Bright Sunshiny Day

Saying Goodbye~

Deleting this old blog at the end of the week.  I try (ha) to post here, so bookmark that one.  Maybe one day I'll pick up the blog habit again....

been bloggin

at blogger

Bloggin' thru December

Come see me -here.

been bloggin'

Bright Sunshiny Day

New Post Up~

Come see me!

www.andreaj.blogspot.com

new post is up

New post it up at my new home

Bright Sunshiny Day

Eight Things!

My friend Amber tagged me....and I'm in a bit of a blogging slump, so maybe this will get me blogging again!

8 TV Shows (this will tough)

1. The Biggest Loser (my word are they a piece of work this season?!)
2. Clifford the Big Red Dog. (every. day.)
3. The Office
4. Little House on the Prairie (If I see a rerun, I must stop and watch.)
5. Um.
6. Without a Trace
7. Um. Can't think of another.....

8 Favorite Resturants

1. Johnny B's Burger and Shakes.
2. Babe's Fried Chicken House(Shout out to Amber)
3. Uncle Julios
4. Chilis (kids can't eat here, tho)
5. We don't eat out much....
6. Krispy Kreme or Macdonalds breakfast
7. IHOP
8. The Cotton Patch

8 Things That Happened Today...

1. I over slept on purpose. Never a good idea.
2. Wednesday is homeschool day. Today we took a quiz on Detectives in Togas, worked on a two point expository paragaph, Histroy dates, read another chapter in Togas - story mapped and vocab, handwriting, math lessons and facts, spelling, researched our Roman projects.....and on, and on, and on
3. Taxied to and from piano
4. Priced some books for the resource center at church
5. Did not avoid Dru*dgedotcom, but should have....
6. Listened to the children play
7. Visited with Dereca for a while. (shout out Dereca!)
8. Leftover chicken fingers, baked potatoes, green beans for supper

8 Things I am looking forward to

1. Thanksgiving (break!)
2. Saturday morning....we love our slow Saturday mornings around here.
3. Twight movie!
4. Putting up our Christmas decorations and then eating supper at IHOP
5. Starting a Biblical counseling class at church next spring.
6. Being motivated to start counting my points again. Y'all. I HAVE TO.
7. Getting the Christmas shopping all done
8. Andy's next vacation

8 Things on my wish list

1. Pool. (ha, ha)
2. Wood floors in the front living room, brick floors in the kitchen/breakfast room. New carpet.
3. Dogs that got along. *sigh*
4. A different pres!dent.
5. Healthy babies for all my pregnant friends (my goodness! there are lots of babies on the way!)
6. Completed Roman projects.
7. Books. Lots of books.
8 Kitchen-y gadgets...

Pretend I am tagging eight people. I am too lazy to link tags. But you knew that! Ha!

Dont' forget  - I moved to www.andreaj.blogspot.com 

It's One of Those Days!

 had intended to vote today.
The girls need finger paints for a literature project.
We are nearly out of juice.
Piano lessons are usually on Wednesday mornings.

But today, I am watching the "rain" come down and am hovering over a sick baby girl. Well, she's my baby girl ~ even if she is eight! Andrew is busy playing trucks and listening to Prince Caspian in the playroom. Caroline is tolerating her brother and working on some fancy hair-dos for her ponies. Emma is dreaming over some catalogs that came in the mail....and wondering aloud when we'll get beds for Emily and Mabel. (The Dolls).

Banana bread is on the list for later. I need to order some books for the Resource Center at our church. I am also hoping for some time this afternoon to get better aquainted with my new ESV Study Bible that Elaine delivered (in person!) to me on Monday.

Oh...and I might tackle the pile of clothes waiting to be ironed. But then again....I might not.

Don't forget to bookmark my new blog site

Moving DAy!

We've packed up and moved.

Bookmark us here and visit us often!

It's FRIDAY!

 

Papa Murphy's Pizza tonight!

Little Girls who JUST REALIZED that their birthday is THURSDAY!

Banana Bread fresh out of the oven.

The peace in knowing that whatever happens, I'm going to heaven!

Good friends and good neighbors.

A productive homeschool day!

A short grocery list!

The Best Kind of Day....

Have I mentioned before how much I love Mondays?

After a busy weekend (which are not my favorite!) it's nice to ease into the week with a quiet Monday.   

The girls and I had a productive school morning - got everything accomplished that was on our list.  Grammar? Check. HIstory review? Check.  Math facts? Check.  Bible? Check.  After school, all three kids settled down to create masterpieces with water colors.  One painted a cake, one painted a rainbow, and one painted "hot coffee!" for his beloved mommy.

Lunch was equally unexcitng, and entirely predictable...turkey sammies, baked cheetos, apples....and then some after lunch entertainment named Curious George.  There were toys played with today, dress up dresses worn, and a pretend game of "Boxcar Children".

Outside playtime, a nap for the Super Bubbie and then dinner.  We capped off the day with our favorite Busy Cake from the red and white cookbook and a walk around the neighborhood with the dogs.

Quiet and peaceful.  Just the way we like it.

It Brought Tears to my Eyes....

Here is what is making me happy laugh today.   Please watch it.  You will forget all about Ike.  Or the election. 

Do you not want to die of embarrasment FOR these poor people?  And why does the dude get the cool mic?  OH SO MANY QUESTIONS

It's FRIDAY!

 

The oh-my-goodness what a beautiful day! weather we are having.  Can  you hardly stand it?!

A lil outside schoolin' today....see above

The Walls! The Walls!  The Walls in my house are finished.

Baking sugar cookies in just a bit

A three year old who still loves his nap!

Pizza night tonight!

and....finally finishing all the Twilight books.  Don't judge me.  If you read 'em, you'd be hooked too!

Not too long ago....

I had lunch with a friend.

This is unusual because:

1. I had no children with me and it was the middle of the week.

 2. It was as if I was sitting across from myself.

 The girl I was ten or so years ago. Have you ever met yourself coming and going? Not in the frenzied, "where did I put my keys and why I am trying to leave anyway?!" kinda way...but in the way that screams "Do you REMEMBER THAT GIRL?" And you know, God is so gracious to me, because I do remember that girl! And as I sat across from my precious friend I just nodded my head and said, "Oh. Yes. I remember." And I 'm glad I do. Because God knew what he was doing when I walked the same road she has found herself on. And He knew that I would need to remember. For my friend. Life throws us into a direction that we would not have chosen for ourselves. Most of the time. But along the way, God gently leads us to those who can comfort and those who need comfort.

Girl, I've got your back.

And I'm so glad you eat ranch with your chips and salsa.

Y'all.....I'm Tired

Because it's the start of a new school year.

Yesterday  was the first "at school" day.  Last friday was our first homeschool day.

And nothing says "Back to School" like home improvement projects.  It's apparently what I do.  Wait until the very last minute, cover the entire interior of my home in plastic and then stress about where in the world I put ALL OF OUR STUFF.

Seriously.

It's not that bad. 

Last week we had our kitchen and living room repainted.  It's SO pretty! The exterior also got spruced up and this week our dining  room that is undergoing a transformation to another living room is being painted, our bedroom and bathroom as well as two areas outside the other bathrooms.

It sound like a lot, well, because it IS a alot.  But it all needed some TLC!

In case you are interested, here is what we are doing in school this year:

Saxon Math 3 (same a last year)

Shurley Grammar 2 (same as last year)

Story of the World/Veritas Press Greek and Rome histroy cards along with Classic Myths to Read Aloud, Aesops Fables and a few other literaure books.

Modern Curriculem Press for Phonics and Spelling B (eh. not impressed with this it is new....and I didn't pick it.)

The Children's Story Bible/Veritas Press Bible Cards - Judges thru New Testament

Zaner-Bloser for handwriting

Apologia Science - Exploring Creation with Botany (this is with a new homeschooling group - not with our school)

For literature we are reading (for school)

Heidi

Black Beauty (emma's already read this! twice)

Boxcar Children Book 1 (we could do this in our sleep!)

Detectives in Togas, Nate the Great, Homer Price....and some other readers to go along with our history.

One of the many reasons that I chose our school, was because one of my childhood friends is a few steps ahead of me in her homeschooling journey and she introduced me to this school.  Kellie and I go WAY WAY back.  All the way back to sixth grade.  Last Thursday we had our parent orientation where you spend a few hours with your child's teacher getting geared up for the year.  As I was leaving E and C's classroom my sweet friend was in the hallway waiting with an armload of books for her kids.  How fun is it that 25 years later we are STILL walking the halls of school with our arms loaded with books, notebooks and pencil boxes together?  but now are carrying our kid's stuff!

Time sure flies when you are having fun!

Choices, Choices, Choices....

If you ask me, there are just too many choices to be had in this life.   Seriously.  Most are silly, simple, quick as wink to decide on.

Coke or Diet?  Diet, thanks

Smoking or Non?  Non, thanks....and could we go ahead and order three kids meals?  Nuggets and fries?  Thanks.

Read or watch TV?  Read.

Yahtzee or Trouble?  Yahtzee.

See?

But life tends to get more complicated than that....

What really puzzles me (and the Hubs) are the choices that some around us are making.  So just wondering - how do you decide on the biggies?

Like, say, the election?  Not asking you to shout out who yer votin' for....but how you came about to that decision.....actually, don't say.  Just think it over. 

Or how about theology?  Do you really want it dumbed down that much?  This is a biggie for me.  I had the pleasure of hearing John Macarthur preach a few months ago...and he said who we really need to be praying for are the "evangelical leaders" (term used lightly) in our country.

I agree.

Put who you want to in the White House. We'll get what we deserve.  It's who is in the pulpits these days that freaks me out.  I once read on a blog that the best thing that could happen for "christians" or  church-goers would be to close up all the "christian" bookstores.  And you know what?  I (gasp!) agree!  Too many  choices....to many bad choices.

It's THURSDAY!

a few things that I am thankful for this week...

1. Our new airconditioner ~ 105 is the high today!

2. My neighbor a few doors down who calls everyday at 3:30 and invites us to swim in her pool!  And she has no kids, yet loves to see mine in her pool! 

3. Andrew's John Deere truck that he loads up with our swim gear and drives to Tina's.  Too funny!

4. Breakfast at IHOP

5. We still have two and half weeks left before we hit the books!

6. Uniforms purchased, books in the shelf and finally finding the right pair of all white tennis shoes for two second graders!

7. A girl who is still little enough to pick out a pink skirt, a pink tee shirt, pink knee socks, pink sparkly shoes and be SO HAPPY about her outfit!

8. Another little girl who has had her nose in a book since 7:30 this morning!

9. Being all ready for the homeschool part of our school year!  Two days at school, three days at home.

10. Being able to prepare and share yummy food for a neighbor who is in the fight of her life....for her life.

Tap, Tap, Tap.....Is this thing on?

You know the old saying..."be careful what you wish for?" 

I'm here to to tell ya...."Be careful what you wish for!"  You might just end up with all your children sleeping in your room.

Last week was one of those crazy weeks.  Our family was spread out from the Metroplex, to North Texas and then to New Jersey and Connecticut.  Andy was gone on business, E and C were gone to see Gigi and Pops in my hometown, so Super Bubbie and I (along with the Golden Wonders) held down the fort for a while.

You know, paring down to just one kid  - when you are used to children coming in at least two at a time - is just SO NICE.  He napped and no one else was awake. I got to read some.  And did not have to answer one question! He went to bed early  - leaving me with my cheesy girl movies and blue bell. He was just fine having a bowl of cheerios for dinner. 

But.  When he napped - no one else was awake.  And the only question that Super Bubbie seemed to ask last week was, "Isn't THAT funny?!"   And I got tired of cereal for dinner.  So I wished.  I wished for all my people back. 

Eventually, they all came back.  But as soon as we got back in the routine of Bright Sunshiny Day-land, the air conditioner blew.  It smoked and everything.  So last night we all slept in our room.  ALL.OF.US.   At some point during the night I wondered to myself how in the world I gave birth to the three noisiest sleepers in the Lone Star State.  I thought about dropping them at the fire house under the "Safe Spot" protection for kids.  Just for the night, though.  You know how I get lonely during the day.

One had to potty three times.  Two needed extra drinks.  One worked like a super hero on his paci.  The one who had to potty three time cried in her sleep.  And the other woke up at two and whined around about not being about to fall asleep and stay asleep.  Tell me about it.

Miraculously, I seem to be the only sleepy one today.  How DO they do that?  Keep us up all night and maintain their energy level the next day?

It all balances out though.  In another fit of insanity, I took them all to the shoe store this afternoon.  We were fascinated with the behavior of three different sets of kids who were also getting some shoes.  There was running and hitting and whining and wrestling and fighting for snacks.  It even spread from one family to another.  Three kids (who were strangers) fighting over a baggie of dried cereal. OH MY.  I'm sure I stared with my mouth open for at least five minutes.  I was gently reminded that while my kids may be noisy sleepers, they are generally well behaved.  And yep.  They got ice cream on the way home.  I am THAT kind of mom.  I also had no qualms about pointing out the not-so-well-behaved children. 

Bless their hearts.  As good as they are I'm not buying them anymore new shoes.  They'll just have to make do with what they've got until they can drive themselves to the store.

Oh.  And we also got a new air conditioner today.  Good thing.  Supposed to be  105.  Gosh it's hot. 

Yep. It's True. You Should Read It.

Yesterday, I stumbled upon an article via somebody's blog.  I can't remember which blog led me to it, so if it was you, then here's your big ol HAT TIP. I'll read your blog forever if I figure out it was you.

Back to the article.

I am going to print a thousand copies and pass it out to people when I feel they need to read it.

Yep.  I am an Introvert.  I am not shy, I do enjoy people, doing things and going places....but PEOPLE.  I need my space.  I don't need to participate in every activity under the sun nor do I want my children too.  Once, a girl in my bible study class at my old church rolled her eyes at me and said, "Yeah....YOU could (live in a small town) because you never leave your house....."  Whatever.  As an Introvert I have found myself at the receiving end of lots of poky barbs from people who can't seem to settle down.  Or understand that I LIKE being this way... I'm used to it.  I am who I am.  Fearfully and wonderfully made.  My home is clean (which is good - since I never seem to leave it...oh....wait....I DID leave it this weekend.  For four whole days!) my children are well adjusted and my husband is happy.

Oh.  And I speak kindly to others. 

One great thing about being an Introvertis that while we don't need the whole gaggle of people around us, "yipping and barking like puppies" as the article states, we do love our friends.  We are fiercely loyal, look forward to time spent over good food or just a great phone conversation. Snatches of time spent together.... or how  about a shopping trip!  Not too long ago, I went shopping with one of my peeps and (gasp!) we even shared a dressing room....so see?  Just because we are misunderstood...we are not weird.

Just content.

Happy Birthday, Andrew!

You are THREE today! 

How can that be?  You are such a wonderful little boy!  Everyday is full of big smiles, bigger hugs and loud laughter with you.  Daddy, Mommy and Sissies love you very much! 

If You Came to My House....

My sweet friend Leann tagged me for the new fun meme!  Here goes:

You would see:

The yard of the month sign in our front yard!  Yep.  I'm dorky that way.  In the dining room you'd see our dining room table, our old kitchen table that we don't want to get rid of....and the new coffee table for the new living room when I change the dining room to a living room.  You'd also see our video camera set up....spying on the punks.

We’d probably feed you:

Andy's homemade salsa!  And some yummy guacamole to go with it.  I'd  have a pot of tortilla soup on the stove (YUMMO) and The Salad from Market Street Grocery.  Dessert would be either Texas Sheet Cake, Strawberry cake, or Cream Cheese Bars.  Diet coke, water and coffee would be the beverage!

 

We’d undoubtedly ask if you’d read:

Shepherding a Child's Heart.  Right now we are both reading the Master Plan for Evangelism, so we might bring that up.  If you are a girl, I'd give Mitford a mention (like Leann!)  and A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George.  OH and Holiness by RC Sproul.  Then I'd haul out my Systematic Theology book and try to spur you into a conversation about the sovereignty of God.  We'd have a blast. Finally, I'd run over to my neighbors and get my Restoration Series books by Terri Blackstock back.  Thrilling.

We’d want to play this music for you:

Random play list on the ol IPOD

We’d want to tell you the latest about:

Kids, dogs, punks, decorating projects. Since we've already covered theology, we'd just hang.  I'd show you the colors I've picked for the trim of the outside of the  house and for our master bedroom.  Then I'd show you my fabrics that I've picked for my room.  Then we'd just visit!

We’d probably suggest a game of:

oh dear.  Don't know.  We play trouble and jenga a lot with E and C.  But we don't have very many grown up games.

We might show off:

What?  The yard?  Funny Super Bubbie?  The crazy dogs?  Not sure.  Andrew would  definitely show you his  John Deere tractor that Pops scored at a garage sale.  He can even drive it!

We might get on the computer and show you:

Nothing

If it was a long enough visit, we might watch:

The kids would be welcome to enjoy a movie but I cannot imagine what we could watch other than tons of kiddos and all the other stuff above. *this answer stolen from Leann!

What would a visit to your house be like?

Oh....If you read this and want to do it, then YOU'RE IT!

It's Raining!

I love rainy days!  They are right up there on my list of the greatest things ever!  Today is cool, gray and wet.  The perfect excuse to stay home, wear socks with my cropped pants, watch a few extra cartoons and serve popsicles for lunch.

Here is my list  for today - in no particular order:

• the rain - because I am in charge of keeping my neighbor's yard alive this week!
• cooler temps - both outside and on my son's thermometer
• downey fabric softner
• our ginourmous zondervan discount
• deciding NOT to clean house, but to read instead
• cliniques deep comfort body moisturizor - my dry, cracked, winter hands are healed! a miracle!
• vermont nut free chocolates. Hoo-ray for the skippers! yummo!
• clifford the big red dog .... and the sick lil super bubbie who loves that big red dog
• my new parallel Bible (four versions side by side!)
• welch's fruit snacks and philly swirl popsicles
• socks
• Steve Green's Hide 'Em in Your Heart Scripture songs
• spending last night reading a cookbook (psst, tiff, it was the golden plate! I love that book)
• two big dogs who are trying to be good.

"The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.  The Lord is good to all and his mercy is over all he has made!"  Psalm 145:8-9

Odds and Ends

This weekend I have:

• Wrapped up swimming lessons for the boy. Oh. My. Goodness.
• Picked out a new coffee table for my new dining room turned living room. LOVE IT. I should take its picture! Sandra - can't wait for you to help me be inspired by it!
• Spent way too much time surfing Realtor.com. Found a place! I'm pretending that we are moving soon. Yep. It's *NORTH*
• Did my time in the nursery and children's church on Sunday
• Took care of a sick lil boy! So pitiful. We were grateful Gigi and Pops were here to once again keep the puny ones while Andy and I went to church. He's still yucky today.
• Had a movie date with the hubs. Prince Caspian. E and C are hooked on Narnia. We are now on Book 5. Thinking that I am going to let them see this movie even though it's a little more grown up than the Lion, Witch and Wardrobe. They play Narnia constantly! I love when they pretend what we are reading.
• Soccer game Saturday. The other team no-showed so we had a great game of Daddy's vs Girls. Not sure who won?
• Stewed some more about the bombs. We know what they are made of - not going to post it - and we think we know whose doing it. Too bad the cops can't go drag them in for being punks. These things are so loud that our friends four houses down heard them. We have been very impressed with our local PD.
• Our neighbor across the street wants to get the feds involved. He is that steamed about it. For the sake of the punks, I hope the police get them before George does.
• Swam at Kim's and took care of Sadie for her.
• Ate way too many white Cheddar Cheeto's.
• Planted some more flowers in memory of my other flowers that got bombed.
• Read a little.
• OH> And I have my smart reading list ready to share. Want to know what it is? Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem. Read it with me! Our pastor suggested that I read it - because I have so. many. questions. Little does he know that this book will only prompt more questions!

And that's about all I've got for now.

Just a Smidge Perturbed...or Maybe Just Plain Ol' ANGRY

Here goes.  You may want to scoot a back from the screen....I'm about TO YELL LOUDLY.

And I really don't get to worked up.  Much.  But this is DIFFERENT.

I am sitting in the study blogging.  It's 11:15.  I should be asleep.  However, while I am sitting in the study blogging my husband is outside on the front porch talking to some police officers, a whole firetruck full of firemen and waiting on an investigator.

Why?  You wanna know WHY?

Because since December we have had our Frosty the Snowman popped by baseball bats, a bee-bee gun has shot through the window above our front door leaving a nice bullet hole and (stand back - here comes the shouting again....)

Last friday night two "bombs"  one right after the other expolded in two of our front flower beds. Sounded like two gunshots.  I thought for sure someone on the street behind us was laying shot in their house....it was so LOUD and so close.  I didn't sleep for the rest of the night.....the next day we found the remnants of the "bombs" in our yard.  Killed some of my plants.  After we figured out that the gunshots were really these bomb thingys and IN OUR YARD - we called the police.

And just about forty five minutes ago - Hubs is in the shower, kids are all tucked in and I just crawled in bed and guess what? BOOOM!

Anohter bomb....this time thrown right up against OUR FRONT DOOR.

What the heck?

Neighbors come pouring out and there I am in my pj's peering out the front door scared to come out.  My across the street neighbor comes running and hollaring to call the police and while I'm standing there shaking like a stick he stands guard while I get Andy. 

Yep.  I am so mad.  Frustrated mad.  Ebby Halliday here we come.  This is just crap.  

The Last Day of School!

Thirty five weeks ago, in the back seat of my van, I had two little girls FULL of nervous energy.  One with zero front teeth and they were both singing as loud as I would let them:

Now, Billy Joe McGuffrey
was a really clumsy kid.
On the first day of first grade
I'll tell you what he did.
He tripped over a pencil box,
flew up in the air,
landed on a kangaroo
who pulled out all his hair!
He needed first aid in the first grade,
first aid in the first grade,
first aid in the first grade.
You could buy a zoo with all the doctor bills he paid.

Today, I brought home two little - but bigger little girls.  One with her big girl front teeth all grown in and one who just the other day lost her first front tooth.  My goodness.  How things change around here!  Super Bubbie had just turned two and now he's nearly three!

We've left behind most of our picture books - and replaced them with chapter books.  Andrew has outgrown even his biggest onsie - but still loves his paci  and we left behind hair bows for a brief amount of time....only to embrace them again.....along with a new interest in what we look like on the outside.  Thankfully, they still want my help and approval on any sort of outfit/combo/hair inspiration that they come up with. 

This summer holds a promise of being a sweet one!  The little girl years are slipping by and I have to say that I hate to see them go....we still have so much to learn!  So many things to discover together.  I've loved first grade~I've loved having two first graders and a two year old this year!  My son knows grammar jingles, the Ten Commandments, and our Ancient Egyptian history song.   This year has brought so much change in our life and we scratch our heads and whisper thank you to the Heavenly Father who has been so, SO good to us.

I'll leave you with one little girl's first journal entry.  It's just too sweet not to share....and my goodness....to those who have walked along beside us this year, I hope this touches your heart, too.

I have a nice worm (warm) house.  Worm (warm) as can be.  Everything in it is very cozy.  It is a happy place.  Come and see.  Everyone in it are as nice as can be.  I love my sweet puppies outside my door and I love my worm (warm) bed.  It is nice.  Everything there is so full of love.  Everything there on rainy days are snug-a-bug!  Everyone there are happy and the kids will play with joy!