Praise and Coffee

I started leading Praise and Coffee nights back in August. I am so encourage every month when we get together. I am still new to the area, but haven't let that slow me down. Even if it is just two of us it is worth getting together.

I have been working on getting the word out today and I just feel that the Lord is going to go great things.

We don't have anything formal planned. It is just woman getting together in a local coffee soap to encourage, inspire and connect. We get so busy with the daily responsibilities of life that it is just nice to slow down and enjoy each others company.

The group was originally started by Sue Cramer and a group of her friends. It has grown by leaps and bounds. People are forming groups all over the world. If it is something that you would like to join in on, check to see if there is a group in you area. If not, start one of your own. It is pretty easy.

I look forward to seeing what God does in the coming months.

The Homeschool Mother's Journal

In my life this week…Not much is going on this week. The car stopped running while my husband was on his way to work. We did get it towed, but the auto shop that we use is not open on weekends, so it won't be looked at until then. 

In our homeschool this week…We are still preparing for Jonaya to take the ITBS test next week. She is doing pretty well with the concepts. 

Ian has started doing his funnix lessons, again this week. He is also working on some math sheets. I need some more hands on activities to keep him busy. I feel like I am cheating him to focus on Jonaya. How to moms do it with more than two at home?

I am inspired by…Michelle Duggar

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…No where until we get the car fixed...lol I do plan on visiting a friend from church. She recently had to quit her job due to full body pain. I am trying to get her set up at home to make some income there. Her doctor advised her, she didn't quit on her own. 

My favorite thing this week was…Sitting down with the family to not only watch Facing the Giants, but also Courageous. There are so many life lessons in both of those movies. 

What’s working/not working for us…I am loving the 6 weeks of work schedule and 1 week off. Can you tell that we are off next week? Aside from taking Jonaya to her test, we are freee. I hope to get caught up on some reading because there is no work for me right now, either. 

Things I’m working on…There are some areas in the house that I want to get reorganized. Not sure how I am going to go about it, though.

I’m reading…Longing by Karen Kingsbury (should be done today)

A Love that Multiplies by Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar

Crazy Love by Francis Chan

I’m cooking…I did get signed back up with emeals. We haven't eaten out all week which is huge. I haven't cooked a lot though. John made this HUGE pot of chili for the Super Bowl. Wednesday night we were still eating it. I was ready to kill him. I cooked on Thursday. I made a meatloaf  and vegetables and John boiled potatoes to go with it. Once again he cooked enough for an army. I ended up converting it to potato soup last night and we have enough to eat again tonight. 

I’m grateful for…The time that I get to spend with my children. To be able to teach them and mold them for the glory of God. 

I’m praying for…More opportunities for my family and me to serve others. We don't have much money, but we have lots of love and time. 

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

I guess I have been holding Jonaya back. I have been teaching her some basic crochet stitches and letting her practice that along with her tension. This week she got on ravelry and started crocheting origami. Pictured above is the first one she did. It is a little hard to tell with the dark colors, but she made a turtle. She asked me to explain a couple things that she didn't understand in the pattern, shook her head and kept going. 

I am so proud of her. 

Springlike Winter

In my life this week…This has been a pretty good week. I can't complain. This is only my fourth day of the week. We still have school tomorrow and then we take Sunday and Mondays off because that is when hubby is off. 

In our homeschool this week…This week I am preparing Jonaya for the ITBS test. This is the first year that she has to take it. We bought a book to give her and idea of what she will see. I think she will do fine, I just don't want her to have any surprises. 

In put together his first model helicopter with is dad. That was pretty sweet, watching them working on it. Here is the end result. 

I am inspired by…I am inspired by the many women on the web. I don't have and friends locally, especially ones that home school. You guys keep me going everyday. 

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…We have nothing going on this week. We have church on Sunday. Then we will be home for the Superbowl. John manages a Pizza Hut, so he is going into work.

My favorite thing this week was…Going out to run Errands on Monday. I know it sounds, crazy. We live in Iowa and it was 64 degrees and sunny out. I was so happy all day. 

What’s working/not working for us…I have been struggling with getting Ian, my 5 year old, to focus on his work. With the big age difference, I sort of put him off because he is no technically school aged. We did better this week, so I hope that continues. he love to work when you steer him in the right direction. 

Things I’m working on…I am working on finding more hands on activities for the kids. We spend too much time in the books. With the nice weather, I did sent them outside in the middle of a school day to play. 

I’m reading…Longing by Karen Kingsbury. I love her books. This is the third book in the Bailey Flannigan series. I highly recommend you read any of her books. 

I’m cooking…I have not been cooking. We have been eating out a lot. I know that is bad. I plan on signing up with e-meals again. It is great because everything is planned out for you and even the grocery list is done. We had something new to try every week. We had no interests in eating in restaurants which saves us money. 

I’m grateful for…My husband, he takes such good care of me. I never have to worry about anything. 

I’m praying for…Staying focused, keeping my house running smoothly. This is what I have been called to do and I want to do it justice. 

Also, if you can join me in prayer. Jonaya as asked to get baptized. We have gone to the class at church and the next baptism date is February 19. I know she understands what she is doing, but I just want her to be covered. 

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…If you have beginning readers in your house, a great program is being offered for free until February 16. It is at; http://www.funnix.com/. I hope that helps. 

Spinning my Wheels

Hi everyone, I know it have been a while. I have thought about writing on so many occasions and have just never gotten around to it.

Things are going great for the family and me, here in the Midwest. We got our car paid off in October. Now we are trying to save to replace the second one. We know we don't want another car payment.

The kids and I are keeping busy with home schooling. Ian is 5 now and is doing well with his reading, writing and math. Jonaya has been continuing with her studies. She hasn't missed a day of school yet. Breaking up our vacation days has really help with this because we are not getting burned out. We started back in August and do 6 weeks on and 1 week off. With the exception of Christmas and Easter, we take 2 weeks around those holidays. We have 2 more weeks to work and we will be getting another week off.

Besides selling Avon, I am back to doing some contract work again. I was doing it before we moved and the same woman that I was working under was hiring right before Christmas, so I jumped on it. I make just enough to have some money to burn when we go out and I want something. I don't have to feel guilty about spoiling the kids. That is where all of my typing has been going lately. Today, I am well ahead of schedule. I am due at 2 am central Wednesday morning and I will be finishing up today. The quicker that I get done, the quicker I get paid. Then I move on to the next batch of work.

Communication with my husband is going well. We are mostly on the dame page again. Sometime we get to that page two completely different ways, but the end result is all the same.

Right now, I am doing a study of the book of Ephesians. We just got done with the 1st chapter. It is going well. It's a lot to absorb. God, has given us the same blessings that he gave to Jesus!...wow! I am called to be a mom and wife and this is for His purpose. Sometimes, I just don't feel like I am worthy enough. I look forward to digging into the following chapters.

I will come back this week to continue with my thoughts. I have more to say and not enough time to say it. I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend.

Just a Wife

As you read this post, keep in my mind my reasons for starting this blog. In really life I am a quiet person until I get to know you. I have lived in Iowa just over a year now and still don't feel any really bonds with the woman around me. I use this blog as an outlet. Sometimes, I will type things like nobody is watching. 

In response to today's 31 days to love post, I do feel like I am I kind wife. I may be too kind. My own self esteem suffers from it. My home is no where near perfectly clean and/or decorated, but it's mine. I spend my days home schooling my children and don't always get everything done that I want to. I usually have meals cooked and bread baked. Not a big fan of treats in the house because I eat it. I know, selfish. 

A new thing that I have been doing on the evenings my husband is home from work early is have the kids greet him at the door. They usually would say hi and go back to what they were doing. Now, electronics are banned until later in the evening. We sit in the living room and focus all of our attention on dad. Has he noticed?  I'm not really sure. Usually within 15 minutes the remote is in hand and he is in his own world. 

I understand that he has to decompress. I got that, but I don't understand that he calls this spending time together. The tv stays on until we go to "bed." Then the bedroom tv goes on or the laptop is open. In other words, when he is at work he is not here and when he is home, he is not here. 

I love my husband dearly and I guess you are wondering if I have spoken to him about this. The answer is no. I don't plan to either. I feel that he is an adult and that is obviously how he wants to spend his time. Who am I to tell him different. Will this put a strain on our marriage? I don't know. 

The Best Ride Home

I remember the day that I met my husband like it was yesterday. We worked together. I had the job before he did, so I remember him walking in the building with his tie and brief case. In the beginning, I didn't even talk to him all the much. I did introduce myself to him and we discussed work stuff. That was about it.

Several months later, his friends started hanging out with my friends. We had all as a group started going out for breakfast. Then when we began working the same shift we would meet for coffee an hour or so before it. Everyday, I had looked forward to meeting John for coffee. He always made me laugh and was like a, "big brother." I know it is the last things that guys want to hear, but that is how I felt about him at the time.

Fast forward a few more months. I got into a car accident right in front of our job and he wasn't there yet to meet me for coffee. The one day that I needed him. I missed him.

I know longer had a car after that and John would give me rides home from work. He lived a good hour in the opposite direction. If we worked late and we had to get up the next morning, I would just tell him to crash at my place. At this point, I would say we moved beyond friendship, but still had no idea how much beyond it was going to get.

One evening he brought me home from work and I sent him on his way. I just needed a break and to be alone. It was the loneliest night that I had in all my life. I realized that I couldn't live without him. I still had no idea that I could never live without him. I just figured my house was too quiet, so I got a dog...LOL I already had a cat.

Once we realized that we were miserable apart. We decided to make things official.

Here we are 15 years later and he still makes me laugh. Next month will be 13 years of marriage. I obviously have to spent time away from him now, but we talk several times during the day. My dream is to one day work by his side, again. We just tick when we are together.

Android Cover

I crocheted this for my android tablet. I wanted something different. I didn't want to just go buy a leather case. this one is way more fun. I even bought a blinged out button to close it. You can't see it very well in the picture, but it is prettier than it looks.

I haven't had time to do a lot of projects lately. I have a hat that I was planning on getting done this week and I haven't crocheted a stitch. This is our week break from home school and I was thinking that I would be able to crochet and catch up on some reading. I have gotten a couple of chapters read, but that is about it.

Here it is open.

I added a pocket to stick my notes in from church or where ever. It is just being held by elastics on each corner. It is pretty secure. That part had to be sewn. I didn't really follow a pattern, so I probably can't do this again...LOL I just went with it and made it custom to fit my tablet. I LIKE IT!