Gratitude

More things to be thankful for:

12. Three year old enjoying playing with dolls and making up a story as she goes along.
13. Six year old who cleaned the van.
14. Eight year old who mowed most of the front yard.
15. Window air conditioners.
16. Good books to read.
17. Grocery specials that are honored at competitor's stores.
18. Cold water
19. Mechanical pencils.
20. Encouragement from other moms in the trenches.
21. Prayer for loved ones.
22. Bills to pay.
23. This song: Blessing by Laura Story.

Gratitude List

There is so much to be thankful for that I often take for granted. This is just a little place for me to write down what I am thankful for and a place to refer to when I need to be reminded of gratitude.

1. My Savior, Jesus Christ
2. My family, immediate and extended
3. Sunshine on a cold day.
4. My sweetheart who I kiss before he leaves for work so that he will be extra safe!
5. Autumn in Iowa.

Photo from WeatherUnderground

6. Falling leaves that need to be raked (unless wind blows them to the next county).
7. Snow that reminds me that though my sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow (Isaiah 1:18)
8. Laughter of little baby girl (Abigail, this time).
9. Talkative 3-year old girl sharing her cookie.
10. Brothers building with Legos together.
11. Lovable mutt name Hallelujah.

A Thermometer or A Thermostat

This past weekend was the state homeschooling conference. It was an enjoyable couple of days to hear various speakers and to be reminded of a few things.

One question I need to ask myself: Am I a thermostat or a thermometer?

What is the difference? A thermometer reacts to the surrounding temperature. It tells you how hot or cold it is. This is very handy for determining how heavy of a coat to wear, etc.

A thermostat influences the surrounding temperature. It takes a "read" of the temperature and compares it to what is set for comfort. Then it will tell the heating or cooling appliance if it needs to turn on or off.

How does this relate to me as a wife and mother? I have the opportunity to react to those around me or to influence those around me. Do I escalate in frustration when the milk is spilled or do I humbly serve and help clean up? The atmosphere of our home should reflect the love of Christ and as the wife and mother of our family, I must ask myself if I reflect that love. Am I being reactionary or influencing?

Blessings,

Congratulations!

We have a few young ladies at church who are graduating and DD#1 wanted to make some cards. The first card has a coloring picture of a little pony which DD colored awhile back and now decided to make into a card. I sponged the edges with various shades of pink (including but not limited to Positively Pink and Pink Passion).

On the second card has hearts (from All Occasions? a retired SU stamp set) stamped all over in Positively Pink - front and back. Then the graduation had (from the same set) in Pink Passion. The sentiment area is from the Be Happy stamp set (also retired) in Pink Passion ink. I wrote the Congrats for DD.
The third card is one I made since DD was having so much fun. The ribbon was in my "stuff" and the paper is from a paper stack. I used the same graduation hat stamp as DD and mounted it on an oval and scalloped oval (using SU punches Oval and Scalloped Oval). Night of Navy ink for the hat.


The last card is an anniversary card with the same color combination as the above graduation card. I used the Heart stamp (Night of Navy Ink) from All Occasions and the flower stamp (Pink Passion Ink) from Be Happy (both retired SU). A button and Offray ribbon from my crafting stash.

Thanks for looking and please forgive my poor photos -- I'm still earning how to photograph cards.

Apologia Elementary Science

Apologia is now producing notebooking journals that accompany each of the elementary science books. Both Botany and Astronomy are now available.

Click on the graphic to see the Elementary Science Books by Jeanne Fulbright.

The journals correspond with the science curriculum and are beautiful spiral bound notebooks that will save you time and money. You won't have to print and keep up with your child's notebook pages, buy and maintain page protectors, or purchase and compile binders...everything that makes notebooking time-consuming and labor intensive for mom. Also, your child will adore having their own notebooking journal.

Each of the notebooking journals include:

• A daily schedule for those who like to have a plan or would like their children to complete the book on their own
• Templates for written narrations, the notebooking activities and experiments
• Review Questions
• Scripture Copywork, with both print and cursive practice
• Reading lists and additional activities, projects, experiments for each lesson
• An appendix with beautiful, full-color, lapbook-style Miniature Books
• Field Trip Sheets to keep a record field trips
• A Final Review with fifty questions the students can answer either orally or in writing to show off all they remember and know at the end of the course.

The sample pages for the Botany and Astronomy journaling notebooks are here (click on the words sample pages):

Botany

and

Astronomy

Jeannie is giving away four Astronomy Notebooking Journals and four Botany Notebooking Journals to bloggers who post about this on their site. Visit her blog to learn more about this contest: Click Here

Self Portrait

I was downloading photos from our camera a week or so ago and found some interesting photos of a little girl. It seems that she was using the camera to take some self portraits. She had messed with the settings so the photos were really small and not very high quality (notice the smaller photos in the layout), but there were so fun to see. My favorite is the last one on the right. I had to make a page for our budding photographer.

Credits:
Ecliptic by Christy Sturm of NDISB
Fonts: Rockwell Bold and Cursive Tryout.

Thanks for looking!

Boys with Grandpa

We were able to go to the Ledges with Grandma and Grandpa last week. And so we took a photo overlooking the Des Moines River. This is an outcropping of rock....long way down to the bottom.

Some History Narrations

Our Island Story by HE Marshall

Chapter 20 Canute and the Waves

Canute (Danish King) ruled England after Edmund Ironside died. His nobles would flatter him with much praises. One day he taught the nobles a lesson about their excessive flattery after they had said that all nations would obey him if only Canute said to. He put a chair on the beach when it was low tide. As the tide came in, Canute told the waves, "Go back. I am your master and I command you not to flow over my land." Of course the waves did not obey and the nobles were shown how foolish they really were. Canute told the nobles, "To God alone belongs such power".


Chapter 21 Edward the Confessor

Edward the Confessor was the son of King Ethelred the Unready. Edward fled to Normandy/France with his family when he was a boy and like the Normans better than the English. He became king through the advice of Godwin, Earl of Wessex.

Edward's Norman friends came and visited England and were haughty and rude to the English. Edward sided with his Norman friends when confronted by Godwin, Earl of Wessex. Edward was so angry that he banished Godwin and his sons. Edward then brought more people from France to England and gave many of the nobles places at court. His cousin William of Normandy (The Duke of Normandy) also came for a visit and made Edward promise that he should be the next king. Edward, of course, had no right to do that.

The people longed for Godwin to return -- and he did.

Proverbs 3 at Wordle.net

I came across this website: Wordle



Click on the image to see it larger!

I copied the text from the NKJV of Proverbs 3:

My son, do not forget my law,

But let your heart keep my commands;
2 For length of days and long life
And peace they will add to you.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
4 And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct^[a] your paths.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and depart from evil.
8 It will be health to your flesh,^[b]
And strength^[c] to your bones.
9 Honor the LORD with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD,
Nor detest His correction;
12 For whom the LORD loves He corrects,
Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding;
14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,
And her gain than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies,
And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
16 Length of days is in her right hand,
In her left hand riches and honor.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who retain her.
19 The LORD by wisdom founded the earth;
By understanding He established the heavens;
20 By His knowledge the depths were broken up,
And clouds drop down the dew.
21 My son, let them not depart from your eyes—
Keep sound wisdom and discretion;
22 So they will be life to your soul
And grace to your neck.
23 Then you will walk safely in your way,
And your foot will not stumble.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.
25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror,
Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;
26 For the LORD will be your confidence,
And will keep your foot from being caught.
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in the power of your hand to do so.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,

“ Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it,”
When you have it with you.
29 Do not devise evil against your neighbor,
For he dwells by you for safety’s sake.
30 Do not strive with a man without cause,
If he has done you no harm.
31 Do not envy the oppressor,
And choose none of his ways;
32 For the perverse person is an abomination to the LORD,
But His secret counsel is with the upright.
33 The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked,
But He blesses the home of the just.
34 Surely He scorns the scornful,
But gives grace to the humble.
35 The wise shall inherit glory,
But shame shall be the legacy of fools.

From Biblegateway.

Finalist For Photo Contest

Yes, the photo of my peanut-butter loving little guy is one of 20 finalists in the Prego Fun with Food Contest at 5 Minutes for Mom.

You can vote for us at this post HERE. Be sure to scroll down past all the photos to see the voting options. By the way, he is #12.

The Top prize is $500 gift card for a grocery store in your area. What a blessing that would be!!

Make A Snowflake

I came across this fun website. Making a snowflake that even rotates 2D or 3D.

Snowflakes

Thanks for looking!

How Edmund Ironside Fought For the Crown

Our Island Story by HE Marshall.

Chapter 19

DS#2 narration: King Edmund desired peace for his country. One day he sent a messenger to Canute (King of the Danes) saying "How about the two kings fight each other and who ever wins will be come king?"

Canute agreed. The two kings fought with spears on their horses then jumped off and fought with their swords fiercely. Edmund was taller and Canute was being beaten. Canute said, "Stop. Why can't we rule together?"

DS #1 narration: The kingdom was divided. King Edmund Ironside ruled the south part and King Canute ruled the north part. There was peace for a short time because Edmund only reigned for seven months (he died). During his short reign, he did more for England than his father Ethelred (who was cowardly and weak) did in several years.

For the love of....

PEANUT BUTTER!!!!
This is DS #3 showing how much he loves peanut butter and what he might look like with a beard.

Credits: Christy Sturm's Etheral Scrapkit at Butternug Squash Designs. Chalked edge by Helen O'Daniel. Font: Symphony.

Here is the main photo before cropping and scrapping it.

5 Minutes for Mom

I came across this website today -- 5 Minutes for Mom. Besides the great reads, there are a number of giveaways that you can sign up for.



My favorite (for now) is this giveaway - An Epson Artisan 800 Printer. But there are so many more...

Sense & Sensibility Patterns

Have you seen the patterns at this website?? I ordered two patterns (the Regency Gown and the Edwardian Apron) a couple of years ago. I even bought the fabric for both, but have not made either yet. Babies & homeschooling have taken a higher priority to my sewing, as of late.

Mrs. Jennie Chancey of Sense and Sensibility is now offering ePATTERNS.

Instant access to the patterns - no waiting for the mailman to deliver. And there are so many to choose from and the price is reduced as well. The savings from the pattern not needing to be shipped are passed along!!!

So go take a look!!

Recent Photos

Two Recent Photos:


I took this photo of DS#3 on a walk to the stopping trains (aka Boone Valley and Scenic Railroad).

Credits: Through the Rain by Christiana Sturmaggio at Sophia Sarducci. Metal button by Christy Sturm (Our Summer Home).

Font: Arial

This photos of DD#1 was also taken on the same walk.

Credits: Autumn Blessings by Kimberly Stewart of 3Scrapateers.

Fonts: Gigi and Arial

Blessings.

Kate Shelley Museum

Field Trip Day!!!!

We went to the Kate Shelley Museum in Moingona. It was a beautiful fall day so we all enjoyed some outside time hiking what used to be the railroad trail as well as a picnic at the park.

First, a few picture books that we read a couple of years ago about Kate Shelley:

Kate Shelley: Bound for Legend

Kate Shelley and the Midnight ExpressYou can also read about Kate Shelley at Wiki.

A few interesting facts that we did not know before the field trip. Moingona had a population of about 1,000 to 1,500 in 1880's. There are currently about 75 people that live in this little "village". Also, the railroad followed the lay of the land. Between Boone and Moingona there were around 33 bridges (mostly made of rocks to cross all the creeks, etc.), and between Moingona and Ogden there were 55 bridges. So for a distance of about 15 - 20 miles (railroad was not in a straight line), there were 88 bridges that had to be maintained.

DS#3 interesting fact to remember was that Ms. Shelley crawled over the Des Moines River Bridge with one hand on the rail and the other hand pulling her along. Her lantern had broken and she could only see by the lightening flashes. There were also spikes on the ties to discourage people from crossing the railroad bridge.

She was a very brave young woman. The bridge that she crawled over was burned in the late 1890's and replaced. When the Kate Shelley High Memoral Bridge was built in the 1920's, the railroad no longer regularly came through Moingona.

In the 1930's, the bridge over the Des Moines River where Kate Shelley crossed over, was removed. Today, you can see the embankment and the pilings. The railroad tracks are gone and there is now a path to the river where the tracks were.

We also saw a depot (the original one burnt down due to arson in the late 1800s or 1900s -- the station agent was trying to cover up his embezzlement of $3.50) with the passengar waiting room, the ticket office and the baggage area. The depot that is in Moingona was originally in Beaver, IA. The baggage room had various railroad artifacts as well as a minature steam engine.

A very fun and informative field trip!

Our Island Story by HE Marshall, Chapter 13

The Founding of the Round Table.

Why a round table? DS#1 - There was not a high or low end.

Mom's narration: The knights had been fighting for the best seats as a regular table. The seats at the top of the table were considered for the more honorable and the seats at the bottom of the table were the less honorable. King Arthur was saddened by the fighting of his knights and thought how can my kingdom have peace when my knights were fighting about where to sit. Merlin suggested a round table where there was not a top or bottom.

A Great Video for This Day

Happy Anniversary

To My Parents!!
.
Credits: Harvest Moon by Christy Sturm of Butternug Squash Designs and NDISB.