Thursday, July 14, 2016

Whoa Webster!

Did you know that you could find the 1828 Websters dictionary, free, online? I sure didn't! I am pretty excited about it! What? You don't get excited about old dictionaries being online? Did I mention it was free? I bet you're excited now, huh? No? Well, I am sure somebody is as word nerdy as I am . I mean it's not the hard copy , I get that! but it's still pretty cool! I now have a new website to play word games with. I am thinking the children are going to be stoked about it as well...Ok, probably not! But , I can at least try. No harm in that, right? Any who, enough of my weird ranting. Here is the link to the website
Go check it out! I think there's an app that goes with it as well. Thanks for stopping by , God Bless!

A song for My King and Father

I close my eyes and see your face
All I can say is you are beautiful
You are beautiful

 The thought of you
makes me feel like singing
The joy you give
makes me feel like dancing

You oh Lord
are my sal va tion
You my King
You are so good

There is no one
No One
Like You

You are my God
and I am
so in love with you

You're my King
You speak life
You lift me higher
lift me higher
on your wings

You bring Hope
You are Love
You bring joy and peace and rest

You are all I want
You are all I need
You are everything to me

I will never stop singing
I will never stop singing your praises

I will never stop shouting
I will never stop shouting
your name

You are the King of Kings.
Lord of All
You are
My Father

-Audrey Brookshire

When God Calls Your Name.

When God Calls Your Name
Do You Answer
Do You Say
Here I am, Lord
Will You Guide Me
Lead Me Down The Narrow Way.

When God Calls Your Name
Do You Hide
Your Face From Him
Do You Cower
Do You Bellow
Living in a life of sin.

When God Calls Your Name
Run To Him
Arms Open Wide
Trust And Know
He'll always be there
Never Leaving Your Side.

- Audrey Brookshire

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Just a little life news

Hello! 
It has been a long time since my last post, so I thought I would fill you all in on how life has been going.
Since the last time I posted I started having pain from my endometriosis again. I went to my doctor ,and after a lot of issues, ended up having a hysterectomy in November. It was a sad thing for me, but I couldn't deal with the pain any longer....We had many hard hits in our lives last year. Some were very personal. Some were shared by others... I think one of the hardest hits was when my children's Sensei passed away, due to a major car accident. It still hurts to think about him. He was an amazing man. He loved life, family, friends, but most of all he loved God. He was one of the kindest people you could ever meet. He was very sincere, and open. He was also extremely funny. The children had a blast in his classes. But, he was also stern , when he had to be. The children listened to him, and respected him. They all adored him, and miss him greatly. I don't think anyone could ever take his place. R.I.P. Chief Instructor, Jerod Hicks. We love you and will see you in Heaven one day.... 
Another thing that we dealt with, for the past few years, was trying to get out of the neighborhood we were in. Things had gone down hill fast, and were only getting worse. Well, God answers in his own time and way. We decided to put our house on the market in November, and we closed on it last Friday.  Our closest friends are missionaries in India, and they needed new tenants. Well, we needed a new home. It worked out! God is good!

I feel that all of the trials we went through this past year, God has given us many blessings in return. He never leaves us. We are reminded in all this beauty around us that He is always near.  I am so thankful for all God has given to us. All Christ has done for us, and how the Holy Spirit has guided us. Thank you all for stopping by, God's Blessings be upon you and your household. 

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Free Online Courses

Hello all, I just wanted to share with you two free websites that we have been using in our schooling.
The first is Hillsdale College Online . This is focused on History and Economics. This is a great website!
The second is Coursera . This site has a  lot of different subjects.
We have done a few science classes on there.  Chemistry, Forensic Science, and Veterinary Science.
Whatever they want to learn about I can type it in and find a class to fit that topic... No they are not in college yet, but that does not mean they can't learn from these courses. Children are a lot smarter than we give them credit for. That said, I hope you guys go and check these out, they are truly worth it.

Renaissance, Reformation, and Counter Reformation


Tuesday, August 13, 2013

"I Am A Mother And I Have A Purpose!"

As I was reading ,Day 21, in my devotional this morning.
100 Days of Blessing, written by Nancy Campbell.
I was greatly encouraged.  I thought to myself,  every mother should read this.
So, I decided to share...

The chapter is on Jesus delighting in His fathers will, and confessing His life purpose.
 She say's that "as mothers we should delight in our calling, confess out loud and affirm our purpose, even as Jesus did." We should not hide or be ashamed of what God has called us to be. 
We should be proud. Don't let the world make you feel like you are less because you
 choose to follow God's calling, and embrace being a mother. 
Mrs.Campbell wrote the following, to help us mothers, confess and affirm our purpose.

" I am not languishing. I am not floundering. I am not deceived. I have a vision. I know who I am and who God created me to be. I know my purpose. I have direction. I know God's mandate for my life. 
I am walking in the perfect will of God. I know it's not easy. I know it's hard. But I've counted the cost. My goal is set. How could my career be easy when I am impacting this nation for God?
Also the generations to come! And eternity! How can it be easy when I am destroying the plans of the devil? Such is the power of my God-ordained career, the highest calling ever given to women - motherhood! I have embraced my calling. I am not intimidated by antagonists. I will not be moved. My heart is fixed. I may be hidden in my home, but look out world! I am sharpening and polishing my arrorws. I am getting them ready to shoot forth and destroy the works of the enemy. In the power and anointing of God I am advancing His kingdom! " 

"My Goal And Purpose"
P- Passionately mothering!
U- Unflinchingly keeping my eyes on the goal!
R- Regularly and richly imparting God's word to my children!
P- Praying constantly with my heart always looking to the Lord!
O- Ordering and managing my home with diligence!
S- Saturating my husband and children with love and encouragement.
E- Embracing and nurturing the children God is giving to me.

Prayer: "Dear Father, please help me to not only do and delight in your high calling for my life, but to finish my task. I want to daily affirm it before you, my family, and others. Amen." 

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

The Girls Baptism

I am so happy to share with you the baptism of  my girls. They were baptized on July 7th. They accepted Christ into their  hearts months ago, and now they've officially been dunked. This event took place at a church members home, in their hot tub. So the girls had a warm dip. It was a perfect day for a baptism. The weather was just right. Some family and friends were there, making it even better. The girls were so excited, they almost lost sleep over it . When we reached our destination (As the GPS says it.) ,they changed into their swim suits and cover ups (took them awhile too..he he) Our Pastor, Adam Godbold, started off with a discussion on baptism , then he read from the holy scriptures, and we all said the, Apostles Creed. After praying, he asked the girls if they understood everything ,and once they established that they did, the highly anticipated moment had finally come. The girls stepped into the tub, and each was baptized, oldest to youngest. After the baptism, Pastor Adam anointed their heads with oil and prayed a blessing over them. It was a time of great Jubilation. .
We are so very proud of our girls.
 III John 4 says, " I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."
I agree, wholeheartedly.










Monday, July 15, 2013

Back to school basket giveaways

I am posting a Huge give away, by alot of ladies. These giveaways are baskets full of school items. I think you will love them. There are so many wonderful goodies in all of these baskets. You can sign up for all of them, and may win more than one.So, what are you waiting for? Go check them out!
Milk and cookies
These Temporary Tents
Spell Out loud
Gricefully homeschooling
Raising Lifelong Learners
Write Shop
Preschoolers & Peace
Starts at Eight
Joyful Mothering
Ponder The Path
forever for always no matter what
Tinas dynamic homeschool plus
Habits for a happy home
See Jamie Blog
Sams Noggin
This Reading Mama
Adorable Chaos
The Pelsers
Hodge Podge
Sallie Borrink
The Kennedy Adventures
Flourish
our journey westward
meetpenny.com
On Faith & Coffee
our abundant blessings
the holistic homeschooler
the encouraging home
motherhood on a dime
the homeschool scientist




I found some broken links, so those sites were not posted, thank you! :c)

inks to all basket giveaways:

(1) Back to School Toolkit from Milk and Cookies
(2)Back to School Toolkit from These Temporary Tents
(3)Back to School Toolkit from Spell Outloud
(4)Back to School Toolkit from Great Peace Academy
(5)Back to School Toolkit from Gricefully Homeschooling
……
(6) Back to School Toolkit from Raising Lifelong Learners
(7) Back to School Toolkit from WriteShop
(8) Back to School Toolkit from Preschoolers and Peace
(9) Back to School Toolkit from Starts at Eight
(10) Back to School Toolkit from Joyful Mothering
……
(11) Back to School Toolkit from Harrington Harmonies
(12) Back to School Toolkit from Ponder the Path
(13) Back to School Toolkit from Forever, For Always, No Matter What
(14) Back to School Toolkit from Tina’s Dynamic Homeschool Plus
(15) Back to School Toolkit from Habits for a Happy Home
……
(16) Back to School Toolkit from Curriculum Choice
(17) Back to School Toolkit from See Jamie Blog
(18) Back to School Toolkit from Beautiful Motherhood
(19) Back to School Toolkit from Sam’s Noggin
(20) Back to School Toolkit from This Reading Mama
……
(21) Back to School Toolkit from Teaching Mama
(22) Back to School Toolkit from Adorable Chaos
(23) Back to School Toolkit from The Pelsers
(24) Back to School Toolkit from Hodge Podge
(25) Back to School Toolkit from Sallie Borrink
……
(26) Back to School Toolkit from The Kennedy Adventures
(27) Back to School Toolkit from Flourish
(28) Back to School Toolkit from Our Journey Westward
(29) Back to School Toolkit from Meet Penny
(30) Back to School Toolkit from On Faith and Coffee
……
(31) Back to School Toolkit from Our Abundant Blessings
(32) Back to School Toolkit from Holistic Homeschooler
(33) Back to School Toolkit from The Encouraging Home
(34) Back to School Toolkit from Motherhood on a Dime
(35) Back to School Toolkit from The Homeschool Scientist
- See more at: http://joyfulmothering.net/2013/07/15/back-to-school-giveaway/#sthash.AWO2uWUi.dpufMilk and cookies

inks to all basket giveaways:

(1) Back to School Toolkit from Milk and Cookies
(2)Back to School Toolkit from These Temporary Tents
(3)Back to School Toolkit from Spell Outloud
(4)Back to School Toolkit from Great Peace Academy
(5)Back to School Toolkit from Gricefully Homeschooling
……
(6) Back to School Toolkit from Raising Lifelong Learners
(7) Back to School Toolkit from WriteShop
(8) Back to School Toolkit from Preschoolers and Peace
(9) Back to School Toolkit from Starts at Eight
(10) Back to School Toolkit from Joyful Mothering
……
(11) Back to School Toolkit from Harrington Harmonies
(12) Back to School Toolkit from Ponder the Path
(13) Back to School Toolkit from Forever, For Always, No Matter What
(14) Back to School Toolkit from Tina’s Dynamic Homeschool Plus
(15) Back to School Toolkit from Habits for a Happy Home
……
(16) Back to School Toolkit from Curriculum Choice
(17) Back to School Toolkit from See Jamie Blog
(18) Back to School Toolkit from Beautiful Motherhood
(19) Back to School Toolkit from Sam’s Noggin
(20) Back to School Toolkit from This Reading Mama
……
(21) Back to School Toolkit from Teaching Mama
(22) Back to School Toolkit from Adorable Chaos
(23) Back to School Toolkit from The Pelsers
(24) Back to School Toolkit from Hodge Podge
(25) Back to School Toolkit from Sallie Borrink
……
(26) Back to School Toolkit from The Kennedy Adventures
(27) Back to School Toolkit from Flourish
(28) Back to School Toolkit from Our Journey Westward
(29) Back to School Toolkit from Meet Penny
(30) Back to School Toolkit from On Faith and Coffee
……
(31) Back to School Toolkit from Our Abundant Blessings
(32) Back to School Toolkit from Holistic Homeschooler
(33) Back to School Toolkit from The Encouraging Home
(34) Back to School Toolkit from Motherhood on a Dime
(35) Back to School Toolkit from The Homeschool Scientist
- See more at: http://joyfulmothering.net/2013/07/15/back-to-school-giveaway/#sthash.AWO2uWUi.dpuf

Being a parent and a friend

Hello everyone, I hope you are having a great summer vacation, so far. We have been busy..but then who isn't? Summer is all about being busy! I believe, "busy as a bee," is the expression. But busy during the summer can be fun! While cleaning, you can turn up the radio , open the windows, let the fresh air in, and sing & dance to your hearts content. You can do this in the cooler seasons too, but I don't recommend opening the windows...brrrrr. You also get in more trips in the summer.. I know it usually ends up more of a vacation for the children, than  the adults. But, remember, they grow fast.. cherish these moments. Summer is a time of reflection. Look back on last school year and see what you can change in attitude , and spirit. It's a time for you to use for building stronger relationships with your family. Your children Need you, show them you are always there.  Not just in the summer, any time. Have fun! Show your children, you can laugh! You are not a strict old prune. I have heard people saying, "Don"t be your child's friend." That's not correct!You can be their friend ,and their parent! Don't let them disrespect you. You can still admonish them,even as a friend. Don't friends correct each other? Your children will love you and want to respect you more, when you show them you love them and are willing to come down to their level a bit. No, I don't mean that you should let them do as they please. I mean you should enjoy them. Laugh with them, talk to them, dance with them, sing with them, listen to their problems. Be a friend! Hug them, read to them, pray with them and for them. Set boundaries, tell them when they are wrong, and why, not just cause you said so ( Read scriptures on the concerning problem.).  Don't belittle your child (TALK TO THEM!). Stop yelling at them!  Be a Parent.
You see, you can be both. This doesn't mean they have free reign. Letting your children have free reign to do whatever they want , and treat people anyway they want, is neither friendship or parenting. That's just neglect! No, there is nothing wrong with getting a little bit of "me time" in, but don't be neglectful and push them away, because you don't want to deal with them.                                                                                  I am speaking to myself just as much as I am speaking to you. I get irritated, and raise my voice. I say, "cause I said so!" etc. I am not exactly perfect! But, I do believe that God can help me in this area. I need to give all my frustrations to him, instead of placing them on my children,  husband, or anyone else that may strike a nerve at the wrong time. We all need to remember who gave us our children as gifts in the first place, and we need to trust in Him to help us handle it. We need to learn to love as He does, and discipline as He does.
He is a just God, but He is also loving and merciful. He listens to us, and supplies our needs. He comforts us through His word, and through others. We need to look to God as our example. Look at Christ when He walked the earth. He was a friend and a teacher. We need to be the same. So yes, be your childs parent, but also be their friend.

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Kelaiah received her yellow belt

We have had some crazy health issues around here the last few months, but we have made it through.
Thank the Lord!  Not something you really want to blog about. Today, I have something cheerful to blog about.  Kelaiah has moved up from being a white belt to a yellow belt. She is so excited!  She's been dancing around the house, with a big smile on her face, singing (literally) about her triumph. We are so proud of her too. So, as usual, I have some pictures (and a video) to show you her BIG moment. I hope you all enjoy this moment, have a blessed day!















Thursday, June 7, 2012

Birthday morning wake up

After a horrible two days of dealing with a major sinus headache, my family let me sleep in. Of course that might have to do with it being my birthday today, instead of sympathy for my head, either way, it was nice.
 At around 8:30 am , my youngest daughter came into the room and kissed me saying, "mommy wake up, we have something special for you." I kind of had a clue, but it's better not to say anything and go with it. I dragged myself out of bed and into the dining room where I was met by a sweet site.


 The girls made me breakfast, it tasted really good too! I guess another gift from them would be showing me that, through all the kitchen hours we spend together, they have been paying attention to more than I expected.  Things like this always make a mother proud. The eggs were cooked perfectly to my liking, the sausage was done, no pinkness what so ever, the iced coffee was so yummy,  and the toast , as you can see, was a nice golden brown. Yes, I feel very proud of my girls accomplishments this morning. Glad to know that they won't starve when I'm not around.

After breakfast they lead me over to the fire place , where two bags of handmade gifts were sitting. I love handmade gifts, don't you? ( I didn't get any pictures of those. I do apologize.)


Yes, I would say I am a rich woman with many blessings in my life. The best gift I have ever received were my children. I thank God everyday for them. (Even on days when I'm tempted to hide behind a locked closet door.)

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Jekyll Island

Hello all, we just got back from a wonderful 5 day Island trip. We drove 6 hours down to the South Georgia Coast to a beautiful little Island called Jekyll. My husband had a company trade show down there, so we turned it into a family beach trip.



 I wish I could say our trip was all sunshine , but it wasn't, tropical storm Beryl came pouring down on us... off and on. Did we we complain? No, we just waited for breaks in the weather and took those spots for granted. When it was raining we just took some much needed rest.

Our first day, after driving the 6 hours, we unpacked and then headed to the beach to watch the children play , and explore.


















It was so beautiful.





We were surprised by how many whole sand dollars we found, I mean one is usually a rare find in itself.
We were also surprised to find a few live ones, and see some burrowing down into the sand.

(Changing the subject for a second) You see that little dog? It was so cute! It wanted Hannah to pet it so bad, but she was literally oblivious of it.
In this picture it seems she may have actually noticed it , but she was in her own little world of exploration. She was talking non stop to her daddy about finding Sand dollars, and moving from side to side in the process. She seriously did not see this little dog trying to get her attention. 


I kind of felt bad for the little thing. It looks like daddy noticed, but he has better things to do. ;c)

Well I guess the dog gave up, and the children found a good digging spot.





Let's see, what else did the children find? Oh, yes....Hannah found a baby ray.

Of course she let it go right after the picture was taken.

Kelaiah found a baby shrimp, but she let it go before the picture was taken. So, I don't have that one.

We also found the shell of a horseshoe crab. :c(


And ,of course, my children's favorite little crabs to chase around the beach, rocks, drift wood, etc.
There weren't as many out as usual. I'm guessing they were hiding from the storm.

After our exploring, the children and I headed to the pool.





















The next day was a bit windy and the water was definitely not safe, so the children decided to hunt for crabs amongst the rocks.









Kelaiah managed to catch one, but the others got away.

After they finished chasing crabs, they played on the beach for a while. 





After that we headed back to the pool to play for awhile. Then it rained, and so we waited.



After the rain we went back down to the beach, but it was high tide.









So, guess where we went...The Pool!






 The children met some friends and had a lot of fun.














After we finished with the pool, it rained.

We did get another break from the rain, but planned on going out for dinner. So instead of swimming to get rid of energy, the children climbed a tree that they had been eyeing since we got there. (Their daddy wasn't back from the trade show yet.)











 The girls also found a puddle to play in.

The next day we drove to St. Simons Island. Hubby wasn't feeling well, so we didn't stay long.




 When he felt better we headed to the beach, but didn't stay there long either, cause the wind was about to literally blow us away.




I'm glad we took this small vacation from home, it was much needed.