Thursday, April 30, 2009

Cross fingers, toes, pray, happy thoughts...anything else you think of...

I am leaving town this evening, without hubby or kids. I will be back Saturday. Praying, fingers crossed everything I can think of that it is uneventful until I return.

Just in the two weeks getting ready Brae has broken his nose and had strep throat. He is on his antibiotics for strep he hasn't had a fever in several days. Seizures have been well controlled. So here is hoping everything goes smooth.

I will be with 3 friends in Oklahoma City at the homeschool conference. Yeah. Also planning on seeing a movie, and going out to dinner. I am really looking forward to the break. I love planning the next school year and seeing all the new stuff.

We don't leave till this evening so I have it arranged to just spend time with the kids until then. Brae has been a little clingier than normal knowing I would be gone. I think it will all go well and I know they will have great daddy time with way more video games than they should!

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

This and that

I am getting ready to leave the kids for 2 days with hubby. So of course Brae had to get sick. Actually I am glad to do it a few days before I leave instead of the day before or while I am gone. Hubby is wonderful but dealing with Brae's medical issues is not an area he really steps up in, as he has never administered his seizure medicine. Brae has severe fever induced seizures so things like strep throat, etc not so good around here. Of course that is what we have is strep throat! I took him in as soon as he started a low grade fever and complaining so we are on antibiotics and hopefully by the time I leave Thursday he will at least be done with any fevers which will significantly lower seizure probability.

Brae is also not so sure about this whole Mom leaving thing. I will be gone about 48 hours and he has been super clingy since he found out. I know he will have fun with Britt and dad once I am gone. They are planning a video game competition marathon.

Britt is growing up so much and while part of me hates it another part is really loving this girl who wants to run errands, and shop with me, and eat lunch with and have talks.

I am going to a home school conference in Oklahoma City with 3 friends. So excited. We leave Thursday evening and will be back Saturday evening. Plan to do lots of home school shopping which is so fun to us, and catch the movie "All My Past Girlfriends".

Next week will be a busy one as my baby turns 10! How did it happen that I no longer have one in single digits. I am planning a pirate party, complete with cardboard pirate ship to play in and a cake with cannons! Then two days later a huge end of the year sleepover for girl scouts, luckily doing that at a hotel but still planning it.

I am ready for the break to Oklahoma City, I know I will miss the kids, but I will also enjoy myself and love bringing surprises back home to them. Brae has reminded me that school books are not acceptable surprises...LOL.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Sharks and Rabbits

Well Sharks and Rabbits don't go together but I am behind on posting pics so I guess for the purpose of catching up on posting they will.

Yesterday we went to the aquarium for homeschool day as always we had fun. Love this pic of Britt looking up at the shark in the tunnel.


Outside the aquarium there is a alligator statue so of course my son had to stick his head in it.

Britt said I had to show some of the baby rabbits. The kids now have 21 baby rabbits in addition to their three adult rabbits. Thankfully they are all kept at Nana and Papa's.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Soccer

We had to divide up today, Hubby going one way and me the other with Brae to the soccer field. Brae said "Soccer is my life" pause "oh and my family and video games".

They won their game but I don't like shut out games won by that much. I start rooting for the other team.



Thursday, April 16, 2009

Looking Back Again

I am actually gaining on my to do list so this evening I have been just sitting in the living room watching the kids play a game and going thru the archives of my blog. Trying to put labels on everything so it will be easier. Of course would have been easier to do before I let it get to over 900 posts without labels. Oh well I am enjoying going through them since it goes back to 2004 I am finding lots of things I had forgotten or am laughing about again.

Speaking of laughing about again. I found this post from Braden he would have been about 7 at the time.

********************
06/29/06
Braden was so tired. Getting up and around. He goes into the bathroom and I am getting Britt's hair stuff. He sits down and says "This morning mom I am just going to sit and pee like a girl because I am just too tired for boy peeing".

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Park pics

Saturday was beautiful and so we took the kids to Woodward Park in Tulsa, it was so pretty all in bloom, we saw brides getting their wedding photos done, graduates, and lots of babies. We just snapped some with our camera. Britt was a little more cooperative than her brother but that is normal.




Tuesday, April 07, 2009

a fun day at home

We did school, we baked, we decorated eggs, we STAYED HOME...no errands no running. Nice nice day!

I had looked at the calendar this week and knew we better get eggs decorated so got that off the ever growing list of things to do.




Sunday, April 05, 2009

The rest of the Love Dare days

Day 30 - LOVE BRINGS UNITY
Isolate one area of division in your marriage, and look on today as a fresh opportunity to pray about it. Ask the Lord to reveal anything in your own heart that is threatening oneness with your spouse. Pray that he would do the same for them. And if appropriate, discuss this matter openly, seeking God for unity.

DAY 31 - LOVE AND MARRIAGE
Is there a "leaving" issue you haven't been brave enough to conquer yet? Confess it to your spouse today, and resolve to make it right. The oneness of your marriage is dependent upon it. Follow this with a commitment to your spouse and to God to make your marriage the top priority over every other human relationship.

DAY 32 - LOVE MEETS SEXUAL NEEDS
If at all possible, try to initiate sex with your husband or wife today. Do this in a way that honors what your spouse has told you (or implied to you) about what they need from you sexually. Ask God to make this enjoyable for both of you as well as a path to greater intimacy.

DAY 33 - LOVE COMPLETES EACH OTHER
Recognize that your spouse is integral to your future success. Let them know today that you desire to include them in your upcoming decisions, and that you need their perspective and counsel. If you have ignored their input in the past, admit your oversight and ask them forgive you.

DAY 34 - LOVE CELEBRATES GODLINESS
Find a specific, recent example when your spouse demonstrated Christian character in a noticeable way. Verbally commend them for this at some point today.

DAY 35 - LOVE IS ACCOUNTABLE
Find a marriage mentor - someone who is a strong Christian and who will be honest and loving with you. If you feel that counseling is needed, then take the first step to set up an appointment. During this process, ask God to direct your decisions and discernment. (We decided not to do this but to instead pledge to do or go to two marriage enrichment activities).

DAY 36 - LOVE IS GOD'S WORD
Commit to reading the Bible everyday. Find a devotional book or other resource that will give you some guidance. If your spouse is open to it, see if they will commit to daily Bible reading with you. Begin submitting each area of your life to its guidance and start building on the rock.

DAY 37 - LOVE AGREES IN PRAYER
Ask your spouse if you can begin praying together. Talk about the best time to do this, whether it's in the morning, your lunch hour, or before bedtime. Use this time to commit your concerns, disagreements, and needs before the Lord. Don't forget to thank Him for His provision and blessing. Even if your spouse refuses to do this, resolve to spend this daily time in prayer yourself.

DAY 38 - LOVE FULFILLS DREAMS
Ask yourself what your mate would want if it was obtainable. Commit this to prayer, and start mapping out a plan for meeting some (if not all) of their desires, to whatever level you possibly can.

DAY 39 - LOVE ENDURES
Spend time in personal prayer, then write a letter of commitment and resolve to your spouse. Include why you are committing to this marriage until death, and that you have purposed to love them no matter what. Leave it in a place that your mate will find it.

DAY 40 - LOVE IS A COVENANT
Write out a renewal of your vows and place them in your home. Perhaps, if appropriate, you could make arrangements to formally renew your wedding vows before a minister and with family present. Make it a living testament to the value of marriage in God's eyes and the high honor of being one with your mate.

Resurrection Eggs

We have a store bought set of Resurrection Eggs that we use every Easter but these homemade ones look fun to put together so I wanted to share it.

Resurrection Eggs illustrate the story of Easter in a fun and inviting way for
children. These are simple to make and will quickly become a favorite family
tradition.

Materials
12 plastic eggs
Egg carton
Permanent marker
Piece of a palm leaf or similar leaf
Small piece of cloth with perfume on it
Small piece of bread or cereal
A couple of dimes or nickels
Small cross (you can even make one from pieces of Popsicle sticks)
Thorn or small thorny branch
Piece of burlap
2 nails
Small piece of sponge
A couple of cloves or other whole spice
Small rock
Small piece of linen
Little slips of paper to write Scripture references on

Use a permanent marker to write the numbers 1 through 12 on the eggs, and
then put the eggs in the egg carton. Inside each egg, place the item and Scripture
reference written on a small piece of paper.
Egg #1
Message - Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. The people waved palm
branches.
Passage - Matthew 21:1-11
Item - Piece of palm branch or similar leaf.
Egg #2
Message - Mary poured expensive perfume on Jesus' feet.
Passage - John 12:2-8
Item - Small cloth with perfume on it.
Egg #3
Message - Jesus shared the Last Supper with His disciples.
Passage - Matthew 26:17-30
Item - A small piece of bread or cereal.
Egg #4
Message - Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.
Passage - Matthew 27:3
Item - 2 dimes or nickels
Egg #5
Message - Jesus carried His own cross.
Passage - John 19:17
Item - A small plastic cross, or make your own cross.
Egg #6
Message - Soldiers placed a crown of thorns on Jesus' head.
Passage - John 19:2
Item - A thorn or a piece of a thorny branch.
Egg #7
Message - Soldiers parted Jesus' garments and cast lots for His coat.
Passage - John 19:23
Item - A scrap of burlap and one of the nails.
Egg #8
Message - Jesus was nailed to a cross and pierced in His side.
Passage - John 19:18,37 & John 20:25-29
Item - The other nail.
Egg #9
Message – Jesus was given vinegar mixed with gall on a sponge to drink.
Passage - Matthew 27:34
Item - A small sponge.
Egg #10
Message - Spices were used to prepare Jesus for burial.
Passage - John 19:40
Item – The cloves or spices.
Egg #11
Message - The stone covering Jesus' tomb was rolled away.
Passage - John 20:1
Item - A small rock.
Egg #12
Message - All that was found was Jesus’ burial linens. He was not there. He has
risen!
Passage - John 20:6-7
Item - A scrap of linen-type fabric.

Saturday, April 04, 2009

Easter Foods

I plan on posting more fun foods. These two were the only pics I came across on this computer. So I need to do some digging and come up with my others.

First....Chick Deviled Eggs

Instead of laying the egg long ways and cutting it you will hold it upright and cut it. Then you can make it look more jagged (like the shell cracking) make your deviled egg mix as you normally would. Fill the larger side with egg mix (you may want to cut the bottom so that they will stand up well) then use a piece of chopped carrot for the beak and sliced olives for the eyes (I have used both black and green olives before) and place the other "shell" on top.


Next....Spring Bonnets

The kids love doing these. I use large sugar cookies and mini muffins lots of icing and whatever decorations I want. Put the mini muffin upside down on the cookie using a dab of icing. Then frost the entire cookie and muffin so that it looks like a bonnet. We usually use several bowls with different colors and then use fruit roll ups, sprinkles, mini m&m's etc to decorate.