Preparing for Mission's Conference

 We have been announcing and gaining excitement for our Mission's Conference at VSIBC for many months now.  The time finally came for us to prepare our tables for the Banquet.  It was so  fun having ladies pick the country they would decorate their table after.  Brenna and Mrs. Bonnie picked America!

 I chose Kenya and my friend in Kenya, Jessi Cormier, helped me so much along the way.  Thank you my friend!

 Elisabeth picked The French West Indies.  We used some things that we had from the mission field and Denise helped us with the rest.  It turned out beautiful!

 Other countries represented were Italy, Nicaragua, Germany, Mexico and China.  The fellowship was so sweet as all the ladies came together to make this so special!

Live in the Now!

We've adopted a little phrase in our home, "Live in the Now!"   My Patrick has been burdened for us to live today as if we don't have tomorrow.  It's easy to procrastinate and put off things that we should be doing.  (for example: My prayer time can happen later,  I can play with the kiddos tomorrow, I will be more productive another day)  We aren't promised tomorrow.  We don't know what each day holds!

James 4:14 "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow.  For what is your life?  It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."

When I lay my head on my pillow tonight, will I be able to say, "I've done my best for Jesus!"  That is my desire!

Sprucing Up!

 I was so thankful when about 10 years ago my Grandma gave me some of her chairs.  I remember these chairs being used for family dinners.  2 of them were always in the living room with the table that had a huge extension brought up when we would all eat together.  Lots of wonderful memories and good food on these!  Then, I remember when she recovered them.  I don't remember anymore their previous cushion color, but it was a cute new fabric my Grandma picked.  (She was always a woman in style!)  Then, they were given to me!  We've used them, they were in storage for a while while we were overseas, they've been borrowed....and now they are back in my home and have been well loved here in Fort White for the past 8 months.  The fabric is looking worn and stained.  There is glue on a couple of them where Patrick had to repair a few pieces. And I have so much brown everywhere, I was ready for a fresh change.

 So, after some fresh paint and fabric, Grandma's chairs have a facelift!  I love them! And love that we can still use something that holds such precious memories!
our

H 2 O

I am enjoying training my girls and learning right along with them!  I have always struggled with drinking enough water.  It's tough!  I always thought I had enough, but when I actually measured how many ounces I really downed, it was quite sad.  I saw a book at the library the other day about water and its healing properties.  Interesting.  I started reading it....boring!  I had a hard time getting past all the technical aspects of it.  It did get me thinking more about the amount of water I drink, though.  So, after doing some research, I determined to do better, and encourage my girls to do this with me.  First, we looked at some of the benefits of drinking the right amount of water.

Benefits of Drinking Water:
~Healthfully controls weight
~Promotes healthy, clearer skin
~Fights infection
~Flushes toxins
~Keeps your heart healthy
~Boosts energy
~Stronger hair and nails
~Clearer, brighter eyes

  I also found that Caffeine is a natural dehydrator.  Boo.  So, the coffee, tea and soda we drink actually robs us of the little bit of water we have drunk.  Ouch.  That's not good.  So, for every tea I drink, I need to double the amount of water I drink to replace it.

From what I've read, the proper amount of water to drink is easy to figure out.  You take your weight and divide it by two.  That's the number of ounces you should be drinking per day.

So, to keep track of our progress, Brenna made a chart for us to check when we drink a cup.
We are up for the challenge!  And are going to try to do better.

School Time Begins!

Tuesday was our first day of school!  We had a great day and are excited about this upcoming school year!  As with any year, I always plan out a detailed schedule.  After the week, we tweak it bunches and make it work.  So, even though we are working out the kinks, our first day and first week went fairly smoothly!

 Micah-our classroom helper, kiddo ready to play, and the one that most frequently requests juice breaks!
I don't have any specific curriculum for him.  He participates when he wants to (about 1/3 of the time) and plays for the rest.

 Callie Grace-First day of Kindergarten!  Wow!  She is so excited to officially be in school this year!  She is watching Abeka live streaming Bible and Cursive Writing Class.  Her Phonics and Numbers Class is being taught by me.  Elisabeth is teaching her Social Studies for one semester and Science for the other.

Silas-First Grade

He is so excited to have to watch some of his school on the computer!  He is doing Bible, Phonics and Handwriting with Abeka Live Streaming.  He loves his teacher Mrs. Weiler.  Then, I am teaching him his Math class and Beth is teaching his Social Studies/Science.

 Brenna-11th Grade.  She has a full load (but not too full) of ACE schoolwork.

Elisabeth-12th Grade.  Senior!  Can this day really be here!  The night before school started I was a little weapy thinking about my baby girl when she started kindergarten.  Wasn't that just yesterday?  As we looked through her Photo Album, I realized things are just moving too fast!

Beth has a lighter load this year.  She has 2 subjects with ACE.  She is also going to be helping me by teaching Silas and Callie their Social Studies/Science classes. She is also interested in Sign Language and would like to try and get her certification for ASL.  She is starting online classes.  We are excited about the ministry opportunities for her!

 For Bible class my three little ones start together.  They love it!

 For the first week I felt like I was moving desks here and there and all over the house for each class!  That's a kink we need to work out this upcoming week!

Brenna is also teaching Piano Lessons to Silas and Callie once a week and they are enjoying it so much!

So thankful to be able to homeschool my children!

A Visit to my Mam-maws

 Everyone loves my Mam-maw.  She's just that kind of lady.  When she became sick several months ago we were all worried.  When the doctor said it was cancer, we all hurt with her and began praying.  About two weeks ago she had surgery to remove the cancer and the doctor believes it was a very successful surgery.  Praise the Lord!  Through this time she has become weak....not a descriptive word that normally goes with my Mam-maw!  I was so thankful and blessed to be able to go and spend the week with her as she recovers in Michigan!

 I left on a Monday and after a crazy reroute in my plane to Miami, I arrived in Michigan for a wonderful lunch.  I had a great week trying my best to take care of my Mam-maw.  She's not really used to being "taken care of", that's her job!  But, she did let me do a little cleaning.  We enjoyed small walks together to the mailbox and playing Phase 10.  Then, while she rested, my Aunt Robin (aka Momma Michigan) took me out for some fun things!  Basically she was my taxi driver that was ready to spoil me!  We had so much fun and I ate so much good food!

 Being there for the week brought back so many memories of my childhood spending time with my Mam-maw and Pap-paw on their "farm."  These days it doesn't look so much like a farm, but a well cared for, well loved home.  So many good memories.

The week went by quickly and I said some sad goodbyes to my Michigan family.  At the end of the day, many smiling faces were waiting for me.  I sure did miss them! What a great husband to keep things smoothly running while I am away.  I am so thankful for my Godly Heritage!