Nine years ago this coming February Sean and I had started praying about our future. We were praying about ministry and where He was leading us and buying a home. One night the Lord gave me a picture of what our future home would look like. It was a white country farm house with a big back yard and had a clothes line in the yard. For the last 8 months I have been looking online and driving by homes in the community. Trying to find the home we wanted to make ours. We have been praying He would lead us to the home.
Last month we walked unto the property of a potential home. As we walked around the home to the back yard we were taken away by the large back yard (1/2 an acre) and there in the yard stood a clothes line! The first time we had found a home with a clothes line already installed.
God's promises are yes and amen! He never backs out of those promises! It's always in HIS timing that those promises are fulfilled. Well on Friday we will be closing and will be handed the keys to our home, our promised land. It will be a promised fulfilled! God is amazing! He blows my mind at how much He loves us and how much He wants to bless us!
Sep 30, 2013
Sep 29, 2013
My Response to a Negative Comment
Recently I had someone comment on a post during the summer. I did not publish the comment because honestly it was so negative, judgmental and bias that I didn't want to give this person who didn't even have the guts to sign their real name, a soap box on MY blog! But after thinking about it a few weeks I have decided to address this person's negativity.
Here is this person's comments, "I am a SUCCESSFUL Manager of a large store in a nationwide retail chain. . Cut to the chase -- young people who (like your kids) are bright, engaging and who learn quickly, who have been home-schooled, usually do VERY POORLY in entry level positions in companies of all kinds. They have not been socialized in the NO-HOLDS-BARRED competitiveness, the nasty bullying, as well as the ugliness, hatred and sheer rank stupidity of public schools. . You are doing your kids a terrible disservice by home-schooling them. PUT THEM BACK IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS IMMEDIATELY! . Your kids will get "eaten alive" in the real world! Loving them is NOT coddling & pampering them!"
First off, what right do you have to judge all home schooled kids based on what you have seen or experienced? Have you not met a public schooled kid that has the same issues. My children are very social! They are not sheltered what so ever and they have experienced enough bullying in the public school system to last them a life time. My children do live in the real world! BTW can you explain to us why colleges are actually seeking out home school students?
My husband works with troubled teens who have ALL attended the public school system, and most of them have truancy issues as well as behavioral issues. How is the public school system teaching those kids social skills? Apparently not so well in my book.
Why would any parent willingly submit their kids to the "the nasty bullying, ugliness, hatred and sheer rank stupidity of public schools?" Do I believe all public school systems are as you describe, "NO!" In fact, the public schools our children have attended have been good schools, but over sized classes and student to teacher ratios have not been so great.
It is up to every family to decide what is best for their children. For us we have chosen to remove them from public school and home school them. Do we feel that we are hurting them socially? NO! Do we feel they are not learning enough? NO! In fact they are learning more, they have one on one teaching, they are not being pushed to move on in subjects they are struggling with as they were in public school. In the last year, we have watched two of our children catch up and excel to the next grade level. Now you tell me that public school is better for them. I don't think you can!
We do not coddle or pamper our children! You sir have never met our children and honestly I am not sure I would ever want them to meet you. Our children are well rounded, social, intelligent children being taught by their parents, who I might add have college degrees.
Home schooling has been the best thing we have ever done for our children. They no longer have to fear going to school, fear of being bullied, beat up, have their lunch stolen from them (yes this happened to one of children when he was in 1st grade), or made to hate going to school. That sir is and was a dis-justice to our young children.
If people are going to comment on something I post, specially something that is negative, I would appreciate it if you would at least have the balls to sign your real name! Stop hiding behind a fictitious name! Oh and one last thing, you stress you are a "successful manager of a large store in a nationwide retail chain," if this is true then why not share what store and where you are from? Apparently you are fearful those above you may find out about your judgmental attitude and dismiss you!
For my faithful readers....as you can tell this person's comments have set me off so to speak. Thank you for reading and whether you agree or not with me or this person I would love to hear what you think.
Here is this person's comments, "I am a SUCCESSFUL Manager of a large store in a nationwide retail chain. . Cut to the chase -- young people who (like your kids) are bright, engaging and who learn quickly, who have been home-schooled, usually do VERY POORLY in entry level positions in companies of all kinds. They have not been socialized in the NO-HOLDS-BARRED competitiveness, the nasty bullying, as well as the ugliness, hatred and sheer rank stupidity of public schools. . You are doing your kids a terrible disservice by home-schooling them. PUT THEM BACK IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS IMMEDIATELY! . Your kids will get "eaten alive" in the real world! Loving them is NOT coddling & pampering them!"
First off, what right do you have to judge all home schooled kids based on what you have seen or experienced? Have you not met a public schooled kid that has the same issues. My children are very social! They are not sheltered what so ever and they have experienced enough bullying in the public school system to last them a life time. My children do live in the real world! BTW can you explain to us why colleges are actually seeking out home school students?
My husband works with troubled teens who have ALL attended the public school system, and most of them have truancy issues as well as behavioral issues. How is the public school system teaching those kids social skills? Apparently not so well in my book.
Why would any parent willingly submit their kids to the "the nasty bullying, ugliness, hatred and sheer rank stupidity of public schools?" Do I believe all public school systems are as you describe, "NO!" In fact, the public schools our children have attended have been good schools, but over sized classes and student to teacher ratios have not been so great.
It is up to every family to decide what is best for their children. For us we have chosen to remove them from public school and home school them. Do we feel that we are hurting them socially? NO! Do we feel they are not learning enough? NO! In fact they are learning more, they have one on one teaching, they are not being pushed to move on in subjects they are struggling with as they were in public school. In the last year, we have watched two of our children catch up and excel to the next grade level. Now you tell me that public school is better for them. I don't think you can!
We do not coddle or pamper our children! You sir have never met our children and honestly I am not sure I would ever want them to meet you. Our children are well rounded, social, intelligent children being taught by their parents, who I might add have college degrees.
Home schooling has been the best thing we have ever done for our children. They no longer have to fear going to school, fear of being bullied, beat up, have their lunch stolen from them (yes this happened to one of children when he was in 1st grade), or made to hate going to school. That sir is and was a dis-justice to our young children.
If people are going to comment on something I post, specially something that is negative, I would appreciate it if you would at least have the balls to sign your real name! Stop hiding behind a fictitious name! Oh and one last thing, you stress you are a "successful manager of a large store in a nationwide retail chain," if this is true then why not share what store and where you are from? Apparently you are fearful those above you may find out about your judgmental attitude and dismiss you!
For my faithful readers....as you can tell this person's comments have set me off so to speak. Thank you for reading and whether you agree or not with me or this person I would love to hear what you think.
Sep 27, 2013
Is This a Dream?
Ever feel like you are living in a dream? Well that is what it feels like for us right now. We were told we got the house contingent on a few repairs that had to be made. Painting of chipped and peeling paint. So we are now waiting on the repair guys to fix everything. Once that is done we should hear when our closing date will be. Praying it is soon, living out of boxes is really no fun. Our dream home....
Sep 9, 2013
Great Things are Happening
Yep great things are happening around here. October will be a month of many changes, or so it seems. During the summer we started talking about buying a home. Thought we would go look into being
pre-qualified for a loan and we did. So we started to really start looking for a home and found one. We put an offer in and the seller accepted it. So now we are waiting for the appraisal and title to get done, and the loan to be processed. In the mean time we are PRAYING and PRAYING HARD that everything goes through without a single issue. We LOVE this home and the area. But with everything it is totally in God's hands and if something should not go through and we don't get the home then we know God has another plan. As much as it will hurt and the disappointment great we have to trust God and His plan for us.
Another great adventure will take place in Oct. is that we will be taking over the children's ministries at our church. The last year has been a year of fun and excitement with the Jr High Youth. We love this group of kids!!! When our pastors asked us if we would consider being the directors of the children's ministry and we said we would serve where ever they felt we would be best used. So in Oct we take over. So much to think about and prepare. Thankfully we are in a supportive church that has come behind us and started doing a lot of the work. They have a group of men building us a puppet stage, the pastors have another group decorating the Sunday school rooms as well as the children's church area and we are working on coming up with the lessons, games and activities.
Shew all that and we are in the midst of home school. A few weeks ago we headed to my parents summer home where the kids got lessons in sewing and wood working. They sewed pillows and made a wonder wooden chair. It really wasn't about the learning as much as it was about making memories with their grandparents. The kids did learn a lot and had a great time. I am just thankful for parents that support us and took the time to work with the kids. :)
Aug 21, 2013
His Grace Academy In Full Session
What is His Grace Academy you ask?! Well that is the name of our school. For it is by His grace that we were saved and by His grace that we are home schooling our children. I need His grace and mercy daily as well as His strength and guidance as we walk this road. This will be our third year home schooling Jaron. This year he is in 8th grade. My goodness time really needs to slow down! It is the 2nd year of home schooling the other three diaperheads. So far we are doing great! They are focused and ready to go. Now give us a few weeks or months and I may be dealing with other issues. But so far things are great.
We are doing things a bit different than last year. Last year I tried to get every subject in for each kid and I was so stressed and exhausted that the kids even were starting to hate school. Which is NOT what I want for them at all. So this year we have gone to what I could call block scheduling and breaking up what we do through the week so we can spend more time on each of the subjects. SO far it is working and they are enjoying it. Although it is the toughest on Kris. Part of his personality and goes with autism is the need for a set schedule daily. Well our days are mixed up and so he is a bit concerned but we stress to him that life has lots of twists and turns and you can't always live by a rigid schedule. So he is learning to bend a bit more. It's tough but once he figures out our schedule he will learn we do have one it's just different than last year.
So here is to a new school year! Good luck!
We are doing things a bit different than last year. Last year I tried to get every subject in for each kid and I was so stressed and exhausted that the kids even were starting to hate school. Which is NOT what I want for them at all. So this year we have gone to what I could call block scheduling and breaking up what we do through the week so we can spend more time on each of the subjects. SO far it is working and they are enjoying it. Although it is the toughest on Kris. Part of his personality and goes with autism is the need for a set schedule daily. Well our days are mixed up and so he is a bit concerned but we stress to him that life has lots of twists and turns and you can't always live by a rigid schedule. So he is learning to bend a bit more. It's tough but once he figures out our schedule he will learn we do have one it's just different than last year.
So here is to a new school year! Good luck!
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| We have 8th, 6th and 4th graders this year! Oh and two little mascots - my parents dogs Reggie and Peggy. Well when we are with them at their home. |
Aug 16, 2013
Changes
Right now our family is going through a lot of stressful changes. Not only are we in the process of finding a house to buy but we also have the maintence of the home we are renting (have to finish painting) on top of home schooling (Monday is our first official day) and then there is youth ministry and just daily life. I am tired just thinking about it and I haven't even started school stuff with the kids yet. This whole house hunting thing is really over whelming. We have dreamed of owning our own home since before we got married. We have been praying about it for over a year and finally decided to just take a leap and see if we could qualify for a loan. Well we have qualified for a USDA Rural Housing Loan. It is primarily for low income families and we fit that category right now. Anyway, so we got pre-approval because I do not want to find a house and then be told sorry you can't get a loan and not only crush our own hopes but the hopes of the seller.
So we have started looking for homes and it has not gone all that well. In fact I have been looking for 8 months via the internet, newspapers, realty books. I have found many I like but when we drive by them they look terrible or we get info from the selling realty and find out they have leaking roofs, plumbing issues, mold or other major repairs that need to be done. To say discouraged is an understatement. BUT GOD!
I truly believe God is going to guide us to the right home for our family. I have no doubt about that. I just need to be patient....there's that word again! Geez I really do not like that word but I do trust that God is in the back ground working all things for good according to His plan for our family. It still isn't easy but I am praying we will be in our new home by Christmas. That would be great!
So we have started looking for homes and it has not gone all that well. In fact I have been looking for 8 months via the internet, newspapers, realty books. I have found many I like but when we drive by them they look terrible or we get info from the selling realty and find out they have leaking roofs, plumbing issues, mold or other major repairs that need to be done. To say discouraged is an understatement. BUT GOD!
I truly believe God is going to guide us to the right home for our family. I have no doubt about that. I just need to be patient....there's that word again! Geez I really do not like that word but I do trust that God is in the back ground working all things for good according to His plan for our family. It still isn't easy but I am praying we will be in our new home by Christmas. That would be great!
Aug 5, 2013
Summer
Summer is coming to an end. In just two weeks we will start our third year of home schooling. Not sure where the summer went but it definitely has been a strange one. Weather has been unusually cool and full of rain. My parents who generally have stayed two weeks out of the summer is staying for four months this year and we all love being able to see them every week. Their summer home is about an hour away in the eastern mountains of KY. It is beautiful, quiet and relaxing there.
Curriculum is bought, scheduling has begun and activities planned. The boys will be taking a few classes of wood working and power tool lessons from their grandfather and Sara will be working with grandma on sewing a quilt. All of them are excited! Memories and school lessons all tied in together. LOVE IT!
This summer the kids have been excited to watch our veggie and sunflower garden thrive and grow beyond what we expected. We have been able to bless our neighbors and friends with zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, banana peppers and cucumbers. We also have enjoyed green beans ourselves.
The most exciting part for me, besides the fresh, pesticide free, organic veggies has been seeing all of the different birds enjoying our variety of sunflowers. I had no idea we would have so many different colors of flowers. Just beautiful!
Curriculum is bought, scheduling has begun and activities planned. The boys will be taking a few classes of wood working and power tool lessons from their grandfather and Sara will be working with grandma on sewing a quilt. All of them are excited! Memories and school lessons all tied in together. LOVE IT!
This summer the kids have been excited to watch our veggie and sunflower garden thrive and grow beyond what we expected. We have been able to bless our neighbors and friends with zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, banana peppers and cucumbers. We also have enjoyed green beans ourselves.
The most exciting part for me, besides the fresh, pesticide free, organic veggies has been seeing all of the different birds enjoying our variety of sunflowers. I had no idea we would have so many different colors of flowers. Just beautiful!
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| Male Golden Finch |
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| Beautiful male cardinal |
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| Female Golden Finch |
Jun 11, 2013
Horses and the Creek
Last week we had the adventure of a life time according to Sara. Why? Well it all boils down to friends and horse riding. One of the dear families in our church have a wonderful country home that sits near a small creek bed. My friend Marty and her children, Lucy and Jay as well as our gang were invited out to the farm. The kids had a WONDERFUL time exploring the creek where they found crawdads (crawfish) and greater sirens (mud puppies) and a salamander too. After the adventure in the creek bed we stopped to have lunch. While Marty, Christie and I ate lunch and talked the kids went out to play. Kris and Jaron came running back in saying they saw a snake. That really got our attention!!! I HATE snakes. Knowing the area has had copper heads really scared me. But it turned out to be a black corn snake. Thank goodness for that!
So after lunch we headed to the barn where the horses were. Sara was so excited. Christie taught the kids how to groom the horses, talked about the care and feeding of them and gave them a great lesson! The best part was getting to ride the horses. The kids LOVED it. All but Jaron got on. Not sure why he didn't want to ride but the others love it! Warning...it's always hard for me to decide which pictures to post! :)
So after lunch we headed to the barn where the horses were. Sara was so excited. Christie taught the kids how to groom the horses, talked about the care and feeding of them and gave them a great lesson! The best part was getting to ride the horses. The kids LOVED it. All but Jaron got on. Not sure why he didn't want to ride but the others love it! Warning...it's always hard for me to decide which pictures to post! :)
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| Kris was so nervous but Ruby was great with him. It was if she knew that Kris is autistic. |
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| Kris learning to clean the hooves. |
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| Sara never stopped smiling. |
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| My friend and sister Marty |
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| Goodness, I was a hot mess. It was a hot day! |
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