ouch.

Pulled this from an article by Sonny Scott of EdNews.org

Young families must make the decision: Will junior go to day care and day school, or will mom stay home and raise him? The rationalizations begin. "A family just can't make it on one income." (Our parents did.) "It just costs so much to raise a child nowadays." (Yeah, if you buy brand-name clothing, pre-prepared food, join every club and activity, and spend half the cost of a house on the daughter's wedding, it does.) And so, the decision is made. We give up the bulk of our waking hours with our children, as well as the formation of their minds, philosophies, and attitudes, to strangers. We compensate by getting a boat to take them to the river, a van to carry them to Little League, a 2,800-square-foot house, an ATV, a zero-turn Cub Cadet, and a fund to finance a brand-name college education. And most significantly, we claim "our right" to pursue a career for our own "self-fulfillment."

Please don't misunderstand my agreement with Sonny as "tooting my homeschool horn", rather, I am extremely saddened by the breakdown of the American family. All of these "stranger-raised" children will soon be the adults of our society.
It's not going to be a pretty picture.

just like that.

He's done.
My sweet baby/little boy is really okay with the fact that
he does not need his trusty blanket anymore.

Trusty blanket = "ee-haa"
"Ee-haa" also comes with "taggy".

I love "taggy".

"Taggy" and "Ee-haa" have been his source of comfort when mommy is not around.
Now, he's such a big boy, that he's alright when mommy is not around.

He's confident in the fact that I will return and passes the time with a book, or a matchbox car, instead of running his fingers in and out the silky tags.

I don't keep much.
I'm good at getting rid of things we are done with around here.

But "Ee-haa" and "Taggy" will have a special box, in a special place...
... to help me remember these special days.

this ain't no disco!

Go ahead and start the track down there before you read.
Soundtracks are an important part of ignorant stories. (are they?)

Okay, let's begin.
Cutting fresh, delicious, fiery peppers from your garden and then PICKING YOUR NOSE is far from smart.... OR any other part of your face for that matter - your eyelids, upper-lip, or forehead. Ladies and gentlemen, I just went through a double ice-cube healing regimen in an effort to stop the BURN. Not only did I fry the tender inner-nose, but WAAAAY up there into the sinuses - GOOD GOLLY MISS MOLLY!!!!!!!!!!! NOT THE SHARPEST TOOL IN DA SHED!!!!
Not smart y'all.
Not smart.

Lesson: For the love, PLEASE wear gloves and then wash your hands after handling habanero peppers! Washing your hands after picking your nose, optional, but highly recommended!

You now have full permission to make fun of me.

something in the air...

Homeschooling moms everywhere are starting to think. (uh, oh... that could be dangerous!)
The official learning year is fast approaching and the FUN of planning begins!
Really, I mean that! From those I know, MOST are very excited to plan!
(it's the implementing that stinks to high heaven!) Ohhh, the best of intentions should never be disregarded!

A few thoughts:
I'm changing things up a little bit from last year.
I'm getting a little more serious about getting certain things completed.
I may put my little man into a preschool program a couple days a week to have a little concentrated time with the girls.
I'm going to do some joint subjects with friends. (science and history)

Here's what we've got on the plate so far...
Piano once a week.
GRACE Co-op Fridays
Language Arts - Rod and Staff everyday
Math - Horizons everyday
Science - Apologia, Zoology 1 (and all the birding that I am in love with...) T&Th
History - Mystery of History M & W
Bible - Stick Figure Bible and morning devotionals everyday

For us... that's M-O-O-O-O-RE than enough.
We've been doing math and reading all summer... just to keep it all fresh in our minds.
Both girls will also be involved in Girl Scouts and cheering for the Royal Oak Chargers.
Little man will be choosing a sport in the next year or so...
Until then, he'll just have to be content being my baby!

It's going to be a good year!

anointed.

... to be in the presence of God.



Carrried to the Table ~

Wounded and forsaken
I was shattered by the fall
Broken and forgotten
Feeling lost and all alone
Summoned by the King
Into the Master's courts
Lifted by the Savior
And cradled in His arms

I was carried to the table
Seated where I don't belong
Carried to the table
Swept away by His love
And I don't see my brokenness anymore
When I'm seated at the table of the Lord
I'm carried to the table
The table of the Lord

Fighting thoughts of fear
And wondering why He called my name
Am I good enough to share this cup
This world has left me lame
Even in my weakness
The Savior called my name
In His Holy presence
I'm healed and unashamed

You carried me, my God
You carried me

~Leeland

life in a northern town

Some highlights from our latest adventure.

We headed north to Grayling/Gaylord to do a little campin' and attend the Big Ticket Festival... take a looksie!

Jammin' with the David Crowder Band...


Chillin' with Brandon Heath. Love him.


Enjoying my new FAV band! - LEELAND!





















... can I pause a moment right here to say, WHAT'S WITH THE MUSICAL, OBSCENELY TALENTED TEXANS? I'm speechless...

Other highlights would include...

Bullriding...










Hiking...













Learning about big trees...













Reeeeally big trees!




















Discovering...




























... and just enjoying the good life...

they're the people that you meet each day....

... or... do you?

So... I was recently reading Peppermint Filled Pinatas by Eric Bryant. He's from a super-cool church in L.A. called Mosiac, and this past winter, he spoke at my favorite place of worship (*ahem* my church, Genesis).
Wow.
Like Shane Claiborne; amazing author, speaker, radical - this book did a great job of making me notice my short-comings when it comes to living out Gods will with every part of my life. I LOVE THIS FEELING! I know! Feeling like I suck is AMAZING! Know why? In a nutshell, it gets me off my butt and makes me move.
I always ask God to guide my steps and move me in ways that will bring glory to his name.
God does not always lead us in a way that feels gentle and safe. Sometimes he gives ya a swift kick in the rear. "Go! Move! It's out of your comfort zone, do it anyway!" -God.
Aannyway... back to the book.
You can read the synopsis and reviews on the Amazon link up there (click on the book's title), but in a nutshell: Embrace diversity and love your neighbors.
We are all different. It's not always comfortable. Many of us are residing in jam-packed little neighborhoods with a bunch of people that we do not even know! This did not sit well with me. It was on my mind for several months. Complacency and comfort were binding my hands, heart and feet to make any difference.
Why do I live in a NEIGHBORhood and feel so distant from my neighbors? Why don't we just pack up and move out to the country? We chose to live here, surrounded by people that get out of their cars, go straight into the house with closed up doors and windows, and stay there until they get back into their cars again.
I was ready to make an effort.
I made out a flier and passed it out to my neighbors, inviting them to come over on Monday night after dinner for snacks and socializing. We figured, what was the worst that could happen? No one would show because it was a lame idea and we'd have a family night playing games in the backyard. No harm done.
Monday night came and the people started trickling in. 1, 3, 4, 6.... 19 people showed up, with snacks in hand, to see what this "Patio Party" was all about!
Aside from going away to school and living in Berkley for 5 years, I have lived in this home for 30 years! I met neighbors that remember me running around outside in my diaper when I was 2!
Everyone was so happy to be here. We hung out until the sun set and decided that we would rotate "Patio Parties" every Monday night this summer.
Last night, we met again across the street. Neighbors told neighbors and we had 30 people show!
God is good.
I had little faith in the idea but gave it a shot with the nudge of God.
Today, I know my neighbors and relationships are being built! I looked outside this morning and saw 2 neighbors chatting on the sidewalk that lived 3 houses away from each other and never met. I look forward to going on a walk tonight and possibly running into some of the new people that I've met. I pray that I can show God's love regardless of our differences.
Making a difference, one backyard at a time...