Thursday, September 20, 2012

Tales of a Homeschool Nothing ~ Conservation & Missionaries

Reading history on a rainy afternoon makes me sleepy! Monday & Tuesday were both rainy - very rainy! So between the rain, the pent up energy, the sass, & that dreaded 1pm crash that I always seem to have - all I wanted was some peace & a nap. Did it happen? Yeah right! I sure tried, but everyone else had other ideas. Oh well.
The "Rock" Church

We went on the soil & water conservation field trip Wednesday. I was so thankful that it had finally stopped raining (we missed the last two years due to rain). The weather was perfect. The sun was out, a breeze was blowing, and fall was in the air. The kids got to see animal skins, learn about tree growth, & see the difference in soil layers. They even learned how to witch for water ;) & some secrets used "back in the day" for finding water. Oh, & we can't forget the corny ant jokes.....What's the largest insect? A Gi-Ant. Which is the best smelling insect? A Deoder-Ant.

Hey, did you know that the black bears we have on the coast of NC are some of the largest in North America? Me neither, um, so WHY do I want to move to the beach???





Keepers this week was very enlightening. We had missionaries from Africa speak to our group. Alan & Leah Fleming have been missionaries to Kenya for over 12 years. They shared their burdens, their stories, their pictures, & their hearts. 

There's nothing that will remind you of how truly blessed you are than hearing about children only eating 3-5 times a week, playing in sewer water, & still being content with the life God has given them. Simple things we take for granted such as running water & chairs are things that they know nothing about. 

fetching water
fast food
 My absolute favorite moment was Leah talking about being tired from a long day & not wanting to go to another church. While she was busy complaining & being unhappy, the native people of Kenya were sitting on rocks having worship service. Even though they didn't have the comforts that we have, they were happy & praising God for how much He had blessed them! Is it really that hard for us to praise Him for our many blessings?!

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Revive Your Marriage - Man's Best Friend

Our Wedding Invitation 
I hope that you have been blessed by this series on reviving your marriage found over at Women Living Well,  Time Warp Wife , Unveiled Wife, and To Love Honor & Vacuum. If you have missed any of the posts, please take a few minutes and read over them. I'm sure someone somewhere will have written something especially for you!

We are halfway through our posts about marriage this month. We have talked about reviving our prayer life and reviving our attitude. I have seen positive results already. If your results haven't been that noticeable, please don't give up. Your marriage is worth it!

We all love our spouses, otherwise, how could we stand a lot of the stuff that they do. ;) Most of the time its easy to love the person we promised to spend forever with. Now, don't get me wrong, some days are harder than others, but we still love them.

What's hard, too often, is liking our significant other. I've told my husband a lot of times that I didn't like him. Sometimes, I was joking because he had done something crazy or embarrassing, but I have also meant it sometimes.

Most wedding vows include some sort of "to love, honor, & obey" & "for better or worse, in sickness & health". Nobody really ever addresses liking each other.

But let me ask you, how can you continually love someone when you find it difficult to even like them?

In our society, its common knowledge that a dog is man's best friend & a diamond is a woman's best friend. WHY???

Why should we continue to buy into this?

Husbands, are you tired of having a dog as your closest companion? Wives, how do you feel about being best buddies with a cold lifeless rock?

I think its time to break the stereotype! Make your spouse your best friend. After all, they are the one who  sees you at your best, encourages you at your worst, cheers the loudest, and loves the deepest. If that's not the way your relationship works, I urge you to do everything in your power to right this wrong.

Treasure Box Moments

So, its been far too long since I exploited shared the funny, warm, often unbelievable quotes from the insanity I call life.

If someone ever tells you "it's ok, I won't hurt you." DO NOT BELIEVE THEM - especially if that person just so happens to be your brother or sister!

Shortly after waking from his nap & having powdered doughnuts for a snack, I asked if Logan needed a diaper. Austin did a sniff test & said "All I smell is doughnuts."

Logan loves it outside. While we were visiting the chickens one day, I kept saying "chick". His response... "duck". Every. Single. Time.

In similar news, Logan also calls Zoey a cat, no matter how many times I say "dog".


The Marriage Project - Week 3 Projects

Read all about The Marriage Project and be sure to follow through with the Projects from Week 1 & Week 2.

The Marriage Project

Week 3 Projects:   
     
>·         Look To The Example of Others ~ Who Do You Admire & Why? Talk about who you look up to. Take some time to let them know that you admire them & why.
“If you want to have a great marriage, you need to learn from those around you who have been at it a while – and still love each other.”
>·         It’s All About Her ~ Couch Time. Wives, you get to pick the show to watch. Couch time represents comfortable love.
“Life is good when I can rest my head in my husband’s lap & feel secure in the knowledge that I am loved.”
>·         Removing Obstacles ~ Getting Rid of Something that Drives Your Spouse Crazy. Everyone is fighting some sort of battle & an extra act of kindness can mean so much.
“Women are waiting to hear “I love you” while men are waiting to be recognized for the fact that they’re saying “I love you” in the things they do.”
>·         It’s All About Him ~ Couch Time. Turnabout is fair play. And no multitasking allowed. Just give him the remote & snuggle up to him.
>·         All the Kids are Doing it ~ Text or email something sweet or flirty to your love.
“If you can’t be slightly scandalous with your spouse, then what is the fun of being married?”
>·         Clean Toilets are Sexy ~ Help out with chores & take over some job that they hate for the day. Quit keeping a scorecard about what’s fair & who owes who what.
>·         What I Like About You ~ Write down 10 things you like about your spouse & share it with them. This isn’t what you love about them. This is the little things they do, say, or how they act that just makes you smile.

Major Project 3
Date Your Mate – Double Your Pleasure, Double Your Fun.
Men, call up another husband & plan your double date with your wives. Really blow her away with your creativity.

Bonus Project 3
Sex – It’s Ladies Night
Ladies, it’s your turn to initiate things in the bedroom. Men, be extra flirty & helpful around the house this week.

The Marriage Project - Week 2 Projects

New to The Marriage Project? Make sure you read here first.
If you missed week 1, check it out here....

The Marriage Project

Week 2 Projects:

] ·         A Little Hands-On Attention ~ Give each other a 15 minute massage without expecting anything in return. Concentrate on nonsexual massage – Bonus Project #2 cannot be initiated within 30 minutes of the project.
“Servanthood is not always easy or enjoyable. It isn’t always convenient; sometimes it’s downright messy. But God encourages us all to have a servant’s heart.”
>·         It’s All About Her ~ Love, Love, Love. Men, write down 12 things you love about your wife. And leave her a love note.
“As a wife, I need to hear regularly why my husband loves me. As a husband, you’re the only one who can give that gift to your wife. Be the encouragement she needs you to be today.”
>·         Bella Notte (Beautiful Night) ~ Have Dinner by Candlelight. Plan ahead so that you actually have candles, matches, etc.
“We need to unplug – literally & figuratively – every once in a while to keep the romance alive.”
>·         It’s All About Him ~ R E S P E C T – What It Means to Him. Wives, write down why you respect your husband & let him see the list.
“It’s not about respecting your husband only if you feel like it. It’s about acting respectfully around your husband, even when you don’t feel like it or think he deserves it.”
>·         Lingerie ~ Ladies, break out or go buy the good stuff! It doesn’t have to be completely over the top, but make an effort with something nice. Men, let her know that you are looking forward to the project. She has a lot going on & needs help righting the world first.
“Imagine, ladies, if you will, that in some strange set of circumstances your husband gained control over the world’s supply of chocolate. You are around it every day – smelling it, seeing it – and he never let you have any. This is how it is with your husband and lingerie.”
>·         Check Marks & Check Mates ~ Getting The Job Done. Help complete a project around the house together.
>·         Candlelight Weather Report ~ Light a candle, relax, reconnect, & review your day. Try to keep it kid free for a few minutes. 
      “If your lives are running in completely different directions, it’s time to carve out some couple time.”

Major Project 2
Date Your Mate – Do Something You Enjoyed Before You Got Married
When you were dating, you probably had a tendency to be extra excited about things the other one enjoyed. Incorporate music from when you were dating & do something that you haven’t enjoyed in a while.

Bonus Project 2
Sex – Have The Talk
Sometime during the week (outside of the bedroom) discuss what is working, what isn’t working, & maybe any new ideas.


The Marriage Project - Week 1 Projects

Make sure you read the background info on The Marriage Project

The Marriage Project

*Remember that these projects can be done in any order & can be altered to best meet your needs.*

Week 1 Projects:
·         In Less Time Than a Bad Sitcom ~ Focus on giving each other 30 minutes of guilt free time today. This is an act of service to your spouse. Make sure you find out ahead of time what your spouse needs. Don’t assume that what you need is the same as what they need. 
“The surest way to bring peace to everyone in the household is to give just a little by putting the other person’s needs in front of our own.”
·       It’s All About Her ~ Make her a Hallmark holiday. Husbands pick out a card that declares your love for your wife.
“Husbands, your encouragement can go a long way in giving us confidence to say no to an unobtainable notion of what a wife should be and to say yes to what God has called us to be.”
·         Getting to Know You ~ Fill out the survey. Even if we should know the answers to all of these questions, this will just make it easier on the other. Save it somewhere important.
  1. Date of Birth
  2. Date of Anniversary
  3. Other Important Dates & Why
  4. Favorite Foods
  5. Favorite Restaurants
  6. Favorite Dinner
  7. Favorite Flowers
  8. Favorite Perfume/Cologne
  9. Favorite Music Artists
  10. Favorite Authors, Books, or Magazines
  11. Favorite Clothing Store
  12. Your Clothing & Shoe Sizes
  13. Favorite Starbucks Order (or Other Indulgence)
  14. Suggestions for a Special Treat He or She Could Buy

    ·         Sweet Treat just for Him ~ Wives this is your opportunity to serve your husband. Make sure it’s his favorite treat, not yours. 
    “True joy comes from learning to be a servant and serving our spouses, families, and others.”
    ·         Turn Up the Heat & Cook Together ~ Plan the menu & either cook in turns or together. 
    “Relationships are built on trust. Trust is built on experience. Experience is best built by teamwork.”
    ·         Burning Passion & Burning Calories ~ Turn off the TV & get active together. Any physical activity counts as long as you do it together. 
    “Not only are you working toward healthier bodies, but also toward a healthier marriage.”
    ·         Pray for Your Spouse & Their Requests ~ 
    “At the end of the day, we need to make sure that we are not just praying about how to live, or reading about how to live, but that we are also practicing how to live.”

    Major Project 1
    Date Your Mate – Half & Half
    You both must plan half of the date. Be creative, pay attention, & maybe try something new. This is all about pleasing the love of your life.
    “The catch? Pick the place your mate would most enjoy. It’s your job to go more than halfway in serving your spouse on your special night out.”


    Bonus Project 1
    Sex – Circle it in Red on the Calendar
    Yes, just plan it & then look forward to it!


    Friday, September 14, 2012

    The Marriage Project - Who's In?

    Remember when this was the most important thing in your life?
    Ok, I told you last week that I won a copy of The Marriage Project. I was so excited because the timing was perfect. Through the month of September, we have been working on reviving our marriages.

    Every one of us can use a little advice & wisdom on improving our marriage, unless your marriage is perfect (& if it is, congrats, because your the only one!). If that is you, then please, share your secrets with us! For the rest of us, please join me as we strive for a better relationship with the man or woman that we have chosen to spend the rest of our lives with.

    Have you got 28 days to devout to your marriage? The first 7 of those days aren't even "project" days, they are simply allowing you time to prepare for your Project. So really, have you got 21 days to work on something that you once agreed to be part of "til death do we part"? What's 21 days in the grand scheme of time? Isn't your marriage worth that much?

    I'm going to be using The Marriage Project, so if you can, then please purchase this book. It is less than $10 & its an easy read. If you can't afford it, don't have time, or just don't want to read it, that's ok too, because I'm going to tell you all about it. My biggest problem with this book is the fact that the author chose to use various different versions for quoting scripture. You know me, I am 110% KJV, so I have my Bible right there to read with the book, but other than that I have really enjoyed reading it.

    So, are you ready to begin your journey into "more love & laughter"?

    10th Anniversary 10-23-09
    When you are considering putting your marriage on project status, please don't think you are a failure. This is just one step in realizing that you aren't perfect & you want to make every effort towards improvement that you can. We can read every book out there but unless we put the things we learn into action, it won't benefit us any. James 2:17 "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." 

    We must be intentional in our efforts to make our marriage better. Don't dwell on the mistakes, faults, & failures; intentionally search out the best in your spouse & cling to that.

    What if your spouse is completely against doing this project with you? That's ok, do it anyway! The marriage project isn't about making your husband or wife better, it is about making you better, making your marriage better. 

    "This isn't just about what we can do in our marriages.
    It's about what God can do when we obey, 
    even when it doesn't seem to make a difference.
    It's about practicing good habits when the
     easy thing to do would be to go and watch TV.
    It's about loving our spouses when they're not
    lovable and when we don't feel loving.
    It's about doing what God has designed you to do even 
    when it feels as if it's having no effect on your spouse...
    because it's having an effect on you."

    Since we are working on improving our relationship, our outlook, & our attitude, it makes perfect since that we will also address s e x  Yes, people, that's right. Believe it or not, a healthy marriage MUST involve a healthy sex life. Now, if you have medical issues, then you are off the hook. But, if you are relatively healthy, then.......... Stop the excuses, we are ALL busy. We are ALL tired. We ALL have other things that need our attention. God ordained marriage. He blessed it. He created man & woman to be together. WHY else would our bodies look so funny?! Here is a new perspective from Kathi Lipp

    "If your spouse is in the mood and you're not,
    ask him or her to wait a couple of minutes. 
    Go into the bathroom and prepare yourself and pray.
    Take a shower and ask God to give 
    you the heart that you need at the moment.
    Something remarkable happens when you take 
    a couple of minutes to prepare, pray, and refocus.
    I can't guarantee it for everyone,
    but it's a strategy that many of my friends
    and I use, and it works."

    When I first told you that she wanted you to ask your spouse to wait a few minutes, how many of you instantly thought, "Yeah, maybe if I wait long enough, they will fall asleep."? Yeah, I'm guilty of that too, but go ahead & get that thinking out of your head! I never said it would all be easy, but with some effort, it will certainly be worth it!

    One last thought as you consider this. 
    "The Project is about my part, and it's not my job
    to fixate on our failures or try to solve 
    all our problems in 21 days. My job, simply put,
     is to bless my spouse. As for me, 
    I will do all I can to bless my mate,
    regardless of the response or result. 
    That's my Marriage Project."

    I will be posting the projects shortly so stay tuned & start to prepare for an incredible journey!

    I hope you join me & my husband as we spend the next 28 days on a quest to bring back what we have been missing in our marriage! Let me know how its going.


    Dear Class of 2021

    You started your senior year like every one of us, holding your breathe. You didn't know what would happen, what would come next. You di...