George and Emmit

Today we adopted Emmit. Emmit was labeled a Shepherd mix but I don't see much shepherd in him so we'll ask our vet what he thinks. He is 7 months old and very puppy. The kids actually paid for his crate and blankets needed to make him comfortable. Dad named him. And I will be training him daily so he is a good dog for our family. George Bailey has been our house dog since he was born so he is learning to adjust to sharing his family with another puppy. George is house trained and well behaved for the most part. We are still working on some issues but that will come. Now I will be working with Emmit to make him a weel behaved dog. So far I see that he listens well. He understands no or "uh uh" which is our main command word for "not acceptable behavior". He sits on command already and tonight I began teaching him how to calm down when he gets too active. This is a very important thing to teach dogs. They need to know when too much is too much and how to relax quickly. As for George, we will continue to reiterate all he has learned and teach him what he needs to know still. George Bailey is learning to get along with Emmit and that will take time before he can relax around him completely. I am praying they will become lifelong pals and always get along.

Isn't He Amazing?

Who is she talking about you ask? Well, I'm talking about the Lord himself! I live in the mountains and I see His creation daily. For starters, we have the best sunrises and sunsets to view daily without fail. We also enjoy watching all the different birds and hummingbirds around us. One hummingbird found his way into our garage. Setting him free was a feat in itself but we did it. Well, my dear husband did it. We even get to hear all of the different bird songs that delight the ear. Then, there is the two squirrels that often sit at the top of a tree in the arroyo. We named them Papa and Mama squirrel. Papa squirrel loves to sit and enjoy his morning breakfast, watching intently all that is going on around him. Sometimes Mama squirrel joins him. Butterflies often find their way to our kitchen window so that we get a quick glimpse of their beauty. I can't forget to mention the excitement of watching water run through the arroyo after a good rain. Oh, just so much to be in awe of --- truly! The Lord created this world with love and, when I view it, I see His hand in everything. From the tune of the birds to the consistent way that Papa squirrel sits in the same place in his tree to enjoy his food. Let me encourage you to take time to look at the creation around you the next time you step outside. Appreciate what the Lord has given us to enjoy. Read Psalm 104 embracing every word with all your heart. He is amazing!

Lazy Days

I love days where I can actually be lazy. And when I say lazy I mean have a low key day. Still being productive but at a much slower pace and doing only what needs to be done. Those kinds of days are few and far between but the Lord knows when to give them to you. He always knows what is best for you. On my lazy days, I realize that what I do lifts my spirit. Usually, I bake something I don't normally get to or work on my scrapbooking for a long period of time or spend more time that usual visiting sites I love on the computer. Or maybe my family gets to play more than one game in a row because, well, its a lazy day. I still get a load of laundry done, keep my kitchen orderly and do small chores around the house. My family helps with this as well and that allows us to enjoy our lazy day even more. These days are so special to me because they give me time to relax and gear up for what the coming days will bring my way. I never know when my "lazy days" will show up but I look forward to them and thank the Lord for providing them. He is so loving in all He does.

**Painting by Georges Jeannin

Our Little Home School

I mentioned I would share our homeschool with you and here you go. I have graduated our oldest and he begins his 2nd semester of college. I am currently teaching our youngest two. We are doing the following books:

Bible: Studying God's Word-D (daughter)
The Life of Christ (son)
Science: Considering God's Creation (finishing up what we srated last school year)
History: The Mystery of History (finishing up what we started last school year)
Geography: States Study (my own curriculum)
Math: Horizons Math (daughter)
Saxon Algebra 1 (son)
Grammar: Easy Grammar Plus (son) 3 days a week
Handwriting/Spelling: Various Scripture verses (daughter) 3 days a week
Reading: Little House on the Prairie (daughter)
George Meuller (son)
Memorization: Book of Psalms (3 days a week/recite on Fridays)
Art: (as we can)
Read Aloud: Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends

These are what we are making our way through at the moment. I have everything timed out so they are productive and get through it all. Having a schedule for them to follow truly helps in keeping them on top of things. When we finish up our science we will move onto weather. And when we get through history, we will move onto the next volume in the series.

Growing In Wisdom

Growing in wisdom. That would be our oldest son. He has recently turned 19 and had to celebrate it with a skin infection on his abdomen. It has been quite the week for him having to learn much about his pain tolerance and about the Lord he serves. He has been a child of God since he was 7 years old. I have seen him grow throughout the years to trust and love the Lord. As a fellow Christian would know, you have your good days and your not-so-good days. Thankfully, the Lord knows His children well. This past week Damian has seen the Lord work in his situation, drawing him unto Himself. He has seen how many people were willing to pray over him and then see that prayer answered. He saw the Lord's provision in his medical care. Doctors and nurses who cared and showed him compassion not to mention knowledge of what to do. He saw the Lord's faithfulness in his family's love and understanding of what he was enduring. And he thanked the Lord for his love for him, an undeserving, sinful man redeemed through Christ's sacrifice on the cross. Yes, he is growing in wisdom. The Lord is awesome to move in his life so faithfully and sovereignly, educating his heart even more. Yes, he growing in wisdom!!! Praise the Lord!

A Day In My Life

Though I have my daily schedules, know they aren't always followed to a tee. Unscheduled things happen or I get caught up doing something longer than I had planned or my health is not at its strongest and my schedules are thwarted a little. That's why I must pray daily that the Lord make me productive in whatever the day holds. If I can stick to my schedules, it's awesome. If I can't, it's okay. So, here is my life....for the most part.

My Morning Routine:
Wake up (usually around 7-7:30)
Read Devotional & Pray
Brush Teeth & Hair
Exercise (MWF)
Get Ready for the day
Start Laundry & Make sure kids are on schedule
Make Bed/Straighten Room
Drink Protein drink (MWF) or Have a small breakfast
Touch up Kitchen/Master Bathroom
Do Science with Kids
Check on Laundry/Finish up Master Bathroom
Dinner Prep, if needed
Do History & States Study with Kids
Lunch & Read Aloud

My Afternoon Routine:
Straighten kitchen after lunch
Finish up School
Laundry
Do scheduled chores or Run Errands
20 minutes Nap (if I can :-) )
Quiet Time (Bible Study)
5 Minute Room Rescue
Start Dinner, Kids set table
Greet Husband with love!

My Evening Routine:
Look at daily schedule/calendar for tomorrow
Do one hot spot, Sweep tile floors as needed
Shine Sink!! (I'm not always faithful but I try)
Put out fresh dishcloth
Prepare bed for rest
Kitchen/Dining Room/Living Room Room Rescue
Wash Face/ Contacts
Brush Hair
Computer Time
Kids to bed (Dad)
Time with Husband
Read a Devotional, Pray and Lights out by 11pm

Now, these are designed to keep me on my toes throughout the day. I'm not always able to stick them exactly but that's okay. And my family helps out with much so that I can strive to keep my schedules. Like my husband cleans up the kitchen after dinner. He just believes that if I cook the meal, he can clean up. And keep in mind, I do believe in cleaning as you cook so I try to not leave him too much. And my kids help from time to time. Also, my kids have their own schedule as well and that helps me as well. Here is what theirs (in a nutshell) looks like:

Rise 'n Shine (7:30-7:45)
Get Ready
Make Bed
Morning Devotional
Do morning Chores
Eat Breakfast
Begin School with Bible first (8:45/9:00)
Do Science with mom (10:10)
Snack Time (10:35) (Tend to Pets)
Do History & States Study with Mom (11-12pm)
Lunch & Read Aloud
Finish up School
Do Afternoon Chores
Free Time (3:00-ish)
Dinner/Afternoon Activity (Piano, Guitar, Tap Lessons, Baseball)
Bedtime by 10:00pm

(Note: They do do more in school but I didn't write that all down. I plan to share their home education in another post.)

So, that's my day here at our house. As much as I enjoy sticking to my schedules, I am ready to adjust if needed. Keeping flexibility in the back of your mind is very important. And if I get off on a day, I just pick up with the next day and move forward.