Crochet Projects

Very simple, chain 30, then alternate sc and dc until square.  I added a couple rows of sc as a border.

The first few rows of an afghan.

Contentment

Five Minute Friday - Join

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

Join…

Simple things evolve into larger.  She offers help to a neighbor whose husband is deployed.  A respected lady in church gives advice about her sick son. Her husband’s single friend brings a date to their house for game night.  A friend of a friend invites her over after her family has moved nearby.  Simple beginnings, simple gestures, join these women.  They do not predict how much they would mean to another. 

They…

Join in laughter

Join in tears

Join in prayer

Join in exhortation

Join in counsel

Join in work

Join in crafts

Join in praise

Join in gratitude

Join in forgiveness

Join in love

They have joined in friendship.  Lives and hearts forever intertwined.  Time has proven them.  With some, the joining has brought about a polishing.  They help each other shine, cleanup that which tarnishes them. Another is like salt water on metal and it takes the Spirit of God to bring forgiveness, to heal the heart, and bind the wounds. Either way, they shine and glorify the Lord for His joining power.

Here we go again...

We have started another school year.  Been here, done this, except this year I am homeschooling a high school student.  Aaaaaahhhhh! I would say I miss Kindergarten, but I have a son starting school this year too.  Well, I've been teaching him, but it's official education now, you know...the kind that counts for something because the government ordains it. 

I have no astounding words of wisdom about high school planning.  I'm walking a dim path, that I'm sure will become clearer the further we venture into this journey. All I can suggest is that one does their research, in which I am still in the process of myself.  I thought it might be beneficial to share a nugget. Or at least it has been to me.

We still live in SC, but are planning a move to TX in the coming months.  I started my research about TX through the Home School Legal Defense Association.  We've been members for several years now. Even though we've never used their services for anything other than research, I still recommend joining and supporting them. In TX, homeschoolers seem to have more freedom under the law than other places we have lived. Yay! But, I wanted to make sure our daughter's high school education, transcript, met college entrance requirements.  This is where I found my nugget and I believe it may be beneficial for parents even in other states.

I wanted to make sure Kristy's transcript contained the number of credit hours and the courses colleges look for. Here is the Texas Code for graduation requirements for 2012-2013. I used this to plan out a four year course of study.

Next, I wanted to know more details on basically what skills are covered in the courses mentioned above.  Again, this was all laid out online.  This page contains several links, for various grade levels and courses, and much more information.

For instance, click this link if you want to see the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for High School English courses.  I found this much more helpful than simply seeing English I, English II, English III, and English IV as requirements.  This lays out the skills for each course, and though I'm not limited by this, I find it helpful for planning purposes, especially knowing I can confidently give my daughter high school credit in these subject areas for her work.

One chapter I found particularly helpful, Chapter 126, Technology Applications for High School. Take a look at this list of courses for high school credit:

Computer Science I
Computer Science II
Desktop Publishing
Digital Graphics/Animation
Multimedia
Video Technology
Web Mastering
Digital Forensics
Game Programming and Design
Mobile Application Development

These are just a few of the courses listed.  If your home is like mine, these are areas my children pursue on their own.  I provide materials and they dive right in.  It was so helpful to look at Chapter 126 and know what skills are covered in technology courses. I'll be honest. It was helpful to even know what course name to assign.  I compared the skills to what Kristy is doing, and I know where to provide additional direction when needed, and what course title to put on her transcript; again confidently giving her credit.

Even if you are not a TX homeschooler, I thought these links might be helpful.

Now for a fun share.  Kristy used her video software to make this.  Being a Star Wars fan, she set the story of Padme and Anakin (names I would not even know if it weren't for my children) to the song, "Haunted" by Taylor Swift. I did create a YouTube channel for the purpose of sharing it with some friends that I was having trouble emailing it too. I'm aware and have been warned about looking into copyright issues. She's 14, so we're learning. :-)  But, hope you enjoy.  I thought it was well done and creative.

I had fainted...

...unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.  Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.  Psalm 27:13-14

As I contemplated getting back to my blog this morning and how to sum up my summer, these verses came to mind.  This summer was filled with many challenges, particularly the month of July.  I ended up a bit of a recluse for a few weeks. Physically due to many things outside of my control and emotionally because I just did not want to talk about it all.  Instead took it to God, the good and ugly of me, and spent my energy tending Russ and our children.  Even my mom received short, little emails filled with really nothing of great significance for a few weeks. She graciously endured and now she has text capability and hears from me often.  She might wish for another July soon. haha!

We are closing the summer with Russ having taken a contract job in Afghanistan for a year. Employment seems to be a necessity in life.  I am just getting over having sick kids and pneumonia, still have this lingering cough that is driving me nuts, but not holding me back so much.  Except from working out, which feels like torture right now.  My goal is slowly work back up over the next few weeks. I wish I could say that having gone through this summer's trials that the patience worked, for some was painfully wrought, was perfect and left me entire, wanting nothing. I need to mull over that verse in James because I'm not sure I fully comprehend it. I certainly had my sweet moments in prayer, one time even just telling God I wanted to be with Him and I was, lovingly in His arms in the middle of the night.  But, I still am not left wanting nothing.  I am not entire and complete. I wrestle with this thought.

However, through it all, God was ever present. There were moments when Russ and I both had very specific prayers answered.  One in particular we both prayed for, not knowing the other was, and within minutes we had an answer. I was not always of good courage and I would have fainted were it not for the goodness of the LORD in this land I live in, were it not for Him strengthening my heart during the wait. I will be wrapping up this summer knowing my God is indeed a personal, loving, heavenly Father, full of tender mercies.  That gives me great hope and good courage for the coming months...which will be busy and full of many trials of their own.

I think I'll close with some photos that remind me of the goodness and simple pleasures of the past few weeks and I look forward to blogging again...

Some of my garden's bounty. I actually grew some things!



And grew these beauties!

My eager gardener

Our cat went missing back in May, but now we have lots of toads again.  And Nate loves toads!

Matt likes to find them in the dog's bowl.



Running errands with my helper. My handsome helper.



Girl's night out.  Shopping, dinner and Snow White and the Huntsman!

Sick Jacob being loved on by his sissy.

Kristy, Taz and a ribbon at the state show in June.

Kristy's 14th Birthday Cake. 

Celebrate!!

I had an extra tier and icing, so the boys made a birthday eve cake for themselves. haha!

My only crafty item of the summer.  One crochet dish cloth.

My birthday, prepared by Kristy.  Love the birdie card she made me.  Perfect!

Kristy and I just got new hair.  I went dark and am loving it.  I let her get a few highlights and she is loving that. And the lady flat ironed her hair, which is always fun for her because she has so many curls.

Rocking the new hair and Jacob.

This picture speaks a lot to me.  I took it a few weeks ago.  Been going through insomnia at night, extreme exhaustion during the day when I needed to be functional.  I laid on my bed particularly tired physically and emotionally.  I opened my eyes and this was my view.  A sweet reminder of God of who I am in Him.  The stack has a bible, The Power of a Praying Wife, and less seen below that is a purse pattern and a garden magazine. ;-)  One little view when I opened my eyes encouraged me that day.