Ice Ice Skating!

The first Fridays of the month are homeschook skate day at our local rink. We LOVE to ice skate, but haven't been able to attend the past few months because we have been busy. So, today we got up and headed to breakfast together and then over to the rink.

We love this day because we can get our tickets AND skates for only $5 per person...compared to almost $10 other days. And boy were there lots of homeschoolers there today! There were so many, that they had to resurface the ice in the middle of our 2 hour block! We have gone before several times and it's always a BLAST!

We all had to get our ice feet about us...and then...we were off!

Dad and the girls take a break while the Zamboni works its magic!

The girls had never seen a Zamboni at work before, so their faces (and ours) were glued to watching it...pretty cool thingie:)

Until next month...

A Pirate's Life for Me!

For several years, our children have been loving AWANA and I love being their leader! Last year I was able to lead Anli's group and this year I am Virginia' leader. I absolutely LOVE to see and hear children reading and memorizing God's Word...and having a BLAST doing it! We have had several theme nights and one that was especially fun was Pirate night. They ALL were so cute.

I love this picture below of Virginia getting ready for VBS this year...we are doing High Seas and the kids were getting ready for a voyage of getting God's Word in their hearts!!! But, I also love one other of our kids in the background totally into the song:) OK, here is just one of the million things I love about Anli. She is in the preteen group at our church called The Edge. They have begun meeting for worship time with the AWANA kids and though most of the other kids don't want to dress up anymore...my Anli is ALL over it! She is SO enthusiastic about everything that to not jump in with BOTH feet is unheard of for her. Her enthusiasm has rubbed off on a few of the "I'm too cool" kids:) You GO girl!

During game time they had a treasure hunt and it was a blast! Last year, they had it in hay...and since Virginia is HIGHLY allergic to weeds, grasses, etc. she about couldn't breathe. So, this year they chose packing peanuts...THANK you!!! They searched for coins and those coins were worth points for store night.

Beautiful...

Last week Virginia had her ballet class photos...beautiful! My girl loves ballet and is determined to get to do pointe. I don't think I ever took ballet (I was more of a gymnast, softball, cheerleader type...surprising right?) but I love to watch my girl and love that she has found something she truly enjoys and is really good at. This is her 5th year and she is doing great! I'm really proud of you sweet girl...you are beautiful inside and out!

Cupcake Fun!

Anli is taking a cupcake decorating class and is doing a wonderful job!!! Last time she made the cutest little dog cupcakes. I wish I could take the class with her...I'd love to try it! The best part of the class (for us!) is that she makes one for herself and one to SHARE. We always look forward to Tuesdays...

Enrichment Idea: St. Patrick's Day

If you would like to take a few days to focus on St. Patrick's Day here are a few things I am using this week.

Here is a short (9 minute) Veggie Tale Clip that you might want to watch...pretty good stuff on the history of Patrick in classic Veggie Tale style!




Also there is a download for $4 for a lapbook on Saint Patrick and Ireland. It goes over the history and geography of Ireland and the history of Saint Patrick. We are not doing the whole lapbook (not enough time along with all else we are doing!) but we are simply doing a modified file folder book of the things that we are interested in and are important. Check it out:

http://www.currclick.com/product_info.php?products_id=34275&it=1&filters=0_0_0_0

Also there is a recorded class on all this too:

http://www.currclick.com/product_info.php?products_id=34216&it=1&filters=0_0_0_0

Hope this helps you this week as it did me and my family! Enjoy...

PS. Don't forget to buy your family some Lucky Charms Cereal:) We got that today and the girls were THRILLED!! Jay was pretty happy too...he loves that cereal:)

Braces!

A few weeks ago (yeah...I'm behind from taking a break) Virginia got braces and she looks absolutely adorable! She had an expander in her mouth last year and when she lost her front upper and lower teeth, our orthodontist told us it was time for braces!

Jay took off work that morning in order to be there for the BIG day and we were all really excited! What a GREAT daddy we have!!!

She was a little nervous that it might be sore, but she loves them! She chose pink and purple for her first colors...and that is what she was the MOST excited about...choosing the colors. She gets to change them every time she goes in (6 weeks) so she will get to have lots of different options:) She can already notice a difference! I can't even imagine how beautiful that smile will be in 9 months...'cause it's ALWAYS been gorgeous to me!!!

Love. that. smile!

Our orthodontist is amazing and almost every one of my friends have taken their children there. I LOVE his office (though it is quite a drive from our house...but he is WORTH it!) because all the kids' chairs face out these floor to ceiling windows looking out over the woods. They also have multiple bird feeders that bring amazingly beautiful birds for them to watch...you can see Anli is mesmerized!! Daddy...well...he is standing watch over his baby girl:)

This is the wildest and smartest contraption. It holds their lips back so that they can "paint" on the sealants so they do not get cavities around and under the brackets. But...it makes for one crazy smile!

They give all the kids their own mirror to watch everything that they do. They talk through each step and let them view it so that they are not anxious or scared. Love them.

Then...they quick dry everything...looks kind of something from outer space!

Then...the MAN comes to place all the brackets and get it just right. We ***LOVE*** him!! He is a Christian and is just a neat guy. (These are from my iphone...not good quality...but family was waiting for instant photos!!)

What a CUTIE PIE!!! I tell ya...she is one amazing girl!!!

Germany Fun!

For the past 3 weeks we have been studying Germany and have had a great time learning about all the amazing things found there. We are really blessed to know someone (my roommate from college!) who is living there now and has sent us TONS of wonderful pictures! We have studied about the castles, Martin Luther, German foods...AND we ended with a fun and yummy dessert.

We had been reading a few Grim's Fairy Tales during the week in our Literature part of studying Germany and then I found an idea in Family Fun magazine to make a fairy tale village. Well, instead we just let the girls' imaginations run wild and make their very own fairy tale house out of cake, lots of different candies, and icing.

Virginia went with the castle from Rupunzel and even had the idea to braid some of the candy leather to make her hair. I do have to say that I don't remember some of the way Grim's fairy tales went...Rupunzel in a dessert with twins? I didn't remember THAT part! Anli made Tinkerbell's house in the movies that have recently come out. She made a tea pot home...just right for a Tinker fairy!

Then...we ATE them! It was a sweet way to end our tour of Germany. And now...we are headed to Africa for a while and I can't even wait!!! I have so much stuff to share with the girls, video to watch from our trips there, and lots of photos!

The neatest part is that we are meeting each month with a lady and her EIGHT children to help teach her English and to share Jesus' love as she is here as a new refugee. God has PERFECT timing...we can also be brushing up on our Swahili!

Raising some Safe Side Superchicks!

Last night in AWANA, my hubby showed the first part of a video that I loved!!! I couldn't wait to share it with you today. It was put together by the lady who began the Baby Einstein videos and John Walsh from America's Most Wanted. It is a REALLY goofy and funny video to keep your kids on the "safe side." And I tell ya...it's really good!

We have always talked extensively to our kids about strangers, personal space, etc. but I learned some really good things in this video that I could see my girls not realizing the dangers in. Jay and I both thought it was excellent in content and FUNNY in presentation...I mean really goofy:) The kids loved it and laughed and paid perfect attention.

It comes with a family guide that we are going to use. I pray every morning for protection for my girls...but I must also teach them too! This fun video encouraged us to have some good conversations and we look forward to seeing the rest of it and talking through the family guide.

You can go visit their site at:

http://www.thesafeside.com/

So...stay on the safe side! We are watching this video with both of the girls, but your older kids might think it's kind of young. So, mainly elementary kids is best for these videos...and I tell ya...they LOVE it!!! Thanks Jay for taking time in AWANA to keep all our kiddos on the "safe side."

Lent Update

This has been the most wonderful Easter season for our family! My husband has been wonderfully consistent and leading family devotion times each morning at the breakfast table. But time each night around the candles and the readings and discussion about prophecies fulfilled in Jesus Christ has been so powerful for all of us. We have even begun have time to sing together each night about the cross and about the gift for Jesus Christ and our salvation. It has truly been an amazing gift!!

I am praying that after 40 days of not only meeting together around the breakfast table, but rejoicing together each night in God's Word will instill a holy habit in our family's day. It is so sweet to go to bed each night meditating on the prophecies and promises that are answered yes and amen in Christ!

We have also enjoy adding to our Easter tree each and every night! And we have kept out Lenten lights going each night during devotion that Noel piper encouraged us to begin.

It is quite powerful when each Sunday we snuff out one night. As it gets it gets harder to see, we are reminded of getting closer and closer to the death and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

I pray that you will go to Noel Pipers article on Lent and even if you haven't started now do it for the week before Easter. She has an option in her article for the week before Easter and the readings that you will need. They are wonderful and full of Scripture!

I pray that you are encouraged in your walk with God during this season of Lent to focus completely on the cross and boast in Jesus alone!

A year ago today...

One year ago today my grandmother saw her beautiful Savior face-to-
face. Today has been filled with joy and sadness inside. I miss my
grandmother.

I am named for my grand mother. I was very close to her because we
spent many many days together while my mother, who was newly
divorced,work. She has always been one of my very best friends.

So today here are some things I'm missing about my grandmother...

I miss calling her Honey.

I miss the way she would "wooohooo" to let us know where she was.

I miss how she would dance the "Sumter Jump" at most family functions
( we all LOVE to dance!!).

I miss how people would look at us strangely when I would call out
"Honey" and my little grandmother would come:)

I miss how she knew EVERYONE in Birmingham.

I miss how she would cook her famous biscuits special for our family
on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I miss how she would send me cards with the date written out...the
ninth day of March...on the first page.

I miss how she loved and cared for her roses and her garden. She did
ALL the rose topiary trees at my wedding reception!!!

I miss how seeing just one bluebird would make her week.

I miss how she was "Big Frances (standing 5 feet tall) and I was
called "Little Frances (standing at 5 foot 8)!

I miss how I was the only one who could wear her amazingly beautiful
clothes and shoes...yet now I have them for my own. I still wear a
grey sweatshirt with her I initials on it at my house. Boy...I miss her.

I miss how she would read her Bible EVERY morning and pray the Lord's
prayer every night. She is the one who taught me to pray.

I miss how when I was little and we would hear the trains go by...she
would tell me to thank the Lord I wasn't on it!

I miss how she was the one who made meals for the nuns...she was
Catholic.

I miss how everyone loved Frances Cole.

I miss the way she would go overboard on presents...and would have the
classic excited response to every one she opened. Everyone in my
family can mimic it! I'm smiling thinking of it:)

I miss her South Carolina drawl.

I miss how she always smelled of Jergens cherry almond lotion...so
much so that last summer I bought some to wear myself. And my kids
love the way I smell...and I know it's because of her.

I miss how much she loved us all...and especially me.

Oh how I miss her today.

Many people will never understand how someone could be so close to
their grandmother. That makes me sad that so many people don't have
that closeness. It is a gift.

Everyone in my family knows she and I had something special...they say
I was her favorite. But, I know that she and I shared times when I was
just a little girl going through a pretty rough time...and she was
there.

Never underestimate the time you invest in children.

They know.

They remember the way you smell...if you get close enough and are
around enough. They will remeber how you danced...if you are joyful
around them. They will remember how you talked...if you take time to
share and relate to them. They know.

Honey...you set a high bar for me. I pray that my own girls and
grandchildren and great grandchildren will remember me so well. You
were one in a lifetime! I'm just grateful it was MY lifetime...

I love you,
Frances
The ninth day of March, two thousand and ten.

Enrichment Idea...

If you have time...don't forget the Iditarod began this weekend and there is a website with all kinds of info!

http://www.iditarod.com/

There is also a Disney movie called "Snow Dogs" about the race. We haven't seen it, but are going to check it out. We did find a Discovery documentary on the race that we are watching tonight. The race is for the next 2 weeks so you have
time to get some library books and learn some about this race...it's pretty cool!!!! Have fun...

More fun...

A Taste of Spring!!!

We are SO enjoying some wonderful sunshine and a beautiful day!!! Time for some frisbee fun in the sun...

Woohooo!!!

We just booked our trip to the beach...it's gonna be hard to wait!!!!

If you are looking for a great place with a beachfront hotel...with a HUGE indoor water park you should head to the Dune Village resort! This is out second time and we ***LOVE*** it:) We love that you get the best of both worlds...the beach AND waterpark!!! We also love The Boardwalk too! We have already begun counting the days!!! Wooohooo...bring on the beach:)

Overflow Series...

OK...so as I have taken a break from blogging I have been reading and praying...and I am super excited about a new series that God has put on my heart to share about. I will be doing most of my posting about it on the Desert Flower Ministries blog, but may use some of it here too!

I will be doing a series on Overflow. For years I have been focusing on being satisfied and totally thriving in our personal relationship with God through the daily power of His Word. Then, about 2 years ago, God laid Isaiah 58 on my heart and my life again changed forever! Those who TRULY thrive are those who allow themselves to OVERFLOW what God is pouring into them!

Psalm 23 shows the picture perfectly when it says:

"You anoint my head with oil...my CUP OVERFLOWS!"

When God anoints our heads, blesses our lives, pour into our lives His eternal love and salvation...you WILL overflow! So, for a while I will be focusing most of my posts on the DFM blog about how that looks for us as women, wives, moms, employees, and most importantly followers of Christ everyday.

We will begin with prayer...mainly because I have been using an AMAZINGLY fun and effective prayer tool. You are going to **LOVE** it:) I am still getting all the pieces together though I have been praying this way for a while now and find it oh so helpful for those of us whose minds dart to all sorts of things during prayer time. If you are discouraged with your prayer time...PLEASE come and be encouraged by some FUN and powerful ways to pray over those you love!

I'm excited! I feel like God brought me to this break to speak fresh inspiration and fresh words into my heart. And...you know I just LOVE to share;) We will not only tackle prayer but overflowing into the lives of those around you...the homeless, the poor, the widows, the orphans, YOUR FAMILY (yes, God specifically tells us about how to care for our family in Isaiah 58...and not turn our backs on them for ministering to others!! Good stuff!!!) and so much more.

You may want to hit your local dollar store and get you one of these...

It's a plain old cheap photo brag book that you can find anywhere. The prayer series will open up with using one of these in a fun and creative way to really focus your prayer life! Can you tell I'm having a hard time waiting to share...Monday!!!!


Thrive 365~
Frances

Back up and running!

OK...I know...my blog was closed down for a few days. I have had lots of emails, texts, and phone calls to find out what in the world is going on:) First, thanks for your sweet support and for caring! Next, I'll just share what has been on my heart for the past few weeks...and trust me...it's not very dramatic. Sorry if it has come across that way:)



Here's the deal. I have been hearing from several women that this whole blog thing (not mine in particular) is causing them some struggle in feeling badly about themselves as a mother, wife, and follower of Christ. That made me really sad...and truthfully...a little worried about my own blog. I NEVER want for this to be a place of condemnation, boasting, or pride. So, I planned to take some time to make SURE that there was not any boasting in my spirit. I just wanted some time to make sure of the reasoning behind WHY I blog...to make sure I wasn't one of those blogs!



Then, I had a security scare recently. Someone was googling my daughter and ended up on a friend's COMMENT...then linked to my blog. Now, hers is not a popular name...in fact we made it up. Not to say there are not others with that name...we just don't know anyone. It also was associated with some key words that involved her interests. So, needless to say...I panicked! We have to be really careful on this World Wide Web thing!!! There are WAY too many people out there who are NOT for our good.



Thankfully, my wonderful friend Rhonda (who is a computer web guru) and I found out there actually is another Anli AND her interest. So...for now...I feel better. But, I'm still thinking about all of this.



Finally, last week was a hard week for me. I was processing some hard adoption issues that are going on in Uganda right now. I was hurting for my friends, other families, and finally for our own journey. I just didn't feel like blogging...I felt like praying. I felt like resting. I needed to just relax in God's goodness and comfort.



So, that is why there has been a lapse in blogging. That is why it was closed down for a while.
It was nice to not blog for a while...but you know...I missed it! I really LIKE having the accountability to blog each week.



BUT...I do not ever want this to be a place where anyone feels like a bad mother, friend, woman, wife, or follower of Christ. I have talked with several women whom I love and respect (and they blog too) and we all have agreed that we just can't help how people take our blogs. As long as WE are always testing ourselves in prayer and by the Word of God and not seeing it as a place to boast...we just can't control how people process our blogs. We just have to glorify Him in it. If you ever have feelings that way when reading my blog, I beg you not to read it. I would never want to discourage you or cause you any hurt in any way! I would ask you just to kick my blog to the curb:)


Here is my philosophy on this whole blog thing....the reason I even blog at all (and this is more for me than anyone else!). This is seriously my family album. I have already put it into book form and am ordering it. It is the only way that I can, living in a small apartment with NO space to scrapbook, keep up with all the wonderful memories God grants to me every single day! Sitting down each Sunday to blog for the week (No, I do NOT blog every day!) allows me to enjoy all the blessings God has given me in being a mother, wife, friend, and follower of Him. I have found that the more off topic stuff I post...the more work I have to do in editing it out:) So, I'm keeping it to mainly events and memories.



I also enjoy passing great ideas on to other moms that have been passed on to me. And, thankfully I have heard from some of you that it has been helpful. What a blessing to my heart! Let's encourage each other on this mom journey! I know I need all the help I can get from God- loving moms:)



Now, here's what you won't find on my blog. Because I would be UTTERLY embarrassed and devastated if Jay Facebooked all the things that frustrate, irritate, and bother him that I do or how I am...I do not share those things about him or my kids here either. It would hurt my feelings SO badly if he used that public forum to "share" about all the stuff I do that irks him each day...and it would be SEVERAL times a day I'm sure:)

Those times are so fleeting and are here today and gone tomorrow. Yet, if you are a reader and not my close friend...you wouldn't know that. You might have a very skewed view of my husband and children and family. There is no context for those who don't know us and how much we adore each other. And if it would hurt my feelings...I don't want to take the chance with theirs.



My mentor has also warned me many times about what I write about others. It is there when you are gone...and we don't know when that will be! They won't have a context for how you were feeling right then. They won't realize that it was just a venting time and you got over it. They will only have what you have written about them. And when you are gone...that will be VERY powerful. It happened to her...and she never forgot it. I also don't write all those kinds of things in my prayer journal anymore either. I simply write what I got out of the passage and pray for them in my heart. So, it's not just in the blog I don't write those things...it's everywhere:) Words are powerful, and we must use them VERY carefully. Especially on the web where we aren't friends with everyone who visits. They don't know our hearts!



So, if it sounds like we never have any problems or have any troubles...that's just because I share those with people I know are for my good AND will pray for me. And you might be one of those...but I don't know who in the world (literally!!) is reading this...so I don't want to share personal issues that involve my family with the world. If you want to know those kinds of things...let's get together, email, or talk on the phone. Let's pray together and for each other:) But, you won't find that stuff on the blog. This is just one of those boring family album blogs;)



You WILL find all the great things God allows us to do as a family, blessings from the week, encouragement He has given to us, and great ideas that I find from other moms:) I don't think of too many things myself...I usually have super cool and groovy friends who pass along things! And I probably will end up doing something you share on your blog too;) Isn't that so fun?


I'll be back among the bloggers soon! I really am missing it:) And, now I am already behind on my album...