Learning To Point And Click

A has been learning to point and click. C occasionally plays computer games or reads a few blogs and the boys have been content to just watch her poke around on the computer. They generally prefer to play outside or build with legos, but there comes a time when a kid has to learn to navigate on a computer. Plus, I would like him to play some math and reading games so he can get in some practice in those areas without my having to sit down with him more than I currently do. So, I logged on to this site, because these puzzles are a great way for kids to learn to control a computer mouse, well, great when they start later, as my kids have. C learned this same way a number of years ago.

These pictures crack me up! Look at B's hands in the picture above. He had such a hard time watching A clumsily try to pick up the puzzle piece and move it to the right spot. He sat behind and waved his hands.

Now, this is adorable! He is holding himself still while A gains skill and ability in moving the puzzle pieces. He looks like a little man, pondering something important. Or like a football coach on the sidelines watching, mulling things over, but not in control to make things happen.

He can not stand it any longer! Sometimes a little brother just has to step in! "The piece goes right there!"

"Right here!" Look as his hand shake (shown by the blur in the photo) and he shows A where to put it. Ahhh...the joys of teamwork!

Desert Cactus AKA Vintage Feista-Ware Green

My kitchen has finally been painted a color other than white! The laundry room, which can be seen through the doorway in this photo, is still on my list of "rooms to paint." Some people paint by number, we paint by budget =), one room at a time. M and I joke that by the time we get everything painted, it will be time to repaint the rooms we started with! Speaking of...I was in Target picking up some sheer curtains and tension rods that I had saved up for. The cashier asked if I was doing "seasonal decorating." Yeah, I wish! No, I am doing, "I can finally afford these decorating!"

I like how this color of green goes with red. I really enjoy red and green together, but not in a "Christmas all year long" sort of pairing. I also like black & white. This green seems to be a good fit for both red and black & white.

A vintage feel for my kitchen was a must. But, I have to confess that this paint color, which Behr paint calls, Desert Cactus, has been my most intimidating color to ever put up on a wall. An acquaintance who happens to be an interior decorator and who has a similar kitchen table to mine, helped me select paint colors (THANK YOU, Thank You, thank you!!!!!). The shared kitchen table may seem trivial, but when we planned out our kitchen, my one requirement was that it accommodate my vintage table. It is a bit cramped, but it does fit. So, this shade of green, which was matched to a vintage piece of fiesta ware, is a good fit. Still, I debated, I hung paint samples on the wall and after staring at three different greens, I knew this was the one to go with. My decision was confirmed when I looked closely at my 1962 Seattle World's Fair plates, this shade of green is an accent color! So, it is authentic. Whoever named it Desert Cactus, what were they thinking?

Since I am pondering and musing about my kitchen...the look I wanted is vintage and, yet, modern. The kitchen needs to be fun and practical. That is what makes it work for me.

It has been so great to see it come together. I collected items for years and now I am weeding through what works and what doesn't. My house is a collection of items gathered at many, many garage sales and a few items picked up on trips and some gifts I have received... It brings me joy to

• look at the b&w photograph and recall picking that up at Ikea in Seattle
• remember the surprise felt when my parents gave me the kitchen table and chairs
• see the lids hanging on my wall and think of what a fun find they were at a garage sale for 25 cents each
• remember opening the gift of the yellow tray with the roses that is hanging on my wall and was given to me as a birthday gift from a friend that I have known since I was 14
• to use my Fiesta Ware dishes and think of my mother-in-law and how she has blessed me with so many dishes (including my china!) as gifts...a place setting here, a piece there, that have accumulated into a very useful collections
• see my Strawberry Shortcake lunch box sitting on the top of my kitchen cabinets (not pictured) and to remember finding it at a garage sale about 5 years ago and delighting in it because it is just like the one I had when I was young

What makes your kitchen work for you? What do you enjoy about your kitchen? OR What would you like your kitchen to be like?

Not Really A Sports Fan

I am not really a sports fan. I can somewhat appreciate football, to a certain degree, but it really isn't a big deal to me. But at a time like this I just have to say, GO BEAVS!!!!!!!!!!! I had better go put on my OSU sweatshirt!

Food!!!!

I appreciate the women in my life who have taught me about food. My mom liked to bake more than to cook. I remember making cookies for EVERY holiday! I think of the pizza place I worked at and what I learned there. Then there was the little ice cream shop where the owner and I concocted up different drinks. How fun!

As I flip through my cookbook that holds recipe cards, it is comforting to see recipe cards from friends and family. To see their handwriting or to see a recipe that I copied from them while sitting in their kitchen. My mind goes back to times like a wedding shower, where everyone brought a recipe for me, or to times of cooking Christmas candy with friends. I remember friends and mentors as I prepare items that I learned about from them or recall making with them.

One of my favorite food memories involves a Bible study called Apples of Gold. It was done at our previous church. It was set up for women to prepare a meal together and then go through a study on topics like kindness and loving your children. I vaguely remember the study but I sure do remember the food! In fact, I just made a recipe from the cookbook I received after that study. The cookbook contained all the recipes from that study. It is a joy to pull it out and make recipes that have become family favorites. I regularly reflect back to what a special time that was to learn from women how to cook new things and how to be a better wife and mom.

As I flip through my food binder or look on my bookshelf that holds cookbooks, I smile and my heart is full of sweet memories and gratitude as I see and recall recipes for:

Marilyn’s coffee cake-I still remember making this and freezing it before I had L. It was so good, as a quick breakfast after L was born!

Susan's teriyaki sauce.

Janelle’s recipes-many of our favorite chicken recipes and my sweet and sour recipe…

Carol’s cheeseball and apple dip (I often make those during the holiday season).

My mom’s meatloaf and apple crisp (that C now makes to perfection).

My grandma’s apple cake-which I should make with the pile of apples I have on my counter!

The apple pie recipe that I pulled out of a 17 Magazine when I was in high school (which is my only “secret recipe” that I don’t share, but if someone asked I probably would share it).

Poet’s Garden pumpkin bars-that have become a fall tradition.

The chocolate cheesecake bars that Zach loved when M and I led youth group. Then that reminds me of the strawberry lemonade that Kent loved. Youth group…those were fun times…

The frosting recipe from Mary that her sister used on her wedding cake and that I used on A’s 1st b-day cakes.

Emily’s recipe for Cheeseburger buns-I call them Burger pockets.

My cinnamon roll recipe that came from a book my cousin loaned me once.

The breakfast cookie recipe that my dad cut out of the paper years ago and gave to me.

My favorite poppy seed salad dressing recipe that came from a book that a former co-worker loaned me.

My Simply Colorado book that was a gift from my roommate, Stephanie.

The chocolate chip cookie recipe that Jeanette got the recipe for when we were roommates in college and is now the only chocolate chip cookie recipe that I use.

Another Janelle for her Crazy Cake recipe. This recipe has saved me so many times when I needed a cake that didn’t take eggs.

Linda for hosting informal “cooking classes” at church a number of years ago-that is where I realized that I could make my own chicken noodle soup and although I have not made it totally from scratch in years, I now know that I could do it!

As my cooking has evolved, I have altered favorite recipes incorporating whole wheat flour, fair trade chocolate (run through the food processor since it is hard to find fair trade chocolate chips and they are more of a treat now days since I don’t buy as much chocolate as I used to), alternate sweeteners in some cases, and other such changes…but the memories stay! My kitchen is definitely the heart of my home. I enjoy cooking and part of what I enjoy about it is the connection I feel to others as I cook. I feel connected to my family as I strive to prepare delicious, healthy meals and I feel connected and grateful to the many woman who have taught me how to better prepare meals.

While I am writing about depression...

Since I have been writing on depression…I figured I would share a little bit from a Mark Driscoll sermon that I heard awhile back. In that sermon, he said, something along these lines:

Depression is not aways sin. It can be sin. But this life is hard and there are sad things that happen. It is normal to be sad over sad things. That is not sinful depression. Are you sad you didn’t get your way or sad(as Jesus) because sometimes it just hurts! Jesus was a man of sorrows. We should despair of sin and its effects. There are people who are hurting desperately and they aren’t necessarily sinning, they just hurt! I appreciate this perspective because I have heard people say that depression is sin. I think this is a good way to clarify and be more Biblically accurate. Sometimes life hurts, we feel that hurt and that is OKAY! That is normal, it is part of living this life!

Here are some of my notes on the same Driscol sermon on the prayer of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane:

-For most Christians their theology doesn’t work when they need it most. If we believe that Christians should be successful, always happy…what happens when trials, failures, disappointments come?
-You will get sick, be lonely, loose friends…but then we come to "Not my will, but Yours"!
-Some of you are waiting on spouses, children, friends or others-give them time-be patient, pray for them and proceed in faith.
-It is okay to be devastated! Talk to God about it!
-If your friends don’t pray for you, aren’t there when you need them most…You have Biblical friendships! Look at the friends of Jesus-they fell asleep when he needed them most!
-Pray two things, 1)your desires and 2)Your will be done!
-“Life with Jesus is not easier, it’s just not lonely!”
-Jesus lived a perfect life and he suffered. Why should we expect anything different?
-Judas saw Jesus walk on water, perform miracles AND he still betrayed him!
-Here is the message, “Give your life to Jesus and it’ll hurt like hell and He’ll be with you and you will become like Him and you will have joy!”

For wives, you can relate to Christ in a unique way. He came to the Father, willing to do His will, but it hurt! He asked for the cup to be removed, but He willingly drank it! So, a Godly wife can relate to Christ in doing the will of her husband when it is a sacrifice to her. This doesn’t mean a man is to be sinfully bossy or demanding, but men are imperfect and a wife needs to share with her husband, needs to say, “Help me to come along side you, help me to submit, help me to follow your lead…” in this way a wife can relate uniquely to Christ in the garden.


This post is well worth reading! This ressonanted with me: "Instead of asking myself what inspired me to be a good man (what’s that anyway?) I started asking what stirs my affections for Christ."

Some thoughts on Piper and Depression

Here are some thoughts on the excerpts that I posted yesterday.

• “It seems that whenever someone is struggling…another person is given strength…” I have often found this to be true in my own life. True on both ends. I have found that often when I am going through a struggle, someone else in my life seems to be at a place of strength and provides the boost that is so needed in my down time. And on the other end I have found that when I have faced a struggle I often encounter someone else who is facing or has faced a similar struggle and needs encouragement.
• “But strength should flow back and forth between us.” I appreciate how this highlights the working of the body. It is give and receive, flowing back and forth.
• “As we come up out of a discouragement we should minister to others.” I like the forward perspective this gives. When we come through a valley in our life, we should look to use it for the glory of God. We should be open and looking for opportunities to share with other people so that they too might be encouraged. I have been so blessed and encouraged by the openness of others. The encouragement that has come from the open sharing of other people has helped me to grow more bold and be more open in sharing my own life experiences. “God ordains that one person walk through a valley, find comfort in the valley, come out, turn around, go back to the beginning of the same valley, and help other people walk through it…” How cool is that?! How proactive! I find such hope in that concept! It gives a purpose to our pain and struggles. It is also a big responsibility. It takes the “me” out of a hard time, somewhat. It turns the focus to using pain and struggle for the benefit of others.
• “We miss some of our greatest blessings by not enduring through hardship in our own families or in a church. God has things to teach us through hardship that we will not learn if we flee from it every time it comes.” I almost didn’t include this part of the article. It isn’t that I don’t agree with it, I do! But since we recently changed churches, I didn’t want to appear clueless or oblivious or hypocritical to the very fact that God often uses hardships in our lives and that we shouldn’t be quick to flee from it. I know we weren't quick, by any means, to leave, but still, we left, so how does this all fit? How do I reconcile these two beliefs that I have? The belief that we should not be quick to leave hard situations and the belief that our move to our current church was the right choice, which I wholeheartedly believe has been the right choice. How do I reconcile that? I know inside me how it fits, but how do I put in in to words? Do I need to?
  
  I came to the conclusion that I believe it helpful to put it into words, in the best way that I can. First of all, I had to ask myself some questions. First question, what is my pattern? Is it to flee hardship or to go through it? If my pattern is to leave or avoid most hardships in my life, then that is a problem. But, if my pattern is to strive to endure with the grace God provides, then that is the right path to be on. I guess this is an issue of wisdom meeting real life, of ideals put to work. Sometimes we need to move ourselves and our families to a new place for various reasons. Sometimes it is right to leave a situation so that we can get to a place where “strength [can] flow back and forth.”
  
  I believe the problem comes not in physical leaving, so much as in 1)What is the pattern or habit of my character-am I generally a “leaver” or an “endure-er”? 2)What is my heart response in leaving or in staying? What I mean by that is do I stay simply because “I think it is the right thing to do, so I am going to gut it out and everyone else should too!” Do I leave with an attitude that says, “That situation is so awful and I can’t believe anyone would stay in it! I am leaving and everyone who stays is off base!” OR Do I have a heart that loves (or is learning to love) those who choose a different path? Do I have a heart that prays for God to be glorified in the lives of those who go in a different direction than I go? Am I purposeful in looking for ways to encourage those who are on a different path than I am on? Do I delight in the growth of those who go in a different direction than I go in or than I would have chosen for them? I don't mean, "Have I attained all these things?", but rather are these the things I desire to grow in?
  
  My conclusion is that enduring often looks like staying in the midst of trying circumstances. Enduring can, sometimes, look like leaving, physically. But, stay or go enduring should look like having a heart that is humble, loving and teachable. Enduring should look like delighting in God being glorified in the lives of others, even when the paths look different. Enduring should look like committing to love and pray for other people even when we take a different direction. Enduring should look like being open to authentic relationship with those who go in a direction that may not make sense to me. Enduring should look like having a heart that is motivated, by remembering the gospel, to love others, even in hard times. Enduring means that I love you even though I feel cut off from you and don’t understand why, it means forgiving even when forgiveness has not been asked, it means embracing as the father of the prodigal son embraced-unquestioning, non condemning love shown to a humble son. Enduring means I love you even when you don’t meet my needs. And enduring is something that is a work of God in me, because all of this is way too big to do on human strength alone. All of this is way too sacrificial and selfless for me, apart from a work of Christ in my life. I have lots of growth needed. No credit to me on any success in this area, that is all a work of God. I am so thankful for those who endure in relationship with me! It motivates me to strive to be more like that.

Depression

Last week in our church bulletin there was an article on Christians and depression by John Piper. It was taken from the Desiring God web site. I keep thinking about what it said, so I will share it here:

"It seems that whenever one person is struggling-whether in a family, church, or small group-another person is given strength. The point of that is so that the body would work together and the strong would minister to the weak. Then the roles might be reversed the very next week or month, and the one who was just weak becomes strong to help the other who has now become weak.

The weakness can be psychological, spiritual, or physical. But the strength should flow back and forth between us. As we come up out of a discouragement we should minister to others."

This is exactly what Paul said in 2 Corinthians 1:4 where he speaks about comforting others with the comfort with which he had been comforted by God. God ordains that one person walk through a valley, find comfort in the valley, come out, turn around, go back to the beginning of that same valley, and help other people walk through it with the very comforts they discovered there.

We miss some of the greatest blessings by not enduring through hardship in our own families or in a church. God has things to teach us through hardship that we will not learn if we flee from it every time it comes."

My plan is to post some of my thoughts on this tomorrow. It is full of good food for thought!

Some Thoughts on Raising Kids

Today was our last day at the high school, we have been there each morning of this week. My kids were there so that the swimming class, who are learning to teach swimming lessons, could have some kids to practice on. What a great experience! I enjoyed being in a high school environment for this brief time. I like kids of that age and the kids we were around were great fun. It was good for the high schoolers to have kids to practice teaching and my kids got free swimming lessons! Even L was able to go in the water and she made great progress. She went from not wanting to even get in the pool on the first day to putting her face in the water (not her favorite thing) and attempting to float on her tummy and back.

A told me today that some of the boys that taught him say words we shouldn't say. He told me that they say, "boring and bored." (I know, shocking! =) Apparently some of the high school boys think some of their classes are "boring." I had to laugh! My kids pretty much know not to say they are bored because I have plenty of chores to occupy their time with. We got to talk about how that is not a bad word, but it can mean we don't have the right attitude at times.

C told me that she and her friend M were changing in the locker room and one of the girls started singing a song. C and M asked what song it was and the girls were shocked and astounded that they didn't know the Brittney Spears song. Yes, our homeschool life is different from the lives of many other people.

My kids aren't up on pop culture in many ways and we are pretty discerning with the movies we watch and music we listen to. Not so much to be overprotective, but more from the desire to help our kids encounter culture in a way that is helpful and not just in a way that pressures them to be a certain way in order to gain approval.

I hope to help my kids have a vision of how to live a purposeful life and I don't want the media or some teen idol or magazine to tell them how they have to be. I want them to be free to grow and experience the world around them in a way that is appropriate to where they are at developmentally. I don't want them to feel they have to listen to certain music or watch certain things because "everyone else is."

This whole way of parenting is different from how M and I were raised. We do seek to be very open with our kids and very sensitive to what they like and what they don't like. I have not given my kids certain movies to watch (after previewing them) not because the movies were "bad" but because I knew something in it would not be helpful to where a particular child was at. There have been times when C and I have discussed the content of a movie and she has chosen not to watch something because she thought it might not be good for her to watch right now.

I think that communication is a huge key to parenting in this way. It is also important to be flexible. My kids are growing, changing people and I have to remember that and respect that. I have to, as the parent, keep the conversation going and not assume that I know. A huge part of growing up is changing. As a parent, I don't want to forget that and I don't want to forget to respect my kids as they change.

Bells and PA Systems and Greenleaf Academy

We were at a high school in a neighboring town and someone was speaking over the PA system. A wondered who was talking and where "that voice" was coming from. He was also curious about the bell that rings for changing classes. I tried to explain both things to him, but I could tell that the concepts were foreign to him. Why would one person need to talk to everyone over the PA system? Why didn't the kids just go to the next class when their class was over? Why the bell?

These are some little reminders of how different an education my children are receiving at Greenleaf Academy. No bells, except the one that hangs outside our back door and is used to call the kids in from playing. No public announcement system. No formal class periods. No bus rides. No sitting in a classroom all day. No "back to school"clothes.

Homeschool is different. Every family who homeschools does it differently. I like that. I also like that my kids can play outside all afternoon today. I like that my kids and I are around each other living life side by side. I like that we can have friends over or decide to go for a bike ride and do math later. I like that if one of my kids is struggling with a concept we can take more time with it. I like that if a kid is doing well in an area we can move more quickly. I like that when A wants to take a break between english and math to do "do art" we can do that sometimes. I like that I know what each of my children are learning and that I can point out things that relate as we go about our day. I like that we can go to bed late and sleep in if we choose to or go to bed early and start early the next morning. Homeschool is different, but for us it is good.

Wallypop!

Our tissue box used to sit here. Now, there are oh-so-soft hankies from Wallypop. The red bowl is for used hankies.

Here, A, demonstrates how to blow your nose in a soft cloth hankie. They are very absorbent, so blow away! They can take it!

I discovered Wallypop awhile back. I added it to my sidebar and then I finally placed an order. What great stuff! If you like supporting small businesses-this is a woman who works out of her home. If you like products that allow you to live a little more green and crunchy, then it is a great place to visit!

Wallypop links to this site as well. Isn't she creative?!

I have ordered twice from Wallypop. The first time was a "try it out" order. The second time was to order what I wanted after trying things out first. I will say that the shipping charges are a bit high, in my opinion. But, after comparison shopping like items-for quality and cost, Wallypop was still the best deal, even with the shipping costs factored in. Both of my orders arrived quickly and were accurate.

When changing to living a less consumable/wasteful lifestyle, the up front costs can seem a little steep, but they do pay off in the long run. You, sometimes, put out a bit more at first, but then you do save over time by not having to buy certain items. I have experienced that since I have been phasing out paper towels (I still use them on rare occasions, but using a rag has become second nature now), Kleenex and paper napkins. I am not opposed to those paper products, but I am finding that my life is just fine without them. By switching to cloth in some areas, I am spending less at the grocery store, creating less trash and that works well for our family. If the upfront costs do seem steep, keep your eyes open for bargains. My cloth napkins have all come from garage sales. I found some from an event planner that was cleaning out.

"...not rest but exercise..." (from the quote in my header)

Life is just kicking my butt lately! I am in over my head doing 101 good, but exhausting, things...I am so behind...I hate to admit this, but, tonight, I was actually looking forward to the first soccer practice for the boys so that I would have time to sit and go through my mail and make a couple of phone calls that I need to make.

We arrived at soccer practice and the response was overwhelming-so many kids showed up! The organizers were unprepared for them all...so I ended up helping out a tiny bit and didn't get to go through my mail. I do love small towns were we basically all know each other and jump in to help.

In the midst of this hectic pace, I find I can easily get caught up in checking off the boxes on my "to do" list. Right now, there are a number of boxes that need checking. But, I am so blessed by joyful surprises that catch me off guard and cause me to catch my breath or to laugh out loud. Things like:

• opening the window and hearing the chorus of crickets outside.
• hearing B yell, "Hey mom! The toilet paper has a freckle on it!" He noticed one of those darker flecks that are sometimes in the paper.
• seeing how beautiful the moon looks tonight.
• noticing how much A has improved at riding his bike on the road.
• having L say, "rock, rock mama" as I rushed to tuck her in and she wanted me to rock her a little longer...how good it is to just sit back and rock a little longer.
• hearing B scream, "MOM" and after I answered back hearing him say quietly, "I love you." Hmmm...I love you too!
• having C ask, "Is there anything I can do for you Mom?" Just that sweet question does more than you can know!
• after venting my frustrations to M, receiving a sweet text message from him. It means so much to know that I am loved even when I overreact.

Yes, it is challenging to feel so behind, so unorganized. It is no fun to get interruptions when I try to call people or catch up on email. It bothers me when I am not where I want to be with school with the kids. It is a struggle to keep perspective in these times. I know it really will all be okay, but to own that, to take hold of that, moment by moment...I am working on it!

The Farm

Here are some pictures I took this weekend of the farm where my grandparents raised my mom and her siblings. My aunt and uncle have updated many things. I enjoy the combination of old things-things I remember climbing on and playing on when I was young, as well as the new things my aunt has added-beautiful flower garden, new paint on the old house...

Girls In My Circle

My mum-in-law sent this to me a couple of weeks ago and I keep thinking about how true this has been in my life!

GIRLS IN MY CIRCLE

When I was little,
I used to believe in the concept of one best friend,
And then I started to become a woman.
And then I found out that if you allow your heart to open up,
God would show you the best in many friends.

One friend is needed when you're going through things with your man.
Another friend is needed when you're going through things with your mom.
Another will sit beside you in the bleachers as you delight in your children and their activities. Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be.
One friend will say, 'Let's cry together,'
Another , 'Let's fight together,'
Another , 'Let's walk away together.'
One friend will meet your spiritual need,
Another your shoe fetish,Another your love for movies,
Another will be with you in your season of confusion,
Another will be your clarifier,
Another the wind beneath your wings.

But whatever their assignment in your life,
On whatever the occasion,
On whatever the day,
Or wherever you need them to meet you with their gym shoes on and hair pulled back,
Or to hold you back from making a complete fool of yourself ..
Those are your best friends.

It may all be wrapped up in one woman,
But for many, it's wrapped up in several..
One from 7th grade,
One from high school,
Several from the college years,
A couple from old jobs,
On some days your mother,
On some days your neighbour,
On others, your sisters,
And on some days, your daughters.

Spiral Binding

Just a tip: To make life a bit easier when homeschooling, take soft cover books in and have them spiral bound. I cringed a bit when I first took my brand new book in to FedEx Kinko's and watched them take the big blade and chop the binding off my book. But, once I had the spiral binding on it and started using the book. Once I experienced the book actually not flipping shut on me when I let go of it, I was hooked!

Simple Quote, Deep in Application

"Love God and do as you please."
~Augustine

Wisdom and Hope

"Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;
reprove a wise man, and he will love you.

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight."

Proverbs 9:8-10

As I went over this today, I had to ask myself, "How do I respond to reproof and instruction?" How am I doing in this area? Am I growing? Am I better able to receive instruction than I used to be? How do I respond when someone gives advice, opinions, instruction..? Am I humble and gracious-even if they tell me something I already know or if I am told something "helpful" that really isn't. I can think of times when I have not received instruction with a right heart. Times when I responded in an irritated way inwardly or both inwardly and outwardly.

I can also recall times when I humbled myself (not because I have the "gift of humility", but I humbled myself because I needed humbling!) and how it made for such good conversations. I can recall times when one of my children displays genuine humility during a time of correction and it is a beautiful thing!

I can also think of times when I have sought to share (in a loving way-to the best of my ability) something with a friend and received hostility in return. And how do I respond to that? Do I harbor anger, do I give in to critical attitudes or do I keep seeking to love the other person?

Then I can think of times when I have shared something with a friend and received such love in response. Wow! That is a beautiful thing! I can think of one incident in particular. I shared something hard with a friend and the response was so humble, so open-in fact, because of the response it didn't even feel like I was sharing something hard. I often think back to that time, because I want to be like that! I want to be gracious and humble and approachable-those are keys to successful relationships! True friendships contain those qualities and those qualities create safety in the friendship.

This passage of scripture is so helpful because it tells us the consequences of instructing a wise person and of instructing a foolish person (or scoffer). It shows wisdom as appealing, which it is! And, not only that, it offers hope. The hope comes in telling us how to get wisdom-to get wise, fear the Lord and we fear the Lord by getting to know Him. As we spend time getting to know Christ, we grow in wisdom. That is the best news! Sometimes life can feel discouraging, hard times come due to inner struggles, outer circumstances or both. But, we have a God that we can help us in those times. He gives us what we lack. So, as we lack wisdom, when we respond like a scoffer (in anger to a rebuke), there is hope! We can change. We can grow. And by the grace of God, our mistakes can be healed. Pretty cool!

My Bicycle

I have wanted a bicycle for years...a real grown up bicycle, but for various reasons, I put off getting one. So, this year, for my birthday, M decided to get me one. It is a cruiser. I like mountain bikes, but for this season in my life, I weighed out the pros and cons of a cruiser vs. a mountain bike and opted for the cruiser.

Can I just say that I am so in love with my bicycle???!!!!! I adore it, I daydream about going for bike rides-it's great...from the fun paint job to the decals to the little bell it came with. The little bell makes me smile. As I ride, the kids yell to me, "Ding your bell mom!" So we ding the bell and cruise along-WHEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!

I am so pumped that the kids and I are able to run errands in our little town on our bikes. I put the younger two in the bike trailer and the older two do quite well riding along on their own bikes. I am starting to have visions of family bicycle vacations...

Setting Up and Tearing Apart

A friend found these great presidential pictures. I like how they look in our school room. Now, I need to get pictures of the presidents that came after Nixon, since that is as far as these cards go.

And while I was doing school with A and putting up presidential photos...we have another peak at "homeschooling reality." L played so quietly and contentedly, but look at that room! Yikes! Oh well, it was worth having her occupied and being able to really focus on school with A. It surprised me because, up to this point, she has not been one to unload all her cubbies and things. She had a great time though! =)

Well, I hadn't thought of that, but it is true.

Today at lunch A exclaimed, "I know a word you don't hear very often! Want to hear it?"

"Sure."

"I found a treasure chest. You don't hear people say that very often because you don't find treasure chests too often."

Greenleaf Academy Projects

Here are some photos of our recent projects. We made:

• A model of the Nile river-We lined a disposable baking dish with dirt and created a Nile River, complete with grass seed planted in the "banks of the river." To water the grass seeds we flooded our river bed and it watered our crops. It was great to see the grass grow. I recieved many reminders that "Our crops look dry, it is time for our Nile River to flood!" This idea, as well as the other history projects, came from The Story of the World Activity Book.
• Created pizza cells. After making the jell-o cell, the kids wanted to do "cell pizzas." The only complication was creating an accurate cell and avoiding applying toppings that a person didn't want to eat. Yes, artichoke hearts work well in a cell model, but some members of the family did NOT want those on their pizza.
• Sugar cube pyramids. This was easy and fun.
• Clay tablets. This was another easy project. We shaped the clay into tablets, the kids drew on them and then we dried them in the sun.
• Sumerian Seal cookies. This project was a variation of the suggested activity, which was making clay seals. We made shortbread cookies and then used cookie presses to stamp designs into our cookies. It gives the basic idea of how a seal works and it was fun to eat the cookies.

Here is the recipe for the cookies:

1/2 cup each of butter and shortening
1/2 c. brown sugar and 1/4 c white sugar

1 t salt

2-2 1/4 c flour

Cream together the sugars and butter and shortening. Then add the salt and flour. Mix. Roll into balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Stamp with a cookie stamp.

Bake @ 300 degrees for 20-25 minutes.