Does this look like fall colors? I am trying to utilize the colors of the leaves as they turn their luscious colors. Spring is awesome and yet fall shares it glory as well. I'm just going to give what writer's call a "teaser" here. Something awesome is happening in the fall and if you stay tuned, you'll hear all about it! And no silly, it's not a baby coming!

Enjoy your day!!!!

It's PB's 6th birthday today! Aww did I mention that I LOVE my kids? PB is a thankful child that is as honest as can be. He loves people and talking is a favorite pastime, but with being surrounded by 3 sisters, he doesn't get to finish many of his sentences!! He loves to seek out strangers and tell them about the Lord or challenge their faith! I have felt from his baby days that he would be an evangelist one day......it is coming true! One community meeting that we had a few months ago demonstrated just this fact. We were milling around as a family in one large warehouse room, looking over maps and excel energy power line stuff, and PB was assumed to be "with one of the kids"; however, we found that after a period of time, he wasn't. He wasn't in any danger, just seeking out strangers to chat with about the Lord. He went and sat down next to one stranger, looked up at her with his blonde hair and bright brown eyes and said, "Maam, do you celebrate Halloween?" She looked at this irresistable young boy, all alone, and perhaps thought that he was lonely and wanted to talk about the upcoming calendar event. She happily replied, "Yes! I do!" PB sighed and then said, "You know, you really shouldn't do that....it's worshiping the devil." She sat speechless and stunned.... I'm sure she did not know what hit her. Now I do need to mention that little PB is a bit prophetic as well as evangelistic! So this a little glimmer into the life of our fabulous little guy that makes my heart sing..... HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PB! We sure do love you!

~mom

I love to read along with Lorrie Flem, author of TEACH. I borrowed portions of this from her blog. If you are a fellow Home Schooler, you know it's true!

~You would rather shop at the local used book store than a clothing store.

~You give the kid's fun ideas and encourage them to play dress-up and call it "history."
~You ask for more bookshelves for your birthday (and you get them!)
~Your kids hear you talking to yourself and you call it a "Parent-Teacher Conference."

~You and some of the kids go to town at 1 p.m. and as the cashier gives you a funny look and asks, "Why are you kids......." and your kids all respond in unison, "We're home-schooled."
~You get to kiss the principal when he walks into the room.

~Your school isn't too politically correct to teach "Home Economics" (Suzie, go change the baby's diaper and Sam, go whip up some lunch!)
~And at our house, you see your daughter hanging upside down, drooped over the couch, reading a book and you sigh and thank the Lord for this awesome opportunity!

The Cook’s Thesaurus


This is a great site to use if you need to substitute an ingredient. It is not all exhaustive, but it does give great ideas and fun alternatives to something you suddenly discover you don't have, but need!

ENJOY!! Let me know what you think!
~karla

It is such a beautiful day in Minnesota! I so love home schooling our children....random thoughts, any connections? Absolutely! I think getting out into the fresh air and working together is schooling.... talking, learning, laughing and growing together.

Fresh air and sunshine are an awesome combination after winter. Pulling out the deck furniture, working in the flower beds, planning for things to come....yep, spring is a happy time of year. I love to hear the kids jumping on the tramp, the roosters crowing, the birds singing happily as they build their nests and the horse galloping with heavy footsteps in the soft pliable dirt in the pasture. Living in the country is so refreshing. Sitting outside among trees and cornfields, watching the bunnies happily nibble on the hopeful shoots of soon coming grass. The sun setting across the field with it's awesome majestic beauty...colors of orange, vibrant pinks and golds. MMmmm yep, my heart is blessed.

Spring has Sprung!

It's so awesome to have Spring around again. Here in the frozen tundra, sometimes it feels as though it plays hide and seek with us - on and off again - for several weeks, sometimes months! I don't see the flowers pushing their heads up out of the fresh soil yet, but the ice has gone and the snow is on it's way out. Mud has arrived and with that the joy of children and mud puddles. I looked out the window yesterday as I sat in the office and saw our precious 5 year old son out standing in his mud boots, on a board that had been layed across the pond last summer. Now the pond was full of ice cold water, but to a boy with a stick, it is pure pleasure! Oh the days of youthful childhood. No bills to pay, no "to do list" hanging over you, no meals to prepare or worries to deal with.......just the sunshine, a stick and a huge pond of water..... hhhmm that could preach. How many times do we long to be outdoors in the sunny days, enjoying some solitude with our Maker and His creation.......the water, the stick, the gentle breeze. We tend to complicate things.

I love Spring and the newness of life it represents. The new blossoms on the trees excite me, the flowers in my flower bed making their way up to the surface to pop out and quickly bloom thrill me, the sounds of birds chirping and filling the air with their song. Aren't these things so much more valuable than things that can be bought? These are incredible creations that can be merely passed by without thought, or they can be appreciated and enjoyed as a child at heart. Simply, completely.

Walks with my honey, bike rides with my family, tending to the fresh herbs in my kitchen window sill.... yes spring is in the air.

Take time today to thank the One who made it all. I can promise, it'll put a spring in your step and a smile in your heart!

~Happy Spring!