Pumpkin Bread

When I think of fall, I think of quick breads.  Pumpkin bread is one of my favorites!  This recipe turned out incredibly good, so I thought I'd share-

This was my first try at a yeast free/gluten free, but not sugar free quick bread.  For those of us who have allergy/asthma triggers due to yeast, this is something that you will definitely want to eat in moderation, as it has a fairly high sugar content. 
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1 15 or 16 oz. Can of Pumpkin
2 1/2 cups of Organic Sugar
***1 Cup of Coconut Oil
1/3 Cup Water
4 Eggs
3 1/2 Cups of Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Biscuit and Baking Mix
1 1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 1/2 teaspoons Cinnamon
1 teaspoon Nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon Ginger
1/4 teaspoon of Cloves
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Oil two 8x4 bread loaf pans.  Blend first 5 ingredients with mixer on low until well mixed.  Keep mixer running and add the remaining ingredients.  Continue blending on low until well mixed then beat on a medium speed for a couple of minutes.  Pour batter into pans.  Bake at 350 for about 40 minutes - 50 minutes. 

** If you are one to make recipe's "your own," please know that I really believe that the coconut oil is an important ingredient to remain in this recipe.  When I first took the bread out of the oven I was a little concerned with it's moisture content.  Quick breads are supposed to be moist, and the tops of my breads looked like a regular loaves of bread.  Thankfully, looks can be deceiving - and in this case they were.  The Pumpkin Bread  turned out super moist, and super sweet, and I truly believe the credit for this goes to the coconut oil.

The photo came out a little too dark.  Can you tell it's moist?

By the time I thought about taking a picture, it was almost too late!  I hope this pic shows the top of the bread well enough to be able to tell that it does not have a "normal" quick bread look.  You would never know when eating it though!  :-D

Delicious Surprise

Eating yeast free - and as gluten free as possible can be challenging to say the least.  However, thanks to some friends, I discovered a fabulous way to bake Bob's Red Mill (gluten free) cornbread.  Using a secret ingredient, the recipe on the back of the package - and without adding even 1 speck of sugar, I made moist and amazingly sweet tasting cornbread!

If you've ever tried making this cornbread, you may wonder how mine turned out moist and sweet tasting...  So here's a hint!

The key to this delicious surprise appears to be directly related to:

Being the wife of a southern man, I always made cornbread with butter - and added a tablespoon or two of sugar to the recipe.  When I found Bob's Red Mill Cornbread Mix, I naturally did the same - but really, it just came out way too dry.  Switching to coconut oil and omitting the sugar almost felt unnatural to me, but a few of my friends have been raving about how it makes food moist and sweet, so I thought I'd give it a try.  Not only did I love the results, but my husband did too!  We have a new winner!  

Cornbread with a pot of chili was a great way to kick off the "cool" season of the year!  (Which comes late and sporadic for us.)
 

Life Happenings In Pictures

Our first Corn Maze experience in Zellwood-  After 2 hours of wandering (sometimes aimlessly,) in the maze, we completed 1/2 of the clues...  Alexis and I learned that she too, (like me) has terrible trouble with her sense of direction.  Although we ran into at least 3 Maize-o-vision boards, they did us absolutely no good.  Looking at the map through the decoder, only confirmed that we are clueless at reading maps without signs around us that tell where we are in the first place...  In spite of all, we loved the challenge, and can't wait to go back and do this again next year!  (We will most certainly begin our day earlier though.)

Alexis and a sweet friend!

As the hot Florida days have begun to take on a cool edge, we've been enjoying some outdoor time.  Last week we went Letterboxing at Leu Gardens with our homeschool support group's Outdoor's Club.  I'd love to spend about a day a month doing this again in other places around town. 

A few things learned along the way... 

• Yellow Jackets can nest in the ground.  (Although no one in our small group was stung, 3 people from our large group were.)   :-(

• Sometimes Letterboxes get moved or removed before you seek to find the location.  Be prepared that a box may no longer be there!
• Next time around, we will bring a compass and a pen.

Part of our group...

Using the "hidden treasure" stamp in their letterboxing folders...

We have been incredibly blessed to have our circle of homeschool friends, and a church that allows us this ministry.  Our family is now into our ninth year in our homeschool support group!  Most of these girls have known each other since they were very little.  I love looking back at Alexis' old yearbooks to reminisce on how much they've grown.

Co-op Friends Goofing Off~

Auditions, rehearsals, and then the reward!  Voices of Joy performances---  The photos below are at our church's preschool... 

Can you say Seuss?

Wide Mouth Frog  (The Alligator Part)

God Loves You Very Much

I am so very thankful for the opportunities my daughter has as a homeschooler.  It is an absolute blessing to be a part of the process of her education, and life!  

With gratitude, I thank you, Lord, for this journey of joy!

Night of Joy Times 2

A few weekends ago, (almost a month now...  I'm waaay behind on my blog posts...) while our older children were at work, Alexis went with some family friends and their daughters to Disney's Night of Joy.  She had an absolute blast!  They saw Skillet and Disciple and rode a few rides in between.  It was a great night for all, and I am thankful for my friends who have the energy to run around chaperoning teens into the late hours of the night.

While our children were tied up with their own interests, David and I did something that we've never, ever done before...  We went to a different Disney Park, (Epcot) alone!  What a unique concept!  We had a great time, mostly walking the world showcase and treating ourselves to some extra goodies that we probably wouldn't have considered if our children had been with us.  I wish we'd thought of it earlier, as this was not the first time that we've been left to ourselves this year.

Many moons ago, sometime early on in our marriage, we went to a couple of marriage conferences at our church.  At both, the key note speakers inevitably implied that it is imperative! a couple must! take time out of the house away from the children for themselves!!!  David and I pondered that notion for awhile, but it just never felt right for our family.  We did not see this as an earthshaking situation, and sincerely enjoyed doing things as a family.  (If that makes sense.)  Therefore, when our children were small, we chose to spend our money and time on the family, rather than on babysitters and a night out for two.  On a rare occasion when our parents were in town, (maybe around an anniversary,) they would offer to watch our children, and we would go out by ourselves - but mostly we had our outings as a family.

It feels peculiar to imagine that we are now walking towards the base of the empty nester bridge.  We've been parents for almost 23 years!   With many prayers continuously being sent requesting this, I am hopeful that we will be blessed with an abundance of grandchildren.  It is also my prayer that they will be a big part of that next chapter of our lives.  But when the troops go home, what will that next stage look like?  Just the two of us...  Wow!  We have not said that in a very long while.

If David and I are able to enjoy our future as a couple anything like our first little outing, I think we'll be alright!  <3  We are blessed! 

Adjustments...

Deuteronomy 6:6-7  These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 
 
About 4 weeks into Sonlight's Core 200 curriculum, I began to realize that the history topics are really a bit too mature for Alexis.  Going into it, I did not comprehend how tough the content would be to absorb/take.  The History of God's Kingdom is a hard subject matter to read about day after day.  Oddly, I had a preconceived notion that this history of the roots of the early church would consist of good times and bad - growth and suffering, which it does, but the emphasis feels as though it is on the suffering.  Until now, I was not even aware of the continuous persecution and atrocities performed against Christians in the early church.  I mistakenly believed that I was perfectly knowledgeable about the martyrdom which took place within and outside of the Roman Empire era, the Crusades, and more.  However, as usual, Sonlight brings history to life quite clearly.  Reality of the new church is harsh, and that gets S.P.E.L.L.E.D. out well in Core 200.  It became clear real fast, that I would have some adjustments to make in order to make this Core work for my daughter.

Truthfully, I almost walked away from Core 200 altogether  It is not that I dislike this curriculum, actually quite the opposite.  It just simply includes an overwhelming amount of harsh truths/content that makes my daughter uncomfortable.  I wondered if setting the Core down for a few years would be the easiest thing to do -then just start over - somewhere.  I had not a clue what I would replace it with though.  Thoughts kept rushing through my head remembering the time spent praying before we chose this Core and the discussions I had about it with my daughter..  I was just sure that God was pointing us in this direction.  What to do...

Still wanting to use an Apologetics type of curriculum, I found my new search coming up empty.  So, after much seeking and even more prayer, I believe that we are to continue to proceed with Sonlight Core 200 - but--- with some balance.  All along, the plan was to work with Alexis in Bible and History lessons.  I will continue to do this and will screen the history books to tone down the brutality.  This makes for a much shorter lesson.  In order to build back some content, I am adding The Mystery of History (Volume II and probably some of Volume III) in bits and pieces.  I like their gentleness so far, however, it seems to be at the opposite end of the "blunt" spectrum from Sonlight,.  I would like Alexis to have something in the middle of both.  It is my hope to achieve this, as I strongly feel that this history should not be entirely glossed over, but for her sake, it needs to be palatable.

In addition to the book censoring, ;-)  I've added a Hands and Hearts History Kit (Ancient Greece and Rome,) which will be used throughout the first semester, although it is most fitting used in the beginning of the year.  Alexis has loved other Hands and Hearts History kits in the past, and so far, this one looks just as great as the others.  We will also include several of the hands on activities that The Mystery of History includes in their book.  I noticed that quite a few of them seem to be for younger children - which we will pass on, but I do like a decent amount of their hands-on supplements.  We also will try to incorporate movies from Netflix where applicable.  We did this for Cores 5 and 6 and loved it - however, I am finding it difficult to find filtered movies for this Core.  The most benign movie about Nero I've found was a 1951 movie called  Quo Vadis.  Alexis was less than impressed with the acting, so I gave her a pass on it.  I'll admit after reading The Flames of Rome, the movie felt like a bad representation of the book.  Next up- That the World May Know, Faith Lessons on the Early Church: Conquering the Gates of Hell.

All this to say, as we finish week 6 of school, we are finding our own with History this year.  I know my sweet daughter will grow in her faith and knowledge of Christ without including every last detail of a church history full of fallen sinners.  Perhaps her gentle spirit needs more time to process how ugly it can get without Jesus in the picture.  As for me, I am finding the full content of the Sonlight Core 200 curriculum completely riveting.  We are both growing. 

1 Peter 3:15-16

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Homeschooling Through a Traffic Jam

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.   

 When I first became Alexis' "official" teacher, our schoolhouse was quite different than it is now.  My two older children were attending a Christian School, and my husband worked in an office about 15 miles from home.  Four years later, one child went away to college, one was still in high school, and my husband continued working at his office.  The following year - both older children had flown the nest off to college, and it was terribly quiet.  The lack of activity was almost deafening.  None of us left behind liked it very much.

 

Amanda returned home after her first year, wanting to stay here.  We warmly welcomed her back.  It felt so very good to have her around again!  After registering for her fall classes, I realized that Amanda would have some down time during our school time.  We smiled, and tried to stay flexible - still glad to have her here.  We all learned to work around each other, and homeschooling went just fine until about April...  With one-fifth of our school year remaining, David spent most days making business calls and working out of our home while we had some major remodeling done.  Amanda had a crazy schedule and seemed to excessively be in and out, and workers were constantly roaming throughout our house, prying windows out of walls and more.  In the name of progress, Alexis and I bit our tongues, tried to stay focused - and persevered for two loooong months.

 

Thankful and grateful were emotions I held when we began another school year in a quiet house.  Amanda's schedule was busier, David (son) was back at school, my husband was back at his office, and Alexis and I embraced a home-front that stayed peaceful and productive.  As the new year rolled in, my husband began to hear rumors of a restructure within his company.  We felt concern, prayed often, and held on tight awaiting news.  We were both ever so relieved and thankful when we learned that David's job remained safe.  His office, however, did not.  David learned that he would have to work out of our house.  When receiving the news, I winced...  Immediately I felt shameful for my reaction, and quickly repented to my husband - attempting to hold a determination that this new way of life would work for our family.  Within the next few months, our homeschool environment once again received an upheaval as my husband moved his office into our bedroom.  Believing that this was temporary, and that he would soon use our son's bedroom as an office, (upon graduation, David had hoped to remain in his college town and get a job,) and knowing too, that we would soon finish Alexis' homeschool year, I attempted to relent peaceably to this invasion.  (Key word:  Attempted.  I waned at my repentance - truth be known.)  In spite of everything, we completed Alexis' 7th grade year...

 

That brings us to the present school year...  About a month or so ago I blogged about a struggle I was having concerning a job that my son planned to accept.  Although I came to a place of letting God know that I was okay with it if it was His choice, I was relieved when the offer left the table.  David has accepted another job - and will remain here, leaving for work just as Alexis finishes school each day.  Amanda goes to college full time and works part time.  During Alexis' school days, Amanda is gone only 4 of those hours per week.  My husband remains in the carved out office in our bedroom holding conference calls, phone meetings, etc.  Alexis and I work mostly in our family room, which is the center of our home.  Our walls are thin, our ceilings are high.  I used to think that we had the perfect sized house.  There was no coveting on my part for a schoolroom, until now....  Just a little bit....  Sometimes lately more often than not....

Although there are moments that I wish our bonding was done after school hours, I try to stay mindful of the fact that I love my family, and would be foolish to be unappreciative of any time spent together.  When there is an invasion of the kitchen during a math lesson, with dishes clanking - and a microwave running, clearly I know that I will soon blink my eyes - and this season of our lives will be over.  When Alexis' Bible lesson is going on, and Amanda wants a car moved so she can get hers into the driveway to be washed, I try to smile and remember that the older two will soon be out on their own, Alexis will be off to college, and David will have made an office out of one of their rooms.  I know I will look back on these days with a recognition of worth and give thanks to the One who gave me these blessings.  I will strive to keep my attitude in check for Him!  I think...  I hope...

8th Grade - Here We Go!!!

Romans 12:2: Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.

As we begin Alexis' 2011/2012 homeschool year, I'd like to think that this will be a verse that both she and I can focus on.  For me, it is a strong reminder and encouraging verse as a homeschooler who strives to follow the Lord's best for my daughter's education...

With only just a week of Sonlight Core 200 under our belts, I am already a tremendous fan.  Alexis finished, and enjoyed reading Pictures of Hollis Woods, and is working through the questions in The Westminster Shorter Catechism.  I began reading Flames of Rome to her--- and yes, I've already come across some (age inappropriate) controversial topics.  (I'm very thankful for the moms on the Sonlight boards who gave a forewarning.)   For us, some of the subject matter will require my editing, and some will most certainly require discussion.  Alexis and I still do Bible and History lessons together, and are especially liking The Story of Christianity and More than a Carpenter. 

History of God's Kingdom is a high school level Core, and we are without a doubt feeling the workload difference from the middle school Cores.  We hit the ground running this week, starting back with co-op, piano, and music/drama.  Added into the mix were dentist and doctor appointments, yet my daughter seems to have handled the workload quite well!

Abeka was our starting point this week for Pre-Algebra...  So far so good!  Alexis used Abeka for several years and did quite well - then she switched to Teaching Textbooks.  (Her request, and I had heard lots of good things about the curriculum.)  Although she loved doing her math work on the computer, she was not retaining the information the way she needed to.  Last year we tried to switch to Chalk Dust Pre-Algebra, and for various reasons, I did not feel she was ready.  So...  we backtracked a little - and now I am feeling much more confident that she is prepared.  I was given our Abeka books, and noticed that the print is larger than the Chalk Dust workbooks.  Alexis' eyes get weary with tiny print, so I've decided to try using the Abeka Pre-Algebra with the Chalk Dust DVD's as needed .  It remains to be seen if this will work or not.

Watercolors Co-op Class will probably be Alexis' favorite of the year.  Not just co-op either!!!  She has an incredible passion for art, and is so happy to be learning many new techniques.  I hope to take pictures of her artwork and post on this blog at some point.

Alexis' Apologia General Science class went quite well - I think...  :-)  This is a bittersweet moment for me.  It will be the final co-op class that I teach - where Alexis is a student!  No, this will not be the last co-op class that I teach.  I just do not plan to teach a high school level class.  I am fine teaching my own daughter, I'm just not comfortable teaching a class that will go on student's high school transcripts.  lol!!!

Next week we will begin Latin.  It is the only at home subject that was not covered this week.  That was intentional, due to the many appointments that kept us off schedule.

Writing and Public Speaking/Debate classes will start in a few weeks.  Alexis is looking forward to attending these classes all school year.  (Although next year I hope to go back to Write Shop, which I recommend highly and love!!!)  I am thankful to a wonderful friend for teaching these courses - so my daughter can grow in confidence in her writing skills, and can learn how to use her debating skills in an effective way.  I so understand her wanting to do that, as I too wanted to be able to spar with my brother and sister on equal platforms at that age, but being many years younger - it's sometimes hard to get taken seriously!

My bonus baby - Last Year's First Day of School Picture.  We are having problems transferring pics onto one of our computers - so I have delayed taking her photo until I can clear the san disc.

#21 - Happy Birthday Amanda!

Before the hustle and bustle of a hectic school year begins, we were blessed with one more relaxing get-away to the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort.  Our latest (and last for awhile,) excursion, was a trip to Bonita Springs to celebrate Amanda's 21st birthday.  Our first two days were spent around their pools - first at the lazy river - then over to the water-slide pool area with the hot tub.  Our girls used the hot tub, but I couldn't bear the idea of doing the same when we were already surrounded by 90 degree + temperatures.  We missed out on the rock climbing, but David and I enjoyed going over to the resort's private island on our last day while our children did what they seem to love to do best - sleep!  :-) 

Amanda and Alexis  in our hotel room

David

We ate some outstanding pizza on this evening, not too far from the hotel.  Then we drove over to Ft. Myers beach.  Although we missed the sunset, the sky was still shining with some amazingly beautiful colors.  Alexis seemed especially happy to be heading to the pier.

Not a great picture of our family, (the humidity was not nice to our hair) however, it has all of us in the pic, which is a rarity.

Loving the ice cream from Kilwin's

Looking up at Alexis while she's in a store strongly wishing she could buy a surfboard.

Amanda - the night of her birthday.  Back at the hotel after a delicious seafood dinner, looking forward to receiving her birthday gifts and key lime pie...

Heading to Big Hickory Island with my husband.

We thought this huge pelican was going to be the animal highlight of the boat trip over to the island until we saw.........

This!

A sweet little dolphin who seemed to like racing our boat!  I really wanted a picture of it's face - it jumped many times, but I just was not able to snap a shot at just the right moment.

Past the bridge is our island!

David's walking the beach looking for seashells.  We actually found several beautiful shells that day!

Our hotel - a view from the boat on our trip back.  Not long after we arrived on the island, a storm came out of nowhere - and if it had come our way, we would have been stuck there for much longer than planned.  Yes, they have shelter, and it's enclosed. 

My precious sweet grown girl.  She'll always be my baby!

I love you, Amanda!

21 Reasons that I thank God for Amanda!


1.  She was given the gift of liveliness.  Put Amanda in the mix, and you know you'll have fun!
2.  She was given the gift of adventure.  Amanda loves to experience new things, roller coasters, new places,  meeting new people...  Her eyes sparkle whenever she knows she is about to encounter a new endeavor.
3.  She was given the gift of giving.  Amanda blesses others with her time and talents.  As a young teen and beyond, she loved to volunteer in the nursery, at AWANA, help me with my Sunday School class, and assist in our church's special needs class.  At times she has gladly sacrificed a social life in order to meet the needs of others in this way.
4.  She was given the gift of swiftness.  Amanda began walking at 8 months.  I should have known right then that she would not be slow to move or learn.  She's always been so fast!  Fast to memorize, a quick reader, a speedy cleaner!  
5.  She was given the gift of happiness.  More than anybody in our family, Amanda stays stuck on happy.  That is SUCH a good thing!  It makes being around her absolutely delightful!
6.  She was given the gift of being able to easily forgive.  I think that is partially why she stays joyful so much of the time.
7.  She was given the gift of a hard working ethic.  Amanda takes her job seriously and responsibly.  She's usually the person that her employer ends up relying on to get the difficult tasks done.  She stays dependable and a steady to her job.
8.  She was given the gift of intelligence.  I'm not just saying that because she's ours...  Amanda is an exceptionally bright girl, and always has been.  I am sometimes surprised when she is surprised of her accomplishments.  I believe that she can achieve whatever she sets her mind to.
9.  She was given the gift of friendliness.  Although she has a tendency to be on the shy side, Amanda speaks comfortably and confidently to others.
10.  She was given the gift of being practical.  She at times can get carried away with a few too many trips to Starbucks - or a shopping trip that's not totally necessary, however, Amanda most always stays extremely practical - wanting to be a good steward of what God has entrusted her with.  
11.  Amanda is witty.  I love laughing with her.
12.  Amanda loves to be pampered.  It's a joy to see the pleasure she receives when we do something special for her.  It makes it so worth it!
13.  Amanda is truly creative!  She has a good eye for decorating, likes to make jewelry, and lately she tie dyed some incredible looking shirts.  For the most part she has laid her artistic/crafty abilities to the side while she is attending college and working, but I can't wait to see what she will venture into next when she has the time.
14.  Amanda loves being with her family.  Although she totally adores the hours spent out having fun with friends, Amanda does like to be with us.  I feel so extremely blessed that my 21 year old WANTS to devote time to her family.
15.  Amanda is a daddy's girl.  From the time she was little, she had her dad's heart.  Amanda still thrives on that - and feels most confident when he's encouraging and supporting her.
16.  Amanda likes to stay busy - and is always finding ways to keep herself occupied.  
17.  Amanda is our techno baby.  She has no hesitation to attempt repair on electronics, and often will fix our problems.  She's taught us how to run new gadgets, and if it were not for her willingness to teach me, I'm sure I would not be able to do half of what I can do with my computer.
18.  Amanda wants to be her sister's style mentor.  She loves helping her pick out and/or buy outfits, and if she is asked, will gladly share her clothes.  It's fun to watch them bond like this, because my sister and I did the same thing! 
19.  Amanda is extremely loyal to her brother.  With just 17 months between them, they grew up with a strong bond of  companionship and friendship.
20.  Amanda's most lovely feature is her smile.  She walks around carrying one - always.  Even when it is not intentional, she's smiling anyway.
21.  Above all, what I love most about Amanda is that she has given her heart to our Lord Jesus.  She loves Him, trusts Him, and desires to serve and honor Him in her life.

Milestones

Throughout the years, many of my son's milestones seemed more significant than the last.  I can clearly remember when he first discovered his hand - and that he had control over it's motions.  The first glimpse of his struggle to roll over felt a triumph when achieved, and we watched in awe.  The first time he sat up - I missed.  Noticing his pleased smile when I walked into the room to pick him up - I felt so incredibly proud to see my son sitting in his crib waiting for me to take notice of his great achievement.  He worked hard to stand, walk, run, and ride a bicycle.  On his first day of kindergarten - he looked so big and grown up to me.  All encompassing, I beamed with delight and ached at the swiftness of time.  Next, I blinked - and there we were...  With a lump in my throat, and tears in my eyes, I watched David graduate from high school.  Soon after, came the heart wrenching trip to move him into a college dorm.  His trip to China, gave his dad and me a keen reminder that his care is ultimately entrusted to the Lord's watchful eye.  After mulling over that reality check, David spent his first summer local to his university, rather than at home with his family, so he could continue working.  Then - the big day came.  The academic achievement that surpassed all others to date.  David's graduation from college.

I am thankful for each and every one of these milestones.  As a thread woven through David's faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, they gave my son a feeling of self confidence.  Each milestone helped prepare him for his adult life--- for the life God intends him to have.  I am incredibly gratified with all He has allowed my son to accomplish.  I cannot give thanks and praise enough to my Lord for the 22 years of milestones that we've been blessed to witness.

David walking across the stage after the President Interim shook his hand.

Our family of five.

Siblings

David with mom and dad

David with my sister and Grandmum

Solo

Look ma, no diploma!  David's degree is in Social Ministries with a minor in Political Science.

David and Grandmum celebrating at a restaurant after graduation.

Sweet sisters...

It is my sincere prayer that David will spend all of his days gravitating to walk in the Truth.  I pray that he keeps his heart, mind, and eyes focused on the One who gave him life, and Who blessed him with incredible, magnificent milestones.  

My son, if you accept My words and store up My commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding— indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.  For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.  He holds success in store for the upright, He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones.  Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path.  For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.  Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.  Proverbs 2:1-11

Drama

The favorable kind -  Musical/Theater...  Alexis spent a good many days in the spring and summer practicing voice, skits, and more in preparation for, Voices of Joy, her Musical/Drama group's performances which were held in pre-schools and nursing homes around the community.  Our homeschool group is extremely blessed to have a talented teacher (who is also a homeschool mom,) work with our students teaching them skills that bless so many.

Spring Classes-----   Alexis playing the step-mother in Cinderella.  The girls in this scene played the step-sisters.

The entertainer is preparing to entertain with The Entertainer at a nursing home.

One of many songs performed as a group.  This is not the group in it's entirety.

Summer Camp-----  These girls are performing Israel Kamakawiwoʻole's rendition of Over the Rainbow/Wonderful World.  Alexis sang a part from Wonderful World.  Notice the ukulele  My daughter now wants to play one...

Alexis was preparing to speak about Cassie Bernall from the Columbine High tragedy in this drama.  The skit was written by the drama teacher's daughter (a high school student,) and emphasized our need to trust our Lord.  It was an amazingly well thought out piece, and I imagine her daughter will go far with the writing ability that God has given her.

Book Review---

This probably seems a peculiar place to add a book review, however, this recommendation evolved out of the skit mentioned above, so I want to make mention of it here.  Just looking at Alexis, should tell you that she's a deep thinker.  When something has made an impression on her, she inquisitively wants to learn as much as she can about the subject at hand.  Working on this drama piece made Alexis want to understand why Cassie Bernall was killed.  How do you explain evil?  Certainly she sees it exists.  We read the Bible, she hears current events, bad things happen.  This skit made the reality of a profound devastation feel a touch closer I suppose.  As the saying goes, knowledge is power, so I thought it would be helpful to Alexis to choose a few books for her to read on the subject.  The first one is obviously - She Said Yes  The Unlikely Martyrdom of Cassie Bernall  which Alexis is actually reading right at the moment.  The 2nd book purchased is  - Rachael's Tears the Spiritual Journey of Columbine Martyr Rachael Scott written by her mother, and the 3rd book, which is the one I'm recommending today - The Journals of Rachael Scott: A Journey of Faith at Columbine High. The author chose to use excerpts of Rachael Scott's own personal journals to create this book.  She did a really good job.  It is not long, Alexis had it read within a day.  The end of each chapter sums up Rachael's spiritual questions by asking the reader to think through those same inquires themselves.  Rachael was well on her way to being someone great, somehow, someway.  The writings are impacting to the heart, not just my daughter's but mine as well.   I'm not sure if I can ever accurately explain to my child why God chose to use this beautiful little girl in such a way. This child full of thoughts, hopes, and dreams, full of obvious love for Him, full of compassion and concern for others - with a sense of knowing she still needed to mature in Christ even though she was amazingly more mature than the average teen. I can only begin to guess at His answers to my child's questions concerning evil.  My sense is that by reading Rachael's story, we can see the hope that laid in the midst of an outrageous tragedy.  May God bless her family.  

Lido Key - A Lovely Laze

The opportunity for forty-eight hours of much needed rest and relaxation came our way this week.  A trip to Lido Key on the west coast of Florida is where we returned from our travels yesterday.  This morning I'd prefer to still be feeling refreshing salty breezes on the balcony of our hotel that overlooked the gulf,  however, I am so very thankful that my husband planned this special get-away time for our family of five.

With one child post college, another still working her way through college, and a third with a life full of activities, it is incredibly hard to find more than 1/2 of a day to spend together.  The moments that we can steal away together are incredibly treasured.  We are blessed.

Our girls walking in the sunset

A few sunset pics

So many seashells - they were very small, but pretty all the same.

My two favorite men - looking at cell phone pics.  Our hotel is in the background.

Amanda and me.

David and I walked on the beach each morning, enjoying the cool breezes and beautiful birds.

Lunch at The Columbia House - Yummy Spanish food.

Another beautiful sunset.

Proof of our early morning walks.  We were hoping to find a few large colorful shells that the west coast of FL is notorious for.  Good news!  Fantastic weather the entire trip.  Thus the reason we had no spectacular seashell finds.

Loved the many birds we saw making their early morning breakfast dives.

A seagull and it's shadow.

I had to go to whatbird.com to find the name of these unique creatures.  They are called Black Skimmers.  After downloading the pics, I was pleasantly surprised by their great reflections in the water!  I'll have to remember that when using the camera in the early AM.

Looking up the history of this 40' statue was slightly amusing - and disappointing.  We guessed at why this VJ-Day Photo turned statue look-alike was sitting in Sarasota.  Our hypothesis was way off...  As much as we hoped that one of the infamous strangers was a local to the area, we found ourselves altogether wrong.  As a matter of fact, it's problems are as big as it's stature.  After the city agreed to "accept" the kissing couple from it's artist, they found themselves in the midst of a lawsuit - as the man who was it's creator was being sued for making it just a little too much like the original photo.