A Heart full of Thanks and other stuff.

There are so many many things for which to be thankful, I am truly blessed. This post will be an eclectic update of the past few weeks and an expression of my heart of thankfulness.

1. Recital.
Josiah’s first recital of the year was at the end of October. Every year there are 4 recitals. Two solo and two group, this was a “solo recital”. Josiah played Twinkle Variation 2 (for those Suzuki people out there). All the children did so well. Recitals are a time of encouragement for everyone. It is so nice to hear beautiful music from the older students, it helps the younger ones and their parents realize that all the hard work and diligence will one day pay off.

2. Youth Challenge.
So nice to be with dear friends again. It was also nice to sing with Brent and Jani again too. Obviously, we don’t sound like we used to when we practiced hours on end. However, it just feels so good to join our voices together. I still think that the special blending we feel has more to do with our history and love for each other than the quality of our voices.

3. Creation Museum.
So cool. We had such a nice time. I would heartily suggest visiting on a week day though. Check out Tara’s blog archives for a really great review of the museum

4. Party.
Matt and Dan (a dear friend) are the “babies” of our church. Among all the adults in our church, Matt and Dan are the youngest, (aside from our dear Miss Jo) and this fall they both will or have turned 30! So Carma and I, being the “older women” in their lives had a little party for them. We surprised Dan and Matt with a Roller Palace party, complete with Sam’s CD, Roller Skates, Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes, and noise makers. The real children of the church really enjoyed the party too. What fun!

5. Thanksgiving Week
Well, we’ve made a turkey, a thankful wreath and Cyclops. I know Cyclops doesn’t seem to fit, but we studied the Ancient Greeks last week and Cyclops was quite fascinating to Josiah. We also stole Kayla’s idea and read the Pumpkin Patch Parable book and carved pumpkins. I know it’s kind of late, but if you wait until after Halloween the pumpkins are really cheap. The truth be told, I carved the pumpkins though. Go figure, our boys will play in the mud and hold snakes, but nothing doing when it comes to pulling out the slimy stickiness of a pumpkin. And they say women are a mystery.

It’s been a good week and I’ve done some perspective evaluating too. Here is a short list of things for which I am thankful.

• My relationship with Jesus. How truly blessed I am to know Him and be known by Him.
  
• My family. What a joy to have such a wonderful husband and two healthy happy boys. Not to mention, extended family that we enjoy and love.
  
• My Church Family. I am so blessed to have such a beautiful unified church family. We pursue His truth together as we learn more of what it means to be members of the Family of God.


• My Friends. I am so thankful for all of my dear friends who have known me in my yuckier times and still love me. So thankful for your consistent faithful friendship.
  
• My possessions. I’ve lived long enough to realize that no matter what our annual income may be here in the USA we are rich compared to most people in the world.
• The opportunity I have to stay home with and educate our boys. Sometimes I can feel so overwhelmed with my daily task. I can be so focused on how far we have to go in training and educating that I forget to see how much is being accomplished. I am so blessed to have been entrusted with these precious little souls. While it is scary, it is a privilege. I am so blessed to be the one who gets to see their eyes light up when they read or watch them glow when they add numbers correctly. I get to be the one who explains the history of the world and see them begin to understand the tragedy of a life lived without God. What a bonding experience to learn and grow together. I realize that not everyone has this privilege and I am so thankful that I do.

Woo Hoo

Well, woo hoo for DSL.....FINALLY! Friday turned into Monday, which turned into Wednesday. Funny how that happens with AT & T. But you will hear me complain no more than that. I can look at pictures on my computer. I can hear music via the Internet. I can even watch the goofy videos my dear friend Brent produces. I will confess I have already watched one archived Hobe Sound Bible Church service. It's interesting how fast church goes when you can FF through the prelims and through particularly long special songs. :) All this from the two minutes I've had since the instillation of High Speed on Wednesday evening. Sadly no matter how fast my computer gets, my life is always faster. Therefore, I will have to close for now. Let's see....tomorrow... oh yes, can't do it tomorrow. Hmmmm.....Saturday, nope Saturday is full. Sunday? Good heavens, that's my only afternoon nap day of the week! Well, I guess I'll catch my blog up next week. We are going to be taking it very easy in school next week. I'm thinking reading pilgrim books and making turkey crafts. So perhaps while the boys are gluing wiggly eyes on something, I'll take the time to chat with you my dear readers.

By the way, who knew Baited breath was spelled Bated? OK, of course Tara knew, but did anyone else? Wow, I just always had this image of a fishing pole with tempting bait. Thus, BAITED breath. Now I'm not sure what to think of Bated Breath. Perhaps this is the beginnings of a mid-life crisis. Until then, I'm off to buy a sports car and large gold chain necklace.

I Shall Return

Dearest of Friends;

I shall return. We are in the process of getting high speed internet. (a woo hoo was heard by all) Therefore, the computer is a bit "tied up" at the moment. Not to mention, I've just been too busy to post. For a lovely update on part of our weekend in the Cincy area check out Tara's Blog on my friends links.

OK so that's all. Just wanted to let you know that I am indeed alive and will post soon, I promise. (As if you're waiting with baited breath)

Much Love to all.
Juwah

Wacky Weekend

What a busy weekend. Here is a brief photo journal of the fun. I'll post more later, it's a busy Monday as well, so this will suffice for now.

Here are the Pampered Girls from the Friday night Pampered Chef party. I so wish you all could have joined us, we had such a nice time.

Brent was here for a few days, it was so nice to be with him again. On Saturday morning we went to Indy to meet Jani and brush up on some old songs and learn a couple new songs. It was so good to be with Brent and Jani again. So nice to sing with them again as well. We all wished we had more time and more opportunity to practise before Youth Challenge, but alas it is not to be. The above photo is of Brent in Waiting..... (as if there are not a thousand young ladies dieing to "fill in the photo.)

Below is Jani, Baby B, and I.

Saturday night when I got home from Indy, our family went out to the Gilley's for Indian Tacos. So yummy! Most of our church family was in attendace and some camp friends as well. A great time was had by all. (sorry, I forgot my camera.) Well, we need to get school finished and the Fall Solo Recital is tonight, so lots to do. Hope all is well with you.

Hey, here are a few photos for your viewing pleasure. Ok, more for Nanny's viewing pleasure.

But before that, I just wanted to let all my fair readers know that I am hosting a Pampered Chef party this Friday night at 7pm. IF you live close enough, you are welcome to come. IF you don't, and need anything from the Pampered Chef line of products you are welcome to check out the website and order at www.pamperedchef.biz/woffskitchen be sure to put my name in as your hostess.

Challah Bread and Hallah Cloth. The bread is pretty and yummy, but much more salty than we are accustomed to. Next time I make it we will use half the salt recommended.

The boys eating the Challah and holding the 10 commandments that they made. We also gave them skull caps to wear. (Don't ask what we used for skull caps.

Some of the boy's friends at the parade. Those fire trucks were loud!

Siah waiting for the candy to be tossed his direction.

Micah enjoying the parade, even the fire trucks. (notice the ear plugs) And yes, I know the Bob the Builder hat is too small, but he thinks it's cool!

Quotable Quotes:

Micah

"I need some almonds to help my rememory."

"I just fell on my big fat bottom!"

When Matt laid down beside him one morning, Micah said, "there are too much people in my bed!"

Josiah

"Oh Mommy, I just love to hug you cause you're so soft and squishy."

"I went to tricky school and now I'm gonna trick you."

"Mommy, Micah just destroyed my train tracks!" (drama anyone?) :)

A Myriad of Thoughts

Ok so my mind has been going as usual. I normally don't write my rambling mind, but tonight I'm feeling crazy.

* On motherhood.....servanthood.
I must confess, before children I never really thought of myself as an impatient person. If someone was annoying or "pushed my buttons" I could usually let it go pretty easily. No biggie right, silly to stress over the small stuff, I can't change people. Then I had kiddos. I've discovered that when these little ones, as much as I love them, get annoying or "push my buttons" I can't just ignore it. I have to deal with it, cause I'm responsible to mold their character. I realized a while back where the impatience comes from, and it's source is not exactly something of which I'm proud. You see I understand that most of the time when I feel impatient it's because I'M being interrupted or inconvenienced. I have an agenda for the day and these little people keep interrupting ME with their behavior. The idea that I am to be a servant to all as a follower of Christ means more than just a servant to strangers. That while I sing Make Me a Servant on Sunday, it means on Monday when there is a great battle over who had what first or when the potty is covered with...well, you know, cause somebody didn't keep their legs together AGAIN, that is when I am called to be a servant. Jesus help me to take up the basin and the towel not just for a world in need, which at times is an easier task, but to take them up daily for two little guys who need to see you in my life.
* On Aging.
I've noticed as I get older that I tend to be more emotional in some areas, less in others. Less in the sensitive feelings and more in the sadness of sin and thankfulness to God. The other day I was driving alone (a rare occasion) and was listening to the news. A report on ANOTHER child abuse case came over the airwaves. I literally became ill. I had to stop listening and pull my thoughts in another direction lest I lose my lunch. It never ceases to amazing me how devalued children are in our culture. How a mother can hold her kicking, clawing, babies under water until they die is just beyond my scope of understanding. A bigger mind boggeler is that somehow the mother becomes the victim. Now I have compassion on women who suffer from Post pardom. I think most of us Mom's have an idea of how that can feel, perhaps not to furthest extent, but an inkling none the less. So when I hear about young Mom's who in times of high stress, screaming baby, little sleep and no help, shaking their baby to death, well, I am horrified, but I can feel compassion. But in my opinion that is a world apart from what we've been hearing in the news the last few years. And it seems, everyone is a victim, except for the children. God help us.
*On Rosh Hashannah and Yom Kippur.
If you are a faithful reader you will know the boys and I have been studying ancient history. Two weeks ago we "crossed" the Red Sea and are now at the foot of Mt. Sinai. Therefore the last few weeks we have been learning about some of the High Holy Days of the Jewish people. Very enlightening. When God gave the 10 Commandments to Moses, it was like He was trying to establish a basis for relationship again with His creation(they had most likely been worship idols the last few hundred years). He is a holy God and He wants a holy people. So He gave Moses a set of laws to let the Jews know how their relationship would work. He would love and protect they would honor and obey. Unfortunately, as human nature turns out, they began to worship the law and not the Law Giver. So God sent His son. In Jesus they would see relationship, understand what God expected from them and what He wanted for them. But not just for them, for us, for the world.
As the Jews celebrate Rosh Hashannah they not only welcome a new year they also review their lives and hope that they have somehow been "good" enough to make it into the "book of life". They have 8 days to do good deeds and beg God's forgiveness for their sins over the past year and then on Yom Kippur the books are closed, their fates are sealed. What God offered in Jesus is the blood sacrifice that not only covers our sin if we ask, but He offered an example in a life lived sinless. A life not bogged down in the sin/good deed cycle. But a life full, alive and in love with the Creator. So Thankful!
*On Friends and Free Tickets
We had a really fun surprise on Friday! Becca called and said she had 4 FREE tickets for a Steven Curtis Chapman Concert. WOO HOO! So we sattled up our horses and off we went. I so enjoyed the fun, uplifting concert. Call me a heathen, but I don't go to concerts with any other expectation than to just enjoy good clean christian entertainment. But, I left with that and a whole lot more. The words to so many of SCC's songs so ministered to my heart. Songs that encouraged me to be a servant, to live like Jesus and to Dive into (ie trust) Him completely.

And so I will leave you with that, such as it is. Perhaps I will later post a photo album of some of life's happenings here. So good to be on this journey of life with good friends like you.

7 Things

1. I hate to fold and put laundry away, unless I have a good book to listen to while I'm doing it.

2. I spent the night in the Berlin airport, because we couldn't find a hotel in which to stay. (the rest of our team slept comfortably in a hostel, while we went looking for somewhere 'better" to stay. ) Lesson learned.

3. I'm actually shy. Really I am. With people I already know, I have few inhibitions. But when it comes to meeting new people and making conversation, it is a shear act of discipline that my father insisted I learn. (I'm glad he did.)

4. I don't have a favorite color.

5. I have a "sun gland". Really, I read about people who get bummed in the winter and in extended days of no sun. They have a gland in their forehead that actually needs sun or they don't produce enough endorphins (happy hormones). OK , so I'm self diagnosing. You can bet when I start feeling blue, I go sit out in the sun for a few minutes and everything seems less blue. Placebo? Who knows, but it works.

6. I'm almost done..... I didn't read the Chronicles of Narnia until I was out of college. Isn't that terribly sad? A whole childhood void of Narnia. You can bet it won't happen to my kids. :)

7. I once had a Brownswager (sp?) fight with a good friend. The clean up was wretched.

Sorry I have to add #8 because I don't want to be outdone by Jenny.

8. I once sang with the Fullers. In church, just me, David and Francis. I think Kim played, but didn't sing...Just me..

For Mom

This post is dedicated to my dear Mother. She has been missing my updating this blog and called today to tell me so. So just to warn you, this blog will be very grandma-info centered and will probably be pretty boring for most of you. Please don't feel obligated to comment. I have started a draft of a review of D.Q. so I'll try to get that finished and posted as time allows. Tonight though, my supper is not settling well and I can't sleep, so instead of tackling D.Q. late at night and with a queezy tummy, I think I'll just write a newsy blog.
The beautiful quilt you see in these pictures is the one Mom made for Micah while she was here visiting. (I still haven't painted his room to match it.) She also made a pillow sham and curtains to match. Not to mention, place mats and kitchen/dinning room curtains for me. She's amazing. So how many of you would like my mom to come visit? It was so nice to have her, I just hope she'll come back after we worked her so hard.

We just recently started rehearsals at church for the upcoming Christmas Play. I am co-directing it this year with the help of my dear friend Becca. A young lady in our church adapted a play from the book, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. It is a funny book with a good message. I know it seems early to be thinking about Christmas Plays, but the play is pretty extensive for the ages of most of the children involved.

Tomorrow ends our 3 week study of Ancient Egypt. I can't say I'm sorry to see the Pharaohs go. We've really enjoyed studying about the Three Kingdoms and the Nile and Mummification, but I was glad to see the plagues coming and I'm ready to cross the Red Sea. We took a week off of working in our Math-U-See book to make lapbooks about Seasons and the Calendar. We learned the Months of the year with hand motions as memory prompts. Ms. Jo taught us a cool song that helped us learn the days of the week too. For Science we have been reading from a Christian Liberty Nature Reader. While I read, Micah listens and Josiah "takes notes" in his note book. He loves to show Daddy his drawings when he gets home and tells him all about the creatures we have studied. Writing is coming along well too. I decided to just go ahead and start Josiah out with cursive. I toyed around for awhile about which way to go, but finally decided to just give cursive a try and if it seemed too tedious we'd try manuscript. So far so good. Reading is exciting, it's so fun to watch Josiah reading on his own. One night I hung "helper words" all over the house. The next day Josiah was so excited he said, "Daddy, I woke up and I saw helper words scattered all over the house!" Micah wants to be right in on everything too, albeit some facts get a bit misconstrued. The other day I was quizzing the boys about Egypt. I said, What is the name of the river that runs through Egypt? Micah replied, "The Nile Delta!"

Matt started building a fort for the boys made from some of the old logs we still had lying in the wood. I must admit, it looks pretty cool so far. We actually did some school out there today.

Well, I think I'm ready to try to head back to bed. Please forgive my late night ramblings.

I guess I have made up for posting twice in one week by not posting for two weeks. Hello my friends, I've missed you. Life is life and so no time to get to blogging. In fact, you will probably find my blogs of late to be more photo albums. It takes less time to post a picture than to come up with something clever and engaging about which to write. So enjoy these photos of our adobe brick making adventure.

We headed out in our woods and down to the creek to collect sand and clay for our adobe mixer. It was quite a job pushing the wagon back up the hill once it had two 5 gallon buckets half full of heavy clay and sand. We used an old inflatable swimming pool as a place to mix our adobe. We added sand and straw to our wet clay mixture and then stomped/mixed it all with our bare feet. This was great fun for the boys. But wow, what a work out for Mommy's legs! We talked about all the work the Descendants of Noah had to do to make enough adobe to build a Ziggurat. BTW, it is believed that the Ancient Egyptians built their homes and Villas of adobe and then just white washed the walls. As we have studied early civilizations the last few weeks. I have been amazed at how advanced they really were. Who knows though, they were not too far removed from Adam and Eve so perhaps they used more of their brains and had better genetics then we do today.

Last week Matt and I celebrated our 7th anniversary. I will spare you all the personal squishies, but I will say I am one blessed woman to have found such a wonderful man. I never dreamed how great a relationship with another person could be. Now don't get me wrong, our relationship did not just magically happen, but all the effort we have put in to making a good relationship has been well worth it. Of course our primary focus and goal is to have a closer relationship with Jesus, as a family and as individuals, and that only serves to draw us closer to each other. I have so enjoyed seeing your wedding photos on your anniversaries, but I don't have a scanner here at home. Perhaps, I can beg a scan off a friend and post wedding photos later.

Well, I've got two boys waiting to make Egyptian style bread, so I should close. Pray for me. :)

Pictures

Just a note: I did respond to a few comments on the previous post, so please feel free to keep the flow of that conversation going. (Jody, I have a question for you there.)

We went over to the Mill today to see Daddy while he was on break.
The boys with a few big Ash Logs. (I know we're weird, but we think trees are cool)

Here are the boys painting the Ziggurat. You can tell their getting ready to dance.
Here is the finished Ziggurat. (Well, we haven't installed the disco globe yet.)

disclaimer: It is NEVER safe to climb on a log pile. The boys know this and understand that they only climb on logs when we give them permission, and are present. Log piles can be very dangerous due to the logs rolling and people being pinned, crushed or trapped beneath them.