Well, I'm back

We decided at the last minute to drive 'home' to the U.P. for Thanksgiving. My mom didn't have her computer as its getting fixed so I've been unable to get online. I will try to update with pictures and stories soon. We had a great time and got to see so many people in such a short amount of time! Happy belated Thanksgiving to you all!!!

Brrrr

Sitting in a cold basement again. Fun! Now Chatterbox and Junior Squirrel aren't feeling so well. They seem better right now than they did when they woke up. Here I'd made them dentist appointments today too and had to cancel them! We had a fun playdate with some new friends yesterday. I hate not being able to update on here more often! It's really a huge pain! At the same time I see some pros of it. When Zach was gone I would have been on the computer way more than I was and probably wouldn't have spent as much time with the kiddos. I'm all out of books to read so I'm hoping to make a trip to the library today. The last one I read took awhile for me to get through (I just couldn't get into it until the end).

Just another quickie

I am freezing down in this basement. I wish it were either partially finished or I wish my laptop worked. I tried to take the power cord back to Best Buy today and they wouldn't take it back or allow me to exchange it! I was livid!!! It's only the little connector part that plugs into the adapter and computer. So I've just emailed the company. If they can just send me the little part I need I'll be happy. I w/ill never shop at Best Buy again. I wish my blog were public just so people could see that the store is horrible. Like I knew I had to be a 'member' or whatever in order to exchange a product!

Booty Shaker was only sick for like a day. He had that fever and the next day he was pretty much ok. He's coughed and sneezed a bit but nothing. It is really weird, not sure what was going on. And so far the rest of us are healthy! I hope it stays that way as I rescheduled our playdate for tomorrow and with Thanksgiving being this week!

Zach made it home at last! His plane was an hour late but other than that he's here! It is a relief to have him home again! It really wasn't as bad as I'd anticipated without him. I honestly can't believe I made it! I managed to play a lot of games with the kiddos. Yesterday Chatterbox and I played numerous games of Clue. She loves that game!

Sweet Pea has been cooing for some time now but yesterday she really took off with it! It was the day she's ever 'talked' the most! In the morning she made a little sound like she was going to laugh! She's been giving me the biggest grins! I love it!!! She is so precious and growing way too quickly for my likings!

Zach really wanted to drive to the UP for Thanksgiving but I think its too far a drive for such a short time. Today our pastor's parents invited us to their home for Thanksgiving dinner. It was very sweet of them to do so and it will be nice to not have to spend another holiday alone! We really are blessed by our church family! And to have such godly counsel from our pastor!

Well, I don't want to freeze forever so I'm going to finish up on here and pray that the company w/ill send me my part for my laptop!!! And I hope to catch up on y'alls blogs soon!

We had a great field trip to the fire station. It is a new fire station, I guess (I wouldn't know since the whole town is so 'new' to me). It is beautiful and the firemen did an awesome job in describing so many aspects to the children. We were able to sit in an ambulance, walk through a fire truck and learn about each of these. We saw the Jaws of Life. We saw their kitchen (3 stainless steel refrigerators), their living area, library and sleeping area. For some reason Booty Shaker was nervous about it all, until the very end! I was finally able to get pictures with him! I had to walk through the fire truck in order for him to do so! I was the only adult to do it but it was fun (and I was carrying the baby on me, what a site it must have been)! We're going to make the fireman a wonderful thank you card!!!

Quick update. Took the kids to play at BK yesterday and next thing I know Booty Shaker is laying on the bench. He said he was tired. Weird. So, I didn't' get my shopping in (we're soooo low on groceries, have no idea what we're goign to eat today!). We came home and he laid around all night. Had a fever. Has an appetite though. I had him sleep with me so I could 'watch' him better. I got like zero sleep! He was tossing and turning, and then with the baby to feed. I am tired. Supposed to have a playdate today. Better cancel that one. I pray the rest of us don't get it. He's got a few red spots in his mouth (not raised or anything) so I'm keeping my eye on him. The thing is we were all sharing pop at BK. Great! So please pray for us! One of these days I'll be able to share some more pictures with you!

scattered brains

Today we're not doing 'school' and we're cleaning the basement. I don't know how it manages to get in such disarray but I've had it! So cleaning is our school today! I want to better organize some things and may as well drag out the bins of Christmas decorations while I'm at it. Last night I managed to buy a few Christmas items, but wasn't very successful. Oh, in my previous post by the end I wasn't even able to think clearly with the commotion going on around me! I meant to tell you I haven't even had time to use the bathroom it seems like! That's what I was more trying to refer to for 'me' time! It will be late in the day and I'll realize I meant to pee hours ago!!! Busy, busy! I must say that my desk area down here is looking so much better. I had papers strewn everywhere and never organized anything of that nature since we've moved here! It feels great to have that done! And its nice that we can all be down here in the same area working together! Ok, I'll try to get the rest of my pictures up. Oh, and our eye appointments went well. Junior Squirrel really wanted glasses and cried when he didn't need them! I guess he told the eye doctor that he purposely blinks real fast "like this" and showed him and said, "So that I can get glasses". Sorry, buddy but it didn't' work! I'm sure one day he'll need them but I'm so thankful he doesn't yet! Chatterbox needs a new prescription so we'll have to do that sometime. Sorry for more scattered thoughts....that's how my brains been working lately!

Real Quick

Our brand new $100 laptop cord BROKE which is why I haven't been blogging. Not quite so convenient to sit in the basement, especially when I'm alone with the kiddos (I don't want to be way in the basement when they're in bed at night in case I don't hear them if they call for me)! But I had things that needed to be done on here so thought I'd blog real quick. Hopefully Best Buy will give us a new cord (I don't think I have the receipt any longer). I am SO frustrated about it! I have more pictures to share from our field trip to the fire station yesterday. Sunday night our baby-sitter's family invited us over there. There were some people there fellowshipping from their church. It was nice to get out, though I'm quite embarrassed by how wild my children were! Tonight Shekinah's coming to baby-sit and I'm going to attempt to do some Christmas shopping. Hopefully it will be successful! I know there was more I wanted to say but I have children running wild and should go and round them up to do some school. They've been working on their own so far this morning but I think I better help out now. Plus one little boy just scared his baby sister. Did I mention that I can't wait for Zach to come home? I'm doing fine, its just this moment life is hectic (of course, the moment I try to blog...or talk on the phone or do anything for ME)!!! Life...

A Slide Show!

Friday night

Not much to talk about today. Last night before I put the kiddos to bed we played the board game Sorry. They sure had fun with that! It was hard to get into a 'school' gear as yesterday we took our 'field trip'. But we managed to do school, laundry and vacuum floors today- all before about 2 pm! I allowed the children to play video games for a bit while I tried to rest. I let Chatterbox come in bed with me last night (she wanted to one night while daddy was away). I slept fine with her in there but then Booty Shaker crawled in in the middle of the night and after that I slept terribly! I was so tired today! I went and got us a few movies for the weekend. Tonight we watched Kung Fu Panda. It was a pretty cute movie. Normally I don't watch movies with the kids (Zach's the movie buff) so I think they liked that I did that with them!

It is really windy out all of a sudden. We're supposed to get some flurries in the night. I only hope so for the kids' sake- they'd love to wake up with some snow on the ground! Hopefully I'll sleep ok...it seems like the wind just whips through the house and I don't always sleep well when its windy.

Today it really hit me that Zach's gone. I certainly am not bored or lonely with my little ones to keep my company but I miss adult interaction! It's hard when I don't know a whole lot of people here. Had I been in MS I'd be keeping myself busy with my friends! I think I also was dreading the weekend. With no schoolwork to do, yucky weather and all I was wondering how I'd keep myself sane and keep the kids happy! I'm sure it will all go fine but by the end of the day I feel like I should just start having an adult conversation with myself;)

I have a question for ya. Sweet Pea's always had a blocked tear duct. It's pretty much gotten better over the weeks but sometimes it gets worse. Well there have been a few nights now where her whole eye is real red (the eyelid and around the eye). It is so weird and I wonder what it could be and thought I'd throw it out there to see if any of you have had experience with that.

Oh and to answer your question, Heather, CB has nervous 'ticks'. It seems they've gotten better over the months though...but it seemed horrible through the summer. I even took her to the doctor. I wonder if it was just with the changes we went through with the move or something. Anyway, she still does it a bit but its not nearly as pronounced or often as what it was. So, that's what she meant in her letter...

Field Trip Time!

Today we took a 'field trip' and went to the Science Center. It was our first time going to this one and I wasn't sure what to expect. It was nice to get out and explore something different. I know the kiddos had a good time. It wasn't the best one we've been to but it was good...nothing can compare to the one in South Carolina! I think the one in Mobile is better also...nothing beats the shrimp boat! But we still had a ton of fun and here's the proof: (don't pay attention to the date, I set it quickly and hit the wrong year)Ok, so maybe it wasn't always fun...
For more pictures you can go here. Oh and of course little miss Sweet Pea was cuddled close to Mommy so there are no pictures of her...

I can't stop laughing

Chatterbox is writing a friend a letter. I'm reading it and come across this, "Well I fine but have the ticks. I can't stop them." Oh, I cannot stop laughing at this girl!

Many Children

I just had to share some things. I meant to tell about this yesterday but forgot until I was too busy doing the photos! I was flipping through the channels in the morning and Regis & Kelly was on. They were talking to a lady on the phone (to do the trivia) and I missed the very beginning of the conversation but apparently the woman has 6 children. She drives those children to 4 different schools and I thought Kelly was going to fall out of her chair. Her statement? "That must be a nightmare!" Then they said how this woman needs a vacation and Kelly said, "I don't know how your mind can function" or something to that affect. I know Kelly herself has a number of children (I think at least 3). It just really turned me off to see the negativity of having 'so many' children! I know it is the way of the world..."what burdens" many people think. How sad.

Last night I was asked if I'm bored with Zach being gone and then she stated, "I suppose you can't be with your kids." That's right and one bonus of having "so many" children! I don't' have time to be bored! I also don't have time to take a proper shower or eat sitting down! But that's ok. I know I often complain about my children and all but I am so blessed to have them. That the Lord has given me these gifts, the desire I've had since a little girl!

Also, the other day I was walking through the grocery store. The baby was in her car seat in the cart and the other 3 were either on the side or in the front or back of the cart. A few times they were following behind me and I felt like a mama duck! I know many people gave a second look but no negative comments that day!

The other day I was talking on the phone with my mom. I was referring to my children and said "4, no 3"! I couldn't even remember how many I had;) What would I do without my children? Who would I care for? Who would help and care for me? Who would I talk to when Zach is gone at work? Of course I'd probably be out in the 'real world' working and then come home exhausted! But I would seriously be bored without my children! Thank you Lord for blessing me!

Time is flying

I keep forgetting how old Sweet Pea is! It is flying. I guess she's 11 weeks this week. Here she is bundled up yesterday before we ran errands. I thought she looked so cute! She didn't think so I guess;)

This was tonight. All bright eyed! She is the first of all my baby's to stick to a pacifier! The oldest two were thumb suckers and I was the pacifier for Booty Shaker! I'm not sure how I feel about it...at least it soothes her! Right now she's laying here smiling up at the ceiling!

So far this week isn't going too bad. During the day it isn't any different than a normal day since I'm used to being home with them anyway. In the evenings they tend to get rowdy a bit, but its been fine. Last night they went to bed late because I went to a homeschool meeting (that group I wasn't going to join isn't so bad after all)! Tonight I had every intention to put them to bed earlier but it was around 8:30. I was in the basement printing up some school papers and Chatterbox finally got her brothers to sit down so she could read the Bible to them. She even led them in singing some praise songs! It was so sweet to sit and listen to her teach her brothers! Maybe I am doing something right!?!

Creativity

Last week in history we talked about Jerusalem's walls being rebuilt. Junior Squirrel made a wonderful replica but either he or one of his siblings tore it apart. So, he redid this Jerusalem. I know he can do better and I'm going to encourage him to try it again!

Then Chatterbox got in on the action and did an awesome job! So much detail! Flat roofs on the houses. The people on the right are in the temple. To the left is the 'Most Holy Place'. Then there's the wall (and a black ladder). I love how they use their imaginations with Lego's! They do such a wonderful job. Zach often teases how I can't build with Lego's. I can try but my stuff would never turn out as well as all of theirs! They get the creative genes from dad's side of the family!

First snowfall

Notice in the previous post the beautiful weather at the park, and then notice in these ones 6 days later the weather!

Here are my girls all ready for church

Do you see that little smile??? LOVE it!

They all love to hold the baby!

And I actually managed to get them all in a picture at the same time! Do you see that bit of white stuff on the ground? I think the kids were hoping it'd stay. I have to admit it was exciting to see the snow fall but I'm so glad it didn't stick!

Chatterbox trying to taste the snow! Silly girlSee the snow falling... I love when they sleep like this. She hasn't been doing this too much lately. It's either on me or in the swing! But she is awake a bit more also

Are you ready for some pictures?

When Zach had his dining in last week I took the kiddos to a different park in town. I like to try new ones and see which one is our favorite. It was probably our last time to play at the park for the year! We sure had fun though!

Just hangin' around:)

I couldn't snap a whole lot of pictures of Chatterbox. She was very active!

Another one of my monkeys. Good thing I love monkeys so much! :)
The good 'ole self portrait!

I love seeing those smiles!

Once Sweet Pea was given some milk even she seemed to enjoy the fresh air!

I love this picture- it looks like she's waving!

I have a lot of pictures to share with you! I realize I haven't shared any yet this month! What a rarity for me! I'll post them in installments I think, and in order of occurrence. So, this was the first one!

Junior Squirrel's pictures

JS has been asking me to put some of his photos on the computer so I thought I'd share some with you. He obviously likes to take pictures of his sisters! And it certainly looks like they have fun with dirty laundry! Here I thought they were working diligently on sorting!

From a friend on facebook...think about this...

A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said:"Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even 1 yr. old and I'm pregnant again. I don't want kids so close together."So the doctor said: 'OK, and what do you want me to do?'She said: 'I want you to end my pregnancy, and I'm counting on your help with this."The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence he said to the lady: "I think I have a better solution for your problem. It's less dangerous for you too."She smiled, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request.Then he continued: 'You see, in order for you not to have to take care of 2 babies at the same time, let's kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we're going to kill one of them, it doesn't matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms."The lady was horrified and said: 'No doctor! How terrible! It's a crime to kill a child!"'I agree,' the doctor replied. "But you seemed to be ok with it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution."The doctor smiled, realizing that he had made his point. He convinced the mom that there is no difference in killing a child that's already been born and one that's still in the womb.The crime is the same!If you agree, please forward.Together we can help save precious lives!

Well, here I go

Being a 'single mom' for about two weeks! Should be interesting! Already today I've had to deal with some behavior issues. I think mainly because one little boy didn't get enough sleep... I didn't make it to church today because I had to take Zach to the airport, so instead I came home and cleaned. The house was all clean, but now toys are once again strewn all over. Oh well. At least the floors are no longer sticky and the toilets are shiny! Normally I don't clean on Sundays but I just wanted to get it over with so then the kiddos and I can do whatever we please the other days. I'm still going to try to make it to the Twin Cities to see Jodie & Bethany (friends I grew up in church with), as long as the weather holds out for me! Speaking of, I need to call Jodie about that... Oh and our first snowfall didn't stick to the ground...but its been pretty chilly.

Yesterday we had a wonderful day! The baby was smiling and 'talking' away right away in the morning and the kiddos climbed into our bed for a bit to watch. Then they realized it was Saturday and ran downstairs to watch some cartoons! I managed to drag out ALL our winter items (boots, hats, gloves, coats), organize them and clean out the fridge. Then the I played Scrabble Junior with the kiddos. Chatterbox asks like every day to play Clue with Zach & I so we played two games of that. It was such a relaxing day, staying in from the cold and spending time together.

I think tonight I'll order pizza for dinner and play some games with the kids. I also need to go through CB's room. That girl used to be so neat...I'm not sure what happened but her room is always a mess. Maybe the size? Anyhow we've got to get rid of some of the junk in there or put stuff in the basement. I'm tired of always seeing it a mess! Hopefully we can get to that today.

Like Father Like Son

As the saying goes...and I told him I'd blog about this so here goes....

Zach recently used three of my paperbackswap credits to get some books on reading body language. Talking to his dad tonight he found out his dad read some of the same books! How goofy is that...its not like that's really a popular subject or something (at least not in my mind, maybe it is for men?). Maybe it runs in the family???

Our long week is over

I shouldn't say that, next week will probably be even longer with Zach gone! It has been a LONG week and I'm so glad school is over for the week. Although now I'm listening to Junior Squirrel bug me about holding Sweet Pea while Chatterbox and Booty Shaker destroy the boy's room. Such fun! Oh, and outside it is windy and snowflakes are falling, though they have yet to stick to the ground. Around 10 this morning we'd just started singing some praise songs and I noticed snow falling! I jumped up and ran to the back door, exclaiming to the kids, "It's SNOWING guys!" They came running and didn't quite understand how it could be snowing if it wasn't on the ground. And CB thought they should look like huge gigantic flakes;) The naiveness of a child growing up in the south;)

I must say I got quite a bit of comments on my last post;) I just decided to let well enough be...I'd stated my thoughts. I had told Zach about it and he kinda disgustedly asked why I always stir up trouble on my blog! That is not my intent at all...as you can see I have readers and friends with all different thoughts and views! And I will leave it at that! I hope I didn't lose any of you as readers;)

We didn't do a whole lot of 'fun' projects this week. Time just never seemed to allow it to happen that way. I don't know why this week seemed so long...some days we were still doing school at 4 pm! I keep telling myself I'll get up earlier and begin our day earlier but I never do and we normally don't begin until around 10.

I bought and finished in no time at all the book by Todd Wilson called Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe. It was very, very good and insightful. At our last homeschool meeting last month we had talked about one of the truths. It really hit me then as it did when I read the book.

"Your children will become exactly what God has created them to be, NOT because of your efforts, but IN SPITE of your efforts...They become what they become because that's what God created them to be...You are not responsible to make your child something they are not."

Remember I'd said about CB's trouble with writing? Well, this really hit me:

"Mom, you're fighting a losing battle. Sometimes the reason your children don't 'get it' is because they weren't created to get it...easily."

Whoa, what a slap in the face! I mean why can't I give her more ideas? I guess because I feel like I'll be telling her what to write, but maybe if I give hr ideas eventually she'll get it on her own!?! Or with JS. Last year he LOVED math. This year he groans about it and it takes him

f-o-r-e-v-e-r! Well just this morning it hit me...why can't I sit next to him while he does it and do it with him, rather than expecting him to just do it alone? I guess because I like when they can work independently a bit too...after all I am teaching them all and feel like I can't hold everybody's hand all the time!

This is a great book, even for those who don't homeschool. So many people think "I could NEVER do that" and give said number of reasons. Well, if you ever feel that way you should read the book! It is nice to know I'm not alone in my thoughts and struggles as a homeschool mom.

WOW

That's all I can say. I'll admit that I shed tears last night. For the sheer fact that people could vote for such ungodliness in this country. I keep repeating, "Lord, have mercy on us". At the same time I pray for his judgment and I pray for the rapture. Read Penny's 21 questions. Very good and I've thought of some of them a lot recently. Michigan voted in favor of Medical Marijuana and in favor of Embryonic Stem Cell Research. Such a sad state of affairs we're in, wouldn't you say?

This is what the Lord showed me Monday night: (I know its long but well worth the time).

Ezekiel 21:7 And when they ask you, 'Why are you groaning?' you shall say, 'Because of the news that is coming. Every heart will melt and every hand go limp; every spirit will become faint and every knee become as weak as water.' It is coming! It will surely take place, declares the Sovereign LORD."

Ezekiel 24:9, 13, 14 " 'Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: " 'Woe to the city of bloodshed! " 'Now your impurity is lewdness. Because I tried to cleanse you but you would not be cleansed from your impurity, you will not be clean again until my wrath against you has subsided. " 'I the LORD have spoken. The time has come for me to act. I will not hold back; I will not have pity, nor will I relent. You will be judged according to your conduct and your actions, declares the Sovereign LORD.' "

Ezekiel 7
The End Has Come

1 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 "Son of man, this is what the Sovereign LORD says to the land of Israel: The end! The end has come upon the four corners of the land. 3 The end is now upon you and I will unleash my anger against you. I will judge you according to your conduct and repay you for all your detestable practices. 4 I will not look on you with pity or spare you; I will surely repay you for your conduct and the detestable practices among you. Then you will know that I am the LORD.
5 "This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Disaster! An unheard-of [a] disaster is coming. 6 The end has come! The end has come! It has roused itself against you. It has come! 7 Doom has come upon you—you who dwell in the land. The time has come, the day is near; there is panic, not joy, upon the mountains. 8 I am about to pour out my wrath on you and spend my anger against you; I will judge you according to your conduct and repay you for all your detestable practices. 9 I will not look on you with pity or spare you; I will repay you in accordance with your conduct and the detestable practices among you. Then you will know that it is I the LORD who strikes the blow.
10 "The day is here! It has come! Doom has burst forth, the rod has budded, arrogance has blossomed! 11 Violence has grown into [b] a rod to punish wickedness; none of the people will be left, none of that crowd—no wealth, nothing of value. 12 The time has come, the day has arrived. Let not the buyer rejoice nor the seller grieve, for wrath is upon the whole crowd. 13 The seller will not recover the land he has sold as long as both of them live, for the vision concerning the whole crowd will not be reversed. Because of their sins, not one of them will preserve his life. 14 Though they blow the trumpet and get everything ready, no one will go into battle, for my wrath is upon the whole crowd.
15 "Outside is the sword, inside are plague and famine; those in the country will die by the sword, and those in the city will be devoured by famine and plague. 16 All who survive and escape will be in the mountains, moaning like doves of the valleys, each because of his sins. 17 Every hand will go limp, and every knee will become as weak as water. 18 They will put on sackcloth and be clothed with terror. Their faces will be covered with shame and their heads will be shaved. 19 They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will be an unclean thing. Their silver and gold will not be able to save them in the day of the LORD's wrath. They will not satisfy their hunger or fill their stomachs with it, for it has made them stumble into sin. 20 They were proud of their beautiful jewelry and used it to make their detestable idols and vile images. Therefore I will turn these into an unclean thing for them. 21 I will hand it all over as plunder to foreigners and as loot to the wicked of the earth, and they will defile it. 22 I will turn my face away from them, and they will desecrate my treasured place; robbers will enter it and desecrate it.
23 "Prepare chains, because the land is full of bloodshed and the city is full of violence. 24 I will bring the most wicked of the nations to take possession of their houses; I will put an end to the pride of the mighty, and their sanctuaries will be desecrated. 25 When terror comes, they will seek peace, but there will be none. 26 Calamity upon calamity will come, and rumor upon rumor. They will try to get a vision from the prophet; the teaching of the law by the priest will be lost, as will the counsel of the elders. 27 The king will mourn, the prince will be clothed with despair, and the hands of the people of the land will tremble. I will deal with them according to their conduct, and by their own standards I will judge them. Then they will know that I am the LORD."

Daniel 9: 4-19

Daniel's Prayer

4 I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: "O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands, 5 we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. 6 We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.
7 "Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—the men of Judah and people of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you. 8 O LORD, we and our kings, our princes and our fathers are covered with shame because we have sinned against you. 9 The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; 10 we have not obeyed the LORD our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets. 11 All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you. "Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you. 12 You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing upon us great disaster. Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem. 13 Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us, yet we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth. 14 The LORD did not hesitate to bring the disaster upon us, for the LORD our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him.
15 "Now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong. 16 O Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our fathers have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us.
17 "Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. 18 Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. 19 O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name."

Joel 2: 12-18, 21

Rend Your Heart 12 "Even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning."
13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.
14 Who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing— grain offerings and drink offerings for the LORD your God.
15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly.
16 Gather the people, consecrate the assembly; bring together the elders, gather the children, those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride her chamber.
17 Let the priests, who minister before the LORD, weep between the temple porch and the altar. Let them say, "Spare your people, O LORD. Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, 'Where is their God?' "
The LORD's Answer 18 Then the LORD will be jealous for his land and take pity on his people.

21 Be not afraid, O land; be glad and rejoice. Surely the LORD has done great things.

funnies during Bible time

While praying this morning I said how in a few years who knows if we'll have the freedom to home educate our children. Chatterbox didn't like that and about began to cry about the fact that some day she may have to go to public school! After prayers she said, "If I go to public school my whole life will really change". It was so funny! But true. She just told me that when I told her Obama was our new president that she was about to faint. Kids!

Booty Shaker prayed for 'Rock' Obama saying that Jesus likes him but that he doesn't! Oh boy! I've repeatedly told the kids how we need to pray for Obama, that God can change this man.

A few days ago while looking for a song to sing Junior Squirrel was trying to read the title of a song. It was called 'More Love, More Power' but he read it as 'Make Love, More Power'. Boy did I crack up!!!

groups

Remember when I went to that homeschool meeting and was so upset because I didn't meet a single person? Well, I decided to join that group! The first I've joined doesn't seem to have much in the way of field trips and all...I've only gone to two meetings they've had and that's it! There's really no other way for me to meet people, I feel, unless I join this other group that has a lot more going on. Man, we could do PE like 3 times a week if we want. There's gymnastics for homeschoolers once a month (we may try it this month). There's field trips. I feel like we really need some friends and fellowship and things to do (I'll probably change my mind when the weather cools down again like its supposed to in a few days). I can't wait to see how it goes. I signed us up last night for a field trip to the fire department. I may take us to see The Nutcracker in a few weeks. I'm going to try to arrange for a baby-sitter and check out the meeting Monday night (at a lady's house I know so I won't feel too weird). I'm ready to get more plugged in! That's been the most difficult thing about our move so far...normally its finding a church but the Lord blessed us with that right away!

cloudy to sunshine

Ok, so the day did get better...it always does! Sometimes it just seems never ending in the middle of it all! I forgot to post the link to the book I'm reading...duh! That's how crazy the moment was I guess! And I must say that right now I have such a peace about the outcome of the election, no matter what happens. The Lord led me to many verses last night (not all peaceful ones...) but it is always nice when He shows us His hand and gives us His peace. And like the rest of you I will be glad when this is all behind us. I'm sick of blogging about it and I'm not sure why I keep doing it;) Sorry...I really am not that political...

yellow bus, yellow bus...

Please come quick to save me from insanity!!! Yesterday and today I've dealt with an extremely fussy baby. It's like she constantly wants to nurse but then majorly spits up. I feel like I should get her on more of a feeding schedule but its rather difficult. I can't let her cry and cry and cry like she's been, so when nothing else soothes to the breast she goes. And that's what she wanted! Add on top of that that Chatterbox is on another writing chapter in English and I just want to send her away to the building down the street with all the desks in a row! I don't know what it is but this child can NOT think for herself when it comes to writing!!! It's a simple letter she has to write and she just can't get it! And rather than doing just the 'normal' number of drafts I make her write way more because she just doesn't get it! Should I have to tell her everything??? When will she learn to think for herself? What do I do? You should have seen the tornado in my living room before lunch...I swear Booty Shaker took down like every toy he owns and scattered it all over! I think Junior Squirrel is the only one I am 'enjoying' today. I hate feeling that way...like I can't even enjoy my children. I know its the devil telling me lies (I'm reading this book) but its so hard to not believe them. Sometimes it feels like we'll never get over the hurdles, humps and bumps! Then I wonder how I'll manage for the two weeks that Zach's gone! Lord, help me because I will need it!!! Well, the baby is fussing again and CB needs her third attempt at a letter checked so I need to run...

what will tomorrow bring?

I think that is the question on a lot of our minds. I know Chatterbox can't stop talking about tomorrow and saying, "Go John McCain and Sarah"! You sure can tell from a child who their parents are rooting for, huh? Tonight Zach filled up the gas tanks. It was only $1.89 a gallon!!! I wonder what it will be tomorrow or Wednesday? Do you think it will drastically change? I can't help but wonder if there will be some sort of riots or something after the outcome (I don't know why I keep thinking that though). I can't help but cry out to God whenever I think of the outcome- for His will, for His peace upon us all no matter what (because if one side wins we know the other side will be upset). And I keep thinking about the Left Behind books. Though they're fiction they really have been coming to mind. Have you ever gone to this site? It's a good one...and I found this there:

Couldn't help but laughing at that one!

And this article is a MUST READ!!!