Hold on with both hands

I read a quote once that said some thing to the effect that when you find a true friend you hold on with both hands. Well, my friend came to visit from the lower 48 and when I took her to the airport today it was so difficult to let her go. We did not grow us together as young children but we have know each other for 22 years and been bossom friends for 20 years. That does not happen very often these days. We have a friendship that has stood the test of time. There were the teen arguments and growing pains but we over came all that and came through on the other side closer to each other, stronger and closer to our God. We can talk about anything, we both think so practically. We both desire to teach and train our children to serve and honor the Lord. We are not dependent on each other and we do not envy the accomplishments and other friends the other has. If we do not talk for a week or so, we know that we will not have to baby the other and be apologetic. We have our lives with our own families. That is the first priority. We think the silly things we say are hilarious. We laugh, we cry, we have had babies, endmetriosis, a hysterectomy, other surgery, good days, bad days, blah days, cold days, hot days, beach days, school days, birthdays, etc. I am thankful to have a friendship that has stood the test of time and continues to endure. May the Lord find us faithful.

A day of work

I love the feeling of accomplishment after a day of work. I painted a little more, mulched a flower bed and spent some time visiting with our friends before they were off to the airport. We had a few things to pick up in town and then off to a last minute invitation in the evening. All and all a busy but not rushed day! Just my speed. Now, back to the feeling word. I normally do not go on feelings but hard work seems to do a person good!

Now to get things ready for Sunday morning!

May the Lord find us faithful.

What worked and did not work

We keep a fairly flexible schedule and try to keep all the academic work in the morning. I DO NOT like early morning but I am trying to make myself. I like to get up and get the day started off with a shower, dressed and quiet time with the Lord before the blessings begin to filter in. BUT, that does not always happen.

We generally  practice violin after breakfast, if we do not do this now it does not get done at all, and chores. Then head into Bible as a group. 1B7 works independently first as I work with 1G5, 2G4 wants to be doing school and has to have something to do so I have to keep her busy and quiet while I work with 1g5. Then when they are finished, I work with 1b7 one on one.

 After lunch we usually have quiet reading time in beds. Then we read aloud and free play, some times outside sometimes not, depending on the temp.

This year I want to work more on hand work, crafts, etc. in the afternoon as naps will not be as necessary for 1g4.

Back into the music mode

We went to our first summer violin lesson today. We will take a while to get back into the swing of things but I like the routine of getting back after a few weeks break.

We had a busy day out but not too eventful.

May the Lord find us faithful.

What we use

We are a blend of Charlotte Mason method, the principle approach and classical education. So, we do a little of everything.

We use Scardey Cat Reading System for reading and grammar and spelling.

Math- U-See, love that and so does the Blessings.

Apologia science and backyard scientist for fun!

We have used and will continue to use FIAR, we started with BFIAR

History, we have just used FIAR, but I am looking at Mystery of History, any ideas?comments welcome.

We have a computer program, Start Write for handwriting.

I try to notebook as much as possible and add copy work about every day.

This summer, I will use Teach your child to read in 100 easy lessons for the youngest blessings as a head start.

And the oldest started Hey Andrew Teach me some Greek the other day.

I also plan to do some Nature Study this summer. Lots of snow here in the winter!

May the Lord find us faithful.

 

summer activities

Well, I  have to get the blessings into swimming lessons this summer. I am going to try for the July lessons as we have two more sets of summer company ahead for June. We generally take a week in July for family vacation but I believe we will just have to let that slide this year and not spend that money this year. We need to sign up for the summer reading program at the local library. But Barnes and Noble also has a summer reading program for kids also. So, my reader needs to get reading!

The cold snap seems to be over and I did loose a few plants but they will be easy to replace.

May the Lord find us faithful

Halibut

We did one of our favorite things tonight. We have a couple of families over and had a halibut fry. If you have never had halibut, you are really missing out.

It was a fast passing day with much of it spent getting ready for company. It was not warm today but it was sunny and warm enough for the blessings to get to play outside all day.

I have been reading Philippians for my devotions, I am just going to park there for a while until I have a good grasp on that book.

May the Lord find us faithful.

Sunday Evening

Usually by this time on Sunday night I am exhausted and very down and out. By the time we are in and out for the am and pm services at church the house is a mess and I am tired and grumpy. But today is not like that. Yes, the house is in need of a quick run through in the morning but we had a very busy but enjoyable day. First of all we have attended a marriage seminar at church with Dr. and Mrs. Bob Jones III, which has been very thought provoking and eye opening. I always forget in between their visits to our church how much I enjoy hearing both Dr. Bob and Beneth speak. Especially Beneth. She is so down to earth and has such a love of the Lord. Then on top of it all our precious friends are in town vacationing and I was able to spend time this afternoon and evening with my friend in whom I only see about every two years or so! So, I feel very renewed and calm tonight.

The most interesting thing it that we have had record low temperatures here for this time of the year. It is supposed to be below freezing tonight. We pulled all the potted plants inside of the garage and I covered all the perinnials in the ground. So, hopefully we will be back to our warm sunny weather soon!! Where is that midnight sun?

May the Lord find us faithful.

Stop the train, I want to get off!!!

I have been so busy the past two days. I had to bake some thing, so I am up late getting a blog fix while I wait for things to cool enough to cover and go to bed. Then it is up early and out the door again tomorrow. But, I will be finished with my little expedition tomorrow afternoon. Monday, I will be back to regular schedule! Whew and yahoo!!!

On a different note, my husband is the greatest! I have never been loved so unconditionally. He loves the first thing in the morning me, the grumpy me, the happy me, the everything me. He also loves the Lord and serves Him with much vigor. He loves our children and wants to spend time with them. He has much discernment and uses it wisely. He is our protector, our compass, our guide. I will have much to do to prepare for Father's Day this year. He has always been this way but I am just realizing the extent of this man that I have the pleasure of sharing my life with.

May the Lord find us faithful.