The End of an Era

When did it happen? When do they grow up?

I realize entirely too often that times goes by way too fast, especially those moments you try to hold on to.

No she's not biologically mine, but I claim her just the same. I didn't give birth to her, but I have helped raise her. She doesn't call me mom, but I am influencing her.

I am talking about my beautiful niece Kelsey. She graduated from the 8th grade today!

I didn't have the privilege of being at her birth, but I was fortunate enough to show up when she was 4 months old. So many of my memories from the past 14 years have her in them. 14 years! Happy or sad, she's been around them all.

I hope that one day, she will be able to say the same about me. That I was involved in so many of her memories - good, bad, boys, friends, happiness, heartache, success, & failure.

I am proud of the young lady she is becoming! And I can't wait to see what the future holds for her!

What Are You Looking Forward to the Most?

For the past few days, I have been studying the schedule & the speaker handouts that have been made available before the NCHE 2012 Homeschool Conference.

To say that I am excited to attend this conference is a HUGE understatement. I have been wanting to attend the conference since we made the decision to homeschool, but financials & other obligations have restricted that possibility. I'm thankful that God has made a way for me to go this year. Yes, I wish Justin could go with me, but someone has to watch the kids ;)

I think the workshops I am most excited about are "Toddlers, Tweens, & Teens, Oh My!", "REAL LIFE Homeschooling", & "The Busy Homeschool Mom's Guide to Romance". All of which are being taught by Heidi St. John. I am also looking forward to "Ballistic Homeschooling" & "Homeschooling is Not Enough" by Hal & Melanie Young. Of course I need plenty of help with encouragement, testing, & organization, but I probably NEED "The Will: Bend It? Break It? Develop It? What's a Parent to Do?" by Susan Chrisman more than most of the others.

There are so many workshops that I want to attend & so many speakers that I want to hear. I guess I need to pack my lunch because I don't have time to stop & eat!


Can I go ahead & place my order for the recordings?

Who Me?

Blogging started out as a way for me to channel my frustrations, my mistakes, my hopes, & my dreams. It has somehow over time become so much more. I still get to vent, offer praise, make recommendations, & share my joy, but somewhere along the line, I started inspiring people. I don't know how a simple girl from the country who has the same struggles, happiness, & insanity as the next person could ever get to this point, but I AM THANKFUL!

The only thing that I have ever known I wanted to do with my life was "to make a difference". No, it hasn't happened in the way I thought it would. I'm not some CEO of a major company. I'm not a doctor, lawyer, or a social worker. I'm not rich & famous. But I have come to realize that I am making a difference - in my children's lives, in my husband's life, in my friend's lives, & even in stranger's lives. WOW! How did I get here?

I just found out that I have been chosen to be part of the NCHE Conference Blogger Team!

YEAH! I AM SO EXCITED!!!

Make sure you stay tuned & check us out!

Wait - HOW Old Are You?!

Here we go again.

Austin & these silly girls. He has always had a girlfriend. He actually has one now (I think), but its on the download to avoid teasing by mutual friends. I don't really have a problem with it.

Girls have always been drawn to him. Well, I would be too. He's awful cute (if I say so myself), he has those adorable dimples & just a hint of freckles (which I just LOVE), he has an outgoing personality, & he's athletic. Oh & he has that daredevil, James Dean, Rebel Without a Cause attitude that I fell for every time as a girl ...........

OH NO I'M IN TROUBLE!!!

For some crazy reason he seems to like older girls. I guess he's taking after Justin there ;) 

Some little girl (who's at least 2-3 years older than him) asked him out. Not sure if he didn't like her, thought she was too old, or knew I'd of have a fit, but thankfully he said no.

Well, something didn't sit right with her because next thing you know she's talking about being scared of a storm, wishing "her baby Austin" was there, posting his pic & declaring her love for him.

That's where Momma Bear had to step in.....

Needless to say that post was deleted very quickly.

Holy Cow! He's only 10! And the girls are already CRAZY! Not just about him, but C R A Z Y!

Some Lessons are Harder than Others

It has been a rainy dreary day.

Both outside & in.

Today has N O T been a good day.

I realize that its the middle of May & the longing of summer has set in. I also realize that restlessness has set in. Unrest with the kids & unrest with myself as well.

Motivation & diligence are not at the top of the food chain at the present moment. Although, they REALLY need to be.

The actual academic part to our learning is not suffering too much right now, considering that summer is just around the bend. But, I'm afraid that the spiritual training is suffering right now. Its all too evident with the attitudes that have been reflected recently.

But, its not only the kids who have been lacking in the fruits of the spirit. I certainly have too. And that seems to be rubbing off on them.

Although I KNOW from experience that my day runs so much smoother by starting it in prayer & study, somehow here lately, I have to MAKE myself study. And even then, it feels half hearted. I suppose I have too many irons in the fire again. I need to slow down, yet again & let the Lord lead me.

After a few fits, lots of tears, banishment to bedrooms, & an ice cold shower (a fire has not been built since yesterday, so there wasn't any hot water), I was gently reminded of the really important lessons in life.

The Busy Homeschool Mom posted this picture.

Luke 6:40 "The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master."

How scary is that? I am the main teacher, witness, & example that my kids are to follow. There are some days (entirely too many) that I don't want them to follow my lead. I don't want them to see my shortcomings & my sinful nature.

Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

BUT, how awesome is the promise that as long as we try, God will take care of the rest. I'm thankful that God knows my heart & He rewards my effort. I pray that I am able to use my mistakes for my good & for His glory.

Let the Games Begin!

Let me just say that I LOVE to read! Give me a book & my imagination any day over a television. Have I always been that way? Maybe not, but I have loved books as far back as I can remember. When I start a really good book, it becomes an obsession with me. The world stops turning, my thoughts stay surrounding the characters & events, & I can't put it down!

With that being said....

I have been listening to all the hype surrounding The Hunger Games & have had mixed feelings on it. Honestly, I wasn't really sure what it was even about but I heard people talking left & right about it. Then the movie came out & it was surrounded in controversy about whether to allow your teenage kids to watch it (even though its supposedly written to the teen audience).

So, curiosity got the best of me & I put my name on the waiting list at the library.

I started reading it on Tuesday & I have become a believer. I was enjoying the book but then I got to the last few hours before the "Games" started & I was HOOKED! I'm over halfway through the book. If you know me, you know I DON'T have time for this, but I can't put it down for very long.

The part that really amazes me is even though this story is completely fiction & set in the future, it COULD happen! The way our crazy world is going & the control that the government is trying to have over us doesn't make this such a long shot. I LOVE those kind of books. The ones where you can actually seem what's going on.

So, yes, I'm a fan! Yes, I'm now dying to know what happens. Yes, I will see the movie. Will I let my kids watch it? Ahhhh, I don't know yet. Maybe!

I Cheated

Yes, that's right! You are looking at (lol) someone who has never liked to play by the rules!

My dear pastor's wife requested that no one come visit him so he could rest before the surgery & a couple of weeks after the surgery. I understand her concern for his well being, but Justin & I both felt that we NEEDED to go. Plus when Justin talked to Fellman last night, he told us to come see him, so how could we resist!

We TRIED to make it short, really we did, but anyone who has ever visited with Fellman Cheek knows that you could talk to that man FOREVER & not even realize how much time had passed.

I'm glad we went. I took the time to tell Fellman just how much I love & appreciate him & what he has been in my life, the influence he has had on me, & the joy I get just knowing my kids get to sit under him. All of this was said, barely audible & through tears, of course. If you know Fellman, you know his response ..... picture it with me ..... "To God be the Glory!".

I feel at peace now. I have faith that God's hand will be on the surgeons & will guide them. I believe that no matter what His will is being carried out even as I write.

It was a sweet time of fellowship & I will always treasure the time I got to spend with him.

PLEASE keep praying for him. They are starting the surgery around 8am in the morning.