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It's almost over…

It’s hard to believe our trip is almost over. It’s been wonderful. After a day at Chimney Rock Park on Monday we accidentally celebrated Veterans Day, Tuesday, in downtown Hendersonville. We had planned to see the Indian Home Exhibit done by 8th graders and ended up getting treated to an entire Veteran’s Day celebration along with a visit to the local museum.

We even got interviewed by the local news station and saw ourselves on TV at 5:30pm. Way cool!!! I’m still trying to get the link to show you guys but no luck yet. Edited to say: Try this link to view the video link.

Then we visited the Mass General Store and played at an awesome park. We ate lunch downtown at a great little soda shop. Absolutely the best hot dog I’ve ever eaten.

Today we stopped by Sky Top Apple Orchard to make sure our home town is adequately supplied with apples (lots of friends wanted apples) and I tasted an Arkansas Black for the first time. Exquisite!! Apples there are $5 for 6 pounds of apples!!

On our way into town today the HOT FRESH NOW sign was on at Krispy Kreme Doughnuts so we just HAD to stop. That allowed time to discuss the manufacturing process and what a product line meant.

Then we visited a super cool learning center called Hands On in downtown Hendersonville NC. And most of our day was spent exploring there. We pretended like we were doctors, went shopping in their grocery store, built lego cars and raced them, built log cabins with lincoln logs, picked apples and harvested them at their "pretend apple orchard", performed a puppet show, danced on stage, and climbed a minature mountain.

Yep, it was Marvelous with a capital M.

After Hands On we stopped for lunch and then caught the afternoon showing of Madagascar 2. Funny movie.

Now I’m sitting on the bed in the hotel and my husband has the kids on the front lawn. The oldest is throwing football with his dad, I’m sure the middle two are wrestling and baby girl is riding Rosey (her stick horsey).

I’m worn out. It’s been a great day and I’m sad to go home.
But can’t wait to get into my own bed again. And I miss Sparky….
I found this 2 year old photo in MY PICTURES…..

God is so wonderful to provide these reprieves from daily life.
It’s been a wonderful fall vacation combined with lots of hands on homeschooling.

I’ve taken loads of pictures which I’ll share this beginning this weekend but I forgot my cord to attach the camera to the computer so I have to wait until I get home.

IN HIm alone,

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Posted: November 12, 2008 by Julie |Category: Homeschooling | Tags:

Field Trip WEEK

Yes, you read correctly….WEEK!
Why?
Because we can.
We spent yesterday at Chimney Rock Park in NC! A beautiful place to visit if you live any where near the NC Mountains. We hiked, attended a great program called Tracks and Traces where we dissected owl pellets. There was an mouse skull in ours! Then we made books with samples of animal tracks them for our upcoming hike. Although we didn’t find any tracks we did find a cool black fuzzy caterpillar. We also saw a beautiful waterfall.
Today we are in Hendersonville, NC spending the next couple days with dad. We have plans to visit a local museum, see replicas of American Indian homes that 8th graders have done, visit the local courthouse and tour historic downtown. Not to mention an aquatic adventure in the indoor pool and football tossing on the front lawn of the hotel. I think there is a Mass General Store downtown too!
Then it’s back home for our Championship football banquet on Thursday night, dinner with the preacher on Friday night and a fun filled Saturday of college football.
Next week will be back to normal I guess but it’s so nice to get a week to explore the world around us.
What are you guys doing this week?
IN HIM,

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Posted: November 11, 2008 by Julie |Category: Homeschooling | Tags:

Yep, that's me…

…and my new to me 40D!

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Posted: November 9, 2008 by Julie |Category: Other Happenings | Tags:

The reflection of Christ…

I’ve been playing with my new Canon 40D and trying to become familiar with it, all the different buttons, and how to maneuver around with such a monster. It’s quite different from my Xti.

With that said I’ve pondered this picture for a day or two wondering why I like it so much. It has struck me that what I “see” in the photo is this…

Amid the distractions (my daughter’s head, the sofa, and the sweet photo of my sons as wee ones) the reflection in the glass of the one picture draws me into it’s reflection.

And you know what I’ve decided? That I want my life to reflect Christ’s life in that same way. Even as I type this my flesh is screaming. It knows that becoming more like Christ means it dies away. It also knows it does not like that. My flesh really likes getting it’s own way.

But my heart and my soul wants to rest in Jesus.

My favorite verse is this:

“In repentance and rest is your salvation
In quietness and trust is your strength.”
Isaiah 30: 15

And I’m thankful that as of today I’m resting.

Resting in

His work
His power
His love
His strength
and
His might.

IN HIM,

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Posted: November 8, 2008 by Julie |Category: God Breathed | Tags:

The Tree…

Standing at the end of our neighborhood
is this beauty!

Isn’t this tree amazing?? I love the colors of fall. It reminds me of God’s glory, his faithfulness to do what he has promised, and his power to do whatever good He desires for his children.

I heard a song yesterday that talked about holding to what we desire instead of allowing God to give us what we need. Letting go is hard, huh? But O the freedom in doing so. Letting go of what we think is comfortable: Letting go of our control: Letting go of our future.

I liken all this to being in an airplane, sitting back in first class (I mean…I am his girl) and God piloting. There is always freedom in knowing you are fully dependent upon him.

“In repentance in rest is your salvation,
In quietness and trust is you strength.”
ISAIAH 30:15

This picture of my daughter reminds me of the way I always want to look at my Jesus….

May you find rest in Him today.

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Posted: November 6, 2008 by Julie |Category: God Breathed | Photography and Tips | Tags:

Winning a Championship???

Some might say this…..

Which I agree with!

But I’m thinking it’s more like this:
Winning a Championship…..hard work,dedication and perseverance.
Praying after the game and a season dedicated to the Lord?
Priceless!!!

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Posted: November 4, 2008 by Julie |Category: God Breathed | Our Family, Our Lives | Photography and Tips | Tags:

A fantastic run…

One of the opening plays of the game our son ran about 60 yards. It was a fabulous run. Here it is play by play…

We’re still reeling in the 32-16 victory!!

The trophy…

Big brother (middle guy) gets in on a little photo action…

Dad (coach) and son after the game…

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Posted: November 3, 2008 by Julie |Category: Football | Our Family, Our Lives | Photography and Tips | Tags:

It’s Official!

We won our Championship Game today in the 6-8 year old division. Our family has never won a championship! It was an awesome day with beautiful weather and a great win! Our middle son played a terrific game. The whole team is certainly blessed!!!

More later…

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Posted: November 1, 2008 by Julie |Category: Football | Our Family, Our Lives | Photography and Tips | Tags:

Football

I thought it was time for a few football photos. Last Saturday we had two playoff games. We won one and lost one. This coming Saturday our 8 year old will play for the Championship. We’re very excited!

Here’s our firstborn during their Saturday morning game. We lost by just a little!!! He was so sad. I felt badly for him because he eats, sleeps and breathes football.

Here he is again on the field. He’s #5.

Then we drove an hour in the other direction for our afternoon game. Now is this a beautiful place to play football or what???

Here’s our 8 year old right before kickoff.

Son and Dad (coach) after the game!

More to come!

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Posted: October 29, 2008 by Julie |Category: Football | Photography and Tips | Tags:

More field trip photos…

I had this "oh so funny" post all ready last night. Went to get my photos to add and "poof" it was gone. GRRRRR!

There is a little mean man in my computer that does strange and abnormal things to it sometimes.

So here’s the post but with a fresh eye this morning.

I made it to my mom’s last night, watched Dancing with the Stars, and then grabbed the computer and the heating pad. Yep, you heard right, the heating pad. I mean, I’d driven 4 hours by myself with out any screaming kids in the car and my tush was sore! I proceeded to type this witty and thought provoking post and "poof". "Hello blank screen."

In just a bit I will arise from this peace and quiet and go shower. No one will pull open the shower curtain. No one will come into the bathroom screaming bloody murder because a sibling looked at him/her. I might even shave. Remember shaving???

Anyway, before my mind wonders in dangerous (I have no children for 3 days) directions I better post some photos.

Children of the Corn….

My oldest is ever-elusive for good photos these days but here he is standing beside the pig that bit our other son (see yesterday’s post)
Baby Girl and her friend in the corn box (instead of a sand box)

#2 in the pecking order…

#3 Son….the only one with his daddy’s eyes.

Baby girl…

Go find a corn maze! They are fun!!!