The Honor Girl

"When the table was set, Elsie ran out into the yard, and picked a handful of yellow roses from the straggling old bush in the yard, and put them into a vase in the centre of the table. The always had flowers of some kind on the dinner-table at Aunt Ester's. It gave the one little festive touch now that showed a woman had been at work trying to make things beautiful."



The Honor Girl by Grace Livingston Hill

I really do love blogging!!! You just can't tell it from my lack of posts lately. Wow, things have been crazy around here!!!

If you would, please keep Troy in your prayers. He is working hard and trying to grow up. It's such a tough age and time in life. He has consumed most of my thoughts and energy lately. Which is a little hard considering I do have 6 other children!! Anyway, the others seem to be clicking along pretty well.

Brian is talking still of joining the service. If he does, he'll be leaving a couple of weeks before Christmas!! Again, hard for a mother's heart to think of!! More prayer!!!!!!!

I guess I am still adjusting to the children all going to school. I thought I would have all this time and get so much done. I feel like I am farther behind than when school started!!

Our washer died this past week. Our washer is a needed servant around here, it is used all day - every day; so the lifetime expectancy of a washer in this house isn't too long!!

Artie is so good at fixing things that we were hoping that he could fix this too (he has fixed it several times in the past). We ordered the part needed - a floater something - and waited over a week for it to arrive. So, everyday I've been lugging dirty clothes to the laundromat to wash. Now, for an average size family, this isn't quiet as big a deal as it is here!! We go through lots of clothes - one day has - 8 jeans, 8 shirts, 8 undies, 3 bras, 16 socks, 4 towels (we usually share when it works out), and then trying to wash one set of sheets a day to get through everyone's. Add in gym clothes, coats, wash clothes, dish clothes, dish towels, blankets, stuffed animals who need a bath, the list just seems to go on and on!!!! :-)

Okay, it's not quiet this bad, but.....

The part came in. So much for the washer's life - the part didn't fix it. Water is still pouring over the top of the washer. Now, I have to wait until Artie can go and get me a new one. It's not like a washer is something I can just run out and pick up during my grocery trip to Wal-Mart!! He's got to remove the old one and then find and bring home a new one. Hopefully, by this weekend, we'll be up and running again. Until then, I'm spending my days at the laundromat (trying to keep my clothes on my body!!). It is taking the place of my exercising right now. I don't have the time or the energy to do both!!

The one good thing of spending time at the laundromat, I was able to finish up my new Beverly Lewis book - The Forbidden. Ohhh, it's good. It's the second in the series of The Courtship of Nellie Fisher. The third one comes out this October I believe. I can't wait. I have now officially read off of Beverly's adult books and looking forward to the new one's arrival. Brenda is reading her series for teenagers - Summerhill Secrets and loving her as much as I do. I might just have to actually buy the new one at full price. Most I got at the library, off e-bay or through Paperback Swap. I never pay full price!!! :-)

So, I do plan of blogging more, it life allows!!! :-) See you all soon!!

I read the best quote today at the Sparrow's Nest



"To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you." C.S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis is one of Troy's all-time favorite writers.

This quote is so great for dealing with teenagers. All you can do some days is look at them and shake your head wondering what are you doing, why aren't you thinking???? Then you look at God looking at you asking the same question and it kinda puts things into perspective for me!!

Graduation!!!!

I just got a call from Brian and he has finished up all his schooling. Today was his last day. He is officially a high school graduate!!! He's worked so hard to get here. I'm very proud!!! He's such a smart guy, I can't wait to see what he does next!!

Myrtle Beach 2008

Here's a picture that Brenda's D-Group leader, LeAnn (in the middle in the white shorts), sent me from their beach trip. They had so much fun. They got up extra early each day to go out on the beach and have their quiet time. (Brenda is in the green tank top)

The beach trip is always such a fun time and special to have time to really focus on God. Brenda was happy to strengthen her relationship with God to an even deeper level. If you pray for her, her prayer is to be more diligent in her alone time with God - reading her Bible and praying.

Democratic National Convention

I don't post much on worldly affairs - there are plenty of other people who take much more of an interest in them than I do. But I have to say, I have been watching the Democratic National Convention on TV this week.

They have good stuff to say - end the war responsibly, lower taxes for working class, clean up the environment, unity, peace, love.... it just goes on and on. Yeah, all that's great, but what does it matter if we still allow our country to kill off it's unwanted babies. What makes us different from the Nazi's? Kill those we don't like, approve of, want?

Our pocketbooks are probably tighter than most of any who read any writings I do, but what does it all matter if we continue to kill our nation's babies? I know and understand the economy is important, but I pray that people will vote not out of their pocketbooks, but out of their hearts for the unborn.






I saw this picture on Highlights from Higher Ground: From the Mission Field of the Home - where the hungry are fed and the naked are clothed. This is what the Democrats see when they open their hotel windows each morning.

It's good to see people taking a stand. American Right to Life Action "successfully captured a Guinness world record by displaying a 530-foot tall and 666-foot wide abortion protest sign weighing more than 2,700 pounds, sewn together with four miles of stitching linking 2,400 twin sheets. " according to WND. The article said that supports began planning as soon as they heard that Denver was picked as the host city of the convention.

Brian Rohrbough, vice president of ARTL Action said "the group wants voters to recognize that Democrats have nominated a candidate who will support the killing of unborn children. 'We want the public to realize that anyone who promotes killing the innocent is evil and should not be supported," Rohrbough said. "We're trying to point out that the Democrats have aligned themselves with this vicious practice of killing innocent children. The reality is if the candidate doesn't realize it's wrong to kill another person, then they're not fit to govern. It doesn't matter what issue they're right on if they're wrong on the issue of the sanctity of life."

My friend Gwyn is home!!!! It's not for long, but she's home!!

Gwyn and her family have been in Costa Rica for the past year at language school learning Spanish. They are in route to the Dominican Republic to work at an orphanage - Restoration Ranch. But, I can't even think about that right now. She's here for several weeks and I just want to enjoy the time we have together.

Today we spent the whole day alone together. Guess we probably haven't done that ever (maybe in high school???). It was so nice to be able to talk about everything under the sun. We weren't interrupted or had to spell out any secrets!! :-)

It was such a nice day. We went out to lunch and shared some yummy cheese fries!! We're planning her birthday outing soon. Shay's promised one more day of keeping the children for her so we can go and celebrate her.

I can't believe I didn't get any pictures, next time!! They are off for a fun late afternoon at the dentist now. Gotta get everything checked up well before they leave the country again.

Here is a picture of the house they are gonna live in at the DR...

Here is the front of the house. No worries about the children running out and playing in the road huh? :-) Gwyn, gotta do something about that Clemson orange though!!!!

Living room and dining room - I think this is going to be such a beautiful house for them. I especially love all the arches and angles. Gwyn will fix it up beautifully I know!!!

Kitchen - way bigger than the little kitchen she had in Costa Rica.

Backyard - what do you call it with no yard? Back area? Lots of room for riding toys!!!

Here's a link if you are interested in checking out the progress of the Restoration Ranch.

First Day

Stephen's Day

On the way to school, Stephen grabbed hold of my arm and wouldn't let go. He said "I might just take you with me." :-)



First thing - word search

Breakfast

Art

Mrs. Gordon read 'Don't let the pigeon drive the bus'

Silent reading time - read 'Nemo' and '3 Billy Goats Gruff'

Lunch

Recess - exercised!!

Packed up

Story time

Practiced Leaving

Stephen's favorite part - word search. This boy loves pencil puzzles - word searches or any type of puzzle on paper.



Bobby's Day

First thing - Breakfast - chocolate milk and a muffin, he said they just "hit the spot"

Art

Mrs. Mann read 'Miss Nelson is missing'

Word search

Snack - chocolate chip cookie

Lunch

Recess - played with his friend Colby tag and hide and seek

Pack up

Practice leaving

Bus

Bobby's favorite part - having Mrs. Mann, his teacher from last year, back again as his teacher this year.



Terry's Day

Started the day in the cafeteria for breakfast - a blueberry muffin and apple juice

Went to the kindergarten room

All sat on the rug - criss cross applesauce (Indian style)

Everyone told their names

Mrs. Cannon read 'The Kissing Hand'

Sang songs about school

He thought it was pretty cool after the bathroom they didn't have to wash their hands (they used hand sanitizer!!) :-)

Lunch - chicken nuggets, french fries, ketchup (that part was important to Terry), juice bar and chocolate milk

Recess - tag and a 4 person seesaw

Rest time

Favorite part - Recess, lunch, singing songs

So, we are a week into it and all still seem to like school. The homework seems like a lot with all four of them - plus three speech classes - plus helping Brenda with Algebra and spelling, but I know we will get into a better rhythm as we work through it. Alls well~~~~~

Emily's Day

All the little children wanted to tell a little bit about their first day at school. Emily's first...

First thing - did a word search

Breakfast - chocolate milk (didn't want to eat the muffin - maybe a little too excited?)

Math - worked on multiplication

Social Studies - (South Carolina history this year) - learned about the SC flag

Recess - played on the swings

Big deal - got to wash her hands in the classroom - didn't even have to go in the bathroom! :-)

Lunch - chicken nuggets, juice bar, chocolate milk

Art

Practiced leaving~~

Favorite part of the day - new teacher - Mrs. Wells

The First Day of School

What is Mama going to do with all her babies at school?



Everyone kissing Mama bye!!

Troy and Brenda ready for the first day at school - Troy at the high school and Brenda at the middle school.

Emily, Stephen, Bobby and Terry at the elementary school.












Terry's First Day of School






He was excited because he could reach the tall water fountain all by himself!




So, his mama and daddy followed him all the way to the class room.



Follow Me...



Down the long hall

He looks so little in that big hall!!!

Hey, we made it!!! Here's my room. But it's locked. Time for breakfast in the cafeteria..

Have to get my name tag so the teacher will know who I am...

Apple Juice

and a Blueberry Muffin















These three classes are all beside each other - Stephen, Bobby and Emily....

Stephen's Class with Mrs. Gordon

Bobby's Class with Mrs. Mann


And Emily's Class with Mrs. Wells

Brenda's 13th Birthday Party

Brenda started off her birthday party with a Jonas Brother's birthday cake. What could be better huh?


There were presents
bowling dancing,


a cake fight :-)

and games. I think the girls had a fun night. Brenda has been blessed with great girl friends!!

I'm so proud of the young woman she is turning into.

She finished the evening off by spending the night with her friend, Emily.

Air Conditioning

It's official ~~~~~ we now have air conditioning!!!!

For those of you not up on our crazy heating/air conditioning ~~~~ it's been a long time coming. (It's a 100 year old house and then there was a house fire that destroyed what we did have)

It's done now and we don't owe a dime on it. It could have been done much quicker, but we have made a commitment to God not to go into any more debt and we just waited until we could afford the air. It really is a luxury not a need. So my darling (HVAC Tech) husband has our house cool!!! We slept under covers last night for the first time since I can't remember when. It's sooooo nice!!! It's such a blessing to have a husband who can do so many things. It is such a big weight off his mind knowing this is taken care off. There are still some things we are going to keep working on to make it better (insulation, second unit for the upstairs) but it is cool today and that is all that matters right now!!! :-)

Busy Weeks

We are busily getting ready for school. Here's the countdown so far...

Dentist - done - 6 out of 6 children - plus an extra visit for 2 cavities for Emily

Eye Dr. - 2 out of 6 so far - 4 more to go next week - Terry had his first eye check up - he wasn't too keen on the puff of air or the eye drops - said he didn't think he would go back there!! :-)

School clothes, shoes and book bags - 5 out of 6 - Still have to do Troy's next week (I've been working on this one per week for the past 5 weeks - that way it wasn't such a chunk out of the budget. This is the first year that I've had to buy school clothes for all the children at the same time. $$$$ In home school, it didn't matter so much. Gwyn pointed out I am saving a lot of money this year with not having to buy any home school books - so I guess it really evens out!)

Registration - 1 of 6 done - Troy got his class list and school id yesterday, all the others go next week

Hair cuts - none done yet - what have I been doing, just sitting around?

I'm still looking forward (albeit a little nervously) to all the children going to school for the first time this year? Everyone keeps asking me what I'm going to do. (Stephen told a lady at church that I was going to spend my day watching Dr. Phil!!) :-) Even with them all gone, I don't think I'm going to have to hunt too hard to find things that need to be done!!! :-)

E-Bay

I have been working this week on de-cluttering. I have mostly been working on my bedroom - cleaning all the tops of things!! I am also working a little clearing out school books and putting some on e-bay. I am hoping to make some money to put towards some things for the house. It feels good to be clearing out so much stuff.

Yesterday Troy and Brenda left for the beach with the youth group for the week. Before they left Troy helped me take a big load to Goodwill. How do we come up with so much "stuff". I already have another full bag ready to go and it's only 10:00 in the morning.

Bible School

Terry after a fun night.

Stephen and Bobby singing for the parents.

The kids loved Bible School. I let Troy take the pictures of the program at the end of the week. That will be Troy's last time as official photographer for a while. This is all I got. The video was hilarious - the camera turns a complete 180~~

Anyway, Karla - the Children's Pastor - is great and they have wonderful volunteers with Bible School. I am thinking of helping next year if I'm still sane after all the children have gone back to school.

Emily at swimming lessons

Emily - getting ready for swimming lessons
So cute

First time across the whole pool.

Learning to put her face in the water

Mitten Strings for God - Chapter 6

Book study with Dawn from By Sun and Candlelight...

Chapter 6 - TV

Ok, ok...I know it's been a long time since I've been working on my book study, but Dawn, who is leading the study hasn't finished either, so I decided to keep working on it. :-)

TV....

What a loaded topic to me. I have this love hate relationship with the TV. I am addicted.

One of the best things we ever did during the first year of our marriage was to get rid of cable TV. Artie loves sports - any sports - all sports. He can watch golf, bowling, horse racing, anything with a ball, boxing, you name it and he enjoys watching. He realized that watching a big game every night (and with cable there is always something sporty on - EVERY NIGHT) wasn't the best way to begin our marriage. We were able to take that time and get to know each other - more deeper than ever before (we dated 10 years before we were married, so we already knew each other better than most people do).

We've had cable on and off over the years. This is a currently off season. It's just too tempting for the children. Troy likes to get up in the middle of the night and watch TV - and have you seen what is on in the middle of the night??? The kids shows/teen shows are just never ending. So, our nice little 4 channels on regular TV are there but mostly we watch videos when we watch.

Just like Dawn,


"I LOVE the idea of no TV. Or I should say, I LOVE the idea of less TV. I have nothing but respect and admiration for people who have no interaction with media at all. But, call me a child of the 70s ~ I simply can't imagine having no access to TV at all."

I've mentioned getting rid of the TV to Artie (the easiest way to deal with the addiction, not having to daily work through not letting it be master of me) many times over the years and he always looks at me like I want to cut someone's head off. :-) It's a funny conversation because I love TV and movies much more than he does. But hey, football is always just around the corner...


I am so inspired by watching Livie Walton or Sara from the Sara Plain and Tall Series. I love to sit down to a good movie and just get all caught up in the characters or scenery (I just watched Pearl Diver this weekend - it was a beautifully filmed movie).

Artie is gone to the lake for his friend - Jack's - birthday party. He will be gone all day. I rented West Side Story to watch with the big kids tonight. It's been years since we've seen it. It is Troy's all time favorite musical. It will be new to Emily. I think she will probably love it too. It's fun to rewatch movies with the younger children that the older ones so enjoyed.

Another fun thing we like to do is watch movies of the books we read. This year we read and watched...

The Little Princess - girls
Peter Pan - Emily
Taming of the Shrew (still waiting on the video to come in) - girls
Mother Teresa - Brenda (biography study)
The Gospel of John - all Christmas study
Rhythm of Resistance: Black South African Music - Troy (working with public school)
Little Red Riding Hood - Emily
Charlotte's Web - Emily
Hiding Place - Brenda (biography study - Corrie Ten Boom)
Holocaust: Ravensbruck and Buchenwald - Brenda (Corrie Ten Boom)
Saving Sara Cain - Kelly (Beverly Lewis)
Prince of Egypt - all - Bible study
The Gift of the Magi - all - Bible study
Nativity: The Life of Jesus Christ - all - Christmas study
The Nativity Story - all - Christmas study
Biography: Life of Mary - all - Christmas study
Close to Jesus - Life of Mary Magdalene, Joseph of Nazareth - all - Christmas study
Legend of the Candy Cane - all - Christmas study
The Legend of the Three Trees - all - Christmas study
The works of Beatrix Potter - Emily (artist study)
Cinderella - Emily

It seems to enhance the story so much when the movie is viewed after the book. It has never failed yet that the children like the book much better than the movie!! Right now we are waiting until we read the Kit (American Girl) books before we go and watch the movie. :-)


This summer, we have enjoyed watching movies together as a family more. It has been fun to have Artie watching the Hardy Boys mysteries with us - something I watched growing up. We have enjoyed all having dinner around the TV with the windows open and the breezes blowing in. It will be fun memories added to our summertime. It's been a nice break through the blazing heat outside!!!

Favorite All Time Movie - Legends of the Fall

Worst Movie I Ever Saw - Silence of the Lambs (that was years ago, and I'm still mad that I was dumb enough to watch something like that!!)

Favorite TV show - the Walton's (was there any wondering?)

Favorite TV people - Lucy and Ethel

Favorite TV place - Mayberry (we got to visit one year on the way home from our summer vacation) - more fun memories

Favorite Reality Show - American Idol

Looking Forward to Returning - The Unit and 24

Worst TV shows - all those "eat um' up" shows like CSI, it's not enough now that someone has to kill another person, you have to delve inside their dead body or hear of someone eating them. I'll pass on all those thank you.

I'm looking forward to watching the Olympics coming up. It's getting close. The whole family usually watches that together too when we can. We are especially looking forward to the wrestling and gymnastics which the boys participated in this past year. We are hoping to go and see the Olympic Gymnast Team perform in a nearby town after the Olympics are finished.