Trying To Look Like Jesus

I do not like long car trips.  And our trip to WV solidified that. We went to visit the college Brooke wants to go to next year for a tour of the campus.  It took us 8 hours to get there and eternity in my mind. When we got there, we ate at the most countryish restaurant ever!  We were delirious from the trip and everything made us laugh. After dinner we settled in for a not so good nights sleep but whatever. We woke up early and headed out to the school.   We prayed for no rain, but got buckets instead, God's plan had a purpose. So we got soaked walking around campus. We left the umbrellas in the trunk of our car, DUMB!! Afterwards, we enjoyed lunch in their cafeteria and applied for 2014 admission. She got in!! My homeschooler got into the college of her choice and I'm excited for her. The four years of homeschooling through high school paid off. Now, time to find the money, haha! It was a long, hard trip, but its important to support our kids in their pur...

So I'm very thankful for how the Lord's been blessing our homeschool lately.  The new schedule is working out great and we've actually done some science projects and an art project. Our mornings consist of bible, breakfast and chores.  After that the kids do some reading, gym and downtime with dad. Once dad's asleep, school starts! Why didn't I do this three years ago? Oh yeah, that's right, I like to do things the hard way first.....just in case that works, NOT!!  Anyway here are some highlight pics of what's going on here.  First science experimnet of the year!  Paper mache globe Comparing soil samples Lunch time! Random pic of movie night treat, funnel cake!  Whoa! 

What a great first day!  Even with the early morning soccer practice and afternoon doctor's appointment, it went so smoothly.  And I figured out why.  God was put first.  This was His day to rule.  This school is His to control, when I give it to Him. The day started with everyone having big breakfast together! Followed by a quiet time of devotions and one hour of reading. Brooke got to the gym a little late and Noah decided to go swimming at the last moment after soccer but Lily was my saving grace staying on schedule:) After the doctors visit for Lily, we came home and I started dinner and we stuck to having it at the table with a family devotion afterwards. The kids were happy for some down time after chores and then it was bed.  All in all a great day.  Will everyday be like this?  Probably not because I'm human after all. But I am fully persuaded that on the days I surrender school, schedule, and life to God, He will be faithful ...

This summer I decided not to continue schooling through the summer (because I was so burned out), so there was a lot of time to think and be quiet. Then something amazing happened.  The Lord got a hold of my heart.  He literally broke me. You see, although much was accomplished academically, not much was done spiritually.  Once again I took control over His  school.  When Jesus lead me to home school, I promised it would be Holy Spirit lead but this past year I failed.   Honestly, I can't point to when or how it happened, it just did!  When the year ended, I looked back and saw how I just absolutely failed God.  But thankfully, God is greater than my mistakes and failures.  He wants us to go back to the basics.  Back to dinner at the table together, family devotions,  and family prayer time.  Even though we're together all day, we weren't really.   Did we still have sweet times of fellowship? Yes!  But they s...

The blessings have been poaring in as of late.  With school just around the corner, we still needed some big ticket items besides the books. What do you do when you need a microscope and forensic science kit? Pray of course! Being on one income is challenging but it's also a good chance to see God work. My mother in law stopped by unexpectedly last week and asked if there was anything else I needed for school.  They had already purchased school supplies for us and Lily will be going to camp because of her generosity.  Here's the kicker.  Her husband offered to buy our microscope and science kit for us.  Hello! Blessings!! On a different note, today I heard from an old, dear friend.  She's the kind of friend that after you lose touch for so long, you still wonder if they're doing alright.  The kind of friend you hope to some day reconnect with again.  And oddly enough, the Lord had been putting her on my heart lately, alot! ...

Usually we school year round, but this year I decided we need a summer break.  But now the time is near and I'm getting excited! The books are just about purchased, my mother-in-laws husband just footed the bill for our new microscope and science kit (can't wait to play, I mean see, the microscope;) and they kindly bought some school supplies we needed as well.  I love to see the Lord use people around us to bless our homeschool. This year with all the books I sold, I barely had any out of pocket expenses for school.  I'm praying this is going to be a  really good year.  Especially with it being Brooke's senior year, I want it to be special and memorable for her.   I'm really excited to see how this year is going to go!

This made me laugh so hard! So the past couple days have been slow.  It's been so hot these days, too hot to go out and do anything, so basically we've been watching way too much tv and doing a whole lot of nothing special! We usually homeschool all year long but it was too much work, not enough play. Now its the opposite and I'm GOING CRAZY!  I know there's a balance here, but I'm having a hard time finding it.  Noah was so tired of being on the computer, when I asked if he wanted to play some board games, I got a resounding "YES!".   We are enjoying the down time but even Brooke asked if I had her books yet because she's thinking about doing school to keep her busy.  Luckily....... I do have her books;) Anyway, pretty soon we'll be in full swing with school, so ya know what? I'm gonna enjoy laying on the couch for hours at a time and just getting up to eat or play games with the kids.  Who am I kidding, the kids can come to me!! H...

It seems each year the fireworks show grow bigger and bigger.  The kids who aren't crying because of the  noise really enjoy it, but I think the men love it the most:)  This year my brother in law and his family came with their newborn, (which I hogged, sorry) and I think they really enjoyed themselves.  We've been praying for them hoping that the saving grace of Jesus will draw their hearts.  We love it when unsaved family comes over during parties so they can see not only are we normal but we can have a really fun time without getting drunk or something! Anyway here are some pics of our fun day! I hope everyone had a good time and we can do it again next year!

Yes!  It finally happened.......the last day of school!!  Do I sound too excited?  Well, I am.  It's been a long busy year and we're all in need of a break.  It went by quickly but boy, did we pack in a lot!   We're looking forward to lots of down time, beach time. park time, and backyard fun time.  Summer is a time when we have backyard fires with s'mores, catch fireflies and just sit around the fire or on the trampoline being silly and having fun conversations.  I'm so glad we got through another year.  I saw God work in so many ways and provide so wonderfully for us.  He is so good!  I can't wait to blog about our fun summer.  We're praying for a good one, thanks be to God!!

So the girls and I were remembering our fall vacation last year and the creepy restaurant we ate at.  At the time it seems like the worst experience ever, but those are the moments that create the best memories. This year we want to go camping but our last experience wasn't all that great.  It rained the whole time.  We actually left a couple days early because of it.  I'm so thankful we can laugh about it now!

Wow!  It's been so busy around here I've not had the time to post anything.  The kids are moving right along in school.  Thanks to a good friend at church, Lily's doing really well in math! Thank the Lord for smart friends:) Pretty soon the kids will be left with daddy because mom's going to the Ladies Conference.  I can't wait for the time I get to fellowship with the ladies and hear all the refreshing lessons.  What a sweet time it is. So thankful for my momma.  She bought Noah tickets to the Phillies game for his birthday.  We went last year and had fun mother, son time.  It was precious.  I hope it's always that way. Praising God for my husband and kids.  It's been blessed around here and peaceful.  Pray it stays that way for a while.

        Ok so it's Valentine's Day and I'm saying to myself, "what can I do to be a blessing?"  I don't work outside the home so buying my honey a gift with his money seems silly to me.  Time to be creative! For a few months the car has been a disaster  and although he's not said anything about it, I know it really bothers him.  So for two hours yesterday, I cleaned the car from top to bottom. Then I sprayed some Febreeze and hung up an air freshner.  His face lit up when we got in the car to go to church last night!  He was so thankful and happy to see the car clean again.         Last night I set up the kitchen for "big breakfast".  That's what the kids call it :) I just love  Valentine's Day!  It's a close second to Christmas.  Anyway along with getting ready for the morning, I put together their gifts.....just little things from the dollar store. They had little bags filled with candy an...

These days have been busy.  Busy with school, house work, etc. I often forget my hubby.  With Valentine's Day fast approaching I am reminded how much my poor hubby looms in the backround waiting for me to become unbusy (good luck with that).  But really I need to remember I wouldn't have kids to school if not for him!  Tomorrow I have a fun day planned for school and now am planning a fun day for my honey too because he deserves to be lavished with love and attention too.  Lord help me to remember my purpose in life.......to be a wife first to my beloved.  More tomorrow...............

Noah was so excited! He finally gets to grow crystals.  He's literally been waiting since the beginning of the school year when he saw it in his science book.  We had a lot of fun doing this experiment and agree that next time we will use sugar instead of alum to make rock candy.  Below are the pics.... Noah pouring the alum powder into pot Waiting......... Nothing yet This is what came out the next day! We have crystals!! This was his favorite experiment by far!!

Not too bad for our first day back. It's 12:30 and were all done already!  It always helps when school is Holy Spirit lead.  I can always tell the difference.  "Seek ye first the kingdom of God..."  Imagine that...putting God first and things go well the rest of the day...

Lily's toe socks from Noah  I have to say, this was one of the best Christmas's ever!  Taking time to really enjoy the season and my family was a blessing.  I miss it already. Here are some pics of the season! Hat from Brooke Noah loves Phillies Snood, all the rage! Brooke's comfy seat Jewelry from grandma Yay! A real wallet!! Noah and Abuela Brooke and bisiabuela Whoa!! Who's that guy?!! Jk...the Hubs Me, mom and grandma Lily and cousin Mikayla She's been asking for one forever!! Mom and Mike Love those bunny slippers Brooke The only person I haven't seen is my sister but hopefully we'll see each other soon. It was nice to see my grandma for Christmas though.  She loved her Shutterfly photo book with spanish captions.  Well only 357 days left till next Christmas....