Boxes

Boxes =  Hours of fun

Science Around Here

Science around here is big.  How's?  and Why's?  and Why not's?  are explored and observed.

Not always, but most usually.

We probably average a "science" project a week. 

A big one for us was working on David's school science project with him in September/October.  He did well, but it was a lot of work because his ideas kept getting bigger and bigger.  Bottom line was "what military vehicle is most efficient, hovercraft or water-to-land vehicle?" (I'm sure I explained that wrong!)  Of which he researched, built working models, and tested.  Paul and him really got into it!!

In the meantime, the girls and I learned all about the sun and made raisins with grapes, well tried too.  We made (almost) daily observations, drawing pictures and writing descriptive words.  The sun became less strong, and after 2 weeks, they ended up shriveled and moldy.  But that's okay, it was still an experiment.

And some more....

I bet we can get a whole hard boiled egg inside a narrow mouthed bottle.

Light a match in the bottle. Let it burn to suck out all the oxygen, which creates a vacuum to suck the egg right in.

I bet we can hold a full bucket of water up and over our head without getting wet. 

Swing it around real fast.

I bet we can drop an egg from a second story window without it breaking.

                             Tape, cotton balls, boxes, foil, bags, etc.   
                             and creative, clever minds!   
                             and a big mess ;)

 

Hannah

                                                                    Elijah

                                                                              Ann

                                                              David

"Self-education is the only possible education;

the rest is mere veneer laid on the surface of a child's nature."

                                                                     -Charlotte Mason

"Thought breeds thought; children familiar with great thoughts take as naturally to thinking for themselves as the well-nourished body takes to growing; and we must bear in mind that growth, physical, intellectual, moral, spiritual, is the sole end of education."

-Charlotte Mason



(Flashback) Wildlife

I was cleaning out my blog  "drafts" and found this one from June that I never posted.   Oh how I miss our yard!!  I am an outside girl, the kids love outside too. (I would love to be a Forest Ranger when we retire in 20+ years!) Our yard is tiny here, but we live across from an awesome "forest park" that we visit a few times a week.

Flashback....

Mice hunting.

Caught one!  See his tail?

(Later I shot him with the bee-bee gun.

I nailed a couple of his friends too as they were scrambling around the deck.)

The girls caught a rollie-pollie bug and name him Sparkle.  He died overnight on the kitchen counter.  I thought the girls had released him like I asked but instead they gave him grass and water and put him up with the dirty dishes.  I think he drowned.

We found this bird in the backyard all alone, hardly moving. 

Elijah covered him up with some washcloths to keep him warm overnight.  We gave him some bread too.

In the morning, he was gone, just a trace of bloody feathers was left.  He must've been eaten.

I know it looks like Mary but it's really a monkey. 

I'm always finding her on the dining table, or swinging from the bunk beds,

or moving stools so she can climb into the bathroom sink. 

Just the other day I left her in Paul's office for just a moment. 

When I came back she was on top of his desk clinging to his computer screen.

But ssshhh... daddy doesn't know that.

Our Children

"I believe in my soul that this is the great reason why thousands of Christians pray and never get answers. They are selfish in their prayers. Mothers tell me that they have prayed for their children for years, and not had one of them converted. Why? Because they prayed merely selfish prayers, because they were their children, or because they wanted them to be religious, so that they would not bring disgrace upon the family, or it would be so nice to have them religious. They don't want them to cut off the vanities and fooleries of this world, and give themselves up wholly to Christ. That would be too much. They want just enough religion to make them a comfort to themselves. Would you answer such prayers if you were God?"
-Catherine Booth in 1881

I loved coming across this quote in my "They Said It" Book.   Below I've written about my own continuing examination of my role as parent, (even minister!)  I really try to avoid "preachy" posts, (I feel that is for my appointed times on Sundays), but I do hope you'll bear with me and read along:

       What is the use in praying for our children if we are not willing to be part of the answer?  What is the use in pleading for their consecration if we induldge them in ungodly ways?  What is the use in praying for their protection if we ignorantly or passively allow the corruptions from the world creep in?  What is the use in praying them off the path of destruction if we pluck them off, dust them off, only to set them down that path again?  What is the use in asking God to reveal his perfect will to them if we are not willing to give them up to Him?        
       Now is the time to train these little loves of our lives to seek God and His ways.  Now is the time to lay a solid foundation that they will build the rest of their lives on.   Love, Grace, Faith, Serving, Obeying, Forgiving.
       Show them the riches of Christ so that they do not feel deprived when you won't buy them the latest and greatest.  Teach them to love others and not posessions. Teach them to be entertained by what is good and pure, not by what is evil.  Teach them to always be honest and let God do the protecting. Teach them to choose the ways of life not death.   And spoil them rotten with your time and attention :)
       Don't be afraid.  Don't allow the pop-psycho-patterns of this world to persuade you away from what you know to be true.  If God's Word applies to you than it applies to your children as well! 

       And if you desire to give your children something you don't have- peace, joy, patience, righteousness, etc.  then get it for yourself first.  Seek God.  Ask Him, expect Him, to show Himself to you in a way that speaks to you personally. Put that burden on Him, it's His job to be God, not ours.  

Christmas Traditions

Setting up the Santa Train

Stringing Popcorn Garland

(of which Mary keeps eating it off of the tree)

Our nightly Jesse Tree  

Building our Gingerbread House



The other tradition that was not captured on film was

Mommy crying as she unpacked the ornaments made by so many little hands

hung in so many different homes

and then

Mommy freaking out over swarms of little hands

grabbing for ornaments

to precariously perch on the tips of tree branches

only to come tumbling down again and again

and finding several of them in Mary's crib because they were her "babies" 

and ornaments that brothers' hung in sisters' hair

and ear-peircing shrieking when they got tangled

Christmas

just wouldn't be Christmas without all my little helpers.

Sooo Good Cookies

I made these the other day and they are sooo good!  Everybody loves them and they are a cookie I'm happy to dish out with all nutritionally rich whole wheat.   Get the recipe over at Jackie's blog.

What It's Really Like

So, I've really put off posting on what it's really like since we stepped into our new appointment as ARC Trainees, (for drug and alchohol addiction) training to become ARC Administrators next summer.  Several times, I've started a post and then stopped.  I aim to be honest, but haven't always come from the best or realistic places.  A running theme for me for awhile was feeling so trapped in a lot of ways, even my husband's livelihood and ministry depending on my compliance as an Officer and wife.  But I'm having more peace about it now.  I still feel the "blood and fire" and I'm not letting anything stop me from obeying and serving the Lord the best I know how. 

     While I love a new adventure,  moving is still hard and unless you've *been there, done that* it is hard to truly grasp.  Leaving behind friends, memories, and years of hard work and hope.  Not to mention just the logistics of finding where things are, packing/unpacking, establishing new healthcare, changing all the addresses, making new relationships, and so much more.  Ugh!  It's especially hard for me when I talk myself into feeling like the stupidest person on the planet for allowing someone else to make life decisions for me and my children.     I am trusting like never before...  I thought I've surrendered it all only to find that yet... there is MORE!  I guess we never truly "arrive" anywhere except in the place that makes us wholeheartedly trust Him and rely on Him.    And life is so sweet right now!  It makes little logical sense, but here it is all sweet and solid and good ... amidst the busy-ness, challenges, temptations, and unexpected turns.  Thank you Lord for your amazing ways.

There's more...  
     I was praying for months and months for God to give me a passion for the addicted.  And then, I realized, or rather, God   spelled- it- out for me, that I already have a passion for people.  Especially the marginalized.  Injustice is my hot button, ever since I was little.   It just so happens that my new ministry will be to a more specific group.  I am trying to learn how best to minister to them,  whatever small part I might play.    Everyone else seems so much better qualified, but I am learning from them and seeking God's ways.
And surely, since God orchestrated all of this, I belong.

And more...
     I love our house.  This is my favorite Quarters out of 4.  It's got 3 big bedrooms, 2 bathrooms right next to eachother, an eat-in kitchen, dining room and living room.  It totally works for us.  There is also a guest apartment downstairs that has been frequented enough to aid my lonely heart.
     We walk all over the place here.  I walk to the beach, the forest park, several playgrounds, markets, shopping centers, Walgreens, etc.  I have always wanted to live in a place that I can walk everywhere I need to get.  Thanks for the freebie God.

     The children are such troopers!  Elijah had one breakdown of missing The Dalles after getting a letter from a friend.  Hannah and Ann have had a few, but the overall tone has been -- this is one great adventure!
Paul came up with the great idea of making and posting our Camp Chouinard poster since this is really just a transitional move and the kids are already anticipating the next one.  Despite a very frustrating and mess of a problem with the children's education, they are all settled and doing fantastic with their learning.
     We have had the most un-stressful Thanksgiving/Christmas season ever- ministry speaking.  Seriously, since I was a teenager in the Corps.    I hardly know what to do with myself because I'm only going in 10 different directions instead of 50.  I am savoring this.  It will probably never happen again until retirement. And by then I'll have my Officer children's families to help. Smile.
     I live the closest to my family and childhood friends than I have in over 15 years!  I have already seen my family 3 times, one of which was on my dad's birthday, the day we traveled down here, and a second time at my brother's wedding.  They have also come down to visit too.   I have yet to get to do much with friends, but I seriously have to get a move on that.  Schedules are so hard to co-ordinate. 
     Paul and I have had to leave for 1 to 3 day meetings here and there.  God keeps providing childcare  for these meetings.  My dear sister-n-law all the way from Michigan is a life saver.  Our good friend from The Dalles with her daughter.  My mommy ;).  And soon my newest sister-n-law.  I hate asking for so much help, but here I am, the one in need, and God is meeting that need through these fine ladies, and making me take a hard look at my independant streak.  Plus... Paul and I have really started enjoying our little "honeymoons" away from the children.  

This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place.  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you."
-Jeremiah 29:10-12