Phases of the moon

Phases of the moon -
In my class, we are studying about SPACE . . .
We had fun today studying about the phases of the moon. We made this with Oreo cookies, describing the different phases and how the sun shine the light on the moon. Very fun. After completing the phases, we drew them with white crayon, then ate them, of course.

While at home, I realized that I had not taught this lesson to my own children. They were thrilled to learn about it too. We did not have time to MAKE the phases, just eat the left over Oreos and talk about the stages while I drew them out. I love that my boys love science. Jacob just LOVES non-fiction books and has for years. Actually, what he wants for Christmas is the World Records book of 2009. Funny for an 8 year old. I just took him to the library to get books for the space unit for my class and he checked out a World record book, volcano book, shark, and something else non-fiction. He has been reading the World records book for kids ever since Saturday.
During my study of Space, I realized, yet again, how GREAT God is. . . he placed the Earth in the perfect place. If we were closer to the sun, we would burn up, if we were farther away, we would freeze. Who could have put this all together by a whim - No one but God! He is so AWESOME!

Total Money Makeover

Our Total Money Makeover

Not sure if anyone actually reads this, but Dave and I are on an adventure. We read through and listened to the CD of Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover. We have some friends who graciously offered to pay for us to go see him live. Sweet brother Mark watched our boys while we went last Saturday. The live version is a lot like the book, so it was just a review for us. Before school started we made up a special folder with the sections for the

Total Money Makeover Baby Steps.

Step one - $1000 Emergency Fund

Step two - The Debt Snowball - this may take a while

Step three - 3 to 6 months expenses in Savings

Step four - Invest 15% of Income

Step five - College Funding

Step six - Pay off your home early

Step seven - Build Wealth and Give

The motto is: If you will live like no one else (to get out of debt), later you can live like no one else (you won't be in debt).

I need patience, endurance, and strength. I need to get rid of selfishness, jealousy, and coveting. The Lord is my strength and my help. We are just a the beginning of step 2 and it seems like a long road. Any encouragement is gladly welcomed.

Pumpkin Patch

The kids were bugging me to put new pictures on the blog (the last ones were from July . . . oops busy mommy!) So these were from last weekends fun at the pumpkin patch.

Prepare Ahead Dinners

I am excited to try week two of prepare ahead dinners. Last week we tried 2 recipes with flank steak - Teriyaki Flank Steak, and one called 4 B Flank Steak. We bought the steak in large packages. Made one to cook, then froze the others in the marinade, in gallon size ziplock bags. We still have 3 steak dinners left. So, when we need one, we take it out and let it thaw, then cook it up. Steak cooks pretty fast and we almost always have salad around.

Our adventure this week is 2 recipes - Chicken Cordon Bleu and Chicken Parmigiana. We will again cook one tonight, then freeze the others, ready to cook, so we should have 5 left over.

I was surprised that we did not spend too much either. I did plan a breakfast burrito night, which are cheap, to off set the cost of the steak.

I am also going to make a chicken noodle soup in the crock pot. Freeze part of the broth (without the noodles), so we will have it ready for another day.

I have always wanted to do a big dinner making party, like with friends, but just putting together a few meals this week and last with David should be helpful for our busy family.

Summer Birthday Boys - Summer Fun Pt 2

My Jakey Boy turned 8 in July.

He wanted and Indiana Jones Party. So we made the duct tape whip, spray painted the hat, made monkey brain appetizers, had an obstacle course, and ate chocolate cupcakes with a gold piece on top. Fun Fun for little boys!

We had to get some water fun in on this day also - HOT!

Happy Birthday to you . . .

We are thankful for these friends for Jacob.

The whole crew, friends and family

Jonathan David (JD) turned 5 in August.

The party theme went from Baby Jesus, to Pirates of the Caribbean, Carnival, then Batman. I stayed with the Carnival theme and Added Batman balloon and plates and napkins :)

Little cutie friend from church and he will be in JD's pre-K class :)

Getting ready for the 3 legged race!

Decorate your own cupcake

So excited to get Lego Batman Wii game! He told grandma that she should have got this for Christmas, so it would be all the brothers game. Funny!

Sweet friends! (and CRAZY!!!)

We love Abigail. Hope she will marry one of my boys someday.

Summer Fun part 1

Well, not all of it is fun...JD learned to ride a 2 wheeler in the spring. He is doing really well, but you know what got him, the scooter hitting a crack in the sidewalk. He was wearing a helmet, but just went right down on his face, knee and elbow. ¡Pobrecito!

Slip and slide at Grandma's



Much needed swim lessons - on the hottest 2 weeks of the summer. Our lessons were at 4:15 - just perfect time to get cool in the pool.

A few pics from our mission trip - must get the others done soon.

In 2 states at one time - Lake Powell - Utah AND Arizona

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Working through what God is laying before me. I want one thing, God wants another. I was blessed to go on a walk last night and listen to music that ministered to my soul. God is so good and He does want the best for us, even when we do not know what that is. These words touched me as I listened to Selah (which means rest, pause and think about His Word). I hope it blesses you, too.

Great is Thy faithfulness, oh God my Father;There is no shadow of turning with Thee;Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be.Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!Morning by morning new mercies I see.All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,Sun, moon, and stars in their courses aboveJoin with all nature in manifold witnessto Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!Morning by morning new mercies I see.All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Pardon for sin and a peace that endurethThine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!Morning by morning new mercies I see.All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!