Swagbucks

I've mentioned swagbucks before here, and I still love it! It is really so easy to use. It's a web browser like google. You search like normal and you get bucks for it. You then take those bucks and cash them in for prizes. You can use them for a lot of different "prizes" I think so far I've used them for amazon gift cards. I just cashed in 180 bucks which is worth $20 at amazon. (4 $5 g.c.) I'm saving for an IPOD touch!!!!!!! Hopefully I don't have to wait much longer! Be sure to check them out! (I have their new swidget in my side bar)

In His word Wednesday

Go visit Megan to share your scripture, prayer request, or encouragement.

Psalm 18 1-3
1 I love you, O LORD, my strength.
2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn [a] of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise,
and I am saved from my enemies.

Scripture Time

Psalm 11

1 In the LORD I take refuge.
How then can you say to me:
"Flee like a bird to your mountain.

7 For the LORD is righteous,
he loves justice;
upright men will see his face.

Party Time

Yesterday was my fil's birthday. So the family came over to celebrate. I'm so blessed to have great in-laws. I love them all and I'm glad that we can have the relationship we do! It was a nice evening! After dinner we went to get ice cream. On the way to the ice cream place my nephew Isaac puked in my in-laws car! He was spinning on the swing and it proved to be too much!!! Then Gabriela and Zeke collided and it knocked Bries tooth out! (I think it was loose, she claims it wasn't loose.) Lots of blood and crying!!! When we celebrate we really celebrate!! Happy Birthday John!

Scripture Time

Psalm 10

4 In his pride the wicked does not seek him;
in all his thoughts there is no room for God.

5 His ways are always prosperous;
he is haughty and your laws are far from him;
he sneers at all his enemies.

6 He says to himself, "Nothing will shake me;
I'll always be happy and never have trouble."

7 His mouth is full of curses and lies and threats;
trouble and evil are under his tongue.

11 He says to himself, "God has forgotten;
he covers his face and never sees."

14 But you, O God, do see trouble and grief;
you consider it to take it in hand.
The victim commits himself to you;
you are the helper of the fatherless.

16 The LORD is King for ever and ever;
the nations will perish from his land.


I really liked these verses. I love the truth of them. You may be oppressed but God knows all about it. He knows if evil is waiting to harm you and his kingdom will prevail forever!

Choo Choo!

We had our extended family Christmas this weekend, and had lots of fun! (I will share a few pictures of it later.) I had to post on the train right now! My Uncle George drives this around for the kids to enjoy! I think the moms enjoy it almost as much as the kids!! (great babysitter!)





Titus wasn't sure about it at first, but he became a fan very fast! This morning the kids were still in bed and I needed to get a diaper for Reuben (who of course had already been awake for an hour at least!) so I quietly went in to the boy's room, guess what I heard?????? Titus was laying there eyes closed saying train, ride the train! I thought it was pretty funny! I hope he can wait a whole year for his next ride!

Thanks Uncle George! We really appreciated all the rides!

Menu

Monday~Three cheese enchiladas, peas, peaches
Tuesday~Grilled chicken, herbed rice, blueberry muffins
Wednesday~Cheesy potatoes and ham, green beans
Thursday~Tater tot casserole,applesauce
Friday~Out
Saturday~French bread Pizza, applesauce,salad
Sunday~Roast, potatoes, carrots,dinner rolls

New Recipe

I made this recipe and added 1 mashed up banana. It was excellent. I'm not normally a fan of pancakes, but these were great. I doubled the recipe, and instead of a food processor I used a blender!

Scripture Time

Psalm 9

1 I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonders.
2 I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
3 My enemies turn back;
they stumble and perish before you.
4 For you have upheld my right and my cause;
you have sat on your throne, judging righteously.
5 You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked;
you have blotted out their name for ever and ever.
6 Endless ruin has overtaken the enemy,
you have uprooted their cities;
even the memory of them has perished.
7 The LORD reigns forever;
he has established his throne for judgment.
8 He will judge the world in righteousness;
he will govern the peoples with justice.
9 The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
10 Those who know your name will trust in you,
for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.
11 Sing praises to the LORD, enthroned in Zion;
proclaim among the nations what he has done.
12 For he who avenges blood remembers;
he does not ignore the cry of the afflicted.
13 O LORD, see how my enemies persecute me!
Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death,
14 that I may declare your praises
in the gates of the Daughter of Zion
and there rejoice in your salvation.
15 The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug;
their feet are caught in the net they have hidden.
16 The LORD is known by his justice;
the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands. Higgaion. Selah
17 The wicked return to the grave,
all the nations that forget God.
18 But the needy will not always be forgotten,
nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish.
19 Arise, O LORD, let not man triumph;
let the nations be judged in your presence.
20 Strike them with terror, O LORD;
let the nations know they are but men. Selah

Menu

Monday~Spaghetti, Salad, garlic bread
Tuesday~Pancakes,smokies,eggs
Wednesday~Taco Salad, Peaches
Thursday~Fettuccine Alfredo, broccoli, applesauce
Friday~Camping
Saturday~Camping
Sunday~ Camping

Scripture Time

Psalm 8

1 O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
above the heavens.
2 From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
4 what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?
5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet:
7 all flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the field,
8 the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.
9 O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Menu

Monday~Fettuccine Alfredo, green beans, garlic bread

Tuesday~Chili, cornbread, applesauce

Wednesday~Sweet-n-Sour meatballs, herbed rice, peas

Thursday~Barbecue chicken, potatoes, salad

Friday~Out

Saturday~Simple beef gravy supper, broccoli, peaches

Sunday~Tuna noodle casserole, peas, salad

Scripture Time

Psalm 7
1 O LORD my God, I take refuge in you;
save and deliver me from all who pursue me,
2 or they will tear me like a lion
and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.
3 O LORD my God, if I have done this
and there is guilt on my hands-
4 if I have done evil to him who is at peace with me
or without cause have robbed my foe-
5 then let my enemy pursue and overtake me;
let him trample my life to the ground
and make me sleep in the dust.
Selah
6 Arise, O LORD, in your anger;
rise up against the rage of my enemies.
Awake, my God; decree justice.
7 Let the assembled peoples gather around you.
Rule over them from on high;
8 let the LORD judge the peoples.
Judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness,
according to my integrity, O Most High.
9 O righteous God,
who searches minds and hearts,
bring to an end the violence of the wicked
and make the righteous secure.
10 My shield is God Most High,
who saves the upright in heart.
11 God is a righteous judge,
a God who expresses his wrath every day.
12 If he does not relent,
he will sharpen his sword;
he will bend and string his bow.
13 He has prepared his deadly weapons;
he makes ready his flaming arrows.
14 He who is pregnant with evil
and conceives trouble gives birth to disillusionment.
15 He who digs a hole and scoops it out
falls into the pit he has made.
16 The trouble he causes recoils on himself;
his violence comes down on his own head.
17 I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness
and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.

2 years ago.....

I took this picture!

Here they are now!

Here is the addition of Reuben!

More Giveaways

Be sure to go visit Megan and check out her giveaways!

Check out these giveaways!

Danielle is having some great giveaways going on, be sure to go and check them out!

In His word Wednesday

Isaiah 55:8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,"declares the LORD.

I have 2 prayer request today. My uncle Jerry is very sick and not doing well. Also my bil Aaron's mom Lenore is very sick and not doing well. They both need an immense amount of prayer. I know that God is in control of both situations and knows the outcome. I'm praying that both are restored to health, but more importantly that Gods will is done. Please join me in prayer for both families.

Go visit Megan to share a prayer request, scripture or encouragement.

Scripture Time

Psalm 6

1O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger
or discipline me in your wrath.
2 Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am faint;
O LORD, heal me, for my bones are in agony.
3 My soul is in anguish.
How long, O LORD, how long?
4 Turn, O LORD, and deliver me;
save me because of your unfailing love.
5 No one remembers you when he is dead.
Who praises you from the grave ?
6 I am worn out from groaning;
all night long I flood my bed with weeping
and drench my couch with tears.
7 My eyes grow weak with sorrow;
they fail because of all my foes.
8 Away from me, all you who do evil,
for the LORD has heard my weeping.
9 The LORD has heard my cry for mercy;
the LORD accepts my prayer.
10 All my enemies will be ashamed and dismayed;
they will turn back in sudden disgrace.

The last of my curriculum

I have social studies and health both from Rod and Staff. I love this health, it talks about manners too! I can't wait to use both of these. I think Brie will enjoy them! We will also be having a P.E. class 3-4 times a week! I'm still working on perfecting this!

I believe that's everything, if I missed something let me know! I don't want my kids to miss out on something!

Menu

M~Tacos, peaches
T~Mac-n-cheese, beans-n-weenies,applesauce
W~Grilled chicken, baked potato, green beans
Th~Sweet-n sour meatballs, herbed rice, peas
F~ B-day party!
Sa~Fettuccine Alfredo, broccoli, garlic bread
Su~Hamburger rice casserole, dinner rolls

Grammar/Handwriting

I'm using a primer that is from classical writing. You can go here to check it out. It looks like a great curriculum. They do some handwriting and some grammar. I'm looking forward to trying it.

Drive-In

I was trying to decide what to have for dinner last night when I decided on burgers and fries. Then I thought about something I had read a while ago on Monica's blog. I started working on it and here is what we ended up with! My kids thought this was awesome by the way!

Yes, we ate in the van! Mark, Reuben and I sat in the back. Brie,Zeke, and TJ in the middle! We pushed the front seats all the way up and sat the laptop up on a little chair!

I wrapped our food up in wax paper to try to complete the feeling! I even made little bags for the fries!

When we were all done we took everything back inside and all cuddled up on our bed and finished the movie. I gave everybody some M&M's in a cup to make it more like a movie theatre!

My kids asked if we could do this every night! They really enjoyed it! I think we will do this again sometime! I'd recommend trying it! If you don't have a garage you may get some funny looks, but it'd be worth it!!!!

Loving my Husband Friday

Go visit Shannon to share what you love about your husband!

I love that my husband thinks before he speaks. If we are fighting he even prays before he speaks. I won't lie sometimes it angers me (I know hard to believe!) because I want him to just speak and tell me what he's thinking, but I know that in the long run it's much better to stop and think before you speak. This is something I can improve on big time!

Bible

We use the Bible Study Guide. We really like it. It is so easy to use, and they really teach the bible well. (I think!) Both kids get really excited to do it, which is great!

Things I Love Thursday

Link up to 8 muddy boots to share what you love!

I love that we had some warm weather and the kids were able to play in the slip-n-slide. They were so excited! As you can see they didn't fully get the concept, but they still had a blast and cooled off a bit!

Scripture Time

Psalm 5

1 Give ear to my words, O LORD,
consider my sighing.
2 Listen to my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.
3 In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait in expectation.
4 You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil;
with you the wicked cannot dwell.
5 The arrogant cannot stand in your presence;
you hate all who do wrong.
6 You destroy those who tell lies;
bloodthirsty and deceitful men
the LORD abhors.
7 But I, by your great mercy,
will come into your house;
in reverence will I bow down
toward your holy temple.
8 Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness
because of my enemies—
make straight your way before me.
9 Not a word from their mouth can be trusted;
their heart is filled with destruction.
Their throat is an open grave;
with their tongue they speak deceit.
10 Declare them guilty, O God!
Let their intrigues be their downfall.
Banish them for their many sins,
for they have rebelled against you.
11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
12 For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

Spelling

In the past I've used Spell to Write and Read. I really like that they teach the phonograms first. I'm going to still use those and teach them to Zeke and I'm going to keep going over them with Gabriela. I can tell a big difference when brie is familiar with them and when she hasn't looked at them in a long time.

I am trying a new curriculum for Brie this year: Rod and Staffs spelling by sound and structure. I like the looks of it. I told Mark if we don't like it I can easily go back to SWR next year. So we're going to see what we think.

At what age do you give spelling words? Zeke is going to be in Kindergarten and I was just going to work on the phonograms and his handwriting. Should he get spelling words too or is he to young? Tell me what you do or what you think!

Reuben

I thought I'd share a few photos of Reuben. He is getting bigger all the time. He smiles when you talk to him and is still very easy going.

In His word Wednesday

Share what the Lord has been showing you. Go here to join us.

"23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."Colossians 3:23-24

As we prepare to start school next week I want to keep these verses close. I think this needs to be our mission statement. We need to strive toward it everyday. I'm praying that our school year is a good one and that we can bring honor to God, and serve him in all we do.

Math

School was never a strong point for me. I don't think that I'm stupid,I think it was the way it was taught to me. I didn't understand so much, so I try to make sure that the curriculum we use explains things really well and makes it easy. That is why we use RightStart. Brie doesn't like math, but I'm hoping this gives her the base to at least understand everything. (unlike me!) The nice thing about RightStart is that they have 5 levels and then go into algebra. If you have to take longer on something you don't really get behind. I've spent a lot of time looking @ math programs trying to decide what's right for us, but I'm sticking with RightStart for now.