The kidlets and I had a long talk about being weird and what that means. They came up with a lot of the same things I said in my earlier blog post and Macie added one that I really enjoyed hearing her say. She said we're weird because we dress modestly and wear skirts a lot. :) Then when I was in the shower, Madilen came in and said oh mommy, I thought of something else we do. We don't wear swimsuits that show off our bodies and that's weird. :) (The girls wear longer shorts and tshirt type shirts to swim in. I think they're called "rash guards". Well anyway, that got me to thinking about my conviction for us to wear skirts most of the time. That happened almost 2 years ago! I can't believe it's been so long! At first I got rid of all the pants and capris! UGH! How I regretted that decision later on. LOL Sometimes it's just not practical or comfortable for me to be in a skirt! Like gardening, that is one area that just doesn't work out well for me in a skirt. OR sometimes it's just too blasted cold. But the majority of the time we wear skirts. I have since started purchasing jeans and capris for us to wear on occasion. :) We're not some weird.......oh wait, yes, we are...well anyway, we're not crazy. I don't know, whatever, doesn't matter. The fact is, we like it. I think it makes me feel more feminine and it certainly helps with men staring at your derrière in some tight pants. LOL
One thing I've noticed quite a lot......I don't think it's a coincidence either, but men seem to hold the door open for me and seem more respectful when I'm in my skirts than when I'm in pants. I had someone else tell me that happened to them when they started dressing that way too! I wish I knew what that was all about.
I believe that dressing modestly, whether in pants or skirts is very important in this day and age. Men are visual creatures and they can and will be tempted VERY easily. If we cause them to have lustful thoughts, we are causing them to stumble. I refuse to be a stumbling block to anyone, especially a man that is not my husband!!
NOTICE/WARNING/DISCLAIMER: These opinions are MINE and MINE ALONE. I am not implying anything, so please don't read anything into this. I am not judging you because of what you choose to wear. We all have to do what we feel led to do. I am doing just that.
Monday, April 4, 2011
I'm weird and here's why
We have been attending a LifeChurch.tv network church that is local in our area. The message series we've just started is called Weird, because normal isn't working.
That got me to thinking about "normal" and how I always say I want to get back to normal. Things have been pretty much everything BUT normal in our household for a long time. I don't really know that I even WANT anything that resembles normal anymore, because normal is worldly. As a follower of Christ, I don't want to be worldly. I've been there/done that and it simply doesn't work for me.
We raised our firstborn child pretty much in the "normal" way. The 2nd child had a great deal of normal, I'd say maybe about half of his life give or take. Children number 3 and especially 4 are living the weird lifestyle.
Let me just break down the weird things we do/believe. This will be a condensed list and I can expand on them at a later time or if anyone is interested, I can expand sooner than later.
1. We don't celebrate or acknowledge Halloween in any way, shape or form. We stopped celebrating this "holiday" in 2001.
2. We no longer celebrate Christmas or Easter as "Christian" holidays either. Oh, yikes......YES, we ARE fully devoted believers in Jesus Christ and have been "saved" and walk with Him closely and fully. We just don't believe these are truly "Christian" holidays.
3. Oh speaking of, I don't call myself a Christian anymore.....I am a disciple and I follow Christ. I can't call myself a Christian any longer based on what Christianity has become as a whole. I AM a deeply spiritual person who has a very real and personal relationship with her Abba Father, Yahweh.
4. We home educate our children and lean toward the "unschooling" way of life. What makes me ultra weird is that I no longer care what people's opinions are on that.
5. We use essential oils and prayer instead of over the counter or prescription medications. I believe in miracles and healing and have experienced them firsthand.
6. We allowed our firstborn to "date" but our other 3 WON'T be dating.
7. We are going to encourage our daughters to remain at home until they are married or until GOD moves them from us. We encourage our children to practice sexual purity.
8. We eat a great deal of organic foods and I cook from scratch every single day.
9. I believe the body of Christ isn't doing it's job.
10. I believe that the man is the head of the household, the "covering" of his wife and that he is to be respected and honored and never publicly belittled.
That's just 10 of the ways I think we're weird. The message series I spoke of earlier challenges us to be weird in a GOD kind of way. I have a lot of other weird ways about me and like I said, I'll expand on those another time. I want to be set apart from the world. I want others to see Christ in me and say wow, that's weird, but yet at the same time desire to know HIM a little more. MANY of the things we do that are weird are because we believe Yahweh is leading us to be and do things differently. Unfortunately, I've encountered people who think that because I do things differently, that I will harshly judge them for not being like me.
I literally weep when I hear someone say that to me. If only you knew how much love I have for others, you wouldn't even think that. See, that's something about our world that I despise.....we automatically assume that others are judging us just because they are different. Sometimes our fears are justified and they are indeed placing judgement. We shouldn't automatically assume that though.
I'm weird.....I wanna be weird. Yahweh, make me as weird as you want to make me.
That got me to thinking about "normal" and how I always say I want to get back to normal. Things have been pretty much everything BUT normal in our household for a long time. I don't really know that I even WANT anything that resembles normal anymore, because normal is worldly. As a follower of Christ, I don't want to be worldly. I've been there/done that and it simply doesn't work for me.
We raised our firstborn child pretty much in the "normal" way. The 2nd child had a great deal of normal, I'd say maybe about half of his life give or take. Children number 3 and especially 4 are living the weird lifestyle.
Let me just break down the weird things we do/believe. This will be a condensed list and I can expand on them at a later time or if anyone is interested, I can expand sooner than later.
1. We don't celebrate or acknowledge Halloween in any way, shape or form. We stopped celebrating this "holiday" in 2001.
2. We no longer celebrate Christmas or Easter as "Christian" holidays either. Oh, yikes......YES, we ARE fully devoted believers in Jesus Christ and have been "saved" and walk with Him closely and fully. We just don't believe these are truly "Christian" holidays.
3. Oh speaking of, I don't call myself a Christian anymore.....I am a disciple and I follow Christ. I can't call myself a Christian any longer based on what Christianity has become as a whole. I AM a deeply spiritual person who has a very real and personal relationship with her Abba Father, Yahweh.
4. We home educate our children and lean toward the "unschooling" way of life. What makes me ultra weird is that I no longer care what people's opinions are on that.
5. We use essential oils and prayer instead of over the counter or prescription medications. I believe in miracles and healing and have experienced them firsthand.
6. We allowed our firstborn to "date" but our other 3 WON'T be dating.
7. We are going to encourage our daughters to remain at home until they are married or until GOD moves them from us. We encourage our children to practice sexual purity.
8. We eat a great deal of organic foods and I cook from scratch every single day.
9. I believe the body of Christ isn't doing it's job.
10. I believe that the man is the head of the household, the "covering" of his wife and that he is to be respected and honored and never publicly belittled.
That's just 10 of the ways I think we're weird. The message series I spoke of earlier challenges us to be weird in a GOD kind of way. I have a lot of other weird ways about me and like I said, I'll expand on those another time. I want to be set apart from the world. I want others to see Christ in me and say wow, that's weird, but yet at the same time desire to know HIM a little more. MANY of the things we do that are weird are because we believe Yahweh is leading us to be and do things differently. Unfortunately, I've encountered people who think that because I do things differently, that I will harshly judge them for not being like me.
I literally weep when I hear someone say that to me. If only you knew how much love I have for others, you wouldn't even think that. See, that's something about our world that I despise.....we automatically assume that others are judging us just because they are different. Sometimes our fears are justified and they are indeed placing judgement. We shouldn't automatically assume that though.
I'm weird.....I wanna be weird. Yahweh, make me as weird as you want to make me.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Time4Learning.com review
A short while ago, I received an offer to test Time4Learning.com in exchange for an honest review of the program. My girls, ages 12 and 8, were eager to try out this new program. They love to be my guinea pigs.
Overall, the girls really enjoyed the program and it is the first educational program that they have consistently asked to do. That was the main thing that impressed me. It got their attention and kept it. Rarely do I have to tell them to stop doing something educational, but this was the exception. As a home educating family, we used this as the main course of study for the girls. My 12 year old daughter enjoyed it the most and found it challenging, in a good way. My 8 year old, who is a struggling reader, had a harder time maneuvering through the site, so of course, required my assistance on many of the tasks she did.
I personally found the site a little difficult to move around in. I wasn't sure where they should be working at any given time and found that they didn't complete as many assignments as I thought they were. I'm not sure if we weren't sure on how to complete the assignments or if we were closing them out wrong, but much of the time it showed they weren't complete when they were, from our perspective anyway.
My girls review is simply "We like it". I asked them if there was anything they didn't like about the program, to which they responded, "no, we really like it". I guess that's about the most simple review I can give. If they like it, I'm sold.
Overall, the girls really enjoyed the program and it is the first educational program that they have consistently asked to do. That was the main thing that impressed me. It got their attention and kept it. Rarely do I have to tell them to stop doing something educational, but this was the exception. As a home educating family, we used this as the main course of study for the girls. My 12 year old daughter enjoyed it the most and found it challenging, in a good way. My 8 year old, who is a struggling reader, had a harder time maneuvering through the site, so of course, required my assistance on many of the tasks she did.
I personally found the site a little difficult to move around in. I wasn't sure where they should be working at any given time and found that they didn't complete as many assignments as I thought they were. I'm not sure if we weren't sure on how to complete the assignments or if we were closing them out wrong, but much of the time it showed they weren't complete when they were, from our perspective anyway.
My girls review is simply "We like it". I asked them if there was anything they didn't like about the program, to which they responded, "no, we really like it". I guess that's about the most simple review I can give. If they like it, I'm sold.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
BEFORE pics!
These are some Spring "before" pics of our back yard. I'm pretty disgusted actually at how it looks. It's really been neglected and yes, there's an old dishwasher sitting back by our shed. *rolling eyes* The honey thinks he's gonna get some "parts" off of it. I say it's going bye bye VERY soon! The garden has been tilled up :) The pool is getting a new deck railing and some plants and flowers planted around it too. I'm going to make a little "sitting area" under the tree by the pool (don't have a "before" pic of that yet). Here in a few months, I plan on this looking a LOT different.
This is the "big" garden spot which is 18 ft by 28 ft.
And here is the garden spot behind the pool, which I didn't measure, but it's about half as big as the big spot.
The weeds need mowing down. LOL
The dogs area, sadly....I'm not sure if there's any hope for it. Having 5 dogs wreaks havoc on a yard. We used to have grass all in this area, but it's completely gone now. They dig everywhere! Plus just running around wears down the grass! ugh! I want to just pour concrete on the whole thing! That would teach them! ha! I'll figure out something for this area.....just have to think, think, think!!
This is the "big" garden spot which is 18 ft by 28 ft.
And here is the garden spot behind the pool, which I didn't measure, but it's about half as big as the big spot.
The weeds need mowing down. LOL
The dogs area, sadly....I'm not sure if there's any hope for it. Having 5 dogs wreaks havoc on a yard. We used to have grass all in this area, but it's completely gone now. They dig everywhere! Plus just running around wears down the grass! ugh! I want to just pour concrete on the whole thing! That would teach them! ha! I'll figure out something for this area.....just have to think, think, think!!
Friday, March 18, 2011
I seek HIM!
Not really sure how people can deny the existence of God. I keep thinking perhaps they just haven't noticed Him working in their lives or can't acknowledge His work, instead claiming things in their own power.
He helps me do things like find discrepancies when balancing my checkbook. Might sound silly to some, but this morning I was getting very frustrated. I stopped and said "I need to find this"....... then instantly went RIGHT to the problem. This was while sitting with several pages of figures before me.
As a side note, those "I need to find this" moments are always directed at God. You see, I "talk" to my Abba Father. He's not this God that I have to always bow my head, clasp my hands together and say Oh magnificent Heavenly Father, etc, etc... While I don't deny there ARE times like that, to ME, He is so real and personal that we talk, like I would talk to anyone else. He is always with me, He's always present and always ready and available to talk to. He and I talk anywhere, anytime. Sometimes I'm driving, sometimes I'm walking, sometimes I'm washing dishes. There are equally as many times that I'm on my knees or literally on my face on the floor too. I love my time/talks with my Daddy.
So back to the issue at hand...... Even in the little things, he cares and this was a fairly small amount to some, just $30, but it was bothering me a lot. $30 is a big amount for us at times. THANK YOU Lord for caring about my finances! I still have much to learn, though. I could have saved 30 minutes of frustration trying to find $30, if only I had asked Him first. Yes, even when you've known God for so long, you still forget sometimes ;)
I acknowledge Him in ALL THINGS. He helps me in ALL THINGS!!
Proverbs 3:6 in the New Living Translation says:
Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Yes, even in matters of balancing a checkbook. :)
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
March 15, 2011
I feel like my dogs are getting too spoiled. This isn't some delicious casserole I whipped up for the family. It's today's doggie chow. It's made with natural and/or organic ingredients. The funny thing is, with FIVE, yes count them FIVE dogs, we spend a bunch on dog food and this isn't really going to cost more to prepare their food from scratch. What I do know is it's better for them. Reading the ingredient list on a bag of dog food makes me want to throw up.
This is made from a ground chicken blend that I get from my natural chicken supplier along with organic brown rice, Greek yogurt made at a local dairy farm and organic peas and carrots. :) Macie said it looked good. It smells delicious. LOL
Everyone loved it, but Holly left a few peas. She said she doesn't really like begebles....so Max ate her peas. ha!
This is made from a ground chicken blend that I get from my natural chicken supplier along with organic brown rice, Greek yogurt made at a local dairy farm and organic peas and carrots. :) Macie said it looked good. It smells delicious. LOL
Everyone loved it, but Holly left a few peas. She said she doesn't really like begebles....so Max ate her peas. ha!
Monday, March 14, 2011
March 14, 2011
These are a few of the pics I've taken since I stopped posting.
Tonight's apple crisp before it went in the oven. I think I could eat it like this! YUM! Every last ingredient is organic! I am getting so much better at this! :)
My beautiful girls on a gorgeous park day :)
What's more gorgeous than a sunset like this?
Macie decorating a cookie at the vo-tech open house.
Yeah, I think Miss Madilen got just a bit too carried away with her icing. LOL
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