Here she is!

Well my friend got her apron this week and she seemed to like it very much. For those of you who haven't seen a pic of it here it is!

I really enjoyed making this one. It's a little different from the last one I made, although I enjoyed making that one too. My next project is going to be a skirt. Someone had given me some fabric not too long ago. I gave about half of it away because I didn't think I could use it. Well now I wished I had kept it. Oh well.....live and learn! Anyway, that material is a black and white checked pattern. I think it's going to be very pretty!

Give and it shall be given unto you, is something that I have read in the Bible many times. I've seen it real in my life many times. Well, last night I saw it real again! Monday, I got together some shirts that I don't wear anymore. I posted them on a website to give to anyone that wanted them in my local area. Well, Tuesday I gave them to this lady. Tuesday evening I saw a post on the same website for some modest length skirts. Now you know when it says modest length that someone cares about modesty. I drove about 35 minutes from my house to pick them up. I was so happy when I saw real MODEST skirts! I mean they were real. Anyone who has been in a dress shop recently has probably noticed the lack of modest clothing. I went to a store the other day because my husband had given me a gift card (just because wasn't that sweet?) When I walked into that store I couldn't find one modest skirt that didn't "flow" with my hips or backside. I had to get an outfit one size larger for it not to hug my hips and "show off" my figure. (sorry style tv people...I don't care nothing about style if it ain't modest!) I thought that was mighty sad. So I'm standing here today to say I want the modest clothes back! Anyone ever though of opening a store with just modest clothing? I have! If we weren't looking for the Lord to move us soon, I would open one up here. I probably would get a GREAT amount of business.

Well it's 6pm here and I've got to get myself and two little champs ready for wednesday night prayer meeting. I hope that if you don't have a church that you can go to that you try to find one. It's so important in my opinion to find a church where you can be encouraged through the rest of the week. Pray for us.

To God be the Glory!

Jenn

Organizing my time and home!

You know life is soooooo much easier when your life in organized, at least for the most part. Of course there are always surprises in your day from time to time. I am learning the importance of organization though.

Today I got half of the boys books for the next school year. I was more excited than they were! LOL You can always tell a homeschooling mom when you see a lady get excited over finding a good price on school books. I paid about half or less for each book that I bought. I am definatly going to meet the budget by half! That really makes me happy, but it makes my hubby happy as well. And you know a happy hubby makes a happy wife!

Going back to school books, I have found that it's really not worth it for me to copy workbooks. There was a suggestion made to me one time that if you copied the workbook the next year you wouldn't have to buy one. But the trouble with that is, by the time you make all those copies either with your own copier or with the Office Depot/Staples one you've spent 20.00 and you might as well spend 16.00 the next year for a new worktext. So I've stopped doing that. I use Bob Jones which works very well with my children and I just buy new worktexts and keep the other books for the next year.

I never thought I would homeschool. I thought this was for the birds. When my husband asked me to marry him shortly after he told me that he wanted me to homeschool. Can you believe I honestly almost called it off because of that? I DID NOT under any circumstances think that I could teach my kids. But you know I'm glad I stayed with him...not only is he a wonderful, caring, thoughtful man, but he was very wise to want them homeschooled.

I was asked recently why I homeschool. Well, I could say a lot of different reasons. Like, schools are not what they used to be; I want to be able to teach my kids with a certain standard that I don't see in the school system here; or even that they are focusing more on social "tolerance" in the schools than academics. But really, even though those things might be true, they are not the reason. I want to be able to share with my kids the things that I find are most important to them growing up to be responsible, caring, God-fearing, adults. Adults that I know will make wise decision because they are trusting God to teach them what to do and plan their lives. I want them to be able to make a difference out there and feel the confidence that they can do all things through Christ which strengthens them. These things the world can't give them. God has called parents to teach their children the statutes of God. It is my responsibility and yours! Not only is it our responsibility but our right as parents! God has called me to homeschool. Just as he has called my husband to preach the Word of God. Nothing is going to stop me unless God wills it. Sometimes I feel inadequate, sometimes I'm downright nervous that I'm not doing a good job. But then, one of my children come to me and say something so smart. Or someone comes to me and tells me that my children are sooooooo smart. That makes me swell inside. Not a bad pride, like my kid is better than yours type of mentality. But it gives me confidence to know that I am doing a good job. Just like parenting, not all decision we make are going to be the best thing. But if we take that lesson learned and use it to our advantage....it will help us in the long run. So teach your children with confidence. Know that God has called you to do this. He will equip those he calls!

Jenn

Whew!!

I finally finished the project for my exchange person. I hope they will like it. It took me a whole 3 hrs to make. It looks nice though. I'll be mailing it out tomorrow and when she gets it I'll post a pic of it so you can see it. Next on my list??? Get to bed!

Jenn

The Lord knows every step we take.....

You know that verse I shared with you the other day? Well, the Lord knew that it was an appropriate verse for this week of my life. My husband works so that I can stay home with the boys and homeschool. For a while he was cleaning as extra work on the side for a supplemental income at the establishment where he works. Today he was told that they wouldn't need his cleaning services any longer. He would still have his regular job, just not the extra income. Thing is, he had been taking 32-35 hrs instead of 45-50hrs a week because of this extra job. He was a little discouraged when he called me to tell me. But you know the Lord gave me peace about it. When I hung up the phone with him I added up the difference between what he makes now at 32-35hrs + cleaning and what he would make with 45-50hrs - cleaning. It came to a whopping difference of 167.00. Yes, that is 167.00 we probably could use....but it's not the end of the world either! So I'm praising the Lord that it seems that even though the extra won't be there we will still be just fine. We may have to cut back on some things but the Lord ALWAYS provides! He said he would supply all of our need.

I can't help but think that it's possible that God is fixing to open up that door we have been waiting on. The door to pastor/help pastor a church somewhere. The desire has been even stronger the last couple of weeks. The Lord has opened doors for us at the church where we presently attend, but I know that when the time is right everything will be worked out the way the Lord wants it worked out.

I will leave you with another verse that should speak comfort to you if you are going through a similar situation.

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

AMEN!
Jenn

We're not alone....

Today I was looking on a site and found and old friend from high school. Well actually I had talked to him before. He is a minister of some sort and just recently got married. Well he didn't tell me that he and his new bride were waiting until their wedding day for their first kiss!!!! I think that is totally awesome! What makes it even more awesome to me is the fact my husband and I also waited for our first kiss on a wedding day at the altar! Most people just look at us in fright when we tell them that. Like we are some kind of aliens! Well now I know that we are not alone! I can tell these people that give me strange looks that we aren't the only ones in the world that have done this. Even my family still picks on us about that. I'm glad we did....because our first REAL kiss was so powerful I felt sparks literaly. A lot of people can't say that. I'm glad we waited and I'm glad to see that there are others who have too.

Jenn

Just doodling

I know you probably noticed that last couple of days that the scenery has changed around here. Well, I've just been trying out some skins. I like this one don't you? I really would like to find a more homeschool themed one that had these colors in it. Maybe someone will have a recommendation.
Tonight I should have plenty of time to work on the exchange gift that I'm making for my exchange person. This person does not know that I have her name and so she doesn't even know that she is going to get a homemade item! How awesome is that!
I hope she likes it. After I send it and she gets it I will post a picture here so you can see. I'm looking forward to it. I've got to go and get some bias tape to use on it.
Well that's about all today. I'll leave you with a verse. I love this verse. It reminds me that God knows the plans he has for your life. He knows where you are and He knows where you are going to be. Our part is to trust Him to know that His plan is perfect for us and wait patiently on His timing!

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11

Hallelujah!

Jenn

and the winner is............

Renee! CWAbbottFamily!

Congratulations!

PM me your info and I'll send it out to you ASAP! Thanks to all that commented. Stay tuned for my next giveaway!

Jenn

One of my recently finished projects

The music minister and his wife got a little doggie. They were looking for a little dress for it. Well I made them one. I thought it was a cute little vest type dress. It didn't have frillies on it though, which I think they were wanting. I thought it was cute...so here it is!

Isn't she just precious!

Jenn

Today is the last day.....

to get in on the giveaway! I pick the name today at 8pm EST soooooo....if you would like that book please comment away!

Today is Karate day again. Those days I try to keep school short. We start at 9am and sometimes we get done at 10am? Today they had a Math test, English, and Spelling. MWF we have History review (since we already finished the book) Science and other subjects such as Music and Spanish. When we get near the end of the school year things just are a little more hectic for me. Don't ask me why...I couldn't tell ya.

I have a question for you. Do you homeschool year round? If so, how do you handle summer months when all the other kids are out and playing and your kids are still in "school"? Do you shorten your days? Do more hands on or fun activities? I have found that I actually NEED the summer months off. Now, don't get me wrong, I do somethings with them that help them to review what they learned that year. But overall I don't do subject books and workbooks during the summer. I will probably take them to the Library once a week during the summer months because it gives them books to read that are different. The types of books they read are shorter books. My oldest reads chapter books now, so he may not get a book every time he goes.

Do you know that there is so much to do at the library? There is a new library just down the road a bit and it has a little area just for the kids. It's off the to side but in order to leave that area you have to walk passed the librarian. I like that. They also have two computers with kid friendly games on them so the kids can play on the computer while you look in the computer catalog. (which by the way is right next to the computers for the kids) They also have a "kiddie" bathroom in that area. That way you don't have to walk back outside to take them to the bathroom. Can you tell I'm excited about this new library? Only a homeschooling mom right?! LOL

While we are on the subject of libraries. Did you know that the library is your homeschooling friend? We have several in our area and they all have different resources for homeschooling. They also have all those books you wish you could buy but don't have the money for. Remember those?? I just look them up in the online catalog at home and then pick a library for them to be delivered to...and wallah....they call me when they arrive. All I have to do is pick them up! How convenient right?! There is a WORLD of information at the library. Now, you do need to actually look at the books before you take them home. Especially if you are dealing with science and nature. Many books "sneak" in evolution and I can't stand it. It's true though, so always look at the books before you check them out.
The other week, when we went to the library. My oldest was picking out books about planets and biomes. Well, needless to say, I looked in all the books he picked out and there was evolution hinted in there. I was aggravated. My oldest was upset because I wouldn't let him have them. Glad to say that I have trained them to know that if Momma says that you can't read that book it's for a reason. You may think I'm being overprotective. But at that age, they have no need to be introduced to evolution on that scale. I have taught them what it is and that it is just a theory....but I don't go into details. I don't think there is a need for it at age 7.

Well I've gabbed enough...I've got to finish washing their uniforms for karate. Have a wonderful blessed day! Please, if you want that book don't forget to comment below! by 8pm EST !

In Christ ALONE!

Jenn

DH is off today!

YEAH!!! I love it when dh is off during the week. Notonly does it give me time to see him but it gives the boys something different to do on those days. They hang out with Daddy. Of course, the added bonus is that if there is anything that I need to go somewhere and get I can go by myself. I usually have them with me and that's fine, but it's nice to get out by yourself once in a while. ;)

Well, I got some of my list done yesterday...I did as much laundry as possible, I schooled the kids, took them to karate, but I didn't get my kitchen the way I like it yesterday. I ended up going with a friend to look at a house that she wanted to rent. Hopefully she will find the right one for her family. I'm not going to post a to-do list today because dh is home and I usually don't get my goals done on those days. hmmm I wonder why? LOL

I hope that if you have never read the book "Homeschooling With a Meek and Quiet Spirit " by Teri Maxwell that you go down to the next post and comment to get in on the giveaway! I would love for someone who has never read it to get it. I know it would be a blessing! Just scroll down!

I got thinking about the subject of submission last night as I was going to bed. I've been around so many ladies the last few years that think that the word submit is a bad word. I think what many ladies do not realize is that submit is more than just a word....it's an attitude of the heart. Just like humility, or pride, these are more than just acts or thoughts or words....they are attitudes of our hearts. We can choose to be humble or proud just as we can choose to be submissive or rebellious! Last night, as I was thinking about this subject this recipe came to my mind.

Recipe for Submission

You will need:

1/2 lb of obedience
1 cup of humility
1 cup of respect
1 T of grace
1 T of mercy
1 T of patience
Lots of LOVE

Combine obedience, humility, and respect. Mix well. Then mix in grace, mercy, and patience. Cover with LOTS of LOVE and bake for the rest of your marriage!

I'll leave you with that thought!

Jenn

Who likes a give away????

I decided to get in on the give aways! I wanted to do one of my own. I found this nugget of a book that I have read and studied. The book is called "Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit" by Teri Maxwell.

Here is a description of the book from the back cover.

A desire of a homeschooling mother's heart is to have a meek and quiet spirit instead of discouragement, fear, and anger. She can cope with the myriad of daily difficulties and decisions that a homeschooling lifestyle brings with it, as long as she is having the right responses to them. Let her be fearful, worried, anxious, frustrated, irritated, or angry and a mom soon realizes she is undermining all she wants to accomplish by homeschooling.
Because Teri Maxwell, a mother of eight, has walked the homeschooling path since 1985, she knows first-hand the struggle for a meek and quiet spirit. The memories from her early homeschooling years of often being worried and angry rather than having a meek and quiet spirit are not what she would like them to be.
Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit includes Teri sharing the work the Lord has done in her heart through homeschooling. Other homeschooling moms will be encouraged that He can do the same for them. Teri also desires that homeschooling mothers could learn from the lessons the Lord has taught her so that they would begin to have a meek and quiet spirit long before she did.
Will the reader's journey toward a meek and quiet spirit be completed upon finding the perfect spelling curriculum or deciding which chores a child should be doing? Or does the answer lie on a different path? In these pages, Teri offers practical insights into gaining a meek and quiet spirit, along with chapter-by-chapter projects, that any mom can apply to her individual circumstances. She transparently shares the struggles God has brought her through and what He has shown her during these many homeschooling years

So here is how it works. Please leave a comment stating your desire to be included in this give away. I only have one, so on Thursday April 10th at 8pm EST, I will put all the names of those who have commented in a box and pull out a name. The only thing I ask is that you do not include your name if you already have the book. This is to be a blessing to someone not to give away for resale. ;)

Ok so if you want the book...leave me a comment. Please make sure that you have a blog and link to it in the comment section....unless I know you personally....I would hate to not include you because I couldn't find out who you are.

Jenn

To do list

Today's to do list is quite simple. I have found when I make my to do list really big I can't do it all in one day. I get overwhelmed. So I will be making this to do list very simple.

1. School the boys
2. Laundry
3. Clean kitchen
4. Take boys to Karate (this takes up a good 2 hrs of my time so I put it here so that I don't forget that I have that to do and to manage my time around it)

5. Do DH's Grandmother's taxes (I like the fact that we are getting the stimulus payment but it also means I have to do more people's taxes)
6. Fix dinner
7. Work on gift for exchange (if I have extra time)

I don't know what my plans are for dinner yet. You know I tried to make a menu for the month once, but sometimes we don't want anything but fruit for dinner and it throws all my plans off. My dh works every evening and so he's never here to eat with us. Sometimes we just eat real light. My kids love fruit salad. I'm talking about fresh fruit salad. It always depends on what we have at hand as to what they eat in them. I have no problem with them just eating fruit a night or two a week if that's all they want.

Today I'm working on something for an exchange we are doing at a board I'm on. I think the lady that recieves this will be happy (at least I hope she will like it) After she gets it I will post a pic. I don't want her to see what it is before she gets it. The limit is $5.00 but I already have everything I need to make what I was going to make so I may be able to add a little extra in there for her. I don't know yet. We'll see.

Dh goes to work at 2 today. Sometimes I'm a little sad to see him leave for so long everyday, but I don't say anything because I know it's harder for him than it is for me. Pray for him if you get a change today.

Well it's off to do the kids schooling! Have a blessed day! Make someone's day today! Do something special for your kids today!

Jenn

My first post...

This is my first post on my new blog. I wanted to start over with a new blog because I wanted to talk about just life. My life, my kids, my husband, homeschooling,.....whatever was on my mind that day. I want to be able to show me. Who I am and where God is taking me in my life journey.

First, I am the wife of a preacher, mother of two boys under 10 and a homeschooling teacher. Sometimes, I just don't feel quite adequate to do the job that God has put before me. I know though, that God wouldn't have given me this life if it weren't his plan for me.

So on this blog I'm going to talk about my life. My struggles, my joys, my sewing projects, my homeschool ideas, anything that would be of interest to me or you. :)

I'll begin by showing you a picture of a towel cake I made for my sister's bridal shower. It was this past Saturday and we had a blast! Several people told me that I aught to sell these towel cakes. I'm thinking about it. It would mean more income for my family if I got this going. Here's the pic!