Oh my word! I just looked at my calendar and realized...
next Wednesday is October 1st. That is blowing my mind!
It seems like I just got back from my trip to Ohio in August.
Where is the time going?
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
The one about being crafty....
Ok, so I am NOT the craft queen. However, I do enjoy doing crafty things. I actually have a fun time, usually.
Well, the other night Maddie and I went to my friend, Lisa's house. Lisa sells Stampin' Up products. I have several Stampin' Up sets from the past, and I do enjoy stamping, but I do not make enough time for it. Anyway, at Lisa's house I made two cards that I am extremely proud of. Maddie made the same cards and also a cute little bag. The ideas I learned that night have put me in the mood to try to be creative again! :-D
Last year, I started a tradition. I gave my mother and Mickey's mother a scrapbook of "our year" for Christmas.
My mom knows just about everything the kids do; so the photos are a "hard copy" of the memories and things she's been hearing about.
Mickey's mom is very busy and doesn't get to hear about all these things, so the scrapbook is a "window to our world" here in NE.
I enjoy doing the books and they contain most of the same pictures. (My mom's has photos of Buckeye Christmas...the official Jayne Family Celebration of Christmas at Thanksgiving.)
Last year, I decided to do the albums just about a month before Thanksgiving and they were not nearly as creative as I would have liked them to be. SO, I was determined to be better this year. I got off to the right start and even "scrapbooked" all day with my friend Joy and her sister in law one day at Archivers... in March. Well, I'm sorry to say...that was the last day I worked on the scrapbook. SO...
Maddie and I have set aside Saturday as our scrapbook day. Maddie likes to make cards and scrapbook, so I don't know what projects she will decide to work on, but I will be dedicating the day to the scrapbooks! I don't know how much I will be able to accomplish, but I'm going to work a lot. This afternoon in preparation for Saturday, I will be going through photos and also ordering new ones so I will have plenty to work with. :-)
So, I am collecting things and looking for ideas to get these scrapbooks ready. The cards I made at Lisa's house inspired me with ways to embellish my pages. My friend Joy is also a great "scrapbooker", and so I have been inspired by her designs as well.
So...this weekend it's time to get crafty....scrapbooking...here we come! :-D
Well, the other night Maddie and I went to my friend, Lisa's house. Lisa sells Stampin' Up products. I have several Stampin' Up sets from the past, and I do enjoy stamping, but I do not make enough time for it. Anyway, at Lisa's house I made two cards that I am extremely proud of. Maddie made the same cards and also a cute little bag. The ideas I learned that night have put me in the mood to try to be creative again! :-D
Last year, I started a tradition. I gave my mother and Mickey's mother a scrapbook of "our year" for Christmas.
My mom knows just about everything the kids do; so the photos are a "hard copy" of the memories and things she's been hearing about.
Mickey's mom is very busy and doesn't get to hear about all these things, so the scrapbook is a "window to our world" here in NE.
I enjoy doing the books and they contain most of the same pictures. (My mom's has photos of Buckeye Christmas...the official Jayne Family Celebration of Christmas at Thanksgiving.)
Last year, I decided to do the albums just about a month before Thanksgiving and they were not nearly as creative as I would have liked them to be. SO, I was determined to be better this year. I got off to the right start and even "scrapbooked" all day with my friend Joy and her sister in law one day at Archivers... in March. Well, I'm sorry to say...that was the last day I worked on the scrapbook. SO...
Maddie and I have set aside Saturday as our scrapbook day. Maddie likes to make cards and scrapbook, so I don't know what projects she will decide to work on, but I will be dedicating the day to the scrapbooks! I don't know how much I will be able to accomplish, but I'm going to work a lot. This afternoon in preparation for Saturday, I will be going through photos and also ordering new ones so I will have plenty to work with. :-)
So, I am collecting things and looking for ideas to get these scrapbooks ready. The cards I made at Lisa's house inspired me with ways to embellish my pages. My friend Joy is also a great "scrapbooker", and so I have been inspired by her designs as well.
So...this weekend it's time to get crafty....scrapbooking...here we come! :-D
Monday, September 22, 2008
The one about my great kids....
I have the best kids in the world. They really do keep me going. Mickey has had to be away from our family for various periods of time for the last 17 years. The Lord has blessed me with children that prod me along spiritually (having to be on my toes) and emotionally.
I have to try to keep it together for them.
Do I?
LOL...not all the time. We've shared a lot of tears and frustration through the years of separation from the Mickster, but that's part of how we have grown closer. They've seen me fall apart when the sink gets stopped up, the toilet's leaking, the car breaks down, and I get a runner in my pantyhose on the morning I have to be up front at church...they know how mom can have a "meltdown". They also know (and we've learned together) how sweet the comfort of our relationships with each other and the relationships with our Heavenly Father can be.
We've also had some fun times: private jokes, game time, dinnertime conversations, late night talks, etc. that had been very precious to me and to them. I've watched them go from little toddlers that I talk to; become little people that I can talk with.
Would I prefer it that Mickey didn't travel? YES, YES, and YES! However, I am blessed for the times that I can look back and see that we've grown together as a family. God's always been faithful, and He's given me children who yes...can test me at times, but who love me unconditionally and encourage me. Praise God from whom all blessings flow....
I have to try to keep it together for them.
Do I?
LOL...not all the time. We've shared a lot of tears and frustration through the years of separation from the Mickster, but that's part of how we have grown closer. They've seen me fall apart when the sink gets stopped up, the toilet's leaking, the car breaks down, and I get a runner in my pantyhose on the morning I have to be up front at church...they know how mom can have a "meltdown". They also know (and we've learned together) how sweet the comfort of our relationships with each other and the relationships with our Heavenly Father can be.
We've also had some fun times: private jokes, game time, dinnertime conversations, late night talks, etc. that had been very precious to me and to them. I've watched them go from little toddlers that I talk to; become little people that I can talk with.
Would I prefer it that Mickey didn't travel? YES, YES, and YES! However, I am blessed for the times that I can look back and see that we've grown together as a family. God's always been faithful, and He's given me children who yes...can test me at times, but who love me unconditionally and encourage me. Praise God from whom all blessings flow....
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
The one about Wednesday night prayer meeting....
Ok, so I want to first make it clear how much I love my church. I love the Pastor, and his wife, I love the deacons and their families. I love the people that we serve with side by side. We are a small church compared to some now, but our pastor is great about preaching God's Word in an uncompromising way and also very applicable. (at least that's the way I see it)
However, one of my favorite things about our church is Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting. I love our Wednesday night prayer meetings! :-D
Normally when you go to a Baptist church on a Wednesday night for prayer meeting one would sing a few songs, listen to some missionary letters, share prayer requests, and then have two or three men pray, followed by a Bible study. Our Wednesday night is not drastically different but it is different.
The service is a more casual type service. People are coming in during their busy weeks and are weary, but Wednesday is such a pick me up. Pastor opens the night by asking, "What's new and exciting this week?" People volunteer different praises or things new happening in their lives. It's just a neat time to share. Somethings relate to spiritual matters, some things are more of the "everyday" Tonight one of the ladies who is attending college shared that she was nominated for some very good scholarships that will help pay her school bill. YAY! I pray she gets that.
Then we pass the benevolence plate. Wednesday night offerings go to our church's benevolence fund. After that our Pastor shares a brief message. We've been talking about some key doctrines. Tonight was different veiws on the inspriation of the scripture and which views hold true to God's Word being totally true. After that we have a closing prayer (for the message part of the evening)
Then our prayer sheets are passed out. We have some in our church that are fighting illness...they are on the prayer list. Our missionaries, unsaved friends and loved ones are listed, church ministry requests are listed and then there are blanks to fill in with other needs.
After sharing requests, someone volunteers to take the kids out and then the women and men split up. The men usually pray in three or four groups. So there's like four to six men in a prayer group. We ladies will sometimes share more personal requests after the men exit the room. I think the men may do that also....I'm not up there so I don't know. :-D Everyone is invited to pray, but if you would rather pray silently, that is ok too.
We break up into small groups of two or three and lift the burdens and praises up to the Lord. I have to tell you, I get great blessing in hearing the voices praying. I know they are praying for me and my family and for each other. They're praying for dear Mr. Bohnett who has been afflicated with cancer, and Zac who has been having headaches. They are praying for Mrs. Schunke who is unsaved and going through another back surgery. It is a sweet sound to hear my sisters in Christ praying for each other's needs.
Tonight, I got to pray with my friend Sherry. Sherry is the neatest, most well dressed, and organized lady. I love her. Besides her outstanding "outside qualities" she has a tender heart for people and we got to share some more requests together tonight and then Sherry and I prayed. And while she was praying for me I was so gently reminded of how my husband is away, but...it's not by chance. And no matter how hard it is and difficult it is at times, God has put Mickey where he is for a purpose. I needed to be so gently reminded of that tonight. I was blessed to hear that. I so needed to hear that. It was an encouragement to me. To be reminded while he is gone, that I do have a Heavenly Father who I can call on to and He will love me and carry me through this time.
Sherry was able to share some things with me, and I prayed about them tonight and will continue to pray about them. I hope I can be a fraction of the blessing that she has been to me. Christian fellowship like that is such a precious thing. I'm so thankful for Wednesday nights! :-D
Do you have a time to pray with other believers about your personal requests? I hope so. :-D
However, one of my favorite things about our church is Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting. I love our Wednesday night prayer meetings! :-D
Normally when you go to a Baptist church on a Wednesday night for prayer meeting one would sing a few songs, listen to some missionary letters, share prayer requests, and then have two or three men pray, followed by a Bible study. Our Wednesday night is not drastically different but it is different.
The service is a more casual type service. People are coming in during their busy weeks and are weary, but Wednesday is such a pick me up. Pastor opens the night by asking, "What's new and exciting this week?" People volunteer different praises or things new happening in their lives. It's just a neat time to share. Somethings relate to spiritual matters, some things are more of the "everyday" Tonight one of the ladies who is attending college shared that she was nominated for some very good scholarships that will help pay her school bill. YAY! I pray she gets that.
Then we pass the benevolence plate. Wednesday night offerings go to our church's benevolence fund. After that our Pastor shares a brief message. We've been talking about some key doctrines. Tonight was different veiws on the inspriation of the scripture and which views hold true to God's Word being totally true. After that we have a closing prayer (for the message part of the evening)
Then our prayer sheets are passed out. We have some in our church that are fighting illness...they are on the prayer list. Our missionaries, unsaved friends and loved ones are listed, church ministry requests are listed and then there are blanks to fill in with other needs.
After sharing requests, someone volunteers to take the kids out and then the women and men split up. The men usually pray in three or four groups. So there's like four to six men in a prayer group. We ladies will sometimes share more personal requests after the men exit the room. I think the men may do that also....I'm not up there so I don't know. :-D Everyone is invited to pray, but if you would rather pray silently, that is ok too.
We break up into small groups of two or three and lift the burdens and praises up to the Lord. I have to tell you, I get great blessing in hearing the voices praying. I know they are praying for me and my family and for each other. They're praying for dear Mr. Bohnett who has been afflicated with cancer, and Zac who has been having headaches. They are praying for Mrs. Schunke who is unsaved and going through another back surgery. It is a sweet sound to hear my sisters in Christ praying for each other's needs.
Tonight, I got to pray with my friend Sherry. Sherry is the neatest, most well dressed, and organized lady. I love her. Besides her outstanding "outside qualities" she has a tender heart for people and we got to share some more requests together tonight and then Sherry and I prayed. And while she was praying for me I was so gently reminded of how my husband is away, but...it's not by chance. And no matter how hard it is and difficult it is at times, God has put Mickey where he is for a purpose. I needed to be so gently reminded of that tonight. I was blessed to hear that. I so needed to hear that. It was an encouragement to me. To be reminded while he is gone, that I do have a Heavenly Father who I can call on to and He will love me and carry me through this time.
Sherry was able to share some things with me, and I prayed about them tonight and will continue to pray about them. I hope I can be a fraction of the blessing that she has been to me. Christian fellowship like that is such a precious thing. I'm so thankful for Wednesday nights! :-D
Do you have a time to pray with other believers about your personal requests? I hope so. :-D
Thursday, September 11, 2008
The one about hyper links...
Ok, so check out the post below, because I learned to do hyper links and the there are quite a few in the post below. If they "become" underlined as you point to them, if you click...they will take you to a page describing that book, course, or curriculum.
(that explanation is for those that read my blog who are not Internet-savvy)
I do not mean to insult my readers. :-D
(that explanation is for those that read my blog who are not Internet-savvy)
I do not mean to insult my readers. :-D
The one about the new school year....
Ok, so school has started for us.
Some have asked if Michael is still doing homeschool since he's taking college classes...the answer is YES! He has not graduated our homeschool yet. He will be taking government (which will consist of reading and paraphrasing the constitution) with a small unit study on elections, an auto repair course, intro to physics, and whatever else I decide to throw at him. :-D At Metro this quarter he is taking his 3rd CISCO networking class along with College Algebra.
Maddie is taking:
Bible Doctrines-Abeka's 10th grade course
History-All American History vol 1 &2
Science-Exploring Creation through General Science by Jay Wile
Math- Teaching Textbooks
Grammar- a combination of Easy Grammar Plus and Abeka's 9th grade Grammar & Comp Text
She and Marcus will be taking two electives every eight weeks. For Maddie volleyball and and an elections study will be her electives this eight weeks.
Marcus:
Bible Doctrines- Abeka's 10th grade course
History- All American History 1&2
Grammar-First Language Lessons-Level 3
Science-Developing Critical Thinking Through Science (Critical Thinking Press--this was recommended to us by Dr. Jay Wile who authors Apologia High School Courses)
Math-Teaching Textbooks along with some drill books-Times Tales & Two + Two Does not Equal 5
Marcus is also working on a program for his dyslexia with me. We are working on his handwriting issues also. We are using Handwriting Without Tears.
He is doing two electives this quarter: Life Skills & Elections.
We do Bible Doctrines and History together (Maddie, Marcus, and me) along with our Read Aloud time. During our Read Aloud time we are reading the recommended reading with our History program. Currently we are reading, "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" by Elizabeth George Speare. (We also use the Progeny Press guides that go along with our Read Alouds, so I guess they are taking literature units also, but most of the work is done orally. I'm a huge fan of Progeny Press Literature Guides. If you have not checked them out before, I highly recommend them. They look at literature from a Biblical Worldview.
So that catches you up on our new school year. :-D
Some have asked if Michael is still doing homeschool since he's taking college classes...the answer is YES! He has not graduated our homeschool yet. He will be taking government (which will consist of reading and paraphrasing the constitution) with a small unit study on elections, an auto repair course, intro to physics, and whatever else I decide to throw at him. :-D At Metro this quarter he is taking his 3rd CISCO networking class along with College Algebra.
Maddie is taking:
Bible Doctrines-Abeka's 10th grade course
History-All American History vol 1 &2
Science-Exploring Creation through General Science by Jay Wile
Math- Teaching Textbooks
Grammar- a combination of Easy Grammar Plus and Abeka's 9th grade Grammar & Comp Text
She and Marcus will be taking two electives every eight weeks. For Maddie volleyball and and an elections study will be her electives this eight weeks.
Marcus:
Bible Doctrines- Abeka's 10th grade course
History- All American History 1&2
Grammar-First Language Lessons-Level 3
Science-Developing Critical Thinking Through Science (Critical Thinking Press--this was recommended to us by Dr. Jay Wile who authors Apologia High School Courses)
Math-Teaching Textbooks along with some drill books-Times Tales & Two + Two Does not Equal 5
Marcus is also working on a program for his dyslexia with me. We are working on his handwriting issues also. We are using Handwriting Without Tears.
He is doing two electives this quarter: Life Skills & Elections.
We do Bible Doctrines and History together (Maddie, Marcus, and me) along with our Read Aloud time. During our Read Aloud time we are reading the recommended reading with our History program. Currently we are reading, "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" by Elizabeth George Speare. (We also use the Progeny Press guides that go along with our Read Alouds, so I guess they are taking literature units also, but most of the work is done orally. I'm a huge fan of Progeny Press Literature Guides. If you have not checked them out before, I highly recommend them. They look at literature from a Biblical Worldview.
So that catches you up on our new school year. :-D
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
The one about email not being enough...
So like I said I have tons of things swirling through my head and they continue to swim around there. I have a lot of things I want to discuss with my leader, my lord, my great and wonderful husband. While I'm very thankful for email, there are just some things that are too detailed to discuss with email.
You cannot hear someone's tone of voice, you cannot see someone's tears, you cannot feel them reach out to you in a passionate discussion of ideas. Good grief. It is very frustrating.
I know. I know. I should be thankful that we can at least iron down the details of our basic lives. He'll know when Maddie's first volleyball game is, what Marcus did in school, and the latest goings on with Michael and Amanda. But there are other life issues I really want to be able to discuss right now that just can't be done. So I'm praying to my heavenly Father...and I know...I know...I can and should go to Him all along, but I also know of the husband's role in a family and to his wife, and I want to be able to talk to mine.
End of vent.
You cannot hear someone's tone of voice, you cannot see someone's tears, you cannot feel them reach out to you in a passionate discussion of ideas. Good grief. It is very frustrating.
I know. I know. I should be thankful that we can at least iron down the details of our basic lives. He'll know when Maddie's first volleyball game is, what Marcus did in school, and the latest goings on with Michael and Amanda. But there are other life issues I really want to be able to discuss right now that just can't be done. So I'm praying to my heavenly Father...and I know...I know...I can and should go to Him all along, but I also know of the husband's role in a family and to his wife, and I want to be able to talk to mine.
End of vent.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
The one about so many thoughts crowding my mind...
I'm at a loss for words. I have too many things swirling around in my mind.
AND...I miss Mickey!
AND...I miss Mickey!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
The one about my trip to Ohio...
Well, I'm home!
Two years ago, when my dad turned 75 I told him I would visit he and my mom in Ohio on his birthday every year. This year I didn't get there until the 21st, (his b-day is the 17th) but he knew I was on my way.
Mickey bought me an airline ticket as it was cheaper than buying gas for the van! I was gone from home from 8/20-8/30. It was a long time for me to be away from my family, but I had a great trip to Ohio.
My brother in law, Mike picked me up from the airport in Columbus, OH. I had been quite nervous about the flight, as I have never flown by myself. I don't at all really mind flying, but I was concerned, I would miss a plane or mess something up. When I've flown in the past without Mickey, I always had small children (now you know it's been awhile since I've flown) People have always been very gracious to me, since I had such adorable little people traveling with me. This time I knew I was on my own and I couldn't rely on their sweet faces to get me out of a jam! :-D
However, everything went smoothly. I stayed with Mike and Becky through Thursday; then Becky took me down to Southern Ohio for a time with my parents. I got to see Debbie (who lives with them), my sister Leah, her husband Mike, and boys (Nicholas, Jacob, and Brock), and my brother Tim and his wife Tonda. I also got to see my niece Marisa, her husband, Adam, and my new little niece Chloe. She took after her mother and cried every time I held her. I'm excited to see how content she will be in Uncle Mickey's arms at Buckeye Christmas. Marisa always preferred Uncle Mickey to me, and I think Chloe will be the same.
I also got to spend some time with Mickey's family. I saw almost everyone: Glenna and Homer, (my mother and father in law), my sister in law Ruth and her two boys: Noah and Malachai. I got to see P.D., Mickey's brother and his wife, April. Their two children are Parker and Aubrey and I got to spend time with them also. The kids have really grown and they were so much fun to
see. :-D
During most of this time, my kids were in CA visiting their friends the Wilson's. When scheduling everything, it wasn't really apparent to me, that the kids wouldn't be able to go with me to OH. I haven't visited my parents alone in over 21 years. So that was different, but I did enjoy it. We played Scrabble, we talked, we went out to eat, we went to Community Day at their church, and attended church services together. It was very quiet and peaceful, and so pleasant.
I missed Mickey and the kids very much and I think I will enjoy their company the next time I make the trip, but I wouldn't trade this memory for anything.
Two years ago, when my dad turned 75 I told him I would visit he and my mom in Ohio on his birthday every year. This year I didn't get there until the 21st, (his b-day is the 17th) but he knew I was on my way.
Mickey bought me an airline ticket as it was cheaper than buying gas for the van! I was gone from home from 8/20-8/30. It was a long time for me to be away from my family, but I had a great trip to Ohio.
My brother in law, Mike picked me up from the airport in Columbus, OH. I had been quite nervous about the flight, as I have never flown by myself. I don't at all really mind flying, but I was concerned, I would miss a plane or mess something up. When I've flown in the past without Mickey, I always had small children (now you know it's been awhile since I've flown) People have always been very gracious to me, since I had such adorable little people traveling with me. This time I knew I was on my own and I couldn't rely on their sweet faces to get me out of a jam! :-D
However, everything went smoothly. I stayed with Mike and Becky through Thursday; then Becky took me down to Southern Ohio for a time with my parents. I got to see Debbie (who lives with them), my sister Leah, her husband Mike, and boys (Nicholas, Jacob, and Brock), and my brother Tim and his wife Tonda. I also got to see my niece Marisa, her husband, Adam, and my new little niece Chloe. She took after her mother and cried every time I held her. I'm excited to see how content she will be in Uncle Mickey's arms at Buckeye Christmas. Marisa always preferred Uncle Mickey to me, and I think Chloe will be the same.
I also got to spend some time with Mickey's family. I saw almost everyone: Glenna and Homer, (my mother and father in law), my sister in law Ruth and her two boys: Noah and Malachai. I got to see P.D., Mickey's brother and his wife, April. Their two children are Parker and Aubrey and I got to spend time with them also. The kids have really grown and they were so much fun to
see. :-D
During most of this time, my kids were in CA visiting their friends the Wilson's. When scheduling everything, it wasn't really apparent to me, that the kids wouldn't be able to go with me to OH. I haven't visited my parents alone in over 21 years. So that was different, but I did enjoy it. We played Scrabble, we talked, we went out to eat, we went to Community Day at their church, and attended church services together. It was very quiet and peaceful, and so pleasant.
I missed Mickey and the kids very much and I think I will enjoy their company the next time I make the trip, but I wouldn't trade this memory for anything.
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