tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37791079507664267812024-03-13T10:58:58.149-05:00Geidlbots:Tales of German Robots Living in AmericaAmandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762148903932730578noreply@blogger.comBlogger240125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779107950766426781.post-40070354331778688342015-01-28T17:24:00.000-06:002015-01-28T21:32:50.918-06:00Stitch Fix<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I know I haven't blogged in forever. A few of my friends were asking for pictures of what I kept from my first Stitch Fix, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to blog!</div>
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<b>What is <a href="http://www.stitchfix.com/">Stitch Fix</a>?</b><br />
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It is an online styling service. I signed up after several friends kept raving about it. I just gave birth in November to our sixth baby, and my wardrobe was maternity shirts and skinny jeans. I also don't really have much time to go shopping with my nursing baby. In addition to all of that, I am not fashion savvy. In fact, I have taken friends shopping with me more than once so they could pick out clothes for me. I have no idea what goes together, and I am not up on the latest trends. Stitch Fix sounded perfect for me! <br />
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<b>How does it work?</b><br />
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I paid $20 for the styling fee, answered a lot of questions about my style and my figure. They sent me five items. I tried them on in the comfort of my own home, with my own wardrobe handy to mix and match. I liked everything in my box, but a few items just didn't work for one reason or another. I ended up keeping two items: a v-neck, sheer, navy blue blouse, and a pair of dangly silver hoop earrings. My $20 fee was applied to my purchase of these two items. Items are $55 on average, but mine were all different ranges. I put three items back in the prepaid postage mailer and left feedback on their website and paid my bill. At their suggestion, I started a <a href="http://pinterest.com/ageidl/my-stitch-fix-style/">Pinterest board</a> to give them ideas of what I like. They also suggested I post a picture of myself to the board so they could see what I look like (which would definitely help them help me).<br />
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I know you're dying to see the blouse and earrings. Here you go. My husband took some pictures while we were at the park, and I felt totally awkward and unnatural.<br />
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<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0_wOi0x9aHU/VMlvJNPUBzI/AAAAAAAAA0E/0QdefQccNg0/s640/blogger-image-428860438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0_wOi0x9aHU/VMlvJNPUBzI/AAAAAAAAA0E/0QdefQccNg0/s640/blogger-image-428860438.jpg" /></a></div>
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This is the blouse. It has plenty of room for my postpartum physique without giving up a tailored look. I am actually wearing the earrings in this picture, but you can't see them because my mane is in the way. </div>
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Here are the earrings:</div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uvuXi3ze16k/VMlvGgqbmGI/AAAAAAAAAz8/yvjeTgOsv7w/s640/blogger-image--102328249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uvuXi3ze16k/VMlvGgqbmGI/AAAAAAAAAz8/yvjeTgOsv7w/s640/blogger-image--102328249.jpg" /></a></div>
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I never buy accessories, so I kept them!!</div>
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I scheduled another fix for next month. I can't wait to see what they pick out!!! If you're interested in trying out Stitch Fix, here is my referral link. If you sign up through my link, I get $25!</div>
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https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/4579393</div>
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<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762148903932730578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779107950766426781.post-50294721116998355232014-03-27T10:19:00.001-05:002014-03-27T10:19:37.473-05:00God provides for His kidsYesterday, we bought a newer van. We got a pretty good deal, I guess. It has 50K miles and has 8 seats which was what we were looking for. It is the newest van we have ever owned. We are very thankful for God's provision<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qhhQLCJ22Fc/UzRBh398yUI/AAAAAAAAAzg/Sfmbvhn4f3o/s640/blogger-image-540966471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qhhQLCJ22Fc/UzRBh398yUI/AAAAAAAAAzg/Sfmbvhn4f3o/s640/blogger-image-540966471.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I slept poorly last night, and today, I am quite sluggish. My kids are working quickly with their schoolwork, so hopefully, I will get to lie down a bit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My nausea hits me in the afternoon to evening. I just want to lie around when it hits. Other than that, I feel pretty well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This morning, while we were doing some schoolwork, Milo burst into song. He normally doesn't sing much. Felix is the singer of the two. We have watched Frozen probably 20-30 times since we bought it last week. I will add the video from my computer, this app won't let me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My parents are visiting this weekend. The kids are excited to see them. I am sure they will keep Grandma and Pa-Pa busy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762148903932730578noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779107950766426781.post-20604010053291393682014-03-25T16:27:00.001-05:002014-03-25T16:27:11.453-05:00Baby #7We have five living children. One of our babies died early in pregnancy (baby #4). So this baby is technically Baby #7. <div><br></div><div>Today, I had my first appointment. It went really well. I had an ultrasound by a cranky tech, and all is well!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CtwMMZo9B48/UzH0rePeuAI/AAAAAAAAAyk/vG1s_yyVLYE/s640/blogger-image-573478825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CtwMMZo9B48/UzH0rePeuAI/AAAAAAAAAyk/vG1s_yyVLYE/s640/blogger-image-573478825.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Our baby is growing. I am 8 weeks and 2 days, and our baby is almost 2 cm. His/her heartbeat was fast! 171 bpm. </div><div><br></div><div>I felt a wave or gratitude wash over me at the office when I saw this little person God has created for our family. </div><div><br></div><div>I was very blessed that my friend, Carly, came with me to the appointment so I wouldn't have to go alone. Dave couldn't go because of work. I was so glad she came and shared my joy. </div><div><br></div><div>God be praised in the life of this little one!!!</div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762148903932730578noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779107950766426781.post-12098222767762326452014-03-22T19:22:00.001-05:002014-03-22T19:22:03.649-05:00TiredWe took the kids to Branson last night. We found a cabin close to Silver Dollar City, and while it wasn't fancy, it was spacious and allowed us to spread out. <div><br></div><div>We had to run into town to pick up some coffee and breakfast stuff. Afterwards, we stopped by Andy's Frozen Custard. The kids each had a cone with chocolate custard. Dave had a triple chocolate concrete, and I had a chocolate concrete with Thin Mints. It was soooo good. </div><div><br></div><div>We went to Silver Dollar City pretty early and had some cinnamon rolls. We let the kids play a good while in Half Dollar Holler and then we made our way to The Grand Exposition. Everyone was able to ride something. To our delight, the twins are now an inch over the limit so they were able to ride all the kiddie rides without us. </div><div><br></div><div>We rode the train and had a break before lunch. Dave saw our niece there with her boyfriend, so we were able to meet up. That was a nice surprise. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div>Felix was pretty difficult all day. I remember when Maryn was like this and I thought she'd never change. She did, and she is delightful. </div><div><br></div><div>Lucy ran off once at Geyser Gulch, and I almost panicked. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">A</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">fter running around a lot, I saw her headed back where the rest of us had been. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Our last stop before home was the taffy store. Dave went in and picked some out and mostly got one of my favorites--Outlaw Run which is a salted caramel taffy. I am kind of wishing I had gone in because I love the Cotton Candy one too. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I slept from Branson to Harrison. Milo slept almost the whole way home, and Felix slept about half the time. We are all very tired and ready for bedtime. It was a good day, all in all. </span></div><div><br></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762148903932730578noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779107950766426781.post-27772114180508309882014-03-21T19:05:00.001-05:002014-03-21T19:05:15.670-05:00Lucy is a Winner!My sweet Lucy broke a Geidlbots record today and lost her first tooth at 5 years and 4 months which is the earliest of our kids so far! Way to go, Lucy!!<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sJTAPrUH0oU/UyzTucY40tI/AAAAAAAAAyU/Q1W4BxiD8Sk/s640/blogger-image-270275352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sJTAPrUH0oU/UyzTucY40tI/AAAAAAAAAyU/Q1W4BxiD8Sk/s640/blogger-image-270275352.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762148903932730578noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779107950766426781.post-16639292171446231382014-03-21T07:34:00.001-05:002014-03-21T07:34:31.521-05:00A Shift in Thinking about ServiceI have often heaped guilt on myself about not being involved in more "ministries" and capacities at the local church. I finally came to the realization that my service to my family was of utmost importance to God and to my church family. If I am not pouring into my children, I am not only doing a disservice to them but to the church. <div><br></div><div>This "Ask Pastor John" episode blessed my heart as a busy mom. I pray it blesses you as well. </div><div><br></div><div><div>Counsel for Busy Moms (Episode 190) #askpastorjohn</div><div>http://soundcloud.com/askpastorjohn/counsel-for-busy-moms-episode</div></div><div><br></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762148903932730578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779107950766426781.post-88421976995047180972014-03-20T11:05:00.001-05:002014-03-20T11:05:29.990-05:00Goings On<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The children are working hard today. It must be that it is the First Day of Spring and they want to play outside. :) Today, they have to build a model of The International Space Station. They will use Legos (no glue for mom!). Here is our finished product. </span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ToYaT4ufQSE/UysRxqyqkWI/AAAAAAAAAyA/GqFBayQbq3U/s640/blogger-image-1928075159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ToYaT4ufQSE/UysRxqyqkWI/AAAAAAAAAyA/GqFBayQbq3U/s640/blogger-image-1928075159.jpg"></a></div><br><br>I have a helper who comes on Thursdays. It makes everything a little easier. I may take the kids to the city park today for a change of scenery. <br><br>I go to the baby doctor on Tuesday and appreciate your prayers. I am 7 weeks today. Pray the baby is growing well and all is fine. We will also be finding out if it is just one baby or two. ;-)<br><br>Getting off of Facebook has given me some room to breathe. I am not constantly checking it to see if anyone responded to me or not. It gives me time to focus on relationships in front of me. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I think we may head to Branson for the weekend and hang out at SDC and maybe shop a bit. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I am doing well. I hope you are as well. Perhaps without Facebook, I can return to blogging. We shall see. My blogging record has been less than optimal for several years now. :)</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Happy Thursday!</span></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762148903932730578noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779107950766426781.post-1008148645583611912013-08-25T22:05:00.000-05:002013-08-25T22:05:12.822-05:00Convinced.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I can think of a handful of things in my life of which I am convinced:<br /></span><ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Quiet twin boys always means a mess.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pencils, markers, crayons or pens left out will end up on the wall (see previous).</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dishes do not end.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Laundry does not end either.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My children are gracious and forgiving.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My husband really must love me to put up with me for so long.</span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /><br />These things have proven themselves to be true continually in my life through my experience. I am convinced they are true because I have seen them to be true.</span><div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Our pastor made a statement today that is valid:</span><blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"You cannot divorce initial conversion from continual conversion. If there is not continual conversion, there was never initial conversion."</span></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">First of all, salvation comes only through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). One must repent (turn away) from their sins and believe that Jesus' death saves them from those sins (Mark 1:14-15). Walking an aisle, repeating a prayer, having an "experience," will not save you. You cannot ask Jesus into your heart (never mentioned in Scripture). You can "repent and believe the gospel" as Jesus commanded (Mark 1:14-15). The Gospel is "...that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Yet, salvation does not end here. Making that first step to repent and believe is conversion. But salvation is so much bigger than just conversion. Conversion is justification--God declares you to be righteous (He gives His own righteousness to us in exchange for our sin). </span><blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Romans 4:4-5 says, "Now to the one who works, his wage in not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness." </span></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Paul also says in Romans 5:1, "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That is still just the beginning. The next step of salvation is sanctification. This is the salvation process of God making us holy. This stage continues until we die or He returns. If you are continuing to live in your sins without repentance, you were never justified in the first place (1 John 3:6). This verse is talking about continually living in sin without repentance. We all sin and have incidents of sin, but this is talking about a lifestyle of sin without turning away from it. If you have been justified by Jesus, He will sanctify you. He has given us His mind (1 Corinthians 2:16). His mind is not set on sin, and ours isn't either (Romans 8:9). </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The final step of salvation will not be completed until the end--glorification. After God raises our mortal bodies, He will reunite our souls and spirits with our bodies and transform our bodies into immortal, incorruptible bodies. We will possess a body like the one Jesus had when He rose from the dead. (1 Corinthians 15:42, 52-57)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My questions for you are these: </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Are you convinced that you <u>are</u> saved (justified)? </span> </blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Are you convinced that you <u>are being</u> saved (sanctified)? </span> </blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Are you convinced that you <u>will be</u> saved (glorified)? </span></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 Corinthians 13:5, "Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you--unless indeed you fail the test?"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Don't fail the test. Repent and believe the Gospel. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762148903932730578noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779107950766426781.post-56838129475323596862013-08-20T13:50:00.002-05:002013-08-20T14:00:29.092-05:00Choosing to Honor in the Depths of GraceI have seen several status updates by <a href="http://lovingonpurpose.com/">Danny Silk</a> on Facebook about his new book, <i><a href="http://store.ibethel.org/p7411/keep-your-love-on">Keep Your Love On</a></i>. It seems the premise of the book is learning how to truly love and have boundaries as well. It is learning how to honor others even when they hurt you. I was recently in a situation where I chose poorly. I sinned against someone I love by losing my temper. I have apologized, but this person still seems upset with me. I kept thinking about "keeping my love on." How do I honor someone who won't choose not to remember when I have sinned?<br />
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Sometimes words aren't enough. Sometimes there are no actions to make up for what you've done. Sometimes, it is just submitting to the Lord and letting go. It is trusting Him to make all things beautiful. I am choosing to honor this person by not bringing up old sin, by forgiving all that has been done to me, and by praying daily that my sin is not wasted--that God will somehow glorify Himself in it.<br />
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I am so unworthy of grace. That's what makes it grace. This situation has opened my eyes to something: how often do I refuse to give grace to others when they sin against me? Even in this situation, when this person sinned against me, I did not offer grace--I exploded. Pain that buried itself in my heart catapulted out of my mouth in anger like a dormant volcano suddenly made active. No pain, no sin, no circumstance is ever too deep or wicked for the grace of God. His grace is infinite and abundant for those who fear Him. Today, I rest in that grace, and I hope that I can, in the future, extend it as well as He does regardless if I receive it from others.<br />
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P.S. The person I offended was not my husband. <br />
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P.S.S. I just read Danny Silk's Facebook, and this was his quote which I felt goes along perfectly with what I am talking about:<br />
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<span class="userContent">The illusion that absolutely no sin exists at the top of the ladder creates the ridiculous gap between regular people, who sin and leaders, who supposedly don't. It turns leaders into liars, because they are not allowed to be real people anymore and this only sets them up for isolation and a fall. As we learn to keep our love on, it's essential that we have the revelation that people are people and we stop being afraid of people's mistakes. KYLO.</span></div>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762148903932730578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779107950766426781.post-27394914521569831302013-01-18T13:13:00.001-06:002013-01-18T13:13:18.472-06:00Dear Fellow Mom,You ask me a lot how I manage to do it all. You ask me how on earth I have enough time to do the things I enjoy. You tell me you don't know HOW I do it. And sometimes, you call me a *cringe* "supermom."<br />
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I think you say these things because you feel like you can't keep up. I think you are comparing our lives based on the bits you see on Facebook. I think you feel like you are not as good a mother because you're not doing what I'm doing. And I get it because I've done the same thing. <br />
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I'm here, writing this, to tell you something:<br />
<br />
You are deceived.<br />
<br />
You only see a smidgen of my life, of her life, and of their lives. You compare the whole truth of your life to only a smidgen of truth of everyone else's lives. Some of us let more hang out on Facebook than others--I prefer to be more positive because there is so much negative being blurted out into Cyber-Land-Of-No-Consequence. I try to be real, but you don't seem to notice those posts, just the ones where I actually accomplished something. Either way, I can't (and won't) show my whole life on Facebook. You're not getting the full picture, and because you're comparing your whole to my part, you are deceived. And I get it because I've been deceived about the same things, "Can you believe how cute her bedroom is? I still haven't decorated mine and we've lived here over three years!" "How in the world does she have time to ___________________ with 12 kids?" "Did she say she was making soap?"<br />
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I don't do it all. In fact, I pay people to help me do some of it. I thank God that at this very difficult stage in my life (5 kids between ages 2 and 8, two homeschooled, one busy middle child, and 2 year old destructobot twins) that He has made provision for me to have helpers who help clean my house and laundry and who help watch my middle child and twins while I focus on teaching my older children. <br />
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My kids also don't do it all. They aren't involved in a lot of activities. The older two take piano lessons once a week. That's it. One hour of outside activities (excluding church, but we go as a family) is all I can manage. I don't have to taxi them to practices or games or to school or to clubs. I cannot do this. You may be doing this for all I know, and you know what--good for you! You're doing something I'm not doing!!! <br />
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I put my kids to bed by 8pm so I can have a break in the evenings, time to focus on my husband, to watch a show online with him, to crochet, to read. I've created moments of space for myself. I encourage you to find some time in your day where you can take deep breaths and do something you enjoy. For me, I try to do something during naptime--today, I want to sew something. I will either include my kids in the process or shoo them away to play with one another or independently. <br />
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Sometimes I take naps during naptime because I am exhausted. I bet you're exhausted too. Some things can wait--dishes, laundry, etc--sometimes you just need a nap!<br />
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I want you to know something: I'm not perfect. I don't have it all together. I'm not a supermom. My house isn't sparkly clean. My children aren't bathed every day (...or even every other day...). My books get read a page at a time, sometimes. My kids are having to learn to play together because I can't entertain them 24/7. Sometimes we scrap dinner and go out. Sometimes I yell. Sometimes I cry. Sometimes I stand in awe of moms who work outside the home and then come home and try to cram the rest of their responsibilities into the next few hours. Sometimes, I ignore the house, the laundry, the kids and just do what I want to do. Sometimes, I sit on the couch and have kids sitting all over me while we impatiently wait for Daddy to come home. Sometimes I read to my kids and try to teach the middle child her ABCs (and most of the time, I am asking the big kids to read to the little ones so I can load the dishwasher and tell the poor middle child that she's only four, and I will teach her tomorrow).<br />
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The truth is this: we're more alike than you think. We all do what we gotta do, so instead of endlessly trying to measure up to this incomplete picture that social media makes possible, let's cheer one another on to love and good deeds so that people will praise God. The truth is that we are sisters, and we have strengths and weaknesses, and NONE of us are perfect. NONE of us have it all together. I'm no supermom--she's false; she doesn't exist, and she doesn't need Jesus moment by moment like I do. So let's throw off this yoke of bondage to perfectionism, people-pleasing, and performance-based living and just love each other. Did you like those three P's?<br />
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You are loved, fellow mom, just as you are.<br />
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Love,<br />
Amanda<br />
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<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762148903932730578noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779107950766426781.post-54055819046364211142012-11-30T15:59:00.000-06:002012-11-30T15:59:10.021-06:00Could It Be?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Have I returned to the bloggerland?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Probably not. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But this was a good deal--$10 off coupon for embedding a Christmas card onto my blog. I'll take it.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Consider yourself greeted. Merry Christmas!</span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762148903932730578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779107950766426781.post-49406441742136011962011-12-05T14:24:00.002-06:002011-12-05T14:32:31.194-06:00'Tis the Season NOT for Blogging!I wish I had time to blog. I haven't even had time to read blogs. How life changes when you have lots of kids!!!<br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/amandageidl/GeidlbotsTalesOfGermanRobotsLivingInAmerica?authkey=Gv1sRgCJyh7YHkwJSzZA#5682742885605289842"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4X_d6XEl0yc/Tt0oi8Zhr3I/AAAAAAAAArM/-QtATZWCKmA/s288/iphone_photo.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center><br />
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Our Christmas tree is up and decorated. This means that the twins are getting a lot more pack and play time. :) We are using our <a href="http://cradletocrosswreath.com/">Way of Light Advent Wreath</a> from the <a href="http://aholyexperience.com/">Voskamp family</a> along with the <a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B95VCHfIJb4vZDUyOGI0ODgtNTVlYS00M2MwLTk0NTQtNTRmOTllY2U0MGZi&authkey=CIHX_9sD">Advent Calendar</a> I made last year. I love anticipating Christmas Day with my family. <br />
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<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/amandageidl/GeidlbotsTalesOfGermanRobotsLivingInAmerica?authkey=Gv1sRgCJyh7YHkwJSzZA#5682742896686761970"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WtyGaCK5Vfs/Tt0ojlrjh_I/AAAAAAAAArU/L61TO1bROyY/s288/iphone_photo.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
What do you do for gifts for your kids? Dollar limit? Gift limit? No gifts? Stocking stuffers? We generally give our kids three gifts each and stocking stuffers. I am curious if anyone has given less to their kids and given more to the poor? We would love to head in this direction, but we are not sure our kids would get it or appreciate the altruism especially since they have not placed their faith in Christ yet. <br />
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Would love your kind feedback.<br />
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Merry Christmas!<br />
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhoneAmandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762148903932730578noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779107950766426781.post-61986132967342303102011-11-04T17:08:00.000-05:002011-11-04T17:08:48.093-05:00Blogging? Oh...yeah, I used to do that...I have thought about blogging. But not for more than a nanosecond.<br />
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The truth, the sad, sad, truth is that I have finally come to a time in my life where I sincerely do not have the time for it! It was easier when my big kids were little and there were only three of them. Now that there are five of them and two of them are homeschooling, I have found that I have very little time for anything but life.<br />
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I have a house helper, Gemma, who comes to help me a couple of days a week, and she helps with the house and the kids and really whatever I need her to do. But I am STILL BUSY all day long. It's weird. But hey, at least my house looks better than it did, and I am thankful for being able to focus on the kids more than the housework.<br />
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I know a lot of people do it alone, and I applaud them. I suppose I could do it, but I wouldn't be very nice. I'm pretty certain of that. That's where we were headed about a month ago. People who have twins will understand me when I say that it really is harder with twins. Pulling the "twin card" is my new normal. But honestly, there is no other explanation (except that I may just be crazy???). So, if I pull the "twin card" with you, just smile and nod and pray for me! <br />
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Sam is doing well in school. I know, not a big surprise! He's super smart and very inquisitive and thoughtful. Maryn is also excelling in school and enjoying it so much. She really loves to be doing her schoolwork. Sam and Maryn have been spending their free time building a "circus" out in the yard with old firewood. It's so cute.<br />
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I decided to start trying to pottytrain Lucy again. She will be three in 12 days, and my other two kids did well at 3. She is no exception. She had success for two days in a row with a couple of accidents, and then today, she has peed in the potty three times, pooped once, and so far, has had no accidents today! She is gaining confidence and excitement, and I'm so proud of her. It really is best to wait until they're ready.<br />
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Felix is jabbering a lot. He also likes to carry toys around in his mouth while he crawls around. He looks like a puppy. He is so cute. I swear he can say "dog." He is doing well with baby food and some table food. <br />
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Milo is starting to screech a lot. He is also trying to walk. He's taken many steps, but he usually has to be coaxed. He is gaining a lot of weight too and looking so cute and chubby. He LOVES to eat. I think it is his favorite thing to do.<br />
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Both babies are sleeping in their own room. They aren't sleeping through the night, but at least they're in their own room and Dave and I don't have to tiptoe anymore.<br />
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We took a vacation to Oklahoma City and Tulsa and then Northwest Arkansas. It was exhausting but fun. Maybe someday, I will think about uploading some pictures. Well, Milo sounds sad, so I better go, but that is what is going on in our lives. Hopefully, I can find more time for this, but right now, it isn't looking like it!Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762148903932730578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779107950766426781.post-42733514497190458942011-09-26T14:18:00.000-05:002011-09-26T14:18:50.913-05:00Recommendations for TwinsI currently know four people in my circle of friends who are having twins! In thinking about what it was like to be pregnant with twins, I thought it might be a blessing for them to know how I did it. Of course, they may not care, and that's okay too, but just in case they want advice from someone who is a few steps ahead, here are some recommendations based on my experience.<br />
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1. If you're breastfeeding, get this nursing pillow. It is great. Once I had them latched on, I was hands-free! It's awesome. It is generous in size, and I have used it from the time I got home with the boys. Now, my boys were term and Felix weighed 6 lbs 12 oz, and Milo weighed 7 lbs 5 oz, so they were not teeny tiny preemies. This may not work for you until they get bigger if yours end up coming early. But I love it, and STILL use it and my boys are 9 months old.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pfcw0dJce7U/ToDJZHHUeOI/AAAAAAAAArA/1ILOt5ZTYLw/s1600/nursingtwinspillow.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pfcw0dJce7U/ToDJZHHUeOI/AAAAAAAAArA/1ILOt5ZTYLw/s320/nursingtwinspillow.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://www.doubleblessings.com/sdbbtm.html">Double Blessings Twin Nursing Pillow</a> (stock photo from doubleblessings.com)<br />
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2. I wanted a lightweight, inexpensive double stroller. Another twin parent recommended a side by side as one twin may not like being behind the other and want to be able to see out. This sounded reasonable. You can spend as much as you want on a stroller. Evaluate what you'll use it for. I knew I would use mine either for a walk on a track, the mall, the zoo, or running errands. I would not be jogging with it, so I knew I could buy something cheaper and not as awesome. Plus, I live on a gravel road off of a state highway, so I knew I wouldn't be strolling regularly. I went with the Jeep double umbrella stroller, got it at stroller.com for $70 in May with free shipping. The sunshades are a joke, but I have been pleased with the stroller for the price.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FvZ2GJRM6Nw/ToDKdMrY6tI/AAAAAAAAArE/4zZNJgeW4Nc/s1600/strollertwins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FvZ2GJRM6Nw/ToDKdMrY6tI/AAAAAAAAArE/4zZNJgeW4Nc/s1600/strollertwins.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://www.stroller.com/stroller-jeep-wrangler-twin-sport-allweather-fierce.html%20(stock%20photo%20from%20stroller.com)">Jeep Wrangler Twin Sport Umbrella Stroller</a> (photo courtesy of stroller.com)<br />
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3. Nutrition is the MOST important component of managing a twin pregnancy. This book was amazing, and I attribute my healthy outcomes both to God and to following the high protein diet in this book.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J5_r4p7AJPU/ToDLG_PgIjI/AAAAAAAAArI/6kfhQrgjpac/s1600/books.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J5_r4p7AJPU/ToDLG_PgIjI/AAAAAAAAArI/6kfhQrgjpac/s1600/books.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
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<a href="http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=when+you're+expecting+twins+triplets+or+quads&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&prmd=ivns&resnum=3&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1920&bih=1064&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=7953975147076135091&sa=X&ei=9sqATqfsNbD9sQLXlokD&ved=0CFUQ8wIwAQ#ps-sellers">When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads: Proven Guidelines for a Healthy Multiple Pregnancy</a><br />
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4. Schedule help. Dave was able to be home with us for two weeks. 50% of twins are born by c-section, so having help is even more imperative. Regardless of how you birth your twins, you MUST rest <b>for a month</b> afterwards if at all possible. My midwife, who provided me with nutrition and breastfeeding advice, said I needed to sleep as much as possible for the first month--no housework--just sleep, eat, and nurse the babies. I have three older children under the age of 6. I did not know how this was going to work, especially after Dave went back to work. So, I made a calendar and divided the days he wouldn't be here into two sections: 8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm. People would mention in passing, "I'd love to help you when the babies come" or "Just let me know how I can help." So, I made sure that I got all their names written down along with their phone numbers, emails, and times they were available to help. Then, each week, I would contact people to fill in those time slots. Making them 4 hr time slots seemed more doable and less overwhelming for people, and praise God, I only ever had to be alone with all 5 children TWICE in that first month. I didn't have a full day alone with all of them until the beginning of February. I got plenty of rest. They watched the older children, made them lunch, fed them snacks, helped pick up around the house, made me lunch, helped me change and burp the twins. It was amazing. I would not have made it without my team of helpers that first month! Don't be afraid to ask for help. You cannot and should not try to do this alone. It will keep you from getting depressed and overwhelmed.<br />
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5. Freeze meals. I had two weeks of meals that were brought to my home by friends and church members. But, I knew that eventually, the meals would stop. So, about a month before the babies were due, my friend, Tina, came over and helped me put a bunch of meals in the freezer. For two weeks, I bought two of everything and made double of every meal and froze half. By the time the twins came, I had 17 meals in my freezer. I have a LARGE freezer, but I also have a small deep freeze. You can get a small deep freeze for about $150. It's worth it. <br />
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6. If you can afford it, hire a housekeeper. I hired Miss Emelyn about a month before the twins came. She and her sister or her niece come every other week. She does anything I need her to do--dishes, laundry, all cleaning, help with the kids or the babies. They are amazing. I would not make it without them. I recently had to clean my house (all the way) by myself while they were on vacation. I survived it, but I was super overwhelmed by all that I had to do. I knew that hiring her was cheaper than therapy! I also love having her around; she is a blessing to our family.<br />
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7. And, if you can do this, it will make everything better--keep your twins on the same feeding and napping schedule. Ours is not hard core or strict, by any means, but they ALWAYS eat at the same time, and I lay them down for naps at the same time. This has given me the time I need to rest and recharge and to homeschool my older two children. This was by far one of the best decisions I have made.<br />
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I hope you find all of this helpful, and if you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Your twins will bless you more than you even know!!!Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762148903932730578noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779107950766426781.post-58261923252883730822011-09-16T09:28:00.001-05:002011-09-16T09:28:39.647-05:00Remembering HimWhen someone dies, we try to remember everything we can about them--the good memories, their laugh, the way their hands looked at rest, the way their eyes would light up. <br /><br />But what do you do when you lose someone you never got to meet?<br /><br />I think, in my case, I have been remembering who Jesus was to me in my grief. <br /><br />He was my strong tower. I ran to Him, and I was safe. <br /><br />He was my light in a very dark time. <br /><br />He was there, steadfast and true, never leaving my side. <br /><br />He was the one who helped me run like I had never run before--He was my coach, my endurance. I ran a race and ran it well, thanks to Him. <br /><br />He was the friend who didn't try to fix me. He just listened to me and held me when I cried. <br /><br />He was my mirror, showing me some things in my life that He wanted to change and heal. <br /><br />He was the Giver. And He blessed me two-fold. With Felix and Milo. Two instead of one. He laughed, I am sure!, when I learned I was carrying two!<br /><br />He was my everything. And He still is. <br /><br />So, on this day, the day my precious one would have been having the first birthday, I remember. I remember the excitement for the little one. I remember how quickly I loved. I remember the crushing reality of loss. <br /><br />And I remember, how deeply He loved me through it all. And I thank Him. <br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762148903932730578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779107950766426781.post-54114485272334548952011-09-15T15:02:00.000-05:002011-09-15T15:02:20.657-05:00God's Classroom<dl style="-moz-box-sizing: border-box; background: #FFF; border: solid 1px #B1B1B1; box-sizing: border-box; color: #373737; font: 11px Tahoma,sans-serif; overflow: hidden; width: 426px;"><dt style="height: 344px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XfJPdcTwCgg&feature=youtube_gdata&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XfJPdcTwCgg&feature=youtube_gdata&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></dt>
<dd style="background-image: url('http://www.tsrocks.com/images/youtube.bottom.gif'); background-repeat: repeat-x; font: 11px Tahoma; line-height: 12px!important; margin: 0; padding: 4px 6px 5px 8px; text-align: left; text-transform: none;">Read
<h1 style="display: inline; font: bold 11px Tahoma; line-height: 12px!important; margin: 0; padding-right: 3px; text-align: left; text-transform: none;"><a href="http://www.tsrocks.com/r/rich_mullins_texts/the_color_green.html" style="background: none; border: none; color: #373737; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold!important; text-decoration: none;">The Color Green Lyrics</a></h1>here. </dd></dl><br />
I highly recommend listening to this song by Rich Mullins, The Color Green, while you read this post. :)<br />
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The high today is supposed to be 74. I knew the kids had to be outside most of today, if possible. So, we took our lessons outside along with our nature box and socks and jackets. The children played between subjects. The babies joined us for a little while. <br />
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It was wonderful. <br />
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The breeze was cool. The air was fresh. And we are all plumb tuckered out.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cc7Ox69NQ-E/TnJR2N172GI/AAAAAAAAAqM/JHv4ljtZhiw/s1600/DSC_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cc7Ox69NQ-E/TnJR2N172GI/AAAAAAAAAqM/JHv4ljtZhiw/s400/DSC_0021.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our Classroom</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hard at work</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Getting fresh air and looking so cute in pants and long-sleeved shirts!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What is this?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our pup dog, Woodrow</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So sweet.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uwqCwfBxNDg/TnJQq_J8eqI/AAAAAAAAAqA/0Vln2toyudk/s1600/DSC_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uwqCwfBxNDg/TnJQq_J8eqI/AAAAAAAAAqA/0Vln2toyudk/s400/DSC_0017.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sam, 1st Grade</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Maryn, Kindergarten</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lucy, footloose and fancy-free (almost 3!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And me, the teacher, once again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762148903932730578noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779107950766426781.post-9315898266105313592011-09-15T14:27:00.001-05:002011-09-15T14:27:20.706-05:00A-Rambling We GoI haven't had the time or motivation to blog lately. I also think that laundry, dishes, and schooling doesn't sound super interesting. But just in case it does, here ya go. <br /><br />I have found that adding school back into my schedule has really made a difference in my amount of free time. I have struggled to find moments of rest or time to do something fun. That is something I would like to figure out. I've noticed it is important for me to have some time for myself so I can breathe and think in quiet. Dave has been helping me in this department, and I am so thankful he serves me like this. <br /><br />I am actually really enjoying homeschooling this year. I am much more relaxed, and the kids are not rushed or pressured. We take our time, and I attend to Lucy and the babies as needed. <br /><br />Sam is learning a lot of great mental math methods. He is reading a few grades ahead, and his penmanship is impressive. He seems to enjoy school more this year, and I think my attitude change is a big part of that. He is constantly making something out of paper. He loves origami. <br /><br />Maryn loves school. She is actually ahead of her math book, but I am not rushing her to complete extra. She is doing awesome with her reading and is learning to figure out words she doesn't know on her own. Her penmanship improves all the time. Her grip is a little strange, so I try to gently correct it. She loves making kitty-cat masks with paper and pipe cleaners (her design!). <br /><br />I have been reading aloud a book my Great-Great Uncle David Unsell wrote, _Roxy the Raccoon_, about his pet raccoon. It has been a fun story and the kids love hearing about Roxy's adventures. I think it is super cool to have a story like this from our family. I met my Great-Great Uncle David when I was eight. He came to my Great Grandpa's funeral. He was hard of hearing and had one of those ear trumpets that we had to speak into. I am glad I met him and now have this bit of history from his life. The kids are narrating the story back to me in pictures. They are getting quite good at drawing raccoons. <br /><br />Lucy's speech is improving all the time. She often surprises me with some of the things she says. She is a funny girl. The cutest thing is how she says "grand-daddy longlegs." I have got to get it on video. She loves to color. She loves watching Curious George. She calls him, "Georgie."<br /><br />Felix is pulling up on the furniture now. He is getting two more teeth--this will make six for him. He says, "dug-a-dug-a-dug-a" and it is so funny. He grins a lot. He seems to like baby food alright. He also has learned to point, to wave, and to clap. <br /><br />Milo is starting to cruise around the furniture. He has zero teeth, but his gums are swollen, so we are expecting some to come in soon. He wants food, but has a pretty strong gag reflex and is figuring out how to manipulate it. He has also learned to point. He doesn't say "ma-ma" much anymore :(, but he is saying "da-da" now. <br /><br />Stay tuned shortly for a post full of pictures of our day in school OUTSIDE!<br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762148903932730578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779107950766426781.post-41315149447146931802011-08-15T20:01:00.000-05:002011-08-15T20:01:06.943-05:00Loved.I'm sitting here listening to Kathryn Scott's "I Belong" on my friend <a href="http://purpleamethyst76.xanga.com/">Shanda</a>'s blog.<br />
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I don't have much to say today. I just feel loved.<br />
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Because I am.<br />
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And so are you.<br />
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"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,<sup> </sup>neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39<br />
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Have a listen.<br />
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Receive from Him.<br />
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762148903932730578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779107950766426781.post-570032422464303802011-08-06T21:24:00.001-05:002011-08-06T21:39:18.500-05:00Geidlbot-schoolingMy friend, <a href="http://lifethroughshanaseyes.blogspot.com/">Shana</a>, asked me to talk about what we're doing this year for homeschooling--specifically about the Charlotte Mason approach we are taking.<br />
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Let me back up a bit.<br />
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I said, "I will never homeschool unless I live in the jungle."<br />
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Well, this little town isn't a jungle, but here I am, homeschooling and eating a heaping plate of crow.<br />
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Last year, I homeschooled Sam. I took a very traditional approach because frankly, it is what I am most comfortable with after having taught in a traditional school setting for a couple of years and being raised in that same kind of school. What I found was that Sam learned a lot--all he was "supposed" to learn and more. What I also found was that I HATED his math curriculum with a passion because there were SO MANY stinkin' activities for each lesson and tons of prep for me--FOR KINDERGARTEN!!! Also, I found that Sam and I were not getting along (just as I knew it would be) because I couldn't seem to find my role as parent AND as teacher. My authority and his submission were at war, and it began to affect his perception of education. He didn't like it or get excited about anything we were learning. I was tired of threatening him and having to make it so rigid so I could be "in control."<br />
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It was exhausting at times, and I wasn't enjoying it.<br />
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Yet, I knew I was supposed to continue this year with Sam AND Maryn. I began hearing and reading bits about Charlotte Mason. I have a friend who is a missionary to Asia who homeschools her six children and uses the Charlotte Mason approach. I was unaware of this when I approached her about advice regarding schooling more than one child. She said, "I want you to read this book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Childrens-Sake-Foundations-Education-Child-Life/dp/089107290X"><i>For the Children's Sake</i>, by Susan Schaeffer Macauley</a>. Read it, and then call me."<br />
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I got the book. I read it. I tried to get in touch with her, but she's a busy lady, and I haven't gotten a chance to chat with her. However, the Lord blessed me with an opportunity to chat with another mama who uses this approach, <a href="http://oneroofafrica.blogspot.com/">Michelle</a>. She homeschools her four oldest children. I was so encouraged to talk with her and get some ideas for how to practically bring the Charlotte Mason approach into our home.<br />
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Who was Charlotte Mason?<br />
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She was an educator at the end of the 19th century in England. She viewed children as people (imagine that!). Children were not vessels to be filled with facts and figures but people, made in God's image, to be nurtured and exposed to all the truths of God (because ALL truth is GOD's truth). In her opinion, children should be exposed to the truth of God's Word, living books (firsthand accounts, books written by single authors instead of textbooks written by a plethora of people), nature as a hands-on study, art and music. She felt that the bulk of structured learning should take place before lunchtime so that the children would have the afternoon free for playing outside, exploring and imagining (still learning!), for crafts, baking, cooking, and all other active endeavors. Doing math first thing in the morning makes sense because children are sharpest early in the morning. There would be plenty of time for the mother to read aloud to the children. The focus of education was not to earn a grade but to better oneself--to learn for the sake of learning. I cannot possibly continue to describe all of Mason's approach--get the book and read it! This is just the nutshell version.<br />
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As I read Macauley's book, I found myself, "Aha!"-ing and, "Yes!"-ing. Her approach resonated in me and helped me to see where I had gone wrong. I was trying to cram a bunch of information into my child as if he were a vat to fill rather than a person who needed to be exposed to God's world and truth. Education is but a means to know more of God.<br />
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So, this is what we are doing:<br />
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We begin our day with Bible reading of some sort (it usually involves art or story or both). Then, we pray for a missionary we support (and we will soon be adding prayer for unreached people groups using <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Window-World-When-Pray-Works/dp/1850783586">Window on the World</a>--Michelle gave me this idea). We ask God for something and thank Him for something. Simple. Short. And definitely sweet.<br />
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We do math next while they're still fresh and sharp. I am using <a href="http://www.singaporemath.com/">Singapore math</a> this year, and so far I love it. Love, love, love it. The books are GREAT. The concepts are amazing. I love seeing this math process. It makes so much sense to me, and I wish I had used it as a child. I do not think this curriculum will include things like the seasons and the calendar, but that is easy to do without a curriculum. :)<br />
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Next, we do our phonics and reading. I prefer <a href="http://abeka.com/">A Beka</a> for this subject--I was raised on it, and I taught it. I think it is a really well-developed program. I was very impressed with how well it prepared Sam for reading. We review some phonics rules, they do use workbooks, and then they read to me in their readers (and Maryn also reads <a href="http://www.bobbooks.com/">Bob Books</a> to me or the <a href="http://www.innovativekids.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=204&Itemid=400">Nora Gaydos' Now I'm Reading! books</a>). <br />
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This year, I added Spelling and Language for Sam (also <a href="http://abeka.com/">A Beka</a>). He has a little more work than Maryn, but I love how both subjects are coordinated with what he is learning in phonics. It is very thorough and consistent across the board. If I had to guess based on reading assessments, Sam is reading at a 2nd or 3rd grade level. I don't know if I should attribute that to him being a firstborn or the curriculum. :)<br />
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We finish with handwriting. We use <a href="http://www.hwtears.com/hwt">Handwriting Without Tears</a>. I LOVE this program. It was developed by an occupational therapist for children with developmental delays like dysgraphia and dyslexia. The approach is very logical, and I love how easy it is to teach and to learn. <br />
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I give the children a break between each subject. Sometimes we listen to a <a href="http://www.laurieberkner.com/site/">Laurie Berkner</a> song or do a silly dance or just play. Sometimes we will have a snack together if it is around that time of day. After we have finished all our work, we settle in together and I read aloud to them. We're currently reading the first <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boxcar-Children-Books-1-4/dp/0807508543">Boxcar Children</a> book. We also picked up a lot of books at the library about different kinds of dogs (inspired by Sam's question, "What kind of dog is Woodrow?"). We have been looking through those and learning some neat things about dogs--did you know that Dalmatians are typically the only breed of dog that horses will tolerate? We have loved reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312085125/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=1427200262&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1001NQ4Y37X7KWRZHA0Z">James Herriot's stories</a> of his life as a veterinarian in the English countryside.<br />
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And we are usually done with all of this in 90 minutes to 2 hrs. We spend time outside as much as we can (which hasn't been a whole lot in this heat). We've tried to identify some nuts from trees in our yard as well as feathers, spiders, and other insects. I am looking forward to Fall and Springtime for our nature studies! I also plan to incorporate a bit of art and music study here and there, though not daily. None of this is hard-core--just exposure-oriented.<br />
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I am also learning to alter MY attitude towards education. I am enthusiastic and draw the children TO me in times of disagreeableness rather than threatening them when they refuse to do their work. I try to bring everything back to God and His work in the world, and I have been floored by the questions my children are asking me. I am so thankful I learned about this approach!!!<br />
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So, that's what we're doing! I appreciate the interest and hope I didn't bore you!<br />
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If you are interested in more resources concerning Charlotte Mason curriculum ideas, check out these sites! I hope to spend more time on them soon and incorporate more new-to-me ideas. :)<br />
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<a href="http://amblesideonline.org/">Ambleside Online</a><br />
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<a href="http://simplycharlottemason.com/">Simply Charlotte Mason</a><br />
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<a href="http://simplehomeschool.net/">Simple Homeschool</a><br />
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<a href="http://oldfashionededucation.com/">An Old-Fashioned Education</a>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762148903932730578noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779107950766426781.post-487354891592274422011-08-06T11:15:00.001-05:002011-08-06T11:15:57.336-05:00So Much to SayI have not blogged in weeks. I keep thinking about it, but the time and opportunity just hasn't come up. I've spent much of my free time reading <i>The Hunger Games</i> trilogy, which was fantastic. I thoroughly enjoyed the series. <br />
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I planned out the first six weeks of school for my kiddos. That was hard, but I'm glad I got it taken care of. We started school last Monday, and the kids are doing so great. I will blog about what we're doing homeschool-wise later.<br />
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Dave and I have been using one car since May. We didn't intend for that to happen, but it has, and we're doing fine with it. We went out one day and looked at trucks, thinking we might get one for Dave and just trade in our old Acura. But, I didn't have peace about it, and it all felt very rushed, so we stepped back. We are getting VERY close to paying off the last 1/5 of our student loan debt. We just didn't want to lose any momentum by adding car debt to the pile. We decided to fix the Acura. So, since May, we have been waiting for a good, used engine to present itself so the mechanic can use parts from it to fix the car. Evidently, they're not getting many leads. And we wait. <br />
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I don't really have anywhere to go anyway, so it hasn't been a big deal. But, people think we're crazy. And that's okay. We're getting closer and closer to our goal.<br />
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My twins are 7 months old and getting more and more mobile. Milo is crawling, sitting up occasionally, and pulling up on things. He is my earliest mobile child. Felix is army-crawling and rocking on his hands and knees. He has FOUR teeth and two more trying to break through.<br />
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Sam and Maryn are so stinking smart. They're crazy good readers and constantly wowing me. They've been pretty busy making things and playing pretty hard.<br />
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Lucy is less destructive these days. She still occasionally puts things in the toilet, but not nearly as much. She hasn't colored on the walls in a couple of months. Progress!!! I see pottytraining in our future, and I am already ready for it to be over! :) She's getting closer to being really ready. Her speech is improving all the time, and we're starting to communicate better. She still has melt-downs when I don't understand her, but they are fewer.<br />
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Lucy has also taken a liking to grand-daddy longlegs. Here's one of her buddies:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0MbHN39JgQo/Tj1m9Fzis0I/AAAAAAAAApo/gLeMe-rnHoY/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0MbHN39JgQo/Tj1m9Fzis0I/AAAAAAAAApo/gLeMe-rnHoY/s400/DSC_0011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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There is another beautiful garden spider at our house this year. This one is out by the deck so I don't get to see her as much as I did the one by the window last year. I think she is amazing. I don't want to touch her, but I enjoy watching her.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rd5eV3p8Zx4/Tj1nWaVoTxI/AAAAAAAAAps/VIIcqZKJyI4/s1600/DSC_0012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rd5eV3p8Zx4/Tj1nWaVoTxI/AAAAAAAAAps/VIIcqZKJyI4/s640/DSC_0012.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br />
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My dear househelp is on vacation in the Philippines. She will be back at the end of the month. Thankfully, my friend, Nicole, was able to come help this week. Last week, I cleaned everything except the hardwoods (I swept but didn't mop). It was nice to know I <i>could</i> do it, but made me thankful that I don't have to try to do it all regularly. <br />
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I am exhausted these days. I am ready to figure out a way to get more breaks so I can breathe and be refreshed. Feel free to pray for this in my life. God knows what I need, and I think He will provide even this.<br />
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So, this is my update. I wish I could keep up better, but I haven't been able to. I hope to be able to blog about homeschooling very soon. I am LOVING what we are doing this year, and I look forward to sharing that with you.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762148903932730578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779107950766426781.post-41104880222578707062011-07-16T20:43:00.001-05:002011-07-16T20:43:50.776-05:00Projects Are ContagiousBeware the project bug. It is highly infectious, and if you aren't careful, it will not only bite you, but it will also bite your children. <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/amandageidl/GeidlbotsTalesOfGermanRobotsLivingInAmerica?authkey=Gv1sRgCJyh7YHkwJSzZA#5630130843092924178'><img src='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R53KuhX9UjM/TiI-LA2GNxI/AAAAAAAAAo4/0S_eiHnz83M/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Maryn wanted to make a blanket. She picked out her own fabric. Then, she decided she wanted to HAND SEW it! This mama was thrilled! <br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/amandageidl/GeidlbotsTalesOfGermanRobotsLivingInAmerica?authkey=Gv1sRgCJyh7YHkwJSzZA#5630130858707656322'><img src='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gZ5FpC77DQA/TiI-L7A8HoI/AAAAAAAAAo8/_lCoMITw5iI/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />She worked on it for THREE HOURS STRAIGHT. She almost finished it, but we had to wait until the next day. <br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/amandageidl/GeidlbotsTalesOfGermanRobotsLivingInAmerica?authkey=Gv1sRgCJyh7YHkwJSzZA#5630130874698916018'><img src='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cpIiVXTUuqU/TiI-M2ljYLI/AAAAAAAAApA/yV4n3juwZQA/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/amandageidl/GeidlbotsTalesOfGermanRobotsLivingInAmerica?authkey=Gv1sRgCJyh7YHkwJSzZA#5630130889142030338'><img src='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4wCRBCldBgY/TiI-NsZD0AI/AAAAAAAAApE/FoXqrasHJg8/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Her stitches were so cute. I wish they were on the outside so I could still see them. <br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/amandageidl/GeidlbotsTalesOfGermanRobotsLivingInAmerica?authkey=Gv1sRgCJyh7YHkwJSzZA#5630130947077250626'><img src='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qi309xwb1Q0/TiI-REN5HkI/AAAAAAAAApI/LPb9ShPxeTg/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We top stitched it as a team. <br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/amandageidl/GeidlbotsTalesOfGermanRobotsLivingInAmerica?authkey=Gv1sRgCJyh7YHkwJSzZA#5630130975756087458'><img src='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RYSRR22V5L8/TiI-SvDdcKI/AAAAAAAAApQ/4exmmIdyj8s/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />And voila!!! Her first sewing project!!!! COMPLETE. <br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/amandageidl/GeidlbotsTalesOfGermanRobotsLivingInAmerica?authkey=Gv1sRgCJyh7YHkwJSzZA#5630130987454203506'><img src='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EEDYRzW9lOA/TiI-TaoghnI/AAAAAAAAApU/g-FsudzObTc/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Sam also got bitten. His aspiration was a pillow. He pinned it up after he chose the fabric. <br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/amandageidl/GeidlbotsTalesOfGermanRobotsLivingInAmerica?authkey=Gv1sRgCJyh7YHkwJSzZA#5630130990360502706'><img src='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-i9s4GE7IglQ/TiI-TldbIbI/AAAAAAAAApY/VH4BD203isE/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /> Don't worry; he was supervised. :)<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/amandageidl/GeidlbotsTalesOfGermanRobotsLivingInAmerica?authkey=Gv1sRgCJyh7YHkwJSzZA#5630131000592482754'><img src='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UzsGZG2kkqE/TiI-ULk6wcI/AAAAAAAAApc/BDwPOPxMWzE/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Time to stuff it!<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/amandageidl/GeidlbotsTalesOfGermanRobotsLivingInAmerica?authkey=Gv1sRgCJyh7YHkwJSzZA#5630131008801073314'><img src='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dW6B5nXjKdk/TiI-UqJ_6KI/AAAAAAAAApg/Hvi9POkp50w/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Ready for a nap? Sam's first project--FINISHED. WOW. <br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/amandageidl/GeidlbotsTalesOfGermanRobotsLivingInAmerica?authkey=Gv1sRgCJyh7YHkwJSzZA#5630131014910037810'><img src='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bGkj9263Lmk/TiI-VA6fTzI/AAAAAAAAApk/IgijYEymAgo/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Kids are capable of a lot more than many of us tend to think. Give your kid some freedom to create; you may be surprised at how awesome they are!!! I sure was!<br /><br />Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762148903932730578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779107950766426781.post-88956258588299136892011-07-10T18:57:00.000-05:002011-07-10T18:57:25.768-05:00The Books Are BackSince having the twins, I haven't been able to read nearly like I normally do. I have always loved to read, and when I am sleep-deprived and going non-stop, I just don't have the time.<br />
<br />
And when I'm nursing twins (mostly early on), I had a hard time concentrating on much...and the Facebook app on my phone kept me entertained, and I didn't have to think.<br />
<br />
That has all recently changed. Thank the Lord. I have missed reading. I have completed two books this week and started another.<br />
<br />
1. I started reading this back in March. It took me awhile since I have still been in "baby fog" land. I just finished it, and I LOVED IT. I can't even put into words how fantastic this book is.<br />
<br />
Buy one. Buy some more for your friends. Read <a href="http://aholyexperience.com/">her blog</a>. Be blessed, and be a blessing.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-Thousand-Gifts-Fully-Right/dp/0310321913/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310332763&sr=8-1">One Thousand Gifts</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">by Ann Voskamp</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pqmjm3DDogM/ThoisqjW94I/AAAAAAAAAoo/XSUVbLD3LnA/s1600/DSC_0424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pqmjm3DDogM/ThoisqjW94I/AAAAAAAAAoo/XSUVbLD3LnA/s400/DSC_0424.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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This book has helped me to really SEE. To SEARCH. To BE THANKFUL. To BE A BLESSING.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-0oXIwa95w/Thoh2UvRICI/AAAAAAAAAog/NQpdAnZEHqk/s1600/DSC_0421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-0oXIwa95w/Thoh2UvRICI/AAAAAAAAAog/NQpdAnZEHqk/s400/DSC_0421.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To realize HE IS GOOD.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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2. I am in a discipleship group in our church. Our pastor leads the group, and he asked us to read this next book. It's pretty popular right now, though I don't know why--its topic is not a popular one. I'm just going to trust the Holy Spirit is moving and using this little book.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Radical-Taking-Faith-American-Dream/dp/1596449381/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310336765&sr=1-1">Radical</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">by David Platt</div><br />
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</div>The ideas and concepts in this book (discipleship, multiplication, <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/ask-pastor-john/whats-the-difference-between-living-for-the-kingdom-and-living-for-the-american-dream">wartime lifestyle</a>, Great Commission) were not new to me. In fact, I had three years of training in these ideas back in college. I've lived as a mobilizer in the past, we regularly give to missionaries and have committed to long-term service overseas, we support a child with Compassion (that's her in the photo--Umutesi). But, for the million things I'm NOT doing, this book was a GREAT reminder. I didn't feel guilty when reading it, instead, my zeal for giving my life to the Great Commission was renewed. I feel recharged and encouraged to press on. There are <a href="http://www.radicalthebook.com/">companion materials </a>online as well.<br />
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<br />
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3. The book I am now reading is to help prepare me for homeschooling. I homeschooled Samuel last year, and we were successful. He learned what he needed to, he blew me away with his brilliance, and unfortunately, we fought a lot. This year, I will be homeschooling TWO kids. Maryn will be in kindergarten, and Sam will move on to first grade. And then there is busy 2-year-old Lucy and the baby twins. I turned to my friend, Annette (who is a missionary is East Asia with 6 children that she homeschools), and said, "I want your advice." THIS is the book she told me to read first.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Childrens-Sake-Foundations-Education-School/dp/1433506955/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310341786&sr=1-1">For the Children's Sake</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">by Susan Schaeffer Macauley</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SFahhLprYoY/ThojmFYkbDI/AAAAAAAAAow/DkHK4qstBrI/s1600/DSC_0437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SFahhLprYoY/ThojmFYkbDI/AAAAAAAAAow/DkHK4qstBrI/s400/DSC_0437.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had been curious about Charlotte Mason, the woman whose ideas this book is patterned after. She was a teacher/philosopher in the late 19th century. I had read bits about her and how she viewed children as persons, not merely as containers to be filled with information. I am excited to see what I learn from this book. So far, I am enjoying it, and it is helping me to look at my children differently--each as unique creations by God with their own ideas and personalities. I think when it comes to school, it is easy to lump them all together and do the same thing for each. The beauty of homeschooling is being able to play to your child's strengths and to meet them on their level--to listen to them and learn from them as well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've been informed about a couple of online communities that espouse the Charlotte Mason philosophies:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://simplehomeschool.net/">Simple Homeschool</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://amblesideonline.org/">Ambleside Online</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Thank you, <a href="http://adoctorswife.wordpress.com/">Melissa</a> and <a href="http://www.neotim.com/">Laurel</a>, for your suggestions. I can't wait to spend more time on these sites.<br />
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Finally, I have another Charlotte Mason book (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Charlotte-Mason-Companion-Personal-Reflections/dp/1889209023/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_c">the Companion</a>, actually) that I am going to read/peruse (cuz it's so big!!!). And for fun, I am going to start with the first of the popular, new trilogy, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hunger-Games-Suzanne-Collins/dp/0439023521/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310341856&sr=1-1">The Hunger Games</a>.<br />
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Happy Summer Reading!Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762148903932730578noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779107950766426781.post-82856727757286688502011-06-30T14:04:00.001-05:002011-06-30T14:05:12.067-05:00The Baby WeightI have a new theory. Before I share, let me clarify a few of my beliefs.<br />
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1. I think childbirth is a picture of Christ on the cross--the agony, the pain, the laboring, and then the new birth--I bring forth a baby; He brought forth the Church.<br />
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2. I think women stress too much about losing baby weight (self included). <br />
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3. I don't believe there is a certain time frame in which you must lose it (Ignore that "9 months to gain, 9 months to lose" lie.).<br />
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So, my theory?<br />
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I think a pregnant body and a postpartum body is beautiful. Even though I sometimes struggle with the way I look now (usually a result of comparing myself to others), I do truly think it is a beautiful thing. Why?<br />
<br />
In the same way that Jesus' body was battered, bruised, torn, tattered, bleeding, gushing water, heart exploding, so does mine. <br />
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Now, I know you may be thinking that I'm crazy to compare the pains of pregnancy and childbirth to a crucifixion, and I get that--just hear me out--I, in no way, think I have EVER physically suffered even close to what my Savior endured on that cross. But look at the similarities:<br />
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1. He had stripes on his back from being whipped (cannot fathom that kind of pain). <br />
I have stretch marks.<br />
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2. His body was torn by the cat of nine tails.<br />
Mine was torn by babies.<br />
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3. He had blood pouring out of his body.<br />
I did too.<br />
<br />
4. When he died, they stabbed him with a spear, and blood and water gushed out.<br />
When my bags of water broke, the water gushed out.<br />
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5. He labored to breathe.<br />
I labored with measured, meted breaths.<br />
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6. His heart finally exploded.<br />
Mine exploded in JOY.<br />
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Now, I realize I may be reaching with this one, but I thought of it the other day after I'd been asked if I was pregnant with #6 (and I'm SO NOT)...which doesn't HURT my feelings, really, because I know my abs LOOK pregnant. And this has happened to me many times because twins just destroy the abdominal muscles. But, I was mourning my pre-baby body, my pre-TWINS body, and then this thought occurred to me:<br />
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After Jesus arose, even His glorified body still had scars. Why?<br />
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As proof? For Thomas? For me?<br />
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So, when I stand in front of the mirror and see my twin-skin, the stretch marks, and the separated ab muscles that could only EVER be repaired with surgery, I am going to remind myself of what I accomplished--<br />
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I brought forth NEW LIFE. <br />
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And so did He. And for that, I am ever grateful.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762148903932730578noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779107950766426781.post-5902560853829666552011-06-26T15:26:00.000-05:002011-06-26T15:26:14.363-05:00Naming His GiftsI love that as I thank God for the gifts He's given, I worship Him. I'm telling Him that He is a good Father, a good Savior, a good Creator, and the list will never end.<br />
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"To name a thing is to manifest the meaning and value God gave it, to know it as coming from God and to know its place and function within the cosmos created by God. To name a thing, in other words, is to bless God for it and in it." Alexander Schmemann (<i>For the Life of the World: Sacraments and Orthodoxy)</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
And so, today, I take some time here, in this bit of cyberspace, to name some gifts and bless Him for them and in them. <br />
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I bless Him...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WQq_1XmYp0g/TgFjHjVSTvI/AAAAAAAAAnk/5WQ-IwiQ6GY/s1600/DSC_0042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WQq_1XmYp0g/TgFjHjVSTvI/AAAAAAAAAnk/5WQ-IwiQ6GY/s400/DSC_0042.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">for blue skies with white clouds,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U0H--nnBAxg/TgFjYF2KMSI/AAAAAAAAAno/FeFpst5_KuE/s1600/DSC_0048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U0H--nnBAxg/TgFjYF2KMSI/AAAAAAAAAno/FeFpst5_KuE/s400/DSC_0048.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">for wild roses by my front door, </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sVKP_otyhjo/TgFknDdv8vI/AAAAAAAAAn0/U3JEdzUk7yM/s1600/DSC_0090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sVKP_otyhjo/TgFknDdv8vI/AAAAAAAAAn0/U3JEdzUk7yM/s400/DSC_0090.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">for prequilted cotton for little girls' skirts, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qo0HhcM20Ag/TgFi1O7oc_I/AAAAAAAAAng/Y_WiZlvOaGM/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qo0HhcM20Ag/TgFi1O7oc_I/AAAAAAAAAng/Y_WiZlvOaGM/s400/DSC_0010.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">for a baby learning to crawl,</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aIt5ek7uoeA/TgFjwTDNrhI/AAAAAAAAAns/q2e9pTE1048/s1600/DSC_0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aIt5ek7uoeA/TgFjwTDNrhI/AAAAAAAAAns/q2e9pTE1048/s400/DSC_0061.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">for a baby getting two teeth and still smiling,</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I2UA_MNL7yY/TgFkN-S0uAI/AAAAAAAAAnw/iy_kL98Z3x8/s1600/DSC_0088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I2UA_MNL7yY/TgFkN-S0uAI/AAAAAAAAAnw/iy_kL98Z3x8/s400/DSC_0088.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">for sharing the playmat,</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_s54ugQwSxg/TgFk_coCTMI/AAAAAAAAAn4/nfs729zi-AE/s1600/DSC_0095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_s54ugQwSxg/TgFk_coCTMI/AAAAAAAAAn4/nfs729zi-AE/s400/DSC_0095.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">for an eldest who daily surprises me with his brain,</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NrKAMhhyRII/TgFlYbL-2jI/AAAAAAAAAn8/fGnJM3ES9nI/s1600/DSC_0111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NrKAMhhyRII/TgFlYbL-2jI/AAAAAAAAAn8/fGnJM3ES9nI/s400/DSC_0111.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">for my vivacious sing-songy girl,</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k1AabkAII6k/TgFlnhrkSJI/AAAAAAAAAoA/VZQxxOkzTxY/s1600/DSC_0125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k1AabkAII6k/TgFlnhrkSJI/AAAAAAAAAoA/VZQxxOkzTxY/s400/DSC_0125.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">for those curls,</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZsxfdGQWSaM/TgFmEDlD50I/AAAAAAAAAoE/sHw4mug7DEo/s1600/DSC_0134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZsxfdGQWSaM/TgFmEDlD50I/AAAAAAAAAoE/sHw4mug7DEo/s400/DSC_0134.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">for sweaty, red-faced "Bright Light,"</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MAdjX6kqwoo/TgFmVhIpUII/AAAAAAAAAoI/QmU97TEx22A/s1600/DSC_0147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MAdjX6kqwoo/TgFmVhIpUII/AAAAAAAAAoI/QmU97TEx22A/s400/DSC_0147.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">for popsicles on a hot summer day, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kLZvK8kHfQM/TgFmyomLSkI/AAAAAAAAAoM/ts1hj1Xczoc/s1600/DSC_0151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kLZvK8kHfQM/TgFmyomLSkI/AAAAAAAAAoM/ts1hj1Xczoc/s400/DSC_0151.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">for boxes just her size, </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JNTbK3iveSA/TgFnO7LfboI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/2VuPyWL-Nxc/s1600/DSC_0154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JNTbK3iveSA/TgFnO7LfboI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/2VuPyWL-Nxc/s400/DSC_0154.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">for wiggly guys...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OtFHSRuPs8Y/TgFnqx-_umI/AAAAAAAAAoU/anG9iJBQ7M4/s1600/DSC_0155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OtFHSRuPs8Y/TgFnqx-_umI/AAAAAAAAAoU/anG9iJBQ7M4/s400/DSC_0155.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">who climb on each other, </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XxLZNekV29U/TgFoEqN7BlI/AAAAAAAAAoY/wX50OBhMHkI/s1600/DSC_0158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XxLZNekV29U/TgFoEqN7BlI/AAAAAAAAAoY/wX50OBhMHkI/s400/DSC_0158.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and think it's normal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762148903932730578noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3779107950766426781.post-31969893036297917762011-06-19T22:54:00.003-05:002011-06-20T08:08:07.121-05:00My Own Personal Bob Ross<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dave is creative. He can draw, paint, write poetry, play the guitar...he's talented. We've recently been watching a lot of <a href="http://bobross.com/">Bob Ross</a> with the kids on Saturday mornings. We're fascinated with how easy he makes it look. As I began thinking about what I wanted to get Dave for Father's Day, I first thought that a Bob Ross art kit would be perfect. They're really expensive when you buy them at Hobby Lobby, but I got one for HALF online. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He was so excited when I let him open his gift a day early (I have such a hard time waiting!!!). He has painted with acrylics and watercolors plenty of times before, but this was his first venture into oil painting. I am so proud of him. I think he did a great job.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here he is in action!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zslcMfdpU40/Tf696KBCtLI/AAAAAAAAAmU/T9P1ug_wGOk/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zslcMfdpU40/Tf696KBCtLI/AAAAAAAAAmU/T9P1ug_wGOk/s400/DSC_0007.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Smoothing out the bottom of the mountain to make it all misty.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qMWnIF-VovQ/Tf6-1-LqkVI/AAAAAAAAAmc/Hg8tInsbok0/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qMWnIF-VovQ/Tf6-1-LqkVI/AAAAAAAAAmc/Hg8tInsbok0/s400/DSC_0010.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Impressive, eh??</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A07ctqQ1mfA/Tf9FS8K1e_I/AAAAAAAAAm8/QjvnlLnnxDg/s1600/bob-ross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A07ctqQ1mfA/Tf9FS8K1e_I/AAAAAAAAAm8/QjvnlLnnxDg/s320/bob-ross.jpg" width="240" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mF-LHMIJtqA/Tf6_W7o_AVI/AAAAAAAAAmg/ZiStYPnhKnY/s1600/DSC_0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mF-LHMIJtqA/Tf6_W7o_AVI/AAAAAAAAAmg/ZiStYPnhKnY/s320/DSC_0011.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rockin' it Bob Ross style! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TIe7H1hTqWY/Tf6_wTkAL8I/AAAAAAAAAmk/lmPPg0hufRU/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TIe7H1hTqWY/Tf6_wTkAL8I/AAAAAAAAAmk/lmPPg0hufRU/s400/DSC_0012.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Adding the land and happy trees...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sNJjfNAD0fs/Tf7AL6jU5oI/AAAAAAAAAmo/ZbQNpKPcbuY/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sNJjfNAD0fs/Tf7AL6jU5oI/AAAAAAAAAmo/ZbQNpKPcbuY/s400/DSC_0013.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Time for some bushes and reflection in the water</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jSpe_kbR0sU/Tf7BzHBMsLI/AAAAAAAAAm4/G08Jh7hoYV0/s1600/DSC_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jSpe_kbR0sU/Tf7BzHBMsLI/AAAAAAAAAm4/G08Jh7hoYV0/s400/DSC_0017.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The finished masterpiece! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy Father's Day to my most talented husband! The kids are gonna flip when they wake up in the morning and see this!!!</div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07762148903932730578noreply@blogger.com12