The Earth is the Lord's

'the Earth is the Lord's

and everything in it,

the world,

and those who live in it.'
Psalm 24:1

This has been our memory verse for the first section of Our Spiritual Heritage Bible study. The period covers 'first fathers' of OSH, creation, & introduction of Abraham.

Our second memory verse is from:

Psalm 146:5-6

'Happy is the person who has the God of Jacob for his help. Whose hope is in the Lord, his God, who made heaven & earth, the sea and all that is in them.'

April, Lord willing will bring us the a comforting and encouraging verse,

Psalm 40:11b

'Let Your loving kindness and your truth

always preserve me.'

These verses are selected for the modified pre-school lessons for OSH chronology box of the Bible. We are all continuing to learn Ephesians 6, along with Jack for his regular academic work.

Rain, Rain, Go Away...

These two little boys want to go out and play, and there will be mud. and laundry.









My computer has been at 'the shop', but it's on the mend. Still house/homestead shopping. Finding, getting, aquiring... not where my heart wants to be. It wants to be digging, creating, growing. But it's a necessity, the getting of the place to do the digging, etc..
So these Sunday dudded kiddos continue to play in the muddy creek, ride bikes 'with no training wheels,' and enjoy playing HARD.
Blessed are we, health, love, opportunity. Thank you Lord, for not 'cutting me off', when I forget to take my 'meds'. Lifetime meds that is.
Henry was thankful for the rain today, stay rain, stay... makes more mud.

An Apology for Latin or Math

I've been juggling the math question and stumbled upon this article. Latin seems so mandatory to me, but I have long been a believer in delayed math. But common practice & marital bliss have required a start in the subject. But the article above (linked first) shed a little light about math being a 'subject' not a grammar subject, much like Latin.
I'm working on a start in Classical Conversations which will provide the memorization facts, but give freedom of planning in our educational plan.
Another related article about Latin I found very interesting can be found here.
We'll be incorporating Latin for sure, and math in a slower pace, 'grammar' of the subject way as time unfolds.

Lifemeds #36

Counting still {1000 gifts}

301 Nana's who come to visit & do the laundry.

302 watch the kids

303 celebrate victories no matter how small.

304 Jack finally losing a top tooth

305 Henry's attitude (happiness)

306 opportunities in homeschooling to solidify connections made in learning.

307 beautiful weather

308 concert at UGA to hear amazing musicians (Punch Brothers)

309 Eric's williness to see & enjoy the moments of life (he got the tickets without my knowing)

310 Valentine Junior Mints from my sweetie.

311 Excellent DAR meeting

312 the boy's enthusiasm for playing tennis -- TOGETHER

That's my list for now...

Be sure to visit the Gratitude Community over at A Holy Experience to enjoy the company of others counting what could be an endless list of blessings ~ One Thousand Gifts.

I call it ~ Lifetime Meds.

Homesteading Revisited

We feel we've been on a break, and found ourselves just needing to 'survive'. A move of any nature is disturbing & disruptive. We are in a 9 month position of recovery. We're getting our feet. Perhaps because we've 'figured out' what we really need, and 'how far out' is really far enough.

It's likely we'll put yet another offer on a house this weekend. We've missed a couple, but that's just part of the learning curve, growing process, and character building. I'm curved, processed & built enough. I WANT TO GO HOME. Hang up my horseshoe over the door and plant the garden. And it's really time to start living, stop fretting & wringing hands.

We had a serious moment last week, that sent our Valentines day into a tailspin. Our dog of 11 years bit H. A dog nip is one thing, but this was serious. We knew it. It was time. She's gone and a chapter in our lives has closed before we were ready. We love her and miss her. How silly, not really, time invested into a living creature... she gave us so much and we hope we cared for her well. We know it's a part of life, but she's gone. Our hearts broken are ready for the opening of the new chapter.

Chickens, goats, horses? Perhaps a new dog, when the season comes. I was able to vist Lazy B Farm in person, & savor the company of likeminded women for an evening of coffee and discussion. Excellent. Next meeting in a few weeks for those who are nearby.

For now, we appreciate the simplicity, have played tennis everyday in the beautiful weather, and have enjoyed our Valentines as best we could.

Mt. Hope Chronicles: Q & A: Homeschooling

Visited Heidi @ Mt. Hope Chronicles: Q & A: Homeschooling for some homeschooling questions about boys, and just in general. Head on over for some excellent information about Classical Conversations (links), and some good detail about her world of learning. And you'll get to see Lola. Don't miss Lola.

Inspiration

This photo from Southern Living is inspiration to me. perhaps it's the big french doors. The fireplace, with it's contemporary art, or the persian rug. The 2 kids in my house seldom if ever sit that still. We are working on 2 offers, on 2 different houses. Life moves on. So literally.

Jack is working on memorizing Ephesians 6, and is currently in the midst of the armor of God. What an amazing illustration for us. Henry is quoting 'The earth is the Lord's and everything in it,' taken from Psalm 24:1.

Lifemeds #35

274 finding a book that actually helped me with the tv addiction problem.

275 the desire to do something about it.

276 peace about a house.

277 breathtaking weather.

278 a beaverdam in our creek.

279 boys healthy play in the creek.

280 4-H clubs and a home-school group each month.

281 my husband.

282 that he watched the boys 2 times this last week so I could make 2 special meetings.

283 a self-defense class with friends at Tae Kwon Do

284 a Homesteading Meeting!!! how fun!

285 complimentary school classes that teach scripture

286 my Sword

287 Sunday pot lucks - yum.

288 coupons that I found while shopping for groceries

289 the time (3rd time Eric watched boys in the week) I had to shop alone for groceries.

290 duct tape

291 my washing machine

292 a steam carpet cleaner

293 my vaacum (last years christmas present)

294 our table hockey game

295 an obedient dog

296 teachable boys

297 patient friends

298 a home for Leslie

299 a decorator she loves

300 opportunity.

I heard last week one is happier if they have a meeting to attend once a month. Well once a week individuals meet up on a Monday morning to share in a Gratitude Community, counting 1000 Gifts. Visit there. Join. It's amazing.

I call it my lifemeds. It is a medicine I will always need. Gratitude.

Friday...

I can't seem to get all the pictures uploaded, quick enough to coincide with what all is going on. We've stayed home today, a day to be home. what a blessing. This is close to what the house looked like during the snow. It's gone now. We'll have more, but a break is nice.

Boys have been outside playing- hard.

It's cool enough to wear a superman costume under a hunter suit.

It's cool enough to want hot chocolate, but not to freeze in the great outdoors.

It's sunny, to warm the soul.

Tasks are done so I can get some school planning done.

It's good, it's a blessing.

I'm looking for lentil soup recipes, while planning to make cranberry bread.

It's the end of the month you know, so we're cleaning the pantry!

Have a wonderful weeknd. ~

Laura

Lifetime Meds #34

#262 snow that slowed us down.

#263 a husband who kept us going.

#264 groceries from a large well-planned run.

#265 finally- organization in school.

#266 boys who love snow.

#267 Tae Kwon Do

#268 recognizing people in a new town.

#269 that they recognize you.

#270 coupons that fall in your lap.

#271 fun with Yahtzee.

#272 a good nights sleep.

#273 promises renewed every morning.

God is more than a dose of medication. His promises are more than a prescription. They are the marrow that resides in our bones. His promises and faithfulness are the blood & air that passes through our souls intricate creation. Thank you Lord, for your blessings. Your mercy. Your goodness.

Praying a prayer of thanksgiving, with others at a the Gratitude Community. Visit A Holy Experience to share with others in a global offering of thanks.

Legacy

When making major life decisions, like buying a house, one can really get caught up in the details. How big, floorplan, location, etc... but it all really comes back down to 'how will we live' in the location, will the floorplan enhance our lives, will the size facilitate our family's closeness and personal growth? Will we be close enough to amenities or far enough away to see the rolling hills while we drive to and from the amenities.

I read this post today while scrolling pictures, ideas & whatnot. It struck a cord. How will my kids remember me? will the see the profile of my face in the screen light of my laptop, or my smile directly looking at them, setting the media world to the side, just to get a goodmorning hug?

First things first. First things, must be first. There's only one chance. Regrets are such a burden. I don't want to spend my days, wishing, regretting.

Prayerfully, we press on in the decision where to live. But along the way, I want to live. Not to worry. To go confidentally. Looking them right in the eye, and riding the sled right down the hill of life with them.