An Inspiring Video, Morning at the Park and More - The Walnut Acre Daily Wednesday August 14, 2013

WORDS TO LIVE BY

Be strong and take heart,

    all you who hope in the Lord.

~ Psalm 31:24

WORKING AND PLAYING TOGETHER

A number of the kids I've had here this summer are going to start school next week, so we're trying to get a few fun activities in this week before they leave. Today we went to their favorite park - Ridgeview Park. We've been to several different parks this summer but this one is their favorite. And this trip to the park went much better than the last one we took when it seemed like everything went wrong. 

We took cheese and balogna sandwiches, oranges, blueberries and cheese puffs for lunch and had water to drink. We usually eat in the pavilion but Michael wanted to eat at this picnic table this time.

After lunch we took a walk along the river . . . 

. . . over the bridge . . . 

 . . . and into the woods. 

It was a really good morning and I'm going to miss the kids who are going to school next week. We're still going to have weekly outings with the kids who are here after school starts, although probably just one a week instead of two. I'm not planning to start our homeschool work until after Labor Day so we'll have a couple weeks to catch our breath and get some things done around here before we dive into the school year. 

ON MY MIND

This video was played during the service at church this evening and I was so moved by it.

 God has a plan for everyone and as long as you are here on this earth there is a reason. Never, ever, ever think that you are not good enough or that there is nothing of value that you can bring to the world.

READING AROUND THE WEB

Scheduling: Three Tips to Prioritizing Your Day at The Busy Mom

When You're Tired of Waiting at Lisa-Jo Baker

TODAY'S QUOTE

Everyone is the age of their heart. ~ Guatemalan Proverb

~ Linking Here ~
Wednesday - Encourage One Another, Walking Redeemed, Thursday - It's a Party, 

The Walnut Acre Daily Friday August 2, 2013

WORDS TO LIVE BY

 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. ~2 Timothy 1:9-10

WORKING, LEARNING AND PLAYING TOGETHER

We took the kids to the park this morning and it was not one of our best trips although we did have a lot of fun too. We got everyone loaded and started out and I realized I didn't have my phone with me. So I made a little circle and came back to the house to get it. When I went to where I had put it on charge it wasn't there. So I rechecked the van and found it under my notebook. We stopped on the way out to get some chips to add to our lunch and some paper plates to put on our food on. Our original plan was to go to Coyner Springs. We stopped there and everyone got out. We walked down to the creek and realized it was so muddy that there was no way we could play there. So after talking it over we decided to go on to Ridgeview Park instead. The kids love that park and were happy to go there. We hadn't been at the park long when Amanda brought me one of the kids and said the child hadn't made it to the bathroom in time. So we took care of that situation the best we could and I returned to the playground. We had barely started playing when I heard one of the kids yelling *@#% while playing chase. So that child lost playground privileges. Back to playing again and two more kids have to be taken to the bathroom. No sooner had we gotten back from that and Michael stubbed his toe, making it bleed pretty bad. At this point I gave up on the playground and decided we would eat lunch and then walk down to the river. As we began getting lunch out we realized we had forgotten to buy the paper plates. So we managed lunch with no plates and then walked to the river. Our walk actually went really well although I had some trouble keeping everyone together. All our little misfortunes made me realize how blessed we have been this summer to have quite a few outings that have gone really well. I'm grateful for the this group of kids usually works well together and their behavior is usually really good. And a blessing from today is that Michael, who usually get overwhelmed by the end of an outing and begins to melt down, had a really wonderful morning (in spite of his stubbed toe) with no major meltdowns. 

So here are some pictures of the fun we did have. 

OTHER

Our vacation is next week (August 4-10) and already today I can feel myself slipping into vacation mode. It's going to be a stay-cation and I'm looking forward to getting some things done around here, writing and relaxing.

READING AROUND THE WEB

Why Being a Mom is Enough at Finding Joy

Starting the School Day Strongly at Yes, They Are All Mine

Your Unknown Story at All Moms 4 Jesus

TODAY'S QUOTE

The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all, the world needs dreamers who do. ~Sarah Ban Breathnach