I REFUSE!

Yes, we get new songs late around here...but having heard this one it's one of my new favorites...beware - if you're in my circle of ministry - .it's sure to show up.... 

I Refuse lyrics
Songwriters: Benjamin Glover;Joshua David Wilson


Sometimes I
I just want to close my eyes
And act like everyone's alright
When I know they're not

This world needs God
But it's easier to stand and watch
I could say a prayer and just move on
Like nothing's wrong

But I refuse
'Cause I don't want to live like I don't care
I don't want to say another empty prayer
Oh, I refuse

To sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse

I can hear the least of these
Crying out so desperately
And I know we are the hands and feet
Of You, oh God

So, if You say move
It's time for me to follow through
And do what I was made to do
Show them who You are

'Cause I don't want to live like I don't care
I don't want to say another empty prayer
Oh, I refuse

To sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse

To stand and watch the weary and lost
Cry out for help
I refuse to turn my back
And try and act like all is well

I refuse to stay unchanged
To wait another day, to die to myself
I refuse to make one more excuse

'Cause I don't want to live like I don't care
I don't want to say another empty prayer
Oh, I refuse

To sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse

I refuse
I refuse

Lyrics from elyrics.
Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Concluding a Full Day

After lunch and the infamous m/m experiment, we worked on a school a few more hours. The youngers and I worked on more booklets for their science Learn N Folders, phonics, math and language arts. 


After school (4 p.m.) we headed to Swan Park.....I wanted to stay home and get an hour of "PWOC Work" done....but I knew I needed to stick with the plan to get out and about a few times a week. The rest of the week will be busy with planning for a Local PWOC Planning and Training retreat, as well as meeting with our new Spiritual Life and the rest of the Exec Board with our chaplain....so this was the day to spend time playing with the kids. 


We explored a new trail....they've been doing a lot of work in these woods. We especially loved finding another elderly man blatantly ignoring the "Don't Fish" signs written in Japanese and English. He told us it was o.k. to fish.... they were too small for even breakfast. ::snort:: 

We glimpsed this pond from above. We tried to get closer as I wanted to see if it was a hot spring...

Lilacs starting to bloom reminded me of Grams. I fondly remembered those "simpler" days in Hardin with Grams and Uncle Bill up the street. 

The tower is still closed....

Not sure why she insisted on a rain coat today, but it looked cute with the flowers. LOL 

Jared rode his bike and so Stacia didn't realize he was in the park until she saw him across the field and took off running to give him a "love hug". 

This may be easier if she weren't wearing crocs? 

WAR

Note the missing bottom front teeth....and no blood at all despite her worrying for weeks about it. 

Jared rode home. The others and I stopped at the Farmer's Market on the way home for farm fresh asparagus, potatoes, green beans, onion and eggs.  Yum. I made Popcorn chicken, ranch potato wedges, steamed green beans and SALAD for dinner. 

Stacia read her first "I See Sam" book today...and we are all very proud of her. I'm not sure I'm using the program right - seems something is missing - but Zander and now Stacia are reading....so I'm assuming eventually they'll learn all the sounds - just not in the order I'm used to teaching them. LOL  I doubt anything is missing....I'm just used to teaching phonics in a certain progression....but that progression was NOT working for Zander....this does...and Stacia has been working through another program but picked up a book and read today...think she likes this  approach better too. LOL 

Choosing Joy!

©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Restructuring School

Recharge, Reflect, Restructure. 


This week we continue to restructure. I've been doing couch school with the three younger ones. We've been combining Lower and Upper Grammar. I thought this was a good plan, but it actually ends up taking all students more time as they listen to the other level.....so today....Nolan (6th grade) took all the upper grammar books, a list of what is expected and branched out on his own. 


This will allow the younger two to read books which appeal to them, speed up couch school, allow me more time for phonics and math, and allow us to begin to double up through the next month.  We read Velveteen Rabbit today instead of Hakim's history and  The Railway Children. ::snort::   I was in my "combine mode" - combine as many students as possible for couch school.....and forgot it really doesn't MATTER with Tapestry of Grace. The older ones can go at their own pace and we'll all still be on the same topics! I simply didn't want to admit that couch school is shrinking and Nolan is more than ready to be an independent learner.  I'm going to need a smaller couch soon....remembering fondly the days when we needed TWO COUCHES for couch school. ::snort:: 


We even had time for a science experiment.....


M/M's equal animals.....sort by colors.....and then make sure all groups have the same number....

Choose 3 colors and cut and crumple up 7 sheets of each color. Put in the laundry basket. We're making  a habitat for our animals. 

Guess how many of each color animal you will find in the habitat. 

I had 1/2 the paper I needed - so I gave them 1/2 the time to find the animals camouflaged in the habitat. 

Our found animals....our theories on camouflage didn't work - could have been two working at once or 1/2 the paper jungle.....but it was a bit deflating....though we're VERY use to our science experiments not working and had a blast playing predator and eating the animals.... ::snort:: 

We did have a great impromptu lesson on Natural Selection....this is the moment the kids figured out what would happen in year 3 - predators have been picking off animals...that poor red one is vulnerable and doesn't have a mate.....

We made a little booklet for our notebook. 

Thanking God for two little ones to enjoy as my independent learners become more independent. LOL  


It should be noted that an upper grammar and dialectic student somehow knew JUST WHEN to join us to play predator roles.....and they mentioned this was a better experiment than theirs requiring a bacteria growing kit.....but hey what are you going to do that would be this much fun when you're studying bowels. ::snort::


Lunch is over....the m'ms have become elephants and "flying creatures" and my living room is now full of cages and habitats.....yep, this was a good restructuring move. LOL


Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

DATE!

We didn't see the message.....

02:25 PM May 30, 2011

Aomori Local Meteorological Observatory

Weather Warnings（Misawa City）

[Issued Warnings]

High waves warning

It was another rainy, blustery day...the typhoon had passed last night....seemed like a great time to go watch waves. Michael wanted to see some waves - real waves - we headed out. The kids opted to stay home - SCORE - a date with my favorite man. 

 It makes me sad that the regular beaches were all blocked off.....we kept driving and looking and discovered there are still quite a few you can get too - it would appear the ones they know Americans go to are blocked off. ::snort:: Could have something to do with the way we keep needing rescued. 

We found waves. I found one piece of sea glass. We found a great deserted road which  will be fabulous for family bike rides.  I'm still sad the swim beach 5 min from our home won't be open any time soon....but the ocean is still there to watch. 

45* on May 30th.....

This boat is far from it's proper place

See all the concrete blocks - that's the sea wall...but the red boards show they are starting to frame it up again to rebuild...YES. There is a band of pine trees planted near the coast....runs up and down the Eastern seaboard. They did this to stop the erosion of the island.....it's sad to see so many of the trees dying...too much salt water....

We were exploring this bit of the sea wall at a new to us spot...when Mike noted it didn't appear very safe and we should probably move back. 

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Rainy Afternoon Fun

A rainy Sunday. A day with margin. A lovely day.  The kids played wii. Michael worked on puzzles. Jared prepared for another week of school. I played in the kitchen.

One of the things I really like about my ipad.....

I've been wanting to experiment with my granola recipe. Kim had mentioned she uses flour in hers (yes, Kim, I've been meaning to try since you were HERE for your visit ::snort::). I checked her recipe and added some flour to mine....she uses water in her granola. I wasn't sure about that and so I didn't use it.....Mine is better but still not that clumpy, crispy, crunchy granola I wanted. I'll keep working on it and then edit my recipe on the recipe page. LOL 

I also made Crispy Cheese Crackers. I've been wanting to try those for a long time too. I didn't have cheddar so used fresh Parmesan cheese....I think I'll do these again and use various cheese, garlic, seasonings.....have you READ the back of a cracker box lately? The kids didn't break down the door to get to these...but then I'm the one that likes to munch on crackers. ::snort:: 

Mr. Incredible is on the screen. 

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Crispy Cheese Crackers

1/4 C butter, softened

1/4 t. sea salt

1 C shredded cheddar cheese, room temp

1 C whole wheat flour

1/4 t. baking powder

1 T cold water

Use beaters or food processor to mix butter and salt until creamy.  Add cheese.  Mix well.  Gradually add flour, baking powder and water, mixing until dough begins to form a ball.  Form dough into a ball with hands.

Roll the dough into 1/8 inch thickness onto a cookie sheet.  (I find that placing the dough between two pieces of parchment paper helps me to roll them out more easily.)  Cut the rolled out dough into 1 ½ inch squares.  Bake 15 minutes at 350° or until lightly browned.  

Turn off the oven and leave the crackers inside to crisp up.  Store tightly covered.

I used Parmesan cheese.  I like these....and they are much better for you than the list of ingredients on the back of a box of crackers. I

think I'll add garlic next time.....I found this recipe at Heavenly Homemaker's.

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Shhh....it's a secret

Jared was stealthily stringing a line and getting ready for an early Sunday morning fishing excursion.  

Stacia found him in the garage, looked up with sweet eyes and said, "Hmmm....did you know NO ONE has ever taken me fishing?" 

They made plans to go this a.m. before anyone else was up. I was up and caught a photo. They just returned. 

Evidently, Stacia called an end to the fun. "We're catching sticks not fish, lets go home!" 

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...