Archives for January 2011

He gets his fashion from his mom…

This is my child who wore underwear on his head and socks on his hands when he was three years old.

Fast forward almost eight years and here we are….

Think I should be worried?


MCP Actions Week 4

Soothing repetition…..

The way her hair falls in her face….


Leaving…

Just recently I had a new family join my class in our homeschool group (Classical Conversations).  The mom came in with a new baby and a four year old and my heart was immediately drawn to her.  I remember those days of kids in diapers, no rest and feeling like life was passing me by because I was in survival mode….not to say she feels that way, but I certainly did.

I found out last week she and her family are leaving .  Moving once again.  She just got here.

Maybe it’s because we just moved that I can so relate to those in transition.

Whatever the reason I am going to miss her sweet face, her helping heart and her “tired mama”, real life, spirit.

She was an angel in disguise for me.  A reminder.  A way God showed me His grace in my own life.

Missing her brings me to tears!  Bye, sweet friend.  May God make your path straight and your heart forever set on Him.


MCP Action Week 3 – Black and White

My black and white of the week.  It’s all I could get done!


A Give Away…

The winner…..by a complex system of choosing a name from a hat….NANCY!  Congratulations Girl.

I’ve found a wonderful new company to buy natural products from……The Healing Tree.

The owner, Eric, and I immediately hit it off when we realized we were on opposite sides of the College National Championship game.  He’s a DUCK fan and we are TIGER fans.  We first met over the internet when I was buying his fabulous products the day of the BIG GAME.  A phone conversation then ensued where we discussed the ins and outs of the game and found we also have a love of horses in common.

The products I ordered from him arrived in the mail shortly after our conversation and I decided to share his company with you and have a contest.

To enter you need to tell me your favorite organic product, then blog about the giveaway (if you blog …that will get you two entries).  If you leave a comment here you will be entered once!  Don’t forget to tell me how to get in touch with you in the event you are the winner and also link to your blog post so I’ll know you blogged about it.  Good luck!  Oh, the contest runs for one week so tell all your friends!!!

So the prize??

All Natural Go ‘Way Insect Repellent from none other than The Healing Tree!

Just for you ERIC….

Photo from here


Are you there God, it’s me, Julie.

I know we all feel those times of desert-traveling.  When life feels like you are walking upstream, the water deep, the current stronger then weak legs can bear.  And we think as we struggle, “How did I get here?  Where did I make a wrong turn?”

It’s the striving that I feel is sin in my own life.  My life verse is Isaiah 30:15. “In repentance and rest is your salvation. In quietness and trust is your strength.” has absolutely NOTHING to do with striving.

Aren’t I taking over for God when I strive, when I struggle to figure a way out instead of resting and waiting for HIS deliverance?  How many miracles do I miss through striving?  What wisdom passes me by as my mind is turned away from Jesus and on myself?

During our move my peace has been a daily peace.  But right now I feel as if I am the proverbial broken vessel with no Jesus shining through.  I feel meanness and ugliness, my sin for all to see splashed like wine on a white carpet.  Noticeable.  Stained.  Ugly.

I try to tell myself that it’s in these moments that God shows up at His best. He breaks through the darkness and burst into my life with his unimaginable love and power.  I hope and I pray He’s setting me up for a miracle.  I need a miracle.  I want to see Him know me so well He shows up in the places my heart needs him the most.

Are you there God?

Do you see how my heart longs after you, after heaven, after life without this flesh?

Oh! for the day when all is as it should be.  Won’t we rejoice with millions upon millions who will indeed kneel and cry, “Holy, Holy, Holy!”.

I’m empty.  There’s very little mommy left.  Very little “house manager”.  Very little wife.  There’s not much there so I call on the only One who can fill me and still the holes remain.  What am I missing?

Rest, child.  Don’t strive.  Trust.  Quit trying to figure it out.

Wait on the Lord.

See that He is good.

Oh Father.  I need to see you.  It is my heart’s cry to you.  Hear my cry, oh Lord.  Come and rescue your child.


The Ham

No, I’m not talking about the holidays and the ham I spoiled.

I’m talking about my 10 year old, second born, nut.  Here’s his “I am a ham” photo.  I must admit after having a first born who will allow no photos I’m glad this one poses every time I take out the camera.

Here’s his serious “Mom, I must be a movie star” look.

A little out of focus on my part but I’m feeling the need to show my imperfections today.

The same day we were playing outside the kids grabbed my camera.  I found this on the CF card….

I’m thinking out of all the “out of focus” shots someone nailed focusing in on the end of this arrow.  It’s frightening close to baby girl’s feet don’t you think?

Time for a bath before the nerves take over.


Making it work

Homeschooling 4 kiddos is a challenge to say the least.  I know there are moms out there who homeschool many more.  God knew four was all I could handle.  Their grades are 6,5,3,1.

I wanted my youngest to have a Daily Lesson Plan and since we are still working on our reading I made this over the weekend.  I think it turned out well!!


MCP Project 52-Week 2

Illustrate a song is this week’s theme for MCP Project 52 Week 2

So here is mine…..

Gonna Fly Now (The Theme from Rocky)

Actions used:  Pioneer Woman’s Lovely and Ethereal and Jodi’s MCP Action Crystal Clear Web Resizing and Sharpening at about 50%


A Picture a Week….Now I Can Do That!

Jodi at MCP Actions is sponsoring PROJECT 52

Trust me, it rocks!!!  And so does she!!

There have been some “take a photo a day” happenings around the web but as a homeschooling mom of four that is a little overwhelming.  But one a week?  I can do that.  Go on over to her blog and check it out.  You can submit a photo in many different ways… Flickr, Facebook.

Here is my “last week’s assignment”…….Something around the house.  It’s my favorite water bottle.  You can get some of the colors (including the ones shown here) for under 7.00 on clearance at Target.  They are by far my FAV!!!  Spill proof, handy, a hook incorporated into the handle.  Just my favorite water bottle EVER.


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