Ponderings In The Field of Grace

Ok, it’s that time of the year to look at what is working and what isn’t for each of the kids in school. So far I have to admit, for the most part I think we have found our niche. There are a couple of things I am thinking of adding/changing.

The Professor has been using Wordsmith Apprentice for writing and I think it is ok. However, it isn’t as intensive as I would like. So I am looking at checking into BJU 5 or going ahead and making the change to Analytical Grammar.

For all of the kids I am going to go ahead and order the rest of Year 1 Redesigned TOG. We have really drug our feet with it so far this year, because I only had the first unit. TOG is a pretty good fit for our family. I am looking forward to doing more with it, and lapbooking some more.

I’m sure I will be doing some more research just to be sure though.

I went to a friend’s house tonight for a small birthday get together, and I did something I have never done before.

I   played  a  Wii.

And I have to admit it was fun! We played bowling, tennis, baseball, and boxing. I laughed so hard. I almost cried. Those things are great!

Now I just have to figure out how to get one without the kids knowing we have it!

Well things have been settling down here, not that they were that crazy to begin with though. I’ve gotten to stay home again today. It’s been nice. I haven’t really been anywhere since Christmas Day. The Knight has, however, been on the go. Hopefully he’s enjoying his vacation time though. I think he is anyway. He’s been catching up on movies, and helping me around the house. We are having a Sunday School get together here Sunday after church. So I have been doing a little cleaning here and there to straighten things up. I still have to clean my carpets and clean the bathrooms tonight. But that shouldn’t really take too long.

Tomorrow is our niece’s birthday party. We are supposed to be going. She’s going to be 4 years old. Lil Princess loves playing with her, and so do all the boys. I hope I can survive the party.

I know it’s awful, but outside of a few friend’s kids’ parties, I absolutely dread having to go to these things. Don’t get me wrong I like/love the kids. I just really hate standing around twiddling my thumbs at parties with a bunch of people I hardly know. Oh well, this time tomorrow it will be over, and then I get to go to another one for my cousin’s daughter next month. If we could just hang out with the kids and play it would be fantastic. Who knows though? Maybe we will all have a great time. I hope so. It would be really nice.

Oh well, on the other things.

I made some Blue Bonnet Chocolate Chip Cookies tonight. (Actually I still have some to bake) The kids love these things, and they are about as easy to make as the box mixes, so hey, why not? I made a double recipe in hopes of some lasting until everyone comes on Sunday. I’m kind of worried though. Four kids and The Knight, somehow I thinking the cookies don’t stand a chance!

Sorry I haven’t posted much. I’ve been having connection problems. Hopefully I will be getting it straightened out soon. I’m hoping this one will go through!

Now, on to Christmas!

We had one of the best Christmases ever. We were able to spend time with everyone for as long as we wanted, and there was no drama! It was fantastic! The kids weren’t overwhelmed with presents, and they got nothing very expensive. However, they got many nice gifts. Lil Princess got a teddy bear, Sam, that she loves. And we can’t get her out of her new pajamas. She wants to wear them forever. Lil guy has been playing with a new GeoTrax engine and his Hungry, Hungry Hippos game. We can’t get the Sports guy away from his new Power Rangers and SpiderMan 3 plug in to the TV games. The Professor has been hanging out listening to his mp3 player and watching movies. I think The Knight is on his way to Best Buy to get a cable for a new subwoofer, and I am just relaxing in my pajamas and thinking about making something with my new hand mixer.

As far as presents, everyone loves everything. I don’t think there has been one complaint. But that hasn’t been the best part.

I think when I look back on this Christmas I will remember these things the best.

• Getting to go to The Knight’s Mom and help her with Christmas dinner, and laughing with her.
• The kids tracking Santa with the Santa Tracker.
• The Knight’s smile, and his hugs and kisses.
• The kids listening to The Knight as he read them What God wants for Christmas, and they set the nativity up.
• The look on The Professor’s face when he saw the mp3 player.
• Sports guy’s smile and the way he continually offered to help me with things.
• Lil Princess telling me about the real reason we celebrate Christmas.
• The incredible sense of love, peace, and joy I felt.

I know it wasn’t this way for everyone, though. I have some good friends who lost a dear brother/brother-in-law on January 4 of this year in a plane crash. I thought of them, and have been praying for them often during the last few days. I think of the Mom and Dad who no longer have a son. I can not imagine what it felt like for them.

Thinking of them and others helped open my eyes this year to how much God has blessed us. Not material things, though He has provided more than enough for us.

Cherish those close to you. Minister to them. Share Christ with them. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind mind. Lean not on your own understanding, and in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. (Prov. 3:5-6)

Though days and seasons may be difficult He will carry you through, and you may receive peace which surpasses all understanding, and joy indescribable.

Merry Christmas!

So I had an educational morning this morning. These last few months I have noticed that someone wasn’t speaking to me. I tried to ignore it, but in the last week things really seemed to come to a head. One of my dc was involved in an activity, and this person was in charge of it. I was consistently missing important information. So I did what any other person would do. I got mad.

Now to my knowledge I have not done anything to this person. However, their perception was completely different.

The thing is, when I noticed this behavior in this person, I didn’t go talk to her. No, instead, I got mad, got my feelings hurt, and pouted. Not a very Christ-like thing to do. So as I was talking to a good friend of mine last night, I realized I just needed to let go of this, and move on.

Romans 12:18

If possible, as far as it depends upon you, be at peace with all men.

When I thought about that verse, I knew I had not fulfilled it. I was not trying to live at peace as far as it depended on me. I wasn’t willing to swallow my pride and be the first to talk.

So this morning, I swallowed what I thought would be a bitter pill, and it ended up being incredibly sweet. Isn’t that just like God?

We went to the Children’s play at church tonight. Lil Princess and Lil guy were in it. Lil Princess had a solo and a dance number. Lil guy actually got on stage this time and sang. I am so proud of them! They did a great job.

Just had to brag for a minute!

It sure is hard to keep focused and get all of our schoolwork done lately. I have to admit I am really struggling. We’ve been getting our work complete, but it’s been a tooth and nail fight most days. I think we are all just tired and ready for a break. After all we’re already over half the way done with the school year.

I’m trying to make it fun by throwing in little things each day. The kids though, are just ready to be DONE. Can’t say that I blame them. I am too.

I checked out some books from the library to read for fun. The Professor is still reading his books. We’re throwing in some fun shows from ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas. We’ll see how it goes.

Today when we finish with our book work we are going to head over to my Mom and Dad’s house to help decorate their tree and make some Sugar Cookies. That should be fun. Hopefully everyone will enjoy it.

Well, guess that’s enough for now. I hear the kids, and someone doesn’t sound happy!