tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57386632012-02-16T20:46:48.366-06:00A little bit of everything: updates, thoughts, pictures, random musings.....Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.comBlogger3501100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-73356167750084524242011-02-15T07:22:00.000-06:002011-02-15T07:22:23.388-06:00

In his Bible study manual, Living by the Book, Hendricks suggests writing verses in your own words for further cement their meaning into your brains.  This week I am studying and memorizing... Galatians 2:20: I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-90580625749613881982011-02-10T07:47:00.000-06:002011-02-10T07:47:34.290-06:00

Back in January I began reading through The Message/Remix, which is a one-year devotional using the paraphrase of Eugene Peterson.  I made a spiritual goal to actually read through the Bible this year, not just start and then give up around Numbers :)  Today's reading was from Leviticus 21-23 regarding the priests and festivals God ordained for his people.  Over and over again, God reminds the

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-50607252730852409062010-08-19T06:56:00.001-05:002010-08-19T06:57:23.795-05:00

In April, I began reading through the Psalms during the early hours of the day when no one else is awake. I am now through Psalm 31, and cannot help but see the reoccurring themes of mercy and justice, fear and trust. God is merciful and just, and holy beyond our comprehension of the word. Because of His holiness we are to fear Him, and because of His mercy and justice we are to place our trust

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-56961107372128398102010-06-18T16:32:00.000-05:002010-06-18T16:32:23.831-05:00

Stingray City!  Can't wait to go back with the kids in about four years!

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-69732893164487162812010-05-11T20:05:00.001-05:002010-05-11T20:14:24.897-05:00

I always said I wanted four kids....just didn't know two of those would be canines! (Sheena is in there....the black speck between Kayleigh and I)  Poor Bella really wants to be on the couch with us, but there's a big difference between 7 lbs and 60 lbs! Bella is two years old and mostly Lab, with some Dane and other stuff, according to the DNA test her previous owner had run.  She's super sweet

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-10872748220543456932010-04-16T06:48:00.000-05:002010-04-16T06:48:28.416-05:00

In case you ever wondered...... January 2010This is what happens when you run down the hall and fall into a table, even a table with smooth, round edges.  Apparently moving the furniture around in the playroom was not such a good idea!  Better still, this happened the day before my brother's wedding! April 2010And this is what happens when you're swinging and run into the head of a 4-year old! 

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-36860897979983623552010-04-09T06:55:00.000-05:002010-04-09T06:55:37.212-05:00

Oh, boy....this doesn't bode well First off, I couldn't sleep last night and when I did, crazy dreams ensued. Then my alarm goes off at 5am, yes that's 5:00 AM, and I re-set it, only to remember I had set the timer on the coffee pot last night, so I might as well get up since there will be fresh coffee and, realistically another hour and 45 minutes won't make any difference in my overall

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-64977862276777029002010-04-05T08:21:00.001-05:002010-04-05T08:25:02.753-05:00

It has occurred to me that I have a serious problem with self-control, better put, a serious lack of it when certain temptations are placed before me. For instance, a Sonic recently opened about a mile from my house and is conveniently located near Kayleigh's school, making a quick trip during Happy Hour easily accomplished. Not to mention the sum total of the trip is less than three dollars,

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-22863645938882342032010-03-26T13:48:00.000-05:002010-03-26T13:48:22.257-05:00

I will never see Michael Jackson perform live; unless of course he was a believer and then maybe he'll give us all a performance after the Bema judgement is finished!  Not likely. I will never be 5'10", much to my displeasure.  Another 8 inches would solve the whole "need to lose 25 lbs" problem!  I will never be the perfect mother; better to accept that I will in some way screw up my kids and

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-34076374176196605542010-03-12T14:40:00.000-06:002010-03-12T14:40:59.517-06:00

One of my classes this semester is Advertising Ethics, so I more than a little interested in Donald Miller has to say on the topic in his new series Commercialism and Faith.  Here's a quote: A standard formula used in many commercials is twofold: 1. To illicit a thought in the viewer that their life is not satisfactory and then 2. To convince the viewer their life could be made satisfactory

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-41203200630528083662010-03-11T09:15:00.000-06:002010-03-11T09:15:35.884-06:00

I am not exactly a huge fan of Christian parenting books, though since becoming a parent I have read quite a few: Sheparding a Child's Heart; The Strong-Willed Child; How to make Children Mind without Losing Yours; Parenting with Love and Logic; and I'm sure there's a few I can't remember.  The authors generally have some pretty good ideas about how to raise children, but somehow the

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-18286304754505695242010-03-10T09:07:00.000-06:002010-03-10T09:07:03.171-06:00

A few months ago I read Write These Laws on Your Children: Inside the World of Conservative Christian Homeschooling, a very interesting report by a man critical, but not completely against, homeschooling.  His main concern is how homeschooling families define civic participation and duty to country.  Some families homeschool because they feel the government and, by extension, the public school is

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-15096862745963435102010-03-09T19:46:00.003-06:002010-03-10T06:26:22.979-06:00

I'm taking an Internet Marketing course this semester and one of the key components of successful sites is regular updating; apparently I'm not too concerned with this blog having success! It is difficult to write in a public forum, especially we you must look your readers in the eye at some point. You either must be painfully honest to their face, or keep your mouth shut online! There are many

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-90934161429856098152010-02-13T00:16:00.002-06:002010-02-13T01:02:44.925-06:00

Can't sleep.Too much swimming around in my head.Thinking Moonlight Sonata might help, but playing the piano isn't possible due to the lack of a sound proof room. Something tells me Justin wouldn't appreciate Beethoven after midnight, so I'm trying some warm milk with vanilla instead.Let's see if logging what's on my mind helps any......William and Sammi--they are fostering three adorable children

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-17137038381268567532009-11-02T11:04:00.002-06:002009-11-02T11:34:01.369-06:00

Today I'm......concerned, but laughing at something Kayleigh said yesterday.....she put on some clip on earrinsg and asked if she could wear them to school...her exact words were, "All the boys will want to be around me if I wear earrings". Funny, but disturbing coming from my little girl.wondering how I can teach my little girl not to care so much about what other people think and say. Should

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-81507826996067869672009-10-23T12:13:00.004-05:002009-10-23T13:07:27.019-05:00

A recent discussion at the McKinney Diner has me thinking and evaluating my thoughts on the roll my child's school district should play in their lives. Now I'm not talking about teachers, coaches, sponsors, etc.; I'm focusing on the district and its governing body as a whole. The discussion at the Diner centered around random drug testing (not what his post was about, but ya know how that goes),

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-65953603237841456252009-10-21T08:23:00.004-05:002009-10-21T08:50:10.813-05:00

I love FREE YARN!!!!!!There's been a drought in baby gifts for me to make, so I actually have had the time to finally work on some stuff for me and my kids! Yea! Of course, now it seems that everyone I know is preggo, so the drought is over.....a little jealous of all those round-bellied ladies!This blanket was mostly made from scrap yarn my Granny gave me. The pattern is from Crochet Today Jan

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-67429780049368889432009-10-20T08:37:00.003-05:002009-10-20T09:11:53.038-05:00

Kayleigh has a little boyfriend. His name is Luke and she likes the way his hair is. They hold hands during recess and spend class-time looking at each other with googly eyes. The googly eyes get bad enough that her teacher has to tell them to stop! It's cute! On the way home from school I ask her who she plays with during the day and the answer is always, with a sheepish grin, "L-U-K-E".

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-9128975169307541772009-09-28T08:14:00.002-05:002009-09-28T09:13:58.291-05:00

Thoughts, thoughts, more thoughts, and some questions.....On Kayleigh and school........It has become apparent that I have given birth to a "mini-me"! Kayleigh comes home from school requesting "homework" everyday and is especially excited when her teacher gives her worksheets to complete at home. She walks in the door, pulls out her folder and gets to work without me saying a word. Of course,

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-5870110115090307362009-09-01T14:11:00.013-05:002009-09-01T14:36:37.108-05:00

I am not a big fan of combined birthday parties for siblings, but due to the move in July, Kayleigh missed out on a birthday party so we threw her and William one on Sunday. I think the highlight was the wonderful cakes my dear friend Marilee helped me put together! She did most of the work, but I did mix the icing for her and decorate some super cute R2D2 cupcakes that unfortunately didn't get

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-13337468534962286702009-08-25T14:03:00.006-05:002009-08-25T14:13:54.903-05:00

Here's some pictures! I don't have much time.....will write more later!Kayleigh at the Wiggles Concert! Quote: "This is the best day of my life!"A picture of the playroom /school room!Kayleigh sitting at her desk at SCHOOL!Doesn't she look so sweet and innocent!That's more like the Kayleigh I know!

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-7591965416449532112009-08-13T13:43:00.001-05:002009-08-13T13:43:38.665-05:00

We've Moved.Still no internet yet, hence lack of posting. But at least we're 98% settled in. It's pretty swell.

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-6332642595700993782009-07-23T07:26:00.005-05:002009-07-27T09:31:31.636-05:00

We're Moving.....for real this time!If all goes well, we will be closing on our current house tomorrow and moving to Little Elm on Monday! We looked at at least ten houses in this area, mostly Highland Shores, but the only one we really liked was pulled off the market two days after we offered on it. Stink! We thought about stalking the house and sending menacing letters to the owner to get

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-47637667547632470402009-06-11T08:32:00.004-05:002009-06-11T10:17:26.226-05:00

The view from the breakfast room this morningMassive wind + crappy tree = Reason to bust out the chainsaw!We are hoping it didn't do any major damage to the roof and are super glad it didn't break any of our windows on that side. We are also grateful that we weren't actually in the house when it happened. We had a showing scheduled from 6:30 to 7:30, so we were at Justin's parents' house when

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-90969385673112191842009-06-08T10:10:00.005-05:002009-06-08T10:53:04.705-05:00

Upper/Lower case matching centerChicka Chicka Boom Boom!---Summer '09 Week 1This week's book is Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert. A great introducation to the alphabet, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom takes kids on a wonderful letter adventure with silly rhymes and a coconut tree!Here's a link to Totally Tots Activities: ABC IntroductionReading:

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-8752933187635253332009-06-05T13:55:00.003-05:002009-06-05T14:31:20.879-05:00

Fun Pre-School Stuff!If you have toddlers, you need to check out this website: Totally Tots! I wish I could come up with this stuff on my own, but I can't and I am so glad someone else can!We are going to use their ABC, Memory Verse, and Book Ideas over the summer, along with The Frances Study Guide. Kayleigh fell in love with the Frances books by Russell Hoban right around her third brithday.

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-6715253897443149422009-06-04T15:05:00.003-05:002009-06-04T15:28:44.404-05:00

WE'RE MOVING!!!!! Yes, that's right. Despite the "buyers" market, we have a contract on our house and got more than anyone thought we could! Whoopi!One problem....we don't know where we are moving to! Yes, I know, we have a contract on a brand new home in Frisco, which would be quite lovely, except that it's in Frisco. Once we got the contract on our current house, we decided to check out some

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-9776806754461892372009-05-05T08:35:00.002-05:002009-05-05T09:00:27.466-05:00

Happenings! (a.k.a. why there is a serious lack of blogging)Hopefully selling our house in the next month or so! We are super procrastinators and don't do any decor or landscaping until we want to sell :); it has been a busy four weeks or so. We found a new neighborhood in Frisco we really like and have a contract to build. It's exciting! Still, if our current house doesn't sell for what we

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-27300295012102258502009-03-27T13:14:00.009-05:002009-03-27T14:44:59.274-05:00

And we have a decision.....With next fall creeping closer and closer, the schooling decision has been keeping me up at night. What is best for our kids? What is best for our family? Is there really a right and wrong answer? A couple weeks ago, after much introspection, observation and evaluation, I came to the conclusion that full-time homeschooling is just not an option for us. It would not

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-36640555919209888332009-03-24T19:52:00.000-05:002009-03-24T19:52:57.733-05:00

Isn't he just the cutest little boy you've ever seen?!

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-49483295749141070972009-03-24T19:50:00.000-05:002009-03-24T19:50:14.008-05:00

Same smile!

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-77378983942409140392009-03-24T19:39:00.000-05:002009-03-24T19:39:22.283-05:00

Some dear friends found some pics of Miss Kayleigh from Dec 2004....was she really this little? Looking at her now, it's kinda hard to believe! I love this smile!

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-10629126166295337762009-03-12T08:37:00.005-05:002009-03-12T09:33:53.470-05:00

So, I read the new this morning....I shouldn't read the news...it's not good for my blood pressure!Two articles stand out to me:This one--http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/nationworld/stories/030908dnnatstemcell.1a06e392.htmlIt's about embryonic stem cell research. Apparently, it's not ok to clone for human reproduction, but it could be ok to clone human embryos in order to harvest

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-28346884856634094142009-02-26T14:05:00.005-06:002009-02-26T15:00:51.522-06:00

What I've been up to....well, besides running after kids and reading books for class....Rearranging the living room, which now functions as the playroom; the playroom is now only used for school purposes. This ensures all the kids are in one room, making it much easier on me to interact with/keep an eye on them!Getting all the tax info for my business together...yuck! I think I need to change

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-14566542065915232052009-02-06T13:17:00.005-06:002009-02-06T16:02:53.753-06:00

Is it something or it is nothing?Lately, I have felt this weird desire to pack up and move somewhere, somewhere different, somewhere colder, somewhere I've never been. It's weird because I am not an adventurous person by any definition of the word, nor do I like cold weather, especially snow. Yeah, it's pretty, but boy can it be messy!The really weird thing is Justin is feeling the same way;

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-70330371370791153462009-01-23T09:28:00.005-06:002009-01-23T09:42:13.407-06:00

WARNING: Blog posting may take a serious hit due to current class requirements! This class is going to kick my tush! I need another 2 hours in a day; hopefully things will calm down once Justin starts class next week. He has class two nights a week, so that'll give me some extra time once I get the kids in bed.

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-54285517316932932542009-01-15T15:05:00.003-06:002009-01-15T15:15:27.758-06:00

The latest questions fielded from Kayleigh:Why is it cold sometimes and hot sometimes?Why does the earth go around the sun?What does guilty mean?Why did Jesus have to die?What is sin?Do I sin? Do you sin? Does Daddy sin?Something tells me she coming very close to accepting Christ. She told Emma today that she could pray to Jesus and tell Him that she trusts in Him. Don't know where this is

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-27419442221977960832009-01-14T14:09:00.006-06:002009-01-14T14:14:38.601-06:00

Introducing.......Life is Learning, Learning is LifeSo, now all things homeschool/preschool have their place, though I can't promise it won't seep into this blog....after all life is learning! I really set this to keep my childcare parents informed of what we are learning about from day to day, but it just might evolve into something else...who knows!

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-21098034517585270322009-01-13T13:34:00.007-06:002009-01-13T14:13:14.148-06:00

It's time to start researching school plans for next year!What I learned this year:I need to stop worrying about challenging Kayleigh and have some fun with her!It is possible to "do school" with a toddlers in the house--that's what pack-n-plays are for! William and Gracie are old enough to entertain themselves with markers and crayons, but Abbi gets to play in the pack-n-play for about 30-45

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-67492318164121718362009-01-09T13:14:00.005-06:002009-01-09T13:47:51.303-06:00

Whew! What a Christmas Break we had! I felt like we go, go, go the whole time. It's nice to be back and in the same old routines again.Lately, Kayleigh is asking many question about dying. Here's how the conversation goes...K: Mommy, why do we die?Me: We die because our bodies are not meant to last forever.K: Well, when will we die? Are you going to die soon?Me: I don't know when we will

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-19382126725473330672008-12-30T08:56:00.003-06:002008-12-30T08:57:34.366-06:00

I want my wife and kids back.Bachelor weekend is great and all, but only if there's something exciting. I've just been working and that gets pretty dull without some munchkin distractions every now and then. And while I've been sleeping great in the middle of the bed, I've been colder than normal. I need my space heater cuddler.

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-4617450136602040382008-12-23T11:37:00.006-06:002008-12-23T11:41:15.569-06:00

Happy Birthday to you!Happy Birthday to you!Happy Birthday, dear Justin!Happy Birthday to you!or as Dave would put it....hope I get this right....Happy Birthday, uhHappy Birthday, uh, uhMisery and despair, people dying everywhere.Happy Birthday, uhOne day closer to death!

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-75648573621865524742008-12-18T08:19:00.007-06:002008-12-18T09:08:25.626-06:00

Reading this book (see below), has me asking many questions, one of which is why society tends to glorify the sacrifice women make for their families, but ignores all the sacrifices men make. There are men out there, my husband included, who choose careers that provide, instead of careers they love, give up many things they want and pretty much work their fingers to the bone in order to support

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-41324450242337047662008-12-15T14:05:00.004-06:002008-12-15T14:55:23.313-06:00

Over the summer I took a course on creative non-fiction, not a genre I typically read, but now I can't seem to get enough! Right now I am reading The Feminine Mistake: Are we giving up too much? by Leslie Bennetts. Interesting viewpoint, don't agree with most of her philosophy, but it's interesting. Her main premise is that leaving the workplace, for a woman, amounts to financial suicide, i.e.

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-47442001624546142072008-12-12T11:30:00.004-06:002008-12-12T12:37:52.296-06:00

On my mind....made an "A" in my class. Yippie! Although I really feel like I did "B" work, but I'll take the "A" if the professor wants to give it. Next semester, I'm taking a course on 20th Century English Novels with a professor I know to be tough (took a summer course with him), plus 20th century literature is not my favorite, so this will not be easy! I'm more of a 18th or 19th century

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-67965004179242310072008-12-05T13:19:00.005-06:002008-12-05T13:36:15.627-06:00

Things I should be doing:Working on my final for class--it is due by midnight on Sunday, so I'll probably wait until Sunday evening to start on it. I have to write three one-page responses to novels we read this semester...it won't take me long. I know, I could get it out of the way, but I work best under pressure, so I'll wait.Laundry--I forgot to get the basket out of the room before I laid

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-5562882347747521132008-12-03T17:35:00.009-06:002008-12-03T17:58:18.710-06:00

Girly, Girly, Girly!!!!My latest finished project! The pattern is found in the July/August issue of Crochet Today. I am so pleased with how it turned out and hopefully the new mama in line to receive it will love it too!Here's a close up of the stitches!

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-40237177186541281842008-12-02T14:17:00.002-06:002008-12-02T14:45:34.444-06:00

Let's talk about gender identification.....One hazard I run into taking courses at Texas Women's University, is pervading opinion that gender is socially constructed. That boys act like boys because society trains them to and the same with girls. Ya know, the whole idea that girls play with dolls because that is what we as parents buy them. While I think this could be partially true, I have

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-7824157278855638682008-11-11T10:24:00.002-06:002008-11-11T10:44:24.707-06:00

Things my children learned last week:WilliamWho Barak Obama is. While I was reading the paper, William spotted a picture of the President-elect and asked, "Who dat?" So, I told him and he now knows who President-elect Obama is by sight. Although when he says his name it sounds more like "Back Mama". It's cute!More Letters! William's favorite book right now is Dr. Suess' ABC book. And by

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-13304500301689022402008-10-30T10:29:00.003-05:002008-10-30T10:40:23.163-05:00

Forgot one.....Look at those letters!

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-31292235179350678992008-10-29T14:52:00.004-05:002008-10-29T15:27:13.319-05:00

PICTURES!!!!!Kayleigh's favorite past-time! She loves Henry and Mudge books! I also introduced her the books-on-tape; now I have no problems working on my school for an hour during rest-time! She follows along in the book as the CD is played, so not only is she entertained but she learns new words! Oh, and I gave myself permission to stop formal phonics instruction for now. We might pick it

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-45467685719195161482008-10-24T14:50:00.002-05:002008-10-24T15:07:49.626-05:00

What's the old saying? "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"!Last Spring I picked up 1A and 1B of the Singapore Earlybird Math series and we almost completed the first workbook over the summer. Kayleigh really enjoyed it until the last lesson or so...it required drawing and that's just not her thing right now. I really wanted to use Saxon Math instead anyways, so we switched in Sept....don't know

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-82091495385797344092008-10-23T13:18:00.002-05:002008-10-23T14:03:31.215-05:00

Some thoughts going through my head.....Is it possible to overdose on grapes?I love toddler hands, they are so cute! I think I might cry when I don't have them in the house anymore.I dread the day Kayleigh quits saying "got forgot" instead of "forgot"; it's cute and adorable in that little-girl way.Picked up a book at the library last week, How Children Learn by John Holt. Apparently it's a

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-10950472118702527862008-10-18T09:33:00.002-05:002008-10-18T10:20:02.601-05:00

So, I thought I had something witty to say today, but now that I am at the keyboard nothing is coming. Oh well!Things I have discovered the past couple weeks:I am a list checker....therefore, list tend to bog me down. I spend more time writing items down and checking them off than I spend actually doing the work. I can see this becoming a struggle in the homeschool arena; I simply must check

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-10898569057773785932008-10-03T14:20:00.005-05:002008-10-03T14:37:44.406-05:00

How I wish we had pushed the pacifier more with this child!

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-11066215360020985482008-09-23T15:11:00.002-05:002008-09-23T15:50:16.186-05:00

This might not be an original thought......Last week I began reading The Story of Avis by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps and it now occurs to me that books are like people. For instance, to me Jane Austen's novels are soul mates, the person one just knows and understands. Someone you can spend years away from and pick up again like you were never parted. Agatha Christie novels are the "fun" person;

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-70221636214970650422008-09-19T13:55:00.002-05:002008-09-20T11:52:24.318-05:00

What bothers me.....Most people who know me wonder if anything really bothers me. To be fair, there isn't a lot out there that really ruffles my feather...it's a personality flaw of mine. Still, there are a few things that get my blood boiling, like.....Why is it that the homosexual community finds it necessary to "claim" every unmarried, female author of the past as a lesbian? Now I am not

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-84300631362478798092008-09-19T13:55:00.000-05:002008-09-19T13:56:13.457-05:00

NEWS FLASH!!!!I'm taking a nap today!Bye!

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-41027267686174211602008-09-18T13:30:00.003-05:002008-09-18T14:36:40.893-05:00

If you have ever wondered what it is that I do all day.......6:45 AM -- Drag myself out of bed7:00 AM-- My early-rising kids wake up7:05 AM-- Fix breakfast for the kids, usually oatmeal7:15 AM-- Gracie arrives and I sit her down to eat her breakfast. By this time my kids are finished with breakfast, so I clean up their dishes.7:20 AM-- Put tea kettle on for coffee7:30 AM-- Tre arrives and I fix

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-12942897294219707702008-09-10T14:38:00.002-05:002008-09-10T15:13:57.539-05:00

I must admit, Brooke makes a very good point. I think I was little overzealous in planning Kayleigh's Pre-K year. This week we have skipped out on the Math, Explode the Code, and the Sonlight K History stuff, and already there is attitude improvement from both of us! I am still having her read to me at least 10 minutes or so a day and going through the handwriting materials. Needless to say,

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-76551532442347425672008-09-07T15:54:00.002-05:002008-09-07T16:33:03.844-05:00

Let me elaborate....The homeschooling debate is still going on here in the Russell household. Well, it's mostly going on in my head right now! No, I am not reconsidering homeschooling based on the whim of a 4 year old; however, I am taking into consideration both our personalities and the dynamics of our relationship. We, and maybe it's just me, seem to have a better relationship when we aren't

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-91556923734405493352008-09-03T19:32:00.003-05:002008-09-03T20:18:55.321-05:00

Since there are people who read this that are much wiser than I in the parenting department, here are a few issues I'm dealing with. Suggestions very much welcome!William is obsessed with his sister's room. Problem is, she doesn't want him in there.Kayleigh really is a grump in the afternoon, but refuses to nap.How do you discipline your children when you also must discipline other children? I

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-49214774084534515952008-08-22T14:12:00.003-05:002008-08-22T20:18:49.136-05:00

Monday is the beginning of preschool here at the Ms. Michelle's Childcare. For the last month I have worked really hard at planning and organizing everything, so hopefully all will go well! My over-all theme is the ABCs and my main focus is to teach letter sounds and beginning math concepts. Science and Social Studies will be thrown in along with Art for fun! I also want to do some informal

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-2703278443953806662008-08-14T12:52:00.002-05:002008-08-14T13:11:20.213-05:00

Things we don't have, and I'm glad:Two Cell Phones---this totally catches people by surprise. They don't see how I can function without one, but I do. Since cell phones became accessible, I have only owned one for a one year period before Kayleigh was born. Justin has one, so we aren't totally in the Dark Ages.Cable--really cuts down on the watching TV out of boredom.The ability to spoil our

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-84065452272291514052008-08-09T09:40:00.000-05:002008-08-09T09:40:19.963-05:00

I asked Kayleigh a couple days ago if she wanted to play softball and her reply was, "No, football!". Do they have football leagues for little girls? And thank you Sydney for the shirt....she LOVES it!

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-51986828419814591682008-08-08T08:14:00.002-05:002008-08-08T09:11:18.132-05:00

One more class down! And I squeaked by with an "A"! So, it's two weeks of freedom and then on to American Fiction in the Fall. Books I read this summer:Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver RelinReading Lolita in Tehran by Azar NafisiPerfect Madness by Judith WarnerA Nation of Wimps: The High Cost of Invasive Parenting by Hara Estroff MaranoSame Kind of Different As Me by Ron

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-91040497861255013342008-07-28T15:29:00.004-05:002008-12-13T06:52:47.084-06:00

A Little Help....William's birthday is in a month and I need a little help deciding which toy to buy him. Here's the choices:Wedgits 3-D Builders Expand the building skills and creative development of children as young as 2 years with this 15-pc. preschool set. Its over-sized, geometrically symmetrical blocks stack, nest and/or interlock for free-form, 3-dimentional designs. Includes 46

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-1454304471217389182008-07-20T13:31:00.004-05:002008-12-13T06:52:47.280-06:00

My son....The Silly!William mastered climbing out of the crib a couple weeks ago and I lowered the railing so he could get out easier. A couple nights ago I opened his door before going to bed and hit him on the head! He was sound asleep on the floor right by the door! He knows how to open his door, so I don't know what that was about. Well, today I heard some movement in his room, so after about

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-1619318249341974312008-06-30T08:46:00.003-05:002008-06-30T11:19:36.658-05:00

To anonymous...I'm not lost. I know where to go for the answers to my questions, so I'm not lost. Wandering maybe, but not lost. Nine years ago, God pulled me out of Egypt, and like the Israelites, I have been hesitant to enter the Promised Land out of fear. I see the giants and I think I must defeat them on my own instead of relying on God to fight the battles for me. A lot of my problem

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-12556200280729844612008-06-25T13:35:00.004-05:002008-06-26T14:30:26.617-05:00

While reading for class this week, I came across this passage from an essay on womens' relationships by Adrienne Rich:It isn't that to have an honorable relationship with you, I have to understand everything, or tell you everything at once, or that I can know beforehand, everything I need to tell you.It means that most of the time I am eager, longing for the possibility of telling you. That

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-82628876794915171322008-06-17T15:05:00.002-05:002008-06-17T15:10:52.275-05:00

Apparently, we have monsters in our house. These monsters do anything from break the toothbrush holder to drawing on the toilet and bathtub (at least they used a pencil). They also make messes in rooms and spill milk all over the table. Since, I cannot see them, I assume they are invisible or maybe you just have to be three years old before they will reveal themselves to you.So, any

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-10264875705844298452008-06-12T19:50:00.003-05:002008-06-12T20:44:35.029-05:00

This could have been worded better:From this article in the Dallas Morning News"Texas has made less headway in reducing teen births than the nation as a whole, according to data in the Annie E. Casey Foundation's annual Kids Count report to be released today."Don't you need to prevent the pregnancy before you can prevent the birth?

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-90167555418231684682008-06-02T14:18:00.003-05:002008-06-02T14:36:39.705-05:00

Here's some of the books I am thinking about for this summer:Infidel and A Caged Virgin by Ayaan Hirsi AliThe Fall of the Evangelical Nation by Christine Wicker (read an editorial in the Sunday paper that sparked my interest)The Body Project by Joan Jacobs Brumberg ( I actually read this about 3 years ago, but I want to read it again)Without a Map by Meredith Hall

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-29002056348843324812008-05-30T13:27:00.003-05:002008-05-30T13:48:40.896-05:00

I think I am going to need more hours in my day....I am required to read four complete non-fiction works in two genres, i.e. biography, memoir, current events, history, or literary journalism, over the course of the next 10 weeks (500 word summaries required). In addition to those, I must read two other books, Three Cups of Tea and one other on women, globalization and culture (comparative book

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-36918154441220093752008-05-30T08:46:00.004-05:002008-05-30T10:12:04.549-05:00

Eureka!!I think I have found the trick to get Kayleigh to stop sucking her fingers! JellyBeans! I set a time frame, say 30 minutes, and if she doesn't suck fingers during that time frame, she gets a JellyBean. I also enroll her friends to tattle on her (I know, it's mean, oh well).Something I am not looking forward to....taking the pacifier away from William. I should have listened to all the

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-43261608820430438472008-05-21T08:10:00.003-05:002008-05-21T08:20:03.464-05:00

StacationSince Saturday we've been practicing for what it'll be like when we're empty nesters. Or at the minimum have kids old enough to supervise themselves to some extent. Our kiddos have been at grandparents since then (1/2 with mine, 1/2 with Michelle's), and we'll get them back Thursday.Now, don't get me wrong, I've been tempted to drop in on them to see them and hang out, but it has been

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-71979664866246165352008-05-08T14:53:00.002-05:002008-05-08T15:07:32.329-05:00

Woo Hoo!! Final project for the Women's Studies course is complete and submitted! I am so glad to be done with that course. Not that it wasn't interesting or eye-opening in many cases, but it's nice to be finished with school for a month or so.In other news....It's official, we will be Sonlighters for at least the next year or three! I am excited about starting this curriculum with Kayleigh

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-67500758976264868402008-04-12T10:57:00.004-05:002008-12-13T06:52:47.682-06:00

Guess who this is......PS: a certain someone named Nathan should have a good idea!

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-6559189988259232642008-04-05T19:32:00.003-05:002008-12-13T06:52:48.393-06:00

Somebody Got Herself a New GrillYou read that pronoun right. Michelle made me give in an go buy a new grill. I so frugal/stingy/cheap (pick your adjective) that I've been wanting one but never could bring myself to pull the trigger on it. But Michelle wanted to have more grilled meals and since my old one was such a piece of junk, they never turned out right.Since today was gorgeous and we had

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-77660761150352790582008-03-18T14:02:00.003-05:002008-12-13T06:52:49.245-06:00

A few months ago my mom came back from my Granny's with a bag of yarn...this is the first finished project from that bag. The pattern was for infants, but I did some tweaking that actually worked and it fits the girl. I'm not sure how Daddy is going to feel about the open back, but I think it will be cute even with a tank top underneath.

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-80535704773087366862008-03-12T09:31:00.002-05:002008-03-12T09:36:28.604-05:00

I have never quite understood how such little people can make so much noise! Right now I feel like I am in an elevator with a 12 piece brass band! I can't wait for lunch because when their mouths are full of food there is a brief moment of silence! Usually the chaos doesn't bother me, but today it's about to drive me nuts!

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-76652456485270305062008-03-07T09:14:00.003-06:002008-12-13T06:52:50.586-06:00

SNOW!!!

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-65548122126659182362008-02-29T09:59:00.002-06:002008-02-29T10:31:07.930-06:00

Amazing Finds#1--I am not what one would call a "natural" teacher...my mother-in-law is and I am totally amazed at how she turns almost everything into some kind of learning experience. I wish I had that gift, but since I do not, I like to surf the net for free resources. A couple days ago I came across this website: Hubbard's Cupboard. I haven't had the chance to look at all of it, but what

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-77166662626822293442008-02-22T14:00:00.002-06:002008-02-22T14:33:18.893-06:00

****Bragging Wife Alert****I was thinking this morning that I brag about my children way more than I do about my husband. It's so easy to let the kids take the focus of my life simply because they have the bulk of my time and attention right now. Justin was around before they came along and will hopefully be with me much longer than they will., so I spent the morning thinking about all the

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-24803453468688885852008-02-21T10:46:00.004-06:002008-02-21T12:35:02.348-06:00

This semester I am taking an introductory Women's Studies course, and while I am learning many facts I did not know previously, there are some facts I would rather not be aware of. For instance, while researching information on abortion for a reading response I came across this number....857,475. That's the total number of abortions reported for 2000. What I find even more disturbing is this

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-42464418019832091302008-02-20T14:58:00.003-06:002008-02-20T15:03:32.896-06:00

***Another Bragging Parent Alert***So William doesn't feel left out.....I was beginning to wonder when this child would ever begin to speak, but in the last week he has started using about 10 words regularly. I think he knew how to say them all along and was just waiting until he had good reason to use them. Here's his vocabulary:"Mama"--finally!"Ball""Door""Book""Drink""Bath""Down""Baby""Baba"-

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-70058462273219683392008-02-20T09:50:00.000-06:002008-12-13T06:52:50.884-06:00

While looking through some pictures, I found this one. I miss her little baby curls!

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-73403365991147700732008-02-20T09:20:00.004-06:002008-12-13T06:52:51.173-06:00

**Bragging Parent Alert** Kayleigh was coloring yesterday and yelled out, "Mommy I wrote my name!". I, of course, blew it off thinking she had done her usually scribbling that she calls writing. Well, when I walked over to look at her paper this is what I saw:Starting with the pink "K" is a pretty recognizable "Kaylei" followed by a scribble and an "h". Of course the "a" is backwards, but that's

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-901614971155056682008-02-09T11:25:00.000-06:002008-02-09T11:40:36.865-06:00

So nuch to do, so Few ResourcesEconomics was defined to me as how to allocate scarce resources to the consumption or creation of goods and services.I have plenty of goods I would like to consume, but not enough resources (defined for me as time and money).An economics lesson sounds kind of odd for a post, but the topic is: home improvementI have a massive list of things I would like to do to the

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-89323678325977999702008-01-31T13:52:00.000-06:002008-01-31T14:35:37.141-06:00

Another shameless advertisement....I am selling some of my pre-fold cloth diapers and covers in the hopes I can raise enough capital to switch to Fuzzi Bunz for Mr. William. If you know anyone in the market please send them my way! Right now I have everything listed on Baby Cotton Bottoms Bargain Basement.Ad Titles are:"Huge lot of DSQ White Pre-folds""Bumkins Diaper Covers""Alexis Feather-lite

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-39405595599793885682008-01-25T13:07:00.000-06:002008-12-13T06:52:51.476-06:00

I'm so excited! Justin took me to Barnes and Noble for my birthday, where I promptly searched out the knitting and crochet sections and picked out the above. I am in love with this book! And since I don't have any babies to make gifts for, my first project from this book will be an awesome cardigan for ME!!!

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-43238708180311933502008-01-24T15:21:00.001-06:002008-01-24T15:23:16.030-06:00

I think Kayleigh has watched The Little Mermaid a little too much...she's in the other room coloring and singing "Part of that World". It's cute.

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-54411637886873737492008-01-20T22:05:00.000-06:002008-01-21T10:50:08.437-06:00

Shameless AdvertisingIf anybody knows someone looking to buy a nice used dining set and hutch, or a coffee table and end table send me a note and I'll give you details.Michelle came up with a new arrangement for our couch and loveseat that makes it a little better for conversating when all seats are taken up and for also watching tv from all seats. But, the caveat is that our rectangular-ish

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-60245467512521460542008-01-16T09:49:00.000-06:002008-01-16T10:33:36.824-06:00

Today is a movie day....the kids just seem to be in a bad mood, so I'm giving them some rest time while they watch Jonah. Maybe I'm the one in a bad mood and that just makes the kids seem worse; either way, I'm giving myself a break right now.Today I feel tired. Just plain tired. Tired of being a mom, of being a wife, of watching other people's children, of going to school, of housework ( not

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-45758966390563781742008-01-03T14:35:00.001-06:002008-12-13T06:52:52.318-06:00

What Justin did with his time off...along with painting the playroom and staining cabinets to install in there for storage (my Christmas present)! I can't wait to store all the toys and craft stuff in one place. I bought him this for his birthday, I'm such an awesome wife!

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-76116298371303955902007-12-25T17:38:00.001-06:002008-12-13T06:52:52.454-06:00

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-13915723492347869082007-12-25T17:35:00.001-06:002008-12-13T06:52:52.666-06:00

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-75372602182855897002007-12-25T17:28:00.001-06:002008-12-13T06:52:52.898-06:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-42892196335301692902007-12-10T12:49:00.000-06:002008-12-13T06:52:53.065-06:00

Playing in the Leaves!

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738663.post-24980960333727919242007-12-07T13:34:00.000-06:002007-12-07T13:45:02.084-06:00

Blogging has been on the back burner for a little while. I had a paper to write...I loathe writing papers unless I am actually interested in the topic. I also started a blog dedicated to my crochet habit/addiction...Yarn is My Addiction. That is where you can find pics of the my finished projects. Warning....if you are a friend of mine having a baby, you might see pics of your shower gift...

Justin and Michellenoreply@blogger.com0