Fall Lesson - Mushrooms

E. and I went outside in the backyard to investigate the mushrooms that were growing in our yard and in the neighbors. We found a book at our local Barnes and Nobel called Fall by Nuria Roca and used it as our guide to mushroom facts and also to compare some of the leaves that had fallen off the trees. It was a great lesson in nature and what happens when Summer ends and Fall begins. I love outside lessons.


We saw 2 different mushrooms; they may be the same type but E. pointed out that they looked very different.

We dug them up, touched them to see how they felt and ended by reading about the different types of mushrooms in our book. It was a great day for mushroom hunting.

The Gift of Friendships

Alpha and Omega Publications has a daily devotional that I get in my email everyday. This one really hit me, and I included it below.

I am new to homeschooling; my daughter just turned 4 and this year was suppose to start out slow allowing us to get comfortable with a new schedule and new ways of doing things. But my personality can lead me into trouble. Being frustrated when everyday things get in the way of MY SCHEDULE. The thing that sends me into the abyss is the telephone. When I hear my phone ring I feel obligated to answer it. But my phone rings all day, sometimes it's my friends or family, but most times its just telemarketers and such. When I am in the middle of something and the phone rings I am sent over the edge; do I answer it, do I ignore it, who is it, is it important... ugh... I know this sounds crazy, but it's true. That's what goes through my mind. I tend to go to the extreme of not talking to anyone for weeks or talking to everyone and sending my daughter off to play and getting nothing done. How can I find the balance? I am so blessed by the friends God has given me. If you've known me for any length of time you know how difficult it is for me to make friends; and at the age of 46 God has give me a great group of friends and family and a wonderful husband and children. I want them to know how important they are to me and I pray that I can bless them as much as they bless me. Again I ask... how do I find the balance...anyone else out there like me,....anybody... anybody....

"Have you ever watched young girls interact? They can be the best of friends one moment and dire enemies the next. Because of petty differences and easily hurt feelings, young girls are notorious for having a new "best friend" each week. My homeschooled daughter found it difficult to keep up with these fluctuations in her friends. What she wanted most was an "Anne of Green Gables" kindred spirit in whom she could confide (Philippians 2:20). The Bible gives us a great example of true friendship — Jonathan and David. Willing to lay down their lives for each other, they displayed a standard for us to follow. The example of their loyal friendship shows what is needed to be a friend and keep a friend. "And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, inasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever" (1 Samuel 20:42a). Are you faithful to your friends? Do you work at making and keeping relationships alive, even during your busy homeschooling days? Don't forsake the treasure of a true friend! Schedule time into your homeschool day this week to bless the friends God has so graciously given you. Remember, too, to schedule time for your best friend, the One who sticketh closer than a brother — Jesus! "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24)."

I pray this prayer along with the many others that are thankful for the mercies of our Lord... "Jesus, thank You for all the wonderful people You have brought into my life. Help me to treat each one as a special gift from You. Thank You for being my "best friend" and giving me the Holy Spirit to remember all You have said. In Jesus name, Amen."

Getting Organized Tips

Maria Garcia at Get Organized Now, has a Getting Organized Checklist for the Month of October. Here are two that caught my attention, one is just plain fun and the other is both practical and smart.

• This Friday or Saturday take in the excitement of a High School Football game. (I have to say I really miss going to my sons football games... weird huh...GO KNIGHTS!!!)

• Clean out your gutters and downspouts (Where we live the weather is going to be unseasonably warm this week. Now is the chance to get outside and get this job done, when it's not too cold)

What to Expect Next...

Can I say that I really miss writing on this blog,...heck I miss writing in general because it helps me to think through the many, many thoughts that at times haunt me. I don't mean to sound so ominous, I just can't think of another way of putting it. Anyway, I will start back slowly and build up from there.

I have a number of things I would like to include, two of which are to finish some things that I've started:


The Excellent Wife
Leslie at Lux Venit was hosting a book study of the Excellent Wife in February. Due to many circumstances I could not keep up with the reading, but starting in November I will be picking up where I left off. And with the help of Leslie's blog, and the other ladies who participated, I know this study will be both enlightening and tough; for I have much to learn and change.


Lets Study Ephesians
The women of our church were going through the book of Ephesians and just as before circumstances made it difficult for me to keep up and I did not finish. We were reading through the book of Ephesians, using Sinclair Ferguson's book Lets Study Ephesians as a help and trying to memorize as much of Ephesians as possible. In November I will be picking this back up so that I can complete it. At times I'd like to share my thoughts on this blog. What a wonderful book of the bible Ephesians is - so much packed inside.

I also plan to continue the Hymn of the Month, Morning Devotions, Homeschooling Moments and many everyday moments in my walk on this earth with the family and friends God has given me.

As time goes on I pray this this blog would not just be a help to me, but an encouragement to others as well.

I don't care how poor a man is...if he has family--he's rich.

~Dan Wilcox








I saw this on "A Wise Woman Builds her Home" With the way things are going in our economy and in many of our households, this thought made me really pause and think.

"Jesus Draw Me Ever Nearer"
Music by Keith Getty; Words by Margaret Becker
Copyright © 2002 Thankyou Music

Jesus draw me ever nearer
As I labour through the storm.
You have called me to this passage,
and I'll follow, though I'm worn.

May this journey bring a blessing,
May I rise on wings of faith;
And at the end of my heart's testing,
With Your likeness let me wake.

Jesus guide me through the tempest;
Keep my spirit staid and sure.
When the midnight meets the morning,
Let me love You even more.

Let the treasures of the trial
Form within me as I go -
And at the end of this long passage,
Let me leave them at Your throne.

This song has been a blessing to me during these past few months and especially during these past few weeks. I hope to be back soon, Lord willing, and I do miss you all. May this song bless you as well.

Did I Mention That I Moved

It's been a while since I've spent any time on my blog. I apologize for disappearing... I forgot to mention that we were moving. And the process has been a bit more then I expected. I'm still here and I'm still reading all of your blogs. As soon as we're done unpacking, I'll be back and ready to write. Keep us in your prayers as we get things settled here. I'll have more details soon and I'll be glad to be back. Thinking about you all.

UPDATE 7/24/08
I hope to have a few more things organized by the end of the week and I hope to be able to share some things here some time next week. God Bless.