~!Eight days to go!~

There is so much going on around here!

Now that I have my camera back, I am ready for all the stuff that's going on around me...like new calves...aren't they adorable?

It's December 17Th and the boys still insist on playing outside barefoot!

It did get to 59 today, so I really can't say too much...they're on 'vacation' until the beginning of January and so now is when the real learning will happen...like today. They found this old broken stepper in the 'red house' and decided to 'invent' something...so, they took it apart and came in for their tools, paper to draw their new invention idea, and then I caught Isaac carrying his father's orange extension cord to plug 'something' into it in order to 'see' whether it would work...!!! AAAHHHH~!

Here's a really interesting little commentary my friend, Della, sent me today from Citizenlink about the whole "Holiday"verbage" vs. Christmas and retailers...the boys loved it~Thanks Della!

Well, at 2 a.m. this coming morning, we're going to the Rodriguez's home along with some people from our church and some area comedians that are believer's and we're preparing breakfast tacos to take to the homeless people that live under the bridges near their house. This is something the comedians do every year. We're also taking blankets for them. It's been down to 32 at night, so I'm sure they'll appreciate that. I'm looking forward to it. I should go to bed soon, but I wouldn't be able to sleep...

Another thought...this came today, too, from another sister, Diane, and this is funny!

I totally related to what this forward says about moms...:

WHY I LOVE MOM

Mom and Dad were watching TV when Mom said, "I'm tired, and it's getting late. I think I'll go to bed". She went to the kitchen to make sandwiches for the next day's lun ches. Rinsed out the popcorn bowls, took meat out of the freezer for supper the following evening, checked the cereal box levels, filled the sugar container, put spoons and bowls on the table and started the coffee pot for brewing the next morning. She then put some wet clothes in the dryer, put a load of clothes into the washer , ironed a shirt and secured a loose button. She picked up the game pieces left on the table, put the phone back on the charger and put the telephone book into the drawer. She watered the plants, emptied a wastebasket and hung up a towel to dry. She yawned and stretched and headed for the bedroom. She stopped by the desk, wrote a note to the teacher, counted out some cash for the field trip, and pulled a text book out from hiding under the chair She signed a birthday card for a friend, addressed and stamped the envelope and wrote a quick note for the grocery store. She put both near her purse. Mom then washed her face with 3 in 1 cleanser, put on her Night solution & age fighting moisturizer, brushed and flossed her teeth and filed her nails. Dad called out, "I thought you were going to bed.""I'm on my way," she said. She put some water into the dog's dish then made sure the doors were locked and the patio light was on. She looked in on each of the kids and turned out their bedside lamps and TV's , hung up a shirt, threw some dirty socks into the hamper, and had a brief conversation with the one up still doing homework. In her own room, she set the alarm; laid out clothing for the n ext day, straightened up the shoe rack. She added three things to her 6 most important things to do list. She said her prayers, and visualized the accomplishment of her goals. About that time, Dad turned off the TV and announced to no one in particular. "I'm going to bed" And he did..without another thought. Anything extraordinary here? Wonder why women live longer... we can't die sooner, we still have things to do!!!! Send this to five phenomenal women today...they'll love you for it! I just did. Then go to bed.

OK, just one more thing...the boys, particularly Isaac, and I sat and read John 3:16 to the 'end of the red letters' and discussed walking in the light where we're pleased to let everyone see our works, knowing that we're pleasing God as opposed to hiding in the dark because our deeds are evil and for fear that if we come into the light, we'll be exposed...Sooooo, this afternoon we had that situation with them and the electricity and Isaac sneaking to take the electric cord and then another situation with Caleb about taking a donut before dinner cuz Isaac had one at lunch...We discussed justifying bad decisions, stealing, the Ten Commandments, and instead of beating them over the head with Scripture, I simply mentioned the Scripture we read in John as well as breaking the Commandments and Caleb had tears in his eyes. I also discussed dulling their consciences, which are gifts from God, and the Holy Spirit revealing to them it was wrong by their hiding it...it was a great conversation...ended up in prayer and repentance...isn't God good? He is so faithful to take His Word and work it in our kid's hearts. We have to remember we're training...that takes time 9lots and lots of it, too!!!), consistency, unconditional love and forgiveness the way He gives it to us and constantly remembering that we need to grow up just like our children...into the Image of His Son, the one who came to earth as a baby to die as a Savior.
God bless!