Graduation Day...

Getting ready...



Opening: Congregational Song ~ To God Be the Glory

Opening Prayer

Processional: Pomp & Circumstance...



Challenge to the Grad (by Dad)...



Congregational Song: Follow On

Prayer of Dedication (my brother)

Special Music: Only One Life



Graduate Speech







"I Surrender All"



Message by Pastor

Presentation of Diploma



Presentation of Graduate



Recessional

Fun & Fellowship following...













Grad Table...


box and notepad for "Words of Wisdom" to the grad;
albums of photos; balloons; samples of homeschool work;
grad's favorite homeschool book;
frame with pics of school years;
vase of Smarties beneath her Miss Smarty Pants balloon;
basket with grad and friend's cd they made

Graduation cakes made by the grad herself, Ally...







Diploma




The official homeschool highschool grad...




"Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness,
and for his wonderful works to the children of men!"
~ Psalm 107:

"... that in all things he might have the preeminence. "
~ Colossians 1:8

Simple Woman's Daybook...

For today... June 8, 2009


Outside my window...
the sun is brightly shining


I am thinking...
of what the upcoming week will hold


I am thankful for...
our eldest's graduation ceremony
going well and being God-honoring


From the learning rooms...
all formal learning is at a halt
as we visit with family,
though natural learning always continues ;o)


From the kitchen...
a little blessing (cleaning) is needed from the weekend
On the Menu:
M~ Taco Rice Tacos
T ~ Chicken & Pasta with veggies
W ~ Spaghetti/garlic bread
Th ~ Soup or chili with cornbread
F ~ Sourdough Pizza


I am wearing...
a dark blue, floral cotton dress


I am creating...
memories with visiting family


I am reading...
my KJ Bible through in a year,
currently in Judges, Psalms, John;
Pocketful of Pinecones by Karen Andreola;
Praying the Entire Bible for My Family by Joe Zichterman;
Holy Women by James Knox


I am hoping (praying)...
for my brother and his family
to have safe travel as they make their way home


I am hearing...
classical music playing from the kitchen
and Daddy and Will playing RISK at the table
as Carolynne watches and cheers them on


One of my favorite things...
spending time with family


A few plans for the rest of the week...
enjoy visiting with my mama and gramma
while they are here


Here is picture thought I am sharing...


Ally after her graduation ceremony
Praising the Lord for this accomplishment!

"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ."
~ 1 Corinthians 15:57

Simple Woman's Daybook...

For today... June 1, 2009


Outside my window...
the sun is shining brightly,
promising for a bright and very warm day


I am thinking...
of how our house will be full
and our next two weeks will be busy
(in a good way)


I am thankful for...
a Heavenly Father that cares so much for me


From the learning rooms...
most books are shelved as we host family,
though natural learning still continues


From the kitchen...
a little blessing (cleaning) is needed
On the Menu:
M~ Taco Rice Tacos
T ~ Chicken & Pasta with veggies
W ~ Lasagna/garlic bread
Th ~ Creamy chicken and wild rice soup
F ~ Sourdough Pizza


I am wearing...
a dark blue, floral jumper


I am creating...
nothing right now, due to busyness


I am reading...
my KJ Bible through in a year,
currently in Judges, Psalms, John;
Pocketful of Pinecones by Karen Andreola;
Praying the Entire Bible for My Family by Joe Zichterman;
Holy Women by James Knox


I am hoping (praying)...
our family members arrive safely this week;
my bronchitis heals soon and my voice returns


I am hearing...
the shower running upstairs
and our son watching Kent Hovind


Around the house...
Mount Washmore needs a chiseling
and a few finishing touches need to be added
before family arrives


One of my favorite things...
singing and giving praise to God


A few plans for the rest of the week...
welcome my brother and his family today;
celebrate my birthday;
pick up my mama and my gramma
from the airport on Thursday;
prepare for graduation on Saturday;
visit with and enjoy family ;o)


Here is picture thought I am sharing...

"Let the words of my mouth,
and the meditation of my heart,
be acceptable in thy sight,
O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer."
~ Psalm 19:14

Haven at Home Happenings...

Life has been quite eventful lately.
Last Thursday I was able to attend our state's
homeschool conference with two ladies from church.
It was a blessing that Daddy took a few days off
so I could go (though we do love going together, too!).
It was a very busy few days
of getting up early, staying up late,
attending workshops, and lots of shopping down
aisles and aisles of homeschool materials!
What a delight it was!
We were, also, blessed with a cozy room
at a nearby bed and breakfast.
After a long day at the conference,
it was a joy to return to a place
that was so welcoming!


A view of the bedroom


A view of the sitting room


While I was away, Daddy enjoyed the children
and the children enjoyed Daddy!
They even blessed Mama with a
really clean house (Marine Corps style). ;o)
What a blessing that was!

While I was gone, Ally made a cake
for my friend's sister's college graduation
reception that was at our church last night.
She did such a lovely job on the cake!




Today, the children and I took it easy,
as I am not feeling too well
and my voice has escaped me.
We enjoyed lounging around the house.
I have been working on uploading photos
and ordering prints for Ally's photo books
that will be displayed at her graduation
(in only two weeks!).
There are SO many photos!
But what a bittersweet joy it has been
as I've looked through them all.

Life will continue to be somewhat busy
the next few weeks as we prepare
for upcoming activities at church,
family coming in from out-of-state (yea!),
Ally's graduation and fellowship,
and much else that life entails. ;o)


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

Fruit of Our Labors...

The jars of jam our visit to the strawberry farm yielded...



“And the Quangle Wangle said
To himself on the Crumpetty Tree,--
'Jam; and Jelly; and bread;
Are the best of food for me!”
Edward Lear (1812-1888) 'The Quangle Wangle's Hat'

Strawberryin' Snapshots...

We enjoyed a lovely day of picking strawberries yesterday!
It was a blessing to be out-of-doors
and to collect so many beautiful berries!
We plan to eat, freeze, eat, and jam them! Yum!!

The children enjoyed filling their buckets...






















Five buckets full!!



Big, ripe, juicy, and sweet! Mmmmm!!!


"We are bound by a small,
sometimes magical fruit called the strawberry.
This fruit has the power to make tears dry up,
make friends with enemies, make sick people feel better,
make the elderly feel younger by bringing back
pleasant memories of days gone by,
make acquaintances of strangers,
and above all make little children smile.
What other fruit has that power?"
~ Marvin Brown

Taking Tea...

Last week, when we had friends visiting,
the children enjoyed taking tea (for the first time)
with the mamas...









It was a sweet time of fellowship with our sweeties
and a real blessing to include them as we enjoyed our tea!


Strange how a teapot can represent at the same time
the comforts of solitude and the pleasures of company.
~Author Unknown