Bird Nerds...

I follow a lot of home decor blogs that have bird theme attached to them. Nester is huge on this. Even her blog name is birdy. But this post is not about home decor. It's about my family's love for REAL birds. We like to go...BIRD WATCHING. I think it to be a lost art in today's high tech society. Now. You've got to get those pictures of Jane Hathaway from The Beverly Hillbillies out of your head. We're not that nerdy. We look like this.... It started with Fep in the 4th grade. We homeschool and last year A Beka's 4th grade science had a bird study mixed in. Fep loved it. So between that and the encouragement of fellow bird nerd Aunt Heathahlee, Fep was destined to become a young bird nerd. I think she can just about out identify her Aunt Heathahlee. She can also track sounds, knows much more than I do, and is constantly trying to get picturesof her fine feathered friends.

People and friends, other than Heathahlee, don't understand our love for one of God's little beauties. When is the last time you stopped to admire them?

Summer Tanager (not to be confused with a cardinal)...

(taken by me at our house)

Painted Bunting...
(taken by Fep's bird friend, Mr. Jeff)

Rose Breasted Grossbeak...

(taken by Heathahlee, aka The Bird Whisperer)

There are so many other birds. So many. Grab your binoculars and get out there and enjoy these beautiful little creations.

My Sister's Wedding

I don't know why I'm posting this picture other than to confirm that my sister and I look nothing alike. Nothing. Anyway, my sister's big day was Saturday the 25th. This is a second marriage for both her and her new hubby. My sister was completely devastated when her first husband left her, so I am most grateful that the Lord has healed her heart and that she has been able to trust it to another again. Here are a small sampling of pictures of the big, big day....oh, and just so you'll know my sister has two boys (twins) and one daughter, her new hub has one son and one daugther. They stood with their parents at the wedding.

Girls get ready...

Boys get ready...

The wedding begins...

The wedding ends...

And a new family is created :)

No Security Blanket Needed

I'm here!! I made my flight from Memphis to Phoenix today. I've mentioned I hate flying, right? Not only do I hate flying, but I hate going across the country and leaving my family behind. The Bob and the children stayed in good ole Mississippi as we just couldn't afford to fly everybody out. So, not only did I have to fly which I already don't like, but I had to fly a-l-o-n-e. For those who read this and might not know me, I do not like to leave my nest. Ask Heathahlee. When we went to Nashville recently, I made her drive the whole entire time we were there. I just hate not knowing where I'm going in a strange and foreign land.

As I've been getting ready to go the last couple of days, I've been thinking how I hated I wouldn't have The Bob with me on this trip. He's who I lean on at times like this, and he calms me. He's a great security blanket. And I've felt like a little kid having to go off alone, so I reeeeeeeally wanted my security blanket. This morning I was almost ready to walk out the door, and I thought I'd have a quick conversation with God. So I prayed for safety, and protection, and all that good stuff. And then I said, "And Lord, help me be a big girl." And at that time the Holy Spirit reminded me that I didn't have to be a big girl. He was my Father and I was his child. He would hold my hand. So with that, out the door I went. When I was waiting on the plane for take off, I was still a bit anxious, so I thought I'd get out a devotional that I've been going through the past year. I read my little daily devotion, and a few minutes later I looked up the additional scripture that went with the devotion. It was Philippians 4:4-8. I'll quote what completely calmed me, and has had me cool as a cucumber ever since. "...The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." And with that I was reminded that he was, indeed, holding my hand just as He had promised. With the Father holding my hand, I didn't need anything else and Peace was mine.

{This post is linked at Emily's Tuesdays Unwrapped }

Also, don't miss Daisy's first ever giveaway. If you don't know about it, scroll just a smidge to the previous post.

Quickly....

Popping in quickly to say that Daisy at Laurel Wreath is having her first ever give away. Go see her. Come on. You know you love a give away :)

I'm Off...

Tomorrow I leave to see my sister get married this weekend. It will be a plane ride as she lives in Phoenix, and I'm here in the "Deep South". I hate flying. Loathe it. Detest it. I'd rather go to the dentist. If you happen to be reading this, say a little prayer for me, okay? Anyway, I have a million things to do, but what am I doing? Sitting here blogging so all five people who read it will know where I am. Just trying to keep those communication lines open to my tiny audience ;)

I have a million things to do, and some things I really wanted to do just won't get done. They really just involved vanity anyway. And I'm trying to see the glass as half full instead of half empty:

• Could not work in getting my hair colored. My roots look AWFUL (half empty), BUT I did manage to wax my bushy, bushy eyebrows (half full)
• I gained back 6 lbs. out of 20 lbs. I had lost (half empty), BUT I did take off 3 of those regained lbs. (half full)
• I have a huge pimple on my cheek (half empty), BUT at least I don't have several huge pimples I'm dealing with right now (half full). And I'm almost 40 years old, People. Why am I still getting pimples?!

Okay. This is just a big ramble, and I really do have lots and lots to do. I hope to have good wedding pictures to post when I return. Although I've not seen the movie (rated R does not fit well with my PG family), I do often think about being a real life Wedding Crasher! I just LOVE weddings!

What is this sickness?

So, my last post was a bit of a rant. I'm not sure if I like that? I like everything happy here in my bloggy world. But seeing as I'm on the subject of homeschooling, I have to tell you I am so ready to be done with this year. I long for summer. I dream of summer. I'm like those kids in High School Musical 2 who at the beginning of the movie are tapping their pencils on their desk, looking around anxiously, and chanting "Summer. Summer. Summer." Yes, I think when we finish, I will break out into song and dance for no good reason.

However, as ready as I am to be done with this year, I'm excited about looking at curriculum for next year!? I can't wait to pour over homeschooling catalogs, visit our local homeschool bookstore, and decide what curriculum my children will use next year. I dream of a "perfect year" with no outside interruptions, children who happily complete their work in a timely manner, a Momma Teacher who is always patient, and finishing all our work before I'm sick of it (like I am now). Think of it as Stepford Homeschooling. Anyway, what IS this sickness that has me so ready for summer break I can barely stand it, but has me all excited about looking at curriculum and dreaming of our term in the fall? It's a strange, strange sickness, I tell you ;)

Yeah. I'm one of those people.

I homeschool. I'm one of those people.

One evening several days ago, I had someone approach me and say, "So, you're one of those people that homeschools......" I thought, "Oh boy. Here we go." Actually, he turned out to be very friendly, but not all conversations concerning homeschooling end that way. Why is it that homeschoolers more often than public schoolers or private schoolers have to defend or explain their reasons for their choice of education for their children? Really. Why is that? I live in a community that is filled with homeschoolers, so much so in fact, that when I meet people who public or private school that seem fascinated or even disturbed that I homeschool, I find it odd. Really. Why is homeschooling so fascinating? Why is it disturbing? Homeschooling is not for the faint of heart. It is a HUGE responsibility, and it involves a lot of sacrifice. So, why I'm often labeled "one of those people" I just don't get it?

Choose to Dance Lately?

Because I have nothing to post, I am going to link you to a post that touched my heart...very much. It is from Jen at Balancing Bedlam and Beauty and it's about a simple outing of blueberry picking with her children. The reason this touched my heart is that lately I've been thinking I don't play with my children anymore. I feed them, teach them, train them, move them like cattle. But when was the last time I *played* with them? Knowing that the days are passing quickly, and my babies are growing too quickly for a momma's heart, I've been thinking I should play with them more. Enjoy them more. Love on them more. When do we love our children? When we feed them? Yes. When we teach them? Yes. When we move them like cattle? Probably not so much. But I know they *feel loved* when I stop and take time with them and play. I am ashamed to say that until Monday I could not remember the last time, I spent time playing. So then I stumbled across Jen's old post, and it brought tears to my eyes both times I read it. Why? Because I know I wouldn't have danced in the rain. I absolutely know it. And I would have missed a beautiful opportunity of hearing my child say, "Mom, I am never going to forget this day." It makes me cry even as I type the words. Note that this is a two part post and the beginning is about window treatments, so scroll down just a bit: http://inpassionatepursuit.blogspot.com/2008/07/when-it-rains-it-pours.html
May I dance in the rain my next opportunity...

ENDANGERED!!

Did you know that these are endangered? Not Sonic Zoo Tots (and yes, we've spent way too much money and time going to Sonic to get these), but tigers. Right now in Sonic Wacky Packs (aka kid's meals), you get a little Zoo Tot for your "lovely prize". They are collectible. Or so Sonic wants my children to believe. Anyway with each little Zoo Tot comes a list of all the Tots to be collected, and it is being done in partnership with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. (Wooo!) According to the Zoo Tot list, the following animals are endangered: tiger, crocodile, gorilla, leopard, snow leopard, panda, and the Asian elephant. Who knew crocodiles and gorillas were endangered? I didn't. Really. I think we need a field trip to a real zoo instead of Sonic.

I'm trying to decide though.

Do you think these make nice mantle decor? Nah. Probably not.

And this is what I put up with while taking pictures of my children's toys ;)

Missed Opportunities

As a Christian family, we try to look beyond the bunny and the egg at Easter. We do let our children color eggs, and we have had egg hunts, but that is not our focus during this holiday. We make the focus on Christ and His sacrifice. Is there anything more sacred? No.

A couple of years ago, on the evening before Good Friday, The Bob was talking to the children about Jesus and His sacrifice. And he made the comment that the next day, Good Friday, they should pay attention to when it turned 3:00 as that is the time indicated Jesus gave up His life. The next day was busy, and we were at the grocery store. We were in the check out line, and I just happened to notice in check out that it was almost 3:00, so I mentioned that to the children. When it was my time to check out, our cashier, stressed, harried, and frazzled, said something to the effect of, "Isn't today supposed to be Good Friday? I don't know what's so good about today?" I was taken back a bit. No, I was very taken. Everything in me wanted to testify to Jesus and why it IS Good Friday. But I didn't. I didn't say anything. Why? Fear and cowardice. As soon as we left the store, Fep mentioned the lady's comment and how awful and sad it was. And I had to confess to her, that I should have said something but didn't. I've asked the Lord's forgiveness for my silence, but still two to three years later, I still remember that lady and my missed opportunity. May I not miss another.....

(The sixth hour to the ninth hour is from noon until 3:00 PM)
"Now from the sixth hour to the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried, out with a loud voice saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"......Jesus, when He had cried out again with a loud voice, yielded up His spirit." Matthew 27:45-46, 50

What's grilling?

The title of this post makes it sound like it would be for some great recipe involving grilling, but it's not. It's not about food at all. It's about our dog, Dixie.
Dixie is a Welsh Pembroke Corgi. She is of English descent, and the Queen has several of this wonderful breed. They are cow herding dogs. Dixie is the second Corgi we've owned. She falls second in line to Ellie, who was the end all of end all in owning a pet. We loved Ellie. I mean LOVED her. When she passed away last February, we all mourned deeply over her passing. But then came along Dixie, all cute in her puppiness and full of life. Dixie has lived in Ellie's shadow for quite sometime. And while I thought she had finally found her own way and her own niche, I think she will always live in Ellie's shadow somewhat...which is kind of sad. But we do love Dixie. There's just too much personality there to not love her. She's the opposite of everything Ellie was. She's hyper, disobedient, jumps on people (a pet peeve of mine), and is a licker (another peeve - can't stand to be licked by a dog). However, the up side of Dixie is that she's got lots of personality. Let me show you....

Dixie does The Dog impersonations...

Dixie loves to dig...and it makes for a great walk through the yard!...

Dixie loves to get her belly rubbed....Dixie loves spending time with the kids...

Dixie loves to wrestle with Sadie....

And Dixie loves to sun on the grill.... "What are you lookin' at?"
So, what's on the grill at your house?

Blue Bird in Pink Flamingo

That sounds like the title of a not so great work of art or something. Anyway, I got this birdhouse for Christmas.

Cute, eh?

I know these aren't the greatest pictures, but I couldn't take it down or move it. Why? Because soon after putting it up, bluebirds built a nest in it. I just love little bluebirds. So does Fep. Tuesday she just happened to be at her bedroom window looking at this birdhouse when Mr....or Mrs. Bluebird stuck their head out. At her request and in her honor, I give you the following Fep pictures. They are a bit blurred as she was taking them through her window, and well, she is 10 years old. So, I give you Blue Bird in Pink Flamingo...

And then there's...(my favorite, you can see it's blue and orange the best here)...

And the final Fep bluebird picture...

I just love little bluebirds. So does Fep :)

Finding Freedom Friday: Financial Goals.

Financial goals. Do you have them? You should. You really should. This year The Bob and I have two simple goals. Well, they seem simple, but sometimes everything works better on paper than in real life. But we are really working on these two things:

1. Saving. In the past couple of months we've purposed to put more in our savings account than we have saved in six months. Oh, we could have been purposing to do that all along, we just didn't. What a waste...but better late than never. Also, we recently upped the amount of our 401K. That may not seem wise being that the market has been so volatile, but our investor at Edward Jones assures us that we are "buying low". And we are in the market for the long haul. And he's been really good in helping with things us over the past 5 or so years. We have a good relationship with our Edward Jones guy, he communicates things to us, and we trust his judgement. So, a saving we will go....

2. The ole grocery budget. This pretty much falls on me and me alone. I'm attempting the game of coupons matched to grocery ads and shopping and planning meals around grocery ads. I find encouragement to do this from blogs like Stretching A Buck or Jen at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam. They are really good at this. Really good. I'm not so good yet. Emphasis on yet, and I'm going to continue working on it. My progress in that area is as follows:

1st week - I saved 28%

2nd week - I saved 52% (but that was a week I needed almost NOTHING, and bought very little. So, not a normal week.

3rd week - I saved 30%. You can see that week here.

This week - I saved 35%

Jen assures me that there is a learning curve to this, and it will get better. I hope to be consistently in the 50% range in the near future. But I do have to say even the 30% range is good for me, because I used to be in the 15% range.

So, that's it. Have you set any goals, financial or otherwise, for 2009?

Where there's smoke...

there's fire. We had a backyard bonfire Sunday. It was done after a long afternoon of yard work, so pardon how my family is dressed, okay? It was really smokey. Can you tell? I have no idea what Fep is doing (Indian Fire Dance?), and that is Dixie in the back with the glowing eyes. Gives a nice creepy effect, don't you think? Anyway, if I didn't mention it, it was really smokey.


But Moose braved the smoke to get to the yummy bonfire food. Hot dogs. Marshmallows. Graham Crackers. Chocolate. Oh yeah! We had us some S'mores.

It appears Moose is trying to impress Fep with his roasting abilities. Although from what I can tell, whatever is on the end of that skewer thingy is over roasted. Burnt. So, I'm not sure he impressed her. Then there's the Bob impressing us with his fire building abilities.

Notice The Bob has sunglasses on top of his head. He wears his sunglasses at night. He's cool that way.