, "uuh, mom, look at your youngest child." I looked over and saw her rockin out on the "croquet guitar" then I laughed and she dropped it looked up at me and did the "peace out" sign you see above. Later was the car ride home when she jammed out to Fleetwood Mac.... The craziest part is when we left the house, she had on a pink shirt. She changed in the car and pulled the headband out of her pocket! Then she chose the way it would be worn. I didn't even notice when we walked into the store that she looked like this! !!!

Now, more than ever, I am convinced, hippism is genetic! Love it! Freedom is the name she "prefers." I am hoping she doesn't make it legal someday!

Change

As I stare at the computer, beginning to write what will be a "post of change," I reflect on so many things in my life. First, I have been OVERLY blessed with people in my life. From birth, I was given an amazing family, not one without flaws, but one that is real, solid, loving and there for you. Then I have had TONS of amazing friends in my life. I joined facebook this week and am flooded with old friendships and am almost brought to tears when I think about how many people have shared this life with me in some way. One is even coming into town next week, and we are going to get together! I haven't seen him in 20 years! YIKES! I sound like my parents!

That brings me to my next item. My parents, who have always been here, are moving to Washington DC. I have been ok with it until recently. I guess you don't realize how much someone/people mean to you until they are taken away, move, or aren't in your everyday anymore. I realize how much I miss my friends when I see them on facebook and now I am going to be missing my mom especially! She is in my everyday right now and soon she won't be. Change is good, or so they say. Change is scary too. I know it is all for good, but sometimes that little lump in your throat serves as a reminder that we are all here for a brief time. Some people come into our lives, serve a purpose and move on. That is all good. But then there are times when the change doesn't seem to fit the plan you had. That is where "trusting Him" comes in. In time, it will all look as it is supposed to. We will surely have amazing field trips in D.C. when we go visit, but it really is hard to imagine my everyday.

Couldn't Agree More!!!

I am posting this from a friend of a friend. I read it and was like "ya, that's what I meant to say." Thanks Amy for this direction to this post and thank you to Tisha for your insite and words! :)

Keeping up with JOTSC: Pumpkin bars in the oven. (click to read)

The Road Less Traveled

Thursday, October 23, 2008

This Says it Well (click here for comic)


I thought that was cute considering all the legislative issues going on with homeschooling. I saw where NBC reported that homeschooling was on the rise due to vaccine requirements in public schools. Pardon me, but there are LOTS of reasons that homeschooling is on the rise. It isn't this radical movement led by cults...it is merely a choice to educate in an environment that is actually controlled and individually tailored according to a child's needs. Our reasons for homeschooling are simple, we want our children to develop a relationship with the Lord and become grounded in their faith before going out and being a light in darkness. Not to mention, I love every minute of seeing them grasp new concepts and being their teacher. It is a brave move to tell the world that you are a homeschooler, in a world that expects you to follow the path they have chosen. And as Ralph Waldo Emerson says, "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." Thank you to the "seasoned" homeschoolers who have paved the way for us and continue to fight for the rights for us to see to it we are able to educate our children in this way. We are continuing in your footsteps and leaving a path of our own!

A Breath of Fresh Air!

Aahh the great outdoors! Today I took advantage of the beautiful day and took pictures of the girls. They then turned the camera on me so it was really fun! Just like the seasons change so fast, so do my girls. Life in the country is great and it really gives me a chance to enjoy nature and get out and see the girls interact with it. This time is precious!

Mission Accomplished!

I finally did it! After years of saying I was going to or I wanted to, I finally got my nose pierced and I love it! I don't know what has changed but I used to be fearless! I mean really fearless and now even ferris wheels leave me white knuckled! So I chickened out the last time I sat in the chair and this time my mom went with me and she was like, "Oh, that is going to look adorable" so I felt good having her approval and away I went with it! (Moms have so much power!) I mean if she would have said, "I really think you are gonna regret this!" I would have been splitsville! Anyway, I should have trusted my instinct because I do like it. I feel like I conquered the world! I felt a little youthful today when I was immediately part of a group when some guy wanted to know what I was having done. I acted cool like it was no biggie! I think he might have been like 18. Still, I felt like I pulled off seeming like I was supposed to be there. Ah, yes, midlife!

Lessons

The other day, Olivia wanted to work outside with her daddy on the playhouse. He has been building it for awhile now and she decided to be his helper. The next thing I know, he is telling me that she will be working with him the whole day....aka....no school today in terms of curriculum. They run to the hardware store and are gone for hours. When they return, she has a tool belt, all the tools including her own tape measure, drill, screwdriver, pliers, hammer and protective eye wear! This is serious business!! She already runs his logsplitter for him, helps him build fires in his stove and now is drilling holes to build things. Oh, she did school that day alright. What she learned was valuable, applicable industrial arts/woodshop from a pretty amazing person! She has been out there for 3 days and I couldn't be more in love with Frank for what he is doing with and for her. There is no greater joy than for a woman to see her husband enjoying the interaction with his child. It is a huge blessing. I am so glad my girls have a daddy that relishes in spending quality time with them. From the time of being a little girl all the way up to adulthood, having a daddy that thinks you are amazing and worth spending time with is pretty important. I am so happy for my girls!

Fresh Starts

Each morning, I am constantly amazed at how we get a chance to forget about yesterday's mistakes, and start over again. One thing about Nebraska, it has the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets I have ever seen. Although it isn't my favorite state in the union, by far, I concede that the mornings and evenings are breathtaking here. The pink and orange hues are a striking contrast to the day, reminding me to spend time with Him each morning to reflect on the purposes of the day. It is a beautiful, quiet experience that I look forward to in the mornings. I can tuck away the disasters of the day before and start fresh.......what a gift!

Protecting the Homefront

I woke up this morning and came down the stairs and this is what I saw.....

I heard this little tiny voice say, " I have to make sure there is no danger." and a little "blast" fired from the toy rifle. The poor bear didn't have a chance.

Keep On Keepin On

I am reading a book called Harvest From The Highways by Diane Shreve. It is about Christian motorcyclists who are mostly Harley dudes that cruise around the country and tell stories of how their lives have changes since becoming Christians. It deals with personal struggles with depression, immorality, hate, adultery, drugs, alcohol, thoughts of suicide and even premeditated murder. The mission of the book is to let people know that you are never "too bad for God." I just read a line in the book that was actually in the forward. It says "Our goal in this book is to encourage every believer to use whatever you already do (in our case, it's motorcycling) in such a way to give Him glory. "

Wow! This same message keeps hitting me over the head, day after day. When I read "The Shack" it TOTALLY rocked my world. I think that book meets you where you are at. If you are in a different place than someone else spiritually, it may not mean as much to you than if you are somewhere else in your spirituality. In any event, the message is the same. Here goes:

We are all born into a set of circumstances, go through different experiences, are given diverse spiritual gifts, whether we are a doctor, stay at home mom, or an artist. No matter what our "story" is about how we came to a saving knowledge, no matter how many sins we have committed in the past and by the way CHRISTIANS ARE STILL SINNERS. We all have a need for our savior! He uses our skills, that He gave us, as a tool to be used for His Glory. We are called to do just that. Does the guy with tatoos all over his body and piercings galore have a place in God's plan? You bet! In fact, he can reach many that I would never be able to reach! Does God want us to reach the men and women in prison in order to change lives? Totally! What about the guy who pulls up on the motorcycle next to you in your Sunday best? He is wearing leather chaps and chains? Could he be heading to his mission field? Oh ya...but we as "good christians" might be thinking "Hmm...he is OBVIOUSLY not headed to worship!" Christians have a habit of not making eye contact with the kid with green hair. Think about that. Isn't he screaming for attention? Doesn't he want to be seen? Isn't he trying to "make a statement?" What about greeting him and looking him in the eye? On the other hand, I want to point out something that bothers me greatly! Non-believers tend to set expectations that are rediculous for Christians as well. Suddenly, if one professes faith in Jesus, that person is expected to never sin again! Really? Becoming a Christian doesn't elevate you to a perfect and wonderful life. Actually, more is expected of you, but you still fail every day, when compared to God himself. Hypocracy is soon a term thrown around, relationships are lost and the point of it all is totally missed. Who is at fault? I think it is clearly a shared problem. The bottom line is, it is all about values. What does God want of us? He wants us to trust Him at His word. Do as He commands and know that Jesus really is the only way to spend eternity with Him. So, when you look at your life and all that you have been given or even not given, what is He calling you to do? For me, it is about taking a path that hasn't been taken in order to demonstrate my faithfulness. It is about speaking truth in love and meeting others where they are at. It is about sitting back and letting God teach me from all people, believers and nonbelievers alike. I am constantly in awe of what He reveals to me and am challenged by the walk itself sometimes. He is constant, neverchanging, but always waiting there, usually with another lesson in hand for me. Sometimes, what seem like my failures, are little things that lead to a bigger event that soon becomes apparent. So, use what He has given you....are you are great organizer, a good cook, or good with animals? Do you like to ski or garden? Whatever it is, use it for His glory to reach the unreached. It doesn't matter what your story is....because He wrote it and already knows it.

Fall in the Midwest

There are a few things good about living in the midwest.....and our pumpkin patch is one of them! Each year, we look SSOOO forward to hangin out (6 hours yesterday!) there. It isn't what most people think. It is a wonderland of activity for the kids and the adults! So much to do, see and experience. This summer, the people from Disney came to see what they were doing out here. They were excited about the entertainment that is going on here and with good reason. The weather is beautiful right now...and I am in heaven. But I know what is around the corner so for now, I bask in this amazing time....but come winter, I will be a miserable person!

Here are some shots from the pumpkin patch. AAAHH it was a great time!

To Sum It Up!

Wordless Wednesday!