For anyone needing a little inspiration... or perhaps just a little reminder--
that our lives are purposeful, that we don't go unnoticed,
that He calls us to LOVE,
and as a result,
speak volumes to those in need.
Watch and be blessed~
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Homeschooling benefit #103
Art "class" can happen any time...
and sometimes there aren't even any rules :)
Monday, October 25, 2010
1000 Gifts: October glory
In awe of His glory, I give thanks~
0794
October beauty
0795
red, yelllow, and orange
0796
crunching leaves and fresh cool breezes
0797
autumn
"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."
~Albert Camus
0798
funny faces & laughter all around
0799
swan-shaped gourds... the garden brought in
0800
a just-turned 6-year old's explanation to his mildly (or perhaps... incredibly) stubborn 2 & a half-year old sister that sometimes you have to do things you just don't want to do
0801
strength to conceal my laughter as said 6 yo told me of their "discussion"
0802
big brother love
0803
paperbag pumpkins
0804
"Mom, can we take some home to share with [Bub] and [Noh-man]?"
0805
friends who have walked a similar path and know exactly where I am
0806
prayers before practice-- with requests for "a challenge" and then the strength to succeed
0807
perseverance
"... we also rejoice in our sufferings,
because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
perseverance, character;
and character, hope.
And hope does not disappoint us,
becasue God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit,
whom He has given us."
Romans 5: 3-5
0808
a new life, a new babe-- my bff... a mother once again
0809
little boys
08010
dinner with friends
0811
chocolate cake!
0812
a Saturday to sleep in
0813
homemade applesauce
0814
... some for now; some in jars for winter
0815
"[Bub], do you want to be a superhero? WE'RE superheroes!"
0816
and then later... "We're putting our things away... but we're STILL superheroes!"
0817
the opportunity to smile. And laugh. And give thanks, every. single. day.
"Now, our God, we give you thanks,
and praise Your glorious name."
1 Chronicles 29:13
and the list continues...
Friday, October 15, 2010
Our favortite books for autumn
Now that fall is well under way, I thought I'd share a few of our seasonal favorites...
a handful of titles we revisit every single time autumn rolls around.
Mousekin's Golden House by Edna Miller
... beautiful watercolors fill every page as Mousekin's first adventure unfolds~
a charming story and a delightful first in this now out of print series
(yet so worth the time it takes you to track a copy down).
A favorite from my childhood;
now one of my children's, as well.
Ox-cart man by Donald Hall
A classic... a must-read... a lovely glimpse at life back then
How to Eat an Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman
One of our very favorites from our Five in a Row days~
We discovered this one when Bub was 5 years-old... and simply can't get enough of it!
The Scarecrow's Hat by Ken Brown
A lesson in perseverance and a bit of thoughtful thinking... charming!
Johnny Appleseed by Reeve Lindbergh
One of our favorite John Chapman retellings...
filled with gorgeous paintings and wonderfully lyrical verse.
My littlest ones just love to pour over these pages!
Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert
Very, very fun! Again, one that my littlest people adore~
Cranberry Thanksgiving by Wende & Harry Devlin
Another treasure from Five in A Row~
A Thanksgiving tradition around here, almost as much so as turkey & mashed taters...
my eldest ones still huddle around for this delightful tale!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Gettysburg
From Cunningham Falls State Park (that's where we camped), it's a mere 30-minute drive to Gettysburg. Since:
-- the boys and I spent several weeks studying the Civil War last spring
-- nary a one of us had ever been to Gettysburg (from my family, I mean)
-- our friends raved of their previous visit and highly recommended that we head that way
-- the 2 adult men in our party = history buffs... especially of the Civil War variety. A few hours at Gettysburg = music to their ears.
... we decided we really must go, and oh... I'm so very glad we did. The skies were blue, the mosquitoes were gone, the company was the best... we couldn't have asked for a better adventure.
Here's the abbreviated version~
Monday, October 11, 2010
Our weekend in pictures: Camping
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
~Leonardo DaVinci
The fire is the main comfort of the camp, whether in summer or winter,
and is about as ample at one season as at another.
It is as well for cheerfulness as for warmth and dryness.
~Henry David Thoreau
To poke a wood fire is more solid enjoyment than almost anything else in the world.
~Charles Dudley Warner
Reduce the complexity of life by eliminating the needless wants of life,
and the labors of life reduce themselves.
~Edwin Way Teale
You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only what you really need.
~Vernon Howard
In the woods. With a tent. And great friends. And yummy food.
The stars, the sky, the fire (oh... the fire!).
It was an absolute blast! Yep, an absolute blast...
and the epitome of simple living.
Sign. me. up.
To find the universal elements enough;
to find the air and the water exhilarating;
to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter...
to be thrilled by the stars at night;
to be elated over a bird's nest or a wildflower in spring -
these are some of the rewards of the simple life.
~John Burroughs
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Twelve.
Twelve.
Twelve.
Twelve.
My baby is twelve... today.... 10/10/10... and oh. my. goodness.
I don't know where the time has gone!
What I would give for a Pause button, or perhaps even a Rewind...
*why* must the years fly by so quickly??
Oh, how I'd love to know.
Thankfully, God gave me this heart... this already filled-to-overflowing
yet so-much-more-to-be-contained-in heart~
for Memories. Treasures. Eternity. And Him.
Thank you, Lord.
************
Happy Birthday, my favorite 12-year old baby boy~
You have brought more joy to my life than you will ever know...
and I love you with all of my heart!
Monday, October 4, 2010
1000 Gifts: October!
"It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High,
to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night...
for You make me glad by your deeds, O LORD;
I sing for joy at the works of your hands.
How great are your works, O LORD..."
Psalm 92: 1-2, 4-5
At the onset of another week,
I pause to catch my breath, to prepare, to recharge and regroup and remind
of all that matters... of all that counts.
And I focus on Him... on His love... and the gifts of His hand...
and continue my list once again~
0776
a new season... my favorite season!
0777
which means a new month on the calendar... and new beginnings
0778
possibilities
0779
"Thanks for doing this, Mom!"
0780
the generosity of a very great friend... who opened her home when rain shut down the park
(thanks again, Laura!)
0781
a whole afternoon to play & to celebrate... and an impromptu dinner to cap it all off
0782
wonderfully thoughtful birthday gifts... my family room now a Lego fortress
0783
youth group excitement, enthusiasm, and energy... and a youth pastor who truly cares
0784
Wednesday night small group Bible studies and my boy's desire to be there every. single. time.
0785
11-year old faith... 11-year old boldness... determined to share the love of Christ... praying with his pastor... reading a book given just for him
0786
explosions of thanks... this heart overflowing
0787
our World War 1 studies and the reminder that, even then, our God was in control
0788
learning alongside my boys
0789
a tasty treat found stashed in the cupboard...
0790
blue!
0791
a weekend to play... with an afternoon at the fair
0792
family
family
0793
and the fullness of His love
and the fullness of His love
Rejoice, give thanks, and sing!
and the list continues...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)