This is something new we're working on (see the link below). The concept is not near final yet but take a look and give us your feedback.
We have some things to post that haven't been edited yet but they're on the way. We put the ones out there from a few years ago though.
As we learn things and try our best to apply them we want to share them with other people. Why hold the knowledge? Be transparent. Let it out, it might help someone else.
Jeoff's & Leslie's Family Blog
Firm Family Foundation
Friday, June 29, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
5AM Prayer!
I know, that's really early in the morning, but because it's so early in the morning, it feels like the world has stopped and you have God all to yourself.
I know that's not true, 5am here is 4pm somewhere else, but whenever you get a moment for a period of quiet, focused time, with no distractions, it does give you that feeling.
It seems like several years ago I had 100 times more of these times than I do now. Now, there are so many more things going on in my life, and many more that are dependent on me, that I have to be strategic to get that time in.
The last time, was Thursday, June 28. And I was joined by one of my good friends, who helped me be accountable to it and who prayed along with me.
Now Lord help me do it more often!!
I know that's not true, 5am here is 4pm somewhere else, but whenever you get a moment for a period of quiet, focused time, with no distractions, it does give you that feeling.
It seems like several years ago I had 100 times more of these times than I do now. Now, there are so many more things going on in my life, and many more that are dependent on me, that I have to be strategic to get that time in.
The last time, was Thursday, June 28. And I was joined by one of my good friends, who helped me be accountable to it and who prayed along with me.
Now Lord help me do it more often!!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Anniversary Party!
It's very exciting to have come this far by God's grace and we were glad to celebrate it with family and friends.
To some, 7 years is not a long time, to others, it's a very long time, and for us it's hugely significant, because in scripture - 7 is the number of completion. And we believe God completed a lot of foundational things in us, during this 7th year. And it ain’t been easy! We can be two selfish and carnal people sometimes, if we're not in the Spirit. Accountability, friends, prayers from others, books, and conferences have helped, and still help us maintain the union of marriage, that only by God’s strength and grace, can be sustained! Thank you again!
See the story and photos from the anniversary party below..
Favorite authors and resources
Jimmy Evans - http://www.marriagetoday.org/
Gary & Barbara Rosberg - http://www.americasfamilycoaches.com/
Kevin Leman - http://www.drleman.com/
Linda Dillow and Loraine Pintus - http://www.intimateissues.com/
Click Here to see Book Recommendations
Back Then
Back Then
Now!
Me, Mom & Sisters back then!
Bubba and Granty
Me and Kay
Hey Ya Ya!
And finally, the disco boy!
To some, 7 years is not a long time, to others, it's a very long time, and for us it's hugely significant, because in scripture - 7 is the number of completion. And we believe God completed a lot of foundational things in us, during this 7th year. And it ain’t been easy! We can be two selfish and carnal people sometimes, if we're not in the Spirit. Accountability, friends, prayers from others, books, and conferences have helped, and still help us maintain the union of marriage, that only by God’s strength and grace, can be sustained! Thank you again!
See the story and photos from the anniversary party below..
Favorite authors and resources
Jimmy Evans - http://www.marriagetoday.org/
Gary & Barbara Rosberg - http://www.americasfamilycoaches.com/
Kevin Leman - http://www.drleman.com/
Linda Dillow and Loraine Pintus - http://www.intimateissues.com/
Click Here to see Book Recommendations
Back Then
Back Then
Now!
Me, Mom & Sisters back then!
Bubba and Granty
Me and Kay
Hey Ya Ya!
And finally, the disco boy!
Our Story
We were introduced almost ten years ago, in July of 1997, by our mutual friend, Paul “Clay’ McClinton. We and our other comrades, Clay, Shirrelle, Kim, Jay, Marcus, Gwen, and others, hung out as single Christians, in a platonic friendship, for over two years. For us, the friendship was like none other we had ever had. It was the opportunity to get to know members of the opposite sex, and know and fellowship with them merely as brother or sister in Christ. Our first date on Friday, September 24, 1999. It was that evening that we also agreed to give our lives to one another in marriage. We became officially engaged on November 20, 1999 and married June 24, 2000, exactly 9 months after our first date.
On June 24, 2007, we celebrated 7 years of marriage and in those seven years we have been blessed with 3 children, many valuable friendships that have been sustained since before our marriage and many new friends who have been brought into our lives.
The first Valentine’s Day we celebrated was in February 1998 – before we ever dated. We celebrated Valentine’s Day at the Covenant Church Singles Ministry Valentine’s – Old School Party! And that’s why our anniversary party was just that – an Old School Party!!
We had fun and went back to some of the good ol’ days. We couldn’t play all of the songs from back in the day, since we all know that some of the songs from the past, need to be left there, in the past!!! So we sifted through them and selected some of the mildest ones from the eras where grew up.
We were introduced almost ten years ago, in July of 1997, by our mutual friend, Paul “Clay’ McClinton. We and our other comrades, Clay, Shirrelle, Kim, Jay, Marcus, Gwen, and others, hung out as single Christians, in a platonic friendship, for over two years. For us, the friendship was like none other we had ever had. It was the opportunity to get to know members of the opposite sex, and know and fellowship with them merely as brother or sister in Christ. Our first date on Friday, September 24, 1999. It was that evening that we also agreed to give our lives to one another in marriage. We became officially engaged on November 20, 1999 and married June 24, 2000, exactly 9 months after our first date.
On June 24, 2007, we celebrated 7 years of marriage and in those seven years we have been blessed with 3 children, many valuable friendships that have been sustained since before our marriage and many new friends who have been brought into our lives.
The first Valentine’s Day we celebrated was in February 1998 – before we ever dated. We celebrated Valentine’s Day at the Covenant Church Singles Ministry Valentine’s – Old School Party! And that’s why our anniversary party was just that – an Old School Party!!
We had fun and went back to some of the good ol’ days. We couldn’t play all of the songs from back in the day, since we all know that some of the songs from the past, need to be left there, in the past!!! So we sifted through them and selected some of the mildest ones from the eras where grew up.
To my friend, on the subject of dating....
Below, is an edited response to a friend:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
I know there are tons and tons of good resources out there about this, but this is just my words from the heart......
I would start with two simple things, that will not change over the years. There will be more details and more ways that you have to consider things and make decisions based on the circumstance, but these are two underlying principles that come to mind. Don't forget them.
1. Honor the Lord above all
2. Guard your heart
---------------------------------------------------------------------
I placed the scriptures below and a link under each scripture which give a little more information regarding the passage of scripture. I included the link because I'd like you to research things like this, and sift through it and determine what you will take away from it.
I think you should hear advice but also search out the Word of God and determine what is right, based on what God says.
The Two Principles
1. Honor the Lord
1 Corinthians 6:19-20, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
http://lurasbookcase.com/honoring-god.shtml
2. Guard Your Heart
Proverbs 4:23 says, "Keep (or guard) your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."
http://www.biblicalstudies.com/bstudy/expostudy/heart.htm
---------------------------------------------------------------------
My take on principle #1 Honoring the Lord:
When you choose to do this, you will definitely stand out and be different from others. There are people who are Christians and either really do not know what all it means to honor the Lord, or know what that means and just don't do it.
The passage, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, speaks of honoring the Lord with your body and also glorifying God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. This is more than not being physically intimate with someone. It's dealing with your body and your spirit. It's helping you to understand that everything about you belongs to God and He is in control of every aspect of your life. Even this season of your life that you are seeking God regarding "dating".
As you make decisions like this, the Lord is looking down on you with incredible pride. That you want to honor him in your relationships. He wants you to intimately know HIM before you intimately know anyone else. Not just physical intimacy. Before you give your heart to anyone else, the Lord wants you to be totally in love with him. So much so, that when you meet someone, your love for God and your commitment to him stand out. Not in a loud, shouting, manner, but in an honorable, respectful way. Some people will see you and recognize that there is something about you. That your heart is somewhere else first (with the Lord) and not wanting. And just wishing that someone would love you and want to be with you.
That part, the heart, will be further explored in the next principle. Guard your heart.
As you are honoring the Lord, and building your relationship with him, focus on what it is the Lord has gifted you to do, in the body of Christ and passionately pursue that. That's what you were put on earth to do, to bring glory to him by using your gifts to bring others to Christ and edify the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:12 "equipping the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ."
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Before we go to guarding the heart, let's detour just a shade..... and explore, the correct definition of friend.
Many people will call someone who they go out with, their friend, just because they don't want to make a committment to them.
That's not the way to define friend.
What do you do with friends? Things like talking on the phone (but not too late at night, and not about things that will cause you to think unGodly).
If you go out, try to go out with another couple or in places where there are other people.
As a precaution, you may NOT want to go to their house alone or have them come to your house alone, or be somewhere alone with them where there are not other people around.
Another note about friends. Friends do the same things that a brother and sister would do. If you wouldn't say it to your brother or sister, or do it with your brother or sister, don't do it with a friend.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Principle #2 Guard Your Heart
The verse, Proverbs 4:23, says keep your heart or guard your heart with all dilligence. It also says, out of it flows the issues of life. Issues!!! When you think about it, most of the issues that you see people caught up in, have something to do with a matter of the heart. Someone who was supposed to love them! and didn't, someone who left them, or hurt them, or cheated on them, lied to them, abused them, etc. And they all have to do with matters of the heart. Matters that initially drew us in by our hearts. We trusted someone, loved someone, committed ourselves to someone, you name it.
So God says guard your heart!! Not just calmly but agressively. He says, guard your heart with all dilligence. Think about how you dilligently study something, or dilligently look for something that you've lost. That takes time and effort! That's what you have to do regarding your heart.
When you meet someone that you even half-way like. You begin to feel something in your heart, right? Well, at that point you have to check it! Check yourself and make sure that you're not allowing yourself to go down a path of fantasy, wondering, wishing, hoping that you could be with this person more, or hoping they will like you or accept you, or even when they will call you again. Wontin' and wontin' like the lady on The Nutty Proffesor said! You must guard your heart! Because if you don't, you can guarantee that you will find yourself badly caught up in one of the many issues in life. I know I did, back in the day!
Following this principle will not make you totally immune from issues. But it will help you avoid self-inflicted heart wounds.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
I know there are tons and tons of good resources out there about this, but this is just my words from the heart......
I would start with two simple things, that will not change over the years. There will be more details and more ways that you have to consider things and make decisions based on the circumstance, but these are two underlying principles that come to mind. Don't forget them.
1. Honor the Lord above all
2. Guard your heart
---------------------------------------------------------------------
I placed the scriptures below and a link under each scripture which give a little more information regarding the passage of scripture. I included the link because I'd like you to research things like this, and sift through it and determine what you will take away from it.
I think you should hear advice but also search out the Word of God and determine what is right, based on what God says.
The Two Principles
1. Honor the Lord
1 Corinthians 6:19-20, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
http://lurasbookcase.com/honoring-god.shtml
2. Guard Your Heart
Proverbs 4:23 says, "Keep (or guard) your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."
http://www.biblicalstudies.com/bstudy/expostudy/heart.htm
---------------------------------------------------------------------
My take on principle #1 Honoring the Lord:
When you choose to do this, you will definitely stand out and be different from others. There are people who are Christians and either really do not know what all it means to honor the Lord, or know what that means and just don't do it.
The passage, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, speaks of honoring the Lord with your body and also glorifying God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. This is more than not being physically intimate with someone. It's dealing with your body and your spirit. It's helping you to understand that everything about you belongs to God and He is in control of every aspect of your life. Even this season of your life that you are seeking God regarding "dating".
As you make decisions like this, the Lord is looking down on you with incredible pride. That you want to honor him in your relationships. He wants you to intimately know HIM before you intimately know anyone else. Not just physical intimacy. Before you give your heart to anyone else, the Lord wants you to be totally in love with him. So much so, that when you meet someone, your love for God and your commitment to him stand out. Not in a loud, shouting, manner, but in an honorable, respectful way. Some people will see you and recognize that there is something about you. That your heart is somewhere else first (with the Lord) and not wanting. And just wishing that someone would love you and want to be with you.
That part, the heart, will be further explored in the next principle. Guard your heart.
As you are honoring the Lord, and building your relationship with him, focus on what it is the Lord has gifted you to do, in the body of Christ and passionately pursue that. That's what you were put on earth to do, to bring glory to him by using your gifts to bring others to Christ and edify the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:12 "equipping the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ."
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Before we go to guarding the heart, let's detour just a shade..... and explore, the correct definition of friend.
Many people will call someone who they go out with, their friend, just because they don't want to make a committment to them.
That's not the way to define friend.
What do you do with friends? Things like talking on the phone (but not too late at night, and not about things that will cause you to think unGodly).
If you go out, try to go out with another couple or in places where there are other people.
As a precaution, you may NOT want to go to their house alone or have them come to your house alone, or be somewhere alone with them where there are not other people around.
Another note about friends. Friends do the same things that a brother and sister would do. If you wouldn't say it to your brother or sister, or do it with your brother or sister, don't do it with a friend.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Principle #2 Guard Your Heart
The verse, Proverbs 4:23, says keep your heart or guard your heart with all dilligence. It also says, out of it flows the issues of life. Issues!!! When you think about it, most of the issues that you see people caught up in, have something to do with a matter of the heart. Someone who was supposed to love them! and didn't, someone who left them, or hurt them, or cheated on them, lied to them, abused them, etc. And they all have to do with matters of the heart. Matters that initially drew us in by our hearts. We trusted someone, loved someone, committed ourselves to someone, you name it.
So God says guard your heart!! Not just calmly but agressively. He says, guard your heart with all dilligence. Think about how you dilligently study something, or dilligently look for something that you've lost. That takes time and effort! That's what you have to do regarding your heart.
When you meet someone that you even half-way like. You begin to feel something in your heart, right? Well, at that point you have to check it! Check yourself and make sure that you're not allowing yourself to go down a path of fantasy, wondering, wishing, hoping that you could be with this person more, or hoping they will like you or accept you, or even when they will call you again. Wontin' and wontin' like the lady on The Nutty Proffesor said! You must guard your heart! Because if you don't, you can guarantee that you will find yourself badly caught up in one of the many issues in life. I know I did, back in the day!
Following this principle will not make you totally immune from issues. But it will help you avoid self-inflicted heart wounds.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Homeschool Journey
It's getting closer! It's official now that they've been notified..... I will be leaving my current job outside the home, at the end of the summer!One step closer..........
Next step is to finalize the curriculum and order it.
Our final choices are Trivium Pursuit (http://www.triviumpursuit.com/),
Heart of Wisdom (http://www.heartofwisdom.com/) and My Father's
World (http://www.mfwbooks.com/)
We may do a combination of two or three of them, based on what works
best for our situation.
See book recommendations here.
In the grip of Grace,
Leslie
"To be the father of a nation is a great honor, but to be the father of a family is a greater joy." Nelson Mandela, Autobiography of Nelson Mandela
Thursday, June 21, 2007
CTI Graduation Statements
These are the statements and photos that we submitted for our graduation ceremony, which summarize how our CTI experience has changed our lives:
"After completing CTI, I have been able to wrap up the loose ends of the pieces of my life and I have been able to bring it all together, giving me clarity in my life's purpose. The picture of my life is much clearer.
After going through the school of ministry program, I have solidified my passion for ministry to my husband, our 3 kiddos through nurturing and homeschool, and to women, regarding our biblical roles. I plan to use what I have learned in CTI, to build up those areas, and in that order."
Here's one of the things we're working on
Also, see the following post, for more information regarding the graduation, our plans, and more.....
Jeoff Thompson
"After completing CTI, I have been able to wrap up the loose ends of the pieces of my life and I have been able to bring it all together, giving me clarity in my life's purpose. The picture of my life is much clearer.
During this season, I've come to realize that in order to have the greatest impact on the world at large, I must first impact those who are closest to me - my wife and my children. Instead of viewing purpose as solely pursing my gifts as a preacher/teacher/musician, my approach now is to minister, as priest and provider to my family first, and only then will I be able to properly use those gifts to serve others. "
Leslie Thompson 
"Through CTI, I have learned that being in ministry is not just about the service and the work you do for the Father, to build and strengthen the kingdom. It's about character - as was so emphatically stated in the first class of my first year. It's about submitting your life to be scrutinized and broken down, and then rebuilt and strengthened, by the only one who can truly do so. This is done in order that everything you learn through that experience, may be used in your ministry, to provide answers and hope to others.
"Through CTI, I have learned that being in ministry is not just about the service and the work you do for the Father, to build and strengthen the kingdom. It's about character - as was so emphatically stated in the first class of my first year. It's about submitting your life to be scrutinized and broken down, and then rebuilt and strengthened, by the only one who can truly do so. This is done in order that everything you learn through that experience, may be used in your ministry, to provide answers and hope to others.
After going through the school of ministry program, I have solidified my passion for ministry to my husband, our 3 kiddos through nurturing and homeschool, and to women, regarding our biblical roles. I plan to use what I have learned in CTI, to build up those areas, and in that order."
Here's one of the things we're working on
Also, see the following post, for more information regarding the graduation, our plans, and more.....
CTI Graduation
After the ceremony.
(more details to come, this was just a start......)
What did you all get out of CTI? What type of ministry will you do?
It's a long story because it turned out to be much different than when we set out to join the program. But at the same time we joined, knowing that we were submitting ourselves to the Lord for that two years, for him to teach us about what ministry is, and to show us his direction for us.
Some we've learned through the classes (Hermeneutics, Apologetics, Systematic Theology, Old and New Testament Survey, Church History, Church Administration, Spiritual Gifts, Life Languages, Hearing the Voice of God, Vision Development, Public Speaking and Missions along with Prayer and Worship workshops sprinkled throughout this last year of the program -- I think that's everything but I may have left something off), and some we've learned through experiences that He placed us in BECAUSE we were in this season.
The second year included an internship that we did together, and the focus was on writing & producing music.
For us, the end of it is that we will first apply it at home and make sure we are in order with worship and leading our children at home, carrying out our roles at home, singing and writing songs with our kiddos. And we will teach these theological principles that we have learned, to our children to better equip them to impact the kingdom. We believe that as we are faithful there, the Lord will direct us further into any additional ministry areas.
That's the spiritual part of it, the practical part of it, is that it is a huge faith journey where we are really going to have to step up to the plate in a lot of areas to carry this out and we know it won't be easy!!!
Word on graduation, from our classmate Jay
Our friend, and classmate, Jay Pointer, shared with us after the graduation, regarding Pastor Hayes' prayer for us at the end of the service.
_________________________________________________
He said he saw each one of us being given a crown. The crown was gold and covered in red, blue, green jewels and diamonds. He said they were placed on our heads, followed by a gold ring with a red stone that was placed on our right hands.
We were confirmed of our efforts and were rewarded naturally with the ceremony, but as all things in the Kingdom, there are spiritual implications to what we do, and last night God rewarded us as well.
God has given us all greater power, authority, recognition and responsibility.
A new chapter has truly begun.
_________________________________________________
Thank you for this word to encourage us, Jay!!!
_________________________________________________
He said he saw each one of us being given a crown. The crown was gold and covered in red, blue, green jewels and diamonds. He said they were placed on our heads, followed by a gold ring with a red stone that was placed on our right hands.
We were confirmed of our efforts and were rewarded naturally with the ceremony, but as all things in the Kingdom, there are spiritual implications to what we do, and last night God rewarded us as well.
God has given us all greater power, authority, recognition and responsibility.
A new chapter has truly begun.
_________________________________________________
Thank you for this word to encourage us, Jay!!!
Winding Down in the Fire
(this is a repost)
The house is quiet (except for the dryer with the nap blankets for tomorrow -see previous post entitled, "Crystals" all over the wash load), now it's time to wind down with a nice quiet devotional book. So I grab "Moments Together for Couples" by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Jeoff is working on something on the computer in the other room so our minds are not exactly in sync at the time. But I have this picture in my head of a wonderful, peaceful time of devotion, intimate discussion, and prayer.
After a long long weekend and a long day for both of us, we were in a good position for a test. After a few minutes, we nestle closely and begin reading the scripture and accompanying devotional text. It's encouraging and reassuring, we feel good and we have hope.
Then come the questions at the end that challenge us to, what? Apply what we just heard.
The topic for the day, July 30, is Mid-Faith Crisis. The question asks us to share a time that we experienced our own mid-faith crisis. Now, we could have shared some surface, "loddy-doddy" story to get the question answered but shifting to the place of vulnerability takes shaking off all of the junk of the day and getting past the stuff that's blocking the doorway to the intimacy that we both so desire.
So before we got there, we went through a non-peaceful exchange that initially resulted in something on the other end of the spectrum from what we read the devotional for.
That probably sounds horrible to some but hey that's what we have to go through sometimes to get past the flesh, kill it and experience true intimacy.
After that was over we were made all the better for it. That was God's purpose in the test.
Someone told us once that God doesn't place us in marriage to make us happy, but to make us holy!
If we had chosen the surface, "loddy-doddy" story to end out the night, we would have had an uneventful night with lots and lots of sleep, but we had a test to take and some more sharpening that had to be done. More refiner's fire!
The house is quiet (except for the dryer with the nap blankets for tomorrow -see previous post entitled, "Crystals" all over the wash load), now it's time to wind down with a nice quiet devotional book. So I grab "Moments Together for Couples" by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Jeoff is working on something on the computer in the other room so our minds are not exactly in sync at the time. But I have this picture in my head of a wonderful, peaceful time of devotion, intimate discussion, and prayer.
After a long long weekend and a long day for both of us, we were in a good position for a test. After a few minutes, we nestle closely and begin reading the scripture and accompanying devotional text. It's encouraging and reassuring, we feel good and we have hope.
Then come the questions at the end that challenge us to, what? Apply what we just heard.
The topic for the day, July 30, is Mid-Faith Crisis. The question asks us to share a time that we experienced our own mid-faith crisis. Now, we could have shared some surface, "loddy-doddy" story to get the question answered but shifting to the place of vulnerability takes shaking off all of the junk of the day and getting past the stuff that's blocking the doorway to the intimacy that we both so desire.
So before we got there, we went through a non-peaceful exchange that initially resulted in something on the other end of the spectrum from what we read the devotional for.
That probably sounds horrible to some but hey that's what we have to go through sometimes to get past the flesh, kill it and experience true intimacy.
After that was over we were made all the better for it. That was God's purpose in the test.
Someone told us once that God doesn't place us in marriage to make us happy, but to make us holy!
If we had chosen the surface, "loddy-doddy" story to end out the night, we would have had an uneventful night with lots and lots of sleep, but we had a test to take and some more sharpening that had to be done. More refiner's fire!
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Only My Mama
Only my mama had the heart to tell me that I spelled Deuteronomy wrong on the top of my blog! It was spelled Deueronomy. I know, everyone else probably just didn't notice.
Alright, okay I'm back
So the last post Where Did the Weekend Go? was one of those venting type posts. I wrote it after I felt like I had been swept into the office and all of a sudden "whoooosssshhhh". I'm back at work and there is no more weekend left, where did it go!
I'm back from my shock now.
In my blog posts, I have to balance between
1) those types of moods/posts (the venting ones) and
2) the ones that provide encouragement and hope and excitement.
Because excess on either end of the spectrum is either not real or not healthy!
I'm back from my shock now.
In my blog posts, I have to balance between
1) those types of moods/posts (the venting ones) and
2) the ones that provide encouragement and hope and excitement.
Because excess on either end of the spectrum is either not real or not healthy!
Monday, June 18, 2007
Where did the weekend go?
Note: This was a weekend, that was not filled with activities and lots of places we had to be. I don't know when I'll dare to write out all the details of one of those!
- Come home from work on Friday evening, excited that the end of the week is here, ready to "lay it down" and just relax for a change.
- But, walk in the house, and there's plenty to do. Folks are hungry. Things need to be put a way that were not put away before leaving the house this morning.
- Should I sit down and try to enjoy a movie or wash a few loads of laundry or do both?
- I do neither. Because merely filling stomachs and cleaning bodies wore me out. It's already 10 o'clock. I'm going to sleep.
- Saturday morning, it would be nice to sleep in and enjoy the sound of the rain but a gang of people are hungry and need fresh clothes.
- So you better get up, make sure the smallest one has not swallowed a penny or a spider or something like that, while you were hitting the snooze button.
- Before we know it, after we've had some fun listening to music and dancing, it's lunch time then Thank God it's nap time.
- Should I take a nap too? Not unless I want this entire day to slip by with a house full of dirty clothes. So I don't. I work while they nap and get as much done as I can.
- I need to go to the store and get groceries for the week but I'm too tired. Try to get more work done when everyone's up from nap. But they're hungry again. Fix something quick and simple.
- Finally enjoy a movie at the end of the night. "Over the Hedge" Very funny. At least the part I heard. (I fell asleep after about 53 minutes.)
- Enjoyed Sunday worship service. Enjoyed time with family after. Helped Dad set up the printer on his new computer.
- Back home. Kiddos napped. I broke away to the grocery store.
- Back home. Folks are hungry again. Dad fixed a quick dinner/snack, while I finish drying and folding and putting away allllll the clothes. And dressing the beds.
- Let the kids watch the 2nd half of "Over the Hedge" AGAIN. While I lay out the clothes for the next day.
- Wha! Wait! Is it almost Monday again!!???
- Come home from work on Friday evening, excited that the end of the week is here, ready to "lay it down" and just relax for a change.
- But, walk in the house, and there's plenty to do. Folks are hungry. Things need to be put a way that were not put away before leaving the house this morning.
- Should I sit down and try to enjoy a movie or wash a few loads of laundry or do both?
- I do neither. Because merely filling stomachs and cleaning bodies wore me out. It's already 10 o'clock. I'm going to sleep.
- Saturday morning, it would be nice to sleep in and enjoy the sound of the rain but a gang of people are hungry and need fresh clothes.
- So you better get up, make sure the smallest one has not swallowed a penny or a spider or something like that, while you were hitting the snooze button.
- Before we know it, after we've had some fun listening to music and dancing, it's lunch time then Thank God it's nap time.
- Should I take a nap too? Not unless I want this entire day to slip by with a house full of dirty clothes. So I don't. I work while they nap and get as much done as I can.
- I need to go to the store and get groceries for the week but I'm too tired. Try to get more work done when everyone's up from nap. But they're hungry again. Fix something quick and simple.
- Finally enjoy a movie at the end of the night. "Over the Hedge" Very funny. At least the part I heard. (I fell asleep after about 53 minutes.)
- Enjoyed Sunday worship service. Enjoyed time with family after. Helped Dad set up the printer on his new computer.
- Back home. Kiddos napped. I broke away to the grocery store.
- Back home. Folks are hungry again. Dad fixed a quick dinner/snack, while I finish drying and folding and putting away allllll the clothes. And dressing the beds.
- Let the kids watch the 2nd half of "Over the Hedge" AGAIN. While I lay out the clothes for the next day.
- Wha! Wait! Is it almost Monday again!!???
Saturday, June 16, 2007
CTI Graduation Dinner
Tonight was the CTI graduation dinner. We had a nice meal, a word from Pastor Ralph Holland, on 8 Sure Ways to Fail in Ministry, and How to Avoid Them, including Poor Time Management, and Lack of Integrity.After Pastor Holland spoke, we received brief words of wisdom and encouragement from our instructors Michael Boos, Melanie Brondo, Pastor Daniel Erickson, Ken Loomis, Sue Loomis, Charles Rosson, and Prakash Wright, and the CORE Leaders - Alynna Jiminez & Christy Tizo.
After the program we took lots of pictures, met classmates' family and friends, and talked and talked and talked! These folks are truly like family!
Monday, June 11, 2007
My girl's big day!!
This weekend was the big recital we've been working hard for all year! She was so excited and they had a lot of fun!!!
Of course the mommies were more tired and pooped than the girls were but it was all worth it!
Salamanders!
Does anyone have a solution to share with me? I found one under my daughter's crib when I moved it to clean, today and I completely FREAKED OUT!!!
I hate creep crawling anythings!
I managed to scurry over to the bathroom in time to grab my Scotch Brite long-handled scrubber, twist the sponge off, find him snuggled against the wall, and whack him with the handle.
That only took care of his tail though! Oh my goodness! Now I've lost him! Maybe he's dead since he has no tail.
Well I want to be sure of that!! So I push the bed all the way back. I'm sweating now and looking all around to be sure he doesn't get away! And I find him coiled up in a ball. But I don't know for sure whether he's dead or not. So I whack him again!
Now, upon his death, he has the same freaked out look that I had! Ha!
Victory!
But I don't want to see them anymore!!! I didn't find much when I searched online other than, "don't kill them" (too late) and one or two other suggestions. I'm looking for someone who knows what works!
Please let me know!! Seriously.
That's me and how freaked out I was
(just being silly by posting this here!!!)
I took IT'S picture when it was all over and placed him below.
I took IT'S picture when it was all over and placed him below.
I hate creep crawling anythings!
I managed to scurry over to the bathroom in time to grab my Scotch Brite long-handled scrubber, twist the sponge off, find him snuggled against the wall, and whack him with the handle.
That only took care of his tail though! Oh my goodness! Now I've lost him! Maybe he's dead since he has no tail.
Well I want to be sure of that!! So I push the bed all the way back. I'm sweating now and looking all around to be sure he doesn't get away! And I find him coiled up in a ball. But I don't know for sure whether he's dead or not. So I whack him again!
Now, upon his death, he has the same freaked out look that I had! Ha!
Victory!
But I don't want to see them anymore!!! I didn't find much when I searched online other than, "don't kill them" (too late) and one or two other suggestions. I'm looking for someone who knows what works!
Please let me know!! Seriously.
Monday, June 04, 2007
Book Recommendations
Click any of the books below to see more information. They are excellent recommendations on marriage, parenting, homeschooling and more!
Also, click here to see my new online bookstore
Great Homeschool Resource
Great book by Dr. Gary & Barbara Rosberg, of America's Famiily Coaches
Jimmy Evans, one of the best teachers on marriage, ever!
Great Book for women. Questions we're sometimes afraid to ask.
Kevin Leman. Great to hear this kind of teaching from a Christian!
Also, click here to see my new online bookstore
Great Homeschool Resource
Great book by Dr. Gary & Barbara Rosberg, of America's Famiily Coaches
Jimmy Evans, one of the best teachers on marriage, ever!
Great Book for women. Questions we're sometimes afraid to ask.
Kevin Leman. Great to hear this kind of teaching from a Christian!
Friday, June 01, 2007
Frustrated with Reading
I was off work today and out of all the things I could do on a day that I have completely to myself, one of the things I chose was the library.
I got a new card for this area, and was informed that there is not a limit for the number of check out items, for new card holders.
It had been so long since I'd been to the library, that I went a little overboard. I got a set of reading books for my kinder girl, a book on How Boys Learn, Montessori from the Start, Reading Can Be Fun, Love and Logic Solutions for Kids with Special Needs, The First Year of Homeschooling Your Child by Linda Dobson, Simeon's Gift by Julie Andrews, How Computers Affect Our Children's Minds - for Better and Worse by Jane M. Healy (Author of Endangered Minds) and an Eyewitness that covers Planets becuase we have taken a break from all other TV/Videos/Movies for a while.
I brought them home, knowing that this would be a rare day that I have so much free time, and I literally tried to read one of them (The Mind of Boys) in its entirety while I ate my Colter's baked potato in the parking lot.
Much to my dismay, I did not finish the book in that setting. I looked up and it was already 2:30PM! I have so much more to do when I get home, and won't have much time at all to read this afternoon.
I wanted to get all those books in, in one day and then some! At least the ones primarily for adult readers. :-)
If I could I would complete all manner of research on the internet that I want to do as well. All before 5PM. But I cannot.
So I became frustrated!!
I'll get in what I can fit in and the rest will be worked in later.
I got a new card for this area, and was informed that there is not a limit for the number of check out items, for new card holders.
It had been so long since I'd been to the library, that I went a little overboard. I got a set of reading books for my kinder girl, a book on How Boys Learn, Montessori from the Start, Reading Can Be Fun, Love and Logic Solutions for Kids with Special Needs, The First Year of Homeschooling Your Child by Linda Dobson, Simeon's Gift by Julie Andrews, How Computers Affect Our Children's Minds - for Better and Worse by Jane M. Healy (Author of Endangered Minds) and an Eyewitness that covers Planets becuase we have taken a break from all other TV/Videos/Movies for a while.
I brought them home, knowing that this would be a rare day that I have so much free time, and I literally tried to read one of them (The Mind of Boys) in its entirety while I ate my Colter's baked potato in the parking lot.
Much to my dismay, I did not finish the book in that setting. I looked up and it was already 2:30PM! I have so much more to do when I get home, and won't have much time at all to read this afternoon.
I wanted to get all those books in, in one day and then some! At least the ones primarily for adult readers. :-)
If I could I would complete all manner of research on the internet that I want to do as well. All before 5PM. But I cannot.
So I became frustrated!!
I'll get in what I can fit in and the rest will be worked in later.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)