Joshua says...

Joshua came up to me (after I was complaining how messy their rooms were) says, "Mom, if you are mean to us, you will be put on the naughty list" and walked away. He told me.

As we were cuddling in my bed, Joshua says, "Mom, you are more cuddler then daddy. And softer too."

After his procedure at the hospital, Karl was helping Joshua into his pj's when he noticed a bandage on his foot (where they put the IV). "Whoa, whoa, whoa, I don't remember that!" Karl had to tell him that he was falling asleep when they put the IV in his foot.

Catching up before Christmas...

I had to quickly share. My mom brought over an old latch hook project that I never finished. As you can see I was almost done. I taught Anna how to do it and hopefully, she will finish it for me.



Yes, I know Christmas Eve is tomorrow. So, I thought I better get moving. We have been busy or should I say, I have been busy. You have no idea what I have decided to tackle as gifts this year. I cannot share too much...I don't want to give it away. I can share that I have been busy; knitting, sewing (yes, I have taken up sewing), baking and as always canning.

I have dreamed that I would learn how to quilt for 2 years now and I yet have to learn! BUT, I have a new friend, Miss Allison, who's mom knows how to quilt. What a blessing to me :>) Allison's mom, Carol and I will start lessons after the new year. I have picked out my pattern and can't wait to get started. I know, patience is a virtue.

I will share photos of my Christmas gifts to family and friends AFTER they have opened it. I will do my best to remember my camera. So, if I give you something I made, remind me to take a picture of you.

Here are some photos from Thanksgiving:

The carvers of the family: Opa, John and the cute one is my husband, Karl.

Karl with God son, Jack

Auntie Carie, selecting prizes for gumdrop creations.
They were all winners.


DECEMBER...

We had the neighbor girls come over (so mom and dad can shop) and they made this lovely gingerbread house. The older girls were very helpful to the little ones. Audrey and Joshua each did a roof. Lydia and Anna decorated the sides.

I had to share this photo. I saw the door closed to the dog room/art room and thought the girls were painting and hanging out. I believe some cute little boy accidentally (yea, right) locked the girls. As I was walking away the girls saw me and held up the signs above. I kind of laughed and walked away. Just look at those faces.

This year was Joshua's turn to put the angel on the tree.

I turned 42 years young and went to Chuck E Cheese.

Classical Conversations had their Christmas party and Chuck E Cheese. It was nice to have the whole place to ourselves. I had a good time talking the moms and seeing the kids again.

Afterwards, Sara, Allison and I went to Caribou for 'mommy coffee time'. Becky, Abby and Nana (Cynthia) joined us and I got a really cool knitting bag! Thanks, Becky!

Chuckie E Cheese to Caribou and a small break in between then off to Sara's for 'fun'due or fondue. We donned on our aprons and I taught Sara how to do cheese fondue. The boys...what were they doing?

Don't we make a cute couple?

What is this contraption?? I asked the same question when I saw this come out of the basement. It is a coffee maker. I believe its french? It really did make good coffee. We ended the evening talking science.

PS - I don't know where the underline thing came from. I don't even have an option for that.

CHERISHED MOMENTS...

This past weekend has been a weekend of reflection, blessings and where I am in my 'season'. This past weekend, God reminded me of my blessings and how He wants me to continue to grow in His path.

I went out to dinner with a friend on Friday night and we had a good time. It reminded me of my journey these past 10 years. My journey with Christ. Boy, I have changed!! Sometimes, I don't recognize old Lisa, but I couldn't be the person I have become if it weren't for my past experiences. God has a plan and I trust HIM. My journey has been long but also a blessed one.

Saturday, I was just about in tears that whole day. We were all home together as a family. We weren't really doing anything special. I was sewing a Christmas gift, Karl was cleaning and the kids were playing. I was listening to classic Christmas songs; Joy to the World and The Little Drummer Boy. It just brought memories. At that moment I realized what 'being home' meant. With God in my heart (leading me), being my husband's helpmeet and a mother to my children (gifts from God); I found myself overwhelmed. To be able to stop and look with God's eyes... I know He was smiling right there with me. I thank the Lord each and every day for my blessings and to continue to bless my family and friends.

I pray to be a light to others and to be able to share my journey with Christ.

I just realized (or remembered) that today I turn 42 years young!!! I pray the Lord will bless me (in my journey) and my family another wonderful 42 years.

I pray for you that you stop and really see with God's eyes. What do you see? What can you change?

Dear Lord Jesus, Thank you for the birth of your Son. That we continue to look towards the heaven not only in the month of December but each and every day of our lives. Help us see what you see. Lead us all toward your light. Amen.

PS-I wanted to add after Karl helped Joshua put his lego plane together. We watched Karl start up the fireplace then we all cuddled up together to watch TV. My cute 5 year old was sitting on my lap. He turned to me and said, "Mom, I want to sit on your lap forever". These are the moments I live for.

JOSHUA TURNS 5!

Joshua was so excited that he was 'officially' 5!

He is helping me with his cake. I still can't believe he is 5.

This is so cute. Look at those dogs allowing Joshua to lay on top of them.

The cake Joshua helped me make.
Those teepees took forever to decorate.
We had a cowboy and Indians theme party.
Joshua's friends!

His friends watching him open the gifts they brought.

Look at that smile!! This is his 2nd cake.
Joshua had a friends party earlier in the day.
Later, that evening he had the grandparents
over for dinner and some more cake!

The kids played 'pin the badge on the sheriff'.

We had a lot of fun that day. I hope Joshua has great memories turning 5. I love you, my son. May God continue to bless you.

A WOMAN'S PERSPECTIVE

• AGE 3: She looks at herself and sees a Queen
• AGE 8: She looks at herself and sees Cinderella
• AGE 15: She looks at herself and sees an Ugly Sister (Mum I can't go to school looking like this!)
• AGE 20: She looks at herself and sees "too fat/too thin, too short/ too tall, too straight/too curly" – but decides she's going out anyway
• AGE 30: She looks at herself and sees "too fat/too thin, too short/ too tall, too straight/too curly" – but decides she doesn't have time to fix it, so she's going out anyway.
• AGE 40: She looks at herself and sees "clean" and goes out anyway.
• AGE 50: She looks at herself and sees "I am" and goes wherever she wants to go
• AGE 60: She looks at herself and reminds herself of all the people who can't eve see themselves in the mirror anymore. Goes out and conquers the world.
• AGE 70: She looks at herself and sees wisdom, laughter and ability, goes out and enjoys life. (I hope I see wisdom way before I turn 70!)
• AGE 80: Doesn't bother to look. Just pus on a purple hat and goes out to have fun with the world.

I found this article in a Kane County Woman Newspaper in 2004. I don't even know if this paper still exists. I do know that this article is funny and I kept it all this year. I have thrown it away since my husband seems to think that I am a pack rat (what would give him that idea??).

I have been purging for some time and apparently I still have more to purge. I have not been able to stop donating to Goodwill. I do know one thing; it isn't just my stuff getting donated!!

FOCA

Do you know what FOCA means or at least what is stands for??? It stands for 'Freedom of Choice Act'. Do you know what it means and how it affects us? How it affects me as a Christian? This Act saddens me. Go hear and read it for yourself (click here). I know we all have different beliefs and if you are Pro-Life you want to know more. If you are not you might want to know how this Act will affect you as a parent of a child who chooses abortion. This Act will affect us all as parents. I urge you to sign the petition and stand up for your right as a US citizen.
This is a sensitive subject but not too sensitive that we should turn a blind-eye to what is happening to God's children. Also, check out this website to read another woman's view. Let us ban together and pray for our Country.

God Bless.

ALL HALLOW'S EVE

SCARY PUMPKINS....Only 2 pumpkins?? Where are all of the pumpkins?
We must do better next year!

Where are kids?? I know there were more than 1 child at my house!

Our 2 winners!! Martha and Lydia, I hope you are sharing your candies! They had to guess how many pieces of candy were in the jar. The amount (or close to it) was 385 pieces of candy!!

I hope Andy isn't bothering these 2 lovely ladies...

3 generations; Opa, Karl and Joshua.

Bob Marley (aka: Christian)

Rachel working hard on cleaning out the guts of her pumpkin.

Anna made this cake all by herself. She read the instructions and mixed the batter.
She did let me decorate :)

Anna and Audrey as Laura Ingalls; Joshua as 'Bow Hunter Boy' and Lydia dressed as a detective. We also had 2 cheerleaders, one cowgirl and Bob Marley.

We had a great evening. I took the kids on a ghost walk in our backyard where they had to figure out clues or put their hands into box and guess what it is. It was fun. We were blessed with a beautiful warm night. Can you believe 'Indian Summer' is over. It is suppose to snow this weekend!!!!

October is almost over...

Trail of History in Ringwood, IL

This was a lot of fun. I heard of this event before but now we have experienced it. We traveled back to around 1830's. They had tippees, covered wagons; all walks of life. They even had homemade root beer that was put into bottles and corked.

This cabin is a replica, 5 people would live inside with a loft that you crawled into and slept. Talk about tight quarters!

Joshua and Chase made cornhusk dolls with swords!

Anna is learning how to table loom (I think that is what it was called).

Bonfire and fun!

I had the neighbor girls come over for some smor's.
Pizza and a movie.



John boy turns 40!
Wigs-n-Wine

Barbie flew in for the occasion, cousin Annie, me and who's that??
Oh, that's my husband.

The birthday boy, John and his lovely lady, Carie.

My friends Dar and Anndrea.



CLASSICAL CONVERSATIONS!
This is my class, the Journey Ladies (aka slumber party).

These are my girls showing off their artwork that we have done in class. These girls are truly a great bunch! We learn from each other every Tuesday morning from 9 am til noon. We have 3 hours to cover: history, science, math, art, latin, geography, presentations, timeline cards, grammar and I think that is all it. Phew!! That is a lot and they retain it!! They amaze me. I am glad that I gave CC an opportunity to learn with other home schoolers like us.

Here is Anna in her class doing a presentation on Idaho and talking about Tante Christl!!

Phew, I am done, tired and talk to you all later.

God Bless and have sweet dreams...

Cardboard Testimony

I know some of you have seen this. I few weeks ago my church showed this video: Cardboard Testimony. It doesn't matter how many times I watch this; I cry. Our church asked us to share what our cardboard would say. I have thought a lot about this since the first time I watched the video. I truly had no idea what it would say. But at church I knew what I was going to write on my cardboard. I will also share it with you, my family and friends.

Front side: 'Hardened Heart'
Turn it over: 'A Heart for Jesus'

What would your cardboard say? I have changed my life for Jesus. Have you?

6th folder; 6th photo

I am taking the 6th folder and 6th photo challenge. My friend, Becky found this on one of her favorite blogs. I liked it and decided to give it a try and see what I will find.

As you can see my 2 angels above. I was doing a photo shoot of the kids and playing with black and white. I believe Joshua is about 6 months old and Anna just turned 3. Look at how they are looking at each other... Joshua will be 5 in a month! Anna is 8 in a half.

Time does fly. I remember a year took forever; now, forever isn't long enough. My family and I have been blessed. Each day we are thankful for the privilege of LIFE that God has given us. Don't take these days for granted.

Yesterday is History
Tomorrow is a Mystery
Today is a Gift
That's why it's called the Present

What we have been doing in school...

Every Tuesday the kids and I attend Classical Conversations. Each week, each class must stand in front of the class and do a presentation on a particular topic. Anna is sharing her experiences skiing out in Idaho. I was very impressed! I don't usually get a chance to listen to her because I am tutoring an older class. I snuck out and was able to take a photo.

Joshua is in our caravel that we made. Don't know what a caravel is??? Neither did I until we started studying 'early explorers'. What does is look like? You are right, a ship! He even made his own 'eye piece'.

The kids and I made a family flag. Each of us shared what was important and incorporated into our flag. On the left you really can't see the red and white stripes, representing America. The cross represents our faith and the heart represents the love we have for each other. We all had a hand in coloring and drawing.

On the right you can see their captain's journal. We even dyed the paper with tea to give it that old look! Lots of work but we had fun creating and learning together!!!

OAMC - October

Miss Frannie up to her elbows with ground beef. Do you see all the green peppers on the counter behind her?

Jaime is hiding, she didn't want me to take a photo of her. She is up to her elbows in chicken! We made chicken Parmesan and chicken fingers.

Here I am with some of my stash!! I still had trays of lasagna and baked ziti out front ready to get loaded into my car.

It was another long day of cooking. Frannie's sister-in-law, Jaime joined us this month and I think she may want to do this again! I brought 18 meals home and squeezed them all into my freezer.

This is what we made:

Chili - 6 batches (2 bags each)
Stuffed peppers - 30 (10 each)
Lasagna - 3 pans (1 pan each)
Dump lime chicken - 3 batches (1 bag each)
Dump chicken w/ veggies - 3 batches (1 bag each)
Chicken parm - 3 batches (1 bag each)
Dump swiss steak - 6 batches (2 bag each)
Beef stew - 6 batches (2 bag each)
Baked ziti - 6 pans (2 pans each)
Chicken tenders 1 bag of 25 each
garlic fries - one big bag each

So, how much did this cost???? Too much to tell you. Just kidding. We approximately spent $120 each and it breaks down to about $8.00 per meal for a family of 4!!! Try and go out to dinner and beat that!

We make the meals has healthy as possible and we even have left overs. I may use the freezer meals 3 times a week and cook the other times.

You should give it try. Its fun and ultimately saves a lot of money and time!!!