I'm ready....

1. to go to Atlanta to see my new niece.
2. to have a date night with my hubby
3. to give my house a good cleaning
4. to read a good book
5. to spend some time with friends
6. to clean out my van
7. to do some decorating
8. to get my haircut
9. to teach my kids about the art of being thankful
10. drumroll please......to wish the guy in this picture......

A HAPPY 39th BIRTHDAY!

You are loved.

Learning our own way

As a homeschool family, learning our own way is something we've been doing for a couple of years now. I don't take any curriculum too seriously, after all, did the curriculum writer have in mind that my 7 year old would rather sing her subtraction facts that recite them from memory. I doubt it.

Today as she was singing "Fourteen minus five equals nine......", I was sitting there thinking how thankful I am that we are able to choose this way for our kids. Believe me, I know it's not for everyone, but for us, seeing Savannah learn in such a way that is the best for her is rewarding, not only because she is "getting" it, but because she is being creative and having fun too.

God must love it when His children "get" it. We all learn differently, some a little quicker than others, some with visual aids or music, others through the written word. But in that moment of learning, when the light pops on and you finally understand what He's been trying to teach you, don't you know He smiles!

How are you learning your own way this new year? A new Bible study, a new worship CD, a familiar book, reading God's Word?

Ordered Steps

Psalm 119:133

Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.

This year I want a few different things for my family. I've mentioned these in other posts and you are already probably bored out of your mind that I am even mentioning them again, but for me, repetition will be what starts a habit and habits become lifestyles. 

One thing I am hoping to establish is a more orderly house. I used to want an orderly house so that if anyone dropped in during the day, I wouldn't be embarrassed. Then I wanted an orderly house because that's what stay at home moms did...cleaned house. But, really the reason I want an orderly house is because "I" do better when things are picked up. I am less fussy, less irritable, more fun, more creative, happier, less moody. I am a better me. 

I've found the things that distract me from being an orderly housekeeper aren't bad things....work, kids, husband, church, reading, blogging, crafting, me. But if I let these things take the lead then I usually can't give my best to God in other areas He allows me to serve. 

I will never be my mom when it comes to housekeeping. She was wonderful. Towels all faced the same way in the linen closet, baseboards were cleaned regularly, you could open the kitchen drawers and find something with ease, you could eat off the floor. However, I am making some strides. I've enlisted the kids too. We made Family Chore Charts and everyone gets a chart....yes, you can imagine Bruce's delight to find his waiting on him this morning. The kids get a sticker (ok, Bruce gets one too) for every chore completed. At the end of the month they get to go have a blizzard at DQ if they've been diligent. 

I am also organizing some things to make life more manageable. I am keeping a Day Planner for the first time in years. This will help us not get too busy. I'm tracking our bills there and keeping unpaid ones right there so I can see due dates easily. I'm also keeping track of b-days and anniversary dates for our family there.

Anyway, this first Monday of January went pretty well. I'm looking forward to this little headway toward a more disciplined, ordered life...the one I believe God is calling my little nest to follow.

A Baby Changes Everything....

Introducing my fresh from heaven niece, Sydney Claire Anderson, born Christmas Day. (Ignore the date on the camera.)

Backfire!

This is how it went down:

After a long night of Disney's New Year's Eve Showdown, Savannah and I headed to bed (Tuck and Bruce were at Winter Freeze with the youth from church). Savannah was trying to settle down but was grunting, complaining a bit and fidgeting like she couldn't settle down.

I asked, Savannah, do you need some Geritol?
She asked What's that?
I say, It's medicine for old people. You sound like an old person complaining like you are.
She says, Do you take Geritol?

LONG PAUSE

I say, No I am only 37
She says, That IS old

Never mind Savannah.
Happy New Year to me.

Sing Off

Did you catch Sing Off on NBC during the month of December? I didn't, but in a stroke of good luck I accidentally hit the ON DEMAND button on our remote control and saw that it was a freebie....so guess what we've been doing? Yep....I've watched all four episodes.

Here's the premise of the show in case you missed it: Judges searched high and low across the US and Puerto Rico for acapella groups to compete in a vocal only contest. 8 groups began in the competition and over the course of 4 nights groups were eliminated and in the end one group finished as the champions. I was hooked from the first song.

This wasn't your typical church acapella song. The harmonies were so beautifully tangled with the melody. Each group had an obvious strong soloist but they never stole the spotlight. It was a complete team effort. Voices made up each part of the invisible band. Percussion, brass and strings could be heard but not seen. The voices were the instruments.

The amount of talent was unbelievable. Yet...alone, I am not so sure any of these people would be asked or contracted to make their own CD, but together with the other voices, any one of these groups would have been worthy.

Here's a link to The Sing Off where you can watch some of the videos.  Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Achoooooo

I remember Y2K. Do you? I remember because I was sick as a dog...with flu type symptoms and was snugged in bed wishing someone would just put me out of my misery.

Guess what? I have that feeling again....I could make the Nyquil commerical. So today, between sneezes, I've been reading with Savannah, helping her make some new goals for the new year, snacking way to much, watching TV and playing a little wii. I tried to clean out the pantry, but only got 1/2 way through before I was in a sweaty feverish state (TMI?).

For the last few days I have been thinking about what I want to be saying at the end of 2010. I am constantly reminded that my days are in HIS hands and that no matter the goals, resolutions or plans I make...without His guidance, His plan and His power, I am weak and will fail. So, with that in mind I have been praying about the things I've been sensing Him leading to do in my life. Bruce and I have talked about some of our family goals and even today as Savannah and I chatted about things for her to strive for, we prayed that God would help her achieve her own milestones.

Here mine are:

1. Love Jesus More = Love Others More
2. Read more of God's Word
3. Be more consistant in our parenting.
4. Take better care of these bodies God gave us.
5. De-clutter (does this sound familiar? it's on my list every year!...I made lots of progress last year..more to come in '10.)
6. Eat more meals together as a family
7. Plant garden in spring
8. Re-establish date night with spouse
9. Write more
10. SELL HOUSE in GUNTER

Praying you achieve all that God has for you in 2010!