Thankfulness

Well, our Advent Conspiracy is going very well so far. We are busily making pre-school activity kits for our grandchildren in lieu of toys, making handmade presents for others as we can, and toning down the entire process. I bought a game for Christmas and plan to set up a puzzle to work on as well. I am thinking of ways for our family to make memories together rather than spend hours opening presents. We enjoy our Christmas in January, so have a lot of time to get ready.

Christmas is coming quickly.

I came across a video today on a favorite blog that shook me up. My husband and I have been struggling with the idea of yet another Christmas where we spend a lot of money on things that no one needs. And yet, we love Christmas!

http://www.adventconspiracy.org/

Click on the cream colored box to the right that says " Lack of." Let me know if your family decides to do this. What are we giving our Lord this year? Much to think about.

Grandchildren are great rewards

Gotta love grandchildren! What a blessing these grandchildren are to me.

New school year craziness

Well, we started our new school year with a bang with Gustov bringing wind, rain, coastal flooding, but basically doing very little damage. We spent the day getting oriented and watching the sky. We were very grateful that we missed the worst. Nightmares of Katrina made us a little edgy.

Every new school year, we are hit with numerous challenges. This year, is no exception. This next week, we are expecting daughter number one to give birth to her fourth child for which we have to travel to AL, daughter number two to fly to Ohio leaving the twins with us, hurricane Ike might hit us, school, my job etc... But we are enjoying school even with the extra challenges. I love homeschooling my girls and love learning along side them. What a blessing!

On a sadder note, today we found out that our puppy died last night. She was fine night before last, but was sick yesterday. Hubby took her to the vet who kept her and told us this morning that she died. They do not know what was wrong with her. The pup that died is the one on my daughter's shoulder in the picture above. The girls are so sad. So far, the other pup and our older dog are fine and show no sign of illness. 24 hours from fine to dead is really hard to take.

In memory of Christa Baker Alexander

In loving memory of Christa Baker Alexander

1983-2008

and baby Alexander

both in the loving arms of their Saviour

Happy birthday to me!

Today is my 49th birthday!! While others might be sighing and feeling down about being almost 50, I'm jumping for joy! 10 years ago, I was diagnosed with a rare, but aggressive cancer. The prognosis was not good and we all faced the possibility that I would not be here to raise our children. Well, fast forward 10 years... Here I sit with two teens in the house, two of my daughters married and our 7th grandchild on the way.

So, 49 sounds wonderful to me!!!!!!! Bring on 59 I say. LOL

God gets all the glory today from me. He was merciful to someone who deserved no mercy.

Thank you dear Father for dying for me. Thank you dear Father for loving me and allowing me to live to raise my children. Thank you for a wonderful life!

When your education pays you back!

We all hear it from our children all the time, " When am I ever going to use this?" or, "Why do we have to learn grammar?"

Well, these past few months, I have started medical transcription at my home. Suddenly, all of those years of learning spelling, grammar and punctuation has started paying off in spades! I think it's hard enough at my age to learn so much of the medical terminology and drug information, but if I had to learn spelling, grammar and punctuation, I would not be able to do my job. I would have had to quit before I started.

I am so grateful for homeschooling which has taught me far more than my children learned!! It certainly is making my transition time easier.