The Power of Imagination

One thing that I thank God that He gave me was a great imagination~Oh as a child I spent hours upon hours playing games with my sister and cousins using our imaginations. It was so much fun and the memories are something to be cherished. Tea parties in dress up costumes, putting on plays, roller coaster down the stairs and just playing whatever comes to mind was so much fun.

One thing that I absolutely LOVE about homeschooling is it gives my children the opportunity to let their imaginations run wild! I find that when something we are studying or reading something that sparks their interest, the rest of the day their world is engulfed into it. We do not believe that by them taking a few hours to really "get into" their game all together is wasting time, on the contrary the learning that is taking place is irreplaceable. When they are playing they can be whatever they want to be, whenever they want to be it, wherever they are...there is nothing like it. There is such beauty in that and if only we adults can rekindle our imaginations a little, oh just imagine how our days would go sometimes!

Our living room many times has been transported into a ship, the prairie, wagon trails, trains, airplanes, camping trips and many many other things! I have been witness many days to games in which they are pioneers, cowboys, doctors, mothers/fathers, children in Victorian times, Bible characters, cooks.......the possibilities are endless!

I think that when our children are playing using their imaginations, they are experiencing a touch of eternity. Think about for a minute the vast extent of God's imagination and look at all he has done with it.
Maybe we should stop and use ours more often, bask in the beauty of His, and join in on those of our children.

If you would like to find some more encouragement, I'm linked up today with these wonderful ladies at:
Raising Homemakers Deep Roots at Home Walking Redeemed

Getting Back into the Swing of Things

These past few weeks have been like a giant blur around here. There has been so much going on from sickness, to health scares, to death in the family, to lots of visiting family and then of course Easter.
So after this major whirlwind of events that have left me physically (since the health scares were mine), mentally and emotionally drained, I have decided that for the next few days I will be "getting back into the swing of things".

Sooo how does one do that when all one wants to do is vegetate??? LOL
I do my favorite thing to do....I make a List!!

Its the best way (in my opinion) to collect everything that goes on in your mind that you need to get done all in one place.
There are several advantages to being a list maker such as myself:

1. You can prioritize what is the most important thing(s) you must do that day.
2. You don't waste as much time throughout the day.
3. You stay motivated!
4. You get to cross stuff off the list as you complete, this one is my favorite because it gives me such a sense of accomplishment!

Whatever you don't get to that day that wasn't on your most important things to do just gets put to the top of the the next days list. There are a few things however that you need to keep in mind if you are an overachiever/perfectionist.....Its supposed to help not add more stress...:)

Being flexible with it gives you the ability to be productive while at the same time stopping throughout the day to enjoy the moments that God has placed before you that day.
So let us always remember as we go through our busy days, lazy days, crazy days or "getting back into the swing of things days".....
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 

So are you a list maker? Do you find them helpful?


Looking for some extra encouragement today? Im linked up with these wonderful blogs!
Time-Warp Wife   Growing Home

Friday Funny!!

Ive seen this a few times this week and so have been there at times! While I absolutely LOVE my title-the best title in my opinion of Mom there are just some days.........

Have a Blessed Easter Weekend!

The Measure of One's Life....A Tribute to My Grandmother

**I originally wrote this post a year ago and I have decided to re-post it this year on the anniversary  of her being home with The Lord. I have had so many ups and downs emotionally this year and several times have found myself reaching for the phone to call her and ask her something or wanting to show her something. Throughout this year I have learned to see her in the small things-the making of pancakes, hemming a skirt for my daughter, starting a new book, sitting in her old chair. Those are the moments to be cherished, the memories, the traditions, the legacy that she has left for me to carry on to my children. So while today may mark a year, its not a day to be sad and mournful because I know that I will see her again someday and until then i will never let her memory die in my day to day life.

So enjoy this post if its the first time you are reading it, or enjoy it again if your re-reading it from last year**

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 How do you measure someones life?

 Is it in what their occupation is, how much money they have, or how many possessions they have? 

In my opinion it is none of those and finding our purpose in life can begin by looking no farther than the humble surroundings God has placed you in.

Tuesday March 12, 2013 may have just been another day to many people, but to my family it was a bittersweet day. It was filled with so many emotions...sadness, joy, relief, heartbreak and more. It was the day that my grandmother Catherine passed away. She had struggled through the past year with cancer and put up a good fight. By the end she was so tired, worn out and ready to go home. 

I had a special bond with my grandmother from the very beginning. I am grandchild number 1 and through the years growing up I was so very close to her. So much of who I am today is because of her. I was so fortunate to have my grandparents live in an apartment added onto our house for most of my life which gave great opportunity for lots of time spent. Growing up she gave me so many things that I will cherish forever most importantly memories. There are so many I could write a book but a few highlights are: the seagull that took her ice cream at Sea World right from her hand, parades, eating strawberry shortcakes, sewing me costumes, gymnastics where she would have to be the judge, so many vacations & trips, singing Sonny & Cher songs, eating pints of Ben and Jerry's on the couch bed i named "happiness".

 Watching her do so many things inspired me to want to be the mom that I am today although that was not her intention. What a wonderful cook and baker she was, how she could sew a masterpiece, her love of reading & knitting and just being the "mom" that is Always there for her children and OH how she loved children. She was the constant in a world that is anything but to our family. Those are things that I feel that watching her do made me want those qualities in me. Our times of laughter had FAR outweighed anything else! She was there for my times of pain, sickness, grief, happiness, joy and accomplishment. 

Somehow though life seemed to weather our relationship over the past few years and that made me so sad. My life is not what she wanted it to be. In her eyes she wanted me to be so much more than what she was and was always encouraging me to be and do anything that I wanted....what I really wanted to be most of my life was to be just like her. It took her until the very end of her life to realize that  I did not throw my talents and dreams away. The Lord has blessed me with so many talents and I am using them in the lives of my children and God used her to mold me into who he wanted me to be. A whole next generation will reep the benefits of the time, love, care and instruction she put in to me. I am so grateful to her for all she gave me-things both intentional and unintentional. 

The Bontrager Family Singers

We were blessed and fortunate last week to see the Bontrager Family Singers perform. They are a family of 12, Dad-Marlin, Mom-Becky and Children: Chelsy, Mitchell, Allison, Carson, Joshua, Denver, Taylor, Elizabeth, Hudson & Rebecca. They live and work on a dairy/hog/grain farm in Iowa. They travel for part of the year as God opens doors, and they minister with a gospel/bluegrass style of music in churches, festivals, prisons, nursing homes, and street missions.

They believe "As God has called us to ministry, so we endeavor to shine His light wherever we go, in whatever we do, with “all our heart, & soul, & mind.” Because of Him, we have a reason to sing!"

It was a truly uplifting and inspiring evening for us but especially for our children. For them to see children, some their age, some older and some even younger, up there singing and playing instruments all for the purpose of glorifying God was very thrilling. To see and hear how they as a family work together and how the brothers and sisters love, help and serve one another really gave a great model to our children of how to work together for the God's glory no matter what he has called us to do.

Please take some time to stop by their website at www.bontragerfamilysingers.com and be inspired by this family! Their music is fun and upbeat and a wonderful mix of all age voices making a joyful noise unto the Lord! They also have a blog where you can keep up with them on the road and what they are up to at http://www.bontragersingers.blogspot.com/

Most importantly, pray for them. They are doing such a wonderful mission and sharing the Gospel through song, story, and testimony. To God Be The Glory!

Strawberries Anyone?

This is probably one of my favorite times of the year....its strawberry season :) We have a wonderful local farm that we go to and the kids can pick their own strawberries. This past trip we ended up with quite a few! Everyone in our house loves them and while I had every intention of making some jam with them, the never ending train of hands in the fridge to get "just one" didn't leave many for jam! I did however get to freeze a bunch of them for smoothies and we did have fresh waffles topped with strawberries, strawberries for breakfast, dessert, etc.....

Here is one of my favorite smoothie recipes! I find it a GREAT way to sneak in some greens and not taste them!

-3 cups Almond Milk (or any other milk if you choose)
-2 cups Strawberries
-1 tbsp lemon juice
-1 small orange, peeled
-1 banana
-1 cup of frozen or fresh chopped spinach (I have also used some wheatgrass powder for the greens)
-1 scoop vanilla protein powder (optional)

Blend well and enjoy!! Makes about 3-4 servings.

A Day with Winter

We were very blessed and fortunate to be able to visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Clearwater, FL this past week. It was a really fun day with lots of interaction with some local sea life. This small aquarium that was once in financial trouble now is a very popular stop thanks to this one creature....

This is Winter the dolphin and she has one amazing story to tell!! At only three months of age, Winter found herself wrapped tightly in a crab trap line and was unable to escape. She was rescued from Mosquito Lagoon (near Cape Canaveral) and transported to CMA to begin a long rehabilitation. Unfortunately, Winter lost her entire tail as well as two vertebrae a result of the serious injuries that she had sustained.

WINTER'S STORY

At only three months of age, Winter found herself wrapped tightly in a crab trap line and was unable to escape. She was rescued from Mosquito Lagoon (near Cape Canaveral) and transported to CMA to begin a long rehabilitation. Unfortunately, Winter lost her entire tail as well as two vertebrae a result of the serious injuries that she had sustained.

Although her story is intriguing, it is also very rare, as many dolphins unfortunately die in monofilament and crab trap lines. Despite the odds against survival, Winter's energy and ability to adapt to her new physical form has surpassed the expectations of many experts. Winter has done amazingly well in the short time since her stranding. She has completely healed and has learned to swim with a specially formulated  prosthetic tail.

You may be thinking you have seen or heard this story before....well there has been a major motion picture made about her story called Dolphin Tale. It is a very good, clean, funny, heartwarming movie that is GREAT for all ages and for family movie night! Along with admission to the Aquarium, we were able to take a trolley ride to their other exhibit, Winter's Dolphin Tale Adventure, which is a huge building that is set up to make you feel like you are right in the middle of the set of the movie! There are tons of actual props used in the movie and lots of little tid bits of information from the wonderful staff and volunteers to make you feel as if you were right there! It was truly a blast of a day and we will definitely be going back!

If you would like more information about seeing Winter, want to read up on her amazing story of survival, or about the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and what they are doing to help save more "unwanted" and endangered sea life, please visit www.seewinter.com

Enjoying the simple things

Here in FL we don't have a typical winter. During our winter months is really the only time of the year where we can play outside without having to be in water! This is our time to ride bikes, scooters, draw on the driveway with chalk, take walks and this year the new thing to do is play on our "tree". We are so blessed by how much entertainment, imagination, courage and creativity this tree has brought out in our children!

"Super Daddy" has built them a swing out of a rope and a piece of wood and it is so wonderful to see them enjoy something so simple. He also has cleared out a little area that is like a "fort" where the base of their games revolve around. There is lots of imagination that runs wild as well as some energy!

I am also so proud that they are all learning to climb trees, as embarrassing as this is I didn't climb my first tree until I was 22 and to be honest it was only 4 feet off the ground that I climbed...hehe!

And don't think the fun is just for the bigger kids...."Super Daddy" put in an extra swing just for Gideon!

And his swing goes slow enough to enjoy snacks with the ride...

We as a family are so grateful to be able to enjoy such beauty that the Lord has given us and to find joy and laughter in the simple pleasures in life!

Then I will give you your rains in their season, and the land shall yield its increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.  Leviticus 26:4

Character Qualities

We believe that in order for our children to become strong and stable adults that will be productive and an asset to society that they need to possess strong character qualities. We find that instilling these in them from very young will create a great work ethic, build strong communication and conflict resolution skills and help them in various relationships and situations they will face in their lives. We use this chart in the training of them and it has been most helpful and beneficial to our family, I hope it will be to yours as well :)

 http://www.duggarfamily.com/content/character_qualities

These are a few of my favorite things

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens......Just kidding! But i do want to share with you some of my favorite things to help you get to know me a little better, so here goes:

• I absolutely LOVE being a wife and mother. I believe its what God has designed and called me to do so that has to be my most favorite thing <3
• I enjoy reading a wide range of books from faith to personal growth to biographies and of course my Bible.
• I am a history buff and especially like to study WWII so any book, documentary, or article from that time I've probably read it!
• As dorky as it sounds i truly enjoy to research EVERYTHING! Whether it be finding the best rates for car insurance, planning a vacation or looking deeper into a new found hobby i tend to be a little 'fact crazy' and jump right into it.
• I thoroughly enjoy traveling and while i have been very blessed to see quite a bit of the USA and have traveled to Italy, Greece, and some Islands I soo want to be able to see so much more of this beautiful world that our Lord created. I pray I am blessed to do so and share the love of travel with my children.
• Me and my kitchen aid mixer are best friends...seriously! I guess its a good thing since i spend most of my day in the kitchen feeding everyone that cooking and baking has quickly risen near the top of the list of my favorite things as well! This is a huge accomplishment for me considering when i got married Michael used to joke that i couldn't even boil water....and he was right..lol
• The Gilmore Girls is my haven when i need to get away from life...Stars Hollow will always have a special spot in my heart. That show makes me crack up and even if I've seen it in its entirety over a dozen times it never gets old!
• I like watching old movies, my kids call them the 'dark movies' because they are in black and white and they can't figure out why they won't turn the light on inside the tv....hehe
• And i will save the best for last....Chocolate! No explanation needed there!!!!

Now its your turn...share with me some of your favorite things!

Meet the Funnies

 Time to Get Acquainted with the Funnyfarm:

 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
  Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one’s youth.
Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them! 

Psalm 127:3-5

 These are our beautiful, spunky, smart, talented, and EXTREMELY energetic children

• Isabella is 8 and she is a typical first born. She is born to lead, loves to take command (sometimes a little too much) and is a tremendous help. I am so blessed by her and tell her all the time that God knew what he was doing when he gave her to me first!
• Michaela is 6 and is a craaazzy! She is incredibly smart, spunky, has a great imagination and has an insane amount of energy! She is a force to be reckoned with and the Lord has blessed her with a super strong will that im sure in her years to come will be used for His glory!
•  Levi is 4 and our oldest boy. He is smart as a whip and is very detail oriented. He loves to learn and picks up everything super fast! He is very cautious and likes to weigh the pros/cons before jumping into something new!
• Silas is 3 and oh my..... if only we all lived life like he does! He is sweet, loving, kind yet adventurous, daring and fearless. He amazes me everyday and lives to the fullest. He also is full of energy and at times astounds us with his lack of need for sleep!

• Gideon is our youngest and he is 20 months. We joke sometimes and say that it took us 5 tries to get a calm one..lol. He is very laid back, sweet & affectionate. He goes with the flow of the rest of the funnies and joins in where he can. He has a little quirky side to him and its funny to see that little personality peek out.   

Meet the Fur Funnies:

•  This is Barnabas and the newest addition to the Funnyfarm. He is a Lhasa Apso and is about 3 months old now. He is a tiny little while snowball and we all love him to pieces! He is very cuddly and calm and gives a whole new meaning to the term "ankle biter" and is adjusting very well to his new role as the "baby" in all the pretend games.

• This is miss Lucy. She is our yard sale kitty! We went out yard-saling one Saturday last summer and came home with a free kitty! She is precious and sweet and is a wonderful cat. She is so very tolerant of being held, dressed up, slung over a shoulder and pushed around in a laundry basket by the kids.

The beginning was just that, the beginning

I Love the quotes you see on all the picture frames and plaques...."It all began when 2 people fell in love", "Our family grows better with Love" etc. I am a sap for the romantic. There is romance in every love story between a husband and a wife and each one is unique & special.

My husband and best friend Michael is the Funnyfarm Papa around here. He is the solid force that leads this family with love, grace and strength. His is a wonderful husband, father, provider, and shepherd of our children's hearts. He is a man who strives to please the Lord in everything he does, admits when he is wrong and asks forgiveness, and is my hero. God has used him mightily in my life and I would not be who I am today without him.

 Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Genesis 2:23

This quote is especially special to me because Michael has always called me "My Rib". It is so wonderful to see in the Bible the very beginning of marriage, as well as the vast amount of scripture in the entire Bible pertaining to marriage.

Our story may not have been what one would call traditional but it was perfect for us and most importantly ordained by God. Although life has thrown twists and turns at us in every direction, we are in this together. It is the BEST feeling to know your best friend is always beside you ready to face what comes. Who knew when we met it would be the beginning....the beginning of something truly wonderful!