The Lavender Family

Food Giant Coupon Matchups

2011-04-15T21:46:00.000-05:00

This is very rough but hopefully will help!

*COUPONS UP TO $1 WILL DOUBLE*
*You do not have to buy 2 when it says 2 for $5. They will ring up 2.50 per store. In that case, just use one coupon*
*They will only double 3 of the exact same coupon.*

*Kraft Dressing - $1 - Use $1/3 coupon. - Makes it .33 cents each when you buy 3.
*Hamb Helper - $1 - Use .75/3 coupon. - Makes it .50 each when you buy 3.
*Betty Crocker Cake Mix - $1 - Use .75/cake & icing. - Makes it roughly .50 each when you buy both.
*Pine Sol - 2/$5 - Use (2) $1/1 printables. - Makes it .50 each whether you buy 1 or 2.
*Purex - 2/$5 - Use (2) $1/1 coupons. - Makes it .50 each whether you buy 1 or 2.
*Minute Maid OJ - 2/$5 - Use (2) $1/1 coupons. - Makes it .50 each whether you buy 1 or 2.
*Bar S Corn Dogs - $3.99 - Use $1/1 coupon. Makes it $1.99 for 3 lbs!!
*Kraft Shredded Cheese - $1.00 - Use $1/2 coupon. Makes it FREE when you buy 2.
*Kraft Singles - $1.00 - Use $1/1 coupon. Makes it FREE.
*Sister Shubert Yeast Rolls - 2/$5 - Use (2) $.75 printable coupons. Makes them $1 when you buy 2.
*Hormel Kids Kitchen - $1.00 - Use $1/1 coupon. Make is FREE.
*Duncan Hines bag brownie mix - $1.19 - Use .50/1 coupon. Makes it .19!!!
*Carpet Fresh - $1.88 - Use $1/1 coupon. - Makes it FREE. (only 2 fragrances)
*French's Worchestire Sauce - $1.29 - Use .75/1 coupons. Makes it FREE.
*Lipton Tea - Tiny Box $1.06 - Use your .60/1 coupons. Makes it FREE.

Other freebies you may have coupons for : Mccormick brown gravy mix, Taco Bell taco seasoning, and Pillsbury Brownie mix.

Here is my list for monday:
9 kraft dressings, 9 hamb helper, 3 bc cake mix, 3 bc icing, 2 pine sol, 3 purex, 1 minute maid, 2 boxes of corn dogs, 6 kraft shredded cheese, 2 hormel kids meals, 3 kraft singles, 2 sister shuberts rolls....I will only spend....(drum roll please) $18.70 Pretax!!!!!!!!! Michael is also going to take a buggy so that he can use 3 coupons of kraft, hamb helper and such. Hope this helps!!

What's Going On?

2011-03-08T21:04:00.000-06:00

Hey friends. I know its been a while, since Sept '10 to be exact. I have been really busy helping Michael with his new business, homeschool, and now co-op again. Here are two main things that have come about recently. 1. Sarah's Pig Pals, which is her guinea pig business, has really taken off and 2. I have started couponing.
1. For those of you who didn't know Sarah has started breeding guinea pigs. She started with just one as a pet and now has 8 breeders and about 9 babies. They have been selling as fast as she can have them; so she is fixing to add 3 more breeders to her outfit. Her and her dad built her a rack for them this past Friday. She is really enjoying this and is learning alot. She has to buy their food and supplies out of her income. She takes a percentage for tithes and savings and has spending money left over. She is quite the business lady. Since she is selling them wholesale they are much cheaper than a pet store and raised healthier and better too if you ask me! She only gets $15 for her short hair guinea pigs and $25 for her long hair pigs.
2. Yes, I have started couponing. Here are a few things for those of you who would like to coupon but thinks it is not worth the trouble.
-Coupons are like cash: would you throw away a quarter, fifty cents, or even a dollar? Absolutely not, but that is what you are doing when you throw your coupons away.
-Many stores double coupons on certain days of the week or possibly everyday like publix.
-Buy your Sunday paper at the Dollar Tree not Wmart or the gas station. I buy about 5 a week.
-At Walgreens, CVS, Target, and Publix you can use a store coupon and a manu. coupon on the same item. Yes, you can use two coupons for the same item.
-At Walgreens, CVS, and Riteaid you can get free items almost every week.
-You can use 2 coupons on Buy One get One Free items. Both items scan so you can use a coupon for each item.
-You can use coupons on clearance and sale items.

Here is a Publix scenario. Ragu is on sale Buy One Get One for 2.49. You cut (2) .50 coupons for Ragu out of your Sunday paper. Since Publix doubles coupons every day of the week take your coupons. Buy 1 for 2.49 and get the second free. Use both of your coupons which will double for a total of 2.00 OFF which means you get two jars for only .49! See what I mean? Don't throw your money away.

Hope this helps. I will try to start posting more and I will try to put a few pics of the guinea pigs also. Spread the word about her business please. Also, if you still don't want your coupons SAVE THEM FOR ME!!!!! haha

Buckmasters and Calhoun County Reptile Expo

2010-09-01T23:05:00.000-05:00

1. Buckmasters - How fun! It was like being paid to go on vacation! We had alot of fun especially Sarah and I. We were given rooms at the Renaissance at the Montgomery Convention Complex. It was really really nice. Michael had to work most of the time - sitting with his snake display at the Lacrosse Footwear display. He met lots of nice people. Sarah and I mostly saw the sights in town. We had lots of mommy daughter time. It seemed very quiet because we had left Michael Jr. and Julia with grandma and grandy. I even caught a nap one time! Anyway, that was the weekend of the 20th. Then . . .

2. Calhoun County Reptile Expo - Successful! This was this last weekend. We had lots of help from some good friends. JJ and April and the kids from church was there ALL day to help. I bet they were worn out. Also 2 of Michael's friends helped, Kurtis and Curtis. Also my mother's 17 yr old neighbor Ryan. Everyone was lots of help. We figure by the admission collected that there was between 300 - 400. Thats pretty good for a first time show. We would like to have another one in November or December but will have to check on our dates.

Alright. I am getting sleepy so I guess I will go to bed and write more later!

New Blog Link

2010-08-12T00:26:00.001-05:00

Just put a new link over on the left to Steve Skinner's new blog. Its a great read so far!

Summer Update!

2010-08-07T00:49:00.001-05:00

Wow. The last post before tonight was May 26th. I think that was the day that Michael decided that Lavender Exotics (his business) would host the first ever Calhoun County Reptile Expo . June and July seem like the longest two months ever. We want this to be the best show ever so there has been a lot of work involved. Still is. But other than work, there was alot of fun. He was off the week of July 4th.

We went to Montgomery to visit a friend. Of course, we took in the sights of the capitol while we were there.

We also went to Clanton's Peach Park! Yum. (but expensive)

We also went to see Toy Story 3 in 3D that week with the kids.

And we went to Point Mallard. Swam in the Tennessee River! What else have we done? Well, ALOT ot of swimming in my aunt and uncles pool next door.

I have also joined Facebook. I know I said I never would, but I am doing a lot of advertising on there. I am going to try something new for me tonight. Instead of keeping up with both, I am going to try to post my blog post on facebook. Voila! Let's hope it works. I still have some more pics but it is almost 1:00 am and I have a teacher's meeting in the morning! Bye.

Georgous!

2010-08-07T00:22:00.000-05:00

Took this pic on the way to Springville Walmart one day.

ICEE Time! We love Icees!

2010-08-07T00:20:00.000-05:00

Table of Blessings

2010-05-26T17:38:00.004-05:00

I have had the privilege of watching my best friend's (Amanda Bradfield) children and we have had a blast! Unfortunately, it was due to the untimely death of her younger brother in a car accident. Please pray for Amanda and her family and for the service Friday.

Starting at the bottom and going clockwise:

Hanna Fowler, Anna Bradfield, Michael Lavender, Jordan Bradfield, Julia Lavender, Sarah Lavender, Lexi Bradfield, Emma Smith, Kaylee Bradfield

Delicious!

2010-05-24T17:04:00.002-05:00

Here is wonderfully delicious supper! Who says salads are yucky?
I am down 12 pounds and about 20 to go!

Healthy Eating!

2010-05-19T10:19:00.003-05:00

I am eating a brunch only meal now. I do not eat both breakfast and lunch. I eat eggs or something high in protein which keeps me full all day! BTW - I am now 11 days with NO caffeine or soft drinks! Only water, occasional 100% fruit juice, and rarely a few ounces of low fat milk! Still need to work on getting more fiber and more iron.

Daddy Michael's Bday! Happy 37!

2010-05-18T10:12:00.000-05:00

Still More.....

2010-05-11T22:45:00.002-05:00

Catch up!

2010-05-04T23:39:00.002-05:00

I will post for a minute about why I haven't been posting lately. We are winding down the last two weeks of school, the entire family has been sick, Michael's new business endeavor and of course the obvious: helpmeet, mom, and household duties. I still have more spring break pics and also Michael Sr.'s bday pics.

Well, I have took some Nyquil and it is off to bed I go.

More spring break pictures

2010-05-01T04:46:00.002-05:00

2010-04-25T17:25:00.000-05:00

Spring Break- Atlanta Aquarium - Coca-Cola - Subway - Horse Pens 40 - Horseback Riding

2010-04-10T16:13:00.001-05:00

Spring Break- Atlanta Aquarium - Coca-Cola - Subway - Horse Pens 40 - Horseback Riding

2010-04-08T21:03:00.005-05:00

Prayer Request

2010-03-25T23:26:00.003-05:00

Most of you who know me know our Pastor's wife, Colleen Liddle. You probably also know she was diagnosed a few years back with having some precancerous breast cancer cells. (?) Starting late last year ('09) she began having horrible leg pain. Long story short and many doctors later she has now been diagnosed as having Stage 4 Cancer which is in one femur bone and possibly in more bones and the liver. Please pray for this dear sweet friend of mine. Here is a copy of a letter to us from Pastor Mark:

Dear Congregation,

Thank you for your continual prayers in our behalf. The Lord
mercifully strengthened Colleen through all her testing and doctor's
visits in the last couple weeks. Her situation is serious with a stage 4
diagnosis, the doctor giving her 6 - 12 months if nothing is done.
We will meet, Lord willing, on Monday with two doctors.
One will go over her MRI on her knee that has caused so much pain.
The other is Dr Yielding, our Oncologist, who will be going over with
us our treatment options at this time. He is hopeful that we can find a
treatment that would put the cancer into remission. His office has very graciously
been contacting foundations that may be able to help us.
Right now, the cycle of pain has returned to my dear wife and we
don't wish to burden you but we would appreciate your prayers for God's mercies upon
her.The pain continues to be primarily in the right hip, leg & knee, the
sacrum and in the back - most are places suspect of bone cancer. It is very difficult for Colleen. We have tried many kinds of medicines and some do not touch the pain at all, while others she has a violent reaction to. The one we can use helped her last night but when she repeated the dose today, it has caused nausea and vomiting. This is the dilemma we have long faced with needing to address the pain without causing vomiting etc.
I pray this cycle of pain will soon be over and that the Lord will
direct us to a treatment that will be helpful. Pray for her peace of mind and strength as she faces these difficult days. Pray for all my dear girls. We all are in need of much wisdom & grace and I know the Lord is faithful
and will bear us up.
We have nothing but Him and He is everything. We love you all dearly.

In Christ our Lord

Pastor Mark

Hab 3:17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be
in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall
yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall
be no herd in the stalls:
18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds'
feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rats, Mice, Gerbils, oh me oh my!

2010-03-24T13:53:00.001-05:00

New weight ticker

2010-03-20T22:04:00.002-05:00

See my new weight ticker on the left. Here I go again!

Preschool

2010-03-18T22:31:00.002-05:00

Here is a cute picture I took of Sarah "doing preschool" with Julia. They truly both love it! Sarah is always patient and kind. I love to eavesdrop on their classes! Sarah is really doing a great job. In fact, I think she is doing better with Julia than I did with her at that age.

Michael Turns 8!

2010-03-18T22:27:00.003-05:00

*Stay tuned for more bday pics, I wasn't using my digital camera so I am having to revert back to the "dark ages" when we actually had pictures developed. :) This picture was taken at about 1:00 am after a late night of bowling (long story, tell you later)when I finally returned home to my new camera left on the bar!

Happy Birthday Michael!

Dissection Class

2010-03-15T16:26:00.002-05:00

Not Forgotten

2010-02-18T23:52:00.004-06:00

A year ago this weekend is when we lost a sweet little friend of ours, Emme. Even though it has been a year and Julia is only 3 she has still not forgotten her first best friend. A song on my blog called "Angels in the Room" was playing a few days ago and Julia (whom I didn't even know was listening) looked up from her toy and said "Emme loves this song". I said "She does?" and she simply said "Yes, she sings it" and went back to playing. Julia still asks the same questions every week or so which includes: "Emme is with God?" she will say in a question tone. She also remembers "Emme's stomach all better now" and "God loves Emme and is taking care of her." We all miss Emme and continue to pray for her family. Click here for the original blog post from last year.

Looks like a Postcard

2010-02-18T23:47:00.001-06:00

Working Hard

2010-02-18T23:45:00.001-06:00

Happy Homeschool Snow Day!

2010-02-12T14:06:00.002-06:00

1st Degree Level 2 Blackbelt

2010-02-12T14:04:00.001-06:00

Shelter Visit

2010-02-05T21:53:00.002-06:00

Sarah worked so hard Monday night on putting all of those boxes together. Then Tuesday night she went through and organized about half of the bags of clothes into mens, womens, and kids. And then Wednesday she went through the other half! Bless her heart, she really put in a lot of work. We got up yesterday morning and made about 4 dozen chocolate chip cookies to take with us. All of the men that were there got together in the family room and ate still hot cookies and Sarah was able to hand out their boxes. We left the clothes for them to go through later. The pictures do not show everybody because a few acted a little embarrased at us taking pictures and a few others loved it. We just took the two. The men were very thankful and polite. I wished we could have stayed longer and talked more but there was a strange vibe almost like we were rushed after we handed out the boxes by the employee. We really had a good time though. I believe most of them are able to read and we encouraged them to read the bibles inside. Thank you so much for everyone who made this possible.

Sarah's Hard Work

2010-02-05T20:56:00.006-06:00

Here are a few pics of Sarah preparing the homeless boxes. 1

Hanna's Birthday at the Imagination Place

2010-02-05T07:44:00.003-06:00

Homeless Care Boxes

2010-01-13T19:20:00.005-06:00

Hello Friends,

Sarah and I are going to be making "care packages" for a homeless group in Bham. These boxes will contain necessities such as socks, scarfs, soap, lotion, shampoo, toothbrushes, ect as well as bibles and tracts. For the next two weeks we are taking up donations to help with the expense of the boxes. Also we are collecting any new or used jackets or blankets. This week at Crossroads Christian School Co-op upstairs in the teacher's lounge there will be a donation box for cash donations and a donation basket for any jackets or blankets. Anything would be appreciated. Also if your family or church would like to donate cash, new items, or used items and would like for me to pick it up you can contact me at the info at the bottom of this page. Also, if your employer would like to make a donation (ex. dentist donating toothbrushes) I will happily pick those up as well.

Sarah is going to be organizing and handling everything under my close supervision as a homeschool project. Every penny we receive will go towards these boxes and every single item will be delivered to the appropriate place.

Time-Saver

2010-01-06T19:21:00.002-06:00

For some crazy reason today, while I was cooking my macaroni noodles, I decided to save time by boiling my eggs for deviled eggs in with them. I mean, after all, they both have to boil. So I stuck the eggs in with my noodles, timed them for 10 mins, and Voila! hard boiled eggs with no extra boiling pot of water!

What a Kick!

2009-11-24T09:53:00.002-06:00

Devotion

2009-10-26T08:25:00.000-05:00

by: John Piper

Our church exists "to spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples through Jesus Christ." That is our mission. "All things" means business, industry, education, media, sports, arts, leisure, government, and all the details of our lives. Ideally this means God should be recognized and trusted as supreme by every person he has made. But the Bible teaches plainly that there will never be a time before Jesus comes back when all people will honor him as supreme (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10).
So how do we express a passion for God's supremacy in a pluralistic world where most people do not recognize God as an important part of their lives, let alone an important part of government or education or business or industry or art or recreation or entertainment?
Answer: We express a passion for the supremacy of God...
1) by maintaining a conviction at all times that God is ever-present and gives all things their most important meaning. He is the Creator, Sustainer, and Governor of all things. We must keep in our minds the truth that all things exist to reveal something of God's infinite perfections. The full meaning of everything, from shoestrings to space shuttles, is the way they relate to God.
2) by trusting God in every circumstance to use his creative, sustaining, governing wisdom and power to work all things together for the good of all who love him. This is faith in the future grace of all that God promises to be for us in Jesus.
3) by making life choices that reveal the supreme worth of God above what the world values supremely. "The steadfast love of the Lord is better than life" (Psalm 63:3). So we will choose to die rather than lose sweet fellowship with God. This will show his supremacy over all that life offers.
4) by speaking to people of God's supreme worth in creative and persuasive ways, and by telling people how they can be reconciled to God through Christ, so that they can enjoy God's supremacy as protection and help, rather than fear it as judgment.
5) by making clear that God himself is the foundation for our commitment to a pluralistic democratic order-not because pluralism is his ultimate ideal, but because in a fallen world, legal coercion will not produce the kingdom of God. Christians agree to make room for non-Christian faiths (including naturalistic, materialistic faiths), not because commitment to God's supremacy is unimportant, but because it must be voluntary, or it is worthless. We have a God-centered ground for making room for atheism. "If my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight" (John 18:36). The fact that God establishes his kingdom through the supernatural miracle of faith, not firearms, means that Christians in this age will not endorse coercive governments-Christian or secular.
This is why we resist the coercive secularization implied in some laws that repress Christian activity in public places. It is not that we want to establish Christianity as the law of the land. That is intrinsically impossible, because of the spiritual nature of the kingdom. It is rather because repression of free exercise of religion and persuasion is as wrong against Christians as it is against secularists. We believe this tolerance is rooted in the very nature of the gospel of Christ. In one sense, tolerance is pragmatic: freedom and democracy seem to be the best political order humans have conceived. But for Christians it is not purely pragmatic: the spiritual, relational nature of God's kingdom is the ground of our endorsement of pluralism, until Christ comes with rights and authority that we do not have.
By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website

2009-10-25T00:11:00.002-05:00

She got one!

Yep, that's cheating!

Harder than we thought

Yes, I know that is not a real tent, but it worked!

Grandy!

What fun!

2009-10-25T00:07:00.002-05:00

Michael Sr. eating an ice cream sundae, sitting in a hot tub, watching football. A redneck's dream. haha

4-H Chicken

2009-10-25T00:04:00.001-05:00

Here is a picture of Sarah's paper mache chicken she made for 4H. Yes, those are real chicken feathers!

Community Helpers Class

2009-10-24T18:36:00.001-05:00

Mummies

2009-10-24T18:34:00.001-05:00

Michael Jr.

Sarah

Julia

Lavender's Exotics

2009-10-24T18:28:00.002-05:00

Well, things are starting to kick in with the snake and rat business! I am working on a website for Michael so he can have a place to send people so they can browse through his collection. It is no where near completion but I am getting there slowly. It is nothing impressive, I am not a webmaster, just a helpmeet trying to help! Here it is Lavender's Exotics at www.lavenderexotics.webs.com Eventually we will have our own domain but right now this will suffice. We are not trying to drive traffic to an unfinished site. We just want a site to give our already existing customers to be able to browse. He has sold a few snakes and alot of rats. He has become busy enough that we never get "free" day. But it is fun family work. The kids seem to love it also. Anyway, check it out.

No wedding

2009-09-19T21:46:00.003-05:00

Julia was invited to a Princess Tea Party set for today. They were to be having tea in a "castle" and so they needed to make sure they were in their princess gowns. Well I thought she would be thrilled but she really wasn't. Her first concern was if I was going to go with her or leave her there. I let her know of course I would be there with her. That was yesterday. Not really any excitement. Then today, I tried to pump it up for her and she said very calmly "Maybe I get married today". Then I figured it all out. She loves her Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty movies. And she has talked for quite a few months about "going to the ball" (which is always at a castle) and she always loves dressing in her most beautiful "wedding" dresses. (Because you always get married after the ball). And she has even said she was going to get married and marry daddy! How Cute! I guess I assumed deep down she knew she wasn't really going to do these things. However, when I told her she was going to get her princess dress on and go to a castle and have a party, she literally thought she was. Just like in the movies. And of course that meant she must be going to get married too. So I think when it came down to it, she really wasn't as excited about it as she thought she would be. I realized when she said " Maybe I get married today" that she thought all of that was fixing to happen today. And she wasn't very excited. So obviously, I reassured her that NO she wasn't getting married today, and I wasn't leaving her at some big castle. After that she was fine and she had a ball at the party. I will post some pics as soon as my friend emails them to me. All of the little girls were soooo cute!

Encouragement

2009-09-19T21:28:00.003-05:00

This is an excerpt from the book Women Leaving the Workplace by Burkett. Hopefully it will be an encouragement to us stay-at-home moms.

Since the beginning of time, mothers have played a key role in world events, both good and bad, through the influence they exercised on their children. Two examples of mothers' influence from the Bible are the wicked queen Athaliah and the godly mother Hannah. Athaliah counseled her 22 year old son, King Ahaziah, to do "wickedly" (II Chron 22:3) and only one year after he took the throne, he was executed. In contrast, Hannah dedicated her son Samuel to the service of the Lord. Not surprisingly, he became a great prophet. Two books of the bible are dedicated to his life's work. Stay at home moms must never lose sight of the tremendous influence they can exercise in their children's lives, even though Satan will try to discourage and defeat them.

We have to stay focused on why we're at home and why we're the best person to take care of your children. There are many struggles, financially and otherwise, but God is sufficient. He never leaves us. He always provides.

Just a little too late!!

2009-09-12T22:10:00.004-05:00

Okay, the eggs we brought to class today, of course, started hatching tonight. Just a few hours earlier and you would have gotten to see them in person. Of course, they have just started so it could be tomorrow night or Monday before they actually come on out but here are a couple of good pictures of the slit and the fluid. These are Mexican Black King Snake babies. In the picture on the left and the bottom left egg is one of the ones I brought today. The bottom right is the other one.

Herpetology Class Pictures

2009-09-12T20:29:00.006-05:00

Yes, its dead. We showed the differences between a timber rattlesnake and a gray rat which is sometimes confused by those spotters making a fast getaway!

(Thanks Janie for taking pictures of the snake class/show today). We had a great turnout and we appreciate all of you giving up your Saturday to come to class. We had a great time and we hope you all learned something new! I am pretty sure you can copy and save any pictures you want from my blog so feel free. If not, email me and I will send you the ones you might want of your kids. If your homeschool groups or organizations want to have us come; we would love to speak to classes. You can email me for more information!

Thanks Aunt Kathy!

2009-09-01T18:08:00.005-05:00

Thanks Aunt Kathy for a great hike in the woods. Can't wait for the gazebo trip!!

Why Everything Exists

2009-08-31T09:52:00.000-05:00

Thoughts on Why Everything Exists by John Piper

One of the main points of the forthcoming book, Spectacular Sins and Their Global Purpose in the Glory of Christ, is that sin and God's wrath against it were part of God's plan when he created the world. This is different from saying that God sins or that he approves of sinning.
The main reason for making this point is to exalt the revelation of God's grace in the crucifixion of Jesus to the highest place. This is the point of the universe--the glorification of the grace of God in the apex of its expression in the death of Jesus.
Jesus died for sin (1 Corinthians 15:3). The death of Jesus for sin was planned before the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8; Ephesians 1:4-6). Therefore, sin was part of the plan. God carries this plan through in a way that maintains full human accountability, full hatred for sin, full divine justice, and full saving love for all who trust Christ. And we don't need to know how he does it to believe it and rest in it and worship him for it.
This morning I was meditating for my devotions on Ezra 8 and 9. I saw there another pointer to the truth of God's planning for human sin and divine wrath.
In Ezra 8:22, Ezra says, "The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and his power and his wrath are against all who forsake him." This text leads me to ask: Did God know before creation that his creatures would "forsake him." Yes, he did. The plan for their redemption was in place before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:3-6).
Was Ezra 8:22 true before the foundation of the world? Yes, it was. God did not become holy and just after creation. He has always been holy and just. "His power and his wrath are against all who forsake him" because this is, and always has been, the holy and just thing for God to do.
Therefore, since God knew that his creatures would forsake him, he also knew that his power and wrath would be against them. Therefore, this was part of his plan. He created the world knowing that sin would happen and that he would respond as Ezra 8:22 says he does.
This planning is what Paul means in Romans 9:22 when he says that God was "desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power. . ." And if you ask Paul why God would go forward with this plan, his most ultimate answer is in the next verse: "in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy" (Romans 9:23).
God knew that the revelation of his wrath and power against sin would make the riches of his glory shine all the brighter and taste all the sweeter for the vessels of mercy.
"The riches of his glory" are the riches we inherit when we see his glory in all the fullness that we can bear (Ephesians 1:18) and are transformed by it (Romans 8:30; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 John 3:2). These riches of glory reach their supreme height of wonder and beauty in the death of Jesus as he bore the condemnation of God's wrath and power in our place (Romans 8:3; Galatians 3:13).
In other words, God's plan that there be sin and wrath in the universe was ultimately to bring about "the praise of the glory of his grace" in the death of Christ (Ephesians 1:6). What is at stake in the sovereignty of God over sin is the ultimate aim of the universe, namely, the exaltation of the Son of God in the greatest act of wrath-removing, sin-forgiving, justice-vindicating grace that ever was or ever could be. The praise of the glory of God's grace in the death of Christ for sinners is the ultimate end of all things.
Christ is the aim of all things. When Paul says, "All things were created . . . for him" (Colossians 1:16), he means that the entire universe and all the events in it serve to glorify Jesus Christ. May the meditations of our hearts take us ever deeper into this mystery. And may the words of our mouths and the actions of our hands serve to magnify the infinite worth of Jesus and his death. This is why we exist.
By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: www.desiringGod.org. Email: mail@desiringGod.org

White-Marked Tussock Moth

2009-08-29T22:37:00.003-05:00

Here is a really cool caterpillar that we found in the neighbor's yard yesterday. Sarah and I did some research and found out it is called a white marked tussock moth. So yes...it will turn into a moth. Click here if you want some more info.

4 types of Fruit

2009-08-26T17:35:00.003-05:00

We are studying plants this week in school. We learned today that there are 4 types of fruits:

1. Dry Fruits like nuts 2. Juicy fruits like oranges, berries, tomatoes 3. Pomes- they have cores like apples and pears 4. Drupes/Stone Fruit- large seed in middle like peaches or avocados.

We cut examples of each and then got to enjoy our snack!

Sarah's Big 10 Birthday Party!!!

2009-08-25T16:17:00.016-05:00

The kids surprise attack on Joao!

Happy Birthday to my Girl! I love you.

The cause of the big hunk missing out of the cake in the picture above.

Jacob, Julia, Hanna, Sarah, Emma and Michael

Grandmama and Pa

Ashley and Joao

Michael's mom Leasa aka "Granny"

Daddy loves his pizza!

Going for a golf cart ride! Where's Julia? That's bad...I don't know!

Pin the tail on the donkey.

Brother playing baseball.

Jacob missing a hit!

Sarah scoring a hit while playing water balloon version of baseball.
Casualty #1 "Brother"

What a blast we had Saturday. Cake, pin the tail on the donkey, water balloon fights, egg toss, baseball, and tug of war! Everyone including the adults had a great time that day. Sometimes it is nice to be able to just play for a while.

Don't forget Currclick.com

2009-08-13T23:57:00.004-05:00

Don't forget www.currclick.com for unit studies and online studies. The free item for this month is a dinosaur lapbook kit. It leaves out dates so that you can adjust it for your beliefs but the rest of the kit looks like alot of fun. Especially for those younger guys! I got it for Michael. Also they have a really cool looking taxonomy book for about $6! Since we are studying that right now in Science, I am going to get it for Sarah. Also all of their online classes are very reasonable and fun. Click the link at the bottom if your interested.

Baby snakes are here!!!

2009-08-13T23:50:00.003-05:00

Here is one of them! Don't you just want one???

This one hit home!

2009-07-27T21:20:00.001-05:00

Talk to People Rather than about ThemJohn Piper
Recall that in Luke 18:9, Luke introduces the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector like this: "He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt." It may seem minor at first, but notice that it says that Jesus told this parable TO some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous. It does not say he spoke this parable ABOUT them. Jesus was looking the Pharisees in the eye and telling them a parable that implied that they were self-righteous. He was not talking about them but to them.
Though it may seem minor, it contains a lesson that is huge for the health of our church. Let's be like this. Let's not talk to others about people's faults. Let's talk to them about their faults. It is easy - and far too tasty on the tongue of our sinful souls - to talk about people. But it is hard - and often tastes bitter - to talk to them. When you are talking about them, they can't correct you or turn the tables and make you the problem. But if you talk to them about a problem, it can be very painful. So it feels safer to talk about people rather than talking to them.
But Jesus does not call us to make safe choices. He calls us to make loving choices. In the short run, love is often more painful than self-protecting conflict-avoidance. But in the long run, our consciences condemn us for this easy path and we do little good for others. So let's be more like Jesus in this case and not talk about people, but talk to them, both with words of encouragement, because of the evidences of grace we see in their lives, and with words of caution or warning or correction or even rebuke. Paul urged us to use the full range of words for the full range of needs: "Admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all" (1 Thessalonians 5:14).
I don't mean you can't criticize President Bush without calling him on the phone first. And I don't mean you can't discuss my sermon, both negatively and positively, without coming to me. Public figures put themselves on the line and understand that everyone will have an opinion about what they say. That's okay. What I mean is when you know a brother or a sister is in the grip of some sinful attitude or behavior, take the log out of your eye, and then go to them and try to help them with humble biblical counsel.
Perhaps tell them a parable. That's what Jesus did in Luke 18:9-14. And it's what Nathan did for David, after his sin with Bathsheba and toward Uriah (2 Samuel 12:1-4). But you don't have to be that creative. Caring about the person you confront matters more than creativity.
My longing for our church is that we be free from gossip. Let's be forthright and honest and courageous and humble. Jesus was amazingly blunt at times. Love sometimes sounds like that. He could have easily been accused of callousness or lovelessness. But we know he was the most loving person who ever lived. So let's follow him in this matter. He died for us so that all the logs and specks in our eyes may be forgiven. That should give us both courage and care in dealing with others. Especially when we realize that the faults of our brothers and sisters have also been forgiven by Jesus.
What an amazing standing place we have for relationships. A forgiven, justified, Spirit-indwelt community of people who love to grow in grace. Thank you for loving to trust and follow Jesus in the way of talking to each other rather than about each other.
Pastor John
By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: www.desiringGod.org. Email: mail@desiringGod.org. Toll Free: 1.888.346.4700.

Yo-Yo

2009-07-27T17:31:00.003-05:00

Okay. Here I am again. Back at 170 pounds! I am not one of those women who won't say their weight. It will not change it to not say it. Anyway, my mom told me one time to expect weight gains in life, but set a maximum weight and never let your self get above that or you would be gone. I never really set a maximum weight, but a couple of years back before we left for South Carolina I got on the scale and weighed 170. I cried. Seriously. I decided that was my maximum weight. When we got back, I went on the Adkins diet and lost 33 pounds. I was so happy. I gained back 15 later and went back on Adkins and lost it. Now I have gained all of that weight back and I am back at 170. Well actually 167.8 but close enough. I did not follow his lifetime maintenance plan like I should. I just started eating like I had before and what do you know? I look like I did before. I know. I know. I know. It has got to be a lifestyle change! Who really doesn't know that? Well, I am starting Adkins plan again, but I will follow each step as I should. His goal was for us to lose weight slowly and keep it off. Now, for those of you who don't like the plan because he died of a heart attack. Well, everyone has to die somehow. Look at Dr. Bill Chadwick. I took health advice from him. He seemed to be the healthiest person I know and he had a heart attack and passed away. We all have to die of something. There are also those that say low carb is not good for you. Dr. Adkins in his book expected your diet to consist of fish, chicken, and yes some pork and the rest was fresh fruit and vegetables. Isn't that the basis of most diets? Fish and chicken, fruits and veggies! We all know that. Anyway, I will try to let you all know how it goes. I will be weighing every Monday morning about 10:00 am. I started this morning at 167.8 so we will see how it goes. By the way, in case you wonder what I have eat today it is this. Breakfast- 3 devilled eggs and bacon
Lunch- Polish sausage and green beans I have also had a few pickles. Not sure about supper yet. Need to go rebuy groceries!
BTW- My goal weight is 132 this time. That is what I weighed when I got pregnant with little Michael.

21st Century Princess

2009-07-17T14:09:00.002-05:00

There is no wicked step-mother going to mess with this princess!!!

Friendly Friday!

2009-07-17T13:42:00.005-05:00

Emma

Hanna and Sarah

Michael and Dustin

Whew! We are keeping Hanna a few days, the little boy down the street is over, and Jacob and Emma are here for the night. Having fun now because school is starting Monday!

Chef Sarah!

2009-07-17T13:26:00.002-05:00

Thursday is now Sarah's official day to cook the main meal of the day. So far we have had chicken, spagetti, and tacos. She lets me know what she needs from the grocery store the week before so she will have all her ingredients! She is a very good cook.

Prayer Request

2009-07-17T12:55:00.003-05:00

Our neighbor, Sargent Danny Stewart, was involved in a serious car accident Wednesday night after church. His legs and hips were crushed and he had to be flown by Life Saver to the hospital. He had an immediate surgery that night and another surgeon is being flown in for more surgery. This special surgeon is going to put in rods and "piece" together what he can. It is going to be a long road for him and he is looking at possible a year before he could get back to normal. He was supposed to be deployed in August to active war as a gunner on a helicopter for the third time. Obviously, this will not happen. So even in all of this, I am sure there is a thankfulness for this.

Also, his 15 year old grandson was driving and he is very shaken up. This has been very traumatic for him also.

For those of you who went on the aviation tour with my activity group, Sargent Stewart was the nice man who volunteered his time to make arrangements and lead that tour.

Please keep him and his family in prayer.

Dr. Bill

2009-07-17T12:40:00.002-05:00

Last week we lost a sweet, sweet man in our church family. He was a chiropractor who loved helping everyone. Things I will remember about Dr. Bill:
* Julia loved when he sang the grizzly bear song to her.
* He said Michael and I have beautiful kids, we should have more.
* He insisted I never got enough rest.
* He never took no for an answer when I said I really didn't need to be worked on that day, but I was always glad for that when I got off the table feeling better.
*His face this past Father's Day when he got to bring his daughters and their children to church with him.
* How handsome he looked, especially the week he came back from Mexico with a tan!
* His smile
* How uncomfortable he looked sleeping upside down hanging off of his chiropractor table with a garbage bag over him to hold in the body's heat.
* The variety of his meals. He ate everything greens, beans, meat (not pork), salad veggies, fruit, bread, dessert, and especially chocolate.
* The absolutely HUGE bottles of water he brought for his church family so we wouldn't have to drink the city water with flouride in it.
* His love of Christ and His Word!

I'm Still Here

2009-07-07T21:27:00.002-05:00

Wow! Where have I been? Sorry, I haven't posted in a while but Michael has been off of work for a while so we've been busy. We got most of the stuff on his list done, had a great July 4th with friends, and also took the two oldest kids to six flags! July 4th we went to Gadsden and tailgated during the fireworks show with 'Ashley and Joao' and 'JJ and April' and their two children. Lots of fun! His wife and kids had just got here the day before so it gave us time to meet each other and talk before Sunday. Also Sarah had read in Six Flags' Read to Succeed program and got free six flags tickets so we took advantage of our live-in babysitter, Ashley, :) and took the oldest ones to Six Flags. That was a lot of fun and a great way to end his time off. Okay for those of you who caught the word "live-in" above, I will explain. Our friends Ashley and Joao are currently living here with us until work comes available in South Carolina where there is a job open or until a job becomes available here. Which ever comes first. So....if any of you know of a job opening please email me because we would love to keep them in Alabama!

Brother's Queen

2009-06-25T00:12:00.003-05:00

This is a few months old, but I just ran across it and had to post it. This was brother and Julia's "date". He said

this was their date and Julia was his queen. Too cute! Of course "date" to him doesn't mean anything lovey dovey...just a date together. They pretended they were at a fine italien restaurant hence the spagetti and candlelight. Too fun!

More Scheduling!

2009-06-24T22:38:00.002-05:00

Okay, I am scheduling more! So far it has helped. I love Terri Maxwell's Managers of Their Home book. It is all about scheduling what seems like every possible minute of your day and your children's days. Well, I got some chore printables free from currclick a couple of months back and have made "morning lists" for the kids. Every morning after breakfast the kids do their "morning lists". On that list is get dressed, brush teeth, brush hair, make bed, pick up dirty clothes, pick up toys, clean rest of room. That is done every single morning after breakfast. We have been doing that a while and it works great. Even Julia has a list with pictures that she loves. In fact, she will ask can I do my morning list? Sometimes even at night! Anyway, also on that list to the right is a list of special chores for each day of the week. For example for Sarah; Monday is her laundry (she has her own basket in her room), Tuesday is cleaning her bathroom (we have 3 bathrooms so we have a girls bathroom and a boys bathroom) , Wednesday is vacuuming, Thursday is her day to cook main meal, Friday is dusting. Of course brothers includes things like taking out trash and cleaning his bathroom, ect. Well, having every 30 mins of my day planned out really doesn't work well for us especially with a husband who works different shifts all the time. But I did make a mommy list to help me remember to get some of those forgettable things done. I decided to start with two "special" chores that I would do each day. Of course that would be on top of everything else I do! Here it is:
Monday: Vacuum, Clean off office desk
Tuesday: Remove cobwebs, Clean fridge
Wednesday: Clean bathroom (mine), mop
Thursday: Laundry ( I always need to work on this), Laundry (Like I said I need this)
Friday: Dust ceiling fans, change sheets on bed

Thursday is my least busiest day so I decided to make it my all day laundry day! I may add more chores but for now this will work. So far it is kind of fun and seems to work. Ask me in a couple of weeks. I have to admit. When I stick to a schedule, my whole house runs better! I can never remember why I stop following a schedule!

2009-06-24T22:25:00.002-05:00

My Sweet Girls!

Our Frog Prince

2009-06-24T22:20:00.002-05:00

This was Julia's pet toad. Well actually it was only her pet for a day. She loved "Lou Lou". ??? I finally convinced her to let it go in the creek so it could find more frog friends. But not until after she had a lot of fun putting him everywhere she could imagine!

2009-06-24T22:17:00.001-05:00

Look at one of our hard working momma's! No she's not eating it...just moving it.

2009-06-24T22:16:00.001-05:00

Brother and "Trixie Ann". Yes our dogs have middle names. There is Brownie Dawg Lavender, Trixie Ann Lavender, and Sweety Peety Lavender!

2009-06-24T22:14:00.000-05:00

Julia in a summer dress that's a little too big but cute!

2009-06-24T22:12:00.001-05:00

Julia saying she is going to be sick. So she picks up the garbage can and holds it upside down above her head! Not sure that will work!! :)

Busy Summer!

2009-06-15T08:52:00.005-05:00

I remember telling my mom a month ago that as soon as school was over I would be "free" to do more stuff like go to her house more! What was I thinking? I forgot that when school is out, preparations for next school year begin. Along with catching up on all of those deep clean chores like defrosting the freezer. And of course, you've got to include those "field trips" you can only do in the summer ;) like playing at the water park. Mom said I plan something for every day. I don't know that I plan it that way, but it does seem to work out that way. I also have a family member-in-law (that doesn't have internet btw) that somedays drives me nuts. Friday, she called us 6 times and came over 2 times !!! Isn't that ridiculous!! For the first time in 33 years I am sick of the telephone. It rings most of the time now and I don't even stop what I am doing. Anyway, here are some things going on with us this summer in no particular order:
1. Sarah is taking a fun online class where she is reading through Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Which means I have to get her class going online and then help her print everything out and work on it during the week.
2. Sarah is taking a fun online spanish class ......... same as above!
3. I am assigning myself 2 or 3 chores a week to accomplish such as defrosting freezer, cleaning out cabinets, ect.
4. I am working on my two class syllabi for the two co-op classes I am teaching in the fall.
5. I am preparing the work for those two coop classes.
6. I am preparing for our homeschool at the end of July.
7. I am tutoring lil' Michael in reading.
8. I am activities director for my group at our school, so I am planning field trips and play days for the summer and fall.
9. I am helping Michael build mice racks for the building. (He also has certain goals for the next few weeks which I help with)
10. I help feed and water the mice twice daily!
11. I have got to get lil' Michael's room painted by next weekend when we will have company staying with us.....which by the way . . .
12. I have to prepare for company that is coming the next two weekends.
13. We are preparing for the birth of 100 baby snakes. We have to prepare boxes for each one.
14. Michael is going to be off two weeks around July 4th. I will be dedicated to him and his jobs during those two weeks.
15. Julia is old enough for me to mow now while Michael weed-eats. This saves him from having to work on that two days. I mow while he weed-eats.

It seems my source of communication will be late night emailing or blogging! Just wanted to let you mom and everyone else know I am not just sitting here watching the phone ring! haha

Ideas for the kids for the Summer!

2009-06-11T21:55:00.003-05:00

1. Volunteer- Beautify an old lot, plant flowers in a park garden. Help in a shelter. Visit a nursing home.
2. Write postcards to friends.
3. Join a summer reading program at the library or come up with one of your own.
4. Plan a scavenger hunt.
6. Take photographs an create a collage with all your pictures at the end of the summer.
7. Make a sandbox.
8. Visit as many different kinds of habitats as you can find. Ex. rivers, oceans, fields, forest
9. Spend a 1/2 hour or more quietly sitting outside. Observe and write down everything you see. Birds, animals, bugs, clouds, people, ect.
10. Spend the morning at a farmer's market. Plan a meal using the produce you buy.

*These are just a few. I will add more later.

Air National Guard Field Trip

2009-06-10T11:49:00.005-05:00

What a cool trip to the Air National Guard support center in Birmingham! The kids got to get hands on with a few of the guns used by these brave guys. They loved that. I think this one on the left is the one they use on the Chinook.

They also got to get in and buckle down in one of the chinooks for a cool lesson on what goes on during a typical mission.

Sargeant Stewart showed the kids some of the gear that he has to wear. Boy this thing by itself was heavy!

This is the helmet with face shield that he would use. Kind of looks like Darth Vader...uh?

So cool!!!

This is inside the support center where they do maintenance and prepare for the next mission.

This is an older copter they got to see.

Sargeant Stewart and his crew will be leaving in August for active duty for 10 months on a chinook in Iraq. He is the "door gunner". Very dangerous I am sure. Please be in prayer for him and all of the brave soldiers fighting for us!

Reunion Time!

2009-06-09T19:54:00.015-05:00

Ben, Marie, and Mary-Morgan

Sydnie and Sarah

Hannah and Julia

Mary-Morgan

One Handsome Fellow!!!

The Gardners came to visit this weekend! For those of you who do not know, The Gardners are one of our church families who moved about a year ago to Colorado! We have missed them so much. Ben was a great teacher and friend, Marie a super mom and friend, Parker and Aaron Lil' Michael's big buddies (didn't get a pic of the boys, I guess because they were always on the run) , Sydnie is one of Sarah's best friends, Hannah was one of Julia's best friends, and Mary-Morgan a blessing to all! It was just like "ole times" this weekend! Such fellowship! It truly was bittersweet. Hannah and Julia running around holding hands, and Sydnie and Sarah huddled up together giggling! We went to the park and had pizza with them Saturday night and then Ben taught and preached Sunday morning. After church we stayed and eat and fellowshipped until they had to leave. I truly enjoyed every minute with them. We are praying that if it is the Lord's will that Ben's job will send him back to the SouthEast!

Spring has Sprung!

2009-05-26T23:33:00.006-05:00

As you may know, Michael is trying his hand at breeding snakes. Alot of our "yard snakes" sell between $30 and $150 each. Some we have sell for more. Honestly, when we went to the UAB show, there were snakes there over $1000 a piece! Ridiculous, but hey if they want to buy them, then by all means Michael will supply them. He has always loved snakes ??? so this is right up his ally. The bottom pic is a creamsicle corn snake with her eggs. The next pic is some type of albino rat or corn snake (I can't remember) and her eggs. Next up is a mexican king snake peering through the dirt with her eggs. And the picture at the very top is some of our being incubated. Nothing special ... just a shoebox and the room over 80

degrees. Not all of our females are gravid, but considering this is his first time breeding snakes, I think they have all done well. The eggs you see that look yucky in the one container have dirt on them. They are perfectly fine but she really rolled them around in the dirt before I got to them. I have candled all of these batches and they have veins and look great so far. Just 60 days and we will babies everywhere! If any of you want to come by and bring the kids to check them out just let me know.

Champion Mines Field Trip

2009-05-25T21:40:00.003-05:00

What a great time we had at our Champion Mines field trip! We originally met Mr. Van Gunter and his wife when they visited our church. Then he sent Mr. and Mrs. Watkins our way to do a presentation for my Alabama History class in co-op on the civil war. And then one day out of the kindness of his own heart, he contacted me and volunteered his property, also Champion Mines, for a field trip for our co-op group. When we got there his wife was in the kitchen baking choc chip cookies and had made fresh lemonade. He took us on a 1.5 mile hike through the property surrounding a gorgeous lake. Then we had a picnic lunch and then a tour of the mines. Then we had free time to fish and ride on the floating pier across the lake. We had a great time. What a sweet couple! There was also another blessing. It had rained straight for about 8 days before this particular Friday. We decided to risk it and not postpone it, just hope for no rain. We would be happy with at least cloudiness. What do you know? That morning we woke up to the most beautiful day ever. The temperature was wonderful and the sun was shining! Thank you Lord for blessing our field trip with sun. I had responses that totalled about 40 people. But after all of that rain, we had maybe 20. Everyone was so leary of the weather. You missed a great time. I am sure we will go again so maybe you can go next time.

Isaac Watts

2009-05-19T23:59:00.004-05:00

This is the words to a hymn by Isaac Watts. I love these words. It is one of my favorite hymns. I tried to find the song so you could hear it but I couldn't. It is the perfect description of God's effectual call.

How Sweet and Awful Is the Place
1. How sweet and awful is the place With Christ within the doors, While everlasting love displays The choicest of her stores.
2. While all our hearts and all our songs Join to admire the feast, Each of us cry, with thankful tongues,"Lord, why was I a guest?"
3. "Why was I made to hear Thy voice, And enter while there's room, When thousands make a wretched choice, And rather starve than come?"
4. 'Twas the same love that spread the feast That sweetly drew us in; Else we had still refused to taste, And perished in our sin.
5. Pity the nations, O our God, Constrain the earth to come; Send Thy victorious Word abroad, And bring the strangers home.
6. We long to see Thy churches full, That all the chosen race May, with one voice and heart and soul, Sing Thy redeeming grace.

Snake Trick

2009-05-19T23:30:00.003-05:00

Okay . . . for those of you who may not know . . . this is an Eastern Hog Nose snake. It is not venemous to us humans, however it is a venemous snake. It is not a constrictor so it eats it prey whole. Which means a lot of wiggling and such. So God gave it a set of rear fangs at the back of its throat so that when it is eating a frog for example it will inject a venom that will paralyze it to make it easier to swallow. Okay okay so what is the trick. When you pick at or threaten this snake, the first thing it will do it flare out it's neck like a cobra and make a loud hissing noise! However, if you are not scared and continue to pick at it, it will play dead. Seriously ya'll! It will roll over on it's back, open its mouth, and usually hang it's tongue out and "appear" dead. Of course all you have to do it flip back over on its belly and it will very fastly FLIP back over dead again! haha It is hilarious! Just look at the picture above. Now this is a baby only about 12 inches long. We got him from a friend's yard and of course named him "Possum". This was just too funny not to share.

Daddy turns 36!

2009-05-02T12:29:00.013-05:00

Surprise!!

Daddy blowing out the Candles!

My Daddy and Pa

Orlandus, Michael, and Steve

Ashley, Joao, John, and Mark

Kathy, Colleen, and Rebekah

Joao and John

It has been about 6 or 8 years since we had a surprise party for daddy so this year we pulled the old trick out of the bag. What fun!! We invited a few close friends and family to be here at 12:00 lunch. Daddy wasn't expected back until around 12:30 from buying groceries. He usually doesn't go by himself but he had a feeling Sarah might be making him a cake or something. Of course, he had no idea about all of this. Our friend Steve Skinner did all of the grilling...thanks again Steve...and we also had a couple of friends "watching out" for him. He was surprised and truly enjoyed the fellowship we had. His gift from me and the kids was the air compressor you see in the picture...that too was a huge surprise. Yes, I bought that thing, unloaded it at home, got it up 6 steps and hid it in Sarah's closet! Anyway, we played horseshoes (one of his favorite things to do) and a game similar to tether ball. Lots of fun. Thanks everyone for coming!!!

Garden

2009-04-11T23:12:00.004-05:00

We are going to try again this year for another garden. Last year, we got tons of wonderful corn and tomatoes, but everything else failed. We are trying a few things different this year including getting all of our seeds and plants from the co-op instead of Freds!!! HAHA The garden is a family affair and has something for everyone. Mommy wanted tomatoes, Daddy wanted corn and green beans, Sarah wanted canteloupe, and Michael Jr. wanted watermelons. Julia just wanted to be able to plant seeds which she did. Everyone lended (or lent??) a helping hand and I hope it continues. We will now pray for God's blessings on our little garden and hope to be able to share much of it!!!

Happy Birthday Julia

2009-04-11T23:02:00.004-05:00

Well, my "baby" turned 3 Friday. What fun! She has been waiting on this for almost a year. She didn't really know what all of her bday was about last year. It seemed like right after her bday she started realizing what bdays were. But the bad thing for her was hers was almost a year away. Almost everyone she knew was having bdays all the time!!! When was hers going to be? Well, it finally happened. I think she had a great time. We just had family over, plus Hanna, for cake and presents. Of course the theme was princess. She got her own little princess cake all to herself. These little cakes are similar to the ones you get for babies first bday but better. Much cuter and cheaper. All you have to do is just get some cupcakes for everyone else! She got dresses, thumbalina movie, princess backpack, princess dolls, princess bedroom accessories, play makeup, and more! What a spoiled little girl. She learned how to hold up 3 fingers and tell her age. She doesn't always get the number right but her fingers always show 3. Thank you Lord for another year with my babies!

Just 3 belts away!

2009-04-11T22:57:00.003-05:00

Lil' Michael received his Senior Brown belt Thursday night. He is now just 3 belts away from his Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. He started karate Feb 08 and has moved so fast over this past year! In about 6 months to a year he could very well be a black belt. His instructor has said that his form is excellent and expects to see great things as he gets older! Of course, he just probably wants more money, but hey, we think he is great no matter what! Who knows? Maybe one day, he will have his own Do Jo. Is that how you spell that?? :)

American Village

2009-04-11T22:41:00.005-05:00

Wow. What a fun day. Thursday, Sarah, Hanna, Margie (Hanna's mom), Michael Jr. and I went to Montevallo to the American Village. We had a great time learning about the Revolution, America's declaration of independance, and eventually the constitution. The actors treat you like you are actually reliving this time period with them. You really felt like a Patriot upset with the "Redcoats" trying to govern us all the way over here in this new land! Actually I feel toward the IRS the way they felt toward the tax master then! It was very strange how similar it is today to the way it was then! We got to tour the village and then have a picnic with all of our homeschool friends. Where was Julia??? I left her for the day with a babysitter!!! Actually she is our normal babysitter the few times we have had one. "Aunt Cathy" also keeps another little girl Morgan who is 4. So from 7:00 am that morning until about 3:30 pm I felt almost like a working mother. I guess because I was out during the daytime and actually had a paid babysitter. That was weird but also a relief because I was able to totally focus on Sarah, Michael, and our field trip. Plus, I knew that Julia was very well taken care of!! Thank you Aunt Cathy and Miss Ashley. :)

Feeding the Ducks!

2009-04-02T22:31:00.007-05:00

We went behind the Gadsden Mall yesterday and fed the ducks. There is a bird sanctuary and a 2 mile walking trail back there. It is really beautiful back there. Not to mention, there are hundreds of ducks and geese. Take a huge bag of popcorn and you will have a blast.

Alabama History Historical Figures Presentation

2009-03-31T23:14:00.009-05:00

My Alabama History Class did their historical figures presentations. Here are a few of the students. From bottom up are : Matthew Jensen as Hank Aaron; Keaton Rodgers as Helen Keller; Jeremiah Jones as Bobby Allison; Meagan Godsey as Taylor Hicks; Hanna Fowler talking about the group Alabama; Eric Shotts talking about Mr. Pulium; and Sarah Lavender as Emma Sansom; Amy Carlson speaking on Taylor Hicks. The kids did great. I hope the high schoolers do as well.

Quilting a Potholder

2009-03-31T22:53:00.005-05:00

What is wrong with me??? I am trying to learn to quilt. Okay. I am starting with a potholder, but hey that's a start! I have got to finish the potholder in the picture. I still have to add the lavender trim around it and add the loop. After I do the potholders, I am going to ... hold your breath ... attempt to make a queen size quilt for my bed! Where did that come from?? Sarah is taking quilting in co-op class and I have been helping her with some of her homework. It was fun. My grandmother who has lived with my parents since I was 2 or 3 was like a sibling. We slept in the same bed together and everything. She quilted her whole life. When you thought of Grandma Polly ... you thought of quilting. She made beautiful quilts and lots and lots of baby quilts. Anyway, I should have spent more time and tried to learn from her and my mom but you know how it is when you are a kid. Anyway, I am going to take a turn at it and see how it comes out. Between my mom, Sarah's teacher, my quilting magazine, and the internet I might at least get it together whether it looks great or not.

Goodyear Blimp

2009-03-31T20:24:00.002-05:00

This is from a few months back, but very cool. While going to karate one day, we saw the Goodyear Blimp in the sky looking like it was landing. We tracked it down to the Attalla regional airport. Low and behold they let us go across the runways and climb on board the blimp. No, we didn't get to go up in it, but neverless it was a very cool experience. The second picture with the kids in a seat is actually in the blimp itself. There is a picture of the blimp on the wall behind them. Of course, when we got home we had to look it up and learn how a blimp works. Very simply actually, it raises and lowers by adjusting the "air" that is in separate balloons inside the helium balloon. Increase the air and the balloon lowers, decrease the air and it raises. Helium is lighter so that is how it works.

Shogun

2009-03-29T21:53:00.004-05:00

We have been studying Japan now for 3 weeks. Well 1 week we were off because of sickness, but we finally made it to Shogun. Better than chinese, but not as good as Mexican!!! The kids loved it. So did daddy, he had not been there before either. But get this, our chef was "micronesian" and didn't know any Japanese and gave a peace symbol when I took his picture. Our crazy. What happened to the Japanese chefs?? Anyway, there was a Japanese chef at the sushi bar.

Storm

2009-03-29T21:44:00.002-05:00

Look at these clouds. We left home last night to take the kids out for Japanese. We are going from our house toward Odenville when we see these unbelievably scary looking clouds. I called home to ask mom to if there were any warnings we should be aware of. She checked the TV and then said nope. We just kept watching and talking about these hideous clouds. About the time we got to Leeds, our friend called and told us the news was saying there was a tornado heading toward Ashville. I said I believe it. I was glad we were heading in the other direction. Fortunately, Ashville was spared, but we really got to see some awesome clouds.

10 Things About Me

2009-03-23T22:49:00.003-05:00

Okay, just for those of you who don't know me that well here are ten things about myself.

1. I hate doing laundry...just look in my bathroom closet floor!
2. I love to sleep in...I could sleep to 11:00 or 12:00 easy if the kids would.
3. I love tv shows about families...Jon and Kate plus 8, The Duggers, Kids by the Dozen.
4. I love deadlines and having a full schedule...co-op, support group, play group, ect.
5. I love Lil' Michael but I am sick of Karate...3 times a week to Gadsden!
6. I hate when Michael works 2nd shift...from 3:00 pm till bedtime seems like forever.
7. I love Mt.Dew, macaroni & cheese, and potatoes...which is why I weigh what I do.
8. I hate Children's Hosp ER waiting room...we waited 9 hours one night, walked out at 7:00 am and went to Pediatrician's office.
9. I love co-op...and so do my kids.
10. I love what a manly man my husband is...hard biceps and strong opinions!!! :)

We've Been Sprayed!!!

2009-03-23T18:27:00.002-05:00

Okay...everyone is sick. Let's go back a few weeks. The week before little Michael's bday Feb 16th. Michael Sr. and Jr. had the flu, even the dog had kennel cough. The week after his party, brother relapsed and ended up with pneumonia. Then Julia got just a cold. Then I got a really bad sore throat with laryngitus. Starting Friday before last March 13th, Sarah got sick and she now has pneumonia. Last night, Sarah was coughing, Julia had a fever again with coughing, and brother was coughing. It seems like everyone is relapsing. I have missed the last four weeks of church! What is going on??? I feel like we have the plague. Well, weeks ago Michael told me when he was driving down the road he noticed a LOT of "chem trails" in the sky. By chem trails, we mean the smoke trails left behind airplanes. There are people that say that some of these trails are on purpose...that the government is "poisoning" us with different drugs or viruses that they are testing. I didn't believe it until this month! Most everyone we know has been sick, especially the families with little ones. I have cloroxed door knobs & toilet seats, boiled toothbrushes, washed sheets, threw out the dogs, everything!!! Man, I will be glad when we are well again.

Curriculum Discounts!

2009-03-07T22:08:00.002-06:00

I am now a distributor for Bright Ideas Press and Alpha Omega Pub. I am preparing a couple of orders and am accepting any pre-orders anyone might have. I am passing along the savings. Bright Ideas Press does "The Mystery of History" volumes and some really cool elementary and middle school science books. I can get you that at 25% off and you won't have to pay any shipping! Pretty cool! Check out their website here: http://www.brightideaspress.com/ . Also, I may order from Alpha Omega who does the Lifepacs, Horizons, Switched on Schoolhouse, and more! I can get you 10% off anything from their website and you wouldn't have to pay any shipping! Also Horizons is now doing an elementary level P.E. curriculum and a Health curriculum. Check out their website here: http://www.aop.com/ . Just shoot me an email if you are interested!

China

2009-03-07T21:58:00.003-06:00

For the past two weeks we have been studying China. We finally went out today and eat Chinese food. It was the kids' first time eating Chinese. It isn't near as good as Mexican. Anyway, we had a good time. Next week, we are on our way to Japan. Shogun hear we come!

History Lesson in Gadsden, AL

2009-03-07T21:49:00.008-06:00

Sarah is doing a historical figure presentation on Emma Sansom for her Alabama History class. We spent a long time in Gadsden, Monday and had a great history lesson. 15 year old Emma Sansom led Brig. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forest and his confederate soldiers across Black Creek in order to get to the Yankees. What a heroine!! We had a great time and learned a lot.

Snow

2009-03-02T22:36:00.005-06:00

Well we finally got some white stuff. Sunday we woke up to snow on the ground and more falling. It was beautiful! By the end of it all, we had a couple of inches on the cars and porches, but very little on ground. Just enough for Sarah to make a few snowballs to throw at the neighbors. Of course, Lil' Michael had pneumonia so he couldn't go play but Sarah did bring in a snowball for him and Julia to eat. Since the bad weather and most everyone in the house already sick, we stayed home from church which is rare for us. But, I have to admit we had a good time. We stayed in our PJ's all day by a nice warm fire. We truly enjoyed our "Day of Rest".

Michael turns 7 !!!

2009-03-02T22:30:00.002-06:00

Last Friday, Feb 20th "Brother" turned 7. We went to co-op that day and came home with a couple of extra boys, plus 1 that came over that evening! We had a houseful and had lots of fun. He had a great time with all of his friends getting to spend the night with him. He had a Batman party and got lots of great gifts which was shared by all. Other than the phone call about Emme we all had a great day together. Thank you Lord for another year with my little man!!!

Funeral Arrangements

2009-02-25T20:43:00.001-06:00

Precious little Emme's funeral will be this Friday, February 27th at 11:00 am at Lakeside Baptist Church off of I-459. Graveside services will be at Elmwood Cemetary. Please continue to keep this family in prayer!

Emme Grace Forbes

2009-02-22T21:31:00.004-06:00

Dear Friends,
The Lord has taken Emme to be with Him. She passed away about 1:45 pm today Sunday. We of course do not know any funeral details at this time. Please continue to uphold the Forbes family, Pastor Mark who has to prepare for the funeral now, and our entire church family in your prayers.
Our hearts are heavy with grief but we are so thankful to have gotten the chance to know this precious child. For those of you who do not know, Emme was adopted only a year ago from China. We do not know what higher purpose this might have held but we do know this:
Emme has had a wonderful year. She was able to experience a loving christian family which she had never known in China. She was able to have a mommy, a daddy, and two wonderful brothers. But most importantly she was able to hear the gospel. I realize her knowledge is limited at age 3; but just to be able hear the name of God spoken, to hear of our Savior Jesus Christ....all of this impossible in the orphanage in China!!! Just think of the power that is in just the name of our Sovereign Lord!!! We praise You, Lord for your work in Emme's life.
I will of course post any details when I find them out. Jenn

Prayer Needed!

2009-02-21T19:03:00.003-06:00

This precious little girl who is pictured with Julia is her best friend and the child of one of our families at church. Her name is Emme Forbes. She is almost 4 years old. Friday night while at a debate tournament in Memphis, Tennessee she started having breathing difficulties, was taken to the ER, her heart stopped and was resusitated, and then had surgery on a hole in her stomach. As of noon today, she was on life support and unresponsive. This little girl needs a miracle! Please pray for Emme, the Forbes family, and Pastor Mark who is in Tennessee with the family at this time. 8:17 pm

Spurgeon's Jan.9th Evening

2009-02-15T20:43:00.000-06:00

“Serve the Lord with gladness.”
Psalm 100:2
DELIGHT in divine service is a token of acceptance. Those who serve God with a sad countenance, because they do what is unpleasant to them, are not serving Him at all; they bring the form of homage, but the life is absent. Our God requires no slaves to grace His throne; He is the Lord of the empire of love, and would have His servants dressed in the livery of joy. The angels of God serve him with songs, not with groans; a murmur or a sigh would be a mutiny in their ranks. That obedience which is not voluntary is disobedience, for the Lord looketh at the heart, and if He seeth that we serve Him from force, and not because we love Him, He will reject our offering. Service coupled with cheerfulness is heart-service, and therefore true. Take away joyful willingness from the Christian, and you have removed the test of his sincerity. If a man be driven to battle, he is no patriot; but he who marches into the fray with flashing eye and beaming face, singing, “It is sweet for one’s country to die,” proves himself to be sincere in his patriotism. Cheerfulness is the support of our strength; in the joy of the Lord are we strong. It acts as the remover of difficulties. It is to our service what oil is to the wheels of a railway carriage. Without oil the axle soon grows hot, and accidents occur; and if there be not a holy cheerfulness to oil our wheels, our spirits will be clogged with weariness. The man who is cheerful in his service of God, proves that obedience is his element; he can sing,
“Make me to walk in Thy commands,
’Tis a delightful road.”
Reader, let us put this question—Do you serve the Lord with gladness? Let us show to the people of the world, who think our religion to be slavery, that it is to us a delight and a joy! Let our gladness proclaim that we serve a good Master.

Missing Time??

2009-02-15T20:20:00.002-06:00

Wow. What a week! I said in an earlier blog that I didn't go anywhere this week. Well, mom reminded me that I went to grandmas to clean on Monday, took grandma to the doctor on Tuesday, okay nothing Wednesday, groceries Thursday, and then a co-op board meeting on Friday! Plus, I homeschooled everyday. And Julia was sick which made her grumpy and clingy for a few days. Man, I was busier than I thought. But here is what is weird . . . I got more done this week than I have in a very long time. I am not bragging in this blog I promise! Keep reading to hear my point. Have you ever been driving and thinking about something and all of sudden realized you just drove say 15 miles and don't remember a thing about it! Honestly, here is something I don't like to share but my clothes were HORRIBLY behind. Everybody's sheets, quilts, clothes, AHHHHHH. Anyway, Wednesday I think, I noticed I had washed everything down to just a few loads! In fact it was the day I blogged and said my clothes were almost done. See? I couldn't believe it. Where did all those clothes go? Did I really wash them? Surely, I did, but I don't remember doing that many loads. PLUS, I have been back to my schedule so I have been keeping my house kept and my dishes washed immediately after each meal. So here it is. . . It feels like God has given me extra time this week or cleaned clothes for me. Really! You don't understand, my house had really gotten behind. Ask Amanda who came over on short notice and saw my house last week! I am convinced God was in this somehow. Maybe this was a blessing for me to help and encourage me to get in the bed on time everynight for my quiet time with Him! I don't know but I had to tell. Thank you Lord for your time and your mercies toward me.

A final thought... Psalm says "Serve the Lord with Gladness". When doing the "same ole' stuff" over and over (such as clothes) try to remember that as christian women we are doing this to the Glory of God. If we are moping and griping then we are not really serving Him at all! What a thought. I will put Spurgeon's afternoon devotion on the next post to help convict us a little more about serving with gladness.

Iachod Visuals

2009-02-13T21:04:00.002-06:00

I wanted to give everyone an update with the Iachod Visuals Ministry. First of all, their website has been completely remodeled, so I urge you all to check it out at www.iachod.com .It should be free of errors and dead links, but should you run accross an error, a dead link, or you simply have a suggestion to help better our site, PLEASE do not hesitate to let them know.

They are a Christian Audio/Visuals ministry dedicated to making high quality truth filled documentaries. Presenting you with the scriptures alone is their main priority and next in line is quality. So far by God's granting alone, they have made 2 videos and are currently working on the next two. The first video is called "The Young Sun" and you can view a preview by clicking here http://www.iachod.com/theyoungsun.html, and the second video is called "The Heavens Declare: The Solar System" and again to view a preview click here http://www.iachod.com/theheavensdeclare.html

They are currently working on "The Heavens Declare: Beyond the Milky Way" and are working on a preview for that as well. This movie should be out by Summer 2009. The second movie, which also should be out by Summer 2009, is called "Of Man And Beast". We are all really excited about this one, and you can view the trailer by clicking here http://www.iachod.com/futurefilms.html

"The Young Sun" and "The Heavens Declare: The Solar System" will be tentatively airing starting on Tuesday 2/24/09. The time is still being decided, and the channel is NRB on Direct TV channel 378.

They also have free study guides for the first two videos online that would be great for all of you homeschool moms. These videos are great as family videos or church library videos even if you don't homeschool.