Happy Reformation Day!

Rylie and her 95 Theses!

Aloha from Rylie!

Leaf Crafts

After we gathered our fall leaves, we read a book on why leaves change color, did leaf rubbings and wax paper ironing. I just loved this picture of Rylie, she looks so pretty!

Fall Leaves!

Canon Beach

In honor of Charlottes Webb (which I watched with my girls tonight!)

Canon Beach Women's Retreat

I had a great time last weekend at the Women's Retreat in Canon Beach. My favorite part was getting to spend some time with some fun girls from my Church!
(first picture is breakfast, second picture is us with the speaker)

Happy Birthday Winnie the Pooh!

As part of our calender time in our Home school we celebrate fun dates, like this one, Winnie the Pooh's Birthday. We read a book about Pooh, watched a movie, made masks (and a tail), and tasted honey. I love sprinkling in these fun activities among our academics!

Fun with Susan!

Holy

Only once in sacred Scripture is an attribute of God elevated to the third degree. Only once is a characteristic of God mentioned three times in succession. The Bible says that God is holy, holy, holy. Not that He is merely holy, or even holy, holy. He is holy, holy, holy. The Bible never says that God is love, love, love; or mercy, mercy, mercy; or wrath, wrath, wrath; or justice, justice, justice. It does say that he is holy, holy, holy, that the whole earth is full of His glory.—R.C. Sproul

Infant/Pregnancy Loss Awareness Month

Free Photo Cards

You can get 20 free 4x8 flat photo cards at Snapfish using the coupon code BABIES. You can also get 20 more free in a separate transaction using the coupon code BABYMAIL. You still have to pay shipping, but I thought it was worth it. I paid $12 (just shipping on two orders) instead of $42! I now have my Christmas cards done!

Saturday Painting

We have been so busy lately that we haven't hardly had any whole days at home. It was so nice on Saturday to have just a relaxing day at home. Ryan stayed home in the morning and we had family snuggle time and then he made us pancakes. He then went to do a Memorial Service and the girls spent some time painting. This is Anna's favorite activity. She probably asks me every day if she can paint!
When Daddy got home he took us all out to dinner and to Target for some errands. It was so nice to have a day where we didn't have to rush anywhere and we could just enjoy each other! I love my family!

The Wasted Life

"The wasted life is the life without a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples."
John Piper (Don't Waste Your Life, ch.2)

Happy Columbus Day!

Today we studied about Columbus. I had found this fun pop up book at Borders awhile back for super cheap. Rylie was finally old enough to appreciate it. She made her own map and a drawing of the Nina! She was also excited to learn the poem, "In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue." She kept reciting it all day!

Strawberry Bread

I made these yesterday and they were so good I thought I'd share the recipe! I got it from the book, "Homespun Gifts From the Heart". I made two loaves and a pan of mini muffins. I also added chocolate chips, because chocolate makes everything better!

3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 1/3 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt

Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl.

3 cups strawberries, fresh or frozen (mine were frozen from this summer)
1 1/4 cups oil
4 eggs, beaten

Mash and drain the strawberries, reserving half a cup of juice from the berries. In a large bowl blend the dry mix, berries, juice, oil, and eggs. Mix well. Pour into two greased loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees 50-60 minutes. Cool completely before serving.

Not too bad for a sick day!

Today the girls and I stayed home from Church because Anna has been sick and I am feeling awful as well. I would have liked to stay in bed all day, but two precious little girls didn't like that idea. So, while the girls were crafting I got busy in the kitchen. We have been so busy lately and I don't see signs of life slowing down, so I thought I'd make a couple of meals to put in the freezer for those busy nights so we don't have to grab fast food. I made a chicken zucchini casserole, chicken pockets, strawberry bread, and applesauce. I wrapped the chicken pockets individually so if I need to grab a couple for lunches I can do that or I can grab the whole batch for a dinner meal. I've been doing that whenever I make muffins too. It's been really handy when I have to pack the girls lunches for our home school "co-op". I previously had also made my own "lunchables" for this purpose. I cut cheese and lunch meat in cute shapes with cookie cutters and wrapped them in small bunches and froze them so I can just grab one out for each girl the night before I need them. By lunch the next day they are thawed and the girls have their own "lunchable" that is made with healthier meat that the kind you buy at the store and a lot cheaper. I had also made my own "crackers" to go along with them out of tortillas. I cut them with cookie cutters as well and then baked them for a few minutes so they were crispy. I freeze them with the meat and cheese, when they thaw they are still crispy. Makes an easy lunch that I don't have to worry about! I love my freezer!

Cheery

All There?

Are you a Mom that is "all there" for her kids? I confess I am often very lacking in this area! Read this great article for some encouragement!

First Postcard

On October 1, 1879 the first postcard was invented. We decided to honor this by making our own postcards. Rylie made one for her cousins, Bean and Gabe and one for our friends, the Coulters. (Her picture on the front of hers is warning them not to eat green coconuts!) Anna made hers for Grandma and Grandpa and Great Papa "Build" (Bill).
Part of the fun of Homeschooling is that you can wear your superhero costume to school!

Don't Waste Your Life Sermon Jam

I just started reading this book, anyone want to read it with me? (Don't Waste Your Life, John Piper)

My God, My Father - played by Ghost Ship at Mars Hill Downtown Seattle -...

My God, My Father

My God, My Father, While I Stray

Matt. 26:42

My God, my Father, while I stray
Far from my home on life's rough way
Oh, teach me from my heart to say,
"Thy will be done."

Though dark my path and sad my lot,
Let me be still and murmur not
Or breathe the prayer divinely taught,
"Thy will be done."

What though in lonely grief I sigh
For friends beloved, no longer nigh,
Submissive still would I reply--
"Thy will be done."

Though Thou hast called me to resign
What most I prized, it ne'er was mine;
I have but yielded what was Thine--
"Thy will be done."

Should grief or sickness waste away
My life in premature decay,
My Father, still I strive to say,
"Thy will be done."

Let but my fainting heart be blest
With Thy sweet Spirit for its Guest;
My God, to Thee I leave the rest--
"Thy will be done."

Renew my will from day to day;
Blend it with Thine and take away
All that now makes it hard to say,
"Thy will be done."

Then, when on earth I breathe no more,
The prayer, oft mixed with tears before,
I'll sing upon a happier shore,
"Thy will be done."

Charlotte Elliot, 1789-1871