Homeschool Hangout with Spann the Man

So, third, fourth, fifth time's the charm? I'm really not sure what I'm up to on blogging attempts now, but here we go again, anyway!

The first Wednesday of every month is homeschool hangout day at the library. James Spann was March's guest speaker. The kids loved it, especially Tyler, of course! That kid loves him some weather! We have videos on Jeremy's phone that he has made of himself doing the weather report. Maybe one day he will grow up to be a  meteorologist. It would not surprise me at all! I took a picture of the kids with Mr. Spann, but my "smart" phone doesn't want to attach it. If I ever figure it out, I will add it in.

Weekend On The Farm

Things sure do stay busy around here! After the boys finished their school work yesterday, they went up to the shop with Jeremy and his dad to work cows. They helped get the cows and everything ready to vaccinate, worm, tag, and castrate. Then it was time for a little fourwheeler riding. The boys are so happy to have their own fourwheeler now. They are so good with taking turns driving while the other one rides with daddy.
This morning the boys played outside while Jeremy mowed and turned up the garden. Audrey had to be content hanging out inside with me for a little while. But she's getting her turn now!

Helping daddy push up limbs.

Going to head to spend some time with friends tonight to end the day on a great note!

Wow. It's been almost a year since I posted! Things are crazy. Growing children, homeschool, work, church...you name it! I promise, I keep wanting to post, but my laptop is This Close to being completely dead, and you can forget connecting to wifi! I have a new smart phone, though, so maybe I can start making some simple posts from it. :)

Hi from me and sissy!

Class of 2012

Troy's preschool graduation was Monday. I, of course squalled my eyes out....partially because he was crying, too. I think he was embarrassed by being in front of all those people. 

 He didn't want to sing the songs, which is so unlike my sweet T-roy.

 He started to reluctantly get into the Bear Hunt.

 The only time he smiled during the whole program.

 Working up his cry.

 He finally broke down....and that's when I did, too. It didn't help that they played their slideshow next.

 Waiting to receive his "dipoloma"

 My big boy is now a preschool graduate!

 Presenting the pre-k class of 2012!

 Miss Kim tried her hardest to get him to smile. He finally agreed to smile for me if I would let him take his t-shirt off.

 We are going to miss Miss Kim and Miss Lori! We love them! But it will be three years before......

....this one is ready for pre-k!

Ok, She thinks she is ready right now. We are going to miss being at preschool after being there for the past almost 4 years! We may have to make some visits to see our favorite teachers. ;)

Bunnies and Piglets and Chicks, Oh My!

Troy's preschool class went to the petting zoo on Friday. They all had so much fun! I can tell that we will be making more trips there in the future!

Troy is a sucker for baby chicks!

Audrey was trying her best to get in with the chicks, too.

She loved the bunnies!

Troy caught a piglet.

 Checking out the pheasants.

 Taylor helped keep Audrey in line.

 Baby goats!

 Audrey loved the pony ride. She cried when she had to get off. She is a little equestrian!

 Miss Kim took Audrey to console her after she had to get off the pony.

 Troy loves to ride, too! (He is actually riding by himself a little at home, now!)

 Ty gives the thumbs up - he is ready to go!

 Playground break

 And these two fellows, just because they were beautiful!

Something Wrong?

So, guess what song my internal jukebox has been playing? Aerosmith's "Living On The Edge."

"There's something wrong with the world today,
I don't know what it is.
Something's wrong with our eyes.
We're seeing things in a different way
And God knows it ain't His."

What is wrong with the world we live in, where "Christians" turn a blind eye to blatant sin? We have become so desensitized to it, that we have given "heed to seducing spirits" and our consciences have been "seared with a hot iron." One of the biggest issues I am looking at right now is adultery/fornication.

What tv show or movie can you watch that does not fling one, or both, of these in your face? How many people do you know who have been affected by them? But we are supposed to be "tolerant," because Christians have developed a reputation for being complacent. As long as you don't bother us, we won't bother you. But I don't think this is how God intended for us to be. Weren't we compared to soldiers? When we put on the armor of Christ, we have many defenses, but we also have a weapon. The sword of truth. We are to teach the erring, in love, that what they are doing is wrong. They need to repent. Not just be sorry we don't approve, but truly turn from what ever sin has hold of them. If we don't try to help them, we are just as guilty. Sometimes they will refuse to listen. That isn't our fault. Like in the parable of the sower, sometimes our words are going to fall on hearts of stone. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't try. In a loving way. Not a stern, "I'm better than you." But a loving "I care about you."

I don't have all the answers. I don't even claim to have some of the answers. But God does. And if we don't turn to Him, where are we going to end up? I have been married less than 10 years and I have too many peers who have already been divorced, remarried, some even remarried a second time. 4 of us got married the same summer I did....we are half and half on first and second marriages, and the other couple who are still together have had marital problems. Multiple friends of mine have had cheating spouses. I can't tell you how many have had children out of wedlock. People who call themselves Christians. I know we all sin. We each have different weaknesses, and that is definitely not one of mine, or Jeremy's, although we have others. But it is sad to me that actions like this have become so accepted in society. We have prenuptial agreements, which are plans to fail. We have people living together before they get married, "just to see if it is going to work." I have a sister-in-law right now who has a live in boyfriend that she is about to have a baby with, and as far as I know, no plans at all to marry. Do I love her any less? Of course not. Do I agree with how she is living her life? Again, of course not. She knows both of these facts. But at the same time, I can't force her to do any different.

Also, look at where our complacency with this issue has gotten us. Letting this sin run rampant has opened the doors for other sins to start pushing their way through, such as homosexuality. Where does it stop? How long until God looks at our country and decides enough is enough? Or has He already? He is being forced out of our schools, out of the workplace, out of our government. And He is giving us "over to a reprobate mind" (Romans 1:28), to a world where adultery is the norm, where homosexuality is blatant, and where other sins abound. Most of us are guilty of not having our priorities in order, if nothing else. I urge you to join me in prayer and conviction. The only way things will get better is if we bring God back. Back into our country, back into our lives, back to His rightful place as King over all.

Relay For Life 2012

I just love doing something that is both worthwhile and fun, don't you? Well, Friday was our local Relay For Life. This was my first year doing it as an adult, and actually working on a team to raise money. It was a lot of work, but so much fun. I am already looking forward to doing it again next year! The kids had a lot of fun, too. Tyler keeps talking about, "Remember we had so much fun on Friday?" He loves any time he gets to play with other kids. We didn't stay all night, as Katie (my team mate/captain) and I both have small children. It was right at 11 pm before we got out of there, though, so my kiddos were worn out! Audrey out-partied both of the boys! I know you are dying to see pictures, so, being the kindhearted person that I am, I will oblige. ;)

 Andy, on the far right, was who our team was formed for. He is Jeremy's friend from school, and his wife and I have become good friends, too. He overcame testicular cancer a few years ago. The other two are his parents, who both had skin cancers.

 My sweet baby girl. :)

 Our team name was Daddy's Warriors, and our tent theme was Napoleon Dynamite, which is one of Andy's favorite movies. (I have never seen it!)

 Ok, sorry it's sideways, but this was just a couple of posters of the people we sold luminaries to honor.

 Our booth fundraisers were face painting and selling homemade ice cream. Troy and Ty decided they wanted their arms painted instead of their faces.

 There was a big open area behind the tents where all the kids could run and play. Auston, the boy here with Troy and Audrey, goes to church with us. He is battling cancer right now, too. Their tent was set up next to ours.

 Troy takes care of his little sister. I think the football they were playing with either hit her, or got to close and scared her. He was picking her up to carry her back to me.

 Another shot of my beautiful sweetie pie!

 Jeremy's sister and her family came, to support us and Auston's team (our brother-in-law is a police officer with Auston's dad). One of the other booths was selling sky lanterns, and they bought one. Our pyromaniac children were very excited by this.

 "Up, up and away!"

 My sweet husband and our brother-in-law.

 Gotta love that grin!

 Brotherly lu-uv!

 The sky lantern Katie bought to honor Andy. She wrote "Daddy's Warriors" on the side.

 Kind of made me think of the movie Tangled. The sky lantern ceremony was very beautiful and touching.

 Katie and Andy watching the sky lanterns go up. I loved this shot of them. 

(and yes, there was crying.)

 Ty decided he'd had enough fun.

 My sweet freckle faced boy

Another sideways shot. Troy was trying so hard to stay awake, but his eyelids were winning. This is a kid up way past his bedtime. ;)

Ok, I know I have bored you enough with all my pictures. I need to get going anyway. Lots of schoolwork and housework to do today before time to buy groceries! Helloooooo, Monday!