I Will Carry You

Even to your old age and gray hairs
    I am He, I am He who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
    I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Isaiah 46:4

What an encouraging and comforting verse! No matter what happens in our lives, no matter what time or age  may bring our way, He will carry us. When He made us He already knew all that would we need throughout our life and He stands ready to provide. Not only will He see us through, if necessary He will carry us through. So no matter what happens I know I can depend on God. 

Graceful?

Want to know how Five Minute Friday got started and how to participate? All the details are here.

Today's prompt - Graceful.

I dream of being graceful. In my mind I see myself dancing gracefully in a field of beautiful wildflowers, with an ethereal music in the air. But in reality whenever I try to dance my kids beg me to stop, claiming to be traumatized. I'm the one who trips over obvious things that are always there, day after day, in the same place. In fact, I'm sporting a bruised toe right now from accidentally slamming it into a perfectly obvious kitchen cabinet. 

No, graceful I am not. At least not physically. 

But there's a gracefulness that I want to achieve even more. It's a gracefulness of spirit. It's the gracefulness that becomes apparent when God's grace is real in my life, allowing me to extend grace to others. It's gracefulness of speech, speaking words of grace in difficult situations. And while I am not there yet, each day I try to move a little closer to that gracefulness of spirit. And each day His grace is extended to me, allowing me to share it with others. This is a grace truly worth seeking after. 

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The Story of Creation - Our PreK/K Unit

We have just finished a PreK/K unit about the Creation of the World. Here are some of the fun things we did in this unit. 

Songs - Do You Know Who Made the World?
Jesus Made Me Just Like Him

Creation File Folder Game

We enjoyed these videos from YouTube.

The Story of Creation Mini Book

Painting the World

We matched pictures of the things God created with the day He created them (you can find this printable activity here.)

We didn't get quite as much done in this unit as I had originally intended but we had fun with what we did do. I've heard (and been part of) a number of discussions about the creation as a result of this unit so I'm happy with the what we did.


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All That Way for This?!

Well, this morning we had an appointment for Michael with a sleep specialist in Charlottesville. I've been looking forward to this appointment because I think so many of Michael's current challenges could be made much easier if he could simply get a solid nights sleep on a regular basis. Kicking, head banging, constant limb twitching and crying out in his sleep has to make it hard to get any real rest and I think it would be hard on his brain. So the plan is to talk to the sleep specialist and set up a sleep study to get a better idea of what exactly is going on. Doug took the day off to stay with the kids here. The appointment was at 8:30. We left at 7:30 which I thought should give us plenty of time. I've never been to that particular office before but the directions looked simple enough and the majority of it was interstate. It was raining but there wasn't as much fog on the mountain as I had expected, so we were making good time. Then, about five miles before our exit traffic slowed way down. Getting off the exit there was so much rain and traffic, including big trucks, I couldn't see far ahead enough to see which lane I needed to be in. So I made a guess and it was wrong. I found a place to turn around and headed back. I soon found what I thought was the right road. We were running close on time but I thought it should still be ok. Then just as I thought we should be close traffic stopped. It looked like there was an accident up ahead, lots of lights and rescue vehicles. Interestingly, the police vehicle next to me was the forensic unit truck. Anyway, I called the office to tell them I thought I was almost there but was stuck in traffic. After a few minutes of trying to decide what to do I saw a road sign and told the nurse where I was. As it turned out, I was still lost, about 15 minutes late already and still about 20 minutes from the Doctor's office. So, we went ahead and made a new appointment. The earliest I could get was October 9. Having decided that I tried to find my way back to an area I knew, while taking a detour around the accident. Somehow I got into a huge residential area, full of streets that seemed to lead in circles, with a few dead ends. The houses were nice and I would have loved to spend a little time looking at them but was too busy trying to find my way out. I finally found my way out of the residential maze. By this time Michael was getting restless, I needed coffee and we both needed a bathroom break. So we stopped at Hardees and bought biscuits and hash browns and drinks. After we ate and I was caffeinated we stopped again for gas and soon after finally found an interstate sign and soon were headed back home. 

I had to laugh at the this picture I took of Michael. He looks like he's thinking "You brought me all this way for this!?!?!"

So, I guess we'll try again in a month. Next time, I think I'll call ahead and verify the directions. I'm thinking I probably should have taken 29 Business North, although the directions simply said 29 North. And if that's the case then I was on the right road in the first place!

I have to say, though, that Michael and I did manage to have a good time. We talked, laughed, sang, and got the giggles when we bumped over an area where there was road work. And, after seeing a total of three accidents while we were out, I came home grateful that I wasn't in any of them. So, I guess there was a silver lining to our cloudy morning after all. 

Walnut Acre - Week in Photos 8/27 - 9/1

Last week was a fun and busy week. Here, in photos is a peek into our week. 

Monday - August 27
Christopher and Austin still have lots of fun together every day. Besides hanging out with Austin Christopher likes to play with tractors, cars and trucks.

The weather was beautiful and the kids spent a lot of time playing outside. Damien was fascinated watching the turtle, and Gage enjoyed the toy lawn mower. Amanda was taking a lot of these pictures and whenever she gets to take pictures I find lots of pictures of the animals on them. Besides the turtle she also got her dog, Pepper, and her cat, Sheena.

When he got home from work Doug took Michael, Damien and Lauren for rides in the wagon.

Austin pulled weeds in the beans and Amanda and Lauren planted some sunflower plants that Michael had started earlier this summer when he went to camp.

Jam session. We have at least one of these almost every day. 

This week we began to PreK/K units - one on the creation story and one based on the book ABC Bunny. Here the kids are doing some of the activities in these units.

Here CJ is working on making something to hold papers on the table he finished last week. 

Tuesday

Tuesday morning I made homemade playdough. This kept a lot of the kids busy for over an hour. 

Michael, Lauren and Damien finished their creation coloring books Tuesday morning.

Michael and Scout having a nice moment together. These moments don't come very often because Michael used to scare Scout. Michael is getting gentler and Scout is becoming more tolerant.

Doug has been busy this week repairing a lawn mower for a family at church. Michael has been busy supervising.

Michael and I both had mishaps that resulted in colorful hands. I spilled blue food coloring on my hands while I was making playdough. Michael was very unimpressed and wouldn't even let me touch him with my blue hands. Later that afternoon I realized I hadn't heard or seen him for awhile so I went looking and found him with hot pink hands. He had gotten into Holly's makeup and completely coated his hands with it! What a mess. And now who has the dirty hands?

Wednesday

Amanda took Michael and Lauren (and Pepper) for a walk back to the creek. 

More singing and music.

Here we're playing a memory game based on the ABC Bunny story.

As you can see, wagon rides are very popular.

CJ finished his paper holder Wednesday and now it is upstairs on his table full of papers.

Thursday

Thursday morning the kids went for a walk again. We try to go every day and Amanda has taken over going with them. The younger children stay here with me and Austin entertains them during this time if they need it. The older kids enjoy the walk but some of the younger ones don't like it so much so this works out better for all of us.

We did some fun papers in our ABC Bunny unit. Most of these activities come from Homeschool Creations Early Learning Printables section.

Since CJ finished his paper holder project he decided to start a new one. This time he is making a memory game from cardboard.

Friday

On Friday we colored pictures of some of the animals in the ABC Bunny story. 

Going for their morning walk.

Michael had a doctor's appointment this afternoon. This was basically just a follow up with his pediatrician to make sure things are going okay since his seizure. He is doing pretty well and we decided to leave everything the same for now. He's in the process of getting set up for a sleep study and after that we may look at changing some of his medications. I'd like to see if we can lower the number of meds he takes every day. 

Here he and CJ were being funny while we were waiting for the doctor.

Playtime!

Saturday

Monday is Michael's 6th birthday so today Lauren brought him a birthday cake and a set of walkie talkies. Thank You Lauren and Sarah! He loves his walkie talkies and the cake was delicious.

And that's a peek into our week. It was a good one and I'm looking forward to another fun week. 

Homemade Carpet Freshener

I love having a home that smells nice. To me, how my house smells is almost as important as how it looks. So when I found this simple, inexpensive, homemade carpet freshener, I knew I had to try it. And, just like the article said, it works wonderfully! The only essential oil I could find in my cabinet was cinnamon so that's what I used. My house smelled amazing and it lasts a long time. I'd love to try some others essential oils as well, especially the orange essential oil. It's amazing what all can be done with with simple staples like baking soda.

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In His Own Timing God Will Make a Way

A couple weeks ago I wrote a post called When You Dream Alone. Dreaming alone can be an exercise in waiting. And it's easy during this time to get discouraged. It often seems impossible for these precious dreams to ever come true.  But it is becoming clearer and clearer to me that I truly do not have to see the way. Because when the dream comes from God - He WILL make a way when the time is right. And so I rest in the knowledge that the dream is safe in his hands. All I am asked to do are the steps He has placed before me today - grow in Him, continue learning daily, practice mindful living, make the most of each day he gives me, and trust Him. 

Because in His own timing

HE will make a way!

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Losing My Mind - Gaining a New One

This week, and for the next two weeks, Ann Voskamp is focusing on The Practice of Habits. She is also extending an invitation to join her in this contemplation. 

If I had to choose one habit to instantly acquire it would be the habit of grateful mindfulness. I would lose this far too often fretful mindset and be simply, gratefully mindful of the blessings of this precious moment. It is one I am working on and it is becoming more and more natural to me, more and more of a habit. There are so many precious moments in each day - the laughter of a child, a smile from my husband, the smell of fresh brewed coffee, the thrill of learning something new. There is birdsong in the morning, dew on the grass, food from the garden, homemade bread. There is a game of chase with a giggling baby, singing a song together, warm dried laundry. And at the end of the day there is the slipping into sweet sleep, to be refreshed for another day. This is the new mindset I want to gain, the new habit I want to form. 

I will sing the Lord's praise, for He has been good to me. ~ Psalm  13:6

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Working Mother - Free Magazine Offer

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10 Things About CJ

I've been working on a 10 Things post about each of my family to help you learn to know them a little better. In line today for a 10 things post is CJ. So here are 10 things about CJ, the things he enjoys and the ways he contributes to our family. 

1. CJ is a big thinker. No matter what he's doing he's always dreaming up ways to make it bigger, better or more than it already is. 

2. He enjoys cooking. He's made a variety of foods and enjoys learning to make new ones - meatloaf, macaroni and cheese, homemade pizza, salad, and cookies are some of the things he's familiar with cooking now.

3. He's a big eater. Maybe that's why enjoys cooking so much. Food is the first thing on his mind in the morning and the first thing he wants when he comes home from school. 

4. He likes to build things with wood. He recently completed a table that he has in his room now. He is very proud of it and I am very proud of him for sticking with it and finishing it. 

5. He also likes to make things out of paper and cardboard. Last winter he helped Michael make a really cute house for the cat out of a cardboard box. 

6. He enjoys helping the younger kids do things and does a good job with them. Several weeks ago they spent about an hour making bracelets with beads and CJ was so patient with them - helping them and answering their questions. 

7. He loves to watch the Disney channel. I often hear him chuckling at something he's watching while he's waiting for dinner to be ready. 

8. He's always ready to go somewhere. Even if it's just to the store to get a gallon of milk or to the post office to drop something off. 

9. He loves electronic gadgets - phones, calculators, and mp3 players are all things that make him very happy.

10. He loves to organize and reorganize. And then rearrange it all again! 

We are blessed to have CJ as part of our family - his enthusiasm and varied interests keep things lively around here.

Walnut Acre - Week in Photos - August 20 - 25

Monday 

Playing hide and seek. . . 

. . . and a little ball.

Working on patterning worksheets.

Tuesday

The kids played "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" in the back yard. Amanda put up little cards to show where to run to next and they had so much fun with this game. 

Coloring

More bear hunt fun

Welding

Wednesday

More bear hunting!

Thursday

Random photos taken by Amanda. 

CJ working on his table.

Friday
Nature walk

Sunset

Saturday
We spent part of the day at a car show in Verona. There were several cars and trucks in the show owned by family members from Doug's side of the family. It was nice to spend the day together. And of course Amanda took the dog along and took some pictures of her.