Christmas Traditions

I love tradition. It gives me a sense of security and connectedness. I also like mixing it up a bit and adding something new each year. It's been fun reading about the traditions that other bloggers observe during this Christmas season. It inspired me to share some of ours.


We put up our family tree the week after Thanksgiving. We play Christmas music and have Andes Mint Hot Cocoa and Cookies together.


We start our Advent readings that correlate with our calendar. The kids enjoy putting the correct person or animal or symbol in the little pockets of the calendar.


We sit down and make out our baking list and each of the kids choose 1-3 kinds that they want to help make. This year our list included:

• Spritz Cookies (Ladybug)
  
• No-Bakes (Busy Bee)
  
• Reindeer Noses (Bookworm)
  
• Imperial Cookies
  
• Peanut Butter Temptations
  
• Almond Butter Cutouts (Ladybug)
  
• Oreo Truffles (Ladybug)
  
• Peppermint Pattie Cookies
  
• English Toffee
• Almond Biscotti
  
• Walnut Crescents
  
• Ande's Mint Cookies

We celebrated Christmas with our Family Fellowship group as well. We give each family homemade gifts. This year I gave them each a sampling of my Christmas baking and a bottle of homemade Vanilla Extract. My husband taught the lesson this time and it was on the Uniqueness of Christ, it was a great lesson for the season and we sang some carols with it. We had a good meal and wonderful fellowship. The Lord has really provided for us with this group. I am so thankful for these amazing Christian families.

We go to a neighborhood in our community that really goes all out with lights and displays. We drive through and listen to Christmas music and choose our favorite displays.

We visit our great group of friends in Ohio for a week. They are really more like family. We have been friends for over ten years. We started out the homeschooling adventure together. Now we are all in different phases of life but the fellowship is better than ever. They are truly my brothers and sisters and our relationship has proven to be Christ affirming and edifying. Whenever I feel low these women are my PEOPLE! They come visit us at the lake every summer, we ladies have our retreat in February and we are truly there for eachother. My hope is that you all have people like that in your lives. Okay, done with the sentimental!

On this visit we went to the Creation Museum and went through the living Nativity- very cool. We have a Christmas Party with all six families each year. Our menu this year was:

• Rob & Rosie's Ham
  
• Steve's Mashed Potato Casserole
  
• My Sweet Potato Casserole
  
• Sandy's Green Beans
  
• Sandy's Corn
  
• Karen's Cabbage Casserole
  
• Karen's La Comedia Salad
  
• Susan's Fruit Salad
  
• Rolls
  
• Deb's Kringla and Krumkaka- sp? Norwegian yummies!

We exchange gifts and stories and laughter. We close the evening with carols. On the day of the party, the guys always go to the air force museum while the ladies cook and fellowship. We moms always make sure we have time out together. The last couple years, we've gone out to breakfast. One new thing we did this year was to go to inner city Cinncinatti and help a friend with an outreach program. The kids that came were very blessed and it was nice to see Christ being shared with the community.

On Christmas Eve we have my whole side of the family over for a nice sit down meal. There are 14 (soon to be 15) of us. Our menu included:

• Fried Ravioli with Sauce
  
• Shirley Temples
  
• Soda, Milk, Juices, Ice Water
  
• Brown Sugar Glazed Hams
  
• Creamy Herbed Potatoes
  
• Baked Mac and Cheese
  
• German Green Beans
  
• Glazed Carrots
  
• Fluffy Fruit Salad
  
• Buttercrunch Salad
  
• Papaya Chutney Dressing
  
• Homemade Ranch Dressing
  
• Herbed Dinner Rolls
  
• Blueberry Cheesecake
  
• French Silk Pie
  
• Banana Cream Pie
  
• Cookie Tray

We open gifts, fellowship and play games. It's always a good time.

On Christmas Morning we open gifts and have breakfast beside the tree.

Brad and Busy Bee's big gifts were Red Wings hockey tickets! They are very excited!

Ladybug was thrilled with her IPod Touch!

Bookworm finally got her laptop. I thought she might get up and start singing, "Oh, Happy Day".

We put Baby Jesus in the manger and move the wiseman closer to the stable. We stay in our pajamas most of the day. We work on a new puzzle and play with the new gadgets, toys and technology. In the afternoon we get out all the ingredients for a smorgasbord:

• Prosciutto
  
• Capricola
  
• Salami
  
• Summer Sausage
  
• Black Forest Ham
  
• Honey Turkey
• BBQ Glazed Chicken
  
• Brie
• Boursin Cheese
  
• Norwegian Havarti with Dill
  
• Colby Jack
  
• Pumpernickel
  
• Ciabata
  
• Honey Wheat
• Assorted Crackers
• German Potato Salad
• Cucumber Salad
• Deviled Eggs
  
• Papaya Chutney
  
• Cream Cheese with Onion and Chives
  
• Herb Butter
  

Sometimes we visit my mom's in the late afternoon for cookies and cocoa and sometimes we just stay in and watch a Christmas movie or take a nap. It's a very relaxed and peaceful day. We make sure the kids are mindful of Jesus' birth and its meaning throughout the day.

We try to get a sledding/skiing day in before we visit my in-laws for our Chritmas with them. This year the girls have a sleepover planned with a friend from volleyball. I have a little shopping trip planned with a friend for some after Christmas deals before the visit. The kids enjoy playing with cousins and celebrating together.

Then we come home and everyone helps take down the decorations and pack them away for next year. We listen to carols for one last time and put those away until next year.

What traditions do you and your family value?

Christmas Blessings

What does Christ's birth mean to me this year?

"If you love me, you will obey what I command.

And I will ask the father, and He will give you

another Counselor to be with you forever- the

Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept Him,

because it neither sees Him nor knows Him.

But you know Him, for He lives with you and

will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans;

I will come to you. Before long, the world will

not see me anymore, but you will see me.

Because I live, you also will live. On that day

you will realize that I am in my Father, and

you are in me, and I am in you."

John 14:15-20

Father God,

Thank you for the gift of your son, Jesus. Thank you

that through His perfect sacrifice I may live with you in eternity.

Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Thank you

that through Him I may walk with the Spirit of Truth.

Father, thank you for the hope and peace that is in a life with You!

Please help me to practice the presence of the Lord daily

In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

"All this I have spoken while still with you. But

the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the

Father will send in My name, will teach you all

things and will remind you of everything I have

said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give

you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not

let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

John 14:25-27

Merry Christmas!!

Favorite Christmas Music

Christmas music starts playing the day after Thanksgiving around here. It's good to have a nice selection since we listen all day long. Here is a list of our top 10 favorite CD's (in no particular order):

1. Josh Grobin- Noel
2. Casting Crowns- Peace on Earth
3. King's College Choir- Classic Christmas Carols
4. Point of Grace- A Christmas Story
5. Sarah Brightman- A Winter Symphony
6. Third Day- Christmas Offerings
7. Amy Grant- Home for Christmas
8. Bing Crosby- White Christmas
9. Juhn Rutter & The Cambridge Singers- Handel's Messiah
10. Celtic Woman- Christmas Celebration

It's an eclectic but fun list!

Deck the Halls

I love this time of year. I know for many it's hectic, but for us life slows down quite a bit. I get my shopping done in November. School wraps up the first week of December with the kids finishing up on their own during the second week. Clubs, classes and activities finish up early in December too. Then the fun begins.

The fancy tree goes up in the living room amidst carols and cocoa. The trimmings are pink, cream and gold. It's a Victorian tree with ornaments we've been collecting for 17 years.

I love the Dickens Village under the tree. My mom and husband have given me all the pieces. Ladybug loves helping me set up the village each year. We have fun talking about the period and imagining what it would have been like to live during that time.

The tree ornaments include parasols, ballet slippers, china tea cups, angels, Victorian dolls, pearl beaded stars and pink and cream floral bows.

The family tree goes up in the great room with a classic Christmas movie playing in the background and bowls of buttery popcorn nearby.

Most of these ornaments are ones that the kids have made or ones they have been given. Some of Bookworm's favorites include her polar bears and her snowmen. Ladybug loves her angels and Busy Bee loves his hockey skates.

My favorites are all the ones the kids have made and the ones they buy me each year. I appreciate the effort they make to find just the right one.

The manger scene gets put up without Baby Jesus in the manger and we keep the wiseman off to the side.

The kids take turns putting Jesus in the manger on Christmas morning. We also move the wiseman a little closer each day after Christmas to symbolize the Wiseman's travel to the Christ Child.

We usually read a nativity story or 2. This year we read one we bought at the Creation Museum last year. The kids arrange and rearrange the manger scene frequently throughout the season.

The dining room gets decked out too. I love the fresh burgundy poinsetta. It goes great in there. I made a pair of window swags for the corners of the window. I love the brown, cream and icy blue together.

One of the fun parts of blogging is learning about other's Christmas traditions, family recipes, craft ideas and heirloom recipes.

I have several ideas that I want to try out for next year that I got from other blogs. The Jesse tree is one I am planning on implementing. The other is to have a friends party that has a service focus. What traditions do you hold dear? How do you hold up Christ during this time of year?

4 Star Recipe

My daughter's very favorite bread:

Honey Oatmeal Bread

2 1/2 cups boiling water
2 cups rolled oats
1 cup flax seeds
4 tablespoons butter
3 teaspoons salt
3/4 cup honey

Place all in medium bowl and let cool to just warm.
Sprinkle over the oat mixture and let sit 1 minute:

3 teaspoons active yeast

Add in remaining ingredients and knead 5-7 minutes.

1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
2 3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup dry milk

Place kneaded dough in a greased bowl and cover with a damp towel. Allow dough to rise for 1 hour. Lightly grease 2 bread pans. Gently deflate dough and roll into loaf shapes. Allow to rise in pans for 1-2 hours. Bake 350 for 45 minutes. Brush with butter and cover with bread towel while cooling on a wire rack. Freezes well!!

August Activities

August was pretty eventful for us. Initially I planned to start school the first week of August but everyone else had other ideas. Our new volleyball coach scheduled 2 a days for the first week. Our speech and debate coach found a good speech and debate camp for the second week. The third week my girlfriend and her family were able to come to the lake for a visit.

The best laid plans is really code for I need to learn to be more flexible. Flexibility is overrated! It really means I'm not getting anything accomplished and I'm trying to be okay about it. All the activity was fun and I wouldn't have wanted to miss any of it, but it also put me behind with lesson planning, gardening, home keeping, etc.

Amidst all the fun this summer, we received troublesome news about Brad's grandfather. He was diagnosed with cancer. He is scheduled to have surgery soon. The family had a party for him and we were able to visit with him. The kids call him "Candy Man" because he always has oodles of candy in his pockets. Ladybug was ill so she wasn't able to come. Below is a picture of Candy Man and his wife Joan with a small portion of his great-grandchildren.



We made several more trips to Lake Michigan with friends. Busy Bee really enjoyed his new wake board. He stayed busy on the shoreline most of the day riding on it. People were stopping him constantly and asking him about it. Grown men were tumbling into the surf left and right trying to ride the board. Busy Bee made it look easy but he was also much lighter than they were.

Ladybug, Bookworm and her friend had a great time together. The waves were huge that day and I was still recovering with a bout of vertigo. Let's just say that I wasn't always sure which way was up. The kids thought it was pretty funny.



We walked the beach and watched the big ships going through the channel. The sailboats were so pretty to watch and I've always liked lighthouses.



Now it's time to buckle down and get moving on all those lesson plans. I also have some Charlotte Mason mp3's to listen to. I am definitely ready for a schedule again. Hope you're enjoying your summer.

Back At It

I hope you have all had a wonderful summer break. We are ready to get back to a regular routine. You can add up on one hand the number of times our whole family spent an entire 24 hours at our home. We spent the majority of our time at the lake with a week here and there at camps or visiting friends.

We'll start lessons in a week and I will be posting more regularly now that I'll actually be at home. We have no internet at the lake and that's okay with me. All I want to do when I'm there is swim, float or fish and visit with good friends.

I plan on deep cleaning our learning room and doing a little more organizing this week. The kids are chomping at the bit to open their new books. My non-homeschooling friends think we're strange. It's like Christmas when those book orders start arriving!

We have our books and materials all ready to go. We're trying out a new spelling program this year- I'll post about that after we've been into it for a few weeks. I have also written up my own history curriculum for the most part for this year. I loved Mystery of History, but we finished Book 3 and Book 4 won't be done for awhile yet. I couldn't find anything I liked quite as well, so here goes nothing...

Detroit Zoo

Bookworm wanted to go to a zoo for her birthday. She LOVES Polar Bears. I'm sure you all think Polar Bears and right away the Detroit Zoo pops into your head. Right? Well that is what popped into Bookworms head. I admit to some very low expectations, but it was her choice. We each invited a friend and off we went.WOW! I was blown away. The zoo was clean with beautiful gardens, reflecting pools and fountains. The exhibits were huge and the animals seemed content. I never saw one thing referring to evolution. I know, I was shocked! The signs were educational and focused on the animal and it's habitat as well as what the zoo keeper's do to enrich the animals lives. They also shared about their research and ongoing efforts to save endangered species.

The Arctic exhibit was awesome. The Polar Bears were active and moving around their 4 1/2 acre exhibit. We went through 3 separate times and every time they were doing something different. This was definitely the highlight of the day for us.

The girls at the reflecting pool. I highly recommend this zoo. The prices were very reasonable, especially compared to Cincinnati or Indy.

This guy had me a little concerned. He kept staring at me and I don't have a good track record with the Gorilla at the Cincinnati Zoo. He threw a clump of sod over the ravine and it narrowly missed my head.

A Very Pink Wedding

My good friend's son got married this week. His favorite color is pink. They had a very intimate, personal and unique wedding. We wish you all the best, Sean and Christy!

My girls... through thick and thin! They are amazing, strong women of God. I am blessed to have them in my life! We started homeschooling together and have watched our kids grow up together. We've grown up together!

4 of the 5 young ladies- one was at Oxford University in England for a Summer Studies Program.

Ladybug with her good pal and in front is my BFF (otherwise known as "Little Bit"). She was a surprise, when she came along, but a very welcomed addition. We all spoil her to pieces.

I helped the groom's Aunt cook for the bridal shower. We had a good time cooking together. We also put on the Rehearsal dinner. We cooked a big Norwegian breakfast for the dinner. That is what the groom wanted and that's what we gave him. It was really tasty too!

Early July Highlights

We made a few trips to Lake Michigan in July. The kids like the bigger waves. I prefer our quiet and much calmer lake.

Bookwork with one of her best friends who was visiting from Ohio.

Busy Bee had the girls bury him in the sand. I admit that I don't get why this is fun, but he was thrilled.

I love this shot of the kids watching the sun set. They knew their time was drawing to a close.

Bookworm found this injured butterfly. She made it some sugar water and put it in a protected spot. After about 10 hours the butterfly flew off on it's own.

Busy Bee got a lead part at Drama Camp- Waldo Pointer, the GPS Operator who was directionally challenged. He had a lot of fun and did really well.

Busy Bee got up on skis, a very big deal to him. Ladybug learned to slalom and even to start off on just one ski.

Sandhill Cranes have been seen all summer. I missed all the babies crossing but so beautiful.

Woodchucks invaded the garden shed. They make such a mess but are soo adorable.

It's perfect! The waterlilies have been beautiful this year. I'm having a Monet moment.

June Highlights

Here are some highlights from the month of June...

The girls had TLC Volleyball Camp.
We spent about 98% of our time at the lake, submerged.
Bookworm got 8 mowing jobs at the lake.
Ladybug babysat a few times for some friends up there.
Busy Bee dog sat for some friends.
They were happy to earn some extra spending money.
I got absolutely no lesson planning done.
We had lots of friends visit- no pictures- I guess we were having too much fun and forgot!

If really feels like we have been in a month long episode of "Wild America" around the lake. Here's a list of what we have seen or heard: Box Turtle, The Large Snapping Turtle above- you can't tell from the photo but he was bigget across than my elbow to my fingertips, Painted Turtle, Muskrats, 2 Beaver, 3 Otter, Deer- running up and down the dirt roads, Rabbits, Coyote, Barn Owls, 2 Blue Herons, Sand Hill Cranes, Geese, Ducks, Cougars- think we heard one, some neighbors saw one, DNR finally confirmed one in the area, Wild Cats, Barn Swallows, Orioles, Humingbirds, Goldfinches, Fish- all kinds, Snakes- mostly Corn and Garter, normal summer birds, Turkeys- everywhere, still haven't seen the Eagles though.

My personal highlight- catching 4lb 6oz and 3lb Large Mouth Bass on the same morning. My friend and I caught 50 some Bass in 3 hours that day. I was actually in the lead of the Summer Bass contest for a whole 6 hours. Dinner really is in the Freezer!

We surprised Brad with at Father's Day Weekend trip to Frankenmuth. We had a great time at the waterpark/hotel. Ofcourse a little shopping at the Christmas store and a Zehnder's Chicken Dinner was a must. We kind of rolled to the van that night.

I feel a little bit guilty for not getting any projects going around the house, but not guilty enough to change anything for July!!

Summer Break

We're on summer break for now. I'm looking forward to time at the lake, vacation, visits with friends, gardening, grilling, plenty of time to tackle my reading list and for working on my new history plan. Hope you all have a blessed summer!

Be back in August...

Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today:
Outside my window... the snowball and hydrangea bushes are blooming, the sun is shining and it is already over 80 degrees.

I am thinking ... about the summer schedule. I don't know how it got so crowded, I must have forgotten to plug in the NO button.

I am thankful... for the wonderful weekend we had at the lake and the great time we had with our friends there.

From the learning room... the kids have finished all of their regular school year. We are beginning our summer reading and projects.

From the kitchen... we finished some cookie baking and have a freezer meal planned for the grill tonight.

I am wearing... jean capris, a purple blouse and amethyst earings.

I am creating... lesson plans for next year, it's that time.

I am going... to take Bookworm and Ladybug to the first Lady Crusaders' Volleyball Open Gym Day of the summer.

I am reading... a lot of Colonial period books in preparation for history this fall.

I am hoping... to get some more baking done later today.

I am hearing... the girls laughing at Busy Bee's funny antics.

Around the house... I want to work on the patio and finish up a lawn project.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Ladybug's Sewing Class, Library Visit, Lake Time and a couple of graduation parties.

To see more Daybook entries visit:http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Menu Plan Monday

Sunday: Family Fellowship Night

Herb Roasted Pork Loin

Scalloped Potatoes

Spinach Salad

Refrigerator Rolls

Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Filling

Monday: Doctor Check-ups

Northwoods Wild Rice Soup- Freezer Meal

Broccoli Salad

Homemade Crackers

Tuesday: Volleyball Open Gym

Cheddar Jack Chicken- Freezer Meal

Crash Hot Potatoes

Glazed Carrots

Buttercrunch Salad

Wednesday: Sewing Class/Piano Lessons

Leftovers

Thursday:

Grilled Sausages

Creamy Italian Pasta

Garlicky Broccoli

Friday: Swimming

Campfire Burritos

Chips and Queso with Fresh Salsa

Blueberry Pudgies with Ice Cream

Saturday:

Crockpot Stroganoff

Egg Noodles

Green Bean Saute

Romaine Salad with Homemade Croutons

Please visit www.orgjunkie.com for more menu planning ideas.

Explorer Lapbook

Our MOH Co-op is working on an Explorer lapbook. The link below will take you to photos of the lapbook as it now stands. I added comments with descriptions. I hope that helps to explain what every thing is. We will add to it as we move through history. We plan on working on this lapbook throughout Book 3. You can check back to this post and I will add files to the links below.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24059365@N04/3297861530/in/set-72157614258270750/
Here are the resources and templates for the mini books we have so far.
http://www.mediafire.com/myfiles.php
This includes the following:
1. 5 Reasons to Explore
2. Anatomy of a Ship
3. Aztec and Inca
4. Cape of Good Hope
5. Caravel, Nao, Conquistadors
6. Explorer images
7. Images for some of the mini books
8. Scurvy mini book

Geography Club

• Each month our homeschool group hosts a geography club meeting. We have a different country each month and the children do short presentations on whatever topic they choose that relates to the current country. My kids like to present their information in the form of lapbooks.
• The families study and work on projects at home during the month leading up to the meeting. Each family brings a dish from that country to share. We have a craft and usually a game. The kids bring their passports and get a stamp that represents that country.
• February’s country was the Philippines. One of our own families just came back from 2 months there. In May, they will be leaving to be missionaries in a small village. They shared a lot of information with our group. Most unusual to my kids was that they had to take bucket showers.
• We generally check out several books from the library and start reading the first week of the month. The kids choose their topic and start planning.
• My 7 year old chose to cover wildlife on the islands. We used pictures from the internet. He either does all of the writing himself or dictates to me and I help. It depends on the day. He loves picking from our file of cool templates.
  
• He chooses all of his colors and we work together on layout. I tend to prefer more of a 2-3 color, symmetrical kind of layout. He likes a lot of color and some of his own designs. His mouse deer looks remarkably close to the real thing. I always end up appreciating his creativity.
• The second week we try to complete our lapbooks. Our meetings are the third Thursday of the month. We start at 5:30pm and go until 8:30. Its nice to include the fathers in the dinner and give them a chance to see their own kid’s presentations.
• My 9 year old had an easy time choosing her topic. She is turtle crazy! She has a Russian Tortoise named Noah. His name is kind of ironic because he can’t swim. Anyway, she went with Green Sea Turtles. She spent a lot of time researching the life cycle of these turtles. She did’t like finding out how few survive into adulthood.
• The timing worked out well for this topic. We started Apologia’s Swimming Creatures in January and just got to the Sea Turtles. I love when things like that happen! She did a great job on the anatomy of the turtle. She also likes to include a question, quiz or game in her lapbooks. This one was "How did the Green Sea Turtle get it’s name?" a) shell is green b) body fat is green c) hides in sea grass If you check back, I will give you the answer in the next post.
  

• The week of our meeting, we choose what recipe we want to make. We work on our presentation and practice in front of each other. My 9 year old is shy, so this is harder for her. She improves each time though. I hope this will give her more self-confidence.
• My 12 year old chose to cover art and architecture of the Philippines. It was very interesting to learn about all of the other cultures who influenced their artists.
  She is a little more like me in her layout tastes. I encourage her to break out of the box every now and then. She is quick to point out that she did cut curves around her title.

• We really enjoy participating in Geography Club. It’s only once a month, but it is more than just geography. The kids learn about the culture, history, science and art of the country. They also learn to give oral presentations. Admitedly their favorite part is being with their friends!

4 Star Recipe

Stuffed Chicken- 2 options

2 c. sour cream
2 tbl. Worcestershire
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/4 c. lemon juice
12 chicken breasts

2 c. bread crumbs
1 c. Parmesan cheese
1 tbl. Italian seasoning

Mix first 5 ingredients. Pocket chicken beasts. Place chicken in sour cream mixture and refrigerate 2 hours. Mix crumbs, cheese, and seasoning in pie plate and set aside. Take chicken out of marinade and stuff with the following options.

Option 1: Provolone Chicken

6 slices of good ham, cut in half
6 slices of provolone cheese, cut in half

Add half slice of ham and provolone to pocket. Close opening with toothpick and roll in crumb mixture. Bake 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Option 2: Chicken Kiev

1 stick of butter, softened
1 tsp. parsley
1 tsp. chives

Combine butter and herbs together and roll into a log. Chill while chicken is in marinade. Slice log into 12 pieces and put 1 in each pocket. Close opening with toothpick and roll in crumb mixture. Bake 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Remove toothpicks before serving.

National Day of Prayer

Check out the site:

http://nationaldayofprayer.org/blog/

The theme for this year:

For Such a Time As This

Bible Verse:

"The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him." - Nahum 1:7

• Why a day of prayer?

Why date your husband? Why have special times with your children or friends? It helps you build your relationship, it shows God that He is important to you, it is a time of refreshment, it builds intimacy, it strengthens you, it is a time to praise, it is a time to worship, it is a time to seek His direction for your life, it is a time to ask God to choose the priorities for your life, it is a time to gain perspective.

• My list of things to pray over:

Relationship with God

My husband

Our marriage

Bookworm

Ladybug

Busybee

Homeschooling

Finances

Health

Our activities

Extended family members

Friends and Friendships

Family Fellowship Group

Homeschool Group

Church

Neighborhood at Home

Neighborhood at the Lake

Our community

Our country

Our leaders

Specific requests from family and friends

Anything else God lays on my heart

• If you have never taken a good block of time set aside for deep prayer, I highly recommend it. God has done wondrous things in my own heart during these times.

• If you feel grim about the future of our nation or are dealing with tough issues, no one will understand like our God.

• If you are struggling with a child, no one else loves them more than our Lord.

Seek His face!!

Talent Show

The Niles Area Christian Homeschool group held our annual Spring Talent Show last night at our local library's auditorium. It was a wonderful evening of listening and watching the display of talent that God has blessed these kids with.

We prayed together before the start of the show and asked God to calm our nerves. One of the kids asked that their efforts would be glorifying to God. I can say that they definitely did that. It was a moving evening.

Bookworm performed Sonatina No. 1 by Beethoven. She did a great job with it. I have really enjoyed listening during her practice times at home as she has become more accomplished. She has a lovely touch on the piano, a lot like her personality, very gentle.

Ladybug performed Spinning Song by Ellmenreich. It's a very lively song that suits her personality as well. She plays piano with passion for sure.

Busy Bee played Symphony No. 1 by Brahms. He didn't show any nerves at all. He actually seemed a little in his element. Maybe it has something to do with being the youngest, but he seems to enjoy a crowd. He is a ham!

Ladybug and two of her closest friends performed a stick routine together to the song Who Am I? by Casting Crowns. The girls choreographed the routine themselves. Several people commented that it brought tears to their eyes. It's a very powerful song anyway and several of the movements that they added really brought home the lines "not because of who I am, but because of what You've done, not because of what I've done, but because of who You are."

After the show we went for ice cream with a few other families. There was a lot of chating and laughter. It was a great end to a great night!

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY:
Outside my window... the sun is shining, it is only 52 degrees, but it will get warmer.

I am thinking... about our upcoming surprise trip for Dad. We do this once in awhile- pick a place to go for a few days and get everything packed up. When he gets home from work, we take off. He doesn't know until we get there or at least pretty close.

I am thankful for... God's grace.

From the learning rooms... Bookworm is working on finishing her science reading, Ladybug is finishing Math, and Busy Bee is completing his free reading.

From the kitchen... I am thankful that we got our freezer cooking done. We had talent show rehearsal and homeschool group meeting yesterday and shopping for a new bathing suit for ladybug and talent show tonight. So now I just have to choose from the stash!

I am wearing... tan capri's and a blue and green top.

I am creating... new garden stakes for the veggie garden.

I am going... to take Ladybug to choose a new bathing suit for our trip. Tonight is our homeschool group's annual Talent Show. All 3 kids are playing piano pieces and Ladybug is in a stick routine to the song Who Am I? by Casting Crowns.

I am reading... John Adams by Mc Cullough. We start American History next year and I need to get a head start on Bookworm.

I am hoping... for nice weather for our trip.

I am hearing... birds chirping at the feeders.

Around the house... I want to deep clean the refrigerator this week.

One of my favorite things... my Virginia Bluebells and Persian Lilacs have opened up, just as my Double- flowering Cherry tree and daffodils are fading.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Talent Show, Biology Lab, Surprise Trip, Lake- help put dock in, clean up the yard now that we've cleaned up the inside, maybe get some fishing in?

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