What Happened?

One day I was teaching my blond little girl her abc's and 123's and now we're learning about ACT's and GED's. Not to mention SAT's and FAFSA, college applications, campus tours, scholarships, financial aid, class rings, senior pictures. AAAAHHHHHH!!!!!! How did this happen? She grew up when I wasn't looking.

When you're dealing with diapers and temper tantrums you don't want to hear someone say to you "treasure this time, it'll pass so quickly". But it's true.

I remember the day we started home schooling. And now she's about to graduate. I never imagined I would home school her through 12th grade. It was never my intention to home school to start with. But God convicted my heart and convinced me that was what He wanted me to do. And He has been faithful to see us through each year. And here we are! Our final year! It has been challenging. It has been frustrating at times. It's been down-right hard at times. But it's also been so rewarding. And I wouldn't trade any of it...not even her tantrums over 3rd grade math...for anything!

Though my time of home-schooling Amber is almost over, I still have a few more years with Andrew. Like always, we just take it a year at a time. And if it's the Lord's will to home school him through 12th grade, I'll probably be back here sobbing again when he's about to graduate.

Prayer Shawl Team

Stand Guard, Men!

I heard something in my bible study this morning that just sent chills down my spine and arms.

In Genesis 3:24, it says that God placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.

In Genesis 2:15 it says Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.

In Numbers 3:8, it says the tribe of Levi were to attend or take care of the furnishings of the tabernacle.

If you do a word study, you'll find that the words guard, tend,keep, all come from the same Hebrew word, shamar. Shamar means: to protect, to hedge about, attend to, beware, take heed, preserve, save, watch.

So, when God put Adam in the garden, he was to guard it. If Adam was doing what he was supposed to be doing Satan would have never been able to get to his wife!

This just spoke to me about today's culture. Are the men doing what they're supposed to be doing to guard their territory, their wives, their children, from Satan's attacks??? Are the men tending and keeping what God has given them???

If Adam and Eve were so easily deceived in their perfect Garden of Eden, how much more vulnerable are we in the world we live in??

I Peter 5:8 says "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."

Men, guard what God has given you. Women, put yourselves under that guardianship. (that's a whole 'nother sermon I'll save for another day)

Blissfully Domestic

I fought for a long time with the idea of being a stay-at-home mom again.
I had worked full-time for two years, home-schooled my kids and took care of my military husband.
I couldn't imagine just being at home all the time again.
But now, two years later, I have not only accepted being at home.....
but am thoroughly enjoying it!

Yummy Goodness

I recently discovered the most amazing cream scones I have ever tasted. I tried to get the recipe but was told they are from a local coffee shop. Went to the coffee shop, they're not sharing! They'll sell you as many of these amazing scones as you can eat but they're not giving up their recipe. But....

I did find this website Baking & Dessert Recipes & Photos - Joyofbaking.com and the photos of their scones look eerily similar to the ones in the coffee shop. There's even a scone newsletter on this website with lots of scone baking tips and various recipes included. Can't wait to try them.

Then this morning, I stumbled upon this recipe. Pop Up Pancakes Make and Takes These just make my mouth water. So simple and with basic ingredients. Yum!

I'll post pictures and let you know how everything turns out. Stay tuned!

Update:

Here's a pic of my Pop Up Pancakes. I had them with tidbit pineapples. Delicious!

Vacation is a Wonderful Thing

We went to Georgia to celebrate our friend's 25th Wedding Anniversary. It was a special time. Each of their three boys honored them in a special way. One prayed over them, one blessed them and one thanked them for being such great parents. As an "old married couple", can you ask for anything more???

Amber and I went to Florida for a few days.

I had lunch with my girls from the flower shop. And Ed. He's the optometrist that worked across the hall from us. We spent 4 hours at Ruby Tuesdays catching up on the last two years.

Amber and I had dinner Tuesday night with our friends, Frances and Reggie. They're a wonderful, sweet couple that love the Lord and have adopted us into their family. Their daughter and her family was there. As well as their son and one of his children. It was a packed house and lots of fun.

We attended church Wed. night at our old church. They gave me a stack of cd's to listen to on the way home.

Amber got to go surfing Wed. afternoon. She had no problem getting up on the board the first try. She's eager to go again.

I got to spend some time on a small beach all by myself. It was great! Just me, the seagulls and the sound of the waves.

There was some shopping involved. We had to check out the BX and Commissary. And Bealls Outlet and a yarn store called Unwind. And I had to go to the Bass Pro Shop with Frank's list in hand.

This was one of my favorite vacations ever! The only way it could have been better is if Frank had come with us. Maybe next time. We're working on him.