family 

art journal 

finally..some art

Just wanted to post some of the art I have been making. Loving my art journal. My class is over, but I will continue to make pages. I have fallen in love with this medium. I'm finding that I really enjoy mixed media type of art. Love just doing what I want and including whatever I want in my pieces. These stamps from Paperbag Studios are making me so happy; huge inspiration. Last night I finished the pink piece. Have been thinking about doing it for a while now. I have been wanting to use the picture of my Grandma and her siblings (the Kucia family). Absolutely love that picture.

ice creat at disney 

watermelon eatin' 

summer fun 

Shannon 

R & D 

daddy 

summer is over.

Well, this is our last day of summer. School starts tomorrow. We officially begin our homeschooling year tomorrow. Shannon started Montessori last Thursday and had a total blast. She was actually upset to find out that she didn't have class on Friday. Everyday she gets up and asks if she can go to school today. This just makes me want to smile. I'm so happy that she likes school so much. I will leave you with some pictures from this summer.

nature 

it's only nature.

We have been growing tomatoes and melons in our garden. Everything has been growing great and we have been getting lots of cherry tomatoes and were just starting to see some little watermelons. It has really been a fun experience for the kids to water the plants everyday. This past week the gardeners decided to come and clear out our whole patch of garden with the Crenshaw melons and watermelons. They completely wiped it out. Cut down all the vines. I guess they didn't realize they were fruits. :( The kids were completely devastated. They were crying and didn't understand why this had happened. So, the next day, we go outside to water the only thing left in our garden, the tomato plants. And we find half our plant eaten by these creepy worm looking caterpillers. EWWWW. But of course Ryne thought they were great. He wanted to keep the five that we found as pets, as well as the hatching larva. So we have just let the hornworms take over the cherry tomato plant to see what will happen. Ryne kept asking me why I was making funny faces and had goosebumps all over. I replied that the worms creep me out. His reply, " It's only nature mom."

please give.

I've been wanting to post the last few days, but just have not been able to put my feelings into words. I am in complete shock over the events in the south. please pray & give.

question.

How does everyone like the new banner? Not bad for a first try. Trying to personalize the blog a little bit. Didn't realize how many people are reading this and how much controversy it is causing. Not sure what direction I will take this blog, I need to think some more about it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY! 

kids. 

sad today.

Today was the day that public school started in our area. It was a rough day for me but not because I was sad to be dropping my son off at his first grade classroom. I'm sad today because it has made me come to grips again that my son is different from most kids. We have always known R was different but with each passing year it is becoming more evident. We have begun the journey of evaluation; quite possibly leading to Asperger's. The beginning of public school today is just another reminder of how different he is. I'm worried that the world will not be kind & sympathetic to those differences. I know I cannot shield him from life, that would not help him, but I want him to learn and experience life on his terms and not be pushed into things until he is ready. That is why we have chosen to homeschool. This decision was not taken lightly and took us over a year. I am excited to be on our journey, but still have this ache in my heart and lump in my throat today.

One of my goals in life is to raise happy children. I want them to understand themselves; to know their strengths and weaknesses. I want them to be kind, generous, and sympathetic to others. I am trying to keep my eye on the bigger picture. What do I need to do to make sure that my kids are happy & productive human beings? I try to take each day as it comes and look for the positives. God has entrusted me to take care of three fabulous little people and help them to grow to be all they can be. I want to celebrate their uniqueness and if homeschooling is the way to do it, then this is my journey.

my banquet. 

My banquet.

Recently, I have been contemplating the purpose of my life. What direction am I headed? Where am I going? What am I doing? I have realized that I owe my life and who I am to the Lord. HE is my purpose for living. I want to live to show glory to God. "everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by his power, and everything is for his glory." Romans 11:36. This realization has been life changing. I have always believed in God, but I have never had a personal relationship with him and put my life in his hands until recently. I'm excited about learning all I can and seeing him work in my life. I am approaching each day with a new attitude. Yesterday at services, our pastor spoke about Matthew and the occasion of his decision to follow Jesus. This really struck me. Matthew held a huge banquet to tell everyone he knew of his decision and to introduce them to Jesus. Our pastor then asked if we have held our banquet. Have we told the people in our lives? I believe that all my friends and family know that Jesus is my Savior. But I want to shout it from the rooftop so everyone hears. I have never felt more alive and at peace in my entire life. Written august 8th, 2005

painting.

This weekend flew by so quickly. We are busily getting the house ready to sell. Been cleaning, organizing, and painting. Got rid of so much STUFF, twenty bags worth went to Goodwill over the weekend. It's amazing how much stuff we accumulate. Feels really good to be rid of so much stuff. Saturday we painted the laundry room, which desperately needed a nice, new coat of white paint. I think we finished the room in record time, because my awesome friend offered to take the kids. So grateful for her! We even took a little time out to visit some open houses in the area to get an idea what houses are going for. All in all it was a very productive weekend.