Tracing (pre-writing)
We're reading stories each week on animals for science.
He learned to trace his hand! He did this all by himself! :)
His new "thing" is drawing on white paper. We now need a "white paper" fund in our budget! :) I have to limit his number each day. Anyhow, these were some monsters he drew..too cute!
And, this was where he learned HOW to draw his hand. :)
...out came the scissors and trimmers...and, this is what happened (remember who's idea this was?)...
...and this was the result! Handsome boy? Yes. Happy boy? No. :) He actually told me the next day that he was "just teasing me" with his tears. :)
By the next day he liked his hair. Daddy told him he was "handsome like Peyton Manning." :)I just read a lovely article over at "A Holy Experience." It's a blog a friend here, Robyn, told me about. I have been blessed by what I've read. But, I read this article on starting a 1000 Gifts List, and it reminded me of the blessings journal I started here so long ago. I have also been reading "Choosing Gratitude" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, and this idea goes along so well with what I've been reading in her book.
Over at "A Holy Experience", Anne Voskamp talks about starting a list of 1000 gifts you are thankful for. Not gifts you want, but gifts you have. The everyday things. And, I thought it would be great to pick up my blessings journal by starting this list. Maybe it will help keep me blogging, too. Especially, because lately I have been thinking of so much God has given me that I'm thankful for.
Anne wrote in her blog post, "It is happening to me as John Milton wrote: "Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world."
Before I start my list, I'll leave you with one last encouragement from Anne...."Father, You are the Giver of all Good Gifts. They are everywhere. I can hardly jot them down fast enough. How You love.~~Will you too begin your list of a Thousand Gifts? It will change your life. Guaranteed."
(By the way, she does hers on a Monday...so I'm just getting a head start here!) :)
1. the lovely orchid on my side table in my living room..a gift from our church staff
2. the gorgeous flowers on my table..a gift from the love of my life
3. a bowl full of homegrown tomatoes from my sister
4. another bowl full of garden fresh squash from Sara
5. two computer desks and two bookshelves for a total of $5 (we needed those when we came to IN and prayed, and God provided-again!)
6. this lovely lake house that we could never afford if we didn't have "kingdom-minded" landlords
7. our screened in porch and quiet nights
8. free lakes/beaches for the kids to swim
9. three nights of wonderful meals when we moved here two weeks ago from lovely church members, which gave us time to get settled
10. an amazing church to be a part of
11. money in the bank and a kitchen pantry and fridge full of food
12. peace that passes all understanding
13. that I get to see my dear friend Elizabeth tomorrow and meet her new baby girl
14. that I get the choice to school my kids at home, and get this time with them that I will never regret
15. for a pile of laundry...which means I have a family to take care of
16. for a son who tells me all day long how beautiful I look :)
17. for a "free walking track" around our lovely "island"
18. the God-given ability to create art
19. coupons and my dear friends, Sarah and Mandy, who changed my way of shopping and helped me to cut our food bill in half :)
20. Kate letting me borrow her glue gun til I can get mine from our house in KY.
21. my sweet sister, who watched our kids last night so we could go out
22. my parents, who are always helping us out however they can
23. parents who led me to Christ
24. a husband who follows God wherever He leads..even when it doesn't make sense to others around us
25. Kerry doing so much work on our cars before we left KY, and the discounts he gave us, because he, too, is kingdom-minded
(and that's just a start).....
(right around the corner from where we live!)
I looked out and saw Lizzie making a snow angel! I loved the contrast of her pink coat against the dreary day! :) 
Break for hot cocoa on the front porch! :) 
My beautiful 10 year old! 
A view from my kitchen window..yes, I'm a wuss, most of these were taken from the window or front door view! Too cold for mama out there! :) 
I looked over and saw this view of my daughter taking her temperature. Unfortunately, she ended up having pneumonia! I kept trying to "cure" her with fish oil and vitamin C! :) She's all better now, thanks to some antibiotics! :) 
As I began to exercise again, I saw Shane teaching Nehemiah how to "play football!" 
As you can see, he's still learning how to catch the ball! :) At this stage in his life, he has my skill for playing sports! :) (this picture is my favorite!) hee,hee....
Here's what she crocheted! The world's longest chain! Ha! I think it's time we move on to a "single crochet" since she seems to have this down! :) No idea what we'll do with this. :)
This pan is so cute..it makes "christmas" designs on the pancakes. I know-Christmas is over! But, it's still winter. :)
He looks a little distressed, doesn't he? :)
Yummy!
I think she's pretty pleased. :) 
Shane and I first saw this recently on the Purgatorio website and laughed so hard we cried! We can't stop singing it (unfortunately?)...enjoy! :)
Okay, so I have to admit, the icing did not turn out to be the "best" icing recipe I've ever followed. I have this tendency to like to try new recipes..anyhow I'm getting off on a side road here...this is Shane's cookie creation! We named him "Mr. Bill" and had a great laugh! I am sorry to admit it was the icing more than the "decorator." I'm sure he'd do a great job with better icing, right???? :)
In an effort to save money this year, I tried not to buy a bunch of decorating stuff, and just go with what we had...thus the NEON cookies! :) 
Hee, hee! We had to PRESS the decorations into the icing, because the icing was not so sticky. Oh, well, it gave us a good laugh! And, you know, they tasted JUST fine! :) 
