Days of Gratitude- Day #30

Memories

Days of Gratitude- Day #29

The Whole Afternoon to Play Outside

As the warmest winter on record continues...

Days of Gratitude- Day #28

Abby making lunch all this week and the next

Abby's latest school lesson (for the umbrella school) is "resourcefulness". So, to work on this skill, she is making lunch (and often breakfast, too) using the more limited "end of the month" food budget. Can she do it? We'll know soon...

Days of Gratitude- Day #27

My morning breakfast smoothie

I think it was this past summer when Jacob took over the job as smoothie maker. He prides himself on all the yummy combinations he has come up with. He has discovered that his mother does not like raspberries in her shakes so he makes mine without them. I love it that he makes me breakfast almost every morning now. He even washes out the blender afterwards!

Days of Gratitude- Day #26

The View From My Bathroom Windows

Days of Gratitude- Day #25

Glimpses of Spring Around the House

Brightening up the rooms even in the middle of winter.

While we huddle around the heater, wrapped in quilts and blankets!

Days of Gratitude- Day #24

Vision Therapy

Since I gained full depth perception (verified by the dr's tests, even!) before Thanksgiving, I am now working to improve my vision so that - hopefully- I won't need contacts after awhile. My prescription is half of what it was a year ago and I will work hard the next few months to see how much my eyes can do.

Also, vision therapy can also wake up parts of the brain that determine the colors you see. I thought I saw colors very well, so imagine my surprise when my brain turned on color depth and saturation I never saw before. Makes me wonder what else I could be missing!

Anyway, the world is a far more interesting place these days and I want to go see the Grand Canyon now!

Days of Gratitude- Day #23

Paper

Because it provides endless fascination for certain members of our family.

Days of Gratitude- Day #22

The Buteyko Breathing Method

While seeking help for the breathing/asthma problems Jacob developed from our mold situation, I came across the Buteyko breathing method. It is used more in European countries than in the US, which is a shame since it is so beneficial for many different ailments. On one site, I read that Prince Charles used it to overcome his allergies to horses so he could continue to ride! Although in this country it is known primarily for asthma, it has also been used successfully to treat allergies, anxiety (I know people using it for OCD), IBS , snoring, chronic fatigue and more.

Buteyko is totally opposite from "yoga" style breathing. When you are stressed, people often tell you to take a deep breath, but with Buteyko, you want to breathe softly, quietly- with as few breaths as possible. The method uses a test called a control pause to see if you are "overbreathing" or chronically hyperventilating. After breathing out, see how long you can comfortably hold your breath. 45 or more seconds? You'll have control of your asthma. 60 seconds- you should be in good shape.

A good book to get (it's under ten dollars) to learn the breathing is called "Close Your Mouth". It is a more condensed version of "Asthma Free Naturally" since it deals with the breathing and not all the additional information on asthma. There is also information on YouTube.

So, do you breathe mostly through your nose? When you exercise, do can you do it with your mouth closed? How long can you comfortably hold your breath? Maybe the Buteyko breathing method could be helpful for you! No, I'm not selling anything! :)

Days of Gratitude- Day #21

The best cottage cheese on the planet

Hint: When shopping at your local health food store, ask the person working in that section (produce, dairy, etc. ) what is the best brand. And in our little corner of the world, they will tell you Kalona for dairy. Oh my, we should have tried this years ago- I mourn for all that time wasted on inferior cottage cheeses. The sour cream isn't my favorite, but others in the family prefer it. And yes, Stoneyfield still wins hands down in the yogurt category.

Days of Gratitude- Day #20

A small break for Abby

Abby worked hard to get her schoolwork for last semester finished and sent in on time. Although we homeschool, for high school Abby has been enrolled in our umbrella school's high school program. That means that she has Bible and character curriculum she must submit to the school for grading and our classwork information and grades need to be sent in so the school can keep the transcripts on file. Abby is motivated to stay on track with her subjects when she has a firm deadline (yeah!). So after the scrambling of the past week, she wanted to take a few days off and just listen to music and paint.

Days of Gratitude- Day #19

Downton Abbey

A lovely show on Masterpiece Theater Sunday nights. Ratings were so high in the UK that a second chapter is in the works. I remember those stuffy PBS period films from my childhood and they were boring. No car chases or explosions in Downton Abbey, but it's far from dull.

Days of Gratitude- Day #18

Tears

The second funeral this week. Another celebration of a wonderful Christian man. Another race finished well. But we feel sorrow for the loss, and that is good and right. I remembered that even Jesus wept when He heard about Lazarus, though He knew all about heaven. Because death is horrible and it hurts in the here and now, even as we look forward to eternity.

Days of Gratitude- Day #17

My children's sense of humor

Today I surprised everyone when they woke up by announcing that we were going on a field trip. As I was helping her pick out something to wear, Hope asked in all seriousness, "Why are we getting dressed up to go look at a field?" Apparently we need to get out more.

We did not end up in a field, but had a nice time nonetheless- except for Jacob who was determined to be bored throughout the whole trip. I think he would have preferred the field, to be honest. Maybe next time.

Days of Gratitude- Day #16

Our local library

Our library system is one of the best in the country (it was rated something like #4 in the nation- not sure where, though. They had articles about it hanging up in the library!). As a homeschooler, I have gotten lots and lots of books that I needed just by going online and requesting them. Almost every time we've gone to the library (at least twice a week) the parking lot is full. It is the "totally happening" place in town for people who don't drink or smoke!

Days of Gratitude- Day #15

That last baby tooth *finally* came out!

When that adult tooth comes fully in, he can get his braces on (lucky him!).

Days of Gratitude- Day #14

Flexibility in our Schedule

Because when the weather is just right for sledding, you can put down your books and go enjoy the moment. No waiting until the clock or bell tells you when to do things.

Of course, this isn't possible every day. But enough so that our lives can find bits of spontaneity and fun.

Days of Gratitude- Day #13

Military salute outside the church

The example of older Christians who have finished the race well

May all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful.

Days of Gratitude- Day #12

The Homeschool Civil War Ball

Days of Gratitude- Day #11

The Warmest Winter on Record

We have spent the past two afternoons on the back porch, soaking up the sun. It's hard to remember sometimes that this is January when it feels to much like April.

Days of Gratitude- Day #10

My children's contribution to decorating

I am grateful to have artwork and other crafts made by my children to decorate our home. It's so boring when it is just my things to use. I appreciate their added style to our surroundings.

Days of Gratitude- Day #9

CLEP tests

I am grateful that Hannah has the opportunity to gain college credit by testing out of the "101" classes, allowing us to save time and money for her college education. Hopefully in the next month and a half, she will be a sophomore. She is seriously looking into Liberty University for her senior year and we are praying that if that is God's will for her, He will open the doors to make that possible.

Days of Gratitude- Day #8

Brian

Actually, I could do a whole month of gratitude just on him, but today I'll focus on the fact that I'm grateful that my children have such a good father. Brian is involved in their lives and has a good relationship with each child. And he's so cute, too! :)

Days of Gratitude- Day #7

Storytime

We have read a lot of books over the years, but it is always fun to read Hope new-to-her stories. She loved "A Secret Garden" and now we're on to "A Little Princess". She specifically asked for "Classic Books" for Christmas, so she found this under the tree.

Days of Gratitude- Day #6

Excitement once again for the Denver Broncos

And not only does Tebow make for exciting football, he is also a moral young man known for his Christian faith. His family seems pretty great, too.

Watching the Broncos play again makes me remember my nice, quiet mother who would yell herself hoarse cheering on Sunday game day for the team...

Days of Gratitude- Day #5

The Message

Brian bought me this Bible last year for Christmas (my request) and I have enjoyed this new translation very much. It was just what I needed after going through a difficult time spiritually and when I couldn't bring myself to read the Bible any more. With my previous Bible, I heard heavenly condemnation and judgement on every page. With this translation, I can feel my spirit relax and begin to open up to the things of God once again.