Summer Time!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah!!!!!!! I am so excited that summer is here - although the weather here seems much more spring-like. I'm not complaining though, because I know in a few short weeks, it will be plenty warm! We are finished with school except for math. We have about 2 more weeks of that. But, I feel as if the slower pace of summer has already begun. This afternoon, I got to drink coffee and read out on the deck. It was glorious! Will is still playing ball (for a couple more weeks) and we will be going to Louisiana this weekend for a Bible Conf. But, summer reading is right around the corner. I am still looking for a few good books to read! I like to several books going during the summer. I like something a little challenging -- maybe a good Bible study and then some light, fluffier reading. That way, when I tire of one, I can read something else. Let me know if anyone has any great suggestions!
Happy Summer!!!!!!!!!

I decided a month or so ago that I wanted to host a girls' Bible study for my girls and some of their friends. I wanted to make it a time where we can focus on some issues very pertinent to their lives and where they can encourage one another. Our first meeting was yesterday and we had a great time (well, I did anyway -- I hope they did). They are a very sweet group of girls and I hope that that they can grow closer together during this time. We made some very "girlie" snacks -- lots of chocolate -- brownies and chocolate covered strawberries. Yummy!

For our first few meetings, we are studying modesty. There is so much in our culture trying to influence young women and their choice of dress. There is also much said in the scripture about what we choose to wear. I hope to encourage them in this area!!

Here are the girls stamping their folders for their papers.

Baby Gift

These are some gifts that I made a couple of weeks ago for a baby shower for a couple in our church. They were so quick and easy and they turned out really well. For the blanket, I used a nursery rhyme flannel for one side and another type of textured flannel for the reverse. It was so soft and cuddly. I used the instructions that I found here.

For the burp cloth, I just cut out a size that looked right and used the flannel for both sides of it.

I really want to make a baby quilt next.

Homeschool Rally Day in Nashville

The Highschoolers at our homeschool co-op are studying Government this year. We decided that the Homeschool Rally Day at the capital in Nashville would be a great field trip. We decided to go up the night before and spend the night. We had a great time.

This is the group of kids that went.

These are the moms. I am very thankful for these ladies and the support we can give each other!

This was at the end of the program. The honors band and choir included homeschooled students from all over Tennessee. The soloist sang "God Bless America".

Our first representative to meet with was Senator Bo Watson. I really enjoyed this meeting. He was very friendly and great with the kids and the questions they asked.

Our next representative was Jim Cobb.

The kids in Sen. Andy Berke's office.

Some of the middle school girls outside of Sen. Bo Watson's office.

We were blessed to have a beautiful day. This is after all of the meetings before we headed home.

Hannah' Big Day

Hannah's Big Day of getting her braces off was yesterday. Of course, as her mom, I had to take pictures. I suggested that I go back and take pictures as they were actually taking them off, but she vetoed that suggestion :-).

Before:


















After:

I Samuel 8

This morning, as I was reading I Sam. 8, I was reading about when Israel decided they wanted to have a king. At first, in vs. 5, the elders of Israel tell Samuel that they want a king because Samuel's sons are not like he is -- that they wouldn't be Godly leaders. But, I thought it was interesting after Samuel talks to God and then tells Israel all of the reasons that they shouldn't want a king, the REAL reason that they want a king comes out.

I Samuel 8:20 -- "That we also may be like all the nations;...."

Wow! The reason they wanted a king was because everyone else wanted a king. Sounds like today. I struggle in wanting to be like everyone else. My kids struggle with wanting to be like everyone else. That struggle has been around since the beginning of time. And, that encourages me. To know that my struggles and my children's struggles are not anything new.

As I shared this with my children this morning, we talked about how God had a perfect plan for the nation of Israel, but they messed it up in wanting a king. Did God still take care of Israel? Sure he did, but it was never as good for them as it could have been if they had chosen to keep God as their king. We will have the "best" in our lives when we do things God's way and not our own.

Prov. 14:12 -- "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."

Ready for Spring

I am ready for spring!!! I am ready for the new life. I am ready to see green. I am ready to see flowers and trees blooming. I am ready to smell spring! Thank you Lord for seasons and for new beginnings. Thank you Lord for "Grace". Thank you for giving grace to me and for the opportunity to give grace to my children. Spring is in the air.