Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Our New Little Friend

Meet Azul!
     

    He is the newest member of our family.  Our new pet, the only one I think we can handle at this point.  The kids are super excited to have him.  He will be the first pet the twins will remember having.  He is handsome.  We have some learning to do about how to take care of him.  So ,of course, we will call him Science.  He is turning out to be so helpful already.  

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Lead by Example


Usually when my youngest goes missing or is abnormally quiet, fear sets in.  Fear that she has redecorated a room, created an interesting mural or is rewriting a classic book. But to my surprise this morning when my Little M radar went off, this is what I found.


She was reading The Long Winter from the Little House Series to her baby dolls.


And discussing the book with her brother.  It was a reminder of how our examples as mothers are so important.  She was showing love to her lovies by spending time with them, sharing a great story.
Let us remember today, to lead by example in love!  Let us say yes to the teachable moments.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

We are a Work of Art.

As a Christian, nothing is done to or happens to us without first being filtered by God.
These moments are used to mold us, sand down the rough edges and create a beautiful work of art.
How would we know beauty if we don't have a clue as what is ugly.  Everything is strategic for the growing and refining of our hearts to be set apart from the world.


~And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.  ~1 Peter 5:10

Thursday, August 4, 2011

I am Blessed!

I am so very Blessed.
My husband wants nothing more than to spend time with me. 
He doesn't complain that I don't get my hands dirty when he is in the garden.  (Wasps and dirt, not my thing)  He thanks me for spending time with him.
He makes coffee for me even though he has given up the most cozy drink ever.
He eats every meal I make no matter how badly it is blackened (my fancy word for burned).
He and I never have nothing to talk about.  Our days are filled with conversation.
I love that he, like I, feels lost if our little people are not with us.  We cherish our quiet time together but love the little people tucked away in bed for the night while we talk the night away.
I love that he can find humor in my "I was not meaning to be funny, that was a totally serious question!" moments.
I am blessed that he hurries home each night caused he missed me.
I love that he is interested to find out all about what ever new thing I am learning.  Be it photography, homeschooling, or frugal and natural homemaking.
I am loving growing with him! 
Growing as a Christian, as a parent and as a student of life.
When I really take the time to look at all I have been blessed with (and this is a small part of the vastness) I can see that I have so much to be joyful for.  He has been given to me and my children.  He is an amazing gift. 


My prayer tonight ~ Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.  Psalms 51:12

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Heavy on My Heart!

I have friend.  I wish I could wrap my arms around her.  She is beautiful, wonderful, encouraging and a great blessing in my life.  While I cannot share the details of her needs, I will ask that you help me cover her with prayer.  Angelina, you are in my prayers and I love you!

It has been awhile Old Friend!

This blog and I have not always seen eye to eye!  I love writing out my thoughts, prayers and ponderings, but time, priorities and sleep have taken hold of me.  It has been way to long! 

So what's new!

In our homeschooling world, we have finished our first term with Charlotte Mason, taken and small hiatus and begun our second term.  Our oldest is still loving this different approach and the twins love to cuddle with a good story and "do school". 

Our home life has been altered a bit.  My 17 year old stepson has moved in and is so excited to be doing his last years of High School in Spain.  While this is a wonderful change, it is still change.  I am the most resistant to change, only because I like control.  This is growing process for us all because I know in my head I am not in control but now I need my heart to follow suit.  He is a great kid.  He has hopes of doing things he didn't in years before and it is fun to see him excited!  The little people are all fascinated with him and love having a big brother.

My mother in law came to visit a few weeks ago.  It was nice to show family where we live, how different and wonderful living abroad is.  I am excited to do it all again when my parents come out.  I am not counting down the days or anything!

We have a couple things our family is prayer for, we just ask for your prayer in choices that have presented themselves in quite a few places and people. 

We are truly blessed to be right where God has us.  Hugs and love to family and friends!

Brandy

Friday, May 6, 2011

Word

plu·per·fect   /pluˈpɜrfɪkt/

[ploo-pur-fikt]

-adjective
 
more than perfect.  He spoke the language with pluperfect precision.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

We're Peelin' an Egg





First Science project.  It is going to take a few days so stay tuned...
More to come!!!

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Witty

"Good teaching is one-forth preparation and three-fourths theater."



- Gail Godwin

Monday, May 2, 2011

I have been on a long journey to find some system that worked for my 30 year old skin. I have always dealt with super red/dry skin that is usually painful after washing with conventional soap. I have always been interested in what others are doing and years ago a lot of friends were using the Mary Kay cleansing system. I thought I would give it a try. For me it was worse than the soap I was using. After only a couple of washes, I had a painful reaction to the cleanser. I have nothing against Mary Kay, in fact I love their mascara and lip protector. The skin care line is just not for my skin.



A few months ago I found a cleanser with olive oil in it. It helped a little to reduce redness and worked well with the moisturizer I was using. Then it happened, being overseas I am at the mercy with what is on hand. They stopped carrying (at least when I needed more) the moisturizer I had been using. I purchased the same brand for sensitive skin but it had sunscreen in it. I have never reacted well to sunscreen on my face, kind of the same reaction as the face wash above. So out of necessity, I searched for a more natural way to cleanse my skin. I found a site with a recipe for a homemade face wash.

The oil cleansing method, < click there. I have had many blank stares and weird looks when I have told people about it. I have been using it for a week now and I love it. My redness has gone down and I have only worn make-up one day out of the week. I would have never left the house with out some make up on two weeks ago.



I am excited to try out other natural options. Shampoo, Conditioner and maybe even homemade soap.

Happy Hunting for those searching and major props to those who have a system that works.



~Brandy

Friday, April 29, 2011

First Sick Day

All week long, at least one of my children have ran a fever.  With the first, I took him in to the Dr. and it ended up being a virus that needed to run its course.  Tending to him with Motrin, hugs, movies, liquids and rest.  The it moved to my youngest.  She doesn't even act sick.  She has had many fevers having to deal with chronic ear infections over the years.  She has run a temp the longest, since Tuesday night Wednesday morning.  Which brings me to this morning, both girls are running a temp.  The differences are night and day.  My youngest with the highest temp, is sprightly and giggly.  Only flushed cheeks and mass body heat indicates that she is not feeling well.  Then there is my oldest, almost nine.  She has a low grade fever and thinks it is the end of the world.  This what this post is about, her first sick day since implementing a Charlotte Mason education.  Normally I would stress over how far we would be set back in our lesson plans.  Today, I feel such freedom in not having my ducks in a row (corresponding lessons for each subject) because it means we just pick up where we left off and since I have more fun reading (poems/riddles, riddles because I am having a hard time figuring out what the moral is) scheduled for today so we can move past them and pick up next week.  Ah, the beauty of short lessons, it doesn't have to be daunting to "catch up."  This educational switch has been such a blessing to my educational expectations, limitations and stress level.  This week has been a lesson in being Thankful even during the hard times.  We are thankful to go through this because we can see the value of health, as well as our want for dad (who happens to be out of town during this week of fevers) to be home and not forgetting it is all a gift. 

Happy Friday
~Brandy

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Saturday!

I know I should be doing something around the house like folding my laundry or some other service to my family but I am enjoying the sound of my kids playing nicely together. Even if right now is following a couple of melt downs and tiffs among them.  I'll take the joy of this moment knowing they can enjoy one another and the realization that they trust one another enough to show each emotion boldly.  I just had to share that in my struggle to find Joy (this has been boosted by a friends gift of a great read but has been my longing for a long time) I am reading three books at once.  Within a couple of days of each passage read, I have come across the same idea in all three.  My sight is tainted.  I am not seeing the world through the goggles of Grace, a necessity to find Joy.  What is Grace?  How do I show Grace, see Grace, embrace Grace?  Is it through Thankfulness you find both Joy and Grace?  I was Thankful for not over reacting and becoming angry when I dropped two separate food items down my sink.  I was Thankful not for dropping them but for not losing my mind.  My prayer today is that my reactions carry over to my kids, not losing my mind when they trust me enough to test me.  To bestow Grace on them through Joy!
~Brandy

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Word

Magnanimous ~ adj.  1.  Courageously noble in mind and heart. 
                                 2.  Generous in forgiving; eschewing (to avoid or shun) resentment or revenge;  unselfish.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Changes are on the Horizon!

We have been a homeschooling family for three years now.  To me, that seems like a long time, like I should know the best way of doing it.  Well, throw in changes in our goals, priorities, and morals.  Not to mention, changes in interest, the addition of interested preschoolers (as opposed to dis-interested, they were this a few months ago) and the ability to challenge minds in a way that benefits each child.  We are chucking our current curriculum, throwing caution to the wind and jumping right into a Charlotte Mason based education.  I have been researching alternatives for most of this school year, thinking I would use it next year.  Last week, I felt many things come together and God spoke to me.  I have my babes home with me.  I have the ability to change what is not working and I don't have to feel I am doing something wrong by not finishing the curriculum we started.  It wasn't working.  My husband and I are in love with the methods and theories of education and child-rearing that CM taught.  I feel this change in the entire family and our educational goals are going to lessen the stress and bring much more joy out of learning!  I am so excited to read through some of the classic novels suggested by other CM parents.  I don't remember having been exposed to them but want my children to find joy in them right along with Dad and I.  I am finding joy in where God has me now!  My family, the people he has placed as friends and mentors and the ability to love my blessings, his blessings!  My prayer is for continued Joy and for others to find a passion for the children, embracing their whole being and find JOY in the now!

~Brandy

Saturday, April 9, 2011

No More HFCS!!!


I made my own fruit spread.  This one is Strawberry.  I wouldn't call it a jam or jelly, as it has not set as firmly as I envisioned.  It may not be intended for a PB&J but on a slice of toast topped with a perfectly cooked egg, it is fantastico.  We are trying to move away from the high fructose corn syrup in our foods, so I am going to have to practice perfecting this.  Next, Apples!

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Thankful


Today I am Thankful for Quiet time.  A time when each of us can be alone with our God, our thoughts and regroup those things we hold dear!

~Brandy

Monday, March 21, 2011

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Super Moon


After my day yesterday, I needed to be reminded that no matter how small I feel He is always with me.

Not that yesterday was a bad day, I just felt pulled in many directions.  Pulled by my expectations, obligations, my concerns, and my children.

I love how simple a reminder of Love and Purpose can be, reminding me to set my mind on things above.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God."  Phillipians 4:6

~Brandy

Friday, March 18, 2011

Happy St. Patrick's Day


I think she found her pot of gold...Happy St. Patrick's Day, a day late!!!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Speak No Evil, See No Evil, Hear No Evil


"A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones." Proverbs 15:30

I am working on the temperature of my household.  I am on a mission to find Joy, to enjoy the blessings I have been given.  I am working on a 'Cheerful Look'.

I pray you find Joy with a Cheerful Disposition!

~Brandy

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Happy Valentine's Day


We got together with a few of our little friends for Valentine's Day.
There were lots of cupcakes and goodies to put on top!


Bag decorating


A game table
















Major color in my decoration options








Coloring Fun


Thumbs up (I think)


Again, Yummy Cupcakes!





Hanging out, enjoying good people!
And Ice Cream Sundaes!


Lots of Giggles.


Lots of Pictures!

Lots of "I Love Cupcakes" moments!


Valentine Exchange!
My little ones were so excited to share their cards!


Lots of cute little people playing by their own rules.


Sunday, February 6, 2011

Good Night Moon



The Moon and Stars are quite lovely this evening! Good night Moon!

Sunday, January 16, 2011

I am Determined!


This is my determined one.  She is full of Spunk.  Determined to have it her own way, will do just about anything for a laugh.  She is a wonderful comforter.  She is a lover, a great mommy to her dolls and in general lovely.  She is all these things on her own terms.  She is a beautiful force to be reckoned with.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Word!!!

This word has popped up a few times this week and it is speaking to me...

EDIFY...–verb (used with object), -fied, -fy·ing.


to instruct or benefit, esp. morally or spiritually; uplift: 
 
 "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." (Ephesians 4:29)


As I meditate on this verse and word, I realize how much kinder and how much easier it is to implement this with strangers.  My apologies to those close to me.  It is on my heart, it is my mission to keep this on the forefront of my mind.
 
I have been blessed and need to remember to praise those blessings. 
 
~Brandy

Thursday, January 13, 2011

My Super Hero


This one was my Hero today.  He hugged, gave smooches and played gently with his sisters. He held my hand when we went for a walk.  He took a break from being a rambunctious boy and melted my heart. 
What a blessing, God provided me with just the people and attitudes I needed today.  My heart is happy! 

How I Cope

How do I cope when things don't go my way?


I sort, I color code and I alphabetize!

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Opposites Attract


His pizza:  Spicy Italian Sausage, Pepperoni, Black Olive




Her Pizza:  Eggplant, Zucchini, Mushroom, Black Olive, Peppercini

We don't always see eye to eye (esp. on deliciousness) but we balance one another out.
I am glad He chose me to be His complEment.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Happy New Year!


It is a new year!  We are all jumping for joy at the new adventures, challenges, lessons and living that will be coming our way.  Happy New Year to your family.
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