New Every Morning

The Storm

2012-01-29T18:32:00.000-08:00

I wrote a poem a few years ago. I thought I would post it tonight as I think of a friend who is going through a wicked storm of her own.

The Storm

I see the storm clouds gathering,

I hide and cringe in fear.

I’ve seen clouds like these before,

Oh, Lord, be ever near.

I’ve felt how hard the winds can blow.

I was almost lost at sea.

My sails so torn and powerless.

Oh, Lord stay close to me.

I am afraid of this new storm

And the damage it can do.

What will be left of my heart in the end?

Oh, Lord, I draw close to You.

You are my rock, my strong tower.

In You I have no fear.

You are my strength from day to day.

You will be ever near.

“Fear thou not,” I hear You say

Out on the stormy sea.

You will uphold me by Your Right Hand.

You will stay close to me.

You are the Rock where I can hide

Until the storm is through

I will find shelter under Your wings

I will draw close to You.

Ellie Marie Designs

2012-01-28T10:09:00.000-08:00

I sold my paper bag scrapbook! So exciting. Here is a new project I'm working on. I will get them listed as soon as I get some more ribbon and glue. Meanwhile, check out the other things that I have for sale at Ellie Marie Designs!

Paper Bag Scrapbook

2012-01-14T15:54:00.000-08:00

Here is my newest creation - A paper bag scrapbook! For sale! Profits go toward buying textbooks for Gabriel and Hannah. See details here at Ellie Marie Designs

Christmas Caroling

2011-12-15T19:41:00.000-08:00

John, Holly and I went Christmas caroling with our church tonight. We all had a great time, especially because the weather was so nice! It's probably the first time I've gone Christmas caroling in 60 degree weather. We always go to the shut ins and senior citizens of our church. Most of them sing right along with us. Our last stop was at a sweet lady's house. She is neither a senior citizen nor a shut in but someone who is going through some physical trials. Normally, she would have gone with us. She was so blessed that we came to her house that she cried. I am blessed to be part of such a wonderful church.

Gabriel and Hannah will be home in less than 48 hours! I am ecstatic!! We've been able to see them a few times over the last 11 months but they haven't been HOME since January. And they haven't seen our "new" house at all. I'm not sure if I can contain my excitement over the next few hours. Pray for them as they travel home on Saturday. It is a 14 hour drive.

I reached one of my smaller goals with my Crafty Homeschoolers shop - 25 items listed! Next goal is 50. Wonder how long that will take?

Pink and Brown Gift Tags
(my 25th item!)

FIRE!?!

2011-12-14T19:18:00.000-08:00

Tonight I was sitting in the living room when I heard sirens. It was a fire truck. Well, we lived in an apartment for four years about 1/2 mile away from the fire station so hearing sirens were normal everyday occurrences. I hardly noticed it until John jumped up and ran outside to see what was going on. Then I remembered that we were no longer in our apartment but in a nice quiet neighborhood. So I opened the front door and looked around. Was a neighbor's house on fire? Could I see any smoke? No, but there was the fire truck right in front of our house. It was going slowly with lights and sirens. And then, I saw a person on top that was not wearing a fireman's outfit. It was Santa Clause. What??? Did the Christmas parade get lost? Were the firemen bored? Is this some sort of tradition in this county? I just don't know. I guess I'll have to ask the neighbors. Thankfully none of them needed the firemen!

I mentioned on my last entry that I started an Etsy shop. Holly came up with the name. We both thought of several other ideas but they were all taken. So Crafty Homeschoolers it is! I hope you'll take a look. Perhaps you need some Christmas tags or other scrapbooking items. I've had fun making them. Stop by and take a look! Here are a couple of things I've made. Hoping to add some more this week.

Paper Posies

Upcycled Gift Tags

Me and My Busy Life

2011-12-11T11:50:00.000-08:00

Hello, dear deprived blog! So sorry that I've neglected you. Life stays busy. Like this weekend for example. We had cantata practice on Saturday. John, Holly and I sang in the choir. None of us had speaking parts this year for a change. Then on Wednesday, the lady playing Anna the prophetess became seriously ill and was hospitalized. So on Friday I volunteered to do her part. Thankfully, I just had to read it and not memorize it! It went great! Afterwards we had a huge dinner - I brought sweet potato casserole. Yum! Now it's time to relax. I'd like to promise to write more often but with Gabriel and Hannah coming home THIS SATURDAY and my new etsy shop - Crafty Homeschoolers - I'm sure I'll be busier than ever! But I'll try. Because I miss you!!

Birthdays

2011-09-30T08:18:00.000-07:00

We have always celebrated the kids' birthdays by giving them a day off of school. Traditional schools take off for Washington's, Lincoln's and Martin Luther King's birthdays, so why not celebrate our own instead? That has been our custom since our first kindergarten years in the mid 1990's. Each and every year the kids tried to convince me to take my own birthday off as well. Anything for a free day, right? No. I was adamant. I LIKED teaching! And what better way to spend my birthday than doing something I liked!

I don't remember if it was last year or this year, but Holly figured out that with Gabriel and Hannah being gone she didn't get the same number of "school holidays". So she convinced me to take off for my birthday and John's too. She's always been my little negotiator. Gabriel and Hannah now have to attend classes on their birthdays. Hannah hardly gets to even celebrate hers because it comes right in the middle of mid-terms!

This morning I enjoyed sleeping in late (until 7:30), uninterrupted devotions, and some quiet time to myself. Holly does have a co-op class today, birthday holiday or not. She is taking high school art this year. Later John, Holly and I will go see the new Sherwood Films movie Courageous. It opens today! I don't go to the theater often but this is one film I want to support. After the movie we'll have one of my favorite foods - Pizza!

Contest Winner!

2011-09-24T16:19:00.001-07:00

I decided to go with the old fashioned drawing a number out of a hat - or a bowl in this case. Holly was my helper and my mom was my photographer and witness.

And the winner is . . . .

Comment number 2 - Camelia Howey! Congratulations!!!!

For those who didn't win or even enter, you can purchase My Memories Suite 2 now at My Memories using this code - STMMMS42260 The code will give you $10 off the price of the program and a $10 coupon to use in their store!

Digital Scrapbooking Program Giveaway!

2011-09-12T12:34:00.000-07:00

I have loved scrapbooking for years. It has been something that I have been fairly successful with, unlike tole painting, decoupage, cross-stitch and everything else that I have attempted since macrame. Just recently I have delved into the world of digital scrapbooking. I like it just as much as traditional scrapbooking, maybe more! I am pretty much a novice in the techno - scrapping world but I'm having fun! (And that's saying a lot since my kids say I'm a "techno-peasant."). Here are just a few things that I love about digital scrapbooking:

Everything is on my computer or the internet
It's easy enough for a techno-peasant like me to figure out
There's no mess to put away
My dining room table is not cluttered (at least not with scrapbooking supplies!)
If I need a new embellishment or background paper, it's an easy download at My Memories. No need to make a special trip to the store.
If I only have a few minutes of time, I can work on a page without dragging out a bunch of supplies.

Here are just a few of the projects I have done. You can also look at some other blog entries that I have posted recently here and here.

Now for the good news - My Memories is giving one of my blog readers My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbook program FREE! To enter my contest to win this program, all you have to do is visit My Memories (www.MyMemories.com) and then leave me a comment on this blog entry telling me what your favorite digital scrapbooking kit is. This is the only mandatory entry. For extra entries you may do the following:

Tell others about my contest on facebook/twitter/ your blog (up to three entries)
Follow the My Memories blog
Follow My Memories on Facebook

Leave an additional comment for each extra entry! Contest ends Saturday morning. Winner will be by a random drawing. And if you just can't wait until the end of the week, you can purchase it now at My Memories using this code - STMMMS42260

My 9-11 Story

2011-09-11T14:38:00.000-07:00

My September 11 story began in June of 2001. We were missionaries to Romania on furlough. We were in New York trying to raise support to return to the field. We had a day off and decided to go to the Statue of Liberty. This was my first time there; the kids too. I remember standing there looking across the skyline of New York City. I had always wanted to go there. I made up my mind right then and there that we would go on our next trip to New York which was coming up in September. Ten year old Gabriel didn't seem as impressed as I was with the skyline. One comment about the world trade center buildings was, "They're not twin towers. One has an antenna on top."

Three months later we found ourselves in New York again. We were busy visiting several churches and spending time with John's family. John asked at one point, "What do you want to do on Tuesday?" I forgot about my determination to go to New York City. I forgot about the Empire State Building and the Twin Towers. It never occurred to me that we would be only an hour away on Wednesday and it would be a very feasible trip. All of that completely slipped my mind. Instead I said something like, "I don't know. I think it would be a good idea to stay at the mission apartment and do some homeschooling with the kids." And that is exactly what I did. John had heard about a preachers' meeting going on that day and so he left early to do that. I was there in that church apartment, prophet chamber as it was called. We pulled out our books and I was so glad to get some much needed school work done.

It was a nice place to stay. There were two bedrooms and a bathroom. There was an old TV on the dresser. The kind where you pull the knob out to turn it on and it takes a while to warm up. We didn't bother turning the TV on. We had school. Did I have a cell phone? I don't remember. I would say probably not because John had not contacted me. Neither did anyone else. We were pretty much in our own little world that day. As far as we knew, it was just your run of the mill average day. How very wrong we were.

It was about 2:30 PM when a lady from the church came over. She was also a homeschool mom and we had made plans to fly kites together that afternoon. She came into the church kitchen with a distraught look on her face, "Have you heard what happened?" she asked me. By her facial expression, I knew it was serious. I had no idea that it was an event that would forever change all of our lives. As she shared the impossible news, I wondered what had happened to our country. How was it that our security was so lax that so many planes could be hijacked?

We went to the room with the old fashioned black and white TV and pulled the knob to turn it on. It wasn't hard to find a channel broadcasting the news. By that point, both buildings were long gone and they showed over and over how they had collapsed. It was then that I saw the antenna on the one tower - and I remembered! I remembered Gabriel's words on how they weren't really twins. I remembered my desire to visit the city. Oh how I had wanted to go! And that was our free day, the day that it would have been possible to go - and I had forgotten.

Why did God spare us, and not others, from possible death and certain calamity? (Just being in the city that day must have been a nightmare.) I am sure I will never know as long as I live on this earth. For His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. We are blessed by His mercy and His grace. Our hearts are grieved by the tragedy that touched all of our lives. I hope that as Americans we will never forget what has happened; that we will continue to be a strong nation that will fight for our freedom. And I pray that as Christians, we will love God with all of our heart, soul and strength and share His mercy and grace with all. May God bless America!

One Thousand Gifts - Hurricane Edition

2011-08-29T10:57:00.000-07:00

What a week we've had! An earthquake on Tuesday and a hurricane on Saturday. I have had enough natural disasters for a while. At least it has caused us to seriously look at our emergency supplies. The power has been out at our house since Saturday afternoon. Water has been off and on, sometimes looking a bit brown. Yesterday morning I was talking to John and I said, "Why don't you drive us to Knoxville and my mom and dad can come pick us up there." I was only half serious. A wish. Time to spend with my parents. I could still bring homeschool books and Holly and I could continue school in airconditioned comfort. Not to mention showers and warm meals. We both kind of dismissed the idea. John went to bed (he's working midnights) and Holly and I went to church.

That afternoon, Holly and I had tuna salad for lunch - leftovers from the night before. The house was comfortable for a while but as the day went on we became hot and sticky. There wasn't much of a breeze and the neighbors generator was making a lot of noise! Holly and I went to church early for orchestra practice. John arrived just before 6 for the service. He told me then that he had made some calls and we would leave on Monday morning for Tennessee! Packing was easy since there wasn't any way to do laundry. We just threw some things in our suitcase and were on the road!

So from the interstate, here are some of the things I am thankful for this week:

Safety in the storm

Peace to lie down knowing we are in God's Hand

A strong roof over our heads

A huge oak tree with strong roots and limbs - only small branches and large acorns fell on our roof - for hours

paper plates

paper cups

disposable cutlery

lots of ice in the freezer in preparation for the storm

cold milk

a gas grill

food on the table

nice juicy warm hamburgers

a full pantry

church after a rough week

a neighbor with power offering showers

and storage for our frozen/refrigerated itmes

a cool breeze in the morning

the portabiltiy of homeschooling

a loving, generous husband

loving, generous parents

What are you thankful for this week?

A Day in the Life of our Homeschooling

2011-08-24T13:29:00.000-07:00

Long time readers of my blog will know that I have struggled with finding a routine for the past four years. I am beginning to realize that routine is probably lost forever. I do not imagine that I can sit down and write out one schedule and tell you that that is the way each day goes. Routine is difficult first of all because my husband works shift work. Monday he was at work during our school day. Tuesday he got off shortly before we finished and today he didn't have to work until 5 p.m. But here is a glimpse of our first few days:

On Monday we began with PE - a brisk walk around the neighborhood. Then we had our back to homeschool breakfast. After that, Holly did some typing practice while I took a shower. Next we dove into the academics; History, Science and Language Arts. We are still waiting on our math program to arrive - one more obstacle in my quest for routine.

Tuesday was basically the same minus the back to school breakfast. (I cook breakfast approximately two or three times a year, give or take.) Holly was working on her independent work when we had to dive under the table and pray for our own safety during the earthquake. More on that here.

Today John was off and he was a sweetheart and made us some French toast. He accompanied us on our walk and then we came home and enjoyed that treat. While we were eating he asked if we wanted to go out to lunch. Who turns down going out to lunch? Besides, he missed our back to homeschool breakfast so I thought a back to homeschool lunch with Dad was a good idea. Maybe it should be a new tradition too! So we did History and Science and then got ready to go out. (Still no math program) We also went shopping for some emergency supplies should Irene decide to pay us a visit. Not to mention I'm still a bit rattled over the quake from yesterday. (Why don't we name earthquakes?) We returned home and skipped Language Arts. Holly did her independent work and that was the end of day three.

John begins midnights this week so he will be in bed during our school hours. I'm assuming that Thursday and Friday will go much like the other three days. Next Monday we will add homeschool band to our schedule and in mid September Holly will take art and a literature and composition class at a local co-op. I suppose if I could sum up a day in our life in one sentence (and probably a run-on) it would be, "Trying to homeschool on most weekdays yet adding some flexibility to our schedule to mesh with John's along with some surprises that life throws in."

Check out more entries in the Not Back to School blog hop here.

One Thousand Gifts - Earthquake Version

2011-08-23T14:23:00.000-07:00

John worked a 13 1/2 hour shift. He came home shortly after 1 PM. Tired. Hungry. I warmed up a plate of leftover spaghetti for him and he relaxed a bit in front of the TV. Seemed to be a typical scenario in our home. His job as State Trooper is stressful. Police work always is because you never know who it is you are stopping for a simple speeding ticket. On top of that, he works long hours; taking every overtime assignment available to help pay for college.

It was close to 1:45 when he went to lie down. "Sweetheart, would you come rub my back a bit before I sleep?" He talked briefly about his day as I rubbed his shoulders. Then we heard a noise. A rumbling. It sounded like a huge truck coming down the street. "What is that?" I asked. It became louder. The floor was shaking. Earthquake! I ran down the hallway, through the living room. Our small house never seemed so long. I entered the den where Holly had been doing her school work. She was under the table. I joined her. Together we felt the house sway back and forth like a swing - or a strange ride at King's Dominion might be a more accurate description. No seat belts. No safety bars. Only a simple prayer for God to keep us safe. I don't know how long it lasted. John wasn't far behind but the danger was over before he got to us. He checked things outside. Everything seemed fine. Life was back to normal, even if my insides were still shaking.

Each and every day I can find something to be thankful for. Some days these blessings, these gifts are more obvious. Today I am thankful for:

water coming out of my faucet
electricity coming through the wires of my home
phone coming from . . . somewhere
food in my pantry
and refrigerator
safety in an earthquake
my little girl who remembered what to do when I wasn't in the room when danger loomed
technology
facebook to connect with family and say we are fine
friends who care
the promise of Christ's soon return
a successful first day of school
my sweet girl working diligently
new school books
a cooler summer day
wisdom
a multitude of counselors "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety." Proverbs 11:14
God Who knows me by name
and loves me
every moment that God is watching over me and I don't even think about it

What are you thankful for? You can share your blessings at Ann's

Lazy Summer Mornings

2011-08-18T11:58:00.001-07:00

Holly and I have been enjoying some lazy summer days these past two weeks. June was chaotic with moving and a trip to Alabama. July we were swamped with different activities like unpacking and settling in, Vacation Bible School, the Tomato Festival and camp. We are still settling in, bit by bit. And I'm working on school plans. "Working" probably isn't the right word because it's an activity I really enjoy. But our mornings have been rather relaxed; sleeping in late, internet surfing. It's been nice but I wouldn't want that to be our schedule forever. And it won't be because on Monday we begin our homeschool year!

As usual, I think I am more excited about the new school year than Holly. She is looking forward to some of her classes: band, art and even math. We are trying Teaching Textbooks this year. She saw it and fell in love with it. We shall see how long her enthusiasm lasts! The thing Holly dislikes the most is getting up "early". I'm thinking that will be (for her) around 7 a.m. this year.

It's our last year of middle school. Sigh. Speaking of planning, I'd better get busy! What time do your kids get up for school?

A Bit about Gabriel and Hannah

2011-08-18T07:30:00.000-07:00

Gabriel and Hannah are finishing up their last few weeks of work. Gabriel works in the Abeka Book distribution center. If you use Abeka, he might be the one who pulled your books off the shelves! He has also been a substitute worker in the sports center. They have a day camp for elementary kids and Gabriel's job when he's there is to supervise them while they are bowling, skating, rock climbing and all the other activities that are there. Hannah works for Abeka Academy. That's their video school. She's on the phone all day making and receiving calls about enrollment.

I thank God daily for their jobs, for without them, I don't know how we could send them back this fall. But I miss them more than my heart can say. I love that they have made good friends and are really having a great time. Gabriel is getting a lot of reading in. Something that he probably wouldn't do here at home. It's been good for them, but cutting the apron strings (or heart strings would be more like it) is painful. August may be too early to start the Christmas break count down but I did it anyway. 120 days.

Scrapbook page made using my new digital scrapbooking program. I'm giving one away next week!!

Not Back to School - Student Photos

2011-08-16T11:17:00.000-07:00

It's the "Not Back to School Blog Hop: Student Photo Week. So let me introduce you to my student:

This is Holly. She is 13, an age that she has long awaited. Being a teen was on the top of her goals list for many years. I suppose having teenaged siblings for so many years has something to do with that. She is entering her last year of middle school. I cannot believe that in five years we will be sending her off to college. Now that she has reached her goal of "teenager", she is working on some others. Her interests include journalism, art and photography.

I also had to include Gabriel and Hannah. Would you call them my former students? I suppose as Mom, I will always be their teacher. They will begin their sophomore year next month at Pensacola Christian College. Gabriel is studying pre-law. His ultimate goal is president. Yes, of the United States. Hannah is majoring in graphic design.

These pages are some of my first attempts using digital scrapbooking software. I'm planning a give-away next week so be sure to stop by again!

One Thousand Gifts Week 4

2011-08-15T07:57:00.000-07:00

There are so many blessings bestowed on me each day. Each Monday I am listing a few here. This week I am thankful for:

God Who directs our steps when we do not know the way
the peace that passes all understanding
praying together as a family
casting my cares upon Him because He cares for me
God's thoughts towards me that cannot be numbered
and towards my children
God's protection
rain
my mom and dad
and their 52 years of marriage (August 15th)
being raised in a Christian home
my husband who loves me
hugs everyday
a child still at home
housework - because it means I have a home
a cool-ish summer day
God's grace
Salvation freely given
Eternal life through Jesus Christ
A relationship with Almighty God, Abba Father

What are you thankful for?

Welcome to the Woodward Family Homeschool

2011-08-11T17:04:00.000-07:00

We recently moved from a tiny apartment to a small house. The new school year is just around the corner so getting our school area ready is high priority. We do not have a room just for "school" Most of our work will be done here in the dining room. Definitely need some sort of window treatment on the window. Someday.

Here's our school/dining room table with some of the artwork Holly has been working on this summer.Lighthouse paint by number and ballet slippers done freehand.

Bulletin boards that used to be in Gabriel and Hannah's rooms. If we would have stayed in the apartment they probably would have remained in their rooms. But since we had to take them down . . . Now they are waiting for for something shcoolish to go on them. Above the bulletin boards are Gabriel and Hannah's high school diplomas.

Room decor is a bit of Americana combined with my children's art work. Above are George and Abe - pastel drawings by Gabriel when he was 16.

Pictures by Gabriel, Hannah and Holly circa first and second grade.

This room is equipped with an ugly air conditioner unit. It's also useless and unnecessary since the house has central air. If we owned the house we would simply remove it. But we don't. Well, I was wanting a place to hang my maps. But we don't have a lot of wall space. So my ingenious husband came up with the idea of hanging them over the AC.

I can easily change from the world map to the US map.

And what's a homeschool room without an over abundance of books?! Dolls on the top are awaiting room on a shelf in Holly's room. Maybe we'll get that painted this weekend.

Well, that's our "school room". But of course our learning isn't limited to this one room. I could also add pictures of the kitchen where cooking and science experiments are likely to take place, the comfy couch where we'll read lots of books, the piano, the back yard . . . You get the idea!

It's week 2 at the Not Back to School Blog Hop - School room week. Join in here!

Heart of the Matter {online}

Long Story Short Version

2011-08-11T09:15:00.000-07:00

My longtime blogging friend PlainJane asked me recently if I am still working outside the home. I was a stay-at-home mom for many years, beginning shortly before our first child was born. It has always been my personal conviction that mothers should be home with their children unless their income was needed to put food on the table. I understand that most Americans do not share my feelings on that point but I am not here to change anyone's mind, I'm simply stating what is right for our family.

I did have a couple of part time jobs when John was in college. He also worked full time, making a little above minimum wage. I did Mother's Day Out 2 days a week and brought Gabriel and Hannah along with me. After that I cleaned our church occasionally. I was a substitute janitor! I got the kids up early, took them to my mom's and was at the church by 5:30 A.M. Money was always tight. We didn't have fancy cars and have never taken a luxury vacation. But watching God work miracles in our lives has been more fascinating than any exotic excursion could ever be.

Fast forward to 2007 - We had just returned from Romania and made the decision to move to Virginia. We came here in faith that John would be hired by the Virginia State Police. Until then, John found a job working security. Two week's pay only paid for two-thirds of our rent. We decided I would be a substitute teacher. It was a good plan. I worked from 7:00-3:00. The kids did their school work and I would go over it with them in the afternoon. John worked from 4:00-Midnight.

Money was still tight. We still didn't have fancy cars. Vacations consisted of going to see family. Schedules were also tight. Trying to squeeze in homeschooling between my work and the kids' jobs was tough. Reading aloud went out the window and I really missed it. But John was eventually hired by VSP and I didn't need to work as much.

I worked some during our third year in Virginia. Gabriel and Hannah were seniors in high school and college expenses were on the horizon. I'm not sure if I worked ten days last year. With Gabriel and Hannah gone and John working days, there were few occasions when he could be home with Holly so I could go to work. Last week, I received my substitute letter. I discussed it with John, "Do you want me to sub again?" We would have the same dilemma - what do we do with Holly? So the answer is a decisive "No."

To sum up the story, I will once again be a stay-at-home mom. I will look for other ways to earn some extra income - selling things on ebay and clipping coupons. But mostly, I will be watching how God will provide in His miraculous ways. And stand in awe.

One Thousand Gifts Week 3

2011-08-08T06:59:00.000-07:00

Thanking the Lord for (One Thousand Gifts # 41-60):

flowers outside my window
weeds to pull because it means I have a flower garden
a handy-man husband who can fix almost anything
a little girl who loves to write
two college sophomores working hard far away from home to pay for their education
a driveway to wash cars in
and a water hose
and plenty of water
a call from my son to ask a simple question
a nice neighborhood to take a walk in
freedom

trees to give us shade
my car
my husband's car for work
books
bookshelves overflowing with books
the roof over my head
a comfortable bed to sleep in
and a pillow
being held in God's almighty hand

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
Psalm 37: 23-24

Outside My Window

2011-08-05T13:22:00.000-07:00

We were in an apartment for four years after Romania. The view was mainly other apartments. It's been a blessing to have a house and a yard complete with wildlife and flowers. It's been so unreasonably hot that I don't venture outside much. I wilt like these Black-eyed Susans which are planted by our deck.

I can see them while sitting here at my computer. There is a rose bush by the deck as well. It's a bit tall and spindly but today I noticed the very first rose bud since we've been here. And it is my favorite rose - pink!

We've seen some interesting critters too. One little guy is cute and furry even if he is considered a nuisance. And there's one I hope never slithers this way again . . .

Not Back to School Plans - 2011

2011-08-02T14:19:00.000-07:00

I have said now that I have two graduated from homeschool, I know how to do it now! And it is true that I have learned a lot over the years. Gabriel and Hannah will be sophomores at Pensacola Christian College this fall. Gabriel is studying pre-law and Hannah, graphic design. They love it there and we are blessed that they made the dean's list both semesters of their freshman year. That leaves me with just one at home.

Holly is going into 8th grade this year. Homeschooling one is entirely different than two or three or more! When I had all three at home and we were done with "school" for the day, they would spend time with each other. Even if they were in the same room, doing different things, there was a togetherness.

(Picture taken in the Transylvanian Alps circa 2003)

This year, I found myself analyzing what did and did not work with Gabriel and Hannah and what would be the best options for Holly. She is like them in many ways but in other ways, she is very much her own person. She is very social and needs interaction with others. So, here is what I have decided to do for this year:

Middle School English Composition and Literature - To be taken at a local co-op. I am also hoping this will encourage her to read. She reads well but never chooses to. This will be my first experience with this group of homeschoolers!

Teaching Textbooks Pre-Algebra - This will be a first for us. I have heard many good things about it.

Abeka History of the World - I like Abeka. It is very thorough!

Abeka Science Order and Design (Life Science)

Band - Continuing to learn the clarinet in a homeschool band group - if we can afford the gas. It is about 45 minutes away.

High School Art - this is also at the co-op. I am a bit apprehensive about her taking a high school class but the teacher said it is for all skill levels and the middle school class is for 5th-7th graders.

Her interests at this time are either journalism or graphic design. In her spare time, should she have any, she will work on keyboarding and blogging. Time will tell what her actual college major will be. At this point in their lives, Gabriel was going to be an author and Hannah had no plans to go to college.

For more Not Back to School plans check out Heart of the Matter {online}

One Thousand Gifts Week 2

2011-08-01T06:49:00.000-07:00

Life can be difficult with its many trials and sorrows. But God gives us so many blessings each and every day. Sometimes they are obvious. Other times we have to think about it and remember the thousands of ways we have to say thanks. So I pause on this Monday morning to list a few of them:

21. God's Word to comfort and guide me
22. a little girl safely home from camp
23. the encouragement she found there through friends and God's Word
24. her renewed dedication to God and serving Him
25. texting - so I can easily communicate with my children so far away
26. and digital pictures they can send via the internet

27. time to myself
28. my computer
29. my computer desk
30. our church
31. the preaching of God's Word
32. our youth group with teens dedicated to living for God
33. a grill on my backyard deck
34. the American flag waving proudly by my front door
35. trees that give us shade
36. ice water
37. a phone call from my sweetheart
38. grocery stores
39. coupons
40. God's provision

Files of Memories Part 2

2011-07-29T16:08:00.000-07:00

(Read Part 1 here)

I was numb as they carried Holly to the operating room. The trauma of the night before and precious little sleep were taking their toll. Worried about what would happen to Sweet Holly, I took a seat. Was it on the window sill or the radiator? I don't remember. There was no waiting room. No comfortable chairs. I was there with our friend Laura and our not friend Missionary Wife. Missionary Wife tried to comfort me with her own stories. "Well if you think this is bad . . . " Her chatter did not help. My mind was in a fog and I wasn't really listening anyway.

I don't know how long we waited. An hour? Four hours? It seemed like an eternity. Finally out came the nurses carrying Holly. They had smiles on their faces. They went on about how well Holly did. She didn't like the shot but afterwards was completely happy during the whole ordeal, smiling and cooing. She was always a happy baby. I often thought I should have named her Joy. I spoke with the doctor. I was told she was the best in Romania. I'm not really sure what that means in the realm of national healthcare. She performed micro plastic surgery on Holly's pinky. It was necessary to shave 1 mm of the bone but she was able to save the root of the nail.

We went home and waited for John. How could I tell him that his baby was injured? That her hand would never be whole again? When he arrived, I ran out to meet him at the gate. I didn't want him to walk in and see Holly's hand bandaged up without knowing what had happened. Once again, I don't remember what I said. Some things about the entire event are so clear and ever etched in my mind. Others are just a vague dream.

John was sad for me and for Holly. If his emotions were more than that, he held them in for my sake. He was the strong one. He was gentle and gracious and loving.

We went back to the hospital the next day to have it checked. Please keep in mind that we were in Romania. Do not envision your local hospital. And this hospital or at least the ward we were on specialized in hands and feet. Doctors and nurses were required to wear white jackets. Because it was cold a bathrobe would suffice. Patients were walking around with their hands and feet bandaged. It looked like something out of "Night of the Living Dead." Someone in a bathrobe came up to me and started to reach for Holly. At first I was shocked thinking we were in the looney ward. Then I saw her ID badge and realized she was a nurse.

We donned the required white jackets (no street clothes allowed) and took Holly into an examining room. Snip, snip, snip with the scissors and off came Holly's bandage. Then the nurse turned around to a man sitting in the same room. His hand was also bandaged and oozing . . . not a pleasant sight. She used the same scissors on that man. I wonder where they were before Holly?

We all survived these traumatic events. Amazingly her finger healed without any infections. It is scarred and the nail grows over the tip of her pinky. One day we hope to have more plastic surgery, here in the United States, to correct it. Hearts have healed as well, also with some scar tissue. But that is a story for another day.

Files of Memories

2011-07-28T17:16:00.000-07:00

Today I was going through some of the boxes in the den - our collection site for all the things we don't know what to do with or haven't gotten to yet. Some of the boxes are ones that we brought back from my mom's. She so graciously stored them for us for a long time; some nearly a decade. I found a file of pictures drawn by Gabriel and Hannah circa first grade.

They brought a smile to my face. Sweet memories of my now grown children.

I find myself wondering what Hannah was wearing that day that made her draw her shirt or dress like that.

There was another file. It contained only two items. An x-ray and a slip of paper from a Romanian doctor. I don't know what the paper says. I've always had a difficult time reading Romanian handwriting - and this was written by a doctor! But the x-ray was self-explanatory. A tiny baby only nine months old had suffered an injury. She was so tiny that the bones in her hands had not yet fused together. There was another hand in the x-ray - a nurse holding the baby's hand down. Or perhaps it was me. I don't really remember.

It was January 1999. We were in Brasov, Romania. John had taken a trip to the United States. Gabriel, Hannah, Holly and I had been alone for nearly 10 days. We were fine. We had several good Romanian friends. I knew the language well enough. We would be fine for those 10 days that John needed to be gone. It was on that last night that we found it necessary to visit the Romanian emergency room. I was supposed to go to language class that evening. I was tired and decided not to go so I called the teacher and told her. Gabriel, Hannah and I were having fun building with K'nex. We decided to build a tower taller than Daddy before he came home. Holly was crawling around and making a mess out of the process. So I got the exersaucer and put it just outside their bedroom door which was right next to the kitchen. We made our tower, took some pictures and with a sigh I realized we just had one more night to get through. John would be home the next day.

I went to the bathroom to start Hannah's bath water. She asked if she could play with some Tupperware in the tub. Sure. She knew where it was. She opened the cabinet, took what she wanted and closed the door again. She didn't realize that her baby sister had put her hands on the door. She couldn't know that the door would become a knife to a tiny finger.

The scream that reached my ears was one that could stop a mother's heart. It was more than pain. The blood that I saw terrified me. The tip of her pinky looked frightening. Was that her nail . . . or bone? I searched the cabinet for any sign of flesh but found nothing. I grabbed a clean towel and the phone. No one I knew was home. And there was no 9-1-1.

"Oh, God!" I prayed aloud, "help me!" Hannah sat in the living room and sobbed. I told Gabriel to pack the diaper bag. We were going to the hospital. He didn't really know what to do. Hannah was my helper in that department. I kept making phone calls. Finally, in desperation, I called a missionary wife that didn't like me and made that fact obvious. Her son answered the phone. I remembering him telling me to calm down. I didn't realize I sounded frantic but I must have been. She came right away. She was the right person to get ahold of. She knew where to go, what the procedures were.

We went to the children's hospital for the x-ray and then on to another hospital. At both places, they put some medicine on the finger and wrapped it up. "Come back in the morning for surgery." Really?! There's no surgeon now? Can't you call someone? "Who are you to wake the surgeon up?" I was told.

So we went home. By then, our good friend Marius and Laura were home. Marius went to get Ildi who lived many miles away in a Hungarian village. Ildi helped me with the kids and the house while I was at language class. She adored Holly. Before she arrived, I looked at that cabinet door again. There it was on the edge, the tip of her pinky from the fingernail up. I don't know how I missed it earlier except that God must have blinded me to it. I'm not sure I could have seen that at that point without having a nervous breakdown. Ildi came and cleaned up the blood and washed Holly's outfit. We took turns holding her all night. Meanwhile, John knew nothing. At the time of the accident, he was on his way home. Even if I could get in touch with him, what could he do?

I took her to surgery the next morning. Our doctor in the States advised me to not let them give her a general anesthesia. A local was all she needed. The night before I had trouble remembering English but that morning, I was arguing with the surgeon in Romanian. "Who told you this? A pediatrician? He is not a surgeon!" So I gave my sweet baby back to God. "She's your baby Lord. Do what's best for her." Then the surgeon came back out and asked how much did she weigh. Eight kilograms. They said they would only do a local. "Thank you, Lord!" And with that, they took sweet Holly down the hall and behind closed doors.

To be continued. . . (Read Part 2)

Call Me Crazy

2011-07-28T08:33:00.000-07:00

Holly is still away at camp. This year they have a new program where they can choose from several "classes" like archery and hiking. I heard from one of the other kid's mom that ALL of our group chose to do arts and crafts in order to escape the heat! Who can blame them in this oppressive suffocating weather. It's supposed to be 96 there today with a heat index of 105.

Today John is going on his own adventure. He is going with a good friend of his to Pensacola to visit with Gabriel and Hannah. I know that many of you think that I am CRAZY not to go and see my kids but let me explain. First of all, I have my own trip planned to fly down in October. Second, on short trips like this, it's easier to not take the whole family. John will be able to spend more individual time with them. Plus there is a major factor that some John's days off are while Holly is still at camp. Finally, and might I add mainly, it's JULY. I do not want to be walking around the college campus in this scorching heat. I melt. I get raging headaches. It wouldn't be an enjoyable time. So I am staying home. I enjoy these rare moments when I have some time to myself. I have a lengthy to-do list and hope to get a portion of it accomplished before Holly arrives at home tomorrow night. What do you do when you're home alone?

One Thousand Gifts

2011-07-25T17:45:00.000-07:00

There are so many things to thank God for every day but how many times do we complain instead? In my effort to get back into the habit of blogging, I thought I would try this weekly meme on gratitude. These are a few of the things I am thankful for:

the LORD who is my shepherd and watches over me
my Shepherd who is also the Shepherd of my children and loves them more than I do
Holly who is away at camp and quickly becoming a young woman
Gabriel and Hannah who are far away at college but ever so close to my heart
their summer jobs to help pay for college
my husband who works diligently and loves his job
for God's presence with each one of us no matter where we are
a home - a house with a front and back yard
air conditioning to keep us cool in this oppressive heat
an ice maker that we now have after nearly a decade of being without
a washer and dryer - side by side
music to soothe my soul
the opportunity, ability and desire to homeschool my children
a new school year that is about to begin
the privilege of going boldly to the throne of grace
answered prayer
the promises of God
a piano that survived a trip from Romania and four years in storage
forgiveness
God's mercies which are new every morning

What's on your list?

The Long Awaited Week

2011-07-25T07:25:00.000-07:00

The long awaited week has arrived. Holly is now in a van full of kids on a 7 hour trek to camp. She loves any and all youth activities whether it's simply Sunday School, a Friday night time of fun at the youth leader's house or the mega event of the year known as camp. Taking a long ride in a noisy vehicle just to march around a campground in hot sweaty weather and then sleep on uncomfortable beds is not my idea of vacation. Not to mention camp food! But the teens love it. And I love hearing all the stories on Friday night when they return.

Meanwhile, I have plans of my own for the week. Here is a list of a few of my goals:

1. Unpack the boxes that are patiently waiting their turn in the den- such a never-ending job!
2. Pray for Holly
3. Homeschool planning
4. Purchase science and history books at ABeka materials display on Thrusday
5. Wonder what Holly is doing
4. Blog (like I'm doing right now!)
5. Read - I'm not sure what yet. Trying to read non-fiction this year.
6. Remind myself that the LORD is Holly's Shepherd too and the He loves her more than I do.

If you are one of the two or three people who read my blog, please pray for Holly and the other teens at camp. Pray for their physical health and protection, safety as they travel and that God will work in their hearts and lives. Thanks!

Dear Blog

2011-07-14T07:38:00.000-07:00

Dear Blog,

I am sorry for my four years of neglect and my sporadic attempts of keeping this blog going. I feel I have some valid excuses but they are, in the end, simply excuses. I blogged faithfully in Romania; almost daily. I was busy there too but somehow life was different. And you, dear blog, were a connection to reality, to family, friends and peers who spoke English.

Leaving Romania not only broke my heart but it destroyed my routine. I haven't found a new one yet as life has constantly been changing. We moved to Virginia and John worked a security job while waiting to be hired by the State Police. We found it necessary for me to work as well. I worked a combination of part and full time jobs substituting in the public schools - and homeschooled my children at the same time. Then John was in the academy and only home on weekends. A new routine was needed. January 2010 was his graduation. Gabriel and Hannah were seniors in high school. June was their turn to flip their tassels. And the following September they found wings and flew away to college. How life changed with only one child at home!

Amongst the business there has also been heartache, frustration and sorrow. There were days that I might have had time to write but I did not have the heart. Not that all my days have been somber. Many have been filled with happiness , laughter and good times. But too often, the enemy would step in and steal my joy.

Those first four years were also years of apartment living. And this spring, we decided (God did actually but that is another story entirely!) that it was time to move. So God led us to a nice house and we are still in the process of getting moved in - and finding a routine. I am hoping that blogging will be a part of my new procedure.

.

The Simple Woman's Day Book

2011-01-31T13:37:00.000-08:00

You too can join the Simple Woman's Day Book here

Outside my window...It's cold, cloudy and getting ready to rain. The weather forecast is calling for ice tonight and early tomorrow morning. That will make it a hazardous night for John who is working midnights this week.

I am thinking... that I've not been very successful with this blog. At least I'm doing the day book on a weekly basis. That is a start.

I am thankful for... modern technology. I love being able to text my children who are so far away.

From the learning rooms...Holly began notebooking science on Monday. The first chapter is on Oceans. Today we learned about Lt. Matthew Maury, The Pathfinder of the Seas." We found out by doing some research online that there is a monument of him here in town! So we drove by there this afternoon. (See picture below.)

From the kitchen... We had Beef Stroganoff for dinner. A "new to us" easy favorite.

I am wearing... Jeans, green top and my warm, comfy and obviously favorite State Police sweatshirt.

I am creating... an organized coupon file! Or at least that's what I plan on doing this evening.

I am going... to get my haircut on Saturday! It's long over due.

I am reading... Going Rogue: An American Life by Sarah Palin. One doesn't get very far when they only read once a week.

I am praying... for ways to pay off bills. College is expensive.

I am hoping... for spring!

I am hearing... Glenn Beck on the television.

Around the house... The house is fairly clean. Seems easier to keep it that way with only three of us living here. Our bedroom needs some serious work. One of these days. . .

One of my favorite things... Reading aloud. We've sadly gotten out of the habit with teens working and miscellaneous activities. Holly and I are taking turns reading Where the Red Fern Grows. It's part of her language arts curriculum so we can't read as much as I'd like each day. But we're still enjoying it very much.

A few plans for the rest of the week: I am now playing the clarinet in our church orchestra. I haven't played for DECADES! So that means lots of practicing for me. The week is almost gone! I started this post on Monday but life got busy!

Here is a picture I am sharing: This is Holly at the monument downtown. Matthew Maury - The Pathfinder of the Seas.

The Simple Woman's Day Book

2011-01-24T12:55:00.000-08:00

Outside my window... It's cloudy and 30 degrees. This morning it was in the teens. Virginia is very fickle, though. Tomorrow it should be in the mid 50s.

I am thinking... I cannot wait to see all the many ways that God will bless us this year.

I am thankful for... the $200 book for Gabriel's Astronomy class that he was able to buy for $20! God is good!!!

From the learning rooms...Holly and I finally got back on schedule today! I am most excited about the unit study we are doing on Where the Red Fern Grows. It's been a while since I've read that book!

From the kitchen... Tonight I'm making some chicken with a homemade sauce and rice. We'll probably have something green too. I'm not sure about the rest of the week. Taking life one day at a time!

I am wearing... Red sweats, a tee- shirt and my warm and comfy State Police sweatshirt.

I am creating... greeting cards to send to friends and family. I have a lot of scrapbooking supplies so I thought Holly and I would have fun making cards instead of buying them. Trying to save every dime we can these days!

I am going... nowhere today. I love days when I can stay at home.

I am reading... Going Rogue: An American Life by Sarah Palin. I don't get around to it often enough. Just pulled it out and took it to band last Wednesday.

I am praying... for God to bless John with more overtime hours.

I am hoping... for spring!

I am hearing... Silence! Holly is cleaning her room and John is working late.

Around the house... things are getting back to normal - our new normal - now that Gabriel and Hannah have returned to college. John has turned Gabriel's room into his office. That's a huge improvement over last semester when we used his room for clutter and storage!

One of my favorite things... Bath and Body Works hand soap. I don't splurge on it very often but I did buy some with Christmas money. Brightens up winter time, don't you think?

A few plans for the rest of the week: Holly has band on Wednesday and a teen activity on Friday. Other than that, I'm planning on staying home and staying warm!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

John and Holly at the zoo last fall. We had a great time!

You too can join the Simple Woman's Day Book here

The Twists and Turns of My Heart

2011-01-22T20:19:00.000-08:00

Gabriel and Hannah left just before dawn yesterday morning for their second semester of college. They took a carload of all the things they needed and some things they wanted to make their dorm rooms more comfy. They also took a huge piece of my heart. What's left of my poor heart has been twisted and turned so many times in the last several months. I am so excited for their successes. I love that they love college life. But I miss them; their hugs and their laughter. Yet I know that to keep them here would not be the best thing for them. Who wants a 30-40 year old son living at home living at home and playing video games? They must grow up. They must fly away. But they are so far away. They cannot come home on the weekends. I miss snuggling with Hannah on the couch and watching a chick flick. I miss Gabriel's sense of humor. He always makes me laugh. I realize how blessed I am to have such amazing kids. I am grateful for the one on one time with Holly. She enjoys the individual attention. Yet she will spend her teen years without having siblings around. Oh, do you see the maze that my heart is going through? So many emotions! I have always known that motherhood involved the cutting of the apron strings. I just didn't know it was such a long and painful process.

The Simple Woman's Day Book

2011-01-17T10:16:00.001-08:00

Outside my window... It's cloudy and 37 degrees. We're supposed to get rain later this afternoon and maybe some snow mixed in.

I am thinking... about how blessed I am with a husband who loves me, amazing kids, a healthy family and God Who watches over us all the time.

I am thankful for... my husband's job that he loves.

From the learning rooms...We decided to wait until Gabriel and Hannah return to college before getting back into our homeschool routine.

From the kitchen... Something simple for tonight since Gabriel and Hannah are both working. Tomorrow we are going to the youth pastor's home for dinner. Wednesday or Thursday I'm planning on making chicken and dumplings. Holly is wanting to make some cookies - peanut butter or snicker doodles.

I am wearing... Blue jeans, a favorite black shirt with embroidered flowers and my State Police sweat shirt.

I am creating... a shopping list - things Gabriel and Hannah need for their second semester at Pensacola Christian College.

I am going... nowhere today. I love days when I can stay at home.

I am reading... nothing besides the bible. My goal for the year is to read at least five non-fiction books. Haven't gotten started yet. This category is not seeing much change!

I am praying... for God's provision.

I am hoping... to make a to-do list and check many things off!

I am hearing... The click of Hannah's laptop as she takes pictures of herself, Holly and their friend Bethany who spent the night. And lots of laughter.

Around the house... Laundry is piled up. I need to get it finished so the kids can begin packing.

One of my favorite things... laughter. We have a happy home.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Spending time with Gabriel and Hannah before they leave early Friday morning. Checking the weather along their route. Hopefully winter will be relatively mild for just a few more days.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Holly and homeschool band classmate Jamie at their Christmas concert last Thursday. (December's concert was postponed due to snow.)

The Simple Woman's Day Book

2011-01-10T16:12:00.000-08:00

Outside my window... It's dark. It's nighttime and clouds are gathering for a storm.

I am thinking... about how to pay for Gabriel and Hannah's tuition this semester.

I am thankful for... a stocked pantry. We are ready for snow.

From the learning rooms...We got clarinet practice done today. Getting back on track hasn't happened yet.

From the kitchen... Just made a red velvet cake. Gabriel says it's his favorite. (That's news to me! I've never even made one before.) It's a boxed mix. I hope he likes it. One of these days I'll try it from scratch.

I am wearing... Blue jeans, black shirt and a sweat shirt, socks, sweatshirt and I'm covered up with a blanket.

I am creating... absolutely nothing.

I am going... to stay home tomorrow!

I am reading... nothing besides the bible. My goal for the year is to read at least five non-fiction books. Haven't gotten started yet. Same as last week. Not making much process here.

I am hoping... to get into a better routine.

I am hearing... John talking on the phone. Quiet otherwise.

Around the house... Hannah is at work. Gabriel has gone to his old drama class to see his teacher and friends. Holly is making a gift for a friend.

One of my favorite things... my kids being home for Christmas break. Good days!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Probably going to be snowed in tomorrow. Wednesday is Holly's band class and Thursday is her Christmas concert that was postponed last December due to snow.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

This is Holly rock climbing. She really enjoys it. Wish she could do it more.

The Simple Woman's Day Book

A Chute Full of Holes

2011-01-04T16:48:00.000-08:00

When we left Gabriel and Hannah at Pensacola Christian College I said that I felt like my kids just jumped out of an airplane with a parachute that I had packed for them. They had spent most of their lives as homeschoolers. Not only that, they were missionary kids. Their academic life seemed to have been in constant turmoil. Most years really didn't go as I planned. So when we left them on campus, on their own, I was fearful. Did I teach them enough? Are their study skills good enough to handle different teachers, different tests? Did we work on taking notes enough? Each time, my answer was no. I needed more time with them. Another year. Maybe two or three. Then we'd be ready. But it was time to send them. So I worried about the parachute and their landing. Would the chute open? Was it full of holes? Would they crash and burn?

As a homeschooling mom, I found it very difficult not knowing what they were doing each and every academic moment. What topic were they learning in history? What kind of speech were they practicing that week? What kind of homework assignments did they have? What were they studying that evening? I tried not to interrogate them constantly, after all, they did need time to study. And hopefully, I improved somewhat during the semester.

On December 17th, they completed their first semester and it was amazingly successful. They received their report cards yesterday and they both made the Dean's List! They both love being there and made a lot of friends. I give all thanks and glory to God who helped them to land safely on the ground in spite of a poorly packed and torn parachute.

The Simple Woman's Day Book

2011-01-03T05:35:00.000-08:00

FOR TODAY - Monday, January 3, 2011

Outside my window... I see a beautiful blue sky! It is cold now - about 26 degrees. Should be around 46 today which is nice for January.

I am thinking... about all the cleaning that needs to get done. How quickly this small apartment seems to fall apart!

I am thankful for... the warmth in our apartment and the heater isn't even on. A positive aspect of living on the second floor.

From the learning rooms...Today we begin our second semester of homeschooling only one. I'm hoping to add art and science. But right now my little darling is sound asleep. It's hard to get back on track after Christmas break.

From the kitchen... The plan for this evening is making cheeseburger soup. It's a family favorite!

I am wearing... Blue jeans and a blue striped shirt. Bare feet - it's that warm in here!

I am creating... A to do list for the year. I've gotten a good start on it. You can see it here.

I am going... to the grocery store later. Must make a list first!

I am reading... nothing besides the bible. My goal for the year is to read at least five non-fiction books. Haven't gotten started yet.

I am hoping... to take the rest of the ornaments off the tree. It's been a slow process this year.

I am hearing... the sound of my washing machine.

Around the house... John and Gabriel are at work. Hannah and Holly are sound asleep. My living room is a complete wreck with Christmas boxes everywhere. I'm going to finish that right after this blog entry!

One of my favorite things... is my new Jeopardy game that I got for the Wii. I do not play many video games but this one I enjoy!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Initiating our exercise routine - walking and Wii fit, general cleaning up of clutter and perhaps beginning a new book.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing... This is Holly's self-portrait that she took with her new camera - a present from her grandparents.

You too can join the Simple Woman's Day Book here

Normal

2011-01-02T19:51:00.001-08:00

Gabriel and Hannah have been home for two weeks now. There's a sense of normalcy around the house. That includes more noise, laughter, laundry, and frequently running out of milk. It's good to have them home and we have nearly three more weeks together! I'm thankful for their long break. They were so homesick and I was just beside myself with missing them. I knew their absence would be difficult but I had no idea of the magnitude. I am sure that it will be just as tough for me to let them go again but they are already looking forward to their return and the new normal they have learned from campus life.

The first semester went well for them. Hannah has excellent roommates and has adapted to dorm life quite well. She'd rather have a bottom bunk but overall is pleased with everything. Gabriel had one roommate that he got along with really well and the other was a complete slob. That was tough for a young man who was used to having a room to himself. After midterms, his next door neighbor's roommate left school and requested Gabriel for a roommate. So he was excited to move into a much neater room.

Gabriel loves classes and loves studying! I wish I had seen some of that enthusiasm in all our years of homeschooling. He is a Pre-Law major. Hannah is studying Graphic Design. They both had a very successful semester and are eager to return. John, Holly and I will miss them fiercely but I'm happy that they want to go back. They like it there.

My 2011 List

2010-12-31T20:08:00.000-08:00

Inspired by Sprittibee's Big Fat Annual List, I decided to make my own goals for 2011. Hopefully I've made it realistic. Notice I didn't include scrapbooking. As much as I love it. It doesn't seem to happen. Maybe I can add it later. What's on your list?

Develop a stronger prayer/devotional time
~~Take down the tree/Christmas decorations~~
~~Put John's schedule on my calendar~~
Go out to lunch with Gabriel
Go out to lunch with Hannah
Attend Holly's Christmas concert 1/13 (postponed because of snow)
Go shopping for things Gabriel and Hannah need for their second semester
Find a reading aloud routine
Send Gabriel and Hannah cards or letters weekly
Find a new career - subbing isn't working for us
Get family pictures taken in the summer
Lose 10 pounds
Plan Holly's 8th grade school year
Make - and follow - weekly and daily to-do lists
Read 5 non-fiction books
Reestablish the habit of blogging
Begin an exercise routine
Lose 10 more pounds
Organize/declutter our bedroom
Begin Art and Science with Holly
Practice clarinet
Join orchestra at church
DON'T have any major dental work done (I can hope!)
Make weekly menu plans
Have my hair professionally cut and highlighted
Write a letter to my grandmother each month
Get rid of clothes that don't fit or I don't like
Lose 10 more pounds
Organize dining room buffet cabinet
Sell or donate books that won't be read again
Buy new clothes for the summer
DON'T find lost pounds
Visit my friend/former roommate Mary Ellen
Visit my friend/former roommate Cindy
Work on writing a book about our life in Romania
Encourage Holly in things that interest her - writing, crafts, cooking, photography
Visit the Creation Museum in Kentucky
Visit my grandmother in Kentucky
Learn Spanish with Holly
Reconsider 2011 list - add and revise as necessary

I Have Been Held

2010-12-31T07:44:00.000-08:00

This year did not go how I had planned.
This year did not go how I had hoped.
The enemy stepped in and wreaked havoc in many areas of my life.
The wounds are deep and some will leave scars.
But through all the trials, I have been held by Almighty God.
The God of all comfort has held me in His hands.
He has hid me in the cleft of the Rock.
He has gently reminded me that trials lead to patience.
He whispered to me through His Word, reminding me of all His precious promises.
Reminders that He is always with me.
That His ways are not my ways.
That He knows the way that I take
And these difficult times will draw me closer to Him.
I am blessed with the knowledge that not only does He comfort me in times of tribulation
But He gives me hope for the future
In that I may forget those things which are behind, and reach forth unto those things which are before,
And when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Once Again

2010-12-27T20:15:00.000-08:00

Christmas is over and the tree needs to come down. Some gifts still need to find a home. Laundry has piled up with the arrival of our two college freshmen home on their Christmas break. But I find myself with a more urgent need - the need to write. I began blogging in 2005 when an online friend told me I needed to and I fell in love with the concept. It quickly became a daily habit, a fixation even. But somehow the online obsession was quelled by the extreme life changes our family went through.

There was a trans-Atlantic move, a major career change, the need for me to work as well, high schoolers to homeschool and life in general. Our two oldest graduated from high school and left for their first year of college. Life with only one child at home has been different indeed. We have settled into somewhat of a routine but blogging has not yet found its way back into my life. I miss it. So here I am trying once again.

I know many long time blogging friends who have also gone through some major changes in their lives. Dear online friends, how do you keep blogging a part of your daily/weekly routine?

Waiting to Hear

2010-09-09T16:05:00.001-07:00

Gabriel called today. Oh how good to hear his voice. Even if it was for a question about laundry. Now I am waiting to hear from Hannah. This is a new phase in my life - anxiously waiting for that hopefully daily phone call. How did my mom survive so many decades ago when all we had was a payphone in the hallway shared by 45 other girls? A weekly call would never be enough.

Many people have asked how I am doing. Am I surviving since letting two fly the nest? So far, yes. I am not sure what the answer will be when we walk into our home and notice the emptiness there. And they are doing well and having fun. I am excited for them. But how will I handle it when they have a rough day and I am not there to give them a hug?

John, Holly and I will begin our trek back to Virginia tomorrow. Our plan is to stop half way and spend the night. It's been a long summer and a lengthy trip and we just do not feel up to making a 12 hour trip in one day this time. Looking forward to being home.

Quietness

2010-09-08T12:49:00.000-07:00

I am sitting here in the quietness. An intense quietness. Such solitude I would have longed for in years past when I had a couple of toddlers underfoot. Now I find it peaceful yet odd.

John and I took Gabriel and Hannah to Pensacola Christian College on Sunday afternoon. They checked in on Monday, moved into their dorm rooms and registered for classes. On Tuesday we kissed them good-bye, gave them a long hug and came back to my parents house where Holly was staying.

Hannah's phone quit working on registration day. We are thinking it has something to do with her taking it for a swim a couple of weeks ago. So it's been hard to communicate with her. We have another one on the way for her to use. Today is their first day of classes. I am anxious to hear what they think! They also have a ton of meetings this week. I told them to expect the first week to be very overwhelming and also a lot of fun. I am encouraged that they have already made friends and seem to have terrific roommates!

Of course we are not empty nesters. Holly has six more years of school to go. My dad took her to the Space and Rocket Museum this afternoon. I am looking forward to all the individual time that John and I will have to spend with her. Homeschool begins on Monday!

Stay tuned for the adventures of Gabriel and Hannah at PCC and the Homeschooling of Holly - all right here. I hope you'll come back!

Forgive and Forget

2010-07-15T06:04:00.000-07:00

"Forgive and forget." How many times have we heard that? Or what about, "I can forgive you but I won't ever forget it." Forgive and forget may be the more godly of the two expressions but in reality the second one is what is practiced more often. Picture the bitter, offended person saying it. Or someone who has been deeply and unforgettably hurt. So how does, how can that person, any person who has been horribly wronged, forgive and forget? They cannot. I am not a scientist but I have been told that the human brain remembers everything. Somehow or another the brain stores up every event in a person's life, including all the pain, agony, grief, sorrow, and rejection. Recall is a different story. We lose our keys, forget birthdays and appointments, study for tests but don't score a 100. But those are usually minor things. Forgetting the deeper hurts is another story.

So how does one go on? How can a person deal with the unbearable heartache caused by another? Hebrews 8:12 says, "For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." Our Omniscient God has made a conscious choice to not remember our sins. But we are not God and trying to not remember something traumatic and painful is a difficult, if not impossible human task. Why do we forget the minor things like the placement of car keys or the answer to a test question? Probably because we are not focused on those things. They do not get enough of our attention to be "on the front burner". Remembering and forgetting is all about our thought process. Do we constantly dwell on what that person did to us, how they crushed us, how thoughtless and uncaring they were? Or do we focus on good things? How has God blessed us? How is he working in our lives? What are the positive, pure and lovely things that we can meditate on? No, we may never truly forget the wrongs of another against us. But we can forgive. And it is mandatory to purposely focus on something else besides how hurt we are. Someone told me once, "I don't know how you can forgive me after what I've done to you." I told that person, "My other choice is to be bitter, hateful and miserable." I don't have room in my heart for those feelings. So I gave them all to God who has abundantly pardoned me and promised me beauty for ashes. How can I not forgive others?

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you." Phillipians 4:7-9

"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." Isaiah 55:7

"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;" Isaiah 61:1-3

Contemplations

2010-07-01T15:21:00.000-07:00

June was . . . busy for a lack of a better word. Perhaps I could use a few synonyms such as engaged, swamped, active, overloaded. My parents came to visit, Gabriel and Hannah graduated from high school, I had a yard sale and our church had Vacation Bible School. Those are a few of the major highlights.

I have just finished eating an amazing dish of chicken with peanut sauce that John made for us tonight. It was delicious. Now I am contemplating July, August and September. Tomorrow will be catch up day. Laundry and cleaning have been pushed aside too much. Sunday is not only our church's 4th of July picnic but my spiritual birthday. I am hoping it will not be too hot. We will also have some friends visiting next week. Gabriel and Hannah have plans to go to DC and Kings Dominion with them. I am seriously skeptical with the 100 degree temperatures that are forecasted. For the remainder of July, I would like to find new homes for things that did not sell in my yard sale - hopefully on ebay.

What can I say about August and September? Gabriel and Hannah will both be going to Pensacola Christian college in Pensacola, Florida. My first two children will fly the nest at the same time. It's only 863 miles away. There are just too many emotions for my heart to deal with right now. So like Scarlette O'Hara, I'll think about that tomorrow.

Poster Contest

2010-06-29T13:37:00.000-07:00

Holly is really enjoying being in the youth group for VBS this year. Today they had a poster contest. We got a large sheet of poster board and Holly did a great job decorating it. Several kids made posters but only one other girl had one as big as Holly's. Holly won for best looking and biggest. I asked her how she won for the biggest poster when another girl had one the same exact size. She said it was because some of the sequins were hanging over!

Not the best picture because it was taken with my phone. Tomorrow is the cookie contest. I'm not giving any clues to what we are doing!

Graduation Day!

2010-06-14T14:51:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, June 12th, Gabriel and Hannah graduated from high school. I do not think the fact has sunk in that a major stage in my life with them is over. The ceremony was great. It was held down town at the convention center with 198 other homeschool graduates from all over the state of Virginia. I went prepared with plenty of tissues. I knew I would cry as soon as Pomp and Circumstance began. I regained control of myself by the time the first 189 students marched in and was able to give a big smile to Gabriel and Hannah. We were privileged to hear Ken Ham speak.

Then the parents presented the diplomas to their students. So I pulled from my drama experience and was able to go on stage with a big smile. After that, the graduates flipped their tassels and we stood and sang "Be Thou My Vision". Well, I guess just about everyone else sang. I was all tears again and could hardly eek out a note.

Afterward, we had a party with family and friends. The next step in our lives is to make sure we have everything we need for college which is only days away. I am sure I will shed many more tears. Tissues are on the list!

Tears and Laughter

2010-01-05T20:12:00.000-08:00

John's graduation from the Virginia State Police academy is this Friday!! Excitement is in the air at the Woodward house. We have several families coming from Rochester, NY - John's two brothers and a high school friend. We have so much cleaning and shopping to do. John and I were talking about plans for the party afterward. I am already starting to get emotional. For those of you who do not know me in real life, I cry easily and frequently. I cry on both joyful and sorrowful occasions. And I just can't help it. I have read romance books where a woman bites her lip to keep herself from crying. It just doesn't work for me. When the tears want to come, they do and I can't stop them. Emotional occasions such as the one coming up on Friday are the perfect opportunity too. It reminds me of my wedding day. A day when I was sure it would be Niagara Falls. But something else happened. I was up on stage in front of everyone, facing John, when something struck me as funny. I don't know what. Perhaps it was just nerves. But I started laughing. It wasn't an out loud guffaw as seen on you tube of late. But I was afraid it would end up like that. I couldn't even look at John. I looked over his shoulder and said my vows while trying not to bust out laughing. I actually pulled a muscle in my side in my attempt to hold the laughter in. I tried to think of something sad but couldn't'. Then I looked at my older brother and he had a tear coming down his cheek. Awww!! His love and care for me did the trick and I was able to make it through the rest of the ceremony. But what will I do on Friday? I am not ashamed to allow a few tears of joy to run down my face. But I don't want to be there boo-hooing buckets either. And I certainly don't want to laugh! I think I need to watch a really sad movie and get all the tears out of my system. Meanwhile, I think I'll get a good night's sleep. Any suggestions for a good tear jerker?

Learning to Trust

2010-01-02T09:05:00.001-08:00

I was a school teacher in 1987 when I married John. He was a Richmond City police officer. Everyone who knew John acknowledged the fact that he was in the right profession. Police work was in his blood. He loved what he did. He became a Virginia State Trooper in 1988 and I never saw a change in our future. I imagined living life in that one city; stable, secure, certain. Little did I know that God had a different plan when He called John into the ministry just four years after we were married. Since that time, John has worked at a rescue mission, gotten a BS degree in Biblical Studies while he worked full time and finally we went to

Romania

as missionaries. All the while, I was raising babies, youngsters and then teens. I was learning to be frugal on a slim budget and doing my best to teach them at home. Our life has rarely been stable or certain as I had imagined it would be; chaotic and sporadic are the adjectives that pop into my head. But throughout these many years, God has taught us that He is faithful and true. He is the Rock that we can stand on when the storms of life are raging all around us. He alone is steadfast and unchanging. He alone knows the next step of our journey. I am learning that He knows all about my tomorrows and I am learning to trust Him for each day.

The above paragraph was written on March 16, 2007, the day after we returned from Romania. We had absolutely no clue as to where our life would end up. At that point we never dreamed that God's path would lead us back to Virginia and the State Police. Never did we imagine that after giving up our life in 1992 that God would give it all back. My heart is full and I have many more things to say about this subject. But for now, I just want to say that God is good. All the time. Praise the name of the LORD.

Five Things I'd Like My Children to Know

2010-01-01T07:40:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! I am backing up my old blog and found this post. I'd like to share it once again just as a reminder to my children. I love you Gabriel, Hannah and Holly!!! May God richly bless you in 2010.

Someone tagged me with this meme a long time ago. How do I put into five thoughts all the things that I want my kids to know before they "grow up"?

Here’s my list. Actually, I think they already know these things but I want them to remember them for the rest of their lives.

1. That I love them with all my heart, no matter what, always and forever.

2. That God loves them even more than I do.

3. That God will be with them even when I can’t.

4. That He is faithful and true.

5. That they would learn to see beyond today and beyond themselves.

Blogging Again

2009-12-31T07:50:00.000-08:00

I really want to, need to start blogging again. Facebook is fun but my thoughts are "here today, gone tomorrow." I need a more permanent place to record our daily happenings. So I figured that I would begin again today, the end of the year, rather than waiting for January first.

Today is a rainy, drizzly day. It seems an appropriate end to this year where John and I have spent more days apart than together. In some ways, it has flown by like Time seems to do. But in other ways, it has been long and dreary and I am ready to see 2009 come to an end. After today, John has only five academy days left plus graduation day. The light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter!

Have a Happy and Blessed New Year!

The Dreaded Enemy

2009-10-24T13:01:00.000-07:00

Today I was thinking about the mountain of laundry needing to be done and was tempted to complain. Instead, I decided to repost this blog entry. My poor blog needs some attention.

Laundry. The dreaded enemy. The never ending pile of dirty clothes. Laundry and I may never be best friends but I do consider myself to be blessed. After all, I have an automatic washer and dryer in the same little laundry room. My washing machine is hooked up to both the cold and hot water faucets. I can wash and dry a lot of laundry in just one day if I need or want to. This wasn't always the case.

Twelve years ago, we lived in Brasov, Romania. I considered myself fortunate to have an American washing machine. Never mind the fact that there was only cold water to wash in. It did the job well enough. In the winter, the water was really, really cold. And we only had powdered detergent. After a couple of loads that ended up covered with the undissolved powder, I learned to microwave a bowl full of water, stir in some detergent and put that in the washer. I had to hang the clothes to dry inside the house for most of the year. We had a little clothesline above the bathtub and a dryer rack usually sat near our huge terra cotta heater. No, it wasn't the most convenient arrangement. But it was better than it was when we first moved into that house. It was a small house and certainly not made for a large American washing machine. It took John a few weeks to figure out how and where to install it. Meanwhile, we did laundry in the bathtub and wrung it out by hand. I say "we" because John helped immensely. I was 2 months pregnant and very ill.

The first few months in that house were difficult in many ways. But it was a relief from what we had just been through during our first two months in Romania. Much of it is a nightmare that I try to forget but since laundry is the topic of the day, I will address that aspect. We lived in one room of a Romanian family's house for our first few weeks. They had a small washer but it was usually broken. When it worked, it was constantly in use by them. So I washed clothes in the tub. But there was nowhere to dry them. The family had a clothesline but it was always filled with clothes, wet clothes. It rained almost every day that we were there. So I washed socks, underwear and anything else that just couldn't be worn one more time and hung them on the radiator, backs of chairs and bedposts, hoping they would dry in the damp weather.

Laundry is still an almost daily affair here in our house in the States. We generally do a load or two 6 days a week (and several on the weekends when John returns from the State Police academy). This time the "we" includes the kids. It's not my favorite chore. I don't mind washing and drying so much and I actually enjoy hanging clothes on the line outside. It's the folding that I don't really enjoy. So, sometimes I forget how blessed I really am. Sometimes I complain, sigh, procrastinate. But then I remember the days when a simple thing like clean, dry socks was an enormous challenge and I thank God for all that He has blessed me with.

2009-10-13T17:39:00.001-07:00

Hello Blog.

Homeschool Books For Sale!

2009-08-27T06:14:00.000-07:00

All books are gently used and in very good condition. Covers and spirals show shelf wear. Prices include postage and books will be sent via media mail. US addresses only. I prefer PayPal but will accept personal checks.

BJU 4th Grade Reading I Met You in a Story TE - $35

BJU 5th Grade Reading Pages in My Head Hardcover Student Text - $20 SOLD!!!

BJU 5th Grade Reading Pages in My Head TE - $35 SOLD!!!

BJU 4th Grade Science Hardcover Student Text (second edition) - $15

My Fun with Reading Set - $15
Book 1 - Stories About Animals
Book 2 - Stories About Plants
Book 3 - Stories About World Cultures
Book 4 -Stories About Careers
Book 5 - Stories About Space and Earth Science
Parents and Teachers Guide

Welcome to the Woodward Hospital

2009-08-21T08:34:00.000-07:00

Wednesday was the dreaded wisdom teeth removal day. It was scheduled for 2 PM. John took the day off. I had forgotten to tell Hannah to take the day off as well so that she could stay home with Holly. I suppose that I could have stayed home and let John take Gabriel but I felt like I needed to be there and sit in the waiting room. Don't ask why, that's just the way I am. That hour went by rather quickly as Holly and I watched HGTV. Then we went back to where Gabriel was in recovery. They told us to try and wake him up. Well, little did they know that when Gabriel is asleep, he is ASLEEP. Even a tornado wouldn't wake him up. (That happened once but that's a story for another day.) So there he was sedated and they expected us to awaken him. Right. We did eventually get him awake enough to walk out to the car.

He woke up Wednesday around 6 PM and except for a bit of pain seemed to his normal self - cracking jokes (with gauze still in his mouth), getting too easily irritated at Holly, and asking for food. We had decided that John would stay home with Gabriel while the girls and I went to church. John is a much better nurse than I am, at least when it comes to the gross stuff. We were getting ready to go when Holly twisted her ankle. She was wearing a pair of shoes that someone had given her- kind of a platform shoe I guess. So she stayed home with John and Gabriel and kept ice on it. The swelling has gone down some and now it's a nice shade of blue. She's hobbling around OK so I'm guessing it's not broken. There would be much more pain with that.

Gabriel hasn't had any difficulty. A little pain. The pain medicine makes him a bit dizzy but he's up and about - He's watched movies, we've played Risk, and he's always asking what can he eat. (Soft foods just can't fill up a teen age boy). We are approaching the 48 hour mark and he doesn't seem to have a lot of swelling or bruising. He is very impatient with the healing process. While he loves movies and video games, he's no couch potato and he's ready to get back to his normal life.

During all of this, Hannah has also had a busy schedule with work and a movie night at a friend's house. That leaves me without all my household helpers. I feel like I've got toddlers again - feed them, clean up after them, entertain them . . . and I'm doing all the housework. I am ready to get back to our "normal" life too!

My Life in a List - Brief Highlights of the Last 25 Years

2009-08-18T15:22:00.000-07:00

1984 - Finished college at Liberty Baptist College

1985 - Hired to teach 3rd and 4th grade at a small Christian school in Richmond, VA
- Gradation ceremony at Liberty in May

1986 - Still at Christian school
- Summer job as a DJ at a Christian radio station - Most favorite job ever - should have majored in broadcasting
- Met John in August - we were engaged the following month

1987 - Married in April

1988 - John was hired by Virginia State Police

1989 - We moved to Oilville, VA - lived in a small rented farmhouse

1990 - Bought our first home in Goochland, VA

1991 - Our first child and only son, Gabriel was born

1992 - John is called into the ministry
- We moved to a house in Richmond
- Hannah was born
- John resigned from Virginia State Police

1993 - Moved to Alabama
- John began working on a degree in Biblical Studies

1994 - Bought a house in Decatur, AL

1996 - John graduated from Louisiana Baptist University
- John and I took a survey trip to Romania

1997 - Moved to Brasov, Romania as missionaries

1998 - Holly was born (in Alabama)

1999 - Returned to Alabama

2000- Began considering a ministry in Constanta, Romania

2002- Moved to Constanta, Romania as missionaries

2007 - Returned to States in March and sought God's direction for the next step
-Moved to Virginia in June for John to be rehired by Virginia State Police
- I began substitute teaching

2008 - John was finally hired by the State Police in December

2009 - Waiting to hear where John will be stationed

50 Years Ago

2009-08-15T20:07:00.001-07:00

Today was my mom and dad's 50th wedding anniversary. We were blessed to be able to go to their celebration with many friends and family. My older brother took their photo album and made this video. Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad. May God richly bless you with many more.

The Intention to Deceive

2009-08-14T08:20:00.000-07:00

This week I have been guilty of telling some half-truths. According to dictionary.com a half truth is "a statement that is only partly true, esp. one intended to deceive, evade blame, or the like." My intention was not actually to deceive but to surprise, and that caused me to avoid telling the whole truth. So what was so important that would cause me to stoop to such a level? Tomorrow is my mom and dad's 50th wedding anniversary. My older brother and his wife (mainly his wife, I'm sure) planned a party to celebrate. At first, I didn't know how we could make the 680 mile trip and rearrange a full calendar. So I told my younger brother that we wouldn't come. But John encouraged me to go and I was able to rearrange our schedule. He was able to work an earlier shift on Thursday and we (John, Holly and I) departed at 3 PM. Our surprise was a success and my parents were thrilled to see us, even if we did wake them up at 2 AM central time. Gabriel and Hannah, who have already asked off work for two weeks this summer, didn't want to take more time off so we left them there. They have plans to go to a friend's house and won't be alone for the entire weekend. I am looking forward to tomorrow and seeing more family and friends.

The People Upstairs

2009-08-12T07:54:00.000-07:00

I was looking through a book of poems to find one for Holly to memorize and I came across "The People Upstairs." I thought it was rather prophetic of Mr. Nash concerning our new upstairs neighbors whom I have yet to meet. This is a poem about them.

The People Upstairs
by Ogden Nash

The people upstairs all practice ballet
Their living room is a bowling alley
Their bedroom is full of conducted tours.
Their radio is louder than yours,
They celebrate week-ends all the week.
When they take a shower, your ceilings leak.
They try to get their parties to mix
By supplying their guests with Pogo sticks,
And when their fun at last abates,
They go to the bathroom on roller skates.
I might love the people upstairs wondrous
If instead of above us, they just lived under us.

The Busy and Blazing Summer

2009-08-10T20:55:00.001-07:00

This has been a busy summer. Quite uneventful however unless you count the soda explosion last week. I was putting some cans of soda in the fridge when one dropped. It hit the floor just right. It all happened so fast. Suddenly coke was spraying everywhere - the floor, walls, cabinets, ceiling, inside the pantry because the door was still open, into the dining room, on the carpet and some clean clothes yet to be put away, and all over me. It was only one 12 ounce can. How could that make such a mess? For once I was thankful for my tiny kitchen. It took me a good two hours to clean everything up. Then I needed a shower. I even had coke in my hair.

Gabriel is having his wisdom teeth out this month, eventually. For one reason or another his appointment has been postponed. I am not looking forward to that event. I am not sure that I can endure the pain, the emotional pain. I know. Many have gone through this sort of procedure before. It's just one of those things that you wish you didn't have to do. One of those things that you wish were already done and in the past.

The most exciting event (well, except for the cola incident) happened this morning when I checked my email. I WON THE QUILT!! The girls and I are ecstatic. I can't wait to get it and will post pictures of it on Holly's bed.

Meanwhile, the baking, blazing, blistering, burning, scorching, searing, sizzling, sweltering summer continues. Gabriel and Hannah are going to a nearby theme park for the day. I'm sending them off with plenty of sunscreen and Gatorade. I know they'll have a great time. The rest of the week I will be working on homeschool plans. Our 2009-2010 school year begins on Monday. I cannot believe that my oldest two are seniors and I don't have any elementary students. Holly begins 6th grade.

How's the weather in your neighborhood?

Gorgeous Quilt Giveaway

2009-08-07T06:31:00.000-07:00

I have been looking for the perfect quilt for Holly's bed and I've found it! Now all I have to do is win it! You have a chance too. Just enter this easy contest at Marie-Madeline Studio. They are drawing a name tomorrow - August 8th! Check out the detail here.

Vacations

2009-07-20T19:43:00.000-07:00

Since writing about my never ending quest to organize my house isn't very interesting, I thought I would try Friend Makin' Monday.

Today task ~ VACATIONS!!

This task has two parts {numbered ever-so-nicely for you}. You can do either one or both ~ it's up to you!

1. Tell us about the best {or worst} vacation that you've ever taken.

2. Tell us FIVE places/vacations that you would like to take at some point your life. It doesn't have to be next year...maybe it's the vacation of a lifetime or somewhere you just dream of going years from now.

1. Well, I don't know if I've ever had a really bad vacation. My mom might say it was when we went camping in Arizona and it was freezing. But I had fun snuggled up to the cookstove, drinking hot chocolate. Good memories. Perhaps I could mention an incident at Natural Bridge, Virginia when I was 16. It was just a small portion of our family vacation. One more stop when I was ready to just go home. I found the place boring. So I took off my sandals and walked along the two foot wall that bordered a creek. In one spot there was a bush. I looked down so that I wouldn't trip and there, just an inch away from my big toe, was a snake. I screamed. Everyone heard. I screamed so loudly that I scared the snake. It swam quickly away in the creek. I heard one man say, "That's a Cotton Mouth!" That is definitely the worst thing that ever happened to me on vacation.

2. Five places that I would like to go on vacation would include (and not necessarily in this order):

Hawaii
Mexico
San Diego
Venice
Romania

For more Friend Makin' Monday, visit Jolanthe at No Ordinary Moments

Healing Broken Hearts

2009-07-16T14:08:00.000-07:00

I wrote this just over two years ago, days after we returned from Romania.

The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Psalm 34:18

I was nearly 16 when we left my favorite place in the world, San Diego, California, to move to the Podunk town of Hixson, Tennessee. Someone certainly thought of an appropriate name for that place, I thought way back then. The high school years are a horrible time for such drastic changes in a teenager’s life. I had good friends and a good school. I liked my life as it was and I did not want it to change. I certainly did not want to move to a place where everyone spoke with a weird accent and talked about buggies in the grocery store and stove eyes in the kitchen. What were my parents thinking? What was God thinking? But we did move. My parents took me, practically kicking and screaming, across the continent and away from everything that was familiar. Eventually, it became home. I grew accustomed to the accent and even adopted it myself. I learned exactly how to say “ice” and that all carbonated drinks were called “coke”. The kids at school were normal kids, most of them. I really expected red hair and bare feet. I made friends and fell in love with the south. Years later, I realized that leaving California was the best thing for me. God had a plan for my life. He knew the best path.

Fast forward nearly three decades and I find my son in the same situation. We left Romania just days before his 16^th birthday. The culture here in the States is practically foreign to him. He has left his best friend and a life he loved in a country he will probably never live in again. He is broken hearted and must be wondering what God is thinking.

Over the years, I have seen first hand how God has worked in my life. He has led me through difficult times, challenges, failures and tragedies. Time after time He has healed my broken heart and I have become stronger because of the trials. Now my children are growing up. I know that in this life, they will face their own struggles. The sorrow of life cannot always be healed with a mother’s kiss and a band-aid. Children grow up and they must learn to rely on the One who directs their steps, the One who loves them so much more than their mother. It is breaking my heart to see his heart broken. I kneel down and ask God to hold him close, so close that he can feel God’s presence and know that God does indeed have a reason for that path He has asked us to walk. I am trusting Him to heal broken hearts.

He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. Psalm 147:3

The Lord has healed Gabriel's broken heart. From time to time, he still longs for Romania, his friends and the life we lived there. We all do. Gabriel is growing up and learning to trust God to direct his steps. I am excited to see where the Lord is leading him.

Acutely Sedate

2009-07-15T18:30:00.000-07:00

This has been a quiet but busy as usual week. Gabriel and Hannah left at the crack of dawn on Monday morning for camp in Tennessee. They are with our church youth group Meanwhile, Holly has kept me occupied. John was off on Monday so he took Holly out for some father-daughter time. I stayed home and worked on fall homeschool plans. Later that evening we went out to play putt-putt. Holly had only been once before. She really enjoyed it and wanted to go again. My score was horrible, perhaps my worst ever. I'd like to blame it on the sun. At 6:30 PM it was still too hot. And while I am sure that was a factor, I must admit that I'm just not that good at putt-putt. On Tuesday Holly and I went swimming, shopping and then came home and watched a movie. After dinner, we went to the library. For a child that doesn't like to read much, she really loves the library. I cannot figure that one out. Today we went to lunch with a friend of mine and her two children. The restaurant was Holly's choice - Ci Ci's Pizza.

That briefly sums up the first part of my week. Busy but quiet. Way too quiet. Days without Gabriel, who was born without volume control, are acutely sedate. There are those who think that Hannah is my quiet one. She is, comparatively. But like the rest of my offspring who all have a huge dose of Woodward DNA, she has no problems being articulate. Their absence is severely noticed. I am left at home with only one chatterbox to keep me company. And she's doing a great job!

Carnival of Homeschooling

2009-07-14T05:40:00.000-07:00

The Carnival of Homeschooling is going on right now at Tami Fox's Thoughts and Views.

Summer Learning - Art and Insects

2009-07-13T08:41:00.000-07:00

Holly is "done with school" for the summer but the learning never ends. Last week we found an interesting bug on the vinyl siding just outside our apartment. It stayed there for several days. I tried to get Hannah, our talented photographer to take a picture of it for me but she refused. Her answer was, "Mom, that's like asking you to go take a picture of an interesting snake." While I don't understand her fear of a bug that just sits there on the wall, I do understand fear. So I took the picture myself.

This morning, Holly worked on drawing the bug. This week's assignment at Sketch Tuesday just happens to be to sketch an insect. Here is Holly's sketch:

Next, we are going to try and identify it. Do you know what it is?

Update! A former student of mine (who is now a homeschool mom of 4) has identified this bug for us. It is an Ailanthus-Webworm-Moth She found it at Insect Identification.org I never would have thought this bug was a moth. It looked more like a beetle. I guess I was looking in the wrong places. Thank you, Arin!

Sketch Tuesday is a weekly event hosted by Barb at Harmony Art Mom.

My Story - Part 1

2009-07-11T14:34:00.000-07:00

This is the beginning of my story of being called to be a missionary and my life in Romania. I posted this on my other blog and thought I would share it here. I will post more later.

Like any story, there is a beginning and this is where I will start. Not the very beginning. That would be Genesis 1:1 and I was not there. Not my beginning either because I do not remember it. Instead, I thought I would share my first thoughts of being interested in serving the Lord.

Most missionaries do not have a blinding light experience like the Apostle Paul calling them into God’s service. God’s voice does not thunder down from heaven telling them exactly the next step to take. My first thought of full time Christian service had a much more humble beginning. It was in the lunchroom of a rural elementary school in the state of Kentucky. I was sitting with my best friend Susan talking about who knows what. Susan and I became best friends from the beginning of that school year and we were inseparable. We shared a birthday and each of us had an older brother named David. Those were important commonalities for ten year olds. I do not recall our conversation that day but the words of the boy across the table were unforgettable. I had a secret crush on him. However, I was much too shy to ever let him know my feelings, even when he was chasing me around the playground. I do not remember the date or the many other details of that day but his words still ring clear in my memory. “God has called me to preach,” he proudly announced. Our response was deplorable. We laughed out loud, hysterically and recklessly. The boy was deeply hurt and the agony was visible on his face. I laughed because Susan laughed. I laughed because it was the only thing I could think to do at that moment. It was then that I knew I would be a preacher’s wife.

Blessings and Thankfulness

2009-07-10T19:24:00.000-07:00

In our family, we typically begin each meal by giving thanks and asking God's blessing on the food. Next week I will begin to make serious homeschool plans. Before I find myself buried in the multitude of decisions about curriculum and schedules, I want to give thanks to God for the many blessing in my life and ask Him to bless our homeschool year. I have previously written this list and today I decided to read it once again, rewrite it and tweak it just a bit. Here is my list of things that I am thankful for in no particular order.

God's mercy
God's grace
Salvation freely given
Eternal life through Jesus Christ
A relationship with Almighty God, Abba Father
His love so richly bestowed upon me
The privilege to go boldly before His throne of grace
His Word
Casting my cares upon Him because He cares for me
His thoughts toward me that cannot be numbered
A husband who loves me
Health
Air conditioning
A kiss from my sweetheart
An ice cold drink of water
My mom
My dad
Two brothers
Being raised in a Christian home
Gabriel
Hannah
Holly
Being able to homeschool my children
A multitude of resources to accomplish the task
My 93 year old grandmother who is still able to welcome us into her home and cook delicious meals for us
New mercies each morning
A sun-shiny day
Seasons
A cool day in the summer
Wisdom
Music
The library with books written in English
The laughter of my children
Ears to hear that joyful sound
Eyes to see my family's smiles
My youngest child reading aloud to me
Singing together
Making plans
A free country
A comfortable bed
A soft pillow
Wall to wall carpet
Swimming
Dinner with my family
Time to myself
A chance to blog
My computer
The internet that helps me feel so much closer to my family and friends who are so very far away
My computer desk
A day to relax
Our church
Youth group for the kids
A chance to praise
A dishwasher to clean the dishes and spare our skin
God's provision
The many "I love you's" from my husband and kids
My children's artwork
Memories
Encouraging comments
Clean clothes
A washer to wash them in
A dryer too
A husband who loves the Lord
And is zealous about His Word
A husband who spends time with his children
And talks to them about big and small things
Trees to shade us from the harsh summer sun
Gentle rain
Every breath that I take
Every beat of my heart
Every moment that God is watching over me and I don't even think about it
Brushing my daughter's hair who is only little for a little while longer
A God who knows my name
My Lord Who knows the path that I take
My Redeemer Who lives
A car that has A/C
Another day with my family
Coupons
A little girl who loves to cook
And play with dolls
And give me hugs
Two girls who love to sing
A teenage girl who loves photography
And being with mom
And gives me hugs
A son who loves drama and politics
And is much too quickly growing up
And loves the Lord
And still gives me hugs
A nice big stove to prepare home cooked meals
Sweet tea
Two girls who know how to make it perfectly
Ice
Comfortable tennis shoes
A good night's sleep
Sandals
Cookouts
All the colors of the rainbow
Blue
Reading out loud to my children
Their attentiveness
Their energy
Orange juice
Milk
Cereal, especially the many varieties available here in the USA
My family watching a funny movie together
A God who calls me by my name
A Lord who calls me His
The gospel preached to others
A chance to serve
The promises of God
A new career for John
Fellowship with friends
More than enough food
Books
Rest
Hope
A peaceful heart
A song in my heart
God's Word to light my path, especially when I do not know the way

What's on your list?

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

Be Strong in the Lord

2009-07-09T13:18:00.000-07:00

Last night at church our pastor talked about being strong in the Lord. He mentioned what should have been obvious to me but had somehow escaped lodging in my long term memory bank."Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." This verse found in Ephesians 6:10 is a command. It is not an option, not something we hope to achieve someday. We are to be strong in the Lord - right now.

There have been many times in my life where I have been strong. However, these past two years I feel as if I have been struggling; stumbling upon confusion, uncertainty, even doubt. Too often, I have tried to fight my battles with my own, inadequate strength. Forgetting, or choosing not to remember, that God is the One who will fight the battles for me.

Thank you, Pastor, for the reminder. Thank you, Lord, for your mercies that are new every morning. Thank you that I can pick up the sword once again and face the enemy with Your strength, not mine.

Summer Plans

2009-07-07T18:40:00.001-07:00

What does this summer hold for us? Well, first of all, let's not mention that it is already July 7th. Before we know it this month will be gone and the summer will soon follow. At the end of May we were in Kentucky and Alabama visiting friends and family. Hannah and I were privileged to meet Josephine, Jordan and Sarah Lirette on that trip. They took us to Tennessee to an Amish area and we actually were able to go inside one of their homes. It was amazing. I tried not to stare and resisted the temptation to take pictures, close up anyway.

June flew by with unpacking, a yard sale, Vacation Bible School and the annual, state-mandated standardized tests. Suddenly it is July and I don't know if I can hold on to this merry-go-round as it spins faster and faster. So far this month we have continued in our effort to declutter this small apartment in hopes of making our meager square footage more livable. Our walk-in closet is once again a walk in. John did most of the work and added some more shelves. Now I can actually find purses and shoes.

Gabriel and Hannah leave for camp in Tennessee next Monday morning. It will be quiet around here without them. Other than that, we will all stay close to home, enjoying the pool, a more relaxed schedule and squeezing in some more declutering when we can. Gabriel will have his wisdom teeth extracted in August. I am not sure who is dreading it more, me or him.

A New Beginning

2009-07-07T18:16:00.000-07:00

"It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him."

I decided today that it is time to begin again. For far too long, I have been frustrated with my other blog. It has issues that I cannot fix. Those who can fix are either too busy or too expensive. And so I begin again. With this new beginning, I thought I would choose a new title. John and I and our three children have spent ten years as missionaries to Romania. Now we are on a new road. Without God's mercy and compassion I know we would not have made it this far. With this new adventure and one of my many favorite verses, I selected "New Every Morning" as my blog title. I hope you will join me as we travel this road on which our merciful and compassionate God is leading us.

New Every Morning

2009-07-07T17:52:00.000-07:00

It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

New Every Morning

The Storm

Ellie Marie Designs

Paper Bag Scrapbook

Christmas Caroling

FIRE!?!

Me and My Busy Life

Birthdays

Contest Winner!

Digital Scrapbooking Program Giveaway!

My 9-11 Story

One Thousand Gifts - Hurricane Edition

A Day in the Life of our Homeschooling

One Thousand Gifts - Earthquake Version

Lazy Summer Mornings

A Bit about Gabriel and Hannah

Not Back to School - Student Photos

One Thousand Gifts Week 4

Welcome to the Woodward Family Homeschool

Long Story Short Version

One Thousand Gifts Week 3

Outside My Window

Not Back to School Plans - 2011

One Thousand Gifts Week 2

Files of Memories Part 2

Files of Memories

Call Me Crazy

One Thousand Gifts

The Long Awaited Week

Dear Blog

The Simple Woman's Day Book

The Simple Woman's Day Book

The Twists and Turns of My Heart

The Simple Woman's Day Book

The Simple Woman's Day Book

A Chute Full of Holes

The Simple Woman's Day Book

Normal

My 2011 List

I Have Been Held

Once Again

Waiting to Hear

Quietness

Forgive and Forget

Contemplations

Poster Contest

Graduation Day!

Tears and Laughter

Learning to Trust

Five Things I'd Like My Children to Know

Blogging Again

The Dreaded Enemy

Homeschool Books For Sale!

Welcome to the Woodward Hospital

My Life in a List - Brief Highlights of the Last 25 Years

50 Years Ago

The Intention to Deceive

The People Upstairs

The Busy and Blazing Summer

Gorgeous Quilt Giveaway

Vacations

Healing Broken Hearts

Acutely Sedate

Carnival of Homeschooling

Summer Learning - Art and Insects

My Story - Part 1

Blessings and Thankfulness

Be Strong in the Lord

Summer Plans

A New Beginning

New Every Morning

Lamentations 3:22-24