Gazelle Intensity!

I love FPU (Financial Peace University)! It has and will continue to change my life. For those who are not familiar with it, it is a Christian-based financial class that WILL change your life. Josh and I have already figured out our date that we can yell, "We are DEBT FREE!" I am so excited for the time when money won't be dictating what we can't do, but rather what we can do! Praise God!

Fun times

Women's Fitness - We were up before the sun! We had a very wet run/walk! It was lots of fun, but it rained and poured all day.

The kids just hanging out!

Glass orchestra!

Lego Mania!

Lunch time!

Hard at work!

A hidden talent

If effort to be frugle with the little bit of money that we have, I have been trying to be creative in how to get Brenden's hair cut...what could I trade someone that knows how to do it?? Well, my wonderful husband spoke up - "I have watched him get a haircut tons of times, I bet I could do it." I was all for it. My husband is not impulsive like I am, and I felt that this was huge that he was offering!




I thought he did a wonderful job...He's hired!

Jeans, where have you been?

As I was going through my bin of winter pants (that I haven't worn in 2 years might I add), I came across about 5 pairs of jeans. I decided to try them all on...and what a treat! You see, jeans have never been my favorite. In high school and college I think I only had maybe 1 pair. I could never find a pair that really fit right (it probably had to do with the stores we shopped at). I have a short, wide waist. At that time jeans were more high fitting, which wasn't very comfortable for me. I felt that in order for jeans to fit everywhere else, they seemed tight around my waist (and I hadn't had children at this time...). Anyways, I found this pair of jeans that I had had for awhile, but I remember that they didn't seem to fit right. I remember that they were lower cut and I always felt like they were going to fall off. So, I tried them on and...let me tell you...a chorus started singing in my bathroom! They fit me perfect! I realized that a few years ago when I had worn them, I was used to the higher cut styles. Well, now I have been updated, and only have lower fitting pants and they fit my body type so much better. I was so excited to have a pair of jeans that were comfortable...and looked pretty good! Oh, and the other pairs fit me pretty good, too, except for one pair that was high cut and too short (did I grow?).

I Love Being a Kid!

I love being a kid!

1. I love being home with my mommy.

2. I don't want anymore shots.

3. I love doing school with my mommy.

4. I like to play with my friends.

5. I like playing games on the computer.

6. I like to watch TV and dance.

7. I like to sing and dance.

8. I love playing.

9. I love hugging my mommy.

10. I love to get suckers at the bank.

Written by Katelyn, age 5

Memory Lane

I borrowed this from my friend Stephanie's blog and thought I would play along.

Here are the directions:
1. You comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you've known me a little or a lot, anything you remember!
2. Next, you re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I will assume you are playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

Routine

I have decided that I love routine! Prior to homeschooling, my life was pretty spontaneous. I do admit that I loved that, too. I enjoyed waking, coming, and going as I pleased. My children fit well into that schedule. They are all late sleepers and enjoy hanging out without a plan.
Well, now life has become more scheduled, routine, and busy. I have never been one to enjoy being "too busy", but this kind of busy is different. I love waking early and working out. I love having lots of children at my house each day! I love having planned lunches (Yes, I have a lunch menu). I love homeschooling! I love that each day is different, yet the same. I am praying that God will bless me with many more children...maybe even multiples!

My Thoughts for Monday

*Working out in the morning feels so good...why didn't I think of this sooner??
*Watching the sunrise is a blessing!
*Listening to a 3 year old girl chattering away is so cute! Quote: "Where did you get that shirt from?" (It was from Hawaii and I was curious who she got it from). "My mommy's house!" (3 year olds are so fun!)
* Eating oatmeal for breakfast is yummy!
*Chilly fall mornings get me excited for the coming holiday season!
*Seeing that lingering fly hanging around annoys me...I need a screen door!
* Seeing the dust from the sun shining through the windows makes me realize it is time to dust again.
*Reading my friends' blogs helps me feel connected during the busy weeks that we aren't able to get together.
*School will be quicker this week since Paige is out of town.
*I love being home with my children...and I love teaching!
*If you would have told me 5 years ago that I would be homeschooling...I probably would have laughed!
*If you would have told me 8 years ago that I would still be living here, I would have cried. Josh and I always thought that we would move back "home" the day after graduation. Little did we know that God had other plans, and boy are we glad!
*Hearing my children wake up brings me great joy...and I am sure that this 3 year old is ready for a playmate! Gotta go!

Questions...

Today we were driving to my brother's house for lunch. After passing the cemetery, Katelyn started asking questions:
Are those big rock things peoples' bones?
How do those dead people hold those big rocks on their heads?
If just our bones are buried, then what about the rest of our bodies?
How does Jesus get us to Heaven?
What happens to our house when we go to Heaven?
What will my name be in Heaven?
Who will I live with if you go to Heaven before me?
How does God make new bodies in Heaven?
Do we know anybody that will have to go to the fire (hell)?
They will be very sad.

These questions are very difficult to answer with a child that is so literal and concrete. I am realizing that she fears change and unknowns. Through each of these questions I was able to tell my child the Truth. Even though she is uncertain about the idea of Heaven (leaving what she knows), she loves the Lord. I asked her if she wanted to ask Jesus to live in her heart...she replied, "But He already does." Josh and I have told her that since she was little, and I realized that maybe now was the time for her to ask Him. I told her that now that she was older, God wanted her to choose. He really wants to live in her heart, but she needs to ask Him. She asked if I would ask Him for her. I told her that I would pray with her, but that she really needed to ask Him. She asked if we could do it at bedtime. I told her that would be great...then daddy could be apart of it too.
There are many milestones we all get excited or anxious about...realizing how quickly our children are growing, but the moment your child ask for Jesus to live in her heart is an unforgettable moment. Thank you, Jesus, for this moment.