Haven at Home Happenings...

Sharing snapshots of our happenings this week...

Daddy had the day off on Monday
and took the younger ones fishing.
I was able to capture a few shots of them
when I was bringing something to them
that had been left at home.

I enjoyed seeing them having fun together...


Watching brother



Enjoying solitude



Learning from Daddy



Fishing together


Later, at home and with friends visiting,
Ally and her friend walked the neighborhood
inviting folks to our church's upcoming Pig Pickin'.
I was able to get a shot of them
as they were across the street...



It was a blessing and joy to see them so eager
to serve the LORD in this way.
And we enjoyed their delightful stories
when they returned!


In the evening, the younger children and a friend,
enjoyed playing in the leaves...



Also, this week, Will was reading in one of his books
about how to make an acorn top,
so he didn't delay in going outside to our large oak tree
to begin making his own top... and tops for his sisters...




Some of our homeschool work
was done at church this week,
as we spent a couple of hours there,
during the day, to clean it.

The younger children sat at a table
while Ally and I worked...


Practicing reading
(Carolynne has been doing such a wonderful job
with learning to read this year! I'm proud of her!)



Beth reading in a reader.
She, also, finished a missionary story book this week!



Will practicing cursive and other miscellaneous subjects


In addition to cleaning, Ally enjoyed playing on the Grand...




Some shots from home...









Also this week we went to Beth's violin lessons.
She played, for the first time,
with a piano accompaniment
and did quite well for the little amount of time
that she's been taking lessons and practicing.
We're looking forward to her upcoming recital!

Today we look forward to spending
the morning out-of-doors,
meeting at the park with our homeschool group
and then fellowshipping with friends afterwards.
I hope you, too, have enjoyed your week
and have a wonderful weekend!

Family Photos 2009....

This past Saturday we packed up the van
with the camera, tripod, and children
and decided to head out-of-doors
to take our annual family photos.

I couldn't decide which ones to share
and which ones not to so there are
a lot of photos in this post. ;o)


1st stop... a secluded place in the woods

Strolling along...




A quick run...




Ready... Set... Go...




Together ...




On a log...




With Daddy...




Daddy and Mama...




All together...





2nd stop... a local pier
It was sunny and quite windy
but we managed to get a couple of good shots...








a snuggle to keep from being chilled...









3rd stop... under a large, old, twisting oak tree


An outtake...

Notice Carolynne's silly expression? lol


Take Two...




The children together...




Daddy and Mama...




All together...





After those three stops and Mama getting a workout
by running back and forth setting the timer on the camera,
we were chilly, a little tired, and windblown
so Daddy blessed us with a special treat...

















And onion rings are good for more than just eating...


LOL


Now it's time to order prints and photo cards!
Hope you enjoyed sharing our day with us. *Ü*

Happy Birthday to Someone Special...

The LORD has blessed me with two siblings.
I love the relationship that we now share as adults!
It has been such a precious blessing to me
to not only have a relationship with them as my siblings
but to have them as my fellow brother and sister in Christ
and as dear friends.


Today is my sister's birthday!


I love you, Sis, and thank and praise God for you,
in so many ways!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY,
to my sister and friend!!!


my brother, my sister, and I - taken Feb 2008

psst... she's recently began blogging a little more...
please feel free to go by and wish her a Happy Birthday, too. ;o)


"This is the day which the LORD hath made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it." ~ Psalm 118:24

Weekend Collages...

We enjoyed our Thanksgiving weekend,
as we had extra time with Daddy,
which was a real blessing!
Below are some photo collages I'm sharing
(to save time, I've put them in collages)
from our weekend together.



Dad and Will worked together on our world puzzle;
Daddy, Beth, and Carolynne made lots of
sea creatures out of play dough;
Daddy and the children cleaned the yard
and raked the leaves;
Mama and Ally spent time sewing jumpers



I caught Beth and Carolynne attempting
to make the 'hotch potch' alphabet (with their bodies),
copying a puzzle that we picked up in Williamsburg
two and half years ago. It was quite comical...




Some of our food from Thanksgiving Day...

Turkey stuffed with homemade dressing;
ranch mashed potatoes; green bean casserole;
cheddar cheese ball; giblet gravy;
chai pumpkin pie; ginger streusel pumpkin pie


I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving Day, too,
and may our praise and thanksgiving continue
throughout the year!


"By him therefore let us offer
the sacrifice of praise to God continually,
that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name."
~ Hebrews 13:15

Happy December!

Gladly welcoming this last month of the year!
The joys of warm hats, gloves, and coats...
Hot tea, warm cocoa, seasonal treats...
Cold, clear nights; bright seasonal lights...
The potential, anticipation, and beauty of snow...
Singing songs of our Saviour's birth!

Happy December!




Winter Blanket

The snow is like a blanket that
God spreads across the land,
Where wheat and oats and barley sleep,
Awaiting spring's command.

It covers all the pasture fields,
And hides the grasses brown:
It gives the bare, gray willow tree
A clinging, woolly gown.

It wraps around a fencepost tall,
And covers up its head,
Then drifts along the meadow banks
To tuck the creek in bed.

~ Ada L. Wine





Winter's Blessings

Pretty little snowflakes
Falling to the ground;
Here is one, there is one,
Everywhere they're found.

See them fall so gently
Through the frosty air;
Every little snowflake
Has its beauties rare.

Soon the ground is covered
With the pretty snow;
Then we see the snowbirds
Flying to and fro.

Happy little creatures -
Do not reap or sow;
Yet the Master feeds them,
Even in the snow.

~ author unknown

Simple Woman's Daybook ~ November 30, 2009

For today... November 30, 2009


Outside my window...
darkness fills the night,
the rain is lightly falling


I am thinking...
of the good time that we had today,
as a family, spending time with friends


I am thankful for...
the blessing of the Holy Spirit


I am wearing...
black/brown paisley,
square neck/regency style dress


I am remembering...
to trust the Lord
and to choose gratitude


I am going...
to enjoy a cup of hot chai green tea
before retiring for the night


I am reading...
my KJ Bible through in a year,
currently in Nehemiah, Song of Solomon, 2 Corinthians;
the book of Job with my husband;
A Wife After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George;
A Woman's Walk With God by Elizabeth George;
When Women Walk Alone by Cindi McMenamin;
For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn;
Order in the Court by Sherry Hutson Camperson;
Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey;
A Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola;
Keeping Our Children's Hearts by Steve and Teri Maxwell
How to Be Happy by Leon F. Maurer
Choosing Gratitude by Nancy Leigh DeMoss (with my eldest)


I am hoping (praying)...
for the Holy Spirit's continued work
in the hearts of the ones I love;
for those friends/family that I have
that still need to accept Christ as their Savior;
for my aunt that is very ill


On my mind...
the love of God


From the learning rooms...
being students of God's Word in John and Ruth;
learning of Ancient Greece
and other miscellaneous subjects


Noticing that...
giving thanks and praise to the LORD of all
is easy, natural, and overflowing when we have a heart
of thankfulness and an attitude of gratitude


Pondering these words...
"Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks,
and to look well to thy herds."
~ Proverbs 27:23
(my "Mama-ing" verse)


From the kitchen...
clean and closed for the day

On the Menu...
M ~ Grill out with friends
T ~ Tacos
W ~ Potato Soup
Th ~ Turkey and Rice Casserole
F ~ Sourdough Pizza
S ~ Sloppy Joes
Sun ~ Pig Pickin' at church


Around the house...
the younger children are sleeping for the night;
our eldest is playing a game in the living room;
beloved is relaxing


I am creating...
family photo cards


I am hearing...
rain falling outside the window
and classical favorites playing
from my computer


One of my favorite things...
spending a day with friends


A few plans for the rest of the week...
focus on some learning moments;
clean the church; go to the commisary;
attend our midweek prayer/Bible service;
go to Beth's violin master's class;
go to our homeschool group's park day;
enjoy the time that we get to have at home ;o)


Here is picture thought I am sharing...


from my etsy shop

"This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed,
because his compassions fail not,
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."
~ Lamentations 3:21-23

Praise God for such a wonderful hope!
Praise Him that He is Faithful!


Have a wonderful week!

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving Day!

May you have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving,
giving thanks and praise to Whom it belongs!



"Offer unto God thanksgiving;
and pay thy vows unto the most High:"
~ Psalm 50:14


"Blessed be the Lord,
who daily loadeth us with benefits,
even the God of our salvation. "
~ Psalm 68:19


"It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD,
and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:"
~ Psalm 92:1


"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,
and into his courts with praise:
be thankful unto him, and bless his name."
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting;
and his truth endureth to all generations."
~ Psalm 100:4-5


"Giving thanks always for all things
unto God and the Father
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;"
~ Ephesians 5:20


"Giving thanks unto the Father,
which hath made us meet to be partakers of
the inheritance of the saints in light:
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness,
and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
In whom we have redemption through his blood,
even the forgiveness of sins:" ~ Colossians 1:12-14



"Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."
~ 2 Corinthians 9:15