Today was a better day.  My hubbie came home last night.  I'm as sore as the dickens from yoga yesterday.  We actually got a little school done today.  Friends came over and played.  The weather was beautiful.  I got the boys new bathroom primed for paint tomorrow.  We started our first “living book” today.  I hope my children develop the love of reading and writing that I have.  My sinus infection is finally beginning to feel like it's ending.  Yippee! 

Thanks for everyone's encouragement.  It's so nice to have others who know exactly how I feel. 

On Tuesday night we read in Genesis about Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden.  It really hit me for the first time how God walked in the garden looking for Adam after he and Eve had eaten the apple.  My kids pointed it out to me.  “Mom, you mean we once got to see God?”  I had to think about it for a minute.  Then answered, “Yes, I guess we did.  If God was walking in the garden I would imagine Adam and Eve could see Him.  Now whether or not He was in the form of Jesus, I don't know but He made man (and woman) and wanted a relationship with them.” 

Can you imagine walking with God?  WOW!!!!  I know as Christians we use the term “walking with the Lord” a lot but have you ever thought about physically walking with God?  I mean, that's too cool!!!

Then tonight my oldest was riding his skateboard.  He's just learning (see pics below) and he's started to go higher and higher up our driveway (it's slanted) as he's becoming comfortable with his ability.  I was showing him how to turn by shifting his weight (yes, I got on that thing.  I actually was once really good but that was QUITE some time ago…don't laugh at the imagine in your head.)  As he started back up the driveway I mentioned he might want to try his new skill on a flat surface first.  He said, “It's okay mom, I'm not scared.  God is right beside me.  He'll protect me.”

What can a mom say but OKAY SON. 
Oh what a big boy.  I've noticed such a difference in him since his baptism last Sunday night.  I admit I've struggled with him accepting Jesus at such an early age.  The “was it real?” questions running through my mind.  But God has given me evidence over and over again of my son's transformation.  HE is so faithful.  I love you God!!!

Well, back to the Genesis story. 
So we read in our devotional about how Satan can hide in things that look good.  And it was neat to be able to relate it to the story about Adam and Eve.  So after our devotional we drew pictures of how Satan can hide in seemingly attractive things.  Here's an example.

You have to read from right to left but it says “Satan can hide in pretty things.”  I helped middle son draw the vase and the snake but he did most of the rest of it.  Isn't it cool?

Well, I guess I better quit rambling.  This has ended up much longer than I intended and my pillows are calling my name.  Below are some pictures of oldest son on the skateboard.

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Several weeks ago my oldest two sons asked Jesus into their hearts and tonight they were baptized.  Our church uses the local YMCA for baptism.  My husband and our good friend and pastor both baptized them.  These are pictures from tonight as well as the sky God blessed us with tonight.  My husband and I had a similiar sky on the day we were married.  God showed me He was smiling tonight and that was a blessing and a confirmation to me and to my heart that all is well with Him.
He IS an AMAZING GOD…..

Today we visited the famous Ripley's Aquarium in Myrtle Beach.  Homeschoolers get quite the discount (over 1/2) if you ever get to go.  It's a great place.  My children love it so this year's trip was the second time we'd been there.

Here are some pics from the day….

Trying to decide if they are brave enough to pick up horeshoe crabs

As ABSOLUTE beauty in the aquarium…..

Oldest son as an astrauant going to Mars in their Mars exibition

Middle son always takes time to pose for a photo.  Complete with blue gatorade stains to march his jacket.  What a star!!!  But here is the star of the aquarium…..get prepared!!!  and sweet dreams!!!

Tonight I got to meet another homeschool mom who blogs on homeschoolblogger.com.  I'm visiting a friend at the coast and she happens to leave close by. 

So….she invited me over tonight with two of my little destroyers in tow.  What a treat.  She has a beautiful home and two precious children.  I was excited to finally meet someone in person.  I feel like so many of you are friends but I've never met anyone face to face, until today!

Yea!  ( Her Weblog)

Now it's time for some blog reading before bed.
More tomorrow…….
Julie

The Circle of Life…..
You know it happens but something about watching it happen on my back deck is unsettling…..
Note:  Bird feeder hanging from the deck.  Cat perched by the bird feeder and other cat waiting below. 
PLEASE!!!!!

If you haven't visited this website you MUST.  This is one creative and fun homeschool mom.  I think I read everything she's ever written last night and promised to steal ALL her ideas.  The one I stole for today was MARBLE PAINTING.  Her blog about it can be found here as well as instructions.

Here's our masterpieces…

Although I am suffering the worst head cold in the world we had a fun day.  School today was really a blast.  My oldest made a pillow last night so of course the other two had to make one today (I'll post those pics later).  Off to Stuffmart we went for more material.  And I bought felt.  See why here at Felt  Mama's website.  Stuffmart had a lot marked down to 10cents/sheet.  I'm stealing another of Jene's projects for tomorrow.

Oh….before I forget.  Stuffmart has all their children's gloves and hats marked down to $2.  I bought for next year.  If you happen to live in an area that's always cold so they NEVER put anything on sale email me the size of your kids and I'll go get them for you and mail them.  You can send a check.  This is too good a deal to pass up.  Most of the gloves I bought were waterproof and normally $7.

Back to today….
Here's my “School Under the Kitchen Table” segment of the morning…..

It's amazing what the world looks like on your tummy in the middle of the kitchen floor. 

Happy American Idol day to all….
Julie

My middle son and my pastor’s daughter.  Just how am I going to keep this one from dating until he’s 30?

My oldest is now interested in bike ramps.  Thankfully, they are not too big yet.

Today my hubbie left.  I stayed home from bible study and got some much needed rest.  I had the chance to get a baby sitter so I opted for sleep instead of spiritual nourishment.  Baby girl, who’s leg is still will not support her walking, has been a little pain the last few days.  She played with the baby sitter and I slept.  When the “mommy factor” is out of the picture she is quite content.  Add mommy and it all goes south.

I couldn’t stomach cooking tonight so we all went out to eat.  Baby girl screamed whenever she wasn’t in my lap but we managed to make it through dinner.  AND someone else had to clean up!!!

Have a good night.
Julie

For all of you who have asked BABY GIRL is a little better today but still will not walk.  She's tried a crawling/leg dragging thing but seems to still be hurting quite a bit.  The mommy factor is definitely in play.  I can't leave her or put her down and she must constantly be touching me.  Please continue to pray for her quick healing. 

On a lighter note my hubbie and I sent friends of ours for an overnight date.  It was a thank you for all they do for us.  So we put them up in this nice hotel, kept the kids and all that jazz.  Come to find out the hotel where they stayed has paper thin walls and the guys next door seemed to be having an all night “you know what”.  Can you imagine?  How embarrassing!

Oh well.  It's the thought that counts, huh?
Julie

It's Sunday.  Thank the good Lord my hubbie is home.  The night ended with a trip to the ER for baby girl.  She fell today and hurt her leg and will not stand on it.  She is so pitiful.  It's swollen and nicely discolored.  Unsure whether or not it was broken we finally took her for x-rays about 8pm (she fell around 4 this afternoon).  My husband is such a dear.  He knows I hate the ER and so he “took a hit for the team” as he calls it and sat there with her tonight.  It actually seemed like a pretty quick trip.  They don't think it's broken but will have the radiologist look at it in the morning.  They sent her home with some pain medicine so I hope she sleeps well. 
Anyone know how to keep a 2 year old still?  Tomorrow should be interesting!!