LIFE & LESSONS LEARNED

Dear Jack, When I was young—not sure how old—but as I remember around your age—my mother cross-stitched this picture of a big letter L (for Lorrie) and then customized the entire project to my personality at that point. I looked for it yesterday—but couldn’t find it. As I remember though in the picture I was wearing  jeans and a yellow shirt-- sitting on   a big rock--beside me was a swing which was my favorite pasttime--and on the ground near me was my precious baby doll. Love the fact that my hair looks like this huge blond birds nest! I mean seriously--if things haven't changed! I think there was a stack of books, and a pencil. I remember too, a blue bird and a bird box, and a sunshine. I was swinging at the park the other day with all three of you—and this picture crossed my mind. How much of my life has changed since those days when I was your age, and yet how little about me has changed since those days. I am not sure if my Mom was cross-stitchi...

I recently joined a 6-week Sunday night bible study titled 'Unglued' by Lisa Tyrkhurst. While I have just barely started--something really intrigued me the other night that stirred my heart to dive a little deeper into a Scripture passage from Joshua chapter 5:13-15 she mentions in her book. Basically--Joshua has a big task. To take down the enemy and the huge walls surrounding Jericho. He is a great commander, and has a good track record in battle. But this job is big and daunting as he looks onward pondering how he is going to win this battle, and take the city down. Joshua 5:13-16 The Fall of Jericho 13 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” 14 “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell face down to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What mess...

The past two weekends we have traveled across the state from South to North to East...  Two weekends ago we went to my cousin Ashley's wedding. A beautiful day--both inside and outside. Couldn't ask for a better guy for her--and so glad they found each other. They seem so happy.  My sisters and I were all in the wedding along with one other bridesmaid (not pictured)  Claire was not in the wedding--but she did think it was her wedding day. Since the day has passed she has talked and invited many people to her upcoming wedding on Thursday. Thanks Lily for letting us borrow your 'fancy dress'  The boys dressed in their very best--seriously--this is there very best! We have so few dress clothes it's unreal. I have long since given up on actually wasting money on clothes they hate wearing. So if it isn't handed down--including shoes..we don't have it and we aren't getting it.  The beautiful bride and her mother.  Sadly this is the only...

This post is mostly housekeeping for myself--and keeping track of all this in one place. But in case others want to know these types of things I thought I'd go ahead and make a post of our curriculum choices and other questions I've been asked about our homeschooling decision, and how it is hashed out on a daily basis. 1) What curriculum do you use? CALEB: Hearts of Dakota (comprehensive curriculum includes everything (bible, devotions, history, science, spelling, reading, art)--which I LOVE for most everything--but it also gives you freedom to choose some things for yourself and these are some of their options and some of the ones I over-rode. Things not listed--came with the curriculum as is. Link to curriculum:   link here . LANGUAGE ARTS -Language Lessons- link here PHONICS : Explode the Code 5 & 6 link here MATH : Math Singapore 2A&2B link here ART:- Deep Space Sparkle (HOD includes art--but I sometimes add things to match my Unit St...

Haven't done a book report for a while--but here is one I finished recently in preparation for a talk I did for the ladies at church called: DAM THAT ATTITUDE! Lord, Change My Attitude Before it's Too Late by James MacDonald was one of the best books I have read in a long time and certainly life changing if applied to everyday life and specifically our attitude. The main take-aways for me: ATTITUDE IS A CHOICE-- Life is 90% our attitude towards the circumstances that happen to us--and 10% the actual circumstance that happen to us Attitude reveals the true person--and whatever it is we dwell upon becomes the way we think--the way we think--forms our attitudes and after a while those become ingrained..very difficult to change Attitudes are primarily vertical--most sins are horizontal in nature--meaning they effect our relationships with others but attitude is mostly vertical meaning it greatly effects and is telling of our attitude toward God McDonald goes into 5 ...

One of my favorite things about fall..our family trips. Seems for the past few years we have done a trip with my Dad and sisters plus families. It's always a relaxing and COLD weekend. Here we are hiking on the top of Dolly Sods.  Back at the house Ben and Chad enjoying some pool  While Julie and the kids were swimming in the outdoor 'pool'  How bout these little guys--quite the hikers!  Claire with a sweet ride--not so much for Ben!  Love the blue skies..but don't let the sunglasses fool you--in this photo I am wearing 5 layers of clothes. Yes I said 5. Tank, long sleeve shirt, wool sweater, Northface fleece and vest. oh, and gloves too. Cool my friends..cool!   When I was a kid we came up here almost every year..but thinking back I haven't been back since Ben and I were dating 10 years ago!  Ahh..Kara and Chad  Four of the best guys around--  Also went horseback riding--Caleb loved it!  I can'...

It seems my fun prankster nature has given me a reputation--one I think has helped broaden the creativity of my dearest friends--hoping to get me! Last Friday night I was at a late night girls sleepover and I got a call from my sweetie. 12:45am--his words: We've been pranked! While Ben was in the living room watching a movie there was a team of them pulling off one of the better pranks I can recall. Very in depth--much planning..much creativity...and done with excellence as only Miss Ame can do.  Crystal...I see you in this picture!! Don't think you aren't on my list now!  This is the little possum I left on Ames porch this summer..and ultimately how we figured out who pulled off this Marshall Prank!  I am sure if you look through the front window you could see Ben's head! Seriously Ben--how did they hang that stuff on  the front door??!! This gives me little confidence in the protection my husband might provide in a real emergency! ...

Teaching Values to our kids is one of my very favorite things in the world! It is so fun to see them learn and apply it. And while it's tough to continue to be steadfast--the results are plentiful, and the fruit continues to grow for years to come! Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in do ing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.   Teaching character to kids is so very VALUABLE, and leaves a lasting impression on the world around them, and also the future generations. It seems VALUES AND CHARACTER aren't stressed as much in homes and schools anymore. So when we meet children who are actively applying and demonstrating such character they clearly shine brightly for the world to see. Like many great men and women of the Bible--it was their strong character that first attracted others to them--giving them respect and favor in the eyes of those watching--inevitably giving them an avenue to share the gospel.   Now--do...

Fall is my absolute favorite time of year--from the warm smells of apple cider and pumpkin flavors to the crunch of leaves and beauty of the trees! Carving pumpkins, thanksgiving feasts, comfort foods and hikes in the woods--there's barely a thing I don't look forward to. Even the start of a new school year is always sort of New Years for me-A TIME to re evaluate what works, and what doesn't in regard to school and life too. Making goals and plans and getting ready for cooler days and longer nights--all so exciting to me. With that said--August has been a busy month. Lots of planning--quite a few events to host and attend--a few last minute vacations--showers, reunions, family visits, funerals, weddings, parks and pools and by this afternoon after church I was exhausted. Not exactly how I want to start Septemer! Ben graciously entertained the kids while I took a 3 hour nap this afternoon-- a much needed mental and physical break for me. I promised Ben though I wouldn...