Saturday, February 28, 2009

A Few Thoughts on Modesty

I've been asked to share some thoughts on modesty. There needs to be a lot of grace shown when we address such a broad topic. Certainly grace should be displayed to the woman who has recently come to know Jesus and has not been taught by the Holy Spirit the she is now to imitate Jesus Christ rather than the world. Women need to exhibit grace towards fellow believers who are males, instead of holding fast to our "right" to dress as we like. We need to show grace to those whose definition of modesty differs from ours. When we are teaching and admonishing on this topic - it must be done with grace. Honestly, I've seen many brand new baby believers devastated by well-meaning older women taking them to task for showing up in church dressed like a slut. I'd rather see the gal SHOW UP and witness God transform her from the inside out than slam the door of the church in her face. Grace...wonderful, amazing grace. I needed it for salvation, I need it to live my life...and I need to extend the same grace to those around me.

This is a topic I've thought about a lot. Have you TRIED to buy modest clothes for a little girl these days? If you doubt the sexualization of our young women, you need to visit the mall - or Walmart. I went shopping for Stacia recently. The only dresses we could find (she prefers dresses) are either Holiday type or mini-skirts with midriff-baring tops. It angers me that a generation of women are being raised to believe that they have little to offer other than their bodies. Ladies, you are much more than a dress size or the sum total of your various body parts. Don't buy into this mentality.

I found one use of the word "modest" in Scripture. I Tim 2:9..."...women adorn themselves in modest apparel." I looked up the word modest (Strong's 2887) - kosmios....it literally means "orderly, decent, well-arranged" (Vines). I would guess there is agreement that modest means orderly and well-arranged. Clean. But the word "decent" causes some strife.

Modesty is hard to pin down as we all have different ideas of what constitutes "modest". Some think that a woman must always wear a dress or have her head covered due to modesty. Some feel that bikinis are perfectly modest. I've lived in countries where men wore g-strings and women went topless - with grass skirts. In the Philippines, on Mindanao, the women swam in dresses - that was considered modest. Certainly, culture plays a part in how we dress.

Culture, however, should NOT determine what our clothing portrays. We are called to give a correct representation of Christ to the world around us. This is done by the way we act, speak and yes, dress. We are always in the presence of God. Are we comfortable with what we are wearing in His presence?

In years of mentoring women, I've noticed that sometimes an attitude develops that the problem is MEN. If THEY weren't "so perverted," women could dress however they wish. That is WRONG THINKING ladies. We KNOW that we are to avoid causing others to stumble in their walk with Christ. If my dress is causing a man (or I suppose a woman) to stumble - out of love for Christ - I will adjust what I wear. Men DO need to learn to bounce their eyes. Men DO need to control their thoughts....but ladies, WHY do we need to dress immodestly? What does this say about US?

I've come to think that modesty is a heart issue. Listen to the rest of the definition: modesty is, "not only the propriety of his dress and demeanor, but of his INNER LIFE, uttering and expressing itself outwardly." (Zodhiates)

When we notice someone dressing immodestly, we need to pray about what is being said concerning their inner life. As those inner issues are healed, the outer issues may disappear.

So - what is immodest? I think that I am going to leave the specific details of that up to each reader. Here are a few thoughts that I personally consider:

*What do my clothes "say" to those around me?

*If you question if what you have on is modest; it probably isn't. ::snort::

*Am I giving a correct representation of Christ by my dress?

*Am I causing another to stumble by my dress?

*Do I look neat and orderly?

*If you are short (which I'm rumored to be) it is beneficial to have a taller person tell you what your clothes look like from their vantage point. Yes, I HAVE given outfits away after comments from Mike and my tall boys.

Just as an aside....women are not the only ones with a modesty problem in our society. You have only to spend a bit of time poolside or at the gym to discover that truth. We ALL will benefit from considering how we dress.

Rather random - but there they are a few thoughts on modesty.


Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

2nd Chance Book Winners

It's been over a week since I announced the Valentine's Week Book winners on 18 Feb. I've checked all three email addresses and don't have responses from these ladies...so... I'm going to go ahead and pick new winners for the following books:

I Do Again - Linda from MacDonald Clan (I do need your address) & Yvonne from Grateful For Grace (my reading copy shows some wear but is readable, I'll slip it in with the other book you won as it's unclaimed).

For Couples Only - Jen in WA now... from Jen's Whimsical Life.

As always, I'll leave a comment on these blogs or contact via email. You have one week to send me an address before I pick a new winner.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Scholarships?

Following is the actual description of a scholarship BreAnne decided not to compete for.


"You must submit an essay of 500 to 750 words answering the following topic:
Write a letter to your Congressional Representative explaining that the United
States simply has too many. Ask him/her to work to reverse this problem by
helping to create a U.S. Commission on Population Growth. Site specific areas
you feel the Commission should evaluate, and give examples of what can be done
to achieve the goal of reducing U.S. population."

Humph!!!!

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Prayers

Please pray for a local military, homeschooling family whose 2 year old died last night.

I keep thinking I saw Mom yesterday and she was laughing, smiling...and wham...just like that eternity injects itself into every day life. Please pray for this family's peace and comfort.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Friday, February 27, 2009

Pakistani Action Packs - Family Service Project

I have been waiting to write about this until I had an action pack here and could take a picture...but ....I can't wait.

God has been confirming that this is our family project for a season. First, the PWOC International outreach for our last conference was Voice of the Martyrs. It was touching to visit with the staff from VOM. We have been receiving their magazine. Earlier in the month we got the magazine and this month it's on Pakistan. Most military families I know have taken a keen interest in this area of the world. Spending too much time thinking about persecution can be a "downer," but it seems God expects us to pray for those who are on the front lines and being persecuted for their faith. It is also good for our children to be aware that not all Christians are able to worship freely. I'll be age appropriate. I hestiated to say much because I knew some would think our focus on persecuted Christians was too morbid of a topic of kids.

VOM has a program where Christians can send Action Packs to Pakistan. These will be delivered to Christians who are struggling. Kids of Courage (division of Voice of the Martyrs) has an activity book on Pakistan that you can download for free. It's on my computer and ready to print.

Mike and I talked about this and it's the project we want to tackle. I have been contemplating HOW to go about it. I thought of collecting money until Resurrection Sunday/ Passover and sending the money to Voice of the Martyrs. I considered saving money, going shopping and filling the action pack ourselves, then mailing it back to Voice of the Martyrs. I believe we'll do the second route.

We are brainstorming how to raise the money to fill our packs. We don't want this to simply be a case where Mom and Dad write a check and donate. I think Michelle had a list last year where the kids give certain amounts of $ for various things....I remember "give x amount for each pair of shoes you own". ::snort:: I'm still searching around for the list. I was sure I saved it to use later. LOL I am coming up with a list of jobs the kids can do to earn money to put towards our shopping trip for Pakistan. Maybe we'll make up a flyer or something. Maybe we'll buy cheap Easter candy and sell it door to door. We shall see.

Meanwhile, Emma, Arielle's friend, is having a birthday. I LOVE how Deja and her family do birthdays. I plan to do the same - except we never have birthday parties. ::snort:: Deja's kids invite friends to their party but ask that they bring a donation for the group they have chosen to donate to. One year it was a Children's Cancer Clinic, Toys for Tots.....etc. THIS year they are doing Action Packs for Pakistan. How cool is THAT? If we're morbid, at least we're not alone. ::snort:: (Lest you worry that Doug and Deja deprive their children, the children do get family gifts.)

Our kids are VERY excited to begin working for this project. That is confirmation....this reminds me of the excitement around here when we are collecting for shoe boxes.

I forgot I'd put the William Tyndale movie in our Netflix queue. We opened the envelope to see what we'd be watching tonight and it was about another man who was persecuted for his beliefs.

I can't remember all the other confirmations at the moment....but it is clear to us that this is OUR project for the time being.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

A New Prayer

Simply put: Stacia has been a pill this week.

I shared earlier about Stacia's prayers.

In our family circle times this week she's been quite insistent that SHE will pray and it's always the one above. Tonight Nolan wanted to pray and she was ugly about it. I told her that it doesn't make Jesus happy for her to be nasty about whose turn it is to pray.

Nolan prayed.

Then...Stacia prayed.

"God, My Daddy is gone. I know that he loves me and I love him. He said goodbye to me at the airport. He loves me. Bless the cook."

I teared up. No wonder she's been a pill this week. I told her on the 17th that he was only going to be gone for a short time...but she's not getting it. The others are old enough to understand but goodbyes to loved ones (Grandparents, Older Siblings, Daddy) have often been long in her 3 years of life. This makes her obsessive parting, "Goodbye. Promise I'll see you again. I love you.", all the more poignant.

I tried to reach Mike and Mom Mary said he'd call me when he came inside...but he's not called and she's in bed....so we'll catch him tomorrow. There's a time difference. I'll also be sure to show her again and again on the calendar WHEN he's coming home, but I don't think she'll fully get it until he walk in the door.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

TGIF

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Yes, THIS is the way the day started. WHEN am I going to remember to turn the blender OFF before I take the lid off to throw in the flax seeds??????? ::snort::

I started yogurt in the Crock Pot.

We did a bit of school.

I ran to pick up produce. Love ya Deja. I was "away from home longer than expected," therefore, the yogurt cooked an hour too long. We shall see if it works. Deja's yogurt is MUCH thicker than mine - same recipe. We are wondering if the difference is that she uses Yoplait for a starter and I use Brown Cow (non-homogenized).

We did more school.

Jared (15) and I had a GREAT history discussion. I can tell that he is going to be fun to learn alongside. He'll soon be our only high school student as Jamin has raced ahead and is finishing early.

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Yes - it's WHITE - but it smells WONDERFUL! Does that count as bonus points to make up for the white?
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Stacia doesn't care if the colors are boring.

We're using the devotionals from, "Family Celebrations at Easter" by Ann Hibbard for our evening family times. I love having a PLAN.

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Pizza and a Torchlighters movie from Netflix...William Tyndale... finished off the night. We are currently studying the Reformation; this DVD was timely. I put the rest of the series in our Netlfix queue. The animation was a bit hokey but the story was well done. This is the sort of hero figure I need to bring into our home. I have also dug out the old missionary biographies we used to read to the older kids.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

95* in February????

It's been a long day. Here are some highlights:

  • Gym
  • School
  • Sam's Club
  • School
  • House of Faith
  • Lasagna for dinner and Cy was able to come over
  • Quick phone call with Mike to see if he'd heard where we are moving and had neglected to notify us. ::snort::
  • Assured various young adults who no longer live with us, that we'll send out a text as soon as we hear where our next state of residence will be...THEN I'll blog, Facebook and such.
  • Internet searches for Passover Lapbooks, Science Lapbooks, and timeline figures

Did I mention it was 95* today? I'm not even sure if that is the high. I'm telling you I miss SPRING around here....we go from fairly cold to HOT. LOL

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Lenten Wreath

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This is another concept that I originally heard of from Michelle...I think on MHO (Military Homeschoolers Online). Each item on this wreath represents a part of the Resurrection/Passover/Easter story. {You know this is cumbersome to say Lent/Passover/Easter......}.

I was excited to have this ready to hang this year. Click here for instructions and such.

{I plan to make a Lent/Passover index eventually and corral all the posts from last year and this year. BUT my bedtime is here and I'm determined to retrieve a semblance of discipline before Mike returns next week. See how quickly I slide into that "burn the candle at both ends" sydrome?}


Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Lenten Cross

I saw this idea on Michelle's blog last year. I did NOT find one anywhere in town...and forgot to be looking online. ::snort:: I also forgot to be working on my Jesus Tree - but that's another post.

Debbie, sent me a link to the Lenten Cross Project. This is a great little handout. There are devotionals for each Sunday in Lent, along with ideas for making a Lenten Cross (none of which I followed).

The idea behind the cross with candles is the same as an Advent Wreath. We light one candle the first week, two the second etc. BUT I needed a cross. I wanted to make a cross from the branches Mike and Jared cut from our tree a few weeks ago. I wanted it done tonight. We headed to Hobby Lobby and found an unfinished cross and some wooden candle holders.

I thought it funny when we were working on the cross to look up and see the creche on the work table.

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These young men are so handy.
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Due to the cut out on the cross, we could attach that candle holder. I had a plan that will work until Mike is home.....
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Hey - it's even the right color for the season.


We lit a candle, read from Matthew and prayed. The center candle is too heavy for the duct tape...ah well.
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We remembered tonight that Jamin and Mike were going to write us a Jotham's Journey type devotional. It's not here. ::grin::
Thanks, Debbie and Michelle. You enrich my life by walking along beside me.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

What day IS this?

The day went.

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We spent a significant amount of the day doing school. We rethought our plan of attack for the rest of the school year. I've noticed that Arielle has been hanging out watching us work on lapbooks, listening to our Children's Shakespeare readings, listening to our read alouds....and I wondered. This is Arielle's first year working independently. She was bored with Upper Grammar last year...so we moved her to Dialectic. Nolan had ALWAYS sat in with Arielle since he was young. I welcomed the chance this year to combine him with a younger sibling - Zander. This forces Nolan to engage. BUT Nolan has seemed to need a bit more than I've been doing....do you see where this is going? Today Arielle admitted she'd like to join us for school again. YES.... I love having all the kids lounging on the couch as I read. She will still do her own literature and some of the history in depth picks...but she'll listen to our history and lit, do fine arts with us, and the fun hands on things. She's had her run at schooling on her own and is ready to have the best of both worlds. I will allow Zander to skip the Upper Grammar read alouds...and won't feel bad that Nolan is all alone listening to the books.....

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I got my hair cut. This photo doesn't really show it - but she cut a shorter layer on top and it was puffy...and the bottom flips up. I warned Nolan it will not look like it does now tomorrow....but Nolan took this photo and wants it posted. Ah, he loves me. He told me about 5x that he liked my hair. Arielle finally said, "Did you get something done to your hair?"

I'm trying to research the safety of the mission trip to Mexico that the boys are planning on taking in March. I keep hearing warnings NOT to travel down there for spring break.

The girls and I went in search of something we could turn into a Lent Cross. We also found this for Stacia...a PINK DIAMOND. This child talked to EVERY person she met in Hobby Lobby - and there were a few times I didn't much appreciate her observations - though the clerks were delighted.

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Jared fixed up the cross for me.

We had dinner and I talked with Mike on the phone.

I'm now going to post a few things and head to bed. I'm still trying to read Desperate Pastor's Wives....I figure I'll finish it before Mike gets home. ::snort::

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Where have you put my children?

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I came home from Bible study to.....this in the camera, children in bed, and my house TOTALLY cleaned. Tubs, toilets, mopped floors, dusted living room.....laundry done, folded and put away.

I'm guessing the strange characters above had something to do with the transformation. (I know Bobbie Jo's love of cleaning didn't cause her to sneak in and clean because I was discussing the joys of Navy/Air Force life with her at the time this occurred).

Thanks, Jared! You blessed me, greatly.


Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Jamin's White Piece of Paper

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In keeping with Zander's excitement over the "awesomeness" of white pieces of paper.....I took a photo of Jamin with his first receipt for gas. I'm not sure how we let him drive a month without providing him the joy of buying a tank of gas. ::snort::

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Viking Lapbooks

DONE! The boys want to continue looking at Viking books so we may add to these, but I have officially declared the lapbooks finished! I found the booklets for this lapbook free at Homeschool Share. If you are considering lapbooking this is a great spot to start. Each kit we've used has enough research that I don't have to spend a LOT of time (some time) finding answers, the patterns are there and BRIEF directions. NOW - if you need to know how to ASSEMBLE the things - be sure to read the files, visit You Tube, OR be humble enough to throw yourself at the mercy of crafty blog readers. ::grin::

Unfortunately, lapbooking seems to be taking over our school. I'm even wondering if I should bag TOG for the younger boys and do a bunch of lapbooks for the rest of this year. It's funny - because none of the kids here really liked making lapbooks until this year.

OK - with this lapbook I added....rubber cement, SUPER GLUE and tape runners....to our lapbooking adventure. We also added the whole "shape" thing vs. manila folders.

Zander's Viking Book

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Note the FEROCIOUS dragon on the right booklet...under the scissors. He especially likes this booklet. ::snort::

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I thought this was cute...raiders, captains, traders and sailors

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*I* did all the writing and folding on this booklet but he's quite proud of the "boing" effect.

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Yes, the books are similar but here are some of Nolan's favorite booklets.

Nolan's Viking Book

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Norse Weapons - great job Nolan

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The runes are fascinating to Nolan

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This booklet labels the parts of a Viking Knorr and a Viking Longboat.

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You can see more of our lapbooks at Our Lapbooks Page.

Now....on with the Renaissance!
Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Blog Look

I LIKE the black backgrounds because the make my photos POP....but its a bit dreary to be greeted by all that green and black day after day (so it's only been 3 days - I HAVE to have a reason for changing the look again so quickly. ::snort::).

Here's the thing - it's LATE here and I'm tired. ALL color fonts are hard on my eyes. I got Jamin to give his opinion...but if this is truly nasty....I'll go with a different color font in the a.m. He thought black would work well....I thought a bit lighter....who knows....but feel free to leave your color suggestions. We thought white was a bit stark - I left gray in the sidebar - but it seems light too....

Mom, is this better than "putrid green"? ::snort::


Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Lent...Passover...

Lent is HERE....nearly....Passover...this year is NOT slowing down. Click HERE to download a free 15 page Lenten Activity Booklet (Protestant bent). The author, Miiko Gibson, also has a Holy Week Family Devotional at CurrClick. Miiko is the lady who hosts the annual Inductive Advent Study that we like to use.

THIS is a lapbook on Jesus' death, burial and resurrection. I'm not sure if we'll do this or stick with our readings and the free activity folder.

For those who wonder WHY our family is doing Lent these days - read A Protestant/Low Church Family Does Lent. I wrote this last year and I feel the same this year. I actually wrote quite a few posts on Lent last year as we explored the concept. If you want to read more, enter "Lent" in the search box.

I'm amazed this season is upon us already. I'm determined not to stress over the busy-ness of the next 6 weeks, or trying to celebrate Passover...I'm going to focus on the meaning of this season...for us (being you know - Low Church Protestant) the celebrations of Lent and Passover are aids to focusing on Jesus' death, burial and resurrection.....I intend to focus and be drawn into ever-deepening intimacy with the Savior of my soul.

I DO want to find a cool cross with candles to light during our devotions the next six weeks....

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Monday, February 23, 2009

The day began bright and early when I heard this.

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I gave him a piece to play with and started yogurt in the crock pot.

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Zander was very excited. He showed Jamin all his viking books. This is the ferocious dragon book.

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I ran to the gym.

Nolan used Zander's pages as a template, and cut out his own.

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We did school, put lapbooks together, made hand outs and played. I discovered how useful Mike's workshop can be...Super Glue too. LOL

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Spies in disguise....

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I attended Mom's Night Out. Dropped off a friend's books for her as she was sick and couldn't stay at MNO.

Discovered really THIN yogur back at home....I'll use it in smoothies...and I'm making Greek Cheese with some of it.

I called Mike but we only said, "Hi, I miss you..." before he had to run.

I'm going to sleep....5:30 comes bright and early.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

REMINDER

If you won one of the books during the Valentine giveaway you need to email me your address at dschoosingjoy@gmail.com - unless, of course, you live locally (2) or are my daughter.

If I do not have you address by Wednesday of this week, I will pick another recipient for your book. I HAVE to do this to keep things moving....and I've personally commented on your blog or sent you an email if you won.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Zander's Awesome Discovery

Zander and Nolan had a bit of a falling out over Nerf guns and ammo. It seems that Zander tends to lose the ammo and Nolan owns the guns. One gun was totally out of little darts. Nolan threw the gun away. I didn't realize you could buy REPLACEMENT darts....oy vey. When I think of the Nerf guns we've thrown out. ::snort::

Zander hauled the gun out of the garbage and asked me if I thought I could buy more ammo. I did a quick Amazon search and whatdayaknow! ::grin::

Zander, Stacia and I headed to Walmart....Zander is well-known by several clerks at Walmart. He is such a sweetie...but that lack of impulse control means that he's missing a few filters...and so....he's remembered.

He picked out the ammo. He had his allowance.

He paid. Miss Ida handed him back $1.47 and a receipt. She said, "Thank you, Sir."

He smiled real big and yelled, "AWESOME! Mom, I gave her some money and she gave me a WHITE PIECE OF PAPER and more money back!" By this time Miss Ida and all the shoppers around were smiling.

He continued, "I need to buy MORE things in this store, and get more money!" ::snort::

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Back at home Zander tells Jared, "It's really COOL to buy things at Walmart!" Jared was less than overwhelmed at the awesomeness of his OWN receipt.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Pastorless Pastor's Wife

It's always a bit "strange" to go to church without Mike. But that's what we did today. It was fun to hear Ch. B and hug on Mandy. They of the dream assignment. ::snort::

I got up bright and early and started a crock pot full of yogurt. I FORGOT that I did this and discovered some very nasty smelling milk this evening. ::snort::

Josiah and Jamin went to the rodeo with friends.

Jared and the rest played games.

Zander had an adventure at Walmart - a mommy blog that I'll write later.

I kept working on coming up with something that would look like a Viking Longboat for the lapbook. I also put together a hand out of lapbook resources to put on our table tomorrow night. Jen pointed out how funny it is that 2 - 3 years ago I was congratulating myself on 3 years with TOG and NOT HAVING MADE ONE LAPBOOK. ::snort:: Then came Zander...and Nolan....

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The kids all enjoyed a round or two of Spy Alley. Then Josiah had to go home and study for three exams that he takes tomorrow. (Some of those spies are very sinister looking, aren't they?)

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

SCORE!

After seeing THIS last night....
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Nolan told me he thought it would be best if we put his viking lapbook in a "normal" folder. ::snort::

Zander is REALLY into Vikings...which is why we've moved into the Renaissance but are still spending oodles of time reading about Vikings etc. I figure if I can turn the alphabet into Viking work, I have a fighting chance of teaching him to read - or at least recite the alphabet. ::snort::

I combined Thoughtful Mom and Debbie's ideas and this is what I came up with. Photobucket

Not bad? I used legal size file folders. I still have to figure out how to connect it at the bottom....stapler won't work. I think Mike has some leather in the workshop and I'll stitch it somehow...or something. I'm going to find a stick for the mast and let Zander decorate the sail. And if Nolan repents and wants a Longboat book? I guess I'll let him make one for himself. ::snort:: Nah, I'll help. This would be much easier with card stock...I thought copy paper would be too flimsy.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

My Exciting Day...

...seriously, I tend to get more done on the weekends when Mike isn't home. We have no reason to break our routine of work and play and work and play. LOL

This a.m. found the chaplain spouses from our base at Denny's. It's amazing how we seem to congregate once a month at a breakfast hot spot. ::snort:: The big news today (if you didn't read the chat box in the sidebar) is that I will NOT be going to my number one hoped for spot - Italy. How can I be so sure? Another chaplain found out two days ago that he is to report to Italy ...and they weren't even expecting orders. Soon.....very soon....we'll begin making a lapbook of our new location....or so I told the kids. ::Snort:: Anyway, I told them to cross Italy off their dream list as it is unlikely the AF would send TWO chaplains from our small base to the same follow on base. I also explained that our best bet for an overseas assignment would have been when Mike was a Captain. There are simply more captain slots in general...than Major or etc. Trying to prepare them for Oklahoma....but they'll have none of it...sorry, Liz. Jared said if he has to leave his friends he wants to move FAR AWAY....not sure how to fight that sort of logic?!???!!

Zander told us today he is no longer praying for Paris. He's praying for Alaska. I smile and tell him, "We'll see."

Dinner is done. Kids are in bed....

Before bed Zander lets Stacia read his dragon book
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I'm still working on HOW to make a book big enough for all the mini-books shaped like a longboat...this was playing around and the boys tell me it will not do at all. Photobucket
They are heading for a boring folder book - whoever told them they could make them any shape they dreamed up???? I need directions. I made this shell and 4 inserts...but it's still not big enough for all the booklets....and I can't figure out how to join it all together anyway. I think I need to go look for the right tool in Mike's workshop. ::snort::

I have a new book that's calling my name...I think I'll sleep on this viking problem and go read, "Desperate Pastors' Wives". Catchy title, isn't it? ::snort::

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Vikings and Spies...Oh My!

We've spent a good part of the day working on our "Viking Books". The boys ASKED for this. I can never seem to find time to work in all the hands on things they want to do during the school week...so this works well.

I'm trying to figure out HOW to make a lapbook in the shape of a Viking Longboat and STILL have room to get all the little booklets attached. If you cut the SHAPE you just won't have much room to attach extensions. Ideas? We may settle for a nice photo or drawing of a longboat on the front. ::snort::


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Jared has been valiantly working away on school all day. We had a 2 hours history discussion today. Good stuff.

Spies? The kits from Rainbow Resources and Home Science Training Tools arrived for Nolan and Zander's birthday. They have a new game - Spy Ally, fingerprint kits, spy handbook, kit that teaches codes and a kit with a zillion projects to do and supplies. I thought it may be better than all the plastic spy kits we've invested in. I am seriously thinking of buying CSI/Forensic kits for science next year. ::snort::


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Time for dinner...and then we may try to finish Viking booklets so that we aren't distracted for "school" on Monday. ::snort:: I found a TON of stuff I'd like to do on the Internet...dye some cloth with beet and onions, make a sail, make a daub and wattle model hut...but honestly...we are 6 weeks behind where I want to be...and it could very well be that all these bunny trails are going to have to dwindle until after our move. Can I have a bunny trail award? ::snort::

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Care to Guess....

...when we'll know where we are moving this summer?

We had been told early - mid February. All around us others are getting orders. Now that Mike is gone the kids (and I) are worried that someone will forget to tell us where we are moving....or that we'll hear where we are going through the grapevine.

Maybe a contest would help pass the time. ::snort::

Leave your best guess - and really it's totally random here - as to when we'll find out the location of our next home.....

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Two Earth-Shattering Comments

  1. Yes, Bre....I remember that black is an "old lady" color and brown is the new black....but I like this look for now. Never fear, I am not wearing this color combination. ::snort::
  2. 2. My memory is SOOOO bad. Honestly, it's worrisome. I've been informed that JAMIN was NOT hit on the head by a brick resulting in stitches (see birthday blog). Jamin threw the brick that landed on JARED'S head...resulting in stitches.
  3. 3. Mike is asking me to figure out how to back up/save the blog. Any ideas? I don't want to necessarily make BOOKS - far too much money..... Of course, if everything we write on the web is archived...it is a simple matter of finding the archives. LOL
  4. Did I warn blog readers that when Mike is gone I suffer from a severe word usage deficit? Expect more verbiage than strictly necessary.
  5. This is more than 2 thoughts.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Friday Update

Jamin is 18! He and I went to the gym.

Nolan, Zander and I worked on our Viking Lapbooks.

We picked up produce. The kids enjoyed a power play date and I enjoyed a power "mommy date". LOL

We picked up Jamin and Jared and went to Jamin's favorite Chinese restaurant. Josiah called when he got out of his last class and joined us for lunch.

Josiah and the older two boys went out to target practice with his new toy.

Mike called. Check the update at the top of the blog.

The older boys called us and we met them at the lake. Photos below. We didn't have gifts or a party today for Jamin. We'll do that when Mike is home. The day was practically perfect. It was a treat to sit and visit with Josiah....always good to get the insight of adult children while you still have children at home to benefit from that input. LOL

We came home and watched El Dorado and Hogan's Heroes.

Photos (tried to limit it to one per subject...I do like the quality of the D70 photos....and I've taken to carrying a back pack so it is a purse camera. ::snort::)

Peaceful Play Structure

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The gang hatches a plan.....
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Tag - you're IT
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Stacia was clueless most of the game...but she had a blast! It was fun to watch everyone include her in the wild game.
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Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.