Another Update

I am so relieved. My photos and all the other files on my computer have been saved externally. Yeah!!! I was afraid I had lost everything. I have learned my lesson. ALWAYS BACK UP MY COMPUTER! Now I am waiting for The King reload all the programs on my laptop. I have to wait until he finds the time...which is not very often. I won't be posting much until he gets done.

I am headed to South Dakota tomorrow for a funeral. My grandmother's husband died. They were married 17 years ago, and he has always been "Great Grandpa" to my children. The younger ones are very upset that they did not get to see him 'one more time'. I am so amazed at his life. He was a mere 102 years old, and lived in his own home up until a few weeks ago. He will be missed.


My Homeschool Conference was great. I did not get many good deals on used books, but was able to find a new writing program for the boys. It was refreshing to be around thousands of other homeschool parents and to be inspired by the speakers. I am excited for next year as I now have a few new ideas I'd like to implement. I need to get my thoughts down on paper, and begin planning for next fall. (It's my favorite part of homeschooling!)

Our basement is DONE!!!! Can you hear me rejoicing? I can't believe it is finally complete. I'll get photos up as soon as I get my computer running.

It snowed here on Friday night. We woke to a blanket of snow covering the ground. I nearly had to cancel my trip to see Jouster. The roads were not in the best of shape early in the morning. Fortunately, by the time I had to leave, most of the ice had melted and I only had to contend with wet, sloppy roads. As always, it was great to see him. He is still working out and now asks for healthy snacks for his snack bin. He wants fruit leather, beef jerkey, and granola bars--no more chocolate or gummy candy. The change in him is amazing.

My hair? Are you dying to know what I did? Photos will be posted soon....

Update

I'm just letting you all know that I have something terribly wrong with my laptop. It was so bad that my usually computer savvy hubby took it in to the big guys to get it fixed. I am a little afraid I will lose one year's worth of photos that I have not printed yet. But that's what I get for procrastinating in printing them AND not listening to my conscience when I felt I had to back it up.

I'll fill you in on other happenings:

I am going to a home school conference this week. I'm really looking forward to finding all the treasures I need for this fall. We are studying ancient history and I have compiled a list of books I want to read aloud and for the boys to read on their own next year. Wouldn't it be great if I found them all at the used book sale? I let you know how it goes.

I'm thinking about chopping off my hair. What do you think? I am going to be 40 soon. Am I supposed to have long hair when I'm 40?

Jouster is doing great!!!!!His attitude is good and he actually told us he's thankful he's where he is. He still has good days and bad days, and his roommate graduates the program in May, so keep him in your prayers. That will be a tough transition for him.

We have ordered our carpet for the basement. We are hoping it will arrive, and can be installed on Saturday. The bathroom is finally fully functioning, and I am painting woodwork and touching up walls. When my computer is fixed, I'll post photos.

I miss reading your blogs, and plan to catch up a little here and there when I get access to a computer. My most exciting news that I can share with you is that I am flying to Colorado in May. I'm going to help my sister with my nephew's graduation and will be there for about a week. Any blogger friends just north of Denver?

Grandmother Goddess of the Garden at Barely Controlled Chaos, presented me with an award. (I just need to figure out how to get it posted here.) Thank you. She said I was a good mom, and I was humbled...She just had brain surgery and went through a week of radiation. Stop by and give her some encouragement. I pray for her as the Lord brings her to mind. Would you too?

Have a great week. Hopefully I'll be back soon!

Blessings,

Happy Birthday!

Yesterday our sweet Duchess turned 6 years old!

I was leaving to visit Jouster for the day so we presented her with her main gift before I left.

She wasn't too impressed because the bike came with training wheels...and she hasn't needed them for two years. (Once we took them off, she was a lot happier.) I thought she'd be upset about the color. She kept hinting that she wanted a purple bike for her birthday.

I looked all over for a purple one in her size. Apparently bike manufacturers assume that pink is every little girl's favorite color. Fortunately, the tassels on the handlebars were pink and PURPLE.

After I got home, we had our special supper and baths. Then it was time to open the gifts from her siblings. She got some doll clothes, beads, jewelery, pajamas, gum, and a game. (I wish I would have had six siblings as a child!)

Brother Jester made the beautiful cake. We topped it with trick candles. After the third time of blowing them out she said, "I can't believe this."

Though fondant makes a beautiful cake, it just doesn't taste very good. Duchess pulled the frosting off and said, "The bread part of the cake is my favorite."

She said she really liked her bike, but her very favorite present was this.

A pack of gum.

Her future husband is going to be one lucky man. Not all women are so easy to please.

Happy Birthday Sweetie! We thank God for blessing us with you. We love you!

This book is a must read. A book that you will be unable to put down (except when you get too emotional and caught up in the story).

Safely Home, by Randy Alcorn, is the story of two college friends. Li Quan is Chinese and Ben is American. They were roommates at Harvard and Ben was instrumental in leading Li Quan to the Lord. After Li Quan returned to China, he and Ben drifted apart.

Ben is a successful businessman who has made several trips to China and is implementing a new plan for his company to make millions of dollars through Chinese manufacturing. As part of a successful business venture, Ben's boss has decided it would be good for business to have Ben look up his old friend that he has not seen in twenty years.

Ben is in for a big surprise. Li Quan is not living the life he had imagined for his old friend. He was certain that Li Quan was a successful professor and author, when in reality Li Quan is a locksmith who barely makes ends meet. He has on numerous occasions, been imprisoned, beaten and tortured for his faith. Through it all, Li Quan stands firm for the Lord.

Li Quan's daily question is, "Is this the day I die?" Ben, who has turned from his faith, does not understand how Li Quan could stand so firm in in his belief. Why does he fight so hard for the underground church when there is a perfectly fine state run church? What's the big deal?

Ben does not believe Li Quan's stories of persecuted Christians in China until he is fully immersed into Li Quan's family and life. Li Quan gently teaches Ben about the harsh reality of being a follower of Christ in China. These followers would give their lives, willingly, for Christ.

There are many thought provoking quotes in the book. My favorite, and one I want posted on my refrigerator, is:

"One moment after men die, they know exactly how they should have lived. But then it is too late to go back and live their lives over again. Too late for the unbeliever, in the jaws of hell. But also too late for the believer, who cannot relive his life, remake his choices, this time following his King more faithfully."

I was humbled as I read page after page. I don't know how someone could read this book and not wonder about their own faith. The question that I kept asking myself was how I would react if I came face to face with persecution for my faith. I don't know if I fully understand what that entails.

I highly recommend this book, and urge you to pass it on when you've finished.

Wordless Wednesday

Q&A Part IV--Finally

Oops! I wrote and saved this at the beginning of March and never posted it. No wonder you guys didn't comment on my sweet, loving, best friend daughters in the video below!


Here are the final question and answers:


How far do you live from me?--Nickernoodle 154 miles--east.


What made you start blogging?--Merideth Teagarden I started blogging because I enjoy writing. I also wanted a way to share our days with family who live far away.



From Ashley Winters:


What is your secret to a happy marriage? As long as I get my way, I'm usually happy.


Okay, I'll be serious. I have to give most of the credit to my husband. He seriously takes to heart, 'never let the sun go down on your anger'. I come from a long line of stubborn Scandinavians and would rather stay angry for days, but The King won't let me. He makes sure any issues between us are resolved before the day ends.


Do your children ever fight? You be the judge. Here's a video of my girls. I was trying to tape Duchess singing a song and her sister tried to get in on the action. The result wasn't pretty. I should have kept taping but I was afraid they would seriously maim each other. My two oldest don't fight, and never really did. The two middle boys get into an occasional tiff, but these two girls...

What do you do for fun when your kids are sleeping? I play my children's Webkinz and make them a ton of kinz cash. As of today, they have over 9,000 to spend! I rock at Webkinz! I wish I could figure out how to make money that fast in real life.

Any other fun I have while the children are sleeping is strictly confidential!

In person questions:

Did you ever get a 'real' diamond for your anniversary?

Yes, I did. Isn't The King wonderful? All of my hints really paid off.

Hmm....I am going to be 40 soon. I wonder what amazing gift he will surprise me with then. (My King, that's a hint!)

How come you haven't posted any photos of your basement progress? Up until recently, I had been discouraged with our basement progress moving so slowly, but now we are nearly finished. I will post photos soon.

Who is Rapunzel? She is a dear friend of mine. I was trying to remember about how long we've been friends, and I think it has been at least 12 years now. Wow! We try to meet at least once a month for coffee and to wander through our local quilt shop. I named her Rapunzel because she recently cut off all her hair to donate to locks of love. She won't let me post a photo of her until her hair grows back. (I'll see if I can get one before then.)

How is Jouster doing? He goes through some ups and downs...times when he's fine to be there and other times when he wants to leave.

He recently completed level one of four in the program. He was very pleased with his accomplishment.

His school is going well and he thinks he will be able to finish his senior year by the time he completes the program, which is next February.

He's been spending as much time as allowed working out in the weight room. He also does four sets of twenty push ups and sit ups every night before he goes to bed.

The little kids love to have him flex his muscles for them. He certainly looks a lot healthier now than he did two and a half months ago.

I still miss him like crazy and look forward to our Saturday visits.