Seasons Change

Here in South Florida,we don't get to see the spectacular changing of leaves like most folks do in the rest of the United States. But the last few days have brought a lovely 5-10 degree drop in the temperature, as well as a cooler breeze from the north! I thought we would never get cooler weather,especially since we've had temperatures in the 90s since April. Finally we will be able to open the windows.......and lower our electric bill at the same time!

My family has changed a lot in the last 6 months as well. Our daughter graduated from homeschool/high school. She attends a nearby community college.Most of her tuition was paid for by Bright Futures, a Florida program which rewards students who have good SAT scores,communtiy service, and good grades with partial or full scholarships to state colleges. In May,she will have her AA, at age 19!

Jack,our 15 yo son now attends high school. He is enrolled in a Culinary Arts program and JROTC. He is doing fairly well despite the fact that we had a very rough time with him at the beginning of the summer. So far his grades are good. I worried that when he went to school for the first time in January that he wouldn't be abe to keep up academically at school after being homeschooled his whole life. His academics are good, now to keep him on the straight and narrow!

George,our 16 year old son,is close to completing his requirements for Eagle Scout. I am so proud of him. When he was young and having developmental delays, I prayed that God would allow him to find a "thing" that he could excel at. He found his way to Scouts and hasn't looked back since! He is still homeschooled and will most likely stay so until he graduates. George had a bit of a disappointent when he took the test to qualify for dual enrollment in community college. His scores were much better than last year's but he will have to score higher in order to be able to take classes at the same college his sister attends.

Thomas is at home as well and in 7th grade.This morning we planted strawberries in one of those upside down baskets. It was on sale at Winn Dixie for $4.99 but rang up at the register for $2.50! The last time we tried one of those planters was about 3 years ago. We got ONE tomato out of it. So we'll see what happens this time! I love doing things like this with Thomas because he is creative and energetic. He had a great time a Boy Scout camp this summer and was chosen to be the patrol leader of his contingent. God has blessed him with leadership qualities!

October means I am popcorn chairman of the boys' Scout Troop...again! For sure, this is my last year doing it! Sales were a bit slow this weekend, but we will be hawking our popcorn until the end of the month. I am especially blessed that the weather turned just as we begin to do our "begging" in front of grocery stores,Dollar Tree,etc!

It is strange to be homeschooling just 2 children now, after having them all at home for so many years. I enjoy the time I have with George and Thomas. It reminds me of when Marie was the only one I needed to "school" because she was the only one old enough at that time. There really is a season for everything and they are constantly changing!

Have a Blessed Fall Season. Our awesome God has brought me through another season of life.The fact that He is a God of order,never changing, and always present has guided me through this time of change. He is there for all of us, we just have to let him into our hearts!

Finally,I found this picture on the Cake Wrecks Blog. It makes me laugh! Can you imagine going to the store to pick it up for a loved one's birthday and finding this?!

The Long,Slow,Happy,Sad,Busy Summer!!

My last post was prophetic and a bit of a "curse" as well. Shortly after I signed off, several events happened that totally changed what I had planned for this summer. The unusual quiet was replaced by some turmoil and heartache.God clearly had other things in mind for me. I've spent most of this summer flying by the seat of my pants due to the unexpected happenings in our household. Through all of the trials and triumphs, I know He is polishing me to be a better wife,mother,daughter,sister,homeschooler,church member........

So now as the summer hurtles to a close after seemingly standing still for a time,I'm glad I had this opportunity to draw closer to the Lord. My prayer life and quiet time have become more consistent in the good times and bad times. Several people have stepped forward to help me when I've felt like I've been in over my head and at my wit's end......another God-thing!

This coming school year I will have "only" two of my children to homeschool. Another child is going to community college full time and another will be a sophomore at a public high school. I'm looking forward to starting the school year with a renewed sense of purpose as for the last few years we've been barely moving forward. My youngest is now 12. I would really like the next 6 years to be the most energetic years we've had as homeschoolers! Big dreams,for sure,but with God anything is possible. Still, I do expect the inevitable bumps in the road. Knowing where to go and what to do when I encounter the bumps helps me to move forward and not get stuck in self pity or anger modes!

My brother came to visit us in FL this summer before and after his family took a cruise. I really wasn't happy about it because it meant cleaning and spending time that I didn't have going out and about. BUT,being able to relax (well,maybe after the credit card bills for some of the outings are paid for,lol!) with my family and seeing my children plus my nieces and nephews all together was the antidote for the sadness I felt earlier in the summer. The cousins who were together are 18,16,15,15,14,13,13, and 12. All the babies are gone! Overall they all got along pretty well. We visited a waterpark,the beach, pool, and playgrounds. Had dinner at Chic Fil-A and Golden Corral. They saw the new Planet of the Apes movie.Monday night,I had 7 kids sleeping in my living room. My brother left about 8 last night and his most recent FB post said they had already made it to Maryland. I'm already missing everyone......

Anyway,this summer has been one of extreme ups and downs. Still,God holds my hand and sends me what I need exactly when I need it.

Here is a picture of two of my children and my nephews and niece. We almost didn't go to the beach that afternoon as it had stormed heavily and it rained most of the 45 minuted drive to this particulaf beach! Safe to say, we all had the time of our lives the three hours we were there!!!

Memories to cherish!!!!

Unusually Quiet

This week has been much less eventful than the last few weeks....PTL! Right now, my husband is taking our daughter to a nearby church. She attends Sunday night Youth Group there. The group is leaving for a missions trip to North Carolina to help refurbish a church. The youth will be painting, sawing, cleaning, etc, for a church in need. I am so proud of my daughter for going on this trip.

Our two older boys have been at Boy Scout camp since last evening. Their event is an Order of the Arrow Summer Pow Wow. They will return on Sunday, then leave again Friday to work at camp for several weeks (not necessarily continuous) during the summer.

The youngest son is at a dear friend's house. He is supposed to come home after middle school youth group tonight. I bet I get a call this afternoon asking if he can stay at his friend's house tonight!

So it's the pets and myself here at home. Once again I'm reminded that it isn't too long before he children will head out into the world on their own. Given recent events, I worry about their future.....will they make good choices? Will others take advantage of them? How will they support themsevles? Lifting them up to the Lord is the only option, as I will not be able to control it all!!!! Even on the midst of change, there is a sweet calm knowing that He is there to help them. I'll be praying for all my darlings' safety this weekend, as well as a hedge of protection over them in the future.

Meanwhile, I should get something done. I complain I can't get things done with everyone underfoot. Now everyone's gone and I'm on the computer! Have a Blessed weekend!

This Too Shall Pass

This has been another week of complete ups and downs, ins and outs, lies and truths, progress and failures, surprises and boredoom at how everything changes but stays the same!!!! My heart has been torn at several events and soared at other happenings.

Today, however, I had the pleasure and pride of seeing three of my sons participate in a Memorial Day Ceremony with their Boy Svout Troop. One of the speakers talked about a young Marine from the area who died in Afghanistan in December 2010, a few days short of his 20th birthday. I wondered how his family spent this Memorial Day. Certainly their grief must still be fresh. Some of the Boy Scouts holding the flags today are only 3 or 4 years younger than this brave Marne. It gives perspective to the trivial things that I find myself in a dither over too many times each day! My sons and their friends may be called to give the ultimate sacrifice for all of us.

Thank you,Lord for all of those who shield us from harm and from those who want to destroy ourway of life. Thank you for sacrificing Your life for us!Thank you for "directing your path," Proverbs 3:3-5, even when I can't see straight through the twists and turns of this life! Lastly, I lift Jose's family in prayer to you. Comfort them and them know that a grateful nation says "Thank You" for their son's sacrifice.

A Major Milestone

The last few weeks (after the prom night from hell and its aftermath) have definitely been out of the ordinary. Rather than gripe about all of it, I'll just note (okay, SHOUT with glee!!!) that yesterday afternoon my daughter Marie graduated from high school. Our local homeschool group help our first-ever graduation ceremony. The statewide homeschool organization holds a ceremony in Orlando but my daughter told me months ago that she didn't want to do that. When our local group sent an email asking who would be interested in a local graduation ceremony, of course we were thrilled! I had wondered how we would celebrate her "official" graduation if we didn't make the trip to Orlando. God presented this opportunity for us to be a part of yesterday's ceremony and I am so thankful for it. Here's a picture of my daughter, my dh and myself,my mom, one of my sons, and my nephew after the service.

Hurting for My Child

In my earlier post from today, I alluded to things that had happened over the last week that were challenging, to say the least!

The picture of my daughter in her prom just is beautiful. On her sweet face I see such hope and expectation. When this picture was taken, however, her boyfriend was already nearly an hour late picking her up. All day long there had been some major drama lurking around. He hadn't slept for several days due to drinking a large quantity of energy drinks. There was some other "substances" that came into play as well......not giving all the details to protect privacy. Her boyfriend fell asleep at his home a few hours before he was supposed to pick up my daughter. His mother couldn't get him up, so she let him sleep. My daughter decided to take matters into her own hands and drove to his house. She woke him up and they left for the prom shortly after that. Since my daughter had been so upset and worried all day about him, she wanted to leave the prom early as she was exhausted. Things were fine until they were about halfway home. Her boyfriend began talking crazy, driving like a maniac, and making rants about spiritual warfare. They eventually made it to our house. Since dd had left our van at his house, dh drove the boyfriend home. The rantings continued all the way to his parents' house. I was home with our daughter who was nearly hysterical. There's a lot more than I am telling here. Please keep this young man in prayer.

One of my sons' friend's mom found something "untoward" in her home earlier in the week after my son and another boy visited several days ago. Of course I confronted my son and I want to believe the best about him but not be stupid or in denial. How I wish these things would not touch my children!

It hurts when my children are hurt or do wrong, even if in my daughter's case she did nothing wrong. I'm crying as I write this because it hurts so much! I want to go back to ten years ago when we made a trip to the local Christian bookstore in their pajamas to pick up the latest Veggie Tales video and watch it before going to bed! That is not going to happen, so I better buck up and become the mother God intended me to me. Jesus' own mother had her heart pierced many times, likewise the rest of us moms will face this,too!

Happy Belated Mother's Day!

Our family spent the morning at church, then onto lunch at a little local restaurant. Afterwards, we spent about an hour with my mom who went to brunch with my youngest sister and her son. Later in the afternoon I had a few hours of quiet! My husband brought some fried chicken for the children so I didn't have to cook yesterday! Now that's a blessing!

So much has happened since my last post, much of it unsettling. But I wanted to put up a picture of my lovely daughter Marie in her prom gown I discussed last week. Once again, I am drawn to the Lord who holds all of us in His hands!!! I especially thank him for all of my children - Marie, George, Jack, Thomas, Jamie, and Barbara!

Prom Time Preview!

Today I'm feeling very blessed for a number of reasons! The source of my happiness today is that my 18 year old daughter and I visited Becca's Closet to find a prom dress for her. My daughter and her boyfriend decided just 3 weeks ago to attend to the local (well, 1 county away) homeschool bash that's happening next Friday . With all of the other graduation expenses and lack of time, it looked like she was going to have to wear a dress that her boyfriend's sister had previously worn. I found out about Becca's Closet by doing an internet search. Becca was a young woman who collected previously worn prom dresses and distributed the dresses to girls who could use them. Tragically, Becca died in a car accident at age 16. Becca's family and friends have kept her legacy alive operating Becca's Closet in her place.

Truly I feel blessed by not having to shell out at least $100 for a dress for my daughter. God turned someone else's tragedy into blessings for many families. I'm not sure that I could do something like that had I lost a child, but Praise the Lord for Becca's family and friends who carry out Becca's mission. My daughter's dress is gorgeous. I'm not sure that we would have found something so lovely had we gone shopping for it!

Here's the web address for Becca's Closet if you would like to read more about this wonderful organization. www.beccascloset.org

A Privilege,An Honor, and A Challenge

Today I'm thinking a lot about prayer because two incidents in less than 8 hours have made the need for it necessary! Our oldest son(actually my step son) called us at about 11:30 last night. No calls at that time are ever good, right?! His mom (my dh's ex-wife) is in very poor health. Our son will be in town for a day or so helping her as she gets out of the hospital. She recently lost her house so the first order of business is to find her some place to live. My husband asked what we could do to help him and our son replied, "pray." Now this is a woman who left her husband and 2 children. When our son got married seven years ago, he asked me to be the mother of the groom.Even now I'm still in shock! Never once did she ever help us when I was sick or having four children in less than six years. Often she showed up late to pick up her children and usually brought them back early. She was never current in paying child support and even now still owes my husband support which he knows he'll never get. But still I feel called to pray about this even though my initial reaction is to ignore the entire scenario. My husband is feeling upset about this - I can tell! After all, they loved each other enough to get married and have two children. This is not something either of us expected to be thinking about after 22+ years of marriage.......so pray I will!

When I pulled up to my Crossing Guard post just before 7:00 this morning (some 7 1/2 hours later), I saw fire trucks and police cars in front of a house where 2 girls I cross live. My heart was in my throat as I asked the Lord to keep them safe. A few minutes later, I saw them come toward the sidewalk and head my way! I asked them if they were okay. They said that the house next to theirs had caught on fire and they were fine! Whew! I thanked the Lord that they were unhurt.

Both of these situations really made me think of how much I need to give everything to Him! I don't get much of a choice in either of these circumstances, in fact, I'm mostly just a witness to both. The privelege, honor, and challenge He gave to me is to pray for these folks. They'll most likely never know who was praying for them......but I know other Christians have prayed for me anonymously on my behalf. I'm happy to pass that legacy on!

Divine Intervention or A Really Dumb Kid?!

My son Jack had always been homeschooled until January of this year. At his request, he began attending public high school in January of this year. I really didn't want to send him there but homeschooling had become difficult with him. So I prayed and hoped for the best for him as I sent him off to school. A few weeks into the semester, Jack started giving hints that school wasn't all he had hoped it would be. Since I really wanted it to work out for him, I was dismayed but honestly a little bit happy that he preferred to be homeschooled. Last week his progress report came out. Jack had all A's and B's! This week was a little long for him as the entire state is testing. He only had 2 days of tests. The rest of the week consisted of 4 hour long class periods in the same subject. Yesterday, Jack walked away from the school after lunch because he was "so bored." Of course I didn't know this until I was on my way to my job as a Crossing Guard. As I turned a corner close to home, I saw a young man walking and said to myself,"that looks like Jack." It WAS Jack, with 90 minutes left in his school day. I stopped and told him to go home, which he did. I was upset with him but really wasn't surprised. This time he gets a warning with a threat of losing privleges if it happens again. What are the chances that my son would walk down the street I pass on my way to work? Also, he had to come very close to our home to be on that street. Our van was in the drive way and it was nearly time for me to leave to work. He HAD to know I would come by at that time or soon after as I've had the same post for nearly 4 years..........did he WANT to get caught? I'm just glad that God had Jack on that street and myself in the van at the same time!At the same time, I was able to thank God for allowing me to catch my son "in the act" and laugh a little bit at the inprobability of both of us being in the same place at the same time! I'm watching, Jack!!!!!

Happy Belated Birthday, George! The Path NOT Chosen......

My son George turned 16 on March 17. We worked on his Eagle project that day and the day before...as well doing the much needed preparations and finishing up work. So finally I will put up a few pictures of George at Denny's. My husband took George and two of our other children there later in the day. George chose Denny's because of the free pancakes on your birthday deal! Our lives changed when George was born, even more so than any child changes a family's life. I had a medical accident while pregnant with him. George was born with a number of challenges but as of this time he is doing remarkably well! At first I felt inadequate to be his mother, but God has given myself and my husband the strength we need to guide this young man. God also blessed us by sending the right people in our lives at the right time to help us with the issues in George's life. I've met people, gone places, and done things I would have never done if George hadn't come into our lives. Speaking for myself and my husband, we are much better people than we were before George's birth. I wouldn't have chosen this path for us or our son but God knew better and made HIS plans for all of us!

Eagle Scout Project

My son George is about 80% done with his Eagle Project. He chose to refurbish about 1100 crosses that his troop puts on Veterans' grave each Memorial Day. His "crew" also helped make about 100 new crosses and 10 Stars of David. George has faced many challenges in his life from birth. I often prayed when he was younger for God to bring him a "thing" to which he call his own...like a purpose for his life. Boy Scouts has become George's "thing" for the last 4+ years. Becoming an Eagle Scout will certainly be a major milestone in George's life! I couldn't be prouder! It will be at least another few weeks before the physical work is done. The paperwork make take even longer but he is nearly there! I am looking forward to George's Eagle Court of Honor which will probably be held later in summer 2011.

Field Trip Fun

On Friday, April 1, two of my sons and I took a tour of the Flagler Museum(also known as Whitehall) with our homeschool groupl. It's hard to believe that this house was a gift from Henry Flagler to his new bride Mary Lily or that something that large could be built in 18 months! We were blessed with a friendly, helpful guide and gorgeous weather. Here's a few pictures from the tour and a link to the museum.

http://www.flaglermuseum.org/

Changes.......

My just-turned 18 year old daughter's first pay check from Ross is stuck by a magnet onto our refrigerator. How did she get to be that old, that fast? When she was first born, people said things like "don't blink, you'll miss something," or "take lots of pictures." How right they were! I have no idea how fast my children (who were born in 1993,1995,1996, and 1998) would grow up. Ten years ago at this time we were still potty training, taking naps, and frequently visiting just about every playground in our county! Now there are 3 teens and a tween in this house. I can't remember the last time we went to the playground to meet friends or play. It makes me sad but also excited as the people who my children begin to emerge. There are challenging times ahead to be sure but I'm also eagerly anticipating the adults my children will be. Thank you, Lord, for loaning them to me as they belong first to you. Thank you for the playground memories, the trips to the Christian bookstore for the latest Veggie Tale video(haha!), AWANA, Good Shepherd Preschool,Mom's Club meetings, dance recitals, baseball games, library story time, the sprayground,Christmas pageants, Trick or Treating.........and for those memories still to be created!!

Rescued or The Best Laid Plans

This morning as I worked my middle school Crossing Guard post, I began to make a running list of things to do when I got home after work. That all came to a screeching halt when I locked my keys in my van at the gas station! My dh was at work, 14yo son at school, 18 yodd on her way out when I called, 16yo son still sleeping.....so my 12 yo son Thomas rode his bike approximately 2 1/2 miles to bring me another set of keys. I walked about a mile to meet him at a corner so he didn't have to cross a very busy intersection by himself. We walked the mile back to the van, chatting the whole time. I opened the van. We put his bike in the van and headed to McDonald's for breakfast and his "reward." I realized how much I enjoyed this unexpected time Thomas and I spent together. Thank you, Lord for allowing my son to come to my rescue and for keeping him safe while making his way to bring me the keys. Thank you for this precious time together. When my son is 40 years old, he'll always remember the day he rode his bike to bring me the keys! I'm especially thankful today for homeschooling because if Thomas was at school, I'm not sure how I would have gotten out of this "pickle" so quickly!

Busy,busy,busy!

When I began this blog, it really was my intention to post at least weekly. Soooo many things have happened to us as a family since then that I don't have time to mention everything. My husband had a heart attack in September 2009.He is doing very well now! My daughter Marie went to New York in the summer of 2010 to study for a week at Gelsey Kirkland Academy. My son George attended the Boy Scout Jamboree in August 2010. My son Jack started attending public school for the very first time in Jan. 2011. And last but but not least, my youngest son Thomas turned 12 in Dec.2010. Twelve is not a "baby" age in Thomas' opinion, so I guess I don't have any babies any more! My daughter will graduate this year and the others will follow in quick succession.......the same way they were born in 1993,1995,1996, and 1998!

I'm looking forward to the changes this season in life will surely continue to bring God is in control, I tell myself! I'm looking forward to the day I really give it ALL to Him! Here's hoping that I can come back to this blog sooner than later and chronicle the life of our little family as we navigate our way through life.