But she's only 9!

Today, my little girl told me that she had seen a little blood when she was in the bathroom. She said it was teeny, so I told her to let me know if it was still there the next time she went. Yes, it was and there was more of it. It seems like only yesterday she was this teeny little thing, and now she's growing up so fast! I hadn't planned on trying to explain these kinds of things to her for a couple more years yet. I didn't expound too much on it, just barely skimmed. For those of you that have had the talk with your daughter, got any advice?

Karah on the phone with daddy yesterday morning, sitting in her new chair.

She bought it last week with her allowance at the thrift store on base for only $5!

Vincent took a self-portrait when playing with the camera.

He's always had blue eyes, but they seem especially blue in this picture (at least to me).

How Many?

Yesterday I put this little goody together for my girl scout troop. It's a guess-the-number thing, and it will be one of the activities towards the Math Whiz badge. I decided to use a water bottle instead of just a jar, in hopes that it could actually get some use after the candy was enjoyed. Each badge has 10 activites, and they have to complete any 6 of the activities to earn the badge. This year, I decided to implement badge work in the start up activity. Since math whiz is a lot of activities, it will cover the start up activities for the next six meetings, and then I think we'll go to puzzles! :-)

So, how many skittles can you fit in the water bottle?

I'll give the answer in a later post! :=)

It's all about Him

Ps19.1, originally uploaded by musicalgem79.

Due to some physical ailments, I was unable to go to church today. I very much missed it, so the kids and I read some from the Bible and sang some songs. Not a replacement, I know, but I didn't want them to think we were just "skipping" church.

While I was sitting here (unable to do much else) I played around with my photo editing software. I took this picture a few weeks ago on the way to church one evening. (I was actually driving at the time, so I'm glad it turned out pretty good!) The verse just jumped out at me, so I took the time to put them together. I hope you enjoy the beauty that God gave us!

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Fun Run

Well, I didn't run, but I did walk a mile with the kids & Penny today. They had a Dog Day at the Park for a few hours this morning, starting with a fun run/walk. I thought it'd be good to get Penny out and around some other dogs. She did very well for being her first time. On the walk the kids took turns taking pictures (which I will post later because my laptop doesn't like to read the memory card) and overall had a good time. Vincent was sad that we didn't get any medal, as they had some for the top three finishers in the classes of women, men, & children 16 and under. I reminded him about who was being pokey because they were throwing a fit (it was him). After the walk they had some water bowls for the dogs to get a drink and there I found out that I have a picky pet. Penny sniffed at practically every bowl (about 2 dozen) and wouldn't take so much as a lick out of any of them.

After looking around for a bit longer we decided to go home. When we got to the truck I got out the travel water bowl I had brought with and put it down and she took a nice, long drink. Go figure! ~lol~ Anyways, we had a good time with her today. She did well on the ride and around the other dogs. AND - I didn't have to clean up any messes! :-D

I should mention that I have noticed that at places where animals can roam free (like Petsmart, or today's dog day at the park), the kids are more excited than being in the toy aisle at a store! They see a dog, and they just run up to pet it, especially Vincent. I tell them they need to ask first because it's not their pet, and some pets aren't so friendly. They do pretty well, but reminders kept coming out a lot today :-) They enjoyed seeing all the different kinds of dogs, and Karah informed me that she wants to save $100 so she can buy a little dog and all it's supplies. She wants her own to run with next time. We'll have to wait and see on that.

Art Class

Personally, I find the title pretty funny as I don't consider myself very artsy. Anyways, the other day for art class they decorated some steno notebooks for use at church. I helped a little and kept it from getting too cluttered, but they did most of it themselves. They really liked them as you can see from the pictures. I think they did a really good job. Karah chose some great sayings for hers, and I absolutely adore the tie on Vincent's. Stay tuned for further art class projects (for better or worse!)

The inside front cover

In a crafty mood

I bought the kids a new Bible each a few weeks ago since their old ones were in pretty rough shape. Karah wanted a Bible cover, but the ones they sell are so expensive it seems. So, I thought I'd make one. I measured the Bible, cut out a pattern 1/2" larger on each side, used some quilt batting in the middle, and some ribbon on the edges. It turned out okay, for the first time - especially considering as I'd never made a pattern before! Since there was enough material left, I was able to make her a dress to match, and a scrunchie too! She was thrilled! (Aren't all girls happy when they get new clothes?)

Class is in session

On September 8, 2008, we started our first day of homeschooling. This was an answer to prayer and something I have looked forward to doing for some time now. Both Karah and Vincent were also excited about the prospect as well. We went with a fairly easy (to me) , curriculum since it was new to everyone but me. So far, we are about 2 1/2 weeks into it and are enjoying it. Sure, Vincent isn't always happy when I actually make him do his work, but I have seen such an improvement in him - in just the first week alone - that it is so worth it. He is reading and writing better, and was SO happy when on his first test he got a 100% :-) Karah is also doing well, although she had a rough start. All her work required cursive writing, and she had only learned a few letters last year so on the first day, it was a crash course in cursive writing. She has since improved as well, and is doing much better (and I only have to correct a letter every once in a while, as opposed to a letter per page). All in all, it is going very well so far, and I am looking forward to the rest of the school year. I so enjoy spending time with them and watching them learn and grow.

Karah & Vincent on the first day of school

(still gotta have a first day pic!)

Vincent took it upon himself to look up the verse in his Bible when reading through his goals.
Karah reading how to sit in order to write properly before tackling cursive writing.
Vincent picked this cute little flower for me at recess.

(It didn't last too long, but it was a sweet gesture and I got a picture!)

Just playin' around

While trying to walk my sister through how to make a slideshow / video, I was doing it myself so I could tell her right. Here is the result. I ended up using the pictures from when Brian left and I think it turned out alright. I know with some tweaking it could be better. Still - enjoy!

Too Precious

This evening it was my turn to sing special music before the service, and I had narrowed it down to this song. I've been practicing it for a little while now, but something happened when I got up there and started to sing. It was as if the Lord opened my eyes - really opened them -to the words, the message, for the first time. This sense of overwhelming came over me, and it took quite an effort to not bawl right then and there. (That happened later) As it was, my eyes got a little watery (but not to where I coudln't see the music) and I was able to sing with a real conviction.


The song is "Too Precious" with the music written by Dan Whittemore and the words based on Psalm 49. In between the two verses, I read some verses from Psalm 49. Please enjoy these words (written how I sang/said it) and I pray they touch your heart.

TOO PRECIOUS

Verse 1

All my life I dreamed of good fortune,

And there were times I sought to be honored by men;

Yet, if I owned the richest of kingdoms,

Still I could not save myself from my sin.

Chorus

Too precious, by far, to be sold

Or ransomed for mere earthly gold.

If wealth were the way,

All earth could not pay

The price that could save a man's soul.

Psalm 49:6-15

They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;

None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:

(For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)

That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.

For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.

Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.

Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.

This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.

Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in hte grave from their dwelling.

But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah

Verse 2

Tho' I speak of life everlasting,

I know my life is only as long as the day;

For it is only the love of my Savior

That redeems me from my sin and its grave.

Chorus

Too precious, by far, to be sold

Or ransomed for mere earthly gold.

If wealth were the way,

All earth could not pay

The price that could save a man's soul

Tag

If wealth were the way,

All earth could not pay

The price that could save a man's soul.