Ski Club!

This year Grace has joined the ski club at school. And today was her second trip up and I chaperoned! I had a great group of kids to include Ashton, Chase and Hunter. I love all these kids know them since they were pretty little. The trip up we listened to Christian tunes and the excitement was building the closer we got to Mt. Shasta Board & Ski Park. This being only Grace and Hunter's second trip they were both surprised to find out they has been moved up to a level 2 and so excited after their lessons to be moved up to a 3!

Our school has a total of 51 snow boarders and/or skiers this year. I had such a great time visiting with other great parents and shooting pictures!

The trip back home filled the car with stories of tricks and crashes! I can't wait to go again!

Punk Rock Day

Crazy Hair Day

It's theme week at school and actually we have another one next week for Red Ribbon week! Today was crazy hair day..so glad I have not taken Jeffrey in for a haircut or we would have had nothing to work with! It's hard to tell in the picture..but Grace had six different brades and/or pony tails going on..very cute!

Moo!

Kkrazy Busy!

Here we are mid September... AWANA starts back up tonight and I am now the T&T Director!

Christie, Kari and I did the first craft with the first grade class yesterday and I have been asked to do crafts for the upper grades Enrichment time. I love crafting with kids...well with anyone really!

First PTO meeting was also yesterday and we will have a fundraiser going come the end of October!

Christie and I are also preparing for our first monthly Crafty Chatter at church in another week. It looks like we will have a great turnout and we are really looking forward to it. We will be making a Fall Rag Wreath. I will post some pictures here soon of some of the crafts we have been up to lately.

We also have a weekly bible study starting in a little over a week at church. It's Beth Moore's study..A Woman's Heart. Doesn't that just sound great? I am looking forward to it. It's been a couple years since we have done one of her studies and I sure did enjoy Believing God. Highly recommend it! I still refer to my book.

Well, I hope everyone is enjoying the change in season. The kids and I have spotted some leaves changing and we are enjoying the milder temps. School for myself and the kids is going well and as you can see we are busy bees. The day is getting away from me so I better get back to the house. Before I know it, it will be time to get the kids from the bus. Happy Wednesday!

frəs-ˈtrā-shən

frustration noun
Main Entry: frustration (+)frus-!trA-shun
Pronunciation: \ (ˌ)frəs-ˈtrā-shən \
Function: noun
Date: circa 1555
1. 1the act of frustrating
2 a. 2 athe state or an instance of being frustratedb. ba deep chronic sense or state of insecurity and dissatisfaction arising from unresolved problems or unfulfilled needs
3. 3something that frustrates

This post comes on the heals of a post that I made on facebook regarding my frustration with the amount of homework that Grace has had. She literaly comes in the door at 3:30 and is at it till at least 8:30 which is past her bedtime! So yes I am frustrated! Grace is a good student and other Mom's commented on my status whose children are also in class with Grace and good students..these are the kids that make Principles List or A honor roll, Spelling Bee winners, active in sports and church...no slackers here they are bright kids who work hard.

So this morning I open my fb to find a message from a church member saying that I shouldn't be talking about this on fb. It is however my facebook. Yes, I am a christian..saved by grace...not perfect just forgiven. I honestly don't feel like I made an error here. Not one of us mentioned anyone by name..we were not addressing the teachers or staff at the school. Just voicing our frustration with the homework. The last time I checked this was a free country and fb is a social networking site. And we are Mom's venting! I don't think I was a bad example to anyone my goodness Christ got frustrated and even angry at the Pharisees..Let's be clear I am not calling anyone a Pharisee! Just saying it is a normal response and feeling to have.

Busy Fall ahead!

Well, school is in full swing..which includes a lot of homework for Grace. She is feeling a bit frustrated with one of her classes as the teacher seems to move a bit fast for her. This bothers me because Grace is a great student always on the A honor roll. So we are praying things get into some sort of a groove for her. Jeffrey is loving first grade and his teacher is so sweet! I am looking forward to starting crafts with them soon.




As, for me I have had to drop one of my classes..the anatomy class was a drive to Weed twice a week and the financial aid office didn't get my VA submitted in time which means no funding from them...which means the cost in gas to high for me without it. So I will take it next fall. The reason for next fall is that Cassie is due in the spring and I hope to be spending a few weeks out there with them.




Other news..I have gladly taken over the roll of T&T director for our AWANA program. We will start that on the 15th and really look forward to learning all the T&Ters names..other than just my group of girls. I am excited as we have new leaders this year as well. Really looking forward to seeing what the Lord has in store for these young people.









Crafts! Christie and I will be doing crafts with the first grade once a week and once a month (the planning takes place tomorrow)at the church as a fellowship outreach. We are excited about both of these opportunities. Christie..just love her! My crafty friend! As I am typing she just text me a picture of a magnet she mod podged! We are becoming addicted to Mod Podge!









Bible Study! I hear that we are going to be doing another Beth Moore study this fall. I am so excited about this! Love Beth Moore! Looking forward to seeing what blessings will come from this study with a great group of women.




Oh and I don't want to forget the upcoming Montague Balloon Fair coming September 24-26 right here in our little town. It is a lot of fun watching those balloons go and up and the best part is inviting over friends for breakfast that Saturday morning. Love the fellowship and the noise from the kids!

So..yes we have a busy time coming up but i wouldn't miss any of it for the world!

School has started!

Ready or not school has started! While the summer was a blast getting into a schedule again is a good thing too! I started back to school on the 16th and the kids the 24th. It has been a couple weeks of trying to get back into the swing of things but so far we are doing good..tired but good. Here are a few pictures of the kids first day.

Catching up...

I have not blogged in so long and it's not for lack of things going on or to say. I have just been so busy.

Let's see my last post was Easter..so shortly after on the 16th we had eight bunnies born. Oh my goodness so darn cute!! We were also in full baseball/softball mode and with school and AWANA going on..well it's such a busy time of the year, I get tired just thinking of it.



May kept us busy with again sports and the last full month of school reports and activities. Grace did her state report on Alabama (cuz of RW) and she did an amazing job and was rewarded with an A+ and an artistic award as well. Each of the kids classes had field trips and Cassie was preparing to head to Colorado to welcome RW home from Afgha***tan. During this time I was plagued by vertigo which was horrible..come to find out it was allergy related!



So June came quick and here we were the last day week of school! While Cassie was welcoming home her hubby and they were house hunting we were having field day at school and the talent show. Grace and Ashton sang I am not ashamed by Newsboys and they did a great job. We have some mighty fine talent here in Siskiyou County.

So just a week into June Cassie and David came home while RW had some military things to take care of. It was so nice to have them back home for VBS. June brings the annual Gold Rush Days in Yreka. There are a lot of great antiques, reenactments, old time pictures, food, & antiques...I loved the antiques! Next Grace was headed to Kidder Creek Ranch Camp for a week. This was her fourth year and she loves it so much. They are amazing out there and have such a great staff of youth that love the Lord. When I drop Grace off she is teary eyed about saying goodbye and when I pick her up she is crying as she says goodbye to her horse. She loves BIG my girl!



We also said goodbye once again to Cassie & David as they met up with RW and all headed to TN for vacation. After dropping them off it was just me and my little man..so Jeffrey and I had a date! We went to a couple stores and then out to dinner. I sure love him he is still my sweet cuddle bug.



Well..after camp Grace's birthday was around the corner..and so between my Folk's and In Laws they gave the kids the money for a swimming pool. So that Friday after camp BBQ and showdeo we went and bought the pool and got it put up on Saturday the kids were having a blast and so Sunday I got in and out..well it was getting out the.. not sure what time and I fell and twisted my ankle and hit my knee. PAIN!!! I had to crawl to the lawn chair. All the while Grace asking if she should call 911 or a friend and me Screaming, "NO"! I was in my swimsuit for goodness sakes! I didn't care if it was fractured..nobody was seeing me in my swimsuit! Thank goodness for my sweet kids who took very good care of me and on Monday I was able to see the Dr. who said it was a bad sprain and a bruised knee bone that would take quite some time to heal. It is getting better slowly.

Watcha Working on Wednesday...well Tuesday night!

Today our school is celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday with characters of all shapes and sizes and Green Eggs & Ham of course! Here are my loves.




A few quotes from Dr. Seuss:

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”

“How did it get so late so soon? Its night before its afternoon. December is here before its June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?”

“"I'm sorry to say so but, sadly it's true that bang-ups and hang-ups can happen to you"”

Snow~

Today was our first snow of the season..which is a bit late. It sure is pretty! So it worked out nice that today in 5th grade we decorating gourds as snowmen. They turned out so cute and the kids loved them. The theme kept going as we then made snowmen out of paint sticks. Great idea thanks to Christie! And they were a big hit as well. Here are few pictures.

Spelling Bee

Big news at our house! Grace and her bestest friend Ashton were finalist in the school Spelling Bee!! Which means that they placed over the 4th-6th graders and that they will be going to the county Spelling Bee at COS in January!

Now while that is so incredible..The thing that stands out the most was this. These two were so nervous as they only had their words for two days. I had told Grace to study and pray about it. Well, just before the bee was to start these two sweethearts bowed their heads and prayed right there in the gym! Cassie happened to see them and I was able to catch it..a priceless moment between friends and the Lord they love. Now If you can imagine it got even better! Once they were announced winners they were thanking the Lord and not saying yes we did it! Nope they gave God the glory. I told Grace how proud I was of her giving God the glory for her success and she proceeded to tell me how could she not because without God she is nothing.

Being a widowed Mother it is a daily struggle hoping that I am doing as the Lord would have me to do with my children. And, trusting him that he is overall. We are doing a bible study on Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp and the whole point is really to have children have a heart for the Lord. It is in moments like these that I see it happening. Not to say there are not struggles or rough roads ahead but I hope the foundation that I am laying is strong in the Lord...because without him I am nothing!

Philippians 4:10-13
I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Johnny Appleseed

So Friday's I work in both the kids classrooms and this past Friday in Kindergarten we celebrated Johnny Appleseed's birthday with caramel apples. Jeffrey wasn't so keen on his as it was a bit to warm and he didn't want to be sticky..dirt..mud..those are okay! But, not sticky!

Another great story from Proverbs 31..love that site!

Fall is a great time to read the story of Johnny Appleseed to your children and try some new apple recipes!
John Chapman, a small man with amazing endurance, is known as "Johnny Appleseed." He was really an American pioneer, a kind and gentle hero, and a uniquely American legend.

Johnny Appleseed carried a bag of apple seeds, a spade, his cooking pot on his head, a coffee sack for a coat and a Bible as he traveled barefoot westward, planting apple seeds as he went on his sacred quest.

Folks still remember little Johnny and sing his song: "The Lord is good to me...And so I thank the Lord...For giving me the things I need...The sun and rain and the appleseed...The Lord is good to me."

God was good to him. He met many pioneers, read Bible stories to children and adults and gave apple seeds to the settlers. He showed people how to make apples into juice, pies, sauce, butter and Brown Betty. Johnny spread the Word of God as well as apples. He believed that God wanted him to go around and read his Bible to people and plant apple trees for them.

Johnny Appleseed's gentleness and courage were legendary even in his own time. He was a peaceful man who walked alone in the wilderness, without gun, knife or any weapons. He chopped down no trees and killed no animals. Watching apples grow inspired Johnny to love nature and all the animals in it. Folks say he could talk to the animals.

He was friends with the Indians too and traveled with a wolf companion. He slept outdoors, walked barefoot, ate berries and such, and made drinking water in winter by melting snow with his feet. The Indians found him nearly dead in the snow one time and nursed him back to health.

Johnny Appleseed left home and headed west to the Allegheny Mountains and cleared land to plant apple orchards. Johnny kept moving westward. In each community he planted apple orchards. In his travels, Johnny would stop at a farm and work for only his meals and a place to sleep, and he always left some apple seeds for the farmer to plant.

Then one day while he was resting under an apple tree, he heard a voice, "You have one long last trip to take." Johnny protested that he couldn't go, he had crops to harvest, seeds to sow but the voice continued, " Your work here on earth is done; but, Johnny, up in heaven we need you. You may think we have all we please -- but we don't, we're kinda short on apple trees, we need you here."

Fun Ways to Eat Apples

Recipes from virginiaapples.org.

Applesauce Cake in a Cone - A Magical Microwave Creation
Prepare a one or two layer spice cake mix according to package directions, except substitute applesauce for the water. Pour batter into flat-bottomed ice cream cones, no more than half full. Arrange 6 cones in a circle in microwave and cook on full power 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 minutes. Continue baking 6 cones at a time until all batter is used. When ready to serve, top each cupcake with a big scoop of ice cream.


Quick Apple Crisp
6-8 apples, peeled and sliced
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 ( 5 oz.) stick pastry mix
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 c. brown sugar
Place apples in greased, 8 inch square or round pan. Combine pastry mix (dry) with sugar and spices. Sprinkle over apples. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes. Serve with ice cream or whipped topping.

Or try these ideas for a change of pace…

Substitute apple slices for jelly on peanut butter sandwiches.

Freeze applesauce, then whip it in a blender for an apple "slushie".

First Day of School

School started for those of us here mid August. Crazy to think all my kids are in school now..Jeffrey started Kindergarten and loves every minute of it. Grace is in fifth grade now and still loves school. I feel very blessed to have children that love to go to school and come in the door eager to get their homework done.

Summer is coming to an end....

Long gone are the days when school started after Labor Day....at least here in California! The kids will be back in school on Wednesday and Miss Grace will be in the 5th grade and Jeffrey will start Kindergarten. Yikes! Where has the time gone? It truley seems like I was just dropping Cassie off at Kindergarten! I think I am feeling a bit melenchally about Jeffrey starting as he is my last. >> sniff sniff <<

On the upside I do look forward to having a daily routine again...I might actually have some quiet time! Plus we have all the fun things of Fall..my favorite season to look forward to!

Happy Back to School Everyone!

Spelling Bee

So today was the big spelling bee at school. Each classroom competed a couple weeks ago to see who would go onto today's big show. The girls competed in the group of 4th-6th graders and did great! Grace finished in 5th place out of 15 competitors. She then was routing for Ashton to win it all. Ashton finished in 3rd place! I can't tell you how proud I am of these girls and for that matter all the kids that were incredible today! Way to GO GES!! Here are a couple of pictures of the girls. Notice they were both in dresses today. This is probably the first time this year! They are such little tomboys..we are working on being ladies. Also note..the stains on their knees! Oh well they are still too cute for words!

Field Trip to the Pumpkin Patch!

Well, today we headed to the pumpkin patch with the preschoolers! It was fun and the big excitement was riding the bus! Both Jeffrey and Dawson thought that was pretty cool! Dawson said it was like being in a plane! I must admit I felt sick like I do in a plane!LOL