Our days.... and remembering some friends.

The children and I went to visit Mandi this past weekend. We drove to Alabama and spent Saturday night with her. It was fun. She is at the Baptist College of Florida so we met in Dothan.








We stayed in a motel. The boys were really excited. It has been several years since we stayed in one and they do not remember much. It was fun....
We went back to her college and met several of her friends.... then we went to Cracker Barrel. I love looking around in Cracker Barrel as much as eating! We do not eat out at *fancy* places (I know Cracker Barrel is not fancy, but I mean we will do *fast* food .... but it isn't often we eat out at a *fancier* place then fast food)... the next day Wesley said "I liked eating at the box place. I couldn't figure out what he was talking about.... I then said "Cracker Barrel?" He said "yes." LOL~ Barrel = Box.... you never know what kids are thinking!

We went to the Botantial Gardens on Sunday and walked around.... we took several pictures. It was really peaceful and nice.

Mandi will be home for Thanksgiving. When we said goodbye.... the boys cried. They have really missed her. Wyatt asked if we could make a calendar counting the days until she is home for Thanksgiving. So this morning, first thing ... he drew 12 days on a piece of paper. I think I am going to make a paper chain with him in a bit.

We are working on school..... its Monday. We are home today and tomorrow with no errands or anywhere to go. We will spend some much needed time reading and maybe exploring this fall weather.... our leaves are falling. They love to play in the leaves~

We have a new halter for our newest miniature horse. I tried for about 45 minutes to get him to let me slip it over him but he is stubborn and I gave up. I will try again later..... Silver was born June 10th. It is such a tiny halter. ~giggle~ Silver is tiny.

This quote I read this past week spoke to my heart~

"Sometimes the circumstances of our suffering may not change, but the circumstances of our hearts are changed in he midst of them through a keen sense of God's presence and lively perception of His activity." ~ Beth Moore

Lately, I have been thinking about so many that have lost a child.... and my heart hurts for them. I think so often of Joel. I started reading Joel's Journey at the end of 2006. The Morris' encourage me.... they have such strength and such a testimony of faith. I continue to pray for them... and still read their blog. She is a great wife & mother. I love how she does her birthday themes.... I love when she shares about Joel.... there are many others. Just this past week I read about baby Silas going to be with Jesus... May God continue to pour out His grace & mercy on these families who struggle with grief.

May we grab hold of each moment with our children.... may we thank Him for the awesome gift of being a mom. I am speaking to myself too..... as I often (on Mondays especially) find myself a little tense, stressed or just plain grumpy!

This is Wesley (our youngest) in 2006. Today I am missing those baby days.... he is 6 now. Wyatt is 7.... they are rough and tumbly.... and do not cuddle much anymore. I love my little boys..... but sometimes I can't remember when they were both nursing.... or even both in diapers! Awww.... I look forward to being grandparents in the next couple years. Mike/Amber will celebrate 2 yrs this coming Wednesday!

May the JOY of the Lord be yours~

Alyssa's project~

They are off and running.... down the road on our golf cart.... talking and sharing with the few neighbors we have on our road (once a dirt road)....

Alyssa sharing the story of the "Children of the World" and how she is trying to help our church raise money to dig a well. She remembers that 6,000 children die each day from unsafe drinking water.... She remembers the children she met.... she remembers their singing, their gratitude, their faces.

They come running back into the house.... sharing what each neighbor shared... and with delight! Off they go again .... singing "For the Children of the World... every single little boy and girl.... red or yellow, black or white.... they are precious in the Father's sight..." She gives them a bookmark that my daughter in law, Amber helped us make.

They count the money.... they bubble over as they see it increasing....

Isn't this school too?

We haven't finished our phonics (with the boys), or her reading... and our read alouds? We haven't read "Hinds Feet on High Places." We haven't studied our Awana verses.....

sometimes *book* work is not all that LIFE is about.

Our days... extra things... and still more pics of COTW

It has warmed up here in South Georgia. Can you believe my little boys are swimming... right now? They went on the zip cord that my dh/their dad put up (we took it down a couple years ago cause we had a fall) and then asked to jump in the pool! It is around 80 here. It is beautiful weather though and we love it.

I am having a hard time keeping them on task. They will jump up and run off.... and I find myself fustrated. They are 1st & 2nd grade .... I try to not stress much but .... sometimes I do.

School on the back porch~ Wesley


Next week we will be camping. Each year (usually twice a year) we go camping with several home schooling families. We have done this for years. It is a great time and memories are made. Usually about 5-6 families. All ages of kids. We set up a volleyball net and at night the children play capture the flag or sardines. We all sit around the fire, some play the guitar and we sing. We roast marshmellows and sometimes smores. We take walks and it is beautiful. I am excited and looking forward to just sitting out doors and reading some.... spending some time alone with the Lord and just enjoying His creation.


We continue to talk about the "Children of the World International Choir." I will hear my three youngest singing their songs... and sounding like them .... ~smile~ At this very moment Alyssa is circling all the places on our world map where the children are from and writing the children's names next to each place as she sings "for the children of the world... every single little boy and girl... heaven plants a special seed... and we must have faith for these. Red and yellow, black and white... they are precious in the Father's eyes.... like the Father may we see... that they have a destiny.... " She watches the dvd almost every day....

Pashi (Nepal), Venus & Jackie (Phillippines)


They continue to touch our heart.... they continue to be on our mind and in our hearts.


Thanks for letting me share..... would love to hear from you....

How spoiled we are ... and how life changing this was...

We had the "Children of the World International Choir" come to our church. I have never experienced this before.... what a surprise.... what a testimony.... my heart burst open! We were all touched.... my dd Alyssa (12) was so touched by this. She is still SINGING their songs and PRAYING for them We talk about them each day....

This inspiring group travels across the U.S for 10 months, putting a voice and face to the desperate need of children whose life have been devastated by civil war, famine, poverty, unclean water, and preventable diseases. It also allows us the opportunity to bring the "mission field" to you. ~ WorldHelp

They sang on Sunday night at our church and several families opened their homes to host the children. Our friends hosted two little girls and we went over on Monday and spent the day with them. It was awesome. I am so thankful our good friends allowed us to share with them. The two girls that stayed with them were Aljane and Pashi.

6,000 children die each day from unclean, disease filled water. We take so much for granted. So often my children will be with me in the store and ask for a treat.... again, they just take it for granted. I too, take so much for granted.... even water!

Fifteen children came in this group. Five boys and ten girls. They were so grateful, thankful, and full of life.

My little boys enjoyed playing tag with the boys and swimming.

These children were from Uganda, Nepal, and the Phillippines.

We hope we can have them back at our church again in December. My Alyssa wants to help raise money for a well... providing a well gives 1,000 people water every day for 20 years. She is determined. She told me last night.... "mama, all this other stuff doesn't seem important anymore.... I just keep thinking about Pashi, Aljane, Esther, Jamira, Zahara, Zam, Neybel, Jackie..... Evah.... Venus.... Ashish, Marvin, Aldrin, Thomas, and Arnel."

On the way home from church a week later..... she tried to remember all their names ... she wrote them on a piece of paper..... she will say to the boys "Boys, don't whine.... some children do not even have water!"

I am so thankful we were apart of hearing and being blessed by this awesome group of children. It made a deep impression on our life. We talk to Jesus about these children.... our eyes were opened....