Howdy New Year!!!

Hey I just thought I would let you know that I was thinking about all ya'll as the clock flips over.

Happy New Year!!

KjS

What more can I say...

Well what more can I say? I have only 15 minutes of Christmas Day left to say it so, "Unto us a Child has been born, He is my King!!"

Take a look at the blessings I have this Christmas... Two little girls who want me to make them a treehouse... a hot wife... a little girl who got her horse for Christmas and one little girl who got one front tooth...

We are wondering if the tooth fairy saw Santa and if she will increase the dibs since Lovebug was a pretty good kid this year.

Merry Christmas all ya'll!!!

I'll try to do New Year's update since I am off until January 5th...

Later Gators,
KjS

Christmas Memories

The days are flying bye. Hubbie has had a wonderful break from work.

Christmas with mom & dad was wonderful. We had a sweet early Christmas with Hubbie's mom & dad.

We laughed at mom's Wii and enjoyed making all the Miis. Golfing off the cliffs was my favorite. I enjoyed the scenery! The girls had a ball with bowling. Ladybug has a very entertaining swing hop. Baseball would be a next favorite with seeing all the Miis up for bat! We're encouraging Grandaddy to bat, but he's not biting.

We then had to go bowling.. real bowling. Santa hats for this occasion was a bonus. Playing two rounds was fun. I was ready to retire. Hubbie came in a solid first and Ladybug had a clear second.

A highlight was visiting with Aunt Patty & Uncle Donnie. We laughed at beauty treatments for a turkey neck!! Then we toured Facebook and found my cousin Julie! I think mom was nearly convinced to join... but time did not allow.

Uncle Eric & Hubbie both got and gave cool shirts... Read the Manual & My Lifeguard walk on water. The girls also enjoyed a good visit with their cousin. They played inside & outside & her Nintendo ds was a hit.

Grandaddy had a couple days off. He said his favorite gift was a scale!! His work at Wal-mart keeps him busy. He's driving mom's car since we took his to the shop. By God's grace in a collision a week ago he was not hurt when his driver door was hit and the glass flew.

Mom and I had a lovely visit. We had a shopping day that took us from the mall to the knitting store then the grocery. We could have enjoyed a long summer day because the short winter day came to a close way too quick. We both got a new J.A. Henckels knife that cuts really well!

Hubbie was my hero. As dinner approached after our late return, he was a huge help. He jumped right in to frying oysters and shrimp for a yummy meal with Aunt Karen & Nicole. He got plans to build a tree house and an axe too. He's also outfitted with many clothes.

I was thrilled hubbie gave me a wonderful classic Ipod. It is all I wanted!!! It is fully loaded with all our music. It has movies on it of Colorado and most of 2008. Before leaving for home the Ipod was dressed in a very cute pink skin. The girls watched movies on it as we traveled.

That's the high spots. Memories made!! Will we remember... girls bouncing on pogo sticks, the surprising Coconut & Cheesecake kisses, lots of Queen Anne chocolate covered cherries, emergency peppermint Oreos for Santa??? puzzling and then is the gooey lava,...

We had an early Christmas w/ G'ma & G'pa from Ohio. It was so special for them to come for Lovebug's baptism and celebrating Christmas was a bonus. We enjoyed a shopping day.... camping out around the fire... The guys projected reworking the dog house. We used the cold evenings to look for Christmas lights. We had a great stop at Santa's workshop in Marshall. Santa Land was huge with lights especially the tunnel!

I know I'll look back to a wonderful celebration... a feast with family... all to remember Jesus' birthday. Every good and perfect gift is from above! Thank you Jesus!

Grace! ss

Our Christmas Piano Recital

"It was awesome when I got to play two things on the piano and play the part of a shepherd. Eeee. Yippeee. That was fun. Love you G'ma Carol and G'pa Ben."

Saturday was full of practices and Lovebug's first piano recital. She worked on Jolly O'le St. Nick & Away in a Manger. She played each piece and did a great job. She sweetly sang along as she played and snapped the count.

Ladybug: "I liked it because I was Mary and I loved that I was in it." She had a very special spot as Mary in the living nativity. She made a lovely Mary as she rode in on a stick horse. She sat sweetly for the entire recital. Afterwards G'ma Carol told her she was lovely with her blue eyes and flushed cheeks... she said "She knew."!!!!

Lovebug does well on her piano practice. Generally, just a mention from me and shes off to practice. Often she needs a cup of encouragement... and I so love the Christmas music she plays! She pushes herself and struggles when she hit wrong notes. She learning and that's wonderful!

A cup of encouragement with a splash of joy and a bit of cinnamon!! Grace! ss

139 Degrees!

The hot water is on a low setting... the installer said with children he woud not set it higher!!

The water is 139 degrees!!! That's above the 130 dust mite killer temp! That's hot enought to me.

My lessons on Hot Water Heaters:

Before removing the old water heater, check the dip stick.
Lots of "calcium" in the faucets... it is not calcium, check the dip stick.

The dip stick should be as long as the heater is deep in our gas unit. Ours was merely 3" long.

With the heater half out we decide to run the dip check... maybe we could have lived with the old water heater and a new dip... alas, we are already half removed so we went with the new hot water heater.

In hot water!
ss

A Sign of Faith

Believe on the Lord Jesus and you shall be saved!! Acts 16:31

Lovebug turned to Jesus on May 24, 2004. She prayed to Jesus as she cleaned her room. She told me. Again she proclaimed to Daddy and I that evening. She followed up with phone calls to family and declared she knew Jesus. She asked Him to forgive her sin and invited Him into her heart.

I know then the angels were singing, Luke 15:7. Her name was written in the Lamb's book of Life. Revelation 21:27

This summer she began to ask about baptism. Generally, she asked a week before a baptism with timing impossible to even invite far away family. Even our friends were out of town. She did not give up.

Courage! October we crossed paths with our Pastor. Quietly she asked me if she could ask Pastor Jim. With courage, she asked to be baptized. Then and there the plans were made for a December baptism.

With great joy all our family decided to come. Hubbie's parents from Ohio... a big drive. Memem brought a family friend as Grandaddy had to work. We got a new hot water heater for the occasion. We thought they would appreciate hot showers!! It was so fun to have a house full for something other than a hurricane!



Sunday, December 7, 2008, Lovebug was baptized to proclaim she believes in Jesus. This was not to get her to heaven, but merely a sign of her faith to tell all she's going to heaven! Her daddy had the joy to baptize her as the custom of our church. Our family was in the cloud of witnesses.

Here's more on the Sinner's Prayer... and more on baptism.

I'm thrilled to see her grow in her faith & obedience. Praying she'll honor Jesus all her days!!!

Grace!! ss

Happy 9th Birthday Love

NINE!! Nine. Nine years.

The day was packed! Museum. Lunch. Skate. Basketball. She picked to do it all and we did.

Happy Birthday Lovebug.


Nine. I worked before this child came. From this day, that was another life, so long ago. I love being mom! She is growing in so many way.

Her name means "strong one."

She is strong! That's true. I pray her strength is in the Lord. It is easy for her strength to be against me... Life is much more fun when our strength is paired and we fight the same things. She's learning so much and has so many verses of the Bible to guide her path.

She is a leader to her sister. We work on the strengths as a sister and that she's not to mother. The girls play together... swing out side... chase & play with Maple. They often clean rooms together... that's required when they don't work independent. They play webkins together learning to share. They often have together time to work thru their struggles.

For her ninth she wants a laptop. Yet she is enjoying her own email. The light up shirt she's worn for countless days. She said she's been in the stripe footie socks for 3 days. I'm thrilled she likes them. She also got a pair of boots and a pair of unmentionables. She too is thrilled. She's been so thankful for her birthday.

We ended the full day with a birthday dinner at Hop Hop... translation Ihop. Fun was had by all.

We are truly blessed!! Grace! ss

AO Exams

AO3 & AO1: Term I is behind us now.


We are into exams...


It is time to spin a web, tell a tale, weave a yarn... We've climbed a mountain and it's time to look back on all where we've been... what we've learned...


And so started our exams... We've gone low key this time... more casual... Lovebug begged for her exam papers of the past.... not this round... This is our time to remember and see what sticks.


We've really enjoyed poetry this round. We all have had favorites. Here's a look at our poetry...


Grace! ss

Stop Wanting It

"If you want something and cannot afford it, stop wanting it."


As we drove along I turned on the radio to eliminate the rising level of the girls. Little did I realize the truth that Ladybug would hear...

They issued a challenge... and I just kept driving... not a second thought....

Yet that challenge hit Ladybug square on... you see, she wants a horse. A real big horse that she's just learned she need an acre for. She really wants a horse. She asked Santa for one... and fyi Lovebug asked for a computer!!

Ladybug realized she could not have a horse... and the truth to stop wanting what you cannot have... is huge. So she learned right there, while I drove. We've talked this over and over for months now.... she could not keep a horse in her room... there's not room in the backyard... over and over...

God worked in her heart to stop wanting a horse.

Oh, Lord open my ears to hear your truths!! I'm thanking HIM for sharing the girls truths with me!! There's so much to stop wanting!!!

Grace! ss

What a Ride!

We had a golden opportunity visiting Memom over Thanksgiving!!

Ms. Vickie asked us to come ride her horses!! Now let me tell you Ladybug has dearly wanted her own horse. She's asked over and over to have one in our back yard or in her room. This was a dream come true... to really ride a horse. Wow! To be invited to come ride....

With huge smiles the girls rode tall! Ms. Vickie & her husband guided the horses so gently for the girls.

Wanting to go faster... Lovebug held on for all she's worth when her horse was speeding up to a trot.. and she was trotted off.... she held strong on to the saddle horn.. and then calmly slid off to her feet!!

She climbed right back up and decided a walk was plenty fast! Both girls did great!

Then Ms. Vickie asked if I wanted to ride... so both Hubbie and I got to ride. How cool! That was so a surprise. I knew Hubbie wanted to ride but it seem too much to ask. Then to be offered was so over the top!!

"Lovebug she hung upside down on the fence. I liked riding the horses. I want a horse..." says Ladybug.

"I dearly loved riding the horse. It was so fun when I got to trot. I'm very glad I only slid to my feet."

Ms. Vickie- a HUGE Thank you for sharing world and letting us come ride!!! It was such fun. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!!!! We hope to see you over Christmas!!! Have a wonderful Christmas filled with the joy of the first Christmas of Jesus' birth!!

Grace! ss

Let's see if we can do this with only one month to go till Christmas...

Ok... we are down to the wire you have one more month to get all the Christmas shopping done that you need to get completed (don't forget me). I am in Beaumont right now getting ready for the Thanksgiving holiday. I have completed all my shopping for everyone who is getting this email. No seriously... I have, and I will prove it check out the photos of our day at the galleria today. We started everything off by going ice skating and then we watched a painter painting, next we took a break and listened to a piano dude playing something that sounded like elevator music but better because he was right there playing it for us and it couldn't be elevator music because his grand piano would not fit in an elevator. Then you see the finished result of all the shopping. Ok so most of the shopping was done by the wifey and her mother and I just got to carry the goods... well I guess I paid for some of it too, although S's mom is most generous to cover meals and such.

So don't forget to remember that there are a lot of folks who will be doing without this year. Biggest thing I have learned in the past year is that there are often things that happen which we have no control over and we have to remember that God (the one who sent Jesus to be born on Christmas day) still has in His hands the events and happenings of this world.

Hey did I also mention that we got a new puppy? I will include a photo of Maple with this e-mail as well. So far this new puppy has proven to be everything that the previous one was not. Polite, kind, wipes her paws on the mat prior to entering her dog house, doesn't spit, doesn't chew, doesn't go with guys that do... that kind of thing. Pray she survives puppyhood... my girls are learning that you can't shove food in her mouth to make her eat. You know that thing about you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink it? Well it doesn't apply to my girls, if that dog doesn't drink you put her nose in the water until she does. Problem is I think that is called waterboarding and even the CIA might have some issues with that, don't worry we got them to understand that even when you mean good if it would hurt you it might not be good for the puppy either. She is a loving little pup and we are praying that we can all make it work for our family.

Hey just recently I got a facebook account... if you are on facebook and you know what I am talking about look me up and if you are in good standing with me I will approve you as a friend. :)

I also just got to see the movie "Fireproof" if you haven't seen it yet take your wife and go see it. We had some young hooligans in our theater with us and so I had to adjust their attitudes slightly in order to actually be able to concentrate on it and enjoy the last part of the movie. They kept popping their gum and so I yelled at them to stop popping their gum... I should have yelled that they should pop their gum more and expect reverse psychology to work on them but as it was they began popping their gum more and talking loudly. I finally had enough of it and Stephanie had just told me to just pray for them when I jumped up ran to the back of the theater, found the three of them got in the face of the one sitting in the middle and told them that "If you do not shut up I am going to see to it that you are thrown out of the theater, DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?" Their only response was "Yes Sir!". Have you ever had someone (especially kids nowdays) who are so rude you want to help their parents get them back in line with a little discipline? Five minutes later they left the theater on their own and we had a peaceful finale to our movie. I did not want to go out with my wife, and pay to see a movie only to be interrupted by hooligans. I do not get to go out very often so I guess I took it into my own hands to modify their behavior with some not so reverse psychology.

So when I say "Have a Happy Thanksgiving" don't think I am trying to pull some form of reverse psychology on you by not meaning exactly what I said... Have a GREAT THANKSGIVING!

Save the wishbone for me...

KjS

Burnt

Burnt to a crisp.... I'm actually glad the rice did not catch on fire!!

I simply put rice on to cook.... and waited while the water kettle boiled.... meanwhile the rice burnt badly. I was distracted by facebook... hmmm... a lesson here....

The bottom of my favorite glass top pan had a horrible layer of burnt rice.

My WONDERFUL husband came home and simply picked up the pan and started the arduous task of cleaning it.

I must say... He did not walk in and ask if that smell was dinner! He did not fuss at me. He did not complain. He did not scold me when I said that pan should be thrown away. He saw my mess and worked on it!!! Oh, I am loved!!!!!!!!

After scrubbing made no impact... even after the near oven cleaner stuff... he finally made progress with SAND PAPER!!! Oh, gracious!!! Even that took much time and effort.

Hours later I have candles lit to eliminate the stench!!

Now, my charred pot is clean.... I'm thankful for a loving husband!!

That was Agape love!! Grace! ss

White Chocolate Pumpkin Cookies

We've enjoyed every last one of these!! They are definitely repeaters!! I'll make them again this week.


White Chocolate Pumpkin Cookies

• 4c Flour (1/2 Coconut Flour)
• 1c White Sugar
• 1c Brown Sugar
• 2t Cinnamon
• 1t Pumpkin Pie Spice
• 1t Salt
• 2t Baking Soda
• 1can Pumpkin 16oz
• 3/4c Oil (Coconut Oil)
• 2 eggs
• 2T Milk
• 2t Vanilla
• 2c White Chocolate Chips
• 1c Nuts (Macadamia sound yummy)

Bake @ 375 for 9 minutes.

Mix flour, sugar & spices. Add pumpkin, oil, eggs, & vanilla. Beat on medium speed til well mixed. Stir in chocolate & nuts. Drop onto baking sheet & flatten a bit. Bake.

I've frozen these balled. They've been easy to pull out thaw & bake.

They required 2 grocery trips for me!! First I just had to have white chocolate chips. Then as I pulled ingredients, I was out of eggs! Humf!! Hubbie was so quick, in an instant he was off for to the store. He asked me to make them :) I like making them for him!!!!

Two friends have asked for the recipe... That makes them a winner to me :) I've skipped the nuts for Hubbie's sake & used the coconut things because I've had them!! I hope you enjoy them too!!!

Grace!! ss

Oh! That's "Bullie"... Ladybug's new Longhorn enjoying the cookies :)

Tent Poles Snap

Snap!! That's just what happened with two of our tent poles!! Both of our bay window poles busted or frayed this round!! The tent yet operated fine this round... sans the bays!

I've found the solution to busted tent poles... Hubbie we should have found this sooner... remember the screen tent poles!?! yet those were trashed... now I have the info to replace them!!!

Tent Pole Techno is who my tent maker refered me to. They knew the specs on our tent from way back in 2005!!! Soon I'll have my tent poles and some quick clips to boot!

Anywho!!

Hubbie & the girls camped. Mama just visited since I'm recovering from the sinus/ear stuff. I visited them and heard all that wouldn't have happened if I was there....

Overall I've heard it was cold! The lows were low 40s. That is officially cold here. The only caught 2 fish with the last of their white bread.

Ladybug - I liked when I went to fish and we did catch 2 fish. That is all. I enjoyed when I went up in the trees. That is all.

On the poles... Now we could live without bay windows... but I do enjoy finding the solution!! I really appreciate Hubbie finding all the numbers on our '05 tent so I could rabbit track it!!

Grace! ss

Sick

The day following the election... I'm sick.

It is not the election results or the President Elect... although they do give me pause to pray!

I'm sick in 24 hrs with a sinus infection! Alas, and now an acute middle ear infection. Yikes!! Am I 2 years old to have that battle!?! My dr. did say I must go on the antibiotic, yuck, and that the ear drops for pain would help!

Alas, I'm thankful my ENT Dr. got me right in. I'm thankful insurance helps w/ all that... yet the Rx itself did run me $40. (Avelox 400 mg for 10 days.)

Humf!

I know my immunity is low. Now what? I'm reading a book with whole host of challenging concepts.... we are surrounded by toxins... and it is just a matter of time til your body is compromised... so the questions is... How to detox? I have Detoxify or Die on ILL and may need to get a copy for me....

I'm not happy with the Rx... it just is a band aid... Jesus knows how we are made!! Seeking Him for direction & answers!

Grace! ss

Maple

The girls are proud as punch!

Maple is cute as can be! She's a 6 week old sheltie.

Daddy says she has an arrow on her face :) See it!?

She snuggles with the girls. This is huge. We so wanted Ladybug to be able to hold our puppy. Once at a pet store she was amazed when a dog there did not bite. That was in our Cocoa season.

She had a great ride home and did not get car sick. Yea! Big bonus!

She was one of the cutest puppies there at Canton. We had to decide between her and her sister. She had the cute face & a full white collar. Our Maple.

She's little and we know 2 neighbor dogs to die with parvo. We are praying her protection and trying be wise. We'll hit the vet this week.

We are mindful that all life is in God's hands. We are so enjoying her.

Did she whine? At 2:50 this morning Lovebug awoke us because Maple was whining. Hubbie watcher her... we knew she'd be lonely.... she went to sleep in the dog house and he'd given her a hot water bottle!... and after a bit of lonely whines she went back to sleep beside our back door.

We are all a bit tired today. We are also spending alot of time outside!!!

Grace! ss

Pumpkin Fudge & Whining

Yummm! Today I found my pumpkin fudge!! Yumm!!

We headed out to Trade Days at Canton. It was crowded. We walked a bit looking and did not buy a thing!!! Well, we did buy a Fudge Brownie Sunday...

Then we headed to "maybe" look for a puppy!?!!! Oh, the girls loved every puppy we saw. One guy even tried to get us to take his 5 month old puppy... I think Hubbie and the girls would have walked away with her, but I could not. Finally we found.... oh, this has to be it's own post.... with pics...

Anyway, we wandered back thru the pavilions and I found my pumpkin fudge!!!

Yumm!! And praying for no whining tonight!! :)
Grace! ss

Titanium dioxide

Maybe it is an age thing. Maybe I should have heard this many years ago!!! Maybe in the 20's it would have be preventative..... Now in the 30's I'm just learning... You can glean from me!!

My dermatologist has sent me to the world of Titanium dioxide. The route has been a bit around the block. My yearly dr. trip rose skin questions and that sent me to my dr. derma.

The issue is spots!! These are not the spots of Dr. Seuss... I've noticed them & my mom's mentioned them & my hubbie doesn't notice them. I've thought them to be sun spots. Not and they are not even. They are something of hormone spots. Alas, I think I'm stuck with spots. I don't think Clorox will help!

Actually I know of a bleach... but at $179 that insurance does not cover... I'm not sold yet... Maybe this is just how God's created me!?!

So now I'm looking for sunscreens with Titanium dioxide.

Today a visit to the Clinque counter introduced me to City Block w/ SPF40 face sunscreen with Td of 6.6% & a Almost Makeup with Td7.6% SPF15.

My makeup by BareEssentials has Td... foundation SPF15 Td16%. This is a powder and that's not "good coverage".

For now I'm researching! Reading labels. Learning.

Grace! ss

Piano Um Snap

Yea!! We started lessons today!!! G'Ma Carol had a opening in her schedule and we filled it!!!

Rhythm: Quarter, Quarter, Half-note... and more :)

As Lovebug worked on her rhythm... halfnote-hmmm... and half-snap... filled that space!!!

Here our mix on learning the keys!!!

• Black Keys: 2 are Mickey & Minnie Mouse, then the 3 are the 3 Little Pigs
• "C" Mickie & Minnie? They live in the "D" house.
• Next Door is an Elf!! "E" & "F"
• Then is the 3 Little Pigs, They are Great! "G" "A"
• Don't get caught behind the Pigs "B"
• That's ABCDEFG!! And she knows middle C!

Maybe you'll think of our piano keyboard and follow our diddy!!

Her first homework was working fingers 2&3 on the keys!! in rhythm. She must remember to curl her fingers & not smash the bubble.

So!? How do you practice?? Or rather how do your children practice the piano??? Is it your agenda or theirs? How long? What have you learned that I'd can glean???

We are trying to practice for 15 minutes 2x a day. Right now it is on my schedule... and I know I want to rotate it to hers!!!

Enjoying the music!! Grace! ss

Gecko-ed

He walked into our world!!! I opend the sunroom door and he scampered in!!! I had no clue what it was!! Hubbie captured him!

With flash light in hand I showed the girls... who said "Look him up mom!!!"

Lovebug: I liked that the gecko ran and jumped. He was small, probably an inch, probably as small as a my little finger. He had dots all over him. His tail had stripes like a zebra.

Ladybug: I liked him. He was cute and colorful. He had stripes. He had a tail that was cute with stripes.

Here he is in Ladybug's hands!! She'll catch & hold anything!!! He was comfortable crawling with the girls and had to be coaxed into the bushes.

He is a Mediterranean Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus)!! How cool is that!!!! He actually looked pinkish!!! That's true to character!!! "Translucent pinkish to white, with some darker blotching."

His eyes are really cool... and "The belly is white and somewhat translucent." We could so see inside him!! Here he is on GeckoWeb. It has a better shot of his eyes!!!

Enjoying God's marvelous creation!! Grace! ss

2 More to go...

To all only two more months until Christmas. This is not my typical monthly report. I had completed my report and hit spell check on my laptop and it did an autosave and before I knew it everything was wiped out. It was a really good letter too... I did the spell check at 11:53 so I would have made it if I had not missed it. I will try to recreate it and send it later but I will have to beg another day from you'se... You will understand that little comment once you get the next portion of my report.

I hate computers.... Good night...

Anyone know a good laptop computer repairman?

KjS

Alamo x3

Girls, "tell me about the Alamo.."

Ladybug said, "What happened at the Alamo is that Davy Crockett died. The whole army of the Texans died."

Lovebug told "Col. Travis and all of his soldiers were killed, even Davy Crockett. James Bowie fell sick with pneumonia and he was killed in his bed. Andrea nursed him until he was killed. She was hit by a bullet at her chin and arm. Susanna of the Alamo was a brave woman. She lived when all the men died. Even her husband died."

My challenge was finding the Alamo!!! When we were lost... I followed street signs to the Alamo.... to no avail.

Alamo 1x

Finally, I found Riverwalk mall & the IMAX... and they had a show on the Alamo!!! We watched it with Hubbie our first evening!! You cannot understand the Alamo without the finality that every man died in the battle. We watched that battle... and hid faces with the deaths of the heros. This paved the way for our time at the A. (Returning home we received a caution for the movie & young children... for us it was ok.)

Alamo 2x

Day 2, we walked thru the Hyatt and found the A!!! Yea!!! We entered the Shrine, what I'd call the chapel, and found the scavenger hunt!! Great idea, Aimee!!! We looked in every room for the ring of Col. Travis. We studied every item as we hunted. While there we caught a history retelling. Tired we walked back to the Riverwalk for a girls lunch at Landrys.

Alamo 3x

For our final day we debate just what to do... catch the Louis & Clark IMAX? or return to the A??? Both girls wanted to return to the Alamo for the audio tour!! They were primed and ready to listen!!! Lovebug said "it was pretty cool." We listened to the battle and a retelling of the struggle. The audio directed us the the cenotaph of the Alamo. We'd missed this memorial on our own tour. We also found where a canon hit as the audio directed us where to look.

I know the girls learned the total loss of every man at the Alamo. We've talked about the Battle of San Jacinto... The cry "Remember the Alamo!" Even so, they've not yet been able to see the Alamo in the puzzle of events for Texas' Independence.

Yet, the Alamo will be a lasting memory as in time we build this puzzle of history!!

After a great third day we celebrated good attitudes!! I was thrilled they listened to the full tour!! (I'd wondered if they'd make it to the end!!) I wanted to celebrate with pumpkin fudge... but alas they had none & at 9 for 1/2 pound of anything... it was too steep for me. The girls agreed to share the 4 buck icee...

Today Ladybug called the Riverwalk her favorite vacation!!! (Or maybe that's what in her vivid memory!!)

Thanks Hubbie!! We had a wonderful time!!! We'll go with you anywhere!!!!

Grace! ss

SanA Riverwalk

What joy! We stayed right on the Riverwalk!!! If you've taken the boat tour... we were right at Marriage Island!!! We even got to see a bride's photo session!!!

Oh, how I got LOST!!! I made what could have been a fatal mistake... the girls & I headed above the walk to find our way!!! Oh, no. Now I was really lost... and was so a fish out of water passing many crowded bus stops....

Map in hand... I really thought it made me so obviously lost as many watched us pass by. I called Hubbie to see what he was doing & he said he could meet us for lunch!!! Yea!!


Now to find our hotel.... I headed one direction and had that PANIC feeling that we'd be lost forever.... Oh, LORD, Help!!! Looking at the map again... I did an 180 & in one block we were at the hotel!!! Wow!!! Praise God!!!!

I found the Riverwalk mall at what seemed at an unlikely jaunt of the river!! The mall was so out of sight!! Hubbie had to stop for a pose!!

My Lessons from the Riverwalk!

• Heading to street level when lost is not a wise option.


• The funny guys/gals in green wearing a hat are at corners to help those of us lost!!!


• The Alamo is thru the Hyatt... and if you pass the H there's not much after... turn around!!!



• My girls favorite was feeding the ducks & especially the duckings. Actually, they wanted to catch a duckling!!! Huge thanks for the suggestion to bring bread for them!!!


• I wore a fanny pack after hearing of a camera snatched out of a purse... at Hubbie's convention. I was reminded again to be cautious seeing several police around an elderly woman in a wheel chair... it looked like her load had been lightened!! Horrible!

We had all in all a wonderful time!!! From the river.... next the Alamo!!
Grace! ss

Thankful

I'm thankful for the 800 round miles to SanA & the Alamo & for those miles on a rental!!!

Thankful for our safety in those tight spaces & for Odyssey over the miles.

I'm amazed & thankful we camped with friends last weekend that now is hundreds of miles away!

Non stop washing is going on here & I'm so thankful for my own washer & dryer!!

Homeschooling.... I'm thankful we can hit the road... and learn all on the Alamo & we did it!!

Wow, I'm thankful that Hubbie brought us with him... over hill & dale... he toiled while we played... and he hit the river walk afterwards...

I thank God! He's brought us round & home again!! Grace!!! ss

My Camping Check List

My Camping Check List- This is my start on a master list!!! What would you add??? ss

Last Time I Forgot:
Rake
Dustpan
Table Umbrella
Doormat

Attic:
Tent (Big/3l) &Tarp
Screen Tent
Fans
Heater
All Sleep bags
Blankets

Cooking
Double Burner
Single Burner
Propane
Kettle
Hot Pads

Garage:
**Carpets 3x
Doormat 2x

Bucket
Ant Killer
Round-Up
Fly Swatter

Maddox
Shovel
Rake
Broom
Dustpan
Picnic Table
Umbrella

Fishing Poles
Tackle Box
??Worms

**Firewood

Uno
Bug cages
Mag glass
Chalk
Bubbles
Water guns
Sour Spray

Household:
Bedding
Sleeping bags-4
Sheets
Girls Blankets
Pillows
Towels

Flashlights
Lantern -2
Propane
Xtra Batteries

Hoodies
Sweatshirts

Swimsuits
Sunscreen

Meds:
Med Kit
Tylenol
Antacid
Itch
Poison Ivy
Chigger
Kleenex

Somores
Marshmallows
Graham
Chocolate

Kitchen:
Plates
Napkins
Paper towels
Plastic ware
Foil

Hot Tea
Cider
Mugs
Water
Cooler

Breakfast
Skillet
Hot pads
Spatula
Cracked Eggs
Bacon
Tortillas
Sausage mix
Fz OJ & Juice Jug

Hotdogs
Extend Forks
Buns
Chile
Mustard
Ketchup
Relish
Chips
Cookies
Drinks

Bread
PBJ
Cream Cheese

Snip!

Hey just wanted to let you know that I am excited about you going to get your hair cut. I think you will like a change.
123... 123... 123... 123...
KjS

Before














After! Thrilled!! I do like it!!!


It has taken forever to make that appointment... alas with the girls in toe. They made a fatal attempt at playing battle... and finally quieted reading books.... We survived!

Thanks to Lovebug my photographer!

Grace! ss

Sharp or Flat

I really have no clue!!!

To a friend's amazement... I can listen to her trio... and never hear if they are off!! Some would call this a blessing!!!

I've always thought I don't have an ear for music. Recently, I've heard you must be trained to hear the right sound!!!

So there!! I've never been taught!!! Well we are heading into new grounds....

After G'ma Carol tickled the ivory... we nearly lost this piano... it sounded too good to the sellers and they had second thoughts... nearly a week later they decided for it to go our way so our little girls could learn. Yea!

We are thrilled!!! Wow a piano!! It is a Jansen with a cool light for the music!! I've always admired those who could play!!! HUGE thanks to Mom & Dad!!! (Do leave a comment, Mum!!)


Now I'll pray my girls learn to tickle the ivory! G'ma Carol is eager to teach!!!

Now, how do you move a piano???? Oh!! Any volunteers???? Grace!! ss

Many Garage Sales

Two weekends in a row!!! We've hit many garage sales!! The girls are definitely learning to bargain :)

Here's our loot!!

3 Man Ten - $8 (Already broken in by the girls & neighbors!)
Yogurt Maker & extra cups & lids $5 (to replace those we've melted!!) Yea!
Battle .50 (I beat Hubbie)
Countdown $1 (Cool math game!! Replace dice for .98)
Red Silicone Pot Holder $1 (now I have two~)
Canvas Bag for camping $1
Car Soft sided top Cargo $10 (Camping supplies)
Hanging Clothes Bag $3 (Borrow no more)
Block & Tackle Pulleys $1

Lovebug:
Trouble $1 (Missing one green peg?!?)
Heart Tin .25
Candle & Bear & Basket $1
Paint Brushes .25 for chalking
(She offered .25 for another stethoscope but it was not worth a dollar to her!!)

Ladybug:
Stethoscope $1 (The real thing!~~)
Moose Massage Roller .25 (By the bed for a night back rub.)
Hoola Hoop .25 (That's gone everywhere with us!)
Paint Brushes .25 for more chalking

Hubbie even took the girls solo!!! He's great!!!

Grace!! ss

Oh!! My Back..

Yikes!! My back hurts....

I've visited my chiro.... snap crackle & pop, Thanks Dr. T.... but it is not helping... and surgery is not the answer either....

I don't have an injury, thankfully! Even so I have this lingering lower back pain... often as I stand... sometimes just waking up... Oh.. that was a clue...

Just this summer we celebrated 15 years... I love being married!!!
Alas.... my bed too has aged... 15 years. I think it to be the cause of my aching back.

Oh!!! This fix comes at a price!! Allergy resistant... side sleepers... foam....
Now I'm researching... awe... CR has a review... hummmm a research expense....

Praying for God to guide!! All our pennies are His!!!
Grace! ss

Our Fairy Tale

How does a lady sit?? Ankles are quickly crossed.

How does a lady walk? Pretend you have a book on your head!!

How does a lady eat? She eats what she is served.


The girls were excited all day for their fairy tale night!! It is the Daddy Daughter banquet!!

Princesses!!! Faces are washed. Earrings are on. Girls glitter.

Daddy sports the Tigger tie, a must.

All are child of the King!!!

Loving our Fairy Tale!! Grace! ss

That Campfire Smell

The mornings were wonderfully cool!!! Hubbie stoked the fire and it flamed right up.

We had breakfast duty for this weekend's camping. Somehow that first night I only sleep in those morning hours... thru the night we enjoyed the owl hoots, an unknown squalker and in the depth of the darkness we were entertained by a racoon... we followed him with a midnight clean up!!! The girls were up at 7... time for a cup of tea and breakfast.

8 Deer!!! Making a solo run to the other side of camp at 7p... Hubbie spied the deer just before the Trout Pond. He came and picked me up and five kids... and the deer yet outnumbered us... the doe and fawns were beautiful and calm at our watching... the young had lost their spots and dad was not in sight.
Nature!! The walking stick, shedding salamander & dragon fly entertained us. We killed our fair share of mosquitoes and ants. We only noticed the flies as we left!!

Fishing!! The girls claimed we broke the world record with 82 fish!! Wow!!! They caught a fish every minute for our fishing time!! Good thing that was not our dinner plan... and we released all save one for Ladybug to keep a bit longer.

Snakes Alive!!! The big kids found a long grass snake & Hubbie found a little garter snake. Hubbie is way comfortable with snakes... and he encourages his girls....

We also saw a baby squirrel that was adopted by friends... We saw it's eyes open over the weekend! They fed it puppy formula. How do you care for a baby squirrel??? They wrapped it in a towel and carried it in a pocket!!! They knew how!!!

The catastrophe for us was a sick little girl and a horrible mess in the tent... with HUGE help from Kara.... we recovered and made back up plans.... if she got up sick again... I was leaving....

By God's grace... we slept all night... no coons or anything!!! She felt great ever since!!!

Sunday coming home the vote was unanimous... everybody was ready to camp again!!! And laundry was not even done.... everything yet had that campfire smell...

Even so... I'm eager to go too!!! I'm glad we have another date!! (Just not this weekend!!) Want to come????

We found we are looking into a camping upgrade... the bikes are horrible to pack with... so now we either leave the bikes for scooters or get another method of hauling them.... but first Hubbie thinks we'll fix the brakes!!!

Loving it!!! Grace! ss

Turned to Collectors

Humf! We've been turned over to the collectors! Grrrr....

We've paid medical bills every month since hubbie's surgeries!!! We've balanced paying about 5 different bills from that time.

We'e tried to pay each one.. and have so wanted them all done....

Since I've not seen a statement lately I called.... and they turned the account over.... (HUMF... great now I'm ready to stop paying.... grrrrr...... ) Alas... they were not happy with my untimely response to an April letter that was returned in August.... Humf!!

Grrr... to be done with them all!!! I have sent them a lousy check to be done.... grrrr... no car repairs this month as Hubbie knows we need work on the brakes...

His grace is sufficient!! He provides!!! Need to stop the gripe... Grace! ss

Limping Turkey

The turkey legs from our cooking group were so good.

We ate them tonight... and Ladybug inquired...

"Is this leg from a turkey?" "Yes baby it is from a turkey..."

"Is the turkey limping now?" "No the turkey did not survive the loss of his leg."

"Is he dead..." "Yes, the turkey is dead, we could not take just his leg."

Kind of gave us flashbacks of the fish debate, she still will not eat fish because of her fishing trip. She considers herself a great fisherman but she does not want to eat them. Will our youngest child become a vegetarian when she discovers the how the hamburger makes it to her plate?

Daddy ATE My Science Experiment

He truely did!!! He ate Lovebug's science experiment!!!! Oh, how we laughed!

Her experiment was from the hard to find Science Lab in a Supermarket by Friedhoffer.

Materials:

• 4 small bags of potato chips
• a clothespin
• a refrigerator

Procedure:

1. Place an unopened bag on the counter.
2. Open the 3 other bags
3. Leave one opened on the kitchen counter (Daddy ate this one!)
4. Fold another one's top and close w/ the clothespin
5. Place the third in the fridge
6. Compare in a day or two which tastes best

We all agreed the unopened chips were so much the best. Daddy said the one's he ate were soggy... as well as the ones in the fridge... and with the clip.

We also learned that we need to better mark our science materials... :)

Loving Learning with the Girls!! Grace!! ss

To Mop or Not

When was the last time you mopped?

With lots of laughter my Hubbie recently mopped the kitchen after literally throwing into the air his glass of juice... he did catch it.... but alas the "oh so sticky" juice was airborne!!

He used our super industrial mop bucket & such... but it takes labor.... that's hard to come by!! Only a catastrophe makes it necessary!!

Now I'm literally eager to mop... thanks to a new mop... I finally joined the Swiffer WetJet crew! I've actually been eager to clean the floors!!! That's a big improvement!!

Not sure this will have a long term impact... but right now I'm enjoying it!! I've even mopped 2x this week... and have yet another mop project to tackle!!

Come take my poll & tell when you mop!!!

Grace! ss

10/1 Poll Results: You mom weekly: 25%, monthly 12%, and most at a catastrophe 62% Thanks for your vote!!!

Ike-ed

after ike

no power saturday night....

we'd prepared w/ a roast in the crock & spaghetti sauce made....

we lit every candle. we pulled out all our camping stash... we ate the ice cream...

we were totally without news

the garage made a good camping spot! we played 42 (dominoes) deep into the night... the coleman lantern was bright!!

in the dark. grace ss

hey Jesus was in the dark... and He is the light of the world.

Before Ike

What do you do with a hurricane?


Do you catch the headlines in the news? Do you realize there's a hurricane the next day when your power goes out?? Or maybe only if it hits headlines in the news....


We watch the weather... morning noon and night we catch it blow by blow... We see the videos the first round... and many times after.... and we wait!!!


As we wait... Oh! We are it's direct path... 200+ miles up!!!



Here's a capturing of all of us.... sans me!! Only I held the camera....

Waiting!! Grace! ss

Y'Ike

All eyes have been glued... we've seen the same footage of Ike over & over....

At daybreak we'll see what's really happened. We've so enjoyed Galveston in days gone bye... What will be left?!

At this moment... all is beautifully quiet.... peaceful sleep...

I'm up with a stuffed up head... a cold... and a sinus battle taking form...

I'm thankful... for family!! for 4 bedrooms to hold all 11 of us!!!

All plans for tomorrow are off... cancelled women's brunch & father daughter dinner!!! God must have other plans for us!!!

Grace!! ss

Psalm 77

16 The waters saw you, O God,
the waters saw you and writhed;
the very depths were convulsed.

17 The clouds poured down water,
the skies resounded with thunder;
your arrows flashed back and forth.

18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,
your lightning lit up the world;
the earth trembled and quaked.

19 Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.

Family Here... Ike-ing

Yea!! My family made it.... The covered the 200 miles!! Leaving at 9is and arriving at 4ish!!! That is alot better than the Rita 17 hours!!!

Oh!! My brother did come!!! Lovebug was thrilled. She did not want to sleep in her sister's "messy room!" Sleeping bags are in our room & girls are sleeping!!

Here's our traffic report.. it is cool with web cams!!!

Here's Hubbie's cool hurricane map!! Look at the deep waters... We even expect Ike here!!! When?? 7a Saturday!!

This round may be for the long haul!!! With a 20+ foot storm surge & Beaumont is like 20ish feet above sea level... it could be very wet... & very deep!!! Oh!!!

Glad we can keep our seven here!!! God is good!!

Grace!! ss

Ike - Round 2 for us

At 6 am the mandatory evacuation notice was given!!

We've got family coming!! Only my brother is going to ride out the storm. We're excited to have Mom & Dad, Karen, Jenny, Nicole & Austin...

Google has a cool hurricane map!!!

Corner to corner clean!!! Oh, the girl's room's yet need to be seriously clean... with Austin at 9 months we must be ready! I have a box of toys now for little ones!!! (I'll call if I need anything... we are good for go!)

Running!! Grace!! ss

Clothes... Out with the Old!!

Out with the old!? Gracious! The girls have oodles of clothes & shoes that do not fit. That's just what I have boxed away for fall.... and I've not yet even purged closets & drawers.

Just how do you rotate out the old clothes??

I'm no master at this!! I know I want all this gone... and I don't want to go to Goodwill and give it away. Do tell how you win at this?????

A friend said to get a huge container. I filled that up in the spring with the fall small things. That's worked great this fall. I'm in the midst of 3 loads of laundry... wash, hang, price...

The first batch went to my local consignment spot... not only did they take all of my first batch!!! They gave me $40+ for my last drop... from spring, I guess!! Wow!!! I turned and spent half of it there again... but that works for me! They also gave me all the hangers I needed. Yea!

My last 2 batches did not make the time slot for drop off. I'm planning to take them to the CCC sale. (I committed to this before the alternate plan!!) I'll drop off oodles... work my volunteer time with the girls this year... and then shop the sale early!!!

At the moment I think I'm winning... I've yet to get into the attic... Oh, I want to win....

How do you handle.. out with the old & in with the new???

Learning & Trying!! Grace! ss

Nasty Little Bugs

The search has been overdue. Today I began the hunt for the nasty little bugs flying from my pantry. Yuck. The little moths have been clinging to the ceiling and fluttering by....

I finally found them in some brown rice... guess I should have used that a long time ago.

Now to put the peaches in the fridge.... gnats there.... and the bananas are bagged. For a while I banned bananas because of gnats. The battle has a new front.

Here some info on bugs in your cuboards. Looking into it... seems rice is often a suspect!!! How old is your rice?? It should be max 3-4 months old!! I've used my white rice..... and that's left my brown rice for the bugs.

I'm throwing away many many things. The pantry is better & debugged. The last of my sugar free stuff is in the trash too... my natural Dr. said the splenda is bad for me... I've set out some excess jello to make!!!

Glad that's done! Grace! ss

Hitchhiker

We picked up a hitchhiker today.... He was hanging around the car beside us and latched on with us.

He stuck with us from skating to the library... and waited for us outside as we picked up a book on the Drinking Gourd our folk song, a Spanish DVD & Bach's Magnificat.... inner library loan is great!!!!

Surprisingly he stuck with us all the way home!!! He always headed into the wind.... at times he had a leg or two flying...

See him still hanging on to the mirror??? He was great to watch the whole way!!! The better shot is him just before Lovebug sent him flying to the safety of the trees!!! I'm glad they did not cage him after his long journey!!!

He is a Fork-tailed Bush Katydid, Scudderia furcata

Family: Tettigoniidae, Long-horned Grasshoppers and Katydids

This is cool... Lovebug is just learning about... Kings Play Chess on Fine Glass Sets... the mnemonic for Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species

Here's Lovebugs versions... Kiss Princess Cause or Frog Gets Sick :)

We've added a science option on top of our AO study. This from the Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day by Jeannie Fulbright. We'll work at a slow pace... but this was fun!!!

Enjoying making connections!!! Grace! ss

Our Gustav Whirlwind

Watching the storm come ashore in LA... mom wanted to beat the rain and head home!!!

Just as quickly as they've come... they are gone again. Bitter sweet! Lovebug cried and cried with their decision to go.

Our Gustav impact is left to clean up.... and many are in a far harder clean up. Our Church is #6 on the Red Cross help list... and there's bus loads there. That means all before us are full...

This has been a Labor Day!

Grace!! ss

Gustav & Great Thanks!

Today mom said... "She really didn't want to leave."

Oh, it is hard to leave it all behind. I'm thrilled to enjoy my family here. We've enjoyed Bodacious today. Worship reminded me that God is my strength and His grace is enough!! A great reminder :)

Lovebug has so enjoyed playing and watching Austin!! She loved giving him a bottle tonight... and later making him giggle and giggle.

Great thanks to those who have so thought of us!!!

• Proverbs 31:20 She extends her hands to the needy.

You have been so kind!!! We have all kinds of cokes & juices... apples and snacks... a huge box of corn dogs... crackers & cheese.... baby food & toys....

Thank you Thank you!!! I hope all evacuees are so blessed by the very hands & feet of Jesus!!! Keep us in your prayers....

We are still following the storm. This site has the info for our family... look at the press releases.

G'night!! Grace! ss

Our Gustav Evacuation

We are an evacuation hot spot!!! Gustav is impacting my life!!! This is a replay of our Rita hot spot....

• Mom & Dad are in the library.
• Aunt Karen, Jenny, Nicole 6 & Austin 6m are in Lovebug's room with Pooky their dog...
• Uncle Eric is in Ladybugs room.
• Ladybug & Lovebug are in my room... camping out!!!

Friday we were thrilled to get an early leave to visit Mom & Dad in Beaumont... as we got within an hour of Beaumont, we started seeing the flood of people and RVs heading north, as we made good time south.



Friday night we became very aware of hurricane Gustav.... and Saturday the mandatory evacuation was called for Sunday morning..... The girls did not want to leave... and Daddy pulled from our Proverbs daily chapter....

• Proverbs 27:12 The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.
  

Yikes!!!! Oh... we have to head out... We headed out north on 96 and it was a wonderful drive... with a lousy ONE HOUR wait for a stop light in Center!!! Horrible!! No kidding... we waited an hour for that light!!!!

We beat the family by a couple hours... and we've done a fruit box turnover!!!! All of the stuff sitting around has "vanished." We've moved lots of things into the garage....

We surprising have 3 tvs up and ready!!! The PC.... our tv has moved into the living area... and mom & dad have one in their room. They were thrilled to find we now have cable & can actually get some news!!! This is truly an upgrade since Rita.

Blueberry muffins are made!!
Hubbie & I are planning to hit 2nd service.
We must hit a grocery... and soon....


Knowing He hold us in his hands!!!
Grace!! ss

School.. Sour... and Sweet...

Monday we started... it turned sour at 7:30... "I don't want to!" My hope was for solo math time... ha...



Tuesday started with "math is good" and we headed into the day... this 2nd day soured too.... much later than the first... and with the same "I don't want to!"



Each of these days of resistance were met with great displays of attitude, many assigned chores in lieu of education, and a very involved Daddy... as well as a loss of all things sweet... as well as incremental consequences...



Today.... this is why I homeschool.... when one day in the mix goes right.... the day is truly sweet!!!

(7a Mama started with her devo! I'm jumping into Matthew... )

7:30 We started the day with a great math time solo (that solo is hard to find!)

8:00 Get dressed & ready, breakfast, teeth brushed, beds made...

9:00 Devo's start our schooling on the couch...

Lovebug heads into independent reading for 15 minute intervals...

Ladybug starts her daily reading SSRW lesson with mom.

Then follows handwriting for each... together reading all for us... outside & water the garden... another math lesson.... and in the midst a chore brought a quick attitude change...

12:00 It was lunch time and we were done... really!!! Hard to believe... done...



Now here's my favorite part... The girls headed to their rooms for the traditional quiet afternoon. My devo was done... and it was beautiful out.... so out we went...



The God provided a nature lesson :) After being dive bombed by a red wasp... we killed that sucker!!! and looked at him... and read of him too!!! Cool!! I wanted to draw him.. but that did not work out.



Then it was too hot... so we came inside and ALL of us did handicrafts!! We all knitted. The girls enjoyed spool knitting. We looked at our artist study... Then we got hungry...



We enjoyed a Tea Time at 4:00 filled with our Bach composer study. I want to track down our joke book we've enjoyed in days past.

Somewhere we also listened to our folk song.... I thought the "Drinking Gourd" would be a bar song... but it was a Civil War era song that told the slaves to look to the Big Dipper to find the Underground Railroad. Cool!!!! Our library even has a book on it!!!



Wow!! It all fit... and it was so not arranged by me!!! I so enjoyed it all!!!! I'm thrilled to be home with my girls. Thrilled to juggle these two!! I'm still challenged by so much... Spanish is at the top of that list... And I do love ending with Thanks be to God!!! For His indescribable gift!!! Salvation!!!!

By Grace!! ss

Start today!?!? please...

(An interview with my First Grader. The pic is for a height reference! She wanted to start TODAY!!!! Not me!!! She!!!)

(Tell me about school.)

It was fun.

And Paddle in the Sea was very fun. Paddle to the Sea lived
in... (going to get the globe)... lived in Canada. And he carved a
little boat. And he put a spoon over the fire to melt.. what?...
(lead). And he went to the sea. (Is that what happened
today?) No. giggle. giggle.

My favorite is and he carved the boat. (I thought something else was
you favorite?)

MATH!!! It was very very fun. And I did colors of cars.
The End.

(Why did you want to start today?)
Because I was eager to get math.

Ladybug 8/22/08

(Lovebug is holding out til Monday! It was fun starting Ladybug solo.)

Praying Jesus is our teacher!!!

Grace! ss