U R A TEXAN IF:

Thought this was cute!!!

U R A Texan If: 1. You can properly pronounce Corsicana, Palestine, Decatur , Wichita Falls , San Antonio, Burnet, Boerne, Nacogdoches , Mexia, Waco , Amarillo , and Waxahachie.

2. A tornado warning siren is your signal to > >go out in the yard and look for a funnel.

3. You've ever had to switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day.

4. You know that the true value of a parking space is not determined by the distance to the door, but by the availability of shade.

5. Stores don't have bags, they have sacks.

6. You measure distance in minutes.

7. You go to the lake because you think it is like going to the ocean.

8. You listen to the weather forecast before picking out an outfit

9. You know cow-pies are not made of beef.

10. Someone you know has used a football schedule to plan their wedding date.

11. You aren't surprised to find movie rental, ammunition, and bait all in the same store.

12. Your "place at the lake" has wheels under it.

13. You know everything goes better with Ranch dressin'.

14. You actually understand this and you are "fixin' to" send it to your friends.

15. Finally, you are 100% Texan if you have ever heard this conversation:
" You wanna coke?"
"Yeah."
"What kind?"
"Dr. Pepper!"

WOW!!! I can't believe that Yau Man didn't win!! I so wanted him to! Thanks to Dreamz! Can you believe that he lied like that on TV? I couldn't believe that. I mean a lie is a lie but what made that worse was he recieved something. Yau was the honorable one and didn't take the truck back.
What people will do for money. I know...he was homeless but isn't there still something as honor?



APOLLO!!! Whoa! I was totally blown away by his dancing. They were great!! I only wish Ian and Cheryl were able to make it to the finals. I believe that I said that either Apollo or Joey would win...I hope it's Apollo!!

We have Senior Assembly this Friday, Baccalaureate on Sunday and Graduation next Tuesday. Michael has been accepted to Criswell College and Gospel for Asia. He has chosen Gospel for Asia, he's going to call Criswell and see if he can delay his entry there. God has given him the opportunity to do either.

I pray he is choosing the right thing. Gospel for Asia is a one year internship with a 3 week trip to India. My baby going to India???!!! Guess we need to get the passport renewed.

Amanda has finished her bible study book, english book and almost her handwriting book. We still have until the first week of June for school. By then it will only be spelling and math.
Praise God, we made it. I have made her some awards and thought I would do something special that Friday, like have a PARTY!!!! I think we both deserve it. Considering we didn't have a clue as to what we were doing.

Have a good Wednesday, hope you all make it to midweek services!!!

Blast from the past

Field Trip to Jefferson, Texas




This weekend we headed to Jefferson.
The town has a Civil War reenactment the first weekend in May and we decided to head over for Living History day.
We are about to begin our studies on the Civil War and I thought this would be a good way for Amanda to see some things up close.
Tents were set up and people dressed up in period outfits. We saw how things were done during that time...I know I would not want to have lived during that time.



The town of Jefferson is great and the people are so friendly!! You have to check out the General store while you are there. We also toured some of the homes. We went through one named "Homestead". The lady who lives there is 97 years old, she moved into the house when she was 7. Everything in the house was orginal. It reminded me of my great grandmothers house in Missouri.




We were also able to tour the GWTW musuem! The woman who owns it has a magnificent collection. She has things in English, German, Spanish, Dutch. It was amazing! I have a pretty good GWTW collection myself but not enough to warrant having a house to place it all !







During the Civil War, the women made the clothes for their family. If you were lucky you had a sewing machine. The children would be the ones who turned the crank so that the needle would go up and down while Mom guided the material through. Can you imagine having to do that? We are so spoiled!! I like being spoiled!!!

Not to mention if you were

wounded during a battle the doctors would seperate you according to your wounds. You didnt' have much of a chance if you were shot anywhere on the torso.

If you were hit in the arm or leg, doctors might use such tools as spoons, knitting needles, their fingers to remove bullets. Many times they had to just amputate your limb with a saw! Yesterday that doctor may have been using it to cut down a tree then turn around a have to use it on a patient.

We had a wonderful time and Amanda got a chance to see some of what people of those times did.
While we were at the battlefield site, some of the men fired the cannon. Have you ever heard anything like that? Oh my goodness!! It totally freaked everyone out! We saw have they washed clothes by boiling them and using lye soap and the scrub board. I am so glad we are spoiled!!!! Women backed then worked extremely hard! I am such a wimp!
There's a woman at church that has 2 boys. The oldest has been diagnosed with dylexsia and the youngest whose in Kindergarten was been having problems. She has been praying and researching Homeschooling. I have sent her websites that I have run across and magazines. I did the same thing she is doing. I told her the praying was the most important first step.
I took her to a friends bookstore here in town. She has a coffee shop, christian bookstore and she sells homeschool curriculum. Hopefully, Julie will make the right decision for them.

Just a few more weeks of school and until graduation. Michael got an acceptance letter from Criswell College in Dallas. He's still waiting for Gospel for Asia. So we will see what he chooses. This week should be pretty stress free...except for the weather. I am praying for the weather around here to calm down. The tornadoes that went through Kansas and Oklahoma destroyed towns and people's lives. They will need our prayers!!!

Have a blessed week!!
Dreama

Outwit, Outplay

I am a survivor junkie...I have been since the first season when Richard Hatch won. Last night it finally got good...you put 1 million dollars up for grabs and the true nature of people come out.

Mookie decided to go through Yau-man's stuff and found the other immunity idol. That alone would have made me extremely upset! You don't go thru someone's stuff...I don't even go through my husbands billfold, he sure doesn't go thru my purse and we have been married for 21 years.

Then Mookie and Alex tried to blackmail Yau...I understand the outplay, outwit part but that is low!!!

When tribal council came around Alex decided to save himself...typical lawyer. Here he and Mookie were in this together, buddies, confidants and he votes for him. I just sat there and laughed cause that is how you have to play the game!!!

People tend to get mad at what happens to them but if the circumstances were switched...they would do the same thing. If Alex doesn't win immunity next week, he'll be gone!!!

Speaking of gone...Heather Mills, did such a great job on Dancing with the Stars!!! I think it will come down to Joey, Anton and Lala Ali. I predicted that Joey would win this contest. Now I don't know. Anton and Lala both are very good!!!!

Next week in History we will begin talking about the Civil War...I love history!! We will be attending the Living History day in Jefferson, Tx. The entire first weekend in May is a Civil War reenactment so I am taking Amanda and Mom to check everything out. We will be going through the GWTW museum down there!!! WOOOOOHOOOOO!!! Not that GWTW really has anything to do with the Civil War, I mean it does but it doesn't. I'm a GWTW freak also!!!

It is mainly for my pleasure!!!! Not to mention that we will be going to the battlefield to see how things were done. They allow schools to come out for field trips so we will be taking full advantage of everything. Plus we are taking the Tour of Homes. Most of them are bed and breakfast. The one we stayed in was Twin Oaks, it is beautiful!!! And it reminds you of GWTW, imagine Rhett carrying Scarlett up those red stairs and the "Frankly, my dear..."

I can't wait!!!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!!!
Dreama

It's a GOOD DAY!!

Today is a good day!! Wonderful Day!
A relative is in the hospital having her baby...I have been working on her shower which is May 5th. Aren't you suppose to have the shower then the baby?? She had been measuring two weeks sooner than the delivery date which was May 25th.

Only God knows when things like this will actually happen!! After all, isn't He the great Physician??

Now I will probably make some very mad!!!!!

Speaking of God, I was praising Him this morning...because, and yes, I guess I'm weird but Rosie O'Donnell is leaving "The View". I have prayed for this! I'm not "gay bashing" or against people who weight a certain amount (CAUSE LORD KNOWS I DON'T WEIGH THE CORRECT AMOUNT)but I am tired of hearing trash come out of that woman's mouth!

I have relatives that have nasty mouths and I can't stand being around them. It makes me so uncomfortable but since I do the "God" thing I am the one who makes them uncomfortable.

In Ephesians 4:29Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

You don't even have to watch the show to hear about how she acts. I do know that she said that she is doing or has done a study of the Old Testament. That she could beat anyone in trivial pursuit about the subject. I guess she missed Leviticus 18 & 19. Lev. 18:22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.

I'm so tired of people thinking that "Christians" are the bad people. It's not US actually that people have the argument with...it's God. It's Scripture. We just happen to be in the line of fire.


Matt. 5:44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. We cannot pick and choose which verses we live by: Love one another, judge not and you shall not be judged. We have to obey the ENTIRE thing.

We, Christians water down so much of the message: God loves you, He wants you to be happy and that's true but He wants us to be happy in Him.

We forget or just don't tell about God judging us, about God hating sin no matter what! We will have consequences to deal with whether we like or admit it.

We are beginning to "reap what we sow". We have kicked God out of everything and we are paying for it:

We can't read the Bible or mention God in school because it would offend someone...even though it does say "Thou shalt not kill or steal".

We shouldn't spank our kids when they misbehave since it would mess them up in the long run and "warp" them. Proverbs 23:14 You shall beat him with a rod, And deliver his soul from hell.

Then we allow girls to abort babies if they want and call it pro choice. "Thou shalt not kill, again.

We stand by and allow people who choose to be "gay" and call it an alternative life style. When according to God it is an "abomination". I Corn. 6:9-10 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals,[a] nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

We have people who make movies, songs and tv shows that show and sing about rape, suicide, murder, violence, sex and call that Freedom of Speech. As a Christian I don't seem to have that same freedom, the things I stand for are being pulled off of walls, removed from buildings and denied in historical places.

Then we have the audacity to ask ourselves why we have these problems in this country?

Yes, I know...got a little long winded there and maybe a little too deep. But surely I can't be the only one thinking like this.

Are we willing to follow Christ and what the Bible says or the world?

We must remember that Proverbs 20:6 says that "Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man?
We all think we're good but if we use the 10 commandments to judge ourselves, we will all fail and on judgement day I will be thankful for Christ being my Saviour.

Have a Wonderful Wednesday and God Bless you!!!

Dreama

Endings and Beginnings

Remember when you were 18, graduating and starting a new chapter in your life? For 13 years, school was all you knew. The people you saw everyday became your closest friends, confidants, running buddies and boyfriends or girlfriends.

Last night we had the Band Booster Banquet. My son is graduating this year. Next month he will perform in his last band concert. At the end of May he will go to State for Solo & Ensemble. He is ending one chapter in his life and starting his new one. Michael was always a sweet little boy. He wore his heart on his sleeve. He was and sometimes still is a "mama's boy".

He now wants to be a missionary. Most kids grow up and want to be a doctor, lawyer, football player, rockstar or something else, but a missionary? I don't know what God has in store for him but whatever He does, Michael will be good at it. I just hope he will continue to be compassionate and let the Lord lead him.

Amanda and I will finish homeschool the first week of June. I am looking into a new distance learning option BJU has, it is a hard drive that they send you with classes on it. When you rent one, books come with it and you return the box after 13 months.

In a way, I am also having an Ending. Michael's band career, soccer, football, all of his running around and us supporting him will end. I may have marching season withdrawals come August.

Our beginning is with Amanda. We didn't homeschool Michael so this year with Amanda has been an adventure. I don't know how long we will be doing this, that is up to God. I know that I want her to grow up respecting people, have good manners and to love God.
We have all kinds of extra stuff for her to be involved in without public school. Soccer, girl scouts, spanish lessons, piano (if she wanted).

I guess I'm sad cause my little boy is growing up and I'm not sure that I'm ready for that.
Yes, I'm rambling...I'm not sure that I'm ready for the Ending or Beginnings.

Havea wonderful week!

Anything, Everything, Sr. 07 and Texas Trivia

Srs. '07

Anything can happen and usually everything does! We have accomplished one day of school this week! (I am not a failure!)

We finally got the lawnmower fixed so on Monday I mowed and did yard work. Praise God! It took me from 10am to 4pm.

Tuesday, we made it to the dining room table for school. Yeah! Found a new Texas Trivia site, Man, some of this I didn't know! http://gotoquiz.com/the_new_improved_texas_trivia

Wednesday, the computers died...neither one of the laptops would connect to the Internet. I could connect up at the church, I ended up needing a new router.

Thursday, we had to run errands! The tags and inspection sticker had been out since March (oh my!!) Had to pay the cable or I wouldn't get my fix of GH! Plus had to go help out my old boss with a few laptop keys.

Friday, Home school Co-op then to McDonald's. During all of this I am trying to put together a video for the band banquet next weekend and plan my cousins baby shower. We got Michael's senior pictures. My baby boy is grown up.

Now we are under a "tornado watch".

First and Foremost...I am a chicken when it comes to weather! I have lived in "tornado alley" all my life. In 1995 we lived in Pampa, Texas when tornadoes came through town! Most of the time on the Discovery Channel or Weather Channel they will show scenes from that day.

If you have never been thru one, it is the most fascinating and frightening experience! You are unable to control anything and that is the most frightening!

You know, I don't really have it bad...we are SO BLESSED! It may seem like I didn't get anything accomplished this week, but we did what we were suppose to.

I look at other people and know that I am BLESSED. After reading some of my favorite blogs, I learned that a young mother has a brain tumor. I know a young couple who are in Tennessee at St. Jude's for a memorial service for patients that have died. Their 8 year old daughter died a year ago in July. http://www.hannah.stirsite.com/page/page/2846694.htm

We are so blessed, my life is good! My kids are healthy and my husband loves me. Thank you God for all you have given me, especially for your Son!!!

Have a good weekend and enjoy your anything and everything that comes along!!

Rain, weeds, hot, cold, tornadoes and alligators

Texas weather, one day rain, one day it's hot, the next it's cold and to top it off we have tornadoes and hail. We do have gladiolas coming up in the flowerbeds, along with the weeds.
Our yard is a swamp from the rain. I'm trying not to gripe, we desperately need the rain. Our lake has water in it again! Praise the Lord!!
Our weeds are up to my knees in some spots...our lawnmower is broken!! Help!!

My husband isn't very mechanical. I bought a new battery and spark plug, I put those on and itstill doesn't work...my little cute house looks like poor, white trash!!

Let's not mention that I have naturally curly hair, I had the 80's perm look before it was popular! But with this weather, I have the fuzziest, biggest hair you can imagine!!! I have tried "frizz ease" to no avail, my good chi iron fell and broke!! The revlon one doesn't do the trick...what is one to do.


A friend of mine, Rhonda found this in her tank yesterday. Actually her husband had known they had an alligator living in their tank for about 5-6 months.
Around here we call ponds, tanks.

He had to wait until "gator season" opened to do anything about it.

Well, here it is in all of it's glory. Tommy loaded it onto a 16 ft. trailer so that gives you some sort of idea how long the gator is.

Understand...I live in a small Texas town...the gator, rain, tornadoes and hail have all made the news!! I'm sure the hair is the talk of the town also...you can't miss it.
Happy Wednesday!!!

Big "D"

This past weekend we went to Dallas with my friend and her little girl. It was "N" birthday and we stayed in the Hyatt Regency beside Reunion Tower. We had a good time but spent too much money!!!
The girls really enjoyed themselves. It ended up being a "girls" weekend. I have posted some of the pictures. There is so much history here in Texas, I forget to use it during school.

Reunion Tower Observation Deck
Back of Union Station from Hotel

Amanda modeling
I did not buy this!!!!
Performer from Scarborough Renaissance Festival
Sitting on steps of 6th Floor School book depository(it started raining)
Reunion Tower from our hotel window

Study ties day care to some behavior problems

Can you imagine that? Behavior problems from children in daycare? Watching the today show this morning, they had a segment on this subject.

I can attest to this! I was a stay at home mom with my oldest, Michael. He grew up with his mom being at home. He didn't go to any day care, I was with him 24/7. He knew what to expect and when we looked at him a certain way...he stopped whatever he was doing. He didn't argue with us and still doesn't.

Amanda on the other hand...I went to work at a public school when she was 3. She was in a daycare in someones house. The lady who runs it is a good person, she only had maybe 5-6 kids at the most at one time. Amanda would argue, not mind and would look at you with that defiant look...just wanted to pull her toes off!!!

We didn't do anything different with the kids...except I went to work and put one in daycare.

This year since we have been homeschooling, Amanda's attitude has changed ! We are still "training" her. If you can train a dog or even a whale...you can train your child! She still wants to argue but that is subsiding. Everything is a work in progress...

Here's the link for the article: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/17795821/

I can also attest to the fact that 6th graders are behavior problems!! I worked at a Middle School, 6-8 grade. In fact in wasn't just the 6th graders...I worked in the "behavior unit". I know someone who works at a daycare down the street from us. She said she feels sorry for the kindergarten teachers because the kids she has in daycare are horrible.

The other morning as my husband was heading to work he saw parents dropping their kids off at the Middle school at 5:30am. Kids aren't allowed in until 7:30am, no one is there!

I am so grateful that God has given us the means for me to come back home! Amanda is only 9 and I want to be able to correct what we did when she was little.

Reading this article and watching the segment made me realize that Yes, God knew what he was doing when He laid it on my heart to come home and teach Amanda.

Bitterness...

Thought I would post and get something off my chest before we leave:


Ok, I have to admit...I am bitter. Within the past 5 months, I have had "friends" and people I have known for a while who have really made me mad! First let me say, that I have probably made them mad also...there is always a 2 way street!

I have not be faithful in prayer or study. I have not had any desire to know God lately...sad, isn't it? It seems like I have to force myself to be "happy" so no one will know. Can you say "pretend to be religious". But aren't "preachers wives" suppose to be "happy and religious"? Isn't everything suppose to "picture perfect"?

In Hebrews 12:15, looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;

Oh My!! I have a NKJV Woman's study bible. I just got it and while "flipping" through it I found a commentary about bitterness-choosing resentment. Then I got to searching the Bible for answers on this subject.

Suffering does not automatically make a person stronger or better. The way you respond to suffering determines whether that hurt makes you better or bitter. I allowed this to make me bitter, I didn't respond well.
God had provided His grace to soothe in times of hurting. Refusing that grace creates an inner environment where bitterness can grow. It has grown and I have nursed it!!

At some point all of us, not just women will be wronged and will have to make the choice of how we deal with it. God provides His grace to help during these times. I, unfortunately have not given all of this to God and asked forgiveness for my part. I should be asking forgiveness for thinking that I could "handle" this by myself. I don't know why I think I can do stuff like this on my own.

Deuteronomy 29:18 (New King James Version)
18 so that there may not be among you man or woman or family or tribe, whose heart turns away today from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations, and that there may not be among you a root bearing bitterness or wormwood;

I have nutured this bitterness and hurt for months. It has taken a toll on my mind, marriage and relationship with God. Bitterness can have far-reaching, long lasting and self destructive effects. Satan has enjoyed watching me suffer over this...

Lord forgive me for not relying on you for help. Help me to get past this and forgive those that have whispered against me.

Now...off to our Friday homeschool group have a wonderful weekend!!!

Just a MOM????

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's office
was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.
"What I mean is," explained the recorder,
"do you have a job or are you just a......?"

"Of course I have a job," snapped the woman.

"I'm a Mom."

"We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it,"
said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the
same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.

The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised,
efficient and possessed of a high sounding title like,
"Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar."

"What is your occupation?" she probed.

What made me say it?
I do not know.
The words simply popped out.
"I'm a Research Associate in the field of
Child Development and Human Relations."

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and
looked up as though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words.
Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written,
in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest,
"just what you do in your field?"

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice,
I heard myself reply,
"I have a continuing program of research,
[what mother doesn't)
in the laboratory and in the field,
(normally I would have said indoors and out).
I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole
family)
and already have four credits (all daughters).
Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities,
(any mother care to disagree?)
and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).
But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill
careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money."

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she
completed the form, stood up and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career,
I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3.
Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model,
(a 6 month old baby) in the child development program,
testing out a new vocal pattern.
I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!
And I had gone on the official records as someone more
distinguished and indispensable to mankind than
"just another Mom." Motherhood!


What a glorious career!
Especially when there's a title on the door.


Does this make grandmothers
"Senior Research associates in the field of
Child Development and Human Relations"
and great grandmothers
"Executive Senior Research Associates"?
I think so!!!
I also think it makes Aunts
Associate Research Assistants".

Happy Wednesday!!
Dreama

Decision to make

Ok, I have a difficult decision to make!! American Idol, Survivor, or Dancing With the Stars!!!

WOW!!! The first night of DWTS was great! It will coming on Mondays and Tuesdays. Only problem is American Idol...Survivor has moved to Wed. due to B-ball so I will have to record that to keep up with it. AI may have to go by the way side. I hate it since one of the contestants, Chris Sligh, has relatives around here and they have watching parties.

I have watched Survivor since the beginning and don't want to miss that...I am very loyal!!

After the first night of DWTS, I already have my favorites...

Joey Fatone-I predict he will win! He and his partner Kym did a fabulous job!

Ian Ziering-I think it will come down to these two. Kinda like Emmitt and Mario last year. I picked Emmitt from the get go and it wasn't because I am a COWBOYS fan!!

Cheryl Burke can teach anyone to dance!!! She has been the winner the last two years!

I was very impressed with Laila Ali. She did really good and she is such a pretty girl. Better watch out for her. Maksim Chmerkovskiy, her partner better watch out...she CAN take him!!

Billy Ray Cyrus, bless his heart...my daughter recognized him as "Hanna Montana's" dad...my son knows him from "Achy Breaky Heart". How time changes things. Karina Smirnoff , his partner has her hands full. She doesn't have it as easy as last year when she danced with Mario!!

Clyde Drexler was very smooth on the floor...man he is tall!!! I would love to have just a little of his height! His partner is new this year...he has potential.

Shandi Finnessey so pretty!! She did a good job, I thought but I think she will get better with time. Her partner Brian Fortuna is new this year also. They look like Barbie and Ken!!!

And everyone knows Leeza Gibbons, but does she have what it takes??? Her partner, Tony Dovolani is very talented, but can he get it out of her???

Apolo Anton Ohno is such a great athlete! He could do very well if he can find the time to practice...he is actually competing while doing the show. Julianne Hough is new to the show, they make a good match!

Paulina Porizkova is so beautiful and tall, 5'11". WOW!!!! She looked so tense and nervous, this is a woman who has walked run ways across the world. She might do pretty good though her partner,Alec Mazo is the winner from the first season.

John Ratzenberger may end up being the "Jerry Springer" of DWTS. He's a baby boomer, very charming and he had only 2 weeks to practice. The others had 4. He did well considering, very light on his feet! Not to mention his partner, Edyta Sliwinska is probably the most beautiful women around!! She is extremely talented!! Hopefully, she can do something with him.

Last but not least...Heather Mills. I know she has been in the press A LOT!!! It isn't easy getting a divorce anyway but to have it all aired in the press makes it worse...I have to say, I was totally impressed. I have tremendous respect for her to even try this! She has an artificial leg, she is dancing with 1 while the others have 2!!! Her partner, Jonathan Roberts did a good job teaching her and supporting her! I was amazed! People can do anything as long as they have the right attitude about it.

Ok, I'm hooked!! I need to get a life!!! I have to give up something...what to do. I know one thing...I gotta get off here and get school started...man it's hard to get back in the groove after spring break!!!

11 more weeks

We have 11 more weeks of school left ! We have almost completed our first year of homeschool !!

My oldest baby has 66 more days until he graduates!! Oh my goodness!! It still hasn't hit me! My little boy is growing up. I remember when he was little, he was the most precious thing!! Of course, he was the first baby and the first boy.

I have already started purchasing our curriculum for next year. We are still going to use Bob Jones. I have put our lessons plans on my calendar in Outlook.

I have read so many homeschool blogs, magazines and different books that it would make your head spin! I know, we still have 11 more weeks left in this year. I have enjoyed teaching Amanda. I didn't know if I could do it, I didn't know what I was doing!! God has helped us thru it and I am very grateful !!!

Spring Break is now over and it's time to get back into the swing of things!! I may not enjoy this part very much!

I am trying to come up with a bible study for the women to do this summer. I don't know if it should be a Beth Moore study or if I should find one on "submission". It is so funny that I have been thinking about this. So many blogs I have come across have posted one thing or another about this subject! It's really weird!

It would be fabulous if Beth Moore has a study over this subject. When you say submission to women...the whole "women's movement" thing comes out.

Over at "Everyday Mommy" Chris from Canada posted a comment that blew me away. I hope she doesn't mind if I use her comments as an example here:

1. Submission has nothing to do with feelings; rather is is shown by my actions. I do not always ‘feel’ submissive, nor am I commanded to feel so; rather I am commanded to BE submisive. It is in my actions. What I do and what I say.
2. Lack of submission on my part, reagardless of the circumstances, ultimately reveals pride in me. I am honoring myself above my husband, and truthfully, above my Lord.
3. Submission is denying myself, denying my will, taking up my cross. It is giving of myself. My very life.
4. Submission brings about freedom. Freedom from living by my flesh. The freedom that is found only in living how God created me to live. Abundant life.

WOW!!! It's that great??? I never looked at it as "Freedom"!! or thought about it as such. I really need to find something to go thru with the other women in church. I believe it would be an eye opener.

Monday night!!! DANCING WITH THE STARS!!! And Texas A&M is in the Sweet Sixteen!! Can you believe it??

Have a great week all and God Bless!!

What a time!!

We are back. We made it through a 18 hour trip with a 9 year old. Amanda did so good on the trip I am so proud of her. We didn't hear "are we there yet"?

Despite being a long trip, Disney is so much fun. We spent all day Saturday out there and went to Animal Kingdom on Sunday.

The band marched in the Disney preparade. They did a fabulous job! Michael said it was so cool marching down Main Street and seeing all of the people. The most spectacular firework display was after the parade. They go all out for this. It is beautiful !!

Amanda does NOT like fireworks, she never has. But she loved this. She sat on her dad's shoulders and watched in awe. Everyone around was in awe. It is a magical place and the Disney company knows how to get people in and out!

We had a great time and it is something that we won't forget for a long time. I have more pictures but I have been trying to catch up on laundry so I haven't had time to upload them from the camera.

Now we get to spend the rest of Spring Break cleaning the house, yard and church. Monday the 19th we will start back to school. Oh and watch "Dancing with the Stars"!! WOOOOHOOOO!! It starts next Monday, not to mention "Survivor". I missed last Thursday due to traveling. I don't even know who got kicked off. Better go and check that out.

Orlando or Bust

Tomorrow morning at 8am we take off for Florida. According to Yahoo it will take 18 hours and 9 minutes. From where we are it is 1,109.7 miles.

We will be traveling through East Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama then finally Florida.

I am so excited!! So is the 9 year old!! The husband still isn't thrilled. He is planning on using this trip to Disney World to witness to people. That's great but I hope he tries to have fun with his daughter.

The band doesn't leave until 2pm tomorrow afternoon. They will still beat us there since they are driving straight through on charter buses.

We have looked online (Amanda & I) and found pictures, rides, anything to do with DW. I only wish we could stay in Cinderella Castle...now that would be cool. I'm sure that would totally put my husband OVER the edge.

I have so many list, maps, hotel information and itineraries, I hope I don't loose it before we get down there.

Thursday, Friday will be in a car

Saturday, Sunday will be in Disney World

Monday, Tuesday will be in a car again.

Thank goodness for portable DVD players. We will be taking all the movies we have!!!

So far I have us girls packed. Of course we both have to take at least 3 pairs of shoes! Not to mention matching all of our outfits. The Michael's (husband & son) haven't done anything!! I have all of the clothes done, I'm just waiting for them to get everything out. No, I don't pack my husband or son. One is 42 years old, then other is 18. They are capable of doing this themselves!!

I have washed, cleaned the house and yard. Prissy (the dog) will be going to NaNa's for 7 days. The fridge is cleaned out, trash to the curb, snacks and drinks bought, tylenol, claritin and sunscreen on the counter ready to go. Oh and cell phone charger, gotta get that!!

All we have to do is drop the son at school in the morning (don't want to leave his truck at the school for the next 7 days), load the car and take off...ice, I gotta get ice for the cooler.

The band will be marching in the parade at Disney on Saturday night, which will be exciting for them.

Remember set VCR to record All My Children and General Hospital. Yes, we still have to record using a vcr.

Oh, and pray that we make it down there and back in one piece. I can't wait!!! WOOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!!!

Mothers

I love my mother...but she wears me out!!

My Mom works for a school district up the road from where we live. In fact, the town I grew up and live in are rivals with the district she works for. The first year they ever beat "us" in football they went out and had shirts made!!

Small town rivalry, Texas football, it's brutal...LOL!

Anyway, the district she works for, the Varsity Boys Basketball team won their district and today we drove an hour and an half to watch them play in their second play off game. Mom wanted to go and invited Amanda and I.

I remember riding with Mom when I was younger and not thinking much of it. Boy, am I glad I didn't notice or know any better.

The Good Lord, graciously got us there and back, Thank you God!!

She tails everyone...talk about drafting (nascar talk). Do you know how many bumpers I was up close and personal with? Her floor board now has permanent size 5 prints! She doesn't believe in brakes until the very LAST moment and she sight sees while going down the road.

Not just your normal sight seeing, she actually turns her body around to get a BETTER look!

Her philosophy is..."they've got brakes".

There was a small Toyota pickup in front of us turning right and didn't get out of her way fast enough, she cut it so close, she didn't hit him but I was holding onto the door and pushing on my brake. Mom thinks that is funny!!! She has a odd sense of humor!

Momma drives a big, white Ford F150 truck. She is a little, 5ft, red headed woman. Mom believes that since she has a BIG truck she has every right to drive like a maniac.

I have 3 younger sisters, I being the oldest. I call sister #1 and ask her if she ever rides with Mom??? She paused for a moment..."you don't have to say anymore". Oh Thanks Sis!! Then she starts laughing!!! I am doomed!!!

I have realized also that as you get older your bladder gets weaker...I really could have used a depends today. The last words out of the sisters mouth is..."Good Luck".

I love my Momma but she scares me to death!! And I think it cost a pretty penny to get airbags put back in!!!

If your ever in this part of Texas...beware of little, red headed women in BIG Ford trucks!!

Spring Break and other thoughts...

We have one week then Spring Break. We are planning a once in a lifetime event.

We are heading to Disney World. It will take us at least 18 hours from Texas. I am not looking forward to that especially with a 9 year old.

The band is going there for their "Big" trip. So we have decided to tag along. One exception is we are driving and not riding the charter buses.

I am looking forward to getting away and seeing Amanda enjoy herself. Of course, I have always wanted to go to Disney World...I don't know why.

The husband on the other hand isn't too thrilled. He sees that money being put to other uses and isn't too crazy about driving. There is another couple going with us so there will be less driving time for each person.

I have addressed birthday and anniversary cards to everyone in our church. Now all I have to do is mail them at the appropriate times. Hopefully, I will remember!! I am trying to get organized again. Things seems to get out of control and it drives me crazy!!

Amanda has been having headaches so we are heading to the eye doctor this Friday. Lets see what he says, it could also be allergies. The way the weather changes around here you never know.

Our church is planning on having VBS this year. This will be our first. I am scared! We aren't doing like the rest of the churches around here and ordering materials from Lifeway or using other curriculums. Each day will have a different thing happening. I am in charge of games, that should be pretty easy! or at least I hope so.

I have also found the ultimate woman's bible. I plan on ordering it soon. It is the NKJV woman's bible. I am so excited about finding it. I know that may sound silly to some, but I am so excited about it!!

http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=0718018184&TopLevel_id=190000

In a few weeks I will begin teaching Middle school students at church. I have been teaching to little ones for 2 years. Now to jump up and teach the older ones...Lord give me strength!! I am also looking into doing a bible study with the women. It's called Conversation Peace. http://www.lifewaystores.com/lwstore/product.asp?isbn=0633007617

We women have a problem with our mouths. We have the power to influence people for the good or bad. We need to learn to use our mouths for God's glory and not anything else. I guess I probably need to convince the women that this would be good for us to learn.

The word Submit is also a word we women do not like. Society has made it that way though or maybe we women have helped it to be a bad thing also. If we are to be obedient to God...shouldn't we submit to our husbands?

I have been pondering about this for about a week. I have noticed there are some women who "wear the pants in their family". There husbands aren't the head of their households and I know how it happens!!

Budwieser was the head of our household for years until God got a hold of Mike. I had to be the head of the house and I resented it!!! I understand why some women are bitter. I wonder if this isn't something that I should pray about teaching to the other women in our church?

Prayer...need to do it more especially about this subject. I sure don't want to offend anyone.

Have a good week!!!

The 80's

Ok, I couldn't pass this up. Number 31 and 38 cracked me up, I was so BUSTED!!!


You Know You Grew Up In the 80's if:
1. You've ever ended a sentence with the word SIKE.

2. You can sing the rap to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and can do the Carlton

3. You know that "WOAH" comes from Joey on Blossom

4. If you ever watched "Fraggle Rock"

5. It was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to watch cartoons.

6. You wore a ponytail on the side of your head.

7. You got super-excited when it was Oregon Trail day in computer class at school.

8. You made your mom buy one of those clips that would hold your shirt in a knot on the side.

9. You played the game "MASH"(Mansion, Apartment, Shelter, House)

10. You wore stonewashed Jordache jean jackets and were proud of it.

11. You know the profound meaning of "WAX ON, WAX OFF"

12. You wanted to be a Goonie.

13. You ever wore fluorescent clothing. (some of us...head-to-toe)

14. You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his nose fell off and his cheeks shifted.

15. You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf.

16. You took lunch boxes to school...and traded Garbage Pailkids in the schoolyard.

17. You remember the CRAZE, then the BANNING of slap bracelets.

18. You still get the urge to say "NOT" after every sentence.

19. You thought your childhood friends would never leave because you exchanged handmade friendship bracelets.

20. You ever owned a pair of Jelly-Shoes.

21. After you saw Pee-Wee's Big Adventure you kept saying "I know you are, but what am I?"

22. You remember "I've fallen and I can't get up"

23. You remember going to the skating rink before there were inline skates. !

24. You have ever played with a Skip-It.

25. You remember boom boxes and walking around with one on your shoulder like you were all that.

26. You remember watching both Gremlins movies.

27. You thought Doogie Howser/Samantha Micelli was hot.

28. You remember Alf, the l! il furry brown alien from Melmac.

29. You remember New Kids on the Block when they were cool...and don't even flinch when people refer to them as "NKOTB"

30. You knew all the characters names and their life stories on "Saved By The Bell," The ORIGINAL class.

31. You know all the words to Bon Jovi - SHOT THROUGH THE HEART.

32. You just sang those words to yourself!

33. You still sing "We are the World"

34. You tight rolled your jeans.

35. You owned a bannana clip.

36. You remember "Where's the Beef?"

37. You used to (and probably still do) say "What you talkin' 'bout Willis?"

38. You're still singing "shot through the heart and your to blame" in your head, aren't you!

Enjoy and have a great day!!

Texas Our Texas...

I recieved this from the treasurer at our church. I thought it was pretty neat that there are other cities, towns and countries that name there locations after places in TEXAS!! LOL!!! We have so many funny names in this state. Hope you enjoy!!

Need to be cheered up??

Happy , Texas 79042, Smiley , Texas 78159, Paradise , Texas 76073

Rainbow , Texas76077, Sweet Home , Texas 77987

Why travel to other cities?
Texas has them all!

Detroit , Texas 75436, Colorado City , Texas 79512, Denver City , Texas 79323

Nevada , Texas 75173, Memphis , Texas 79245, Miami , Texas 79059

New Boston , Texas 75570, Santa Fe , Texas 77517, Tennessee Colony , Texas 75861

Feel like traveling outside the country?
Don't bother buying a plane ticket!

Athens , Texas 75751, Canadian , Texas 79014, China , Texas 77613
Egypt , Texas 77436, Turkey , Texas 79261, London , Texas 76854,

New London , Texas 75682, Paris , Texas 75460

We even have a city named after our planet!

Earth , Texas 79031

And a city named after our State!

Texas City , Texas 77590

Exhausted?

Energy , Texas 76452

Need Office Supplies?

Staples , Texas 78670

Men are from Mars, woman are from Venus , Texas 76084

You guessed it..it's on the state line.. Texline , Texas 79087

For the kids..

Kermit , Texas 79745, Elmo , Texas 75118, Nemo , Texas 76070, Tarzan , Texas 79783,

Winnie , Texas 77665

Other funny city names in Texas :

Beeville , Texas 78102, Bigfoot , Texas 78005, Buda , Texas 78610, Cactus , Texas 79013, Mercedes , Texas 78570, Muleshoe, Texas 79347, Nixon , Texas 78140

Old Dime Box, Texas 77853, Telephone , Texas 75488, Whiteface , Texas 79379

And last but not least.
The Anti-Al Gore City

Kilgore , Texas 75662 (not really, it's a joke)

Let's not forget where the Water is Sweet

Sweetwater, Texas 79556

Have a Good and Blessed Day!

Why I decided to Homeschool

Why Home school
We started homeschooling this past August, 2006. After much prayer and research I quit my job (a job that I loved) at the Middle school here in town. I had worked there for 5 years. Amanda started Kindergarten at an elementary school and from the get go she had trouble.

First grade she did OK but the teacher and I discussed that maybe she was dyslexic. Of course, they didn't test her for it since first grade is too early according to the district. Her teachers at the school were great and wanted so much to help. So we had her hearing tested...she had fluid built up in both ears. We had tubes put in the summer between her First and Second grade year. Second grade came and we finally got the testing...she wasn't dyslexic. She had missed so much due to loss of hearing that she didn't have any phonemic awareness. Not to mention that math was giving her problems also.

Bless her heart!! Everything she was hearing was like her head was stuck in a barrel. And somewhere she never learned how to add, subtract, skip count, etc. Not that she didn't learn she just was NOT comfortable with it. She totally freaks out when you have to subtract 3 digit numbers. She can do all of the one digits all day long, but you start adding more to it and it's PANIC.

We would work with her on her homework and she would be in tears!! Imagine a second grader sitting at the dining table trying to do math and bawling. It broke your heart!! Amanda is a smart little girl but somewhere she was intimidated and she would compare herself to the other kids in the class.

She would be pulled out to go to CMC (content mastery center) and she knew she was different. She associated different with "not as smart". She called them her special classes. Now I am not knocking CMC...it is a good thing especially when it does help kids but it made my child realize that she was not doing as well as the other students.

It was then toward the end of her 2nd grade year that I sincerely started praying about Home school. There was a woman who had joined our church and she home schooled her kids. I also had a girl that I had graduated with tell me all about her home school adventures. Man, I didn't want to quit my job.

Two weeks before school started I went in and quit. Then headed over to the elementary school and unenrolled Amanda. On Aug. 14th we started school in the Cooper household. Oh, it hasn't been easy...I have had to pray many times during math time!! Not just because of her frustration but because of mine! I haven't done math in years and have tried not to!!

I purchased curriculum from BJU. I have to have organization! I'm weird that way. I'm not a "fly by the seat of my pants" type person. We look things up on the Internet, I am teaching her how to make a power point presentation for history. (I use to be the computer tech aide at the school.) We have a group that we meet with on Fridays. She is taking a cooking class and Spanish class.

We start our day off with Bible Truths and prayer. After then it's whatever subject we want. Amanda's reading has come along and she is getting more confident. Math, we work on everyday!!! Especially subtraction.

Without God this wouldn't be possible.

Have you ever been in a Middle school with about 600 students? You would not believe the language that comes out of their mouths. You wouldn't believe the disrespect they show to adults. You wouldn't believe the things about sex that they know and do! It is a sad world we live in.

That has to be the other reason for homeschooling. It's not that I am sheltering my child from these things. She will know about them but she will learn them from her godly parents. She will learn to "love your neighbor" and to "love God with all your heart, mind and soul." Now if that is bad homeschooling, then we are going to be the BADDEST!!!

I don't know why I decided to write this...I just thought there might be someone out there who is struggling with a decision. It isn't easy, but it's worth it.

God Bless!

Love...

Love is never having to say your sorry??? No...

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not evny; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all thinks, believes all thinks, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. I Cor. 13:4-8

After 20 years you end up learning this lesson. One just needs to REMEMBER it!!

Today was a good day. Church was good and the kids in sunday school were great! We ate lunch at church and enjoyed one anothers company. It's good to get together without stress! We are getting to know each other and each others burdens.

That is what Love is...being able to bear one anothers burdens. Not just love between and man and woman but between christians. We must learn to lift one another up to the Lord. We must love one another!!

I tell my kids that all the time "Love one another"!! They just look at me...I know Jesus said it.

I was reading a blog the other night "This Ain't New York" and she wrote something that blew me away: You see, being married is not about YOU. It's not about him either. It's about Him.

WOW!!! Love is about HIM, Jesus Christ. That is fabulous!! and simply put. Maybe all of this isn't about me or you...It's about HIM.

Even preachers wives need an eye opener every now and then.

Tomorrow we will be getting back to a full week of school. Some of the public schools around the area have closed due to the flu, God has been good to us and kept us healthy!! Clap, Clap!!! While going through Living Beyond yourself, The Fruit of the Spirit by Beth Moore I remember one of the videos where she is talking about clapping for the Lord in her car....I have started doing that. I know I probably look silly but oh well...

Have a great week!!

Vacccinate or not??

UHHHH, Gov. Perry has stirred up a hornet's nest here in Texas. Can you believe that he wants to require all young girls to be vaccinated with the hvp vaccine, starting at age 9? Below are excerpts from http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/health/4523542.html

Beginning in September 2008, girls entering the sixth grade will have to receive Gardasil, Merck & Co.'s new vaccine against strains of the human papillomavirus, or HPV.

Texas allows parents to opt out of inoculations by filing an affidavit objecting to the vaccine on religious or philosophical reasons. Conservative groups say such provisions still interfere with parents' rights to make medical decisions for their children.

The executive order is effective until Perry or a successor changes it, and the Legislature has no authority to repeal it, said Perry spokeswoman Krista Moody. Moody said the Texas Constitution permits the governor, as head of the executive branch, to order other members of the executive branch to adopt rules like this one.

Some believe there is more going on behind the scenes.
Perry has ties to Merck and Women in Government. One of the drug company's three lobbyists in Texas is Mike Toomey, Perry's former chief of staff. His current chief of staff's mother-in-law, Texas Republican state Rep. Dianne White Delisi, is a state director for Women in Government.
The governor also received $6,000 from Merck's political action committee during his re-election campaign.

Will my 9 year old get the shot? We homeschool and from what I have read is that HPV is sexually transmitted disease that can lead to cervical cancer. Why would a 9 year old receive a shot for an STD if she isn't having sex??? and shouldn't be.
http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm

Then you have the other side...but it can prevent cervical cancer.

Well...If I vaccinate my daughter is that saying I would be accepting her decision to go out and have premarital sex???

Now, if you are not having sex, you are not exposing yourself to HPV, which is an STD, which could lead to cervical cancer, which is BAD and you would be practicing ABSTINENCE, which is what GOD says you should do! That is pretty simple. We always try to make everything so hard!

Just a thought...

Good Weekend

We are back. We had a wonderful time away. Jefferson is a cute little town and if ever you are in East Texas be sure to stop there. I will be going back the first Saturday in May for the Civil War Reenactment.

Yes, I am a Gone With the Wind Freak! I wanted to check out the GWTW museum over there but the owner was out of town. The woman has the largest personal collection in Texas.

It's amazing...you don't realize how much history is around you. I live 60 miles SE of Dallas. Of course everyone knows about the tragic history that happened there. East Texas has oil, gas, plantations, sugar, and cotton.

We didn't have school yesterday or today...I told Amanda we will have much to do Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. We might have to do some on Saturday also.

Yesterday I felt so bad I didn't get out of bed. I had to do my errands today and buy groceries. My family is so happy when there is food in the house.

I am so grateful for the food and all that God has given us. We all take for granted the things we do have. Our families, shelter, clothes, health, friends. All of these things were given to us. We didn't earn them, we don't have them because of how much we make, what we look like...we have them because God has blessed us, even when we haven't done anything to be blessed.

Whenever we don't think we can make it thru our "trials" we must remember that God is there for us.
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength
is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory
in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

I don't know why I keep forgetting this!!!! He is the One who get us out of our Pit, not us!!! We will only dig ourselves deeper!!!
Keep in mind...His grace not ours!!!

A Weekend Away

Finally...Friday.
Since Jan. 24th we have planned to go out of town. We finally get to do that this weekend!

We are heading to Jefferson, Texas. The town is an old Texas town that is full of Bed and Breakfast, not to mention antiques.

The main reason I want to go is of course to spend some "quiet" time with my husband but a Gone With the Wind museum is there.

I collect GWTW items. Plates, music boxes, pictures, dolls...I even have a GWTW trash can.

I guess mostly it will be nice to get away...considering all that has happened.
I don't know what God is planning but I'm sure He knows what is best.
My husband read this from James this morning. I thought I would post it because we should remember this in any circumstance.


Jam 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Jam 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
Jam 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Jam 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Jam 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

Also I was checking out the Homeschool legal Defense Associations website. Texas wants to lower the Compulsory Attendance Age from 6 to 5.
Author: Senator Judith Zaffirini
Summary:This bill lowers the age of compulsory attendance from six years to five years of age.
Status:
11/13/2006
Filed
1/23/2007
(Senate) Referred to Education
HSLDA's Position:HSLDA is opposed to this bill.
Action Requested:
Please call the sponsor of the bill, Sen. Judith Zaffirini, (512) 463-0121, and give her this message:
“Please abandon your efforts to lower the age of compulsory school attendance in Senate Bill 52. It forces children to school before they are ready and takes the important decision of when each child is ready for school away from the parents, who best know their child's needs.”
You do not need to identify that you homeschool.

Background:
Many education experts have concluded that beginning a child’s formal education too early may actually result in burnout and poor scholastic performance later.
Lowering the compulsory attendance age erodes the authority of parents who are in the best position to determine when their child’s formal education should begin.
Another significant impact of expanding the compulsory attendance age would be an inevitable tax increase to pay for more classroom space and teachers to accommodate the additional students compelled to attend public schools. When California raised the age of compulsory attendance, unwilling students were so disruptive that new schools had to be built just to handle them and their behavior problems, all at the expense of the taxpayer.
For more information on compulsory attendance, please see our issues analysis page: Compulsory Attendance Age Legislation.

We in small town Texas already have an alternative school across the street from me. DAEP, District Alternative Education Program. I remember when the school just gave us "licks" and got it over with.

Have a good weekend and God Bless!