Our time is getting short in our European Adventure!  We will miss time with our heart friends.  Kindred Spirits who spur us on to be our best, remind us of who we are in Christ, encourage us and lift us up. We will miss times of walking together and talking about life.  We will miss sharing good meals and conversation.  We will see our time here as a tremendous gift given to us by God to help us grow in Him.  We will forever be Thankful to God, heart friends, kindred spirits, encourager's and friends that have become family.

In a Matter of Minutes

*  Boy removes training wheels  *

*  Dad stabilizes  *

*  A few trial runs  *

*  A few lessons in gravity  *

*  Jacket off, Means business  *

*  A pro, in a matter of Minutes  *

Isabel

85% of My Time

The day after Christmas we visited to local dog shelter to get a feel for how our family would respond to having a pet.  After spending time with a different pup than pictured above, we spent time with this sweet little girl, Isabel.  I think my husband fell in love with her from the first paw shake.  After much (or just staring at each other) debate, she came home with us.  Talk about impulse.  The kids love her, as do I, kind of.  She is actually a really good girl.  She now only jumps on the bed when my husbands alarm goes off.  This negates the need for a snooze button, pro!  She sleeps about 85% of the day, the other is spent chasing the kids around hence the need for sleep.  She is so gentle when the kids want to love on her. She is already mostly trained!  Potty, check, sit, check, stay, check, down, check, off (esp. my bed) mucho defiance.  I like that she keeps my feet warm under the table!  I am not sure but I think we all have fallen in love.

Back in the Swing of Things...

All around the table

Working on our letter recognition

This one thought it was funny to make silly words

Starting the day right

 After a long break, we are getting back into the swing of things.  Our break was so nice.  It felt great to just relax at home, spending quality time with the family.  Of course our families back home were missed, but we truly enjoyed time with our family away from family.  Mondays are usually more difficult but this last Monday went quite smooth.  Now on Thursday, things are moving quite nicely.  I am trying to get the twins used to doing something at the table with us.  Boggle Jr. has been a great addition and has made me realize that they know more than I give them credit for.  We have had so much to be Thankful for. I am looking forward to the growth our family will go through in 2012. God has blessed our family!  Happy new yeaR!
~Brandy

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.  

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.

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

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

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

Word

plu·per·fect   /pluˈpɜrfɪkt/

[ploo-pur-fikt]

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

We're Peelin' an Egg

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

More to come!!!

Witty

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



- Gail Godwin

And Everything Nice!

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