I found this a very powerful message. Are actions speak louder than our words.

Have a blessed and Happy 4th July. 

Wow, I can't believe that it is almost October. I still haven't put up my 2018-2019 school curriculum or really put a lot of content into my blog lately.

I find the older my kids get the less time I have or maybe I'm not managing my time as well. Who knows maybe it's a bit of both.

I find homeschooling middle and high school doesn't inspire me as much with posting. I'm still learning the ropes with highschool and the whole transcripts and changing my record keeping style. I was pretty organized before my daughter hit highschool with records. I just didn't keep track of grading. I would grade the paper and file them away quickly. Now, I insert the grades to keep track of them and the GPA. I have been using Homeschool Manager and I love it for figuring out final grades and the GPA. I can adjust the grading to my grading scale. It even keeps attendance and I can print out each week's schedule. I also make a book reading list and volunteer hours through Homeschool Manager. It's the easiest homeschool tracker program I have used so far. It does take time inputting the information into it. That's a given with any homeschool tracking program.

I use the  HSLD transcript service that is offered on their site. Even through the Homeschool Manager does have the transcript printout  I prefer to go through the HSLD but, all the information is figured out for me and all I have to do is input the information at the end of the school year for Bug. I actually have already transitioned in keeping records for my middle school minus the transcript. That way it's easier for me next year.

Some days I miss the crafts and lapbooks. My kiddos are growing up so fast Little Man is not so little anymore and is almost 13 and Bug is almost 16. Both kids are now the same height as me. Pretty soon they will be taller than me! It seemed to happen overnight and I'll have to bend my neck to look up to them!

When my kids were younger they wanted me to take pictures to blog about even without me suggesting it. Now I get a, "really mom do you have to take a picture of me for the blog?" Sigh!

All the kids are still in 4-H and we just finished our 4-H year with the State Fair. Bug last year won at state for her entomology project. It was a big deal being a state winner for her Kansas Award Portfollio for her and she put a lot of work into it. I'll try to post a picture of it soon. 

Little Man is an excellent photographer but, I'm a bit bias. His photo made it into the Kansas 4-H calendar. He surprises me with his photos and what he comes up with. He's more of a wildlife and landscape photographer and has a keen eye for things when taking pictures. He helps his sister out a lot in photography and because of his help she has been doing well in the project.

Bug only has 2 appointments a week instead of 7. Thank goodness as I don't know how I did it before. 

We love living in our small town. It has been a great move for our family. We are only 30 minutes from Wichita and most of our appointments are on the east side which makes our commute 45 minutes. When I go into town weekly I plan for a whole day to get other errands done.

I plan on trying to blog more this year. Reviews keep me busy with what spare time I do have. I guess we will see how that pans out with blogging. 

God bless y'all.

I've had a lot of cats in my lifetime. I don't recall every having a cat sleeping in the bathroom sink!

 I guess it's a perfect fit for Twitch.

 Twitch wasn't pleased that I woke him up.

 He ended up napping in the bathroom sink for several hours. Thank goodness we have two bathrooms.

Mercy is always in the classroom during school hours. Actually it's her favorite room in the house with the window and patio door. Usually she will lay at the back of your chair that you are sitting on. Which can be uncomfortable at times. We usually have an empty box in the room and it occupies her time. She likes to lay by Little Man on his desk or on top of my shelf by the window. Mind you she will cause some distractions at times.

Since, we now have a kitten the classroom has become an adventure and a huge distraction to everyone in the room. Both cats have decided that the cats rule the room.

 Twitch is attacking everything on Little Man's desk. Notice the pencil holder in the background.

 Twitch prefers the pencils on the floor. It keeps Little Man from not giving him his full attention. I mean using a pencil means not paying attention to Twitch.

 Then we have the issue of the school schedule. It's kind of hard reading a schedule when the cat has taken it over.

 Then you have the amusing tricks that Mercy and Twitch come up with. We actually thought they were going to take a cat nap. Then a car came by and woke up Twitch.

 Not so easy doing the things I need to get done when Mercy takes over the whole desk.

 Okay, Bug can do her school work somewhat. She thought Mercy needed a break from Twitch. At this time Twitch couldn't figure out how to get up on this desk. Now he has mastered getting up on the desk.

 This is normal Mercy. Except for the tail whacking the pencils while Little Man is doing his school work.

 This is the shelf above Little Man's desk. She is pouncing on Twitch and Little Man. Twitch has brought back the inner kitten in Mercy.

 Let's just say that Mercy finally found a place that Twitch couldn't get to. She was so tired that we heard snoring from Mercy.

 That is until Twitch was trying to figure out how to get up there with Mercy.

 He was determined to get Mercy up to play.

 Mercy wasn't too happy that her beauty sleep was being interrupted.

Finally, after a long and amusing hour he figured out how to get up there. Mercy ran off into another room to take a nap.

Twitch finally passed out and slept for several hours and the rule of the cats ended for the day.

A dear friend of mine picked up a chocolate candy bar for my daughter. It made me chuckle. Anyone who loves chocolate and gets those cravings can certainly relate.

 How fun is that. I think I need a couple of cases myself. The chocolate was yummy as my daughter shared. It was a nice thick milk chocolate. I think I could use some right now.

This last week on Mother's Day I had a dear friend die in a car accident. She was a homeschool mamma of 5 precious children. She was a friend who always had something good to say in all situations. She was always smiling. She always gave you the biggest hug when she was leaving. It was like it would be the last time she would see you. She always did this. She was a precious dear sister in the Lord.

I seen her two weeks before she passed away. The thing I remember about her most is her love for G-d and the love of His word. She was truly a Proverbs 31 women. We had the most meaningful conversations when it came to His word.

I mourn for her husband, children, and all those who loved her who have to continue on without her. As a believer I know that one day we will meet again.

 Good bye my dear sweet friend. One day I know I will see you again.

This is a post I did several years ago. This week I was talking to my son about a Godly character and I remembered our dear friend. 

F is for Friend. 

Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

I love this verse, it is something that we need to remember, where is our treasure being stored. This verse came to my heart last night, You see we had a dear friend who went to be with the Lord yesterday, Feb. 24, 2011. He was a friend who I can say I was honored to have known. We meet him around 1993 when we lived in Denver. He was a faithful man who came to our church in Denver.

He was a unique individual. One that loved the Lord with all his heart, soul, and might. The most important thing was that it showed in everything he did. I can honestly say that I never heard him say a bad word about anyone. He wasn't one to slander any ones character. Even when they treated him badly. He was faithful to pray for anyone at the drop of a bucket. He was always helping those in need. He would give you the shirt off his back and I seen him give his coat to someone in need before. He was one who always invited people enthusiastically to church to share the love of our Lord. He was always handing out tracks to share the gospel. Always making sure the hungry got feed. He could quote scripture with out a blink of an eye. He was faithful in giving of his resources. Everyone in our church loved and respected this man.

His name was Howard. Let me tell you why I mentioned Howard.

You see he was illiterate, but he always took time to listen to the Bible on tape and was a sponge when it came to the things concerning God. He couldn't read or write. He could write just enough to sign his name.

He had a speech impediment. He was very hard to understand and it took time and patience to understand him. It didn't stop him from sharing the Good News of our Lord and Savior dying on the tree. He was in much pain due to medical conditions. Yet, he walked for miles to come to church when he didn't have money for a bus. Howard was there every time the doors where opened. He was the most faithful person I have ever known.

He was nothing lovely to look at-his hygiene was poor and he often wore a heavy coat even on the hottest of days. He smelled often. He was not financially well off, he was a senior citizen living on SSI. He had lived under a bridge at one point in his life. Most people assumed he was still a homeless man.

He was the first to give when there was a need. "As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in her two mites. "Truly I tell you," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." (Luke 21:1-4)" Even when we moved he mailed a dollar bill every birthday to my kids. That dollar was a lot to him and I know every dollar he truly needed to live on. He knew God would take care of all his needs. God did take care of his needs. He had an apartment, food, and clothing. Nothing fancy in his needs. I think most people would complain living on his meager means. Howard had so much joy and rejoice when he found something that he went dumpster diving for. They were truly a treasure to him.

 All the kids loved him. Howard was a old cowboy movie and a Disney fan. He had hundreds of movies in his small apartment. He gave all the kids tapes of the movies, it was something he was good at. It brought smiles to their faces. My husband and I called it a Howard production the recording where not always watchable. No one every complained not even the kids. It gave him great joy to bless the kids with these tapes. We still have several of them sitting in my cabinet from the foster kids he blessed that lived in our home. I keep them as a reminder of what a Godly person should be like.

We even had a dog who accepted him the first time he entered into our home. She was a large Rottweiler, German Shepard mix. It always took her 3 or 4 times to warm up to a person. You could not approach her she, would approach you when she was comfortable with you. She would just intimidate everyone with a look and stare you down. Howard, the first time he came into our home she wagged her tail and went straight to him. At that time I was unsure of Howard. I knew that day that he was a truly unique individual and someone who could be trusted.

If we could all have just an ounce of Howard's love for others. The love to show the love of God in all that we do. People treated him so bad. It made me angry but, he just would smile and his eyes would tell you it is okay. He showed those mean individuals unconditional love.

He will be missed, I have one regret- I wish my kids could have really known him. He taught me that the outside appearance doesn't matter. Not to be uncomfortable around those who don't look like me, dress like me, and even smell like me! Howard loved unconditionally. His reward in Heaven will be great. I expect him to have many crowns. After, I see my Lord and Savior face to face, Howard is the next person I want to thank for helping me look for treasures in all individuals. 

Farewell my friend, what a privilege Jeff and I had that you considered us your friends. This world has been a better place by all the lives you have impacted. Shalom my friend Howard.
 

Other bloggers have joined in Blogging through the Alphabet.  Annette and Amanda are hosting this on their blogs. Stop by and see what they are blogging about with the letter F. #abcblogging

A is for Aleph

B is for Bee

C is for Crash

D is for Dragonfly
E is for Enter

It seems like 2016 just flew by. It's hard to grasp that it is actually 2017! That thought came to me as Bug was having a round of appointments this week and we had to update all of our paperwork for 2017. Just writing 2017 seems odd.  

This year my beloved and I celebrated 26 years of marriage. I feel so blessed having such a wonderful man who loves the Lord with all of his heart. He is my spark plug. 

My Bug turned 14. She has changed so much the last year. She is becoming a young lady. She is almost as tall as me now. She can wear my shoes also! She thinks that is pretty cool being the same shoe size as her mom.  She still loves all things glittery, princesses, and of course insects!

Despite all the set backs she had this year with her health. My daughter inspires me. Her zeal for God is contagious. When she hurts- I hurt when I see her in pain. She is a trooper and doesn't let it drag her down. 

Medically we have learned more about her arthritis. Her old Rheumatoid Arthritis doctor retired. We really like her new doctor. She was diagnosed with scoliosis and ocular migraines. We thought we were done with medical surprises. That means we are back to having more appointments added to our schedule.

Little Man turned 11. He's still my snuggle kid and that makes me happy. He's starting to have more of an opinion about what he wears and the style of his hair. He is getting to be such a handsome young man.  

He loves riding his bike around town and going to a few of the stores to buy things all by himself. We didn't let him do that before we moved.

He is also very responsible and has been a bigger help this last year with his big sister. He takes his sister around town to all the playgrounds. We got him a phone so he can call us to pick her up when she can't walk back home or is having a meltdown.

He is still doing Tae Kwon Do and is a green belt currently.

Both kids are still involved in 4-H and we changed groups to our local 4-H. They are the only ones in the small group that doesn't do some sort of live stock. Lots of the kids do cattle, pigs, sheep, chickens, and the horse project up here. A few of them are in foods and nutrition and photography. 

Bug is still doing an amazing job in entomology and now has two boxes and 300 insects in her case. Trust me she has lots of other insects pinned and ready for the next level.  She has 3 beehives currently. She won  an award for KAP this last year. 

She still does several fund raisers with her honey for a couple of different organizations. She was able to get her lip balm into a store in Wichita. The sales keep increasing with her lip balm. She currently has 10 flavors. She is working on another place to sell her lip balm at.  We are still working out the details.

She made her first bread this year and won purple at the county and state fair. She was completely surprised at winning a purple ribbon.

She still likes photography and did good at the county fair and took a photo to the state fair in which she received a blue ribbon.

Little Man is an amazing photographer. We are learning together except I think he is more of a natural taking pictures. His photo went to the state fair this year and he received a purple ribbon and his photo was chosen to go to the 4-H Foundation and will receive a spot in the 4-H calendar. He received a KAP award for photography.

He got a blue ribbon at county fair for his rocketry. He struggled with the decal this year as it gave him a lot of trouble. 

He did a arts and crafts project that he did in school and recieved a purple ribbon at the county fair.


We  moved to a small town of around 2,000 people. The city is 30 minutes away from Wichita. We are surrounded by farm land. Its been an adjustment living out of town. Our small town has everything we need like a grocery store which, is actually very nice and reasonable. We are also 20 minutes away from a larger chain which we go there every other week due to not having everything we like. We have post office, pharmacy, hardware store, a couple of restaurants. WE love it here. It is so peaceful and my kids can be kids and run around town.

We have done a lot of remodeling with our house. We re-gutted or main bathroom literally it was that bad when we moved in. It was a lot of work but, I am pleased with the final results. The bathroom in our bedroom we redid the flooring, toilet, lighting, and painted.

We replaced the main electrical boxes, water heater,  put in lights, replaced switches, pulled out carpet, painted the outside of the house, painted Bug's room, hanging shelves for storage, re-sodded our front yard, made a large flower bed, cut down over grown trees and brushes, pulled countless weeds, replaced the roof, and lots of other things. I have de-cluttered and got rid of a lot of things as we moved into a home without a basement. Storage is limited and I love that I have to keep things at a minimum. We still have things to do like paint the inside of the house and other odds and ends but, it's nothing major. 

The only bad thing with our new house is that we had to move Bug's three beehives as the city wouldn't allow them in town. They are at my in-laws home now. Which makes for a lot of work and has been hard for Bug.

We are loving our new congregation. The people and the leadership are kind and loving. My husband is still adjusting to not being as busy with not being in a leadership role. He is a busy body and that is odd for him after being in some form after 23 years. He has started to teach again and has been doing security/ushering. We still minister to people on an individual level. We have more family time and spend time together without interruptions.

I have been involved with the monthly pot lucks, helping out with the Purim carnival for the second year in a row, I do nursery twice a year, and have been blessed to make the weekly challah bread for the congregation. So as you can see we still keep busy it's just in a different capacity. That is okay as long as we are doing what God wants us to do. 

Homeschooling this year is coming together nicely now that we have all the chaos of moving and major remodeling behind use. We got behind with all the moving and remodeling, and the year of change before we moved to our small town. You can read about that with this post and also this post.

I'm going to be part of the Homeschool Review Crew for 2017. This will be my fourth year. I'm excited to be around some amazing homeschoolers that pray together and are very encouraging. We have some new vendors this year that I'm  not familiar with and some old favorites coming up. I'm excited to get going again with reviews. 

Now, for a new fresh year ahead of us. I look forward to 2017. I'm  not a goal person but, I hope that 2017 draws me closer to Yeshua (Jesus) and that I can have more time to spend in prayer and reading my Bible. I want to see my kids draw closer to Him.

I hope to blog more this year. Last few years have been difficult for me. I plan on doing more this year with blogging.

Don't forget to stop by some other amazing bloggers to see what they have to say about 2016.

A little over a week ago we went on a family vacation up to Branson, Missouri. It the first time we have went someone where that wasn't because we went out of town to a children's hospital or to a funeral. We ended up staying for 3 nights.

 Much to my family's amazement I didn't drag my camera around. Everywhere we went it would of been difficult. Instead I used the camera on my phone.

We visited a fish hatchery up at Table Rock Lake. The kids enjoyed looking at all the trout.

 The trout made a lot of commotion when the kids fed them.

 The damn is in  the back ground for Table Rock Lake.

 Being up in Missouri made me miss seeing all the mountains and forest. Living in Kansas for so long made me long for Colorado where I lived for 

many years.

 Bug was unsure what to think of the fish at first. She slowly made her way to the hatchery.

 Looking at the damn from the other side this time.

 Looking down on the fish hatchery from up on top of the damn.

 We are Riding the Ducks in an amphibian vehicle.

 Little Man got to drive the boat on the lake for a few minutes. So did Bug later on.

 I love riding in a boat. My kids haven't been in a boat for many years. 
They were to young to remember.

 The next few pictures are part of Riding the Ducks attraction.

 Little Man enjoyed seeing all the military vehicles.

 Then we spent a day at Silver Dollar City.

 Bug is the brave adventurous one when it comes to amusement parks.

We also spent a day at the water park and did a few other things. 

The best part is coming home. There is truly no place like home.