Flickr has a Green Hour group!
Here is a slideshow of the photos (it updates as photos update). You can also see slideshows of my pictures, the Fun For Nothin' Group, and this Green Hour slide show at the bottom of my blog at all times.
Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
I AM ... Pretty???
OK, so this morning, while still in my nightgown, I go into the room to check on AA (who is sick) and she says "Oh Momma! You look so beautiful! I have never seen you look so beautiful before, except on your wedding day!" (Which of course my wedding pictures are all that she has seen and I paid a lot of money to look pretty on my wedding day!)
SO I took a picture of what she saw:
I took a picture of the part of my body I hate the most - my tummy and thighs. I am WAY overweight. Of course even though the camera is supposed to add ten pounds, those modeling classes my momma put me in when I was younger paid off! I know how to stand for pictures to make myself LOOK thinner than I really am! LOL!!!
But I had to think about it. I hate my body. I am constantly feeling fat and ugly. You would think that would be enough motivation for me to lose some weight, but it isn't. I was skinny in high school and still no boys ever asked me out. And when I threw myself at them (not being a Christian at the time and totally believing that in order for me to be truly loved I had to be loved by a man), I was told I was too nice.
Of course in hindsight, I know God was protecting me big time. I am now happily married to a most WONDERFUL man - we were both virgins when we married which is a HUGE blessing to have. And I do not think my life would be where it is now had I dated even one of those guys in high school or college. Brian was my first everything. Boyfriend, kiss, engagement, marriage and lover. And he is my best friend too.
But that is off subject (but what wife does not like to brag on how wonderful her husband is?). I had to think about it. I have this HORRIBLE self image of myself. Yet my children see me differently. They see beauty where others find fault.
When do we lose that? What makes us start focusing on the negative rather than the positive? I can put my girls in a pretty dress and their hair can be a total rat's nest and they think they are beautiful and each other are beautiful. I see a rat's nest and negative looks and comments from others.
...whatever is lovely...think on these things.
So what made me lose the focus on the beautiful and lovely in this world? Was it that I spent too much time on the negative? What about all those self esteem boosters that they give you in the public school? I have a horrible self esteem! Even in Jesus.... hmmm... maybe that is what it is. I am looking at things through the world's eyes rather than His.
Maybe that is why we are told to think on true and lovely things. It is a way of God teaching us to see through His eyes rather than our own.
I have to remember that I am beautiful in God's eyes. He made me. And He loves me unconditionally.
SO I took a picture of what she saw:
I took a picture of the part of my body I hate the most - my tummy and thighs. I am WAY overweight. Of course even though the camera is supposed to add ten pounds, those modeling classes my momma put me in when I was younger paid off! I know how to stand for pictures to make myself LOOK thinner than I really am! LOL!!!
But I had to think about it. I hate my body. I am constantly feeling fat and ugly. You would think that would be enough motivation for me to lose some weight, but it isn't. I was skinny in high school and still no boys ever asked me out. And when I threw myself at them (not being a Christian at the time and totally believing that in order for me to be truly loved I had to be loved by a man), I was told I was too nice.
Of course in hindsight, I know God was protecting me big time. I am now happily married to a most WONDERFUL man - we were both virgins when we married which is a HUGE blessing to have. And I do not think my life would be where it is now had I dated even one of those guys in high school or college. Brian was my first everything. Boyfriend, kiss, engagement, marriage and lover. And he is my best friend too.
But that is off subject (but what wife does not like to brag on how wonderful her husband is?). I had to think about it. I have this HORRIBLE self image of myself. Yet my children see me differently. They see beauty where others find fault.
When do we lose that? What makes us start focusing on the negative rather than the positive? I can put my girls in a pretty dress and their hair can be a total rat's nest and they think they are beautiful and each other are beautiful. I see a rat's nest and negative looks and comments from others.
...whatever is lovely...think on these things.
So what made me lose the focus on the beautiful and lovely in this world? Was it that I spent too much time on the negative? What about all those self esteem boosters that they give you in the public school? I have a horrible self esteem! Even in Jesus.... hmmm... maybe that is what it is. I am looking at things through the world's eyes rather than His.
Maybe that is why we are told to think on true and lovely things. It is a way of God teaching us to see through His eyes rather than our own.
I have to remember that I am beautiful in God's eyes. He made me. And He loves me unconditionally.
Friday, May 15, 2009
I Am ... A Learner
SO continuing in the 365 Days of Self Protriats, I am starting out with an I AM series. I will see how far I can go. Yesterday was "I am a Mom." Today is....
What mom won't recognize this pose? The one where the child holds up their work and smiles really big? :)
I chose this pose because this is ALWAYS how my children post for pictures of their work. Sometimes they hold it under their face, but always holding it with a GREAT big smile (so proud of their work).
I am a homeschooling mom. And most homeschooling moms I know LOVE to learn! So the other day at a local homeschool co-op I took my hand to learning to watercolor paint still life (along with my kids). This is my first attempt. A blue vase with red carnations. Not my best work, but HEY it was the first time I have EVER done anything like this!
And yes, I love hats! :D Spring/Summer (and Autumn if I can get away with it), I wear my hats! :D
The great thing about being a learner and always learning is that it instills a love of learning in my children. I have my nose in a book just about as much as much oldest daughter does! :D And whenever we goto garage sales or thrift stores, the first place my children (and I) want to goto is the books. Even little JJ (now 3) begs for books and takes extreme pleasure in his bed storytime with Daddy.
The bad thing about books is that you can get so wrapped up in them that you forget to experience life. I will read and read and READ about all the things I want to do (like gardening, being a better keeper at home, etc.) but unless I stop READING and actually DO them, what good does it do me? What good is reading the Word of God if we do not apply it to our daily lives?!?! What books have my kids seen me read, and then not follow through with what I have learned? And are they learning to do the same?
What was great about me doing a watercolor WITH my kids was that they aw Mommy step (waaaaay) out of her comfort zone and DO something. I want my kids to be doers and not just hearers.
I wanna be a YES mom. Too many times growing up, whenever I asked to do something, the answer was either "NO!" or "later" - but later rarely came around. I need to work on saying YES more. So today, in addition to trusting God (and I guess this too is a part of that), I will work on being a yes mom. We will be DOING a lot more in the is house. Not just reading about it.
I Am A Learner
What mom won't recognize this pose? The one where the child holds up their work and smiles really big? :)
I chose this pose because this is ALWAYS how my children post for pictures of their work. Sometimes they hold it under their face, but always holding it with a GREAT big smile (so proud of their work).
I am a homeschooling mom. And most homeschooling moms I know LOVE to learn! So the other day at a local homeschool co-op I took my hand to learning to watercolor paint still life (along with my kids). This is my first attempt. A blue vase with red carnations. Not my best work, but HEY it was the first time I have EVER done anything like this!
And yes, I love hats! :D Spring/Summer (and Autumn if I can get away with it), I wear my hats! :D
The great thing about being a learner and always learning is that it instills a love of learning in my children. I have my nose in a book just about as much as much oldest daughter does! :D And whenever we goto garage sales or thrift stores, the first place my children (and I) want to goto is the books. Even little JJ (now 3) begs for books and takes extreme pleasure in his bed storytime with Daddy.
The bad thing about books is that you can get so wrapped up in them that you forget to experience life. I will read and read and READ about all the things I want to do (like gardening, being a better keeper at home, etc.) but unless I stop READING and actually DO them, what good does it do me? What good is reading the Word of God if we do not apply it to our daily lives?!?! What books have my kids seen me read, and then not follow through with what I have learned? And are they learning to do the same?
What was great about me doing a watercolor WITH my kids was that they aw Mommy step (waaaaay) out of her comfort zone and DO something. I want my kids to be doers and not just hearers.
I wanna be a YES mom. Too many times growing up, whenever I asked to do something, the answer was either "NO!" or "later" - but later rarely came around. I need to work on saying YES more. So today, in addition to trusting God (and I guess this too is a part of that), I will work on being a yes mom. We will be DOING a lot more in the is house. Not just reading about it.
FREEBIE - booklet on prayer for preschoolers
This book is GREAT! VERY easy to understand and share with your children AND it has a prayer pocket craft. Grab it while it is free!!! :D
Yes, you do have to be a member to download it, but membership is free!!
Yes, you do have to be a member to download it, but membership is free!!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
365 Days of Me
Inspired by my husband, I am doing a 365 Days of Self Portraits. I do NOT like pictures of myself. But I thought it would be fun to do this as part of journaling.
I started out trying to take a picture of myself, and little MM, she ALWAYS is by my side. So of course she ended up in most of the tries at a good picture of me (or at least something someway decent).
I loved how it came out. I love how she loves me. And it shows who I am - a mom (I am other things as well and those will be future pictures). I take joy in my children!
Those wrinkles - I like to call them smile wrinkles because that is how I got all those wrinkles. I also look so much older than I am. :(
I know a lot of that is poor eating habits for SO LONG in my life. But I also think some of that is the fact that I worry WAY too much. I do not put enough trust in the Lord. It is no wonder that my children are not walking in faith like I wish they were. I am not setting the best example.
"Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all your ways and He will direct your paths." I have such a HARD time trusting in Him and not leaning on my own understanding. I have a lot of "knowledge" (though admittedly I know very little) - but that is secular humanism rather than Biblical truth. I go based on what I feel rather than what I know the Bible says. And when I feel the Lord's leadings, sometimes I go the opposite (selfish) direction.
I need to be better if I want my children to be better. I want them to be BETTER than me. OH how I have a pet peeve about parents who say "I hope you ..... when you grow up" and that something is always what you are putting them through. I hope my children are so well trained in the fear and admonition of the Lord that they are better parents than I am and therefore their kids will be better kids than they were/are. Each generation becoming BETTER than the previous.
SO maybe, like in The Love Dare, where you do one thing at a time, but continue to do that thing each day... so maybe today, whenever I have a choice, I will pray first rather than going with what I feel. And when I am afraid of the consequences of an action, I will trust in God for the outcome, especially if I am doing His will (rather than my own).
I started out trying to take a picture of myself, and little MM, she ALWAYS is by my side. So of course she ended up in most of the tries at a good picture of me (or at least something someway decent).
I loved how it came out. I love how she loves me. And it shows who I am - a mom (I am other things as well and those will be future pictures). I take joy in my children!
Those wrinkles - I like to call them smile wrinkles because that is how I got all those wrinkles. I also look so much older than I am. :(
I know a lot of that is poor eating habits for SO LONG in my life. But I also think some of that is the fact that I worry WAY too much. I do not put enough trust in the Lord. It is no wonder that my children are not walking in faith like I wish they were. I am not setting the best example.
"Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all your ways and He will direct your paths." I have such a HARD time trusting in Him and not leaning on my own understanding. I have a lot of "knowledge" (though admittedly I know very little) - but that is secular humanism rather than Biblical truth. I go based on what I feel rather than what I know the Bible says. And when I feel the Lord's leadings, sometimes I go the opposite (selfish) direction.
I need to be better if I want my children to be better. I want them to be BETTER than me. OH how I have a pet peeve about parents who say "I hope you ..... when you grow up" and that something is always what you are putting them through. I hope my children are so well trained in the fear and admonition of the Lord that they are better parents than I am and therefore their kids will be better kids than they were/are. Each generation becoming BETTER than the previous.
SO maybe, like in The Love Dare, where you do one thing at a time, but continue to do that thing each day... so maybe today, whenever I have a choice, I will pray first rather than going with what I feel. And when I am afraid of the consequences of an action, I will trust in God for the outcome, especially if I am doing His will (rather than my own).
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Best Homeschool Day EVER!
This past Saturday we had the BEST homeschool day ever! (Yes, not only do we homeschool through the year, but we also sometimes school on Saturdays as well. Some might think I am a bad Momma for doing so - but the smiles on my kids faces this day say otherwise.)
It started out with a local (well about an hour away) bird festival. On the way up, we stopped at Chick-Fil-A for kids meals. Right now they have the BEST toys! All great for bug hunting. Each of the girls had a bug catching container (with a magnifying glass on top) as well as (from a previous trip to Chick-Fil-A) a "swiss army knife" type thing which has pliers and a magnifying glass for bug catching.
Where we parked there was a LOVELY little creek running through and a wonderful picnic place. What a WONDERFUL place to do observations!
The girls setting up to do their observation drawings.
JJ and the spy glass he got from my kids meal (he is allergic to the chicken, but can eat the fries, so I get the kids meal - I eat the chicken and get the drink, he eats the fries and gets the toy).
JJ LOVED picking up rocks and throwing them in the water. Every time he did, he would JUMP and say "splash!" And the girls just LOVED seeing and being near the water. Most of their drawings were of the water.
I LOVE this shot of EE and MM just sitting and eating and talking! SOOOOooooo sweet!
All in all it was a MOST wonderful day. It was fun and full of laughter and learning and being together. If you want to see more pictures, they can be seen here.
It started out with a local (well about an hour away) bird festival. On the way up, we stopped at Chick-Fil-A for kids meals. Right now they have the BEST toys! All great for bug hunting. Each of the girls had a bug catching container (with a magnifying glass on top) as well as (from a previous trip to Chick-Fil-A) a "swiss army knife" type thing which has pliers and a magnifying glass for bug catching.
I LOVE HATS! And I love my girls in hats! Here they all are in their hats! They look so precious! Well ... they ARE so precious!! Here they made their own bird. There were other activities as well, but this shot says it all. :D
Where we parked there was a LOVELY little creek running through and a wonderful picnic place. What a WONDERFUL place to do observations!
The girls setting up to do their observation drawings.
JJ and the spy glass he got from my kids meal (he is allergic to the chicken, but can eat the fries, so I get the kids meal - I eat the chicken and get the drink, he eats the fries and gets the toy).
JJ LOVED picking up rocks and throwing them in the water. Every time he did, he would JUMP and say "splash!" And the girls just LOVED seeing and being near the water. Most of their drawings were of the water.
I LOVE this shot of EE and MM just sitting and eating and talking! SOOOOooooo sweet!
All in all it was a MOST wonderful day. It was fun and full of laughter and learning and being together. If you want to see more pictures, they can be seen here.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Current Web Readings
Granny Med
LOL! Cute name for home remedies and natural cures. I so wish I had learned more from my great-grandmother while she was still alive.
Health 911
FREE information about using herbs to heal. I will admit that I still like Herb Mentor better, but only because I can actually ask questions and get specific. Not to mention all the FREE stuff there. :) You do have to pay for membership, but it has been totally worth it for us. All the medical bills I avoid! :D
<Herb Reference
Free online herbal reference.
Making Books With Children
FUN and free ideas for making books with children. Can be books or mini-books for lapbooking.
LOL! Cute name for home remedies and natural cures. I so wish I had learned more from my great-grandmother while she was still alive.
Health 911
FREE information about using herbs to heal. I will admit that I still like Herb Mentor better, but only because I can actually ask questions and get specific. Not to mention all the FREE stuff there. :) You do have to pay for membership, but it has been totally worth it for us. All the medical bills I avoid! :D
<Herb Reference
Free online herbal reference.
Making Books With Children
FUN and free ideas for making books with children. Can be books or mini-books for lapbooking.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Pioneer Studies
Oh how fun!!! We got The Prairie Primer and I would LOVE to do that this year (we might do it next year because I already have plans for this summer school, so this will be NEXT summer school).
Anyways, I found this really fun looking Guide To Pioneer Projects You Can Build Yourself. It is on sale for $12, normally $15 right now. :D AND the sample pages they show you are NICE! Some show you like one or two things. This gives you a GREAT feel for what you will be getting.
So if you don't have a theme yet for the summer, you might look into getting yourself some Prairie Primer and/or the Guide To Pioneer Projects You Can Build Yourself and have a BLAST this summer!
Anyways, I found this really fun looking Guide To Pioneer Projects You Can Build Yourself. It is on sale for $12, normally $15 right now. :D AND the sample pages they show you are NICE! Some show you like one or two things. This gives you a GREAT feel for what you will be getting.
So if you don't have a theme yet for the summer, you might look into getting yourself some Prairie Primer and/or the Guide To Pioneer Projects You Can Build Yourself and have a BLAST this summer!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Current Web Readings
This is kinda short this week. It is so much easier for me to just click "Share of Facebook" when i find a good link! LOL!!! So I have a TON of links on my FB page.
God's Devine Order
A good reminder.
Are Your Kids Hearing God's Voice?
This was a good conviction. We will be working on this this week.
Affliction
a wonderful and timely reminder of how to handle affliction.
Daily Paul
I never would have thought myself a supporter of Ron Paul. I was a HUGE Huckabee fan during the last election. But there is a passion for truth stirred up inside of me. A passion for America to return back to what our forefathers desired for this country and it's people. Read on...
Berkey Water Bottle
I SOOOOOO want one of these for every member in the family!
How To Cure A Sugar Fiend
I can't WAIT to make that breakfast for my daughters!
God's Devine Order
A good reminder.
Are Your Kids Hearing God's Voice?
This was a good conviction. We will be working on this this week.
Affliction
a wonderful and timely reminder of how to handle affliction.
Daily Paul
I never would have thought myself a supporter of Ron Paul. I was a HUGE Huckabee fan during the last election. But there is a passion for truth stirred up inside of me. A passion for America to return back to what our forefathers desired for this country and it's people. Read on...
Berkey Water Bottle
I SOOOOOO want one of these for every member in the family!
How To Cure A Sugar Fiend
I can't WAIT to make that breakfast for my daughters!
Friday, May 1, 2009
TONS of Freebies (151 to be exact)
OK, so not only is Curr Click having a huge sale right now (some REALLY good prices, so be sure to check them out and get it while the price is right - I know I am going to check and see if any of my wishlist has the right price! :D)
But they also have a TON of freebies! And some GOOD ones. Yes, for those of you who are Curr Click fans, some of them are repeat freebies. But there is some good stuff on there too. Or maybe it is just stuff that I forgot I already had from them. :D Either way, here is how to access the freebies:
1) Goto CurrClick's main web page
2) scroll down JUST a little and look on the left hand side for the words "FREE STUFF" - there is a graphic there, so it is pretty hard to miss.
2) click on that and then HAVE FUN! Grab those freebies and don't forget to USE THEM! :D
But they also have a TON of freebies! And some GOOD ones. Yes, for those of you who are Curr Click fans, some of them are repeat freebies. But there is some good stuff on there too. Or maybe it is just stuff that I forgot I already had from them. :D Either way, here is how to access the freebies:
1) Goto CurrClick's main web page
2) scroll down JUST a little and look on the left hand side for the words "FREE STUFF" - there is a graphic there, so it is pretty hard to miss.
2) click on that and then HAVE FUN! Grab those freebies and don't forget to USE THEM! :D
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