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.

Days of Gratitude- Day #4

Colorado

There is a lot of outdoor beauty here and lots to do outside. When we first moved to our current home, I wasn't crazy about the scenery- no trees on our property at the time, nothing but hay in the fields...- but it has "grown on me" so to speak (as I do not have hay actually *growing* on me) and I find that I really do like Colorado's landscape after all!

Days of Gratitude- Day #3

Snow

If I was back east, I probably might not list this as something I am grateful for this week. But since we have had so little moisture since summer, I am very thankful for some winter weather. (A few days ago it almost felt like summer outside!)

Days of Gratitude- Day #2

My Children's Friends

I am grateful that my children have good friends that are a positive influence on them. I was smiling today because a boy that had been bullying Jacob in Sunday School is now an actual friend of his and they enjoy being together. (The boy was adopted from Russia and was on medication for various emotional issues. Once the parents took him off the medications, he became a very well-behaved child!)

Days of Gratitude- Day #1

I thought I'd challenge myself to think of one thing for which I am grateful for the next month (or more, if I'm feeling ambitious). So, here is Day #1:

Christmas Ornaments (the one above was sent by Kathy- thank you! We have enjoyed them on our tree!)
After two years of not having many of our ornaments, this year we were able to clean and use some that had been packed away. This made our tree look more like "us" and bring back memories of past holidays.

This summer, I threw away *a lot* of Christmas stuff that I had held onto for years, not wanting to use again, but not knowing what to do with it. I gave myself permission to throw it away and am happy to report that I haven't missed those things one bit. (Please note that I am not doing a series on decluttering, since my M.O. is apparently just throwing everything out and starting over...) Thanks for that, mold.

Merry Christmas!

New Couch!

Before

After

Looks almost like a normal room!

Christmas At Our House

Such strange winter weather! Some days in the 60's even- in December!

Front door wreath displays the colors I was decorating with this year. I envisioned another year of silver and gold...

But lost out to the pleas of my children who insisted (demanded?) that we include *red* again. None of this artistic "winter wonderland" look for them.

Hope found the angel with the *red* dress for the top (the brown angel my mother-in-law gave to us this summer truly looked a little ominous with the dark colors at the top of the tree). And some vintage ribbon from the antique shop found their way into the branches as well.

Saint Nicholas decorates the piano. Please note the *red* of his outfit, children.

Carolers greet as you walk in the door.

And the aforementioned "dark angel" has a new home in the living room.

Kitchen wreath.

The children's tree upstairs. Lots more ornaments on the tree this year, thanks to a long hot summer without much moisture, so they could be washed and baked outside for several weeks. Mold, be gone!

This week, we are greatly looking forward to the arrival of a couch. We pray that there will be no reactions to it (allergic or otherwise) and that our home can start feeling more like our home once again.

(You may have noticed a couch in a few of our photos for the past two weeks. We brought out the old couch for Thanksgiving company and have kept it out for the time being. However, Jacob has had breathing problems at night since we did this and I do believe it is an issue. But it has been so nice to have a couch again that we're putting up with it until the new sofa arrives.)

New Link

I have added the blog "I Take Joy" to my link list. Sally Clarkson is a popular homeschool speaker and author. I have enjoyed her writing as she is "real" and so gracious. Her blog is encouraging for all moms, homeschooling or not.