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Showing posts from April, 2011

Continuing A Family Tradition

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      Some of my sweetest childhood memories are those laced with the scents of my uncles' cigars and their glasses of wine.  Hours were spent on the knees of my uncles' and grandfather as they shared their game of pinochle.  They taught the game well, laughed long, and competed fiercely.  The entire family would gather around the table and share in the important ritual at family gatherings.        Now, the tradition continues with my children.  My brother and father now take my children in hand and pass down the family heritage.  Laughter is freely given, as is the sage advice.  Learning is taking place, but the most important lessons are not the rules or tactics of the game.  Love, inclusion, listening, laughter, and family togetherness are building memories for my boys that will last them a lifetime.  Happy is the man who will include a child in his game(s). And this was the "helper" hand!

Big Brother plays soccer

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The spring soccer season is upon us, and we love to watch our kids play.  Big Brother had a great game today.  He played his best and we are proud! Big Brother is taking the ball down the field.  Watch the gray zoom by!

Rubber Duckie, you're so clean . . .

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A beautiful feeling came over our home last night.  That sweet feeling was the presence of clean bathrooms.  Yes, this does sound like a strange thing to blog about.  Yet any mother of more than one child, boys especially, knows that this is an elusive state of being.  One round of teeth brushing, one round of showers or the overwhelming combination of the two will alter the state of bathroom cleanliness beyond recognition.  Moments like these must be savored.  Thanks to the boys who cheerfully helped bring about the moment(s) that satisfied my longing for cleanliness - even if it only lasts a moment! "Rubber Duckie, you're the one, You make bath time lots of fun. Rubber Duckie, I'm awfully fond of you."  ~ Ernie

April Showers Bring May Flowers

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Okay, okay . . . . I am aware that it is not officially May.  On the other hand, the flowers are coming, and flowers just make me happy.  First came the daffodils, then my azaleas.  Next, my creeping phlox swept open along the edge of my garden.  Now, there is a first in my garden.  The first blooms of the rhododendron we planted last spring began.  Welcome spring.  Come in flowers.  Come make your home in my garden. Hello little beauty!

Wii Fever!!!!

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Wii Fever is spreading through our ranks!  How do we know?  What are the symptoms?  Obsessive discussions of Wii play, constant planning of future game time, preferring Wii time to outside time, and the final blow that brings down the house . . . seeing little men on the corner of the street!  Beware lest Wii Fever takes hold of your family, too!!!!! Oh, Luigi, what a sight you are! Mario, is that really you or do my eyes deceive me?

Words To Live By Wednesday -

Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on.  Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not of more value than they?        Matthew 6:25-27 NKJV

Things for little boys to do on another rainy day . . . .

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Run around the house. Practice "karate" until it's forbidden. Water Paint Build Blocks with baby brother. Play with water toys for baby from Great Grandma.  ("Thank you Great-Grandma.  Oh, were we supposed to share with the baby?  Next time, we promise.") Read more of "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" Roll on the floor laughing and playing.  "Oh what fun it is to play on a rainy spring day!"

Learning to listen.

I am learning that when a quiet person speaks to me, it is a great honor.  The best thing I can do is listen.  Thank you to my quiet husband and brother for talking to me.  Still waters run deep.

THE FLOOD

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Today, we learned about the ark and THE FLOOD . 

Funny things all around!

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Even stopping to fill the gas tank can provide a chuckle (if you don't look at the $$$$) . . . .

We celebrate because He lives!

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He Lives He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today. He walks with me, and talks with me Along life's narrow way. He lives, He lives, Salvation to impart. You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart. - Alfred H. Ackley

Big Brother, will you read me a story?

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At the Cross

Alas, and did my Savior bleed? And did my Sovereign die? Would He devote that sacred head For such a worm as I? Was it for crimes that I have done, He groaned upon the tree? Amazing pity! grace unknown! And love beyond degree! At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight, And now I am happy all the day! - Ralph E. Hudson

Field Trip!

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One of the great joys of home education is the field trips . . . the impromptu ones often bring the most joy.  Today was one of those great days.   We began at a local plant nursery, and ended in our own front yard.  Hurray for spontaneity.

Rain, rain, go away; we want to go outside and play!

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Three sweet boys dream of leaving the confines of their house on this rainy spring day.

New beginnings . . .

Today, a new beginning . . . a blog to journal the joys that come my way.  I've been dreaming about beginning a blog since my good friend introduced me to the concept just a few short weeks ago.  Today, the journey begins.