Happy Birthday Ryan!!!

Today is my son, Ryan’s 20th birthday!! Ryan is our second child and second-born son. He was my largest baby, weighing in at 10 lbs. 13.5 oz. When he was born, I was so surprised – and not only because of his weight. You see, I was expecting him to be a girl – not based on any solid evidence – I had just decided this baby was a girl because my pregnancy had been somewhat different from my first pregnancy which delivered us a beautiful baby boy. I had so convinced myself that I was having a girl, that when Ryan was born, I remember feeling like he was a total stranger to me! That didn’t last long – as soon as I held him in my arms and kissed his soft, sweet forehead, he ceased to be a stranger and a deep, deep love poured through my heart and soul for this precious little gift from God. And I still feel the same way today!

Ryan has always been a total sweetheart (sorry, Ryan, but it’s true!). He has blessed our family in so many ways. All of his life he has been helpful, obedient, loving and a joy to parent. He is thoughtful, caring and responsible. My years of homeschooling Ryan were always easy due to his strong self-discipline and desire to do what was asked of him. He is a very hard worker and can be depended on to do a good job at whatever he undertakes.

Ryan’s personality has always been characterized by peacefulness and calmness, even in the midst of a storm – and even when the rest of the house is the storm! His middle name is Jeffrey (after sweet hubby), which means “God’s peace” – and he has certainly lived up to his name. He displays God’s peace to us all and is a great inspiration to me.

As Ryan has grown, so has his faith and relationship to God. He has recently surrendered his life to ministry, and is seeking where the Lord would have him serve. (You can read about that here. )

I am so very thankful that the Lord blessed us with the wonderful gift of Ryan 20 years ago, and I look forward to seeing what He has in store for him in the years to come.

Happy Birthday Ryan!!!

I love you,
Mom

Thankful Thursday

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
I Thessalonians 5:16-18

This Thankful Thursday finds me thinking of nature. Laura and I have been almost nightly watching the movie “Miss Potter” – the story of Beatrix Potter’s life. (We tend to do this – we get enthralled with a particular movie and watch it over and over until we sometimes know it word for word by heart) One of the things that I love about Beatrix Potter is her love of nature. She was captivated by it from a very young age and her eventual move to the country later in life truly brought her home.

I can certainly relate to Beatrix’s love of God’s creation in my own life. The older I’ve grown. the deeper my love of His beautiful world has become. Our move to the country three years ago answered His call to surround ourselves more with His natural world, which has been a blessing to us ever since.

The Lord teaches us so much about Himself through His creation – His great power, His perfect timing, His love and provision towards us, to name only a few. Many an afternoon, I have been sitting on my front porch, just drinking in the glory of God’s world, when something will happen – a bird or an insect or even a flower or tree will come to my attention, and the Holy Spirit will speak to my heart, saying “this is how God is” – or “learn from this and apply this truth to your life”. It thrills my heart and amazes me to see the attributes of God in the world which He has created around us.

I am thankful for these lessons from nature and for the peace and joy they bring. I am thankful that the Lord has given me a hunger to know Him deeper through His creation and that I am able to pass this on to my children.

I am thankful for deep blue skies with fresh white clouds, lush green trees and tiny pink flowers. I am thankful for frisky brown squirrels and gentle, timid bunnies. I am thankful for birds in brilliantly lovely colors and for the simple sparrow who has so much to teach.

I am thankful for changing seasons, keeping our world ever changing and ever new. And I am thankful for the stars in the heavens beckoning us to turn our eyes upwards to observe the grandeur of God.

Most of all, I am thankful that God is such a good and loving Father, that He created all of this for us to enjoy and to use as a witness to us of His glory and His love for us. I pray that I will never take it all for granted to the point that I cease to hear His voice in the breeze and feel His care in the warmth of the sun.

Wondering what others are thankful for this Thursday? Click the button below to find the list of other participants in this week’s Thankful Thursday, and have a beautiful day!

Blessings,
Nancy

Fun, Sun, Family and Faith

It’s been a busy week around here – thought I’d fill you in on what we’ve been up to.

Last week was filled with repairmen, carpet cleaning and house cleaning. Then on Friday night, Laura and I went to a Ladies Mini-Retreat at church. We had a potluck dinner on beautifully decorated tables and wonderful fellowship and teaching. Our speaker taught on the subject of anxiety and worry, which really turned out to be full of testimonies about what a great and big God we serve. The practical application of this was interwoven throughout the teaching – Bible reading and memorization. We were strongly encouraged to be reading daily and hiding God’s Word in our hearts by memorizing Scripture. She really made the point of the power of God’s Word – something that we tend to forget about all too easily (or I do anyway!). It was a rich time of encouragement and reminder of God’s love and care.

Saturday began with another trip to the movie theater to see Prince Caspian – this time with Jeff, Tommy, Sarah, Laura (again) and Matthew. I really like this movie and love the chivalry and message of our victory through Christ alone – not of our own power and strength.

Sunday was our annual Memorial Day Weekend Celebration and Birthday Party. This means that the extended family comes over for the first swim party of the year. We always celebrate my oldest two boys’ birthdays at this party since their birthdays are right around the corner. The weather was beautiful and we enjoyed swimming, and chips and dips by the pool. Our dinner consisted of pizza, chicken nuggets and salad, with birthday cake and ice cream for dessert. It was a fun day/evening and a good time was had by all. Robert (#1 son) stayed late after everyone left and watched a movie with the Late Night Crew until about 3 am!

Today (after sleeping in a little bit – we were all recovering from our day in the sun yesterday and the late night), the big boys went in to work and Laura & I went to see the new Indiana Jones movie, leaving Jeff home to stay with the littles. It was really crowded at the theater and we ended up on the third row, but we survived (never mind the strange tilt of our heads we have had ever since ). The movie was enjoyable enough, in true Indiana Jones style, but we both kind of rolled our eyes at the “treasure” they uncovered (trying not to spoil anything for anyone!) – if you’ve seen it you’ll know what I mean. After a quick stop by the grocery store for a few items, we returned home to find everyone in swim suits, waiting to hit the pool. We swam for a little while, then grilled some hot dogs for dinner, which we have just finished eating. The big boys will be home soon and will be helping Jeff remove all of the Rubbermaid containers from both attics (all of our holiday boxes as well as clothing storage boxes). Tomorrow we have workmen coming for the whole day to install radiant barriers in the attics – we’re hoping this will help keep our house cooler through our hot Texas summers so that the air conditioner won’t have to run as much. (Maybe we’ll save enough on electricity to pay for gas and groceries as the price on both keeps zooming up!)

Having the clothing containers down will be good, since I’ve been needing to clean them out and send most of it to Goodwill anyway. I guess I have my plan for tomorrow already set!

I hope that you all had a wonderful Memorial Day and that you took some time to think about the price that was paid by so many for the freedoms that we now enjoy, and to say a prayer to the Lord for his continued favor and hand on our country, which we are growing to merit less and less in this present age.

“Whether American independence will be a blessing or a curse depends on how our people make use of what God has given us. If they are wise, they will be great and happy. If they are not, they will be miserable. Righteousness alone can exalt a nation (Proverbs 14:34). Reader! Whoever you are, remember this, and in your world practice goodness and encourage it in others.” – Patrick Henry

Blessings,
Nancy

Sarah’s First Homemade Apple Pie

Sarah baked this lucious apple pie for dessert tonight. She did everything from scratch, even the crust (which her mother is just now at the ripe old age of 40 something learning how to do). Here is the recipe she used for the crusts –

2/3 Cup + 2 Tablespoons margarine
2 Cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
4-6 Tablespoons cold water

Cut shortening into flour and salt until particles are the size of small peas. Sprinkle in water, 1 Tablespoon at a time, tossing with a fork until all the the flour is moistened and pastry almost cleans the side of the bowl. Divide pastry in half. Gather each half into a ball and shape into flattened round on lightly floured parchment paper or cloth. Roll pastry 2″ larger than pie plate. Fold into quarters . Unfold one crust and ease into pan, pressing firmly against the side and bottom. After adding filling, place top crust on pie. Fold under bottom crust edge and pinch to seal. Cut slits in top crust before baking to release steam.

The recipe she used for the apple filling is based somewhat on the recipe for Classic Apple Pie in Martha Stewart’s Baking Handbook, with just a few changes –

6-8 Granny Smith apples – peeled, cored and sliced 1/4 inch thick
2 Tablespoons lemon juice (we squeezed 2 lemons)
3 Tablespoons flour
1/4 Cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons butter or margarine
1 large egg yolk
1 Tablespoon heavy cream
Granulated sugar for sprinkling

Toss apple slices in lemon juice. Mix flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Add apples to mixture and toss together. Spread filling in prepared pie crust. Dot with butter or margarine. Top with second crust and seal as above. Mix egg yolk and cream together, brush on top crust with pastry brush. Sprinkle granulated sugar generously on top. Bake for 20 minutes at 400 degrees. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees and continue baking for 40-50 minutes, covering edges with foil if they brown too quickly. Cool a bit and serve with vanilla ice cream.

We so much enjoyed Sarah’s first pie, both the wonderful aroma while it was baking and the delicious flavor while we were all eating!

Blessings,
Nancy

The Simple Woman’s Daybook ~ May 19

Here is my Daybook list for this week ~

Outside my window. . .it is a sunny day with a bit of a breeze. A cardinal couple hopped through the Rose of Sharon bush outside the window and flew on.
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I am thinking. . .about what to buy Jeff for our 25th wedding anniversary in a few weeks.
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I am thankful for. . .kitty cats, sunny days, pretty flowers, and God’s truths which set us free.
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From the kitchen. . .dinner tonight will be Barbecue Chicken (Cindy’s recipe at An Army for the Lord), rice, salad and Sarah’s Apple Pie (that’s my daughter Sarah, not that other pie baking Sarah)
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I am wearing. . .a grey Flag t-shirt, blue jean shorts and my special “Mom” locket that the children gave me for Mother’s Day.
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I am creating. . .spots of happiness with the flowers I purchased this weekend – lt. pink vinca in a pot on a table on my front porch, purple flowers (I don’t know what they are) in my flower box and tall, red “strawberry” blossoms going into a spot in the landscape beds.
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I am going. . .to do a little bit of stockpile grocery shopping today, and to buy some flowering bushes to plant in front of the front porch rail.
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I am reading. . .”Treasury of Vintage Homekeeping Skills” (Martha Greene), Romans 5 and 6 (Ladies Bilble Study this week), “A Charlotte Mason Primer!” (Cindy Rushton)
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I am hoping. . .to get my kitchen cleaned up today – oven cleaned, refrigerator washed out and floors mopped – since Jeff is working from home today and can help with the kids!
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I am hearing. . .I Love Lucy on the television, little footsteps going up and down the stairs, Jeff talking to children in the living room.
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Around the house. . .a big pile of DVD’s on the floor that David had fun pulling off the shelf yesterday, several piles around from yet to be finished reorganizing projects, lots of things in the baskets on the stairs that need to go up and the ever-calling laundry waiting for me.
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One of my favorite things. . .living in the country ~ I thank God for it as often as I think to!!
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A few plans for the rest of the week. . .cleaning up the house for the annual Memorial Day family get-together at our house next weekend, a small redecorating of the downstairs guest bath (paint, border and fixtures – it’s a tiny bathroom, so it won’t be too hard!), and preparing a song that I’m singing at the Ladies Retreat on Friday at church.
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Here is a picture thought I am sharing. . .

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To find other Daybook entries for this week, visit Peggy at The Simple Woman.
Have a lovely day!

Blessings,
Nancy

“Prince Caspian” – A Definite Thumbs Up!

Laura and I went to see the new Narnia movie this afternoon, “Prince Caspian”. We both thoroughly enjoyed it – more so even than the first one, and we both really liked that one too!

Ryan and Matthew went last night at midnight for the first showing (why do kids today think they have to see it the minute it comes out? – do your teenagers do this too?) Laura was feeling deprived, because neither Jeff or I would take her last night, so she and I went today.

I won’t say much about it so as to spoil it for any of you – just suffice it to say that it was quite good, very fun to watch and had a great message – bland remarks I know, but you don’t really want me to discuss details, do you? My only caution would be for those of you wanting to take young children – there is a lot of fighting (sword and otherwise) in the movie that I wouldn’t want to expose a young child to. I think that we will take our 10 and 11 year olds, but I consider them to be about as young as I would consider taking.

Blessings,
Nancy

Arrrrrgh! Last day for this great giveaway!

If you haven’t already visited Mother Hen over at Ship Full O’ Pirates, you need to walk the plank and swim over there as quickly as you can! Mother Hen has a wonderful site where she blogs about her 5 pirates and the princess (and other great topics) – I have been enjoying her wit and wisdom for awhile now and always come away with a laugh and encouragement every time I visit.

Mother Hen has been doing weekly giveaways to celebrate her dive into the world of blogging, and she has been giving away some wonderful items (I won a 3 CD set from Vision Forum last week!). This week’s giveaway is “Treasure Island” by Robert Louis Stevenson with illustrations by N. C. Wyeth. Click HERE to visit the site and enter. But, hurry up and run over there – today is the last day of the giveaway!

Be sure and look around while you’re over there – Mother Hen has just unveiled a lovely new design on her blog, complete with pirates and ships on the rolling sea. Ya’r sure to love it, matey!

Blessings,
Nancy

Quick!! To the kitchen!!

I almost forgot to tell you (in case you don’t already know) – today is National Chocolate Chip Day!!! There’s still time to whip up some cookies, muffins or hey, just sprinkle some on a dish of ice cream. I am in the kitchen as I speak (or write) getting my ingredients out to bake my homemade chocolate chip cookies. (Dad, I’d bring you some, if I lived a little closer!)

So get with it, and see what you can come up with – you know, there’s always Chips Ahoy!

Blessings,
Nancy

Thankful Thursday

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
I Thessalonians 5:16-18

As another school year begins to wind down, I find myself looking back over the year with the following thankful thoughts -

1. I am thankful for this wonderful privilege of homeschooling my children.

2. I am thankful for the bond we develop as we live together, work together and school together throughout the days.

3. I am thankful for the opportunily I have to disciple my children and teach them about the Lord as we go about the day.

“Fix these words of Mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

4. I am thankful for my 6 yr. old’s rocket blasting achievement in learning to read this year. He has gone from ABC’s to chapter books and loves reading!

5. I am thankful for many fun moments of laughter as we read aloud novels together. This is something I have just started this spring (after years of hearing people recommend it), and I am truly sold on it and will definitely continue with it in the future. (This is one thing that will continue through the summer, too!)

6. I am thankful for many great discussions we have had this past year on so many topics, as well as on our daily Bible lessons.

7. I am thankful for the beauty of enjoying nature I have seen in my children as they have spent many hours outdoors exploring God’s world.

8. I am thankful for the love of writing that has developed in my daughter to the point of writing novels this year.

9. I am thankful that we are not alone in this amazing journey called homeschooling, but that the Lord is the one leading us and teaching us all. He has a plan for each of my children and it is exciting to see how He has created them each with unique gifts and talents for His plan and His purpose for their lives.

10. I am thankful that while some of our bookwork will end for the summer (a welcome break for Mom, too!), we will continue learning and growing and discovering exciting things and truths this summer, as well as for the rest of our lives, since true education really never ends as long as God gives us breath for another new day!

Click the button below to find more Thankful Thursday participants for this week.

Have a wonderful day!
Blessings,
Nancy

Macey’s New Diet

Warning!! You may not want to read this if you have a weak stomach! There – now you’re warned – proceed if you so desire, but with caution.

Macey, the cat (or the rat, as some have been heard to say), has a new item in her late night diet. She has spent the evening freeing our home of long legged creatures that scurry across the floor – namely spiders. It has been quite gruesome to watch, and somewhat nauseating. It wouldn’t be so bad if she would just play with them – like I would expect a cat to do – but she goes one step further and makes a meal of them. Maybe I should be thankful that there aren’t spider parts laying around when she’s done, and I certainly am thankful that there are less spiders running wild in the house, but I’m not sure I’ll sleep better tonight harboring the image of Macey chomping those bugs down faster than a rat in a cheese factory (to borrow a Tennessee Ernie Fordism). I hope you weren’t trying to eat while reading this one – I apologize if you were! (key word – “were”)

Blessings,
Nancy