Okay Amy, It is not Thursday yet!

That is what I am telling myself right now. I have been terribly sleep deprived (teething baby is one of the culprits!) and I have been thinking, most of the day today, that it is Thursday. Oh my. Well, now I know it is NOT Thursday(but soon!).

Being sleep deprived = Not Fun

I have taken a couple of cat naps throughout the day. Philip napped a bit, because he has had this fever off and on since last night. And, the baby has had a fever too. He took a good hour nap and enabled my cat nap time. Will David has some nasty congestion, so feeding him isn't a breeze right now. Praying and hoping they both are 100% very soon.

Memorial Day was quite the busy day for us. First, it was a day that meant much to my family, since it was almost a year ago that my grandpa passed away. He was a WW2 veteran. My grandma joined us for our picnic at my parents' house...and so did my parents' neighbors, "friend" Richard and his wife, Pam. Rich had to work, so it was I, SuperMom, who juggled Ella being in the parade in the morning, going to my parents, and then going to Rich's parents for another get together. The kids lucked out with the homemade ice cream- my brother made some and then Rich's parents made some! Go figure! I actually had some too...I usually don't. I am not much of an ice cream gal anymore. It was YUMMY! I remember when my grandma and grandpa Snyder used to make ice cream. It was certainly a process, but worth it.

Ella was too cute sitting with her fellow Girl Scouts in the back of the truck, at the parade. I could tell she had fun waving at all the people. Philip, the baby, and I had some time to kill since we had to get there early. We were bored. LOL. I did not come too prepared, just with food. It was a mad rush to get out the door. But, Philip seemed content to just sit in his little chair and look up and down the street. The baby was great for me at the parade- the band playing didn't upset him at all. The funniest thing I ever saw in my life I saw that day at the parade..and here it is...



A singular motorized porta, LOL...following the truck that was the company's in the parade. Philip and I laughed and laughed...and laughed some more. A very clever idea, I may add. It certainly was "memorable!"

Okay, so how to follow that bit of information..hmm....

Nothing is coming to me naturally so here are some photographs of the day. I took photographs constantly...and probably was a sight especially as I was trying to get a decent wagon photograph of all three kids. I yelled (gruffly) at one point.."SMILE!!!!!!!!!"...you can "hear" the silent "or else" after that, can't you?! My mom overheard me and laughed at that.







My brother saved the day for Philip. Ella's cousin, Abigail, and Ella had made some signs that said Girls Only...No Buddy. Notice, not "nobody", but "No Buddy.." My poor little boy...that didn't go over so well and he did act out a bit. But, after the neighbor, Richard, brought over a little wagon for Philip (Buddy) to play with, the girls wanted to also but my brother said...No, this is just for boys. Well, the girls changed their tune after that! I tried to make the extra effort to play with him that day, and we did manage to while the other adults were still eating/talking, but it was hard, honestly..I was beat. The baby's first tooth finally cut...but the past few nights have been very restless for him and for me. I think I already wrote about that..hmm..seee????

Ella had a game today, and I did not go because of the boys, but I heard from my dad and from Rich that she did really well! She had some plays, and was throwing better. I am proud of her! She really has the athleticism about her, and I am anxious to see how all that plays out (no pun intended!).

Here's what I shall end this post with....my dad was awarded for his superb teaching skills in a big, big way! We are all so very proud of him! This week he went to Cleveland to accept a regional teacher award from the prestigious American Chemical Society. This award was chose to go to him from other nominees in TEN states! YSU and the school where he teaches, Poland, nominated him..nothing he did on his own accord. Such a well deserved tribute to my father...I LOVE YOU, DAD!

I Heart Faces Week 20 Silhouettes

This week the challenge over at I Heart Faces is shooting a silhouette. I think this is an amazingly fun challenge, although, as of yet, I did not try it again myself recently. I am using a photograph I took almost 2 years ago (I can't believe it was that long ago!). Philip, my son, was right near the edge of this little pond where we had gone fishing. Looking closely at the photograph you can see what he was looking at- flitting little bugs and their reflections. I like how Buddy's hair is slightly sticking up at the top..makes me smile.

I DON'T LIKE SPIDERS

I do NOT like spiders. It doesn't matter (well, it does..I suppose) big or small, blech..I can't even make anymore comparisons. *Shivers*

Anyways, this is the time of year, right? When all sorts of bugs get into your house and crawl around. Or, your car!

Last night, Beth, and I made last minute plans to go out "shopping" and to Barnes and Noble for tea/coffee. We enjoyed ourselves so much! The time went FAST! I need another night like that one SOON, okay, Beth?! :)

Well, on the way home (I was driving us), I saw out of the corner of my eye, a big ole black creepy spider..I shrieked. I can't help it. I just do. And then I get goosebumps. I can't even pick up a dead spider with a ten foot pole. Eww. I told Beth I HAVE to pull over. So, we do, and I try to kill it, not meaning for Beth to think I was pushing it over to her side! LOL! Really, I wasn't! It was quite funny. I think doubly funny for Beth to see me beside myself. Yikes. Good times, good, good times!

So, with that evening out, I spent four solid hours away from all three children. I missed them yes, but that day was tough and I NEEDED that escape badly. I am thankful that Rich didn't complain about me leaving that night. I know it isn't always easy on "them" (husbands) either. The night was so refreshing to me, and having great companionship made it even better!

Today was a day spent outside! For the most part, the kids were out in the backyard. Philip was into his "journal" and Ella was coloring...all spread out on the blanket. They made "bird" places with dirt, buckets, sticks, and whatever else. Later, we went on a nice long walk, the four of us, since Rich was at a musical festival for "old timey" instruments. The weather was perfect for something like that- a long walk. Not too warm, slightly shady and overcast a bit. They also rode their bikes, but Ella LOVES to ride on her scooter. It is probably a favorite childhood pasttime of hers! She is so cute to watch..one foot on the scooter, the other up and down on the pavement, her ponytail swishing that way and then this way. Buddy tried for the first time to ride his bike without training wheels. He would stop pedaling when Rich let go! Even when I heard Rich tell him NOT to do that, he did anyways. Hehehe...he'll get the hang of it eventually! He found his Civil War hat (yeah!) that my dad had given to him last year...so, yes, he ended up wearing it ALL day! With a tie. And his usually tshirt and jeans...what a combination! Ella wore her hair in a side ponytail. I TOTALLY remember having my hair like that when I was little. She thinks it's the "bees knees." Well, she didn't say that of course but you know what I mean...she told me she wants to wear her hair like this Every. Single. Day. Hmmm..we'll see!

I got her to slow down a bit and take down the ponytail for a few evening photographs...When Beth and I went to Once Upon A Child last night, I found a handkerchief dress for a whopping 4.50! Sorry for the folks that don't know what a handkerchief dress is. I guess you could describe them as looking like a handkerchief when you are holding it and the sides are uneven on the bottom. Anyways, it is gorgeous. Of course, I saw a million-gazillion other wonderful dresses, but they were little sizes. Sniff sniff sniff. I have two boys after Ella because God knew I'd buy ourselves out of house and home with baby girl clothes if we'd had had another girl. Sigh...still wish we had another girl. (don't worry Mom and Dad! LOL!) Well, here is the dress in action...I KNEW it would be perfect for some photographs!









I am thinking there is definitely one from this bunch canvas worthy. I told Philip to be ready for Mommy to take some pictures of him in the same spot tomorrow, in the early evening!

I wish I had more time tonight to share some more photographs, but it is LATE and I have a busy day tomorrow at church (and early, too!). Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

I Heart Faces Blurb Book Entry

The chances of winning are decreasing! LOL! I do not enter for that reason, just for the record, but it really blows my mind how many people are added among the followers at I Heart Faces. I think that it is truly exciting!

Without further adieu...

Here is my entry for this week's challenge- your best face photo for a chance to be in their Blurb Book!

Tough tough tough choice, really! I had some recent pics I could have chosen from, but this one just spoke to me tonight. It is a couple years old...taken at my in-laws house. I do believe their yard provides me with some great lighting and backdrops!



I am submitting this photo into the www.iheartfaces.com Blurb Book photo contest. I am granting I ♥ Faces permission to use my photo in a printed version of a book for commercial use and possibly advertising of a photo book on both the Blurb and I ♥ Faces web sites.

Don't you hate being late?

I do. And so I felt really awful when we ended up being late for Ella's game today. We were going to be early, and then halfway there I had to turn around and get the chairs for Buddy and I to sit it (very much a necessity!). Then, we were halfway there AGAIN and I had to turn back around for Ella's ballglove! So, after we picked that up we got to the field..about 10 minutes late, and my dad was waiting for us there. I couldn't get the boys out of the car fast enough so I had him take Ella up to the field.

In the process of getting everything ready to walk up to the field to watch the game, they come back.

THEIR game is at 6:30.

Um. Yeah.

I sighed. Rolled my eyes. What an Amy thing to do....sigh....oh well!
In that next hour or so, my dad got to practice throwing with Ella and that helped her quite a bit. I got some dishes washed and put away. Rich held the baby and walked outside. Buddy got to run off energy....then everyone left but me and the baby. I ate a little bit and then we went on a 15 minute walk. It was a great time to be outside. And, nice to take advantage of the moments!

I need to up my exercise (which is almost non existant anywhoo lol)..due to some health issues, and also I am changing quite a bit in my diet. Rich says I don't do bad but I am giving up cereal....THAT IS BIG for me! I am eating oatmeal instead. I don't want to get into it all really, right now, but I inherited some things from my parents, whom I love I might add!, that are not so great for me right now and they HAVE to get better. I felt doom and gloomy about it all day, and all day yesterday. Rich encourages me and says, just wait until your thyroid gets figured out and the rest will get better...sigh...I know that is part/ most of it....

Today I went to a homeschool meet up for moms in the area who are or who are planning on homeschooling. I enjoyed meeting some new ladies. I couldn't stay there, because I had errands to run, so I am hoping that there is a get together soon again!
I am still overjoyed by our decision to homeschool...it will be a challenge but very rewarding in the end!

I feel like I am so random tonight..it's a reflection of my misconjombulated (is that even a word?) brain tonight....

I am sad over two losses...one is an elderly woman who is from our old church in New Springfield. Her husband passed away several years ago, and she has always been such a strong lady. Her family needs your prayers as they go through this time. I LOVE this family....extended members, too. They show such strong Christian faith, and have always opened their hearts and homes to all.

The next loss is a young woman from my favorite place Studio Calico. I don't know details beyond that she fell ill and couldn't get over it. So, so sad..she has children, and a husband, that need your prayers as well. Such a tragic loss. She was a sweet, sweet gal. This is tough for our little scrapbooking community since we, honestly, still only recently lost our dear friend, Aleida, in a car accident. This was this past fall...and it still hurts.

I want to grasp onto this life God has given me with a fierceness..but I know that only HE holds my life, my family's, my friends. Such a hard reminder to love everyday, forgive everyday, embrace everyday, endure everyday....

How Majestic Is Your Name

enjoy (I hope! LOL!)....this is a piano duet from this morning- I had fun doing my part!

06 Track 6.wma -

goo goo ga ga

that is buddy's new name for the baby!

i really was at first annoyed with this name-calling..but now i just figured i should just embrace it. why not. it makes buddy happy. the baby doesn't care one bit. rich laughs at it. so does ella. so...embrace is what i will do. and, well..hmm....embrace was the word i chose for this year, i just realized! how about that?

okay so real quick. our couple days away was great. more later. i need to go to bed....ella is sick, so i expect some times up with her like last night, and add in the baby, well, yeah...not much sleep for me again. she missed school today. definitely will miss tomorrow. she missed a game wednesday, and will again tomorrow. she wanted to go outside so badly today, but that really wasn't possible. she sat out on the front porch this evening for just a couple minutes. she was sad because buddy and daddy were outside....i sure hope she feels better soon.

i think it started last weekend after her big girl scout day with her dad, up at beaver creek state park. she did so much that afternoon and came home exhausted and ended up sick in her stomach again!

by the way- the girl LOVED the "bow and arrow". they actually had archery as one of the activities...rich said she REALLY enjoyed that. doesn't surprise me...i really think that athletics is her thing.

anyways...okay, so i need to go to bed! what a thought! more later!

oops- short commentary on the photographs- will david at the hotel, ella at the hotel, a shot of ella on the t ball bench last week, and also buddy's new pet toad he met last night...no longer a pet, but it hung around for awhile yesterday (mainly because philip did NOT want to put it down!).

I Heart Faces LAUGHTER Adult Entry!

Here is my entry for the adult category in this week's Laughter challenge! Check out I Heart Faces for more entries!



This is my husband, Rich, when he was laughing at the antics of our then almost-four-year-old son, Philip. I know his eyes are covered- but that is what happens when we are really laughing sometimes...we can't control ourselves and for some reason, the hand to face thing is a reflex.

I Heart Faces LAUGHTER Kids Entry!

I am so excited to share this photograph again! I wish I could have that smile on MY face like that ALL the time...because, for sure, Will David has that down pat! So, here is my entry for the I Heart Faces challenge this week- LAUGHTER!

Your soul will be lifted if you go take a peek at more entries at the official I Heart Faces site!

book giveaway winner!

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Timestamp: 2009-05-11 12:16:34 UTC


BETH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You won! I am sure to see you soon!

I've pondered today's post

quite often. I have thought about posting about some not so nice things to think about. I have thought about posting only about happy Mother's Day things. I have pondered about just posting about the day in general. I decided to try all three things while the baby is sleeping on the hotel bed and Rich and the kids are swimming.

I have to get one thing off my chest...warning to readers, now. It is not something that many want to think about. I feel like I have to blog about it because it is an incident that has really troubled me since I saw it on the news. I probably don't have to say anymore about this incident....it involves a very young sweet child. I cannot understand WHY. HOW. Why was this done to a sweet, sweet baby. I can't handle it...it drives my thinking...it bothers me....I wish and pray and hope with all I have in my heart that that precious child did not suffer, that God miraculously saved him from any pain that was obviously inflicted upon him. I have tried all week to understand how something like this would happen...and it has only made me ache in my heart. For that child, and other children that have been lost while unborn, born, and even later in their childhood lives. I honestly have always been against the death penalty, until now...I feel so angry that this evil "won". I am so, so so saddened. I am sorry to bring anyone down with this that I am writing...I have tears running down my face. I cannot fathom...I want to know God's peace in this. It feels impossible though..it honestly feels impossible. I don't know what else to say about it except this....we clearly will not know answers to things like this until we see Jesus face to face.

I suppose I can jump now to a happy note. I need to jump to a happy note, but I do appreciate if you (hopefully) let me express my anguish over what I just had written..so, okay...moving on....

I feel so blessed to be a mom of these three children: Ella, Philip, and Will David. I have told my husband today "Thank you for my children." I know that it was a stretch for anyone that loves us to think of us with three children, but I do believe God has led us to having each and every one of them. They are here with a PURPOSE from HIM, after all! And I as a mom, want to develop that purpose with all that I can and know and do. I make mistakes all the time. I have regrets all the time. I wish I could wipe away each and every tear and ache they have had. I want to provide all the happiness in the world for them. I want to make them safe. I want to show them Love. These things I will try to do....but I know that only God can accomplish many of them, and then, only if it is within His choice. That is sometimes hard to take....life's fraility and dips in the road. I am holding on to Hope in Him for providing the strength and love and peace for our family, each and every day. Without that, where else would we be?

I am striving to be more like Him, so I can show my children how to walk in the Light. It is not easy...oh, no. Like I said before, I have many regrets. I want less regrets. I want more victories. I feel like more often than not, I have losses in what I am trying to show and teach them. God has shown me so many things lately, and I pray that He will carry me through each moment, each second, each trial, each happiness...I want to be the mom that these children need, the wife my husband needs..the woman that GOD wants me to be.

I shall end this post with this thought- I plan on making more of an effort to show joy in all things. I want to be a person that shows joy in all circumstances. Why? It can direct people to HIM more, and it can show others the Love of God. I see that in others, and I want to have that sort of radiance. I don't want it selfishly- I want it humbly, if God chooses. He might teach me something else in this new journey. I don't know. But, I am willing.

Happy Mother's Day, With Love.

Life has been full

but busy. We have officially started Ella's T Ball game season! Tonight is another game, at 4:30, and I'm wondering how it will work as it looks like rain today! I have to take both boys with me....Rich will still be working and then has to go play at the Encore Cafe tonight! I am excited for his music thing tonight- it involves the Civil War group he is in, along with my dad. I am not sure if we'll attend- along with probably being tired after Ella's game, I have been suffering lately from my fibromyalgia. I do have a chiropractor's appointment for next week (Rich has off next week, and there are a myraid of appointments because I took advantage of that fact!) to help with my neck and shoulder/back pain. Ugh. A few weeks ago I had pain on the other side! I have "lost" a few days here and there because of the discomfort...oh..and because Monday I had my sister in law come over to hang the "expressions" I had ordered from Uppercase Living! While she was here she also helped me reorganize/decorate Ella's room. I LOVE the "wall vinyls" I ordered...in the "dining area" above our sliding doors is this: Share faith, offer prayer, gather hope.

Isn't that cool? I LOVE that! Also, the kids have their names on their doors now! My favorite is the branch and bird house above Ella's headboard. Lisa was a gem to help me fix Ella's room..wait..who am I kidding? She did more than help! LOL!

On the wall above Philip's bed (which will be a shared room eventually with the baby) is "Thank Heaven For Little Boys," with a few stars, too. The stars coordinate with Philip's "star" quilt! I had wanted to put another thing in there but we decided it would look better on Ella's wall. I wish I had been able to use this expression: You are a DREAM come true...it is a baby one, with a little birdie pictured with it, too. There just wasn't the "proper" place to place it. Oh well...

I have an idea of what I would like to put in our bedroom and also in the living room...hopefully to get those soon. I had lucked out with my order this time though because it was "buy one get one free!" I would like to put up this beside our bed (and the pack and play LOL)..."Always Remember To Kiss Me Goodnight."

For the living room, I have an idea that would use a single BIG canvas or several smaller ones. I suppose now I have the project of taking the "perfect picture" for the job! I would LOVE to have an oversized canvas- I think it would add a lot to our home!

It was a blessing to get some new things in the house this week...I have been dealing with some internal frustration with not mentally being able to rid up as much like usual. It was such a help to have Lisa WANT to do Ella's room...it's her creative outlet, just like mine is scrapbooking and phtoography. I could see the joy in her eyes as she put her special touches here and there.

Just to let my blog readers know- Ella's room is the smallest and probably has the most stuff. I took downstairs THREE garbage bags full of toys, etc. that we could put away for now. I am sure there is a bunch of stuff to be taken away to Goodwill, or whatever, but for now, that is all I had the energy for. Her room has the least amount of toys it has ever had in it! This will make it so much easier for her to play with her things...she was literally beside herself when we surprised her with her room! Talk about being giddy!


We are ALL quite giddy about this- we are going as a family to the Carlisle Inn Sunday through Monday! Ella will have to miss one day of school. Rich has off the entire next week too. The kids are so excited...the love hotels. I love this particular one because there is a beautiful baby grand piano to play at your leisure! I am sure to bring my music with me....and scrapbooking, too.

Oh, really quick back to T Ball. Ella looks so cute out there in the field. I am so proud of her. A funny thing though- she is like the other kids in that sometimes she just doesn't pay too much attention.....it made me laugh, I shouldn't, but it did! Oh- and if you never saw a bunch of little little kids play T Ball, you should come see a game sometime. Honestly...wishing I could play T Ball! No one gets out and you get to run from first to second to third and home with each consecutive batter! LOL! Every single time! Talk about building self-esteem!

I have company arriving shortly, so I have stop blogging. A shame, as I just got on a roll here! I sure hope I can be productive with scrapbooking this weekend, and with photograpy, so I have some new things to share.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Blog Tour Giveaways Times Three!!!

I have several books to giveaway! I am going to make this a "big" giveaway, to save myself of the trouble of shipping to three different places, I will be giving away these three books to ONE person! You have through Sunday at midnight to comment! Get extra points if you blog about this giveaway and link back to here! Then comment that you blogged, or even twittered! :) Happy Mother's Day!




Dear Mom
by Melody Carlson

Every mom knows how communicating with a teenage girl can be difficult, even impossible at times. One-word answers. Defensive conversations. Daily arguments. How typical for teens to put up such barriers. All the while, moms truly long to know what their daughters really think.

Best-selling author Melody Carlson, whose books for women, teens, and children have sold more than three million copies, bridges this chasm with trusted insight. She speaks frankly in the voice of the teen daughters she’s written for and she tells it like it is: struggles with identity, guys, friendship, and even parents—it’s all here. The straight-talk to moms covers such things as “I need you, but you can’t make me admit it,” “I’m not as confident as I appear,” and “I have friends. I need a mother.”

Instead of focusing on outward behaviors, Dear Mom looks at a young woman’s heart and reveals to moms:

· how to talk to teens so they hear,

· how to connect despite the differences of perspective or years and experiences,

· and how strengthen the bond every mom and daughter ultimately wants.

The lively chapters in Dear Mom can be dipped into topically or used as a read-through tool by moms and daughters alike to understand what motivates or deflates, troubles or inspires—and just in time for Mother’s Day and all the Mother’s Days ahead.



Author Bio:

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of more than one hundred books for adults, children, and teens, with sales totaling more than three million copies. Beloved for her Diary of a Teenage Girl and Notes from a Spinning Planet series, she’s also the author of the women’s novels Finding Alice (in production now for a Lifetime-TV movie), Crystal Lies, On This Day, These Boots Weren’t Made for Walking, and A Mile in My Flip-Flops. A mother of two grown sons, Melody lives in central Oregon with her husband and chocolate lab retriever. She’s a full-time writer and an avid gardener, biker, skier, and hiker.

Purchase your own copy here! Although it was a bit different to read from a teenager's vernacular, it was insightful to how the mother-daughter relationship can be richer, fuller.





Mama’s Got A Fake I.D.

by Caryn Dahlstrand Rivedeneira



Formula for identity loss:

1. Take one multifaceted, intriguing human being.

2. Bless her with a child.

3. Mix with today’s cultural assumptions.

4. Add the demands of motherhood.

5. Presto! All identity except Mom disappears.



For every woman wondering what happened to the unique combination of gifts and abilities she was known for before kids came along, Caryn Dahlstrand Rivedeneira has good news: in Mama’s Got a Fake I.D., Rivedeneira helps moms reclaim their full identity as creative beings, gifted professionals and volunteers, loving friends, children of God—and mothers.



This inspiring and practical guide shows women how to break free from false guilt, learn a new language to express who they really are, and follow God’s lead in sharing their true self with others. After all, motherhood doesn’t have to mean losing one’s identity. Instead, being a mom makes it possible for a woman to discover a more complete identity as the person God made her to be.



Author Bio:

The former managing editor of Marriage Partnership and Christian Parenting Today, Caryn Dahlstrand Rivedeneira has been a trusted voice writing and speaking to women for more than a decade. Today she is the managing editor of GiftedForLeadership.com, an online community for Christian women in leadership. Rivadeneira works from home in the Chicago suburbs, where she lives with her husband and their three children.

You may visit here to purchase your own copy! I thought this book to very insightful, and diligent in telling the reader (a mom) that their life has purpose from God, and it does not end where motherhood begins.




Enduring Justice

by Amy Wallace


In Enduring Justice, Hanna Kessler’s childhood secret has remained buried for over two decades. But when the dark shadows of her past threaten to destroy those she loves, Hanna must face the summer that changed her life and the man who still haunts her thoughts.



Crimes Against Children FBI Agent, Michael Parker knows what it means to get knocked down. And when the system fails and a white supremacist is set free, Michael’s drive for retribution eclipses all else.



A racist’s well-planned assault forces Hanna and Michael to decide between executing vengeance and pursuing justice. When the attack turns personal, is healing still possible?



This thought-provoking novel deals with healing from sexual abuse, the balance of justice and mercy, and maintaining mixed-race friendships in the midst of racial tension. Readers who enjoy investigative thrillers by Dee Henderson, Colleen Coble, and Catherine Coulter, and who watch crime dramas like Law & Order: SVU, Criminal Minds, and Without a Trace will love this book—and the entire series.



Author Bio:

Amy Wallace is the author of Ransomed Dreams and Healing Promises, a homeschool mom, and self-confessed chocoholic. She is a graduate of the Gwinnett County Citizens Police Academy and a contributing author of several books including God Answers Moms’ Prayers and Chicken Soup for the Soul Healthy Living Series: Diabetes. She lives with her husband and three children in Georgia .

You may visit here to buy your own copy of this book! I enjoyed the contemporary story....as I am usually a historical fiction kind of gal. It was an intriguing storyline!

I Heart Faces- HATS!

This photograph makes me laugh. I love Will David's typical new baby yawn. So very sweet. A priceless capture! I have many hat pictures in my files but this one means the most to me and thus it is my kids' entry for this week's challenge..you can go here for other "hat" entries at the I Heart Faces blog!

The New Face of the Gerber Baby

I Heart Faces Reflection

It is Reflection week over at the I Heart Faces blog! I had a couple older photos I was going to use, but decided to do something different- I used my photo software program to solarize my adult entry although it certainly didn't look quite solarized! It is my own reflection in the same picture frame used in my children's entry. And....if you step back a bit while looking at the kid's entry, you will see the photo in the frame, that is of Will David several months back. What you see mainly, however, is Will David at 5 and a half months old! So, I used some creative license with my entries this week. Don't forget to check out I Heart Faces for many other photos!

My mind has been immersed

in homeschooling reviews, curriculum, unit studies, advice, pros, and cons! Because....we have decided we will go this route beginning with Ella this coming fall as she starts first grade. Now, this had been a decision we were making even before she started Kindy. Obviously, we said "no" to homeschooling back then. The decision has been made clear..thank you, God! That's a HUGE thank you to You, too! :)

I am trying to find out the "best" homeschool study for her, for me, for us. It is TOUGH. I never knew this decision would be so tough! There are so many things to consider...length of day, what is your "core" study, how much prep do you as a teacher want to have, what types of learning styles, etc etc etc. Mind boggling, really!

Just when I think I reached a verdict, I change my mind due to a new discovery or thought. I think I have it narrowed down to a few, and in particular one curriculum that reflects my own love of learning- Tapestry of Grace. With this, you still have to have your phonics, handwriting, and math, but it has a huge amount of wealth, more than you can accomplish, honestly, with a single child in a single year. It does take some effort for the teacher, more than others, but honestly, with my uber fast reading skills (my underestimated talent! LOL!) and my LOVE for things like this, it would be an absolute BLESSING to me. I WELCOME the thought of directing some time of my day or week to my OWN learning FOR my children. For others, that thought is too demanding. For me, oh no....I have felt mentally limited since I have had children, and I was talking to my dearest hubby about this the other day, and yes, I ended up being very tearful about it. I think this is, if I can be completely open and vulnerable, a way that God will bring me back to feeling confident in my mental abilities and education that I have had. I thought briefly that it would be a selfish desire, but then I concluded this: God is able to work BEYOND what we can imagine. And I think, and trust, and will have faith, that this will be an example of His complete awesomeness!

The other possibility lies in the 6-8 year old program from Hearts of Dakota. They have an emphasis on early American history and literature that looks absolute divine for a first grader! I love the selected books with this curriculum. I also have found some positive things with one called Five In A Row. I have thought, though, that perhaps a summer go with FIAR would be best for us. Just to keep us reading. You just need one of the volume manuals, and then you can get your books from the library. AND, you can pick and choose what you want to do!

I have to decide on some kind of science supplement...there are several I am trying to decide on that I like.

Also, I do have the math one figured out. It is between Handwriting With Tears, Italic, and A Reason for Writing for the penmanship studies.

An extra art book I wish to get, someday, is Artistic Pursuits. I plan on using library books for some music appreciation and for some more Health studies.

One thing I have been contemplating as supplementation of things, or even a study "break" of regular studies, are Unit Studies. I have found some free ideas on the Internet, including an apple unit study that would be fabulous to incorporate new words, stories, and even a fieldtrip to a local fruit farm!

Whew! The amount of information I have taken in the past couple weeks is A LOT, to say the least! I took a "day" break, but honestly, this stuff 'fires me up" so much I can't seem to get rid of my eagerness to read about homeschooling! This will be our first year of homeschooling, so I have to remind myself that we have...time. We really do, to experiment, to experience, to elaborate. Hmm...I like that....

Experiment.

Experience.

Elaborate.

I forgot to mention several reasons WHY we are deciding to homeschool- I HATED how I felt in the beginning of the school year. Like I just pushed her aside when I took her to school. No, that may not be a good reason for others for deciding to homeschool, but it is something that I am taking in consideration. Also, I want to be more involved with her education, and don't think making her be consume with school her entire day minus and hour or two is the way to do it. That means- I teach her at home on our time, and we have the rest of the day and night to either catch up with school, some homework or study, but mainly the choice of freedom. And that freedom enters into how we juggle field trips, etc., and Rich's day off. It is more of a desire for a family growing closer in this certain way. For US. Also, we are going to have Philip attend the same preschool that Ella did..I LOVED her teacher. I think it will be good for him to have that structure for a year. Plus, it will give Ella and I (and Will David) to adjust to a certain schedule as needed.

With regards to Philip, I am going to try to find something that can incorporate his learning into Ella's studies...maybe through science or read-alouds. Or an art project. I am excited about that- it will be more fun for the both of them that way!

Also, oh please no one suggest there is no socializing with homeschooling. That is simply NOT TRUE. And I will NEVER feel I have to defend my position on that. I will briefly, though, for the sake of anyone reading this: church, T Ball, Girl Scouts, soccer, field trips, and finally, homeschool groups. Those are things that Ella is (or will be) involved in that involves people!

Anyways...I hope you enjoyed the pics up top! I am so glad we've had a lot more light around Northeast Ohio! It helps this natural light photographer!

Blog Tour Book Reviews!

I had the pleasure of reading a couple of books that were both intriguing and enlightening. I enjoyed the history of Aurora. I LOVED the photographs of history within this gem! Quilts, people, etc. A Flickering Light captured the trials of a young woman within her heart....I am sure these will be well liked books by those who read them!

The perfect pairing of a heart retrenching tale and a real life view of a Utopian community, both set in the1800s, any fan of Jane will be sure to love! Even if you are new to Kirkpatrick’s work, you can certainly expect to be captivated and longing for more while discovering new fascinations you never knew you had. Her extraordinary experiences mixed with her rich history have given her the ability to draw you in and make you feel like you are experiencing her unique stories as they happen. This rare gift has helped her to become one of today’s best selling authors. Be prepared to be blown away by her words as you get a glimpse into an entirely new world.

A FLICKERING LIGHT

Returning to her Midwest roots, award-winning author Jane Kirkpatrick draws a page from her grandmother’s photo album to capture the interplay between shadow and light, temptation and faith that marks a woman’s pursuit of her dreams.

She took exquisite photographs,

but her heart was the true image exposed.

Fifteen-year-old Jessie Ann Gaebele loves nothing more than capturing a gorgeous Minnesota landscape when the sunlight casts its most mesmerizing shadows. So when F.J. Bauer hires her in 1907 to assist in his studio and darkroom, her dreams for a career in photography appear to find root in reality.

With the infamous hazards of the explosive powder used for lighting and the toxic darkroom chemicals, photography is considered a man’s profession. Yet Jessie shows remarkable talent in both the artistry and business of running a studio. She proves less skillful, however, at managing her growing attraction to the very married Mr. Bauer.

This luminous coming-of-age tale deftly exposes the intricate shadows that play across every dream worth pursuing—and the irresistible light that beckons the dreamer on.

If you would like to purchase this book, please visit here!



AURORA

Wrap yourself in a fantastic journey,
a remarkable commitment, and a spare and splendid story

Master storyteller Jane Kirkpatrick extols the beautiful treasures, unknown to a wider public, rediscovered in the Old Aurora Colony of Oregon ’s lush Willamette Valley . The people and legacy of Aurora, a utopian community founded in the mid-1800s, will stir your imagination, hopes, and dreams; and remind you that every life matters—that our lives are the stories other people read first.

~Featuring~

Unique and treasured quilt pattern variations

More than 100 photographs, many never-before published, from 1850 to today

Cherished stories from Aurora descendants

Rich images of fine crafts from the Aurora Colony and private collections

An introduction by renowned American artist John Houser



Aurora is about the difference every ordinary life can make—and a beautiful celebration of a time and place in which people expressed their most cherished beliefs through the work of their imagination and hands.

If you would like to purchase this book, please visit here!


Author Bio:

Jane Kirkpatrick is a best-selling, award-winning author whose previous historical novels include All Together in One Place and Christy Award finalist A Tendering in the Storm. An international keynote speaker, she has earned regional and national recognition for her stories based on the lives of actual people, including the prestigious Wrangler Award from the Western Heritage Hall of Fame. Jane is a Wisconsin native who since 1974 has lived in Eastern Oregon , where she and her husband, Jerry, ranch 160 rugged acres.

I Heart Faces Self Portrait Entries

This first photograph is my self portrait-kids entry at I Heart Faces. This is actually a cropped photograph from a mini session of Will David and I. It is a favorite of mine. I have to say that I hold him like this many, many, many times throughout the day. I am so glad to have a photograph representing those moments. It is bittersweet though....every day I see how big he is getting, and it makes me sad, but yet I am so happy that he is a healthy, growing boy!



Last fall, I was awaiting the arrival of Will David, our third child. I overcame my weariness for an hour and was able to capture several maternity self portraits. I was blessed with wonderful lighting that day! It is what aided in developing the emotion in my photographs, I believe. Here is my self portrait entry:



There are an abundance of inspiring photographs at the I Heart Faces blog to check out!

Happy 6th Birthday, Ella!

Today is our sweet girlie's birthday! She is turning 6- I can't believe it! She is....
my beloved photography subject
fun, joyful daughter
smart and witty child
Easter born, and Christmas loving girl
artistic and energetic
kind and compassionate
a little girl who loves pizza, gum, and frozen gogurt, her stuffed animals, little books, little brothers, and flying rockets with her daddy
scooter queen with a soccer kick and t ball throw
piano playing and reading
loves her shows like barbie and scooby doo, franklin and little bear, too her grandparents and cat oh...and I am pretty sure she loves her mom and dad, too!
We celebrated yesterday at my parents' house- vanilla cupcakes dotted with mini chocolate chips and several black spotted white packages....for a "dalmation" theme. Yes, we still celebrated Will David's dedication and Buddy's birthday- see post below for the special song for the baby. I gave her her own pink deluxe Scrabble game (oh, okay...I admit, it was for me too! LOL!), because she is always wanting to play it, and we only have a very mini game of it! Also, the new Barbie Rapunzel doll and Hello Kitty umbrella. My mom and dad gave her a sweet (plush) dalmation doggie..she loves it and took it to school today, along with a 4 dozen little powdered donuts to share with her class! She was so happy go lucky this morning! I hope she has a blessed day! Here are a random few older pics of her...from baby, to tot, to preschool age! And, finally, but not least, another special song...this is a piano solo I wrote and played when I was pregnant with her. It is called Ella's song. Enjoy!