It Lives

As we pulled out the boxes of Christmas ornaments, Charlotte's eye fell on one in particular. She pulled it from it's box and sure enough, it still lives. Un-Be-Leivable.

If you want to know what I'm talking about, you'll have to bone up on your reading.

Where's The Tree?

Last year we had some Christmas tree woes. You can read about that here and here.

At the end of last year, Mike snipped off all the prelit lights and we threw them in the trash figuring we could salvage the tree and throw on some new lights. We happened to score 5 strands of those large ceramic bulb lights for $1.74 a box, and I figured we could use those. I think they look pretty cool, and since I was getting outvoted on the white lights, I could deal with those ceramic lights in color.

Fast forward to this year. I'm a few minutes into stringing those ceramic bulbs onto our tree and I'm beginning to worry about how hot they're getting. One quick look at the box crushed my plans since these lights can't be used on artificial trees. Who knew? OK, guess we'll put them on the tree outside. So on November 30th we went to the store to find those mini lights in color. We went to Menards, Walmart, and Target. None of them had the basic Christmas lights we were looking for. Seriously? On November 30th? We dragged our sad behinds home and then I remembered we had a couple strands of mini color lights that I'd used on the outside tree last year. So I started stringing those on, figuring we'd eventually find some Christmas lights for the rest of the tree and could finish the job of putting our tree up.

Sometimes I Can't Help Myself

Last week I took the kids to the park after lunch. This is a cool park with a playground, walking paths, a pond and bridges, so we always enjoy going there. It was a fairly brisk day with the wind, and I was hunkered down on the park bench trying to keep warm while watching the kids play some imaginary game that burned off some energy.

I happened to look up over to my left and saw this magnificent tree without it's leaves. The sky was a bit overcast, and the sun was trying to shine through. I tried returning my gaze to the kids having fun, but I had already formed the photo of the tree in my mind, so I had to pull the camera out of the bag (which was sitting next to me, of course). Miraculous though it be, I do occasionally take photos of a subject other than my children. :-). Not to worry, we went on a little hike after they got tired of playing, so I got photos of them, one of which may become our Christmas card photo. ;-D


Here's shot #1 straight out of the camera. Not bad, but not spectacular.


Here's the same photo after I enhanced it in Photoshop. Definitely has that sunset feel to it, no?



Never content to leave my camera settings alone, I opted to switch the white balance to fluorescent because I learned a few years ago (from playing around with it) that it cools the colors for a wintery feel. Here's the photo straight out of the camera. Again, not bad, but not spectacular:



And here's the same photo after it encountered Photoshop. It's gone from a daytime to nighttime photo (I really like this one the best too).



I'm glad that sometimes I can't stop myself from taking photos. Sometimes it's worth it to drag the camera around with me everywhere we go.

My Cat On Drugs

I don't know what it is about cat nip that drives cats crazy. My cats are nutso when I rub it on one of their toys. I couldn't find one the other night, so I just dumped some dried cat nip into a little plastic basket of the kids' and Milo was all over that. Mike and I were just cracking up as he tried so hard to get every last little crumb. The container's size would not deter him.

A Rare Occasion

It's a rare occasion that I catch a genuine smile from Eric when he's in front of the camera. I had rather hoped his fake-pained smile would pass quickly, but it's been hanging on for a couple years now. This week we've been getting some really nice autumn weather, the leaves are plentiful, so the kids were outside playing in a huge pile of them. There's no way I could resist a photo op like that, so I joined the kids to watch them in their fun and capture it for their scrap albums (if I ever get around to printing out photos from the past 18 mos.)

I tried the photo below in color and black and white. Both look good, but I'm a fan of black and white photos. For some reason it looks a little darker on my blog than it did while editing it, but that still doesn't hide the fabulous expression I caught on my 'lil man's face!

Radio Waves

How often have you listened to the radio and the perfect song comes on? I'm not talking about a song you love just 'cause it's got a good beat and you like to sing along. I'm thinking about a song that speaks to what you're living at that particular moment, one that gets to the heart of the matter.

Today while balancing the checkbook the kids were building forts for shelter animals (aka our poor beleaguered cat, Milo), and the radio is going. While balancing the checkbook, my mind was a bit troubled over something in my life that's not working, something that I want to change but am really afraid to make the change.

And then that perfect song came on and spoke to me, as if the words were coming straight from the Throne of Heaven.

I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's OK
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You would say

Word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You're in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness

Word of God speak

~ Word of God Speak by MercyMe

Isn't She Lovely?

I took a few photos of Charlotte on her birthday. They're a little dark and over-processed in Photoshop for my tastes. However, I'm a little prejudiced and think she still looks beautiful, in spite of my bad shooting day.

So what do you DO all day?

I tell Eric at least 84 times a day to focus on his work (I've said it so much, that this morning when Charlotte saw Eric not doing his math, she said, "Do your homework, Eric!" I nearly burst out laughing.)

We have all sorts of subjects we cover each day. My favorites would probably be math and social studies. Math gives me immediate feedback on whether the kids are learning anything, so that's why I like it. Social studies encompasses so much - history, people, places, etc. that you'd have to be trying really hard to make something like that boring. But I'd have to say that the kids' favorites are the art and science experiments we conduct. Here are a few we've done over the past month:

We covered a unit on magnetism, and this experiment called for placing a strong magnet under the paper and sprinkling finely cut up steel wool pads on the top. This allowed the kids to see the magnetic field of the magnet.


We also did a unit on Volcanoes, which both kids really enjoyed. After we completed the unit, they built clay volcanoes around a plastic water bottle. Eric is painting his with cotton balls.

Charlotte painted hers too!

With a little water, dish soap, baking soda and vinegar, we had us a nice lava flow. If you've got red food coloring, put that in there too! I wish I had a picture of when we were setting Eric's off the second time. I have no idea how I did it - must of been the ratio of liquids to baking soda - but once I poured in the vinegar the "lava" shot up about 2 feet into the air and landed on the table with a splat. Eric and I were stunned for a second, then burst out laughing. Eric summed it all up by exclaiming, "Now that's what I'm talkin' about!" Kids!


We also briefly studied architecture, focusing on cathedrals and why they were built so long ago. Our art project for this unit was making a stained glass window. I do have to say they look really pretty up on our slider door where they catch the light! Just a little glue, tissue paper, waxed paper, and black construction paper and you can have a stained glass window too!

Look Mom!

The kids and I were heading to the outlet mall for new winter shoes for them. On the way, Charlotte exclaimed, "Look Mom! It's a cloud maker!"





All I could do was laugh. The thought of a cloud maker just made me smile! I didn't have the heart to tell her it was pollution. So I didn't.

P.S. - I'm glad I happened to have my camera with in the car!

That Freaks Me Out

While on our trip up north, Mike had the luxury of spending some one-on-one time with each kid. He took Eric on a little hike into the woods near Lake Superior. Both of them loved their little adventure!

Charlotte had wanted no part of going out on the boat fishing with the boys, her Daddy and Uncle so she stayed on shore and played Barbies. However, Mike had promised her he'd take her out on the lake just the two of them. Finding time alone with each one of your children is such a challenge, so I'm glad Mike got an opportunity to do that over Labor Day weekend! Here are a few photos of Charlotte and her Daddy.

Charlotte gets into the boat and is looking a little unsure about this whole rowboat QT with Dad.

And they're off!

Every time the boat rocked a little bit, she'd say, "That freaks me out!" Ahhhh, nothing like some quality time with Daddy! :-)

What Did She Say?

While in the north woods we spent a day at the private lake on my inlaw's property. I happened to be on the pier getting photos of Mike and Charlotte out on the row boat when I found myself in the position of capturing a totally boy moment. See, Zachary had already been in the water (in his jeans) and was changed by Mom and told not to go back into the water in his jeans. As his Auntie, who would never dream of snitching on him, I had to take the photos for the story they told.

The water calls me......

See how it goes splish-splash??

Hmmm. Momma told me something, but I can't seem to remember.

Oh I remember now. Don't chew on my shirt.

Wet jeans were made for decorating.

But that's OK. I can just slip right back into the water and wash the sand sprinkles off!

Soil Experiment

This past week has seen our little school in full swing. I wasn't all too thrilled with our curriculum's decision to start things off learning about dirt and rocks (aka geology), but have been trying to make the best of it.

We imported soil from two states, so combined with our own, we had Arkansas, Wisconsin, and Illinois covered. Soil has many different layers - I'll spare you all the lesson - but to see those layers we dumped in about 1/2 cup of soil into a container (I recommend glass; plastic isn't as easy to see) then filled the container up half way with water. The kids enjoyed the shaking part immensely, then we let it all settle down into layers. They were running to look at it all day long to see the progress. It's a little difficult to see from the photo, but rocks are at the bottom, followed by sand, clay, water, and humus floating on the top.

And there you have it, a soil experiment!

My Crafty Self

Our local library is really awesome with all their children's programs, contests, free stuff, concerts, books, movies, and their "Adult Programs." For instance, they offer various crafts for kids and adults. I decided to sign up for one of them since it sounded simple enough - an autumn grapevine wreath - and the price couldn't be beat: Five bucks! So I went there this afternoon, and along with a bunch of other ladies and one 9 year old boy (who didn't do such a shabby job, I might add), put together a wreath in about an hour. I have to say that it turned out really nice, but that bow was a real pain!! Think hand cramps. While I'll be sad when the weather requires Mike to remove the front screen door and put in the storm door, on the plus side, I'll have something really pretty to hang up on the door!

Randomness

We drove up to the north woods again this Labor Day. It may become an annual trip for us. We all enjoy the time we spend there hanging out with family, the weather is still nice, and the autumn foliage is just starting to turn. This trip was made even more special by being able to meet our newest nephew, Mason, who is the cutest little peanut I've seen since my own kids were
"lil peanuts". :-) I could hold him all day long! I've picked a few random photos of the weekend to share (and maybe I'll be able to post a photo of me if it gets emailed to me by my mother-in-law....hint hint). Stay tuned next week for a funny recap of an episode that I was able to capture on camera.

Charlotte, Eric, Zachary, and Aaron on a frog hunt.

Mike & Charlotte at the lake (Lake Ethel?)

The Cousins
(purely coincidence that they lined up in height order!)

Mike takes a dip in the frigid Lake Superior waters. Brrrrr......

Zachary has these amazing eye lashes.....

My Mother-in-Law's walking mop. ;-) Actually, Zeke (or "Z") is a very sweet dog.

LIVE, From Green Bay, WI

Last weekend I went with the women in our small group and a couple others to Green Bay to see Beth Moore. This weekend was also a live simulcast at over 500 churches worldwide, and something like 90,000 mostly women were listening this weekend. But she was IN Green Bay, which is where we were!

What an incredible weekend! The worship music was amazing, and Beth Moore's message, per usual, was relevant and spoke to my heart. Here's a short slide show of the weekend in Green Bay (you'll have to silence my radio off to your right first.)

Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart.

~ Psalm 37:4

Living Proof Live - Simulcast - Green Bay WI from Rich Kalonick on Vimeo.

Back To......Homeschool

This day made possible by many family and friends' prayers and support, plus generous donations of books and even a printer!

Today was the day!! We launched Flood Academy (not sure what to call our little school. Suggestions?) Because it was not only the first day of school, but also the first day of homeschool, I made pancakes for breakfast. This made the children putty in my hands, an unexpected, yet wonderful, reward for my efforts. Actually, the day went really well. We're easing into things this week with math, reading, and phonics. Next week we'll add on everything else. Since it was so cold this morning (what is up with that on August 31?!), we did back-to-school photos after lunch.

Charlotte shows off her new backpack (yes, she'll need one for our Co-Op enrichment school)

Both kids and their backpacks (I need to have a chat with Eric about his, uh, "cool" face.)

The kids were not having anything to do with touching each other for a "together" photo...

....until I pleaded with them. Eric makes it look like a painful experience.

I think they've had enough of me and my camera.

Do ya feel lucky, punk?

Tuesday the kids and I went on a little bike ride to the local park. I decided to take a load off and sit in the shade of a tree off in the grass. No sooner had I sat down than my eye caught a glimpse of a four leaf clover. I've never found one in my entire life, though I definitely clocked some hours as a child looking for the elusive weed. Of course both kids wanted to have it, but I said "No" (Mom of the year candidate here. Mine Mine Mine. Do I have to share everything?)

I say, " Let the good luck roll...."

How High Do You Count?

An excerpt from "Count to Eight" by Max Lucado:

************************************

“We have here only five loaves and two fish.” (Matt. 14:17)

How do you suppose Jesus felt about the basket inventory? Any chance he might have wanted them to include the rest of the possibilities? Involve all the options? Do you think he was hoping someone might count to eight?

“Well, let’s see. We have five loaves, two fish…and Jesus!” Jesus Christ. The same Jesus who told us:

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (Luke 11:19 NIV)

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. (John 15:7 NIV)

What ever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:24 NIV)

Standing next to the disciples was the solution to their problems…but they didn’t go to him. They stopped their count at seven and worried.

What about you? Are you counting to seven, or to eight?

Indoctrinating Children

As Cubs baseball fans, we've tried to make sure that our children know for which team to cheer. In the winter, it's the Bears. In the summer, it can be none other than the Cubs! To that end, when given the chance, we dress our children in appropriate clothing. It's all part of the brainwashing......

4,100

That's how many pages I read from mid-May to early July to get through the Harry Potter 7-book series. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but must admit I was left a little unsatisfied with how it all ended. There's a part of me that hopes J.K. Rowling will decide, if she hasn't gotten sick of the characters, to write a couple books about how the characters got from the Great Hall in the final chapter to 19 years later in the Epilogue. You can bet, though, that I'll be dragging someone with me to go see Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince this month. Anyone else looking forward to this and the next two HP movies coming out?

High School Musical Jr.

Charlotte was signed up for summer camp through Christian Youth Theater last week. Each morning she went to practice dances, music, and lines for a little showcase of HSM. The kids on the "yellow team" were 5-6 year olds, and they were simply adorable! I had to smile as I watched Charlotte who seemed to be watching US more than she was paying attention to her dance partner. Here's a little series of shots I took during one of the routines:

Tax Dollars At Work

Doesn't it seem wrong to use our tax dollars to stamp out signs that inform us how our tax dollars are being used? This is the second time I've seen this sign around where I live. This particular sign is on the way to our church, and I have to admit, I've not seen any part of America being "put to work" on this stretch of road in the past several weeks. Who knows....maybe the trucks and crew fell into one of the crater-sized pot holes they came to repair.

The Big Decision

I think we've all heard the saying, "God laughs at our plans"?? Well He's having a good 'ole knee slapper right about now, I think. I used to say that I would home school if I had to; what I really meant was that I'd home school if we found ourselves living in the wilds of Alaska 400 miles away from the nearest public school. I really resisted the idea of home schooling for a long time, but God has been persistent in urging me to look into it. After months of researching, reading many books, praying, and talking with home schooling families, we've decided to home school our kids!

The past month or so I've hunted for home schooling curriculum and checked into a co-op, plus attended a 3-day home schooling conference. There are not only thousands of curriculum choices, but it can be fairly expensive depending on what you go with and how much work you're willing to do on your own. This is a slight concern since Mike's employment has been sporadic since his lay-off last October (another reason home schooling seems like a crazy thing to do. This decision is a huge step of faith!)

All that research led me to a particular curriculum that appeared to meet my criteria, while also taking into consideration my kids' learning styles and my teaching style. To remain true to myself , I had to be completely thorough in my researching, so I also joined a "Yahoo Group" of families who use this curriculum so that I could learn as much as possible from women who were already using it. I began to sense conviction, as well as peace, about this choice of curriculum, even after browsing many other worthy options that had made it onto my short list.

Last week the moderator posted on the curriculum Yahoo Group that there was a full starter set of this particular curriculum available as a gift for anyone in need.....as a matter of fact, she was reposting the notice since no one had come forward to state they had a need. I was practically dancing in my seat as I sent her an email indicating I'd be interested. She forwarded my request to the family that had, 4 years prior, received this set brand new as a gift during a difficult time in their lives, and they were "paying it forward". Pam's situation 4 years ago was so similar to where my family is at right now (her husband was in construction and laid off just like my husband, my Mom is battling cancer and Pam's sister Sheryl was battling cancer, etc.). It's almost eerily similar, but I don't believe in coincidences. When Mike and I stepped out in faith to choose home schooling despite our finances so up in the air, I believed God would provide......but never in my wildest imagination did I think He'd provide a very specific curriculum for us - chosen from hundreds of options - through a stranger's gift. We're not even being asked to pay for shipping.

It would be an understatement to say that God continues to amaze me in how good He is to us, how mindful He is of the little things that concern us, and how He never leads us somewhere without making sure we have what we need for the journey. And if this is how the journey is starting off, I'm sure that my imagination can't even conceive of what an incredible year it's going to be.

There's Nothing Like Mama

Last week we headed down to visit my Mom, who is recovering from her latest cancer treatment. Besides our family of 4, we also went with my brother and niece, so our van was full of people and luggage! We had a nice time visiting, and as always, the time flies by much too fast. Here are a few photos from our trip.

My niece, Lynae

Uncle Tom helps Eric build a spaceship with Legos.

Grandparents are easily impressed by their grandchildren. Charlotte reads a book to her Grandma.