New School Year

Yes, I know I haven't posted in a very long time (8 months). That's just the way it goes. Life has other priorities and blogging is not one of mine. But I thought I would give it another try. So here goes...

We have begun another homeschooling year, in fact it is our 8th year! It is shaping up to be a great year of continued learning about mastering math (fractions, division, percents, decimals), God's Providential hand in our American History starting with the Vikings, exploring creation with General Science (Zach's favorite), and writing with our new favorite teacher (on DVD) Mr. Andrew Pudewa and his Institute for Excellence in Writing. And as always life skills, character building, and getting together with friends (or what some people call 'socialization'). But most importantly THE one thing over academics that I am teaching my children is about God, their relationship with him, and reading, understanding, and applying God's word to their lives. A wise person once said, if you were to die next week what would be the most important thing you would want your children to know about? I always keep that wise thought in the back of my mind and it helps me to focus on what's important about homeschooling my children. God and his love, grace, forgiveness, holiness, in addition to His countless other attributes, are what is most important for our family.

This coming school year must hold many treasures in the coming months that the Lord will give us. I know this to be true! This school year has started a bit differently than others in that I have been extremely fearful of this coming school year and can feel opposition even before it began. So I have been praying and searching the scriptures for a verse I can stand on for our school year and the Lord has been graciously giving me scriptures about overcoming fear. One of them is Isaiah 41:10 (NLT) ~ "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." I am so grateful that God answers my prayers and cares for me and my family!

2009 - A New Year!

I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while. Life has been busy to say the least (I'm sure you can all relate)! I had a wonderful birthday weekend in mid-November with Tom, the kids, and my Mom and Grandma - I was treated like Cinderella for 4 days! This picture was taken on my birthday weekend inside Toy Story Mania at Hollywood Studios - fun, fun! Then we had a quiet and relaxing Thanksgiving at home (Zach & Tom had colds), which we were thankful for as you'll see why next. Tom has been working around the clock on one of his BIGGEST projects so far...Disney's 2009 Celebrations! I think once the approximately 100 cast members are finished, they are not going to celebrate their accomplishment, but rather fall down from exhaustion. They have been working on it, literally day and night, since September/October. Needless to say, there have been many problems that have derailed the deadline more than once. Tom says they're supposed to have it done by the end of January. We want our hubby and daddy back!

Ironically, because Tom is diligently working on "Celebrations", we will have to postpone our annual family celebrations of the year - Mackenzie & Zachary's 12th and Madison's 9th birthdays, in addition to our 14th wedding anniversary that all takes place on January 20th & 21st. As God is gently reminding us though, we are grateful Tom has a job in these scary economic times. We are slowing learning (we are extremely slow learners) to pray and then listen to His ever gentle voice that humbles, admonishes, and also encourages us all at the same time. Thank you God for your grace!

On a different note, the kids are growing and finding their own interests. Mackenzie is playing UPWARD Basketball again for her second year. As her mom, I'm biased, but I think she might be one of the better girls her team this year. I'm not proud at all! And she's just about caught up to me in height (5'3"), oh my! For the last few years Zach has been perfecting his skateboarding technique and for Christmas got a RipStik. Over Christmas break, Tom got to take Zach to his first skate park. He absolutely loved it!! Tom thought we were insane for letting him do this, but he's got 'skillz' and we made sure he had on ALL the pads for protection. Tom and Madison watched him and even recorded him so Kenzie and I could see his first skate boarding attempt basically in a dry, ceement pond. We'll be visiting it more frequently now that we know he can hold his own and thoroughly enjoys it! Madison has found another niche besides cooking...knitting. She had asked for and received a kit last Christmas, but none of us could quite make heads or tails of it from a book. She found a video at the library a few weeks ago and she is almost knitting like a pro now! She made knitted coasters for everyone in our extended family for Christmas. And now she even has Zach knitting and Kenzie wants to learn also. Who knows...coasters this past Christmas, sweaters next Christmas!

A Measured Heart ;)

Zach is the artist using two colored, bendable rulers.
Dad is the photographer.

Kenzie, our Disney Artist

Birthday Card from Matt

Which ones are the children, which ones are the cards? :)

Family Fun Night and Pumpkin Pies

We are having our traditional "Family Fun Night" tonight for Reformation Day/October 31st (Halloween to some). We will be playing games and eating homemade pizza and dessert. We just bought a new game for our Wii....Mario Kart. We absolutely love racing each other in this game. I (Tammy) like it the best!! It helps relieve my stress and is actually relaxing to me. I never thought I would like a video game so much!
We are also making our first ever pumpkin pies. Madison, Zachary, and I whipped up an easy recipe I found online and we doubled the recipe because the 'boughten' crusts came in two's. They are baking in the oven as I type and smell delicious! I hope they come out ok. I'll include a photo as soon as they come out of the oven. Thankfully, I watched my friend, Sue, make a pie a few months ago and saw that she covered up the edges of the crust while it was baking so it wouldn't burn. I never knew about that trick. Aluminum foil to the rescue! As you can see, I'm not a baker, so any tips would be greatly appreciated. I'll let y'all know how they turn out.

Mom's 60th Surprise Party

SURPRISE!!

My whole family pulled off a surprise party for my mom for her 60th birthday! Even her grandkids kept it a secret for a month!! It was great to honor Mom on her actual birthday (Oct. 5th) and see the joy on her face as she looked around the room and saw everyone who was there for her. My brothers and their families did a tremendous job scouting for the perfect restaurant, inviting everyone, decorating, and more. Tom, the kids, and I had a fun and nostalgic time going through boxes of photos to make photo collages of my mom's life.
There were over 50 people that came to celebrate with my Mom. More than half of those people were our extended family members. My uncle and cousins from South Carolina drove down just for the party. Family and friends came up from Satellite Beach. Everyone did a great job and fun was had by all!
She has faithfully prayed for me and my family and I am so grateful for her prayers. I have watched her faith in the Lord grow tremendously over the years and admire the childlike trust she has in Jesus Christ. Even though she has had many ups and downs in her life, her faith in God has never faltered. She is an awesome prayer warrior who intercedes for people she knows and doesn't know. I am so blessed that she is my Mom ~