tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48771854598464750462024-03-05T07:16:34.193-05:00~Our Life~S.E. Painterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01990381659296239805noreply@blogger.comBlogger503125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877185459846475046.post-49682089293486671652016-09-19T22:47:00.002-04:002016-09-20T07:40:40.008-04:00so... this happened<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpPK2aGrbTTmRYa8m6Rzila1IXbRVwL4WIHCVLMztlI0cuvZqMTQ0NFTNIPxKLBeNOOYDXQBt6SAtBT5WMOFu0YO2o5okY-HiISqmX9ZOJC6QJjEAlno6F5UxSTQdSk3Qk9Khy477CwOZ/s1600/Sarah+Painter+-Entire+Family+Picture+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpPK2aGrbTTmRYa8m6Rzila1IXbRVwL4WIHCVLMztlI0cuvZqMTQ0NFTNIPxKLBeNOOYDXQBt6SAtBT5WMOFu0YO2o5okY-HiISqmX9ZOJC6QJjEAlno6F5UxSTQdSk3Qk9Khy477CwOZ/s640/Sarah+Painter+-Entire+Family+Picture+.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Our Family</b></div>
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<b>September 18, 2016</b></div>
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<b>(Painters, Reynauds & Adams)</b></div>
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<b>Our family came together on Sunday for an impromptu photo session (with the amazing Hannah Marie Voiles) at my brother's home. </b></div>
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<b>When I look at this photograph, it reminds me of a similar photograph that we have from many years ago on my mother's side of the family in Arizona. I can remember taking that photograph all those years ago with my cousins. I love that photograph. It is a precious piece of our history. I think it was my grandparent's anniversary, but I would have to ask someone to make sure. I cannot really recall.</b></div>
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<b>Years down the road, when my children look at this family photograph, I pray they remember the love that it captures and not the reason we came together so quickly. </b></div>
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<b>What is the reason? Why so quickly? Well...?</b></div>
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<b>My mother's endometrial cancer is back and has spread to the peritoneal lining and fluid of her abdomen. </b><br />
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<b>Tomorrow, my mother begins chemotherapy in an attempt to keep her cancer at bay and Lord willing, put it in remission for as long as possible. </b></div>
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<b>We do not know the future, but the Lord does. We are trusting in Him. We don't want to talk about stages and time periods and statistics... We just want to put one foot in front of the other and live life while doing the next thing. She does not want this diagnosis to take over every aspect of her life and her conversations. We respect that and we are so happy to be here living life along side of her. </b></div>
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<b>We have many things to be thankful for already, including this photograph of our family. </b></div>
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<b>I am thankful for the peace that can only come from Jesus and His Holy Spirit. </b></div>
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<b>I am thankful that the Lord gave my mother a pulmonary embolism which caused her a quite a bit of pain so she ended up in the hospital in mid-August. I'm thankful for the scan about the blood clot that revealed the cancer. Considering her hysterectomy was just in February, the doctors were not suspecting recurrent cancer as the cause of her mild abdominal swelling and swelling legs and feet. </b></div>
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<b>I am thankful for supportive siblings and family, especially Bec who lives here in town with us. (Which happened in March of this year because she wanted to be closer to my mom and me- another thing to be thankful for today.)</b></div>
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<b>I am thankful that the Lord has simplified my life this year in numerous ways. </b></div>
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<b>Specifically, He laid it on Kinsey's heart to keep her extra curricular activities limited to only Christian Theatre; no more piano, or robotics, or science olympiad, or mock trial this year. During the summer, I attempted to encourage her to do more, but she held strong. I am so thankful. </b></div>
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<b>I am thankful that Jason has a positive outlook on his ruptured achilles and how it will keep him home more while we minister to my mother. </b></div>
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<b>I am thankful for the peace that the Lord has given me about our current school year. It's not easy to explain, but He has impressed on me where my focus needs to be and I am freed from checking boxes in a way which I have never experienced. </b></div>
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<b>I am thankful for my friends-my prayer partners, my lifelines, my comic relief. </b></div>
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<b>Please lift my mother up in prayer. </b><br />
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<b>Please pray for all of us as we embark on a new adventure in our lives. </b></div>
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<b>Thank you. </b></div>
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<b>If you want to send my mother a card to let her know that you are praying for her, I'll be happy to send you her address. </b></div>
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<br />S.E. Painterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01990381659296239805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877185459846475046.post-70692193042787545962016-01-06T23:56:00.000-05:002016-01-07T14:28:59.563-05:00Filtering Devices for Dummies...Okay. <br />
First, let's all pretend that it hasn't been two years since I wrote a blog post. <br />
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Second, is anyone else overwhelmed with having to figure out how to filter devices for their children?? <br />
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Now, I know there's a simple answer, "Don't let them have them!" However, for those of us who enjoy having to wrangle all of this, here are some helps. <br />
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I am going to give a quick review of things to choose from and why you would want to choose them. <br />
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Let's start with Internet filtering... <br />
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We use Covenant Eyes. For $14/month, this service filters and reports on all of the devices in our home. Each family member has an account that I set up at first with their email, if they had one. <br />
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How it works on laptops: You download it on the laptop like any other program and it tracks whatever browser you use; safari, firefox, chrome, etc... Also, it blocks/filters at whatever level I chose when I set up each family member. If something is visited that is blocked, it gives a message to the user and sends an email to me. It also tracks all sites visited, how long she was on the internet, etc... It sometimes does give false reports if you have an app that runs in the background, etc...<br />
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How it works on Iphones/Ipods: You download the covenant eyes browser and use that browser. You also must restrict Safari so that only covenant eyes is available. I will go into how to restrict things on your child's iphone later. If you have a droid, I believe it tracks it without using the covenant eyes browser, just like your laptop. I use the covenant eyes browser and I have no issue with it at all. This does not filter other apps on the iphones/ipods such as amazon prime or youtube. It is not fool proof. <br />
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What do I like about it? Unlike a filtered router that stays in my house, I like the fact that our devices are filtered even when we leave our own home. If my children go somewhere and get on the internet, they are filtered even if the other home is not. Of course, this doesn't mean we can let our guards down, but it's another layer of protection. <br />
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What I don't like: This does not filter other apps on the iphones/ipods such as amazon prime or youtube. It is not fool proof. <br />
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Next, let's talk about controlling device time... On any typical night at our home, you would hear me remind my girls to bring down their ipods (if they have them) and make sure they are in my room by 9 pm. Of course, this doesn't happen immediately and I get distracted and then I reminding them again, and then I am up out of the bed and then they are losing the ipods the next day and so on and so on...<br />
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Enter Circle, my newest $100 addition to the device war. Circle is a cute little box that helps parents manage wifi time along with filtering. <a href="https://meetcircle.com/" target="_blank">https://meetcircle.com </a><br />
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How does it work? <br />
Once again, each person is given a quick profile and a filtering level (kid, teen, adult, etc...) On that profile, you can choose how long the child can spend on wifi, or a specific app or for a day. You can also set a bedtime (and wake time) for when the wifi shuts off for their device. All of the devices on your wifi come up on the app and you assign each device to a person. Shared devices can be assigned on the home profile, which can also be filtered and assigned time limits, etc...<br />
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What do I like about it? <br />
First, I don't have to search for ipods at night. I set the bedtimes and they can have their ipods for music and books-that reason right there is worth a lot more than $100 to me.<br />
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Second, anyone who comes into our home falls under the 'home' account and is filtered if they are using our wifi, unlike covenant eyes, which is just for our family. <br />
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Third, at any time I can click on the Circle app and freeze someone's wifi. So, let's say that I am going to the grocery store and I want my girls to work on school and not surf the net looking for Harry Potter T-shirts for their upcoming trip to Universal... Open app, select daughter, click freeze. No wifi for you, sister! <br />
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Okay, finally, let's talk about restriciting your child's ipod or iphone. This is important for removing Safari off of a device. If your child has an ipod/iphone and you have not done this, you might want to give this some serious, serious, serious thought. The entire world is in the palm of their hand. Right there. There is no reason a child needs full unrestricted access to the internet. No reason. <br />
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If you get covenant eyes, you can download a safe, well-run, filtered browser instead of Safari. <br />
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So, here are the steps:<br />
Go to SETTINGS on the device. (it's a gray app)<br />
Go to GENERAL in the settings app. (it's a gray gear)<br />
Scroll down to RESTRICTIONS, click them ON.<br />
Set a four digit code that your child will never guess, but you will remember. Pick something that you've never used before. Write it somewhere safe. <br />
Once in there, toggle the button next to Safari to turn it off. <br />
I also turn off 'delete apps' and 'in-app purchases'. There are other things you might turn off, like youtube, etc...<br />
If my child puts an app on the phone, I want to be able to see it before she deletes it. <br />
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Now, if you have a subscription to covenant eyes, your child will use that app for surfing the internet instead of Safari. It will be filtered and send you any emails about things that are stumbled on, accidentally, I'm sure. <br />
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Now, in my opinion, all three of these steps that I have mentioned are necessary to assist in the war on devices, but if you were only going to choose one, I would choose Circle. <br />
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Circle is easy to implement. It filters whomever is on your internet and allows you to pause anyone on your internet. You can set bedtimes easily. It gives apps a time limit. I have not used it long enough to see if there are gaps in the coverage, yet. The downside is that Circle is limited to just your home. However, you can travel with it, if you want to take the time to set it up in a new location like for a long vacation, etc... <br />
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If it were me, I would use Circle AND restrict safari if my child had a phone/ipod. They can use a laptop to look things up on the internet. However, once your children are out and about often, I think Covenant Eyes is necessary. I think as adults, we could all use accountability. I cannot imagine a time when we would not use it. <br />
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I hope this has helped to equip you for battle in the war on devices in your home~<br />
<br />S.E. Painterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01990381659296239805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877185459846475046.post-49877643262285984812014-09-01T00:03:00.001-04:002014-09-01T00:03:08.724-04:00So...How's It Going?I don't really have time to update this in a fancy way, but I feel the need to share how Lucy is doing... Partly because I went from an anti-dog person to a full blown puppy owner, sort of abruptly...<br />
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Lucy will be 13 weeks on Wednesday. <br />
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What is going well?<br />
Lucy's temperament is fantastic. It could not be any better. She tolerates a ridiculous amount of cuddling (if that is what you call it) from all of my children without any complaint. <br />
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Lucy's barking/yapping is minimal. She barks at other dogs, sometimes. She barks/whines when she is on the leash and left alone in a room suddenly.<br />
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Lucy does so well in her crate. She sleeps in her crate from 10-7 am nightly as well as different times during the day. She has only peed one time in there. She rarely barks in there. <br />
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Lucy has already started fetching a ball. She is eager to play outside with the kids. <br />
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Lucy adjusts well from sitting on our laps or on the floor in her bed. She doesn't seem to be overly needy at this point. I'm assuming she's figuring our her place at number 8...<br />
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What needs improvement?<br />
HOUSETRAINING!<br />
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I know my expectations are high, but I want zero pee in my house. Zero. <br />
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When Lucy is not on the leash, she will go potty wherever. When she is on the leash and restrained near me, she will bark. I always take her outside when she barks. Sometimes she potties, sometimes she does not. I want her to put together that barking=outside.<br />
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Am I sick of going outside 100 times a day? Yep!<br />
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Now, it has only been a couple of accidents a day for a week, but that is because she is restrained. <br />
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Overall, considering she is only 12 weeks, I am pleased. I am happy we adopted her. <br />
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*Lucy has definitely stolen our hearts*<br />
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<br />S.E. Painterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01990381659296239805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877185459846475046.post-20197567507764206232014-07-26T09:33:00.001-04:002014-07-26T09:33:47.955-04:00the story of Lucy...Anyone who knows me knows that I do not care for dogs... or pets... or really any living thing that is not human... <br />
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So, how in the world did we end up with a dog? not just a dog, but a puppy... a puppy that takes work...<br />
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It all started with this...<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kMmbo7pJCxzeAY4S92TsvviptnFLc5z8XgNN_pZRkz_Dplyn1y8pAf6c2T8tMgemPWfHiDX3Oo_bg4y3qLfTzSlgXQujktKfM8HIWmZ6OoP5KN1qkSaO5BLfrUlMZe267A1ETZPj669P/s1600/amydogskip.jpg" height="640" width="464" /></div>
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Several months ago, Jack and I watched this *wretched* movie together. By the end of the movie, I was a sniffling mess and had this new found desire to get Jack a dog. <br /><br />However, I do not like dogs (or pets, or living things that are not human... and some humans, too)<br /><br />So, I stuffed that feeling way down deep. <br />
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For many months, I never spoke it a loud. I really tried to talk myself out of the unquenchable inclination to get a puppy. It would not cease.<br /><br />Secretly, I started trolling craigslist looking for puppies. However, it could not just be any puppy. For my sanity, and to increase this little living thing's chance in our home, the puppy would need to be small and non-shedding. Turns out there are not that many puppies being given away that meet that criteria. <br /><br />
Whatever dog we got would need to be a dog that everyone could enjoy. It could not just be for Jack.<br />
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At the same time, Jack is the one in our family that in many ways doesn't have a buddy. Kinz has Kerrigan and Mary Catherine has Henry, but then there is Jack-Swirling in the middle of our family like a tornado. He needed a project. Unless his cousin Will was planning on moving in... <br /><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBI1V9Ed2Yjm70kTGK3oEidnIJtTBZ4hpNT0VsJvSbm9nnEKtj4jr9tOyZDhQ2d4uC2Zug_35VSlbHwa3QOcWkZkiX24qY8EKgcggAZKVZ_2kVG2qTV-pCOgSSO6O8mfEvPUsw1J98bBrL/s1600/willjack.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></div>
<br />Fast forward a few months later and I am asking Candice, "Do you still want to get a puppy?" (<i>She almost got one last year, but it was bought before she could make a decision.)</i> Immediately, she responded with a "YES!" We decided that we wanted to adopt sibling puppies because our families spend so much time together. We asked a mutual friend of ours if she was going to breed her dogs again because we were interested in purchasing her puppies. It turns out she no longer wanted to breed her dogs. <br />
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At this point, my secret is now out in the open to Jason and Candice. I must act quickly before Jason brings home some one-eyed stray that drools like a Mastiff and sheds like a German Shepherd. <br /><br /><i>"I thought you wanted a dog??"</i><br />
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I began a month long process of researching different small mix breeds and nearby breeders. I had a couple of mixed breeds in mind, but Shih-Poo was at the top of my list. <br />
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Problem-we could not find any nearby breeders online. <br />
<br />Apparently, Candice had also been diligently searching. One night she sends me a link from wral that says a breeder in Fuquay has Shih-Poos. Turns out this breeder lives right down the road! She grooms my neighbor's dogs. It is the Hound Dog Wash Tub. <br /><br />I wanted to find a puppy closer to Christmas because this would be our children's Christmas gift. However, we could not pass up getting her at this point because so many of the details were perfect. <br /><br />We sat the children down and asked them if they wanted a puppy for Christmas, in lieu of gifts from mom and dad. Shocked and bewildered because their mother, who proclaimed she would NEVER get a dog is now offering one as a gift, they quickly said, "YES!"<br /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkkHb-JZLvLfYjXUGYcBQ9pnFNykW4PJ2FhnG89ued2E1UY7m5iTr5vtnPiljIv4LRtWD1EBVc0n1ibB3IrzKiPfzMiwByyVO109VbPSyBy0Fb_io3ZF36mPQRCFr8FvuCodrV-56sWbZA/s1600/Lucy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkkHb-JZLvLfYjXUGYcBQ9pnFNykW4PJ2FhnG89ued2E1UY7m5iTr5vtnPiljIv4LRtWD1EBVc0n1ibB3IrzKiPfzMiwByyVO109VbPSyBy0Fb_io3ZF36mPQRCFr8FvuCodrV-56sWbZA/s1600/Lucy.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Meet Lucy</div>
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2.5 lbs on 7/25/14</div>
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Born 6/5/14</div>
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I cannot say that I am excited about having another living thing to take care of, but I can say that I have never seen my children so excited. We are in for a tough year of training away the nipping and pee-pee on my floor, but I think we can do it. <br /><br />Look forward to seeing this little cutie on my instagram roll.</div>
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S.E. Painterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01990381659296239805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877185459846475046.post-31630481769085800722014-02-18T21:42:00.004-05:002014-02-18T22:05:02.516-05:00Killing the Joy!What fires you up? What are you passionate about? I have a few things in life... one of them is education... when I read articles like these I want to shout them from the rooftops! Let children be children for Pete's Sake! I know these articles are from many sources and are not brand new, but there is truth here... Investigate it yourself.<br />
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Am I the only one who is hearing about the slews of children who are struggling with school related anxiety? These are real children that I know of, not some random kids... the environment of testing and testing and sure, let's test about the testing is killing the joy. Killing it. Killing it!<br />
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If at the end of this thing we call, 'an education', there are not people who love to learn, know how to learn, and can replicate said learning, what in the world have we done? <br />
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How long can our country survive after a generation of anxiety ridden children graduate from circling bubbles, skipping recess, neglecting art/music, and cramming all available time full of over-scheduled zoo of activities? <br />
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No matter how you choose to educate your children, reflect on your current situation. Is this really what you want it to be? In your heart, is this the BEST you can be doing for your child? <br />
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Here are a few quotes and articles, which are just the tip of the iceberg on the effects of shoving children face first into what we like to call 'education'. If you are the mother of boys, I encourage you to really consider the effect of the current system on your future family leaders. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.nancyebailey.com/2014/02/02/setting-children-up-to-hate-reading/">http://www.nancyebailey.com/2014/02/02/setting-children-up-to-hate-reading/</a><br /><strong>"No Joy in Reading.</strong> Children learn to hate reading. When
you assess children too early, currently done in kindergarten with
Response to Intervention testing like DIBELS, children learn reading is a
chore. It becomes something serious—even fearful for a young child."<br /><br />
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“But the evidence is now quite overwhelming that such an early introduction to institutional learning is not only quite unnecessary for the vast majority of children, but can actually cause major developmental harm, and at worst a shortened life-span.”<br />
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<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/9266592/Bright-children-should-start-school-at-six-says-academic.html">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/9266592/Bright-children-should-start-school-at-six-says-academic.html</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2007/nov/22/earlyyearseducation.schools">http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2007/nov/22/earlyyearseducation.schools</a><br />
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"Those who believe in academic training for very young children make a
fundamental error: They fail to recognize that there are different
levels of understanding in math and reading. Learning to identify
numbers and letters is far different from learning to perform
mathematical operations and to read with understanding."<br />
<br />
<a href="http://educationnext.org/much-too-early/">http://educationnext.org/much-too-early/</a> <br />
<br />
"Evidence attesting to the importance of developmentally appropriate
education in the early years comes from cross-cultural studies. Jerome
Bruner reports that in French-speaking parts of Switzerland, where
reading instruction is begun at the preschool level, a large percentage
of children have reading problems. In German-speaking parts of
Switzerland, where reading is not taught until age six or seven, there
are few reading problems. In Denmark, where reading is taught late,
there is almost no illiteracy. Likewise in Russia, where the literacy
rate is quite high, reading is not taught until the age of six or seven."<br />
<br />
Investigate. <br />
<br />
Reflect. <br />
<br />
React. S.E. Painterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01990381659296239805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877185459846475046.post-1533194725629229012013-12-26T17:06:00.000-05:002013-12-26T17:06:06.624-05:00the Good, the Horrible, and the Praise...<div class="MsoNormal">
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</style>The Good News, The Horrible News and The Praise…</h2>
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The Good News first~My sister, Rebecca, (and her family) is
not moving to St. Simons Island, Georgia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span> </h2>
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<i>(Good News for us, but not them)</i></div>
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<i>We were happy to see them move because it was an excellent opportunity for
their family, but we were going to miss them like crazy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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Now for the Horrible News…</h2>
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</h2>
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My sister was diagnosed with breast cancer last week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></h2>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKUj4zusvGrKLLM8cG_7RdQQzxIXPJl7veRv1wjH2fSndPrPFDc6CbJGfvoIWP04b5QiV5bA-0CWYmG4-D_f7rmR5xMeXutbOWTk26LdnwhTCu9PjAGxI9ldUmnaIn6Nnpxr7xkMRdZh5/s1600/IMG_8331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKUj4zusvGrKLLM8cG_7RdQQzxIXPJl7veRv1wjH2fSndPrPFDc6CbJGfvoIWP04b5QiV5bA-0CWYmG4-D_f7rmR5xMeXutbOWTk26LdnwhTCu9PjAGxI9ldUmnaIn6Nnpxr7xkMRdZh5/s640/IMG_8331.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Although she has just begun the process of doctor
appointments and developing a treatment plan, it does appear that Chemotherapy,
Surgery and Radiation are all on the table to discuss. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">The doctors have informed her that this will be a six to eight month course of
treatment. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Please lift my sister up in prayers, as well as her family. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmjR1FJVrC6jIAKG4qCDFEj4L8MTAQ8NQDh6x_OTgMgSAmod2LdzHIuyTUoIeAe5ujrLueKgniti11ArXTe000SCjKMFzPxIkPGUeYnPfl9E2gbMgmiQHSlTls5jKkCCn_MdBCZaJqW2q/s1600/IMG_8251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmjR1FJVrC6jIAKG4qCDFEj4L8MTAQ8NQDh6x_OTgMgSAmod2LdzHIuyTUoIeAe5ujrLueKgniti11ArXTe000SCjKMFzPxIkPGUeYnPfl9E2gbMgmiQHSlTls5jKkCCn_MdBCZaJqW2q/s640/IMG_8251.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">About eighteen months ago, Jonathan decided to quit his job to stay home with
their children (Parker-5 & Luke-2){current ages} for a couple of years
until Parker started Kindergarten. In
the meantime, they were surprised with my newest nephew, Drew, which has really
livened things up at home for Jonathan for the last six months. *Grin*
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m sure the stress that comes with being the financial provider will be tough
during this time, but she is thankful that Jonathan already knows exactly how
to meet the needs of the children. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Can we get an ‘Amen’? </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Most mamas would have a difficult time ‘resting’ when we are worried about
things being done with our children, but now that will alleviated some since
Jonathan is with the children most of the time.
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We are also thankful that Becky (Rebecca) kept after the
doctors until they did a biopsy, after an ultrasound & mammogram that
revealed nothing… </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our final praise is that this was discovered before they moved to Georgia, even
if it was only two weeks before they were supposed to move. My sister is able to keep her current job and
support system. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Family & Friends are much closer here and able to be a blessing to
them. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thank you for your prayers as we take a journey that so many of you have taken
before us. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thank you for praying my sister,
Rebecca. (or Becky if you knew her
pre-1992)</span></span></div>
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<h2>
WE LOVE HER!</h2>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2>
Becky, Bobby, Pete & Sarah</h2>
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S.E. Painterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01990381659296239805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877185459846475046.post-67253839134603606662013-12-19T21:51:00.000-05:002013-12-19T21:51:00.364-05:00Jason's Top Ten Christmas SongsI am listing my favorite Christmas songs.<br />
<br />
Many of you will be
disappointed with my list because many of your favorites will not be on
it.<br />
<br />
I’m sorry. I do enjoy the Christmas songs by the likes of Bing
Crosby, Andy Williams, Michael Buble, Nat King Cole, Burl Ives, Gene
Autry, and Elvis to name a few, but they don’t make my top 10.<br />
<br />
So, below
are my top 10 favorite Christmas songs in no particular order. I hope
there are some on the list you have not heard and you will add them to
your Christmas mix.<br />
<br />
<b><u>You Gotta Get Up – Rich
Mullins</u>~</b>This song is the first song played on Christmas morning in our
house. The kids love it and I love playing it as loud as possible to
wake up all the children. I press play on the song at 7 AM Christmas
morning.<br /><br /><b><u>All I Really Want – Steven Curtis Chapman</u> </b>I love this
song about adoption. I think about my friends Sandra Jamey Birmingham
when I hear it and I, too, am thankful that the Heavenly Father chose to
adopt me.<br /> <u><b><br />God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen / We Three Kings –
Barenaked Ladies</b></u> I love this version! Give it a listen and let me know
if you agree.<br /> <u><b><br />How Many Kings – Downhere </b></u>This is my all time
favorite band and this so happens to be my all time favorite song by
them. This is also all of my kids’ favorite Christmas song. The chorus
asks: “How many kings stepped down from their thrones? How many lords
have abandoned their homes? How many greats have become the least for
me? How many gods have poured out their hearts to romance a world that
is torn all apart? How many fathers gave up their sons for me? Only one
did that for me.”<br /> <u><b><br />Mary Did You Know – Kutless</b></u> A GREAT rendition
of this powerful song. Doesn’t get any better than this. “This child
that you delivered will soon deliver you.”<br /> <u><b><br />While You Were
Sleeping – Casting Crowns</b></u> A powerful message in song that tells the
story of Bethlehem sleeping making it go down in history as the city
that had no room for its king. It then moves on to the United States of
America and gives a warning for our country to wake up. Beautiful. I
wish you could hear my girls sing this song at the top of their lungs in
the back seat of my car. It gives me chills.<br /><br /><b><u>No Room – Todd
Agnew </u></b>Another one of my favorite singers. Told from the point of view
of the innkeepers telling Mary and Joseph that there is no room. The
census was happening and certainly the innkeepers were swamped, they had
no more to give, they were fed up with everyone wanting something from
them…too busy….and they missed out on the greatest event in human
history. How many times have you said “no room” to God?<br /><br /><u><b>Little Drummer Boy – MercyMe</b></u> Play it loud and on a good sound system. If you don’t get chills then you should check your pulse.<br /><br /><u><b>A
Baby Changes Everything – Faith Hill </b></u>“A teenage girl. Much too young.
Unprepared for what’s to come. A baby changes everything. Not a ring on
her hand. All her dreams and all her plans. A baby changes everything.
The man she loves…she’s never touched. How will she keep his trust? A
baby changes everything.” Awesome.<br /><br /><u><b>You’re Here – Francesca Battistelli</b></u> Told from Mary’s point of view as she holds her baby, Emmanuel.<br />
I hope you enjoyed my list. I'd love to hear your favorites to add to my mix!S.E. Painterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01990381659296239805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877185459846475046.post-3224709750567918432013-12-19T21:12:00.002-05:002013-12-20T09:22:22.204-05:00Great Wolf Lodge<br />
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A couple of months ago I got THE call... I got the invite from the 'Queen' to join some hysterically funny, God-fearing, homeschooling, sincere, sweet VA mamas at Great Wolf Lodge for a night. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I couldn't say no, the people (and the price) was too good to pass up.</div>
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<br /></div>
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(Thankfully, Candice wanted to come and thankfully, her <i>(our)</i> friend Courtney came too~ the more the Merrier! There is something sweet about two groups of friends meeting and becoming friends.)</div>
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I was going to just post these pix to Facebook, but so many need a little explaining, so I thought I'd blog about our time instead. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGGXjtVnblxnrmn10g6pzSovktLkX9-_6DxauCDR_5qYSDDTHNOvmXR6CH8KqQGZJOM6sqkC5Hre1Nl-vtapbbeQIJeEJLBIF48rBt0EU7XsE94wflDfU0gzpOjj8wdl9j-rbD-pBriyC/s1600/IMG_1808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGGXjtVnblxnrmn10g6pzSovktLkX9-_6DxauCDR_5qYSDDTHNOvmXR6CH8KqQGZJOM6sqkC5Hre1Nl-vtapbbeQIJeEJLBIF48rBt0EU7XsE94wflDfU0gzpOjj8wdl9j-rbD-pBriyC/s400/IMG_1808.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Waiting for Story Time</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
the 'gift of hospitality' is not a strong enough compliment for Stacey Byrd</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we enjoyed several cups of delicious fancy tea in festive holiday mugs that she brought from home. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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Jack and Luke</div>
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these boys have a connection</div>
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it was immediate and it is precious</div>
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i'm thankful for it</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
this is my life</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
look at that face!</div>
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drama</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_dU_XLKY-WeFRcSMPDzEHtVKTMsIq_noAs1DM9xJ2ZxtDywH3d5yY-81wGydHGaJ19SmWUF18rXfRrjGoAtqtx3PcNSACt7jx30__A0wab8ZRYeQT_PZsVK4Zn7vaxzbwGollgdZxMxWI/s1600/Carson+&+Sam+V.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_dU_XLKY-WeFRcSMPDzEHtVKTMsIq_noAs1DM9xJ2ZxtDywH3d5yY-81wGydHGaJ19SmWUF18rXfRrjGoAtqtx3PcNSACt7jx30__A0wab8ZRYeQT_PZsVK4Zn7vaxzbwGollgdZxMxWI/s400/Carson+&+Sam+V.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Carson and Sam </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
these two boys (young men?) are some of the most polite and well mannered I have been around in a long time. <br />
Every single time they spoke to me it was a joy. <br />
Helpful, kind, and friendly... So refreshing!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxrW626eH0t1ddstVsO7OENZXR-kPLbYuFEwVxXIvkDtTkKGO6Zj8AJTxMrGfa2naAroHJZRZ_h0ss0b9H_eGwO3ftXlfarpyUfc-tqsb-R2lLz4r9bGFDY9FZYsmA6bFl8AyPd9RXDiV/s1600/IMG_8033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxrW626eH0t1ddstVsO7OENZXR-kPLbYuFEwVxXIvkDtTkKGO6Zj8AJTxMrGfa2naAroHJZRZ_h0ss0b9H_eGwO3ftXlfarpyUfc-tqsb-R2lLz4r9bGFDY9FZYsmA6bFl8AyPd9RXDiV/s400/IMG_8033.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2>
<b>Kerrigan with Valeigh</b></h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnoBdbud_gNy2q-U7uiX0hyphenhyphenl0WjmyueoAhD9dd7LzCXIAzQA5cYek4sOyIR0vTrCH5Gf2F8yt-54Y-LTbxcFgXz7jGm6TPyZ4yqm-w7MXmfvOL_bDA_aVTxG91YFqVGUfnIkOgb1VoFunG/s1600/IMG_8034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnoBdbud_gNy2q-U7uiX0hyphenhyphenl0WjmyueoAhD9dd7LzCXIAzQA5cYek4sOyIR0vTrCH5Gf2F8yt-54Y-LTbxcFgXz7jGm6TPyZ4yqm-w7MXmfvOL_bDA_aVTxG91YFqVGUfnIkOgb1VoFunG/s400/IMG_8034.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2>
Caleb was rocking the reindeer. </h2>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2>
Nothing is Impossible... with God</h2>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5iL6Jg2Oakc4YctOfnk8_hjFhTkRZlN1w9vOLI3jlKugU_XtNUmfVtMJ5WFgUbAUzNl0weNhyphenhyphenfY_dNjVlCFENjJiUIiBQHNOPLdZjRsqUkab82Rl9kCFwWOUnbQ8rxlpQVGMgYX3D-t0/s1600/IMG_8035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5iL6Jg2Oakc4YctOfnk8_hjFhTkRZlN1w9vOLI3jlKugU_XtNUmfVtMJ5WFgUbAUzNl0weNhyphenhyphenfY_dNjVlCFENjJiUIiBQHNOPLdZjRsqUkab82Rl9kCFwWOUnbQ8rxlpQVGMgYX3D-t0/s400/IMG_8035.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2>
MC needed a turn with the headband.</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
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<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXwdZO8SwwjzCF8GcSOnHPSqJskCC2QlGpCUUC5tIHpPIETBibV57dIjsXZhUJux7Kd7A4JRZJn0OvOf1EkUrtyO8hJtswFg0H0goMLOsiSDHU60A2IER0d29Sx7aJMGT5Q4H_S3xgQ85R/s1600/IMG_8059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXwdZO8SwwjzCF8GcSOnHPSqJskCC2QlGpCUUC5tIHpPIETBibV57dIjsXZhUJux7Kd7A4JRZJn0OvOf1EkUrtyO8hJtswFg0H0goMLOsiSDHU60A2IER0d29Sx7aJMGT5Q4H_S3xgQ85R/s400/IMG_8059.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2>
Really?!? this could've been so cute!</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qDrzRiUpG0X6AcoAHabqyUl0JOPZfayYiq_B9VHJ2Af2ixsW4gx0cxM0YLC-LH3sOI82_fnRAs4oZnb3Whct_HMCempNTuHqFsvYREPT58LiT2-dINNRQP6FQN5mqFG1mZMwmDUou8Bd/s1600/IMG_8061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qDrzRiUpG0X6AcoAHabqyUl0JOPZfayYiq_B9VHJ2Af2ixsW4gx0cxM0YLC-LH3sOI82_fnRAs4oZnb3Whct_HMCempNTuHqFsvYREPT58LiT2-dINNRQP6FQN5mqFG1mZMwmDUou8Bd/s400/IMG_8061.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2>
Courtney and her mini-me-Valeigh</h2>
I'm not sure how the rest of the Saul children avoided my camera, but they did, which is a shame. They are a gaggle of sweet children that I really enjoyed spending time with, no matter how brief. <br />
<h2>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6jZtzt1GbOEihqYv7hSHnSHd1y5jTd7b6KFnyIz87HFUHGkpXwVOr-WGxCTGIb851pc8OepPlGGB2WOlzYaGVxQENrBYQSdHwH2-eBVHiHWUc0ZftBblGeuLEvuM1HN-HIxivFHSkNmPY/s1600/Santa+Sam.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6jZtzt1GbOEihqYv7hSHnSHd1y5jTd7b6KFnyIz87HFUHGkpXwVOr-WGxCTGIb851pc8OepPlGGB2WOlzYaGVxQENrBYQSdHwH2-eBVHiHWUc0ZftBblGeuLEvuM1HN-HIxivFHSkNmPY/s640/Santa+Sam.JPG" width="640" /></a> Santa Sam~who insisted on having a beard so that he could dress up 'for the children'. He is genius. </h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkeSWD2mF-5SsewINrjAiGxjt7mR20SelBnMGAiuLl7ERSWTwnd5xy3JpR2UU3I8h3vUYVnLr4CyJfldgUMMclf-VOwQzB7YQDZiNAn5oIfiV44ujxT6_7a6GauBcSkxyCqQF32DYMAH_/s1600/Henry.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkeSWD2mF-5SsewINrjAiGxjt7mR20SelBnMGAiuLl7ERSWTwnd5xy3JpR2UU3I8h3vUYVnLr4CyJfldgUMMclf-VOwQzB7YQDZiNAn5oIfiV44ujxT6_7a6GauBcSkxyCqQF32DYMAH_/s400/Henry.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the snow at the end of the story time was quite magical</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7SujaY2ZQDmJ8u9X4h0l5PXY6v_ChNWbImMRPkKcH_cqmAa2f-pB2zsNXZCzNrTFgsMVzU8M1dVfSfWwDxNednij-1LGkUB_kKW_bhu9wy4L1Z0Zf8oqZh8qtO9Nx2TgUE-raJ7K6olX7/s1600/IMG_8066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7SujaY2ZQDmJ8u9X4h0l5PXY6v_ChNWbImMRPkKcH_cqmAa2f-pB2zsNXZCzNrTFgsMVzU8M1dVfSfWwDxNednij-1LGkUB_kKW_bhu9wy4L1Z0Zf8oqZh8qtO9Nx2TgUE-raJ7K6olX7/s640/IMG_8066.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
It was Mary Catherine's Favorite Part of GWL</h2>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Santa Sam and his admirer...</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
this picture made me laugh because MC insisted on taking this photo alone, but Henry photo bombed it.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
and then MC photo bombed his without knowing that he had done that to her...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1_HASEMhkiEi7tVpO8UWxMUlA8ypc18rXoFhgCiSj0V1uUOljwuR9aZfle-4hy6-Axek7uwxHWxowDNOpe9ewWoDj0AnJHLghBpgE7l_2asAaYSoq-dZUU3zkNIbaglpRw3s3l_eppZv/s1600/IMG_8096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1_HASEMhkiEi7tVpO8UWxMUlA8ypc18rXoFhgCiSj0V1uUOljwuR9aZfle-4hy6-Axek7uwxHWxowDNOpe9ewWoDj0AnJHLghBpgE7l_2asAaYSoq-dZUU3zkNIbaglpRw3s3l_eppZv/s640/IMG_8096.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2>
Kinsey is serious about MagiQuest</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghp_bzrco2HqgLoAU6SiVPWNmW488DfWRiFvEhcVM1Xm2L34VS13JEsJBWL-m9Ng9-YOGgfquGPNG_RkV8j2a1YLJ9fhQjPrlVbxwAEOFb6iwnFkTXPoJFB6XyONx3Xiqsy_trODgrR0-q/s1600/IMG_8102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghp_bzrco2HqgLoAU6SiVPWNmW488DfWRiFvEhcVM1Xm2L34VS13JEsJBWL-m9Ng9-YOGgfquGPNG_RkV8j2a1YLJ9fhQjPrlVbxwAEOFb6iwnFkTXPoJFB6XyONx3Xiqsy_trODgrR0-q/s400/IMG_8102.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2>
Hot Cocoa after Story Time with Cool Whip and Sprinkles</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dO2tML1mi77xNAuDsypPm6YuhHcvPhYBR7ULHRLcrDVsshKnzRyx_mlPHd7LlK4p_jOZc0u2nNF1Mvxz-DbHvhSY7Ki7pZL47nlZuBOAe3IWhAcN6xqrE_eyKti3GnwSUcPPUony4Z4w/s1600/Kinz+and+Twins.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dO2tML1mi77xNAuDsypPm6YuhHcvPhYBR7ULHRLcrDVsshKnzRyx_mlPHd7LlK4p_jOZc0u2nNF1Mvxz-DbHvhSY7Ki7pZL47nlZuBOAe3IWhAcN6xqrE_eyKti3GnwSUcPPUony4Z4w/s400/Kinz+and+Twins.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for Pizza</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
the boys wanted to get a jump on MagiQuest, so they skipped Story Time... growing up...</div>
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What is Wiley?</div>
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a wolf?</div>
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a raccoon?</div>
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a bear?</div>
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there are so many things wrong with his features</div>
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it's not easy to get this many children to do anything at the same time, so i will call this a success</div>
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What a wonderful 24 hrs.</div>
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Next time it will be two nights!!</div>
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(if I get THE call again)</div>
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S.E. Painterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01990381659296239805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877185459846475046.post-41580419044391368022013-11-11T07:11:00.000-05:002013-11-11T07:12:07.269-05:00Freedom Isn't Free...<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Freedom in America </span></span></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Freedom in America </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Isn't really free; </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We often pay a price </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To keep our liberty. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Remember those we loved, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Who fought for us, and died; </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And those we never knew </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For whom others mourned and cried. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At home our "war" for freedom </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Is sadly overdue; </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We've let corruption stage </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A sad and grievous coup. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No longer can we brush off </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dishonesty and greed, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lust for wealth and power; </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We can't, we won't concede. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Complacency is weakness </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Patriots can't afford; </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We have to act on wrongs </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That cannot be ignored. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We must give up some time, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Spent on other pleasures, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To restore America's freedom, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To keep America's treasures. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Money spent on trifles </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Must now go to our cause: </div>
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Get rid of the offenders, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Constitutional outlaws. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Freedom in America </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Isn't really free </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's up to American patriots; </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's up to you and me. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
By Joanna Fuchs</div>
S.E. Painterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01990381659296239805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877185459846475046.post-74489314743125219452013-11-10T13:08:00.001-05:002013-11-10T13:08:56.315-05:00the Tango... <h2 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">every
woman wants to believe that her husband cherishes her completely.
ultimately our faith is in Christ. However, a husband's love for his
wife should be a glimpse of sacrifice and unconditional love. <br /> <br /> when a wife feels loved, she shows respect. when a husband is respected, he shows love. It is a complete circle. <br /> <br /> i'd like to think that since the Lord has deemed the husband as the head of the household that it should start with him...</span></span></span></span></span></h2>
<h2 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></span></span></h2>
<h2 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span><br /> </span></span></h2>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/yLr6G8Xy5uc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>S.E. Painterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01990381659296239805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877185459846475046.post-52264322369417843252013-11-10T10:30:00.001-05:002013-11-10T10:30:23.233-05:00Reluctant ReadersHow did I develop the love of reading in my children? <br />
<br />
Over the last decade, I have read several books that have molded my philosophies and approach to reading. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Epidemic-Responsible-Children-Permissive-Parenting-ebook/dp/B00DQ859T0/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384093023&sr=1-1&keywords=the+epidemic" target="_blank">The Epidemic </a>changed my parenting, in regards to media, when the girls were two and four years old. Immediately, I realized that I was the one turning on the TV, which instantly drew them from imaginative play into submissive viewing. At that point, I decided that I would no longer turn on the TV and I would wait until they asked to watch a show. <br /><br />It was over SIX weeks before they asked to watch a show! <br />
<br />
To this day, I continue to limit media in our homes for several reasons. <br />
<br />
Now, what does media have to do with reading? <br />
<br />
For many (most?) children, media has to be removed or limited for them to become 'bored' enough to seek out reading. <br />
<br />
Just in my tiny pool of five children, I only have one child that would CHOOSE to read instead of doing something with media. <br />
<br />
As parents, we must create an environment that supports reading. We cannot fault the child for not wanting to choose the 'less exciting' activity. <br />
<br />
Now, when the girls were a little older and Jackson was a toddler, my neighbor shared Jim Trelease's book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Read-Aloud-Handbook-Seventh-ebook/dp/B00AEDDPT6/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384089040&sr=1-1&keywords=jim+trelease+read+aloud+handbook" target="_blank">The Read-Aloud Handbook,</a> with me. <br /><br />Life Changing Book!<br />
<br />
It was refreshing to me that I was already implementing some of the suggestions in the book, but there were many other ideas that I continue to strive to execute. <br />
<br />
Just to give you a sneak peek into our world, these are some things that I believe encourage the love of the written word in our home. The hows and whys can be found in Trelease's book. <br />
<br />
A few things: <br />
<ul>
<li>Environment: there are books available to read in every room of our house in boxes or laying on tables. The books are varying levels. A child can learn something and enjoy reading a book several levels below his/her independent reading level. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Opportunity: Most nights I have the oldest three go to bed at least 30-60 minutes before I expect them to fall asleep. I tell them they can go to sleep or read. They almost always choose reading. Jack uses a book light since he shares a room with the twins. It has never bothered them. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Appreciation: starting around 18 months, I have the children fall asleep to an audio book during naps and at night. Children can understand language two years above their current age, so a younger child could listen to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Brown-Bear-Friends-Bill-Martin/dp/1427203245/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384094888&sr=1-1&keywords=brown+bear+audio" target="_blank">Eric Carle's Brown Bear Audio Book </a>or something along the same lines. Nursery Rhymes are fantastic because the lyrics are easy to understand. When children begin to read the written word, the connection between vocabulary they have heard and what they are now seeing will help them establish coorelations quickly. (explained in depth in Trelease's book)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Affection: reading aloud to my children creates memories. Snuggling on the couch enjoying a book together is about so many more things than just the book. During that moment they are developing an imaginative view of the characters, making emotional bonds, and increasing their vocabulary. Experiencing that will deepen their love of reading. </li>
</ul>
A limited list of some audio books and series that we have enjoyed over the years. Remember, you should seek books two years above your child's current reading ability. However, if they are interested in a younger series don't be a bully about it. Research the ages (and content) of these books to see if they would work for your children. Most of these can be found at your local library. The Radio Theater audio books are fantastic because they act out the book with sounds and different characters. These are an investment because they will listen to them again and again. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chronicles-Narnia-Never-Magic-Theatre/dp/1589972996/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384095856&sr=1-2&keywords=narnia+audio+book" target="_blank">The Chronicles of Narnia </a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Charlottes-Web-E-B-White/dp/0807208523/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384095902&sr=1-2&keywords=eb+white+audio" target="_blank">Charlotte's Web</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Spiderwick-Chronicles-Lucindas-Ironwood-Mulgarath/dp/0739356151/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384095955&sr=1-2&keywords=spiderwick" target="_blank">The Spiderwick Chronicles</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Z-Mysteries-Books--C/dp/0307916316/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384096035&sr=1-2&keywords=a+to+z+mysteries" target="_blank">A to Z Mysteries </a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Tree-House-Collection-Books/dp/0807206121/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384096155&sr=1-2&keywords=magic+tree+house" target="_blank">Magic Tree House</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Garden-Radio-Theatre/dp/1589975065/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384096594&sr=1-2&keywords=secret+garden" target="_blank">The Secret Garden</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Anne-Green-Gables-Radio-Theatre/dp/1589975022/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384096734&sr=1-2&keywords=anne+of+green+gables" target="_blank">Anne of Green Gables</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Little-Princess-Frances-Hodgson-Burnett/dp/1455894834/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_aud?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384096788&sr=1-1&keywords=a+little+princess" target="_blank">A Little Princess</a> (this is not the version we used)<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Miraculous-Journey-Edward-Tulane-ebook/dp/B002NC733U/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384096532&sr=1-1&keywords=edward+tulane" target="_blank">The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Maze-Bones-Clues-Book/dp/0545091047/ref=tmm_abk_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1384096664&sr=1-2" target="_blank">The 39 Clues </a>Series (tons of books-should read in order)<br />
The American Girl books on Audio<br />
Jonathan Park Audio Series (Jack and the twins current favorite)<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Book-Farmyard-Tales-Usbourne/dp/0794509029/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384096958&sr=1-1&keywords=complete+farmyard+tales" target="_blank">Usborne Books The Complete Book of Farmyard Tales (Henry's favorite for a long time)</a><br />
great one for toddlers or preschoolers<br />
<br />
This list is by no means exhaustive. <br />
<br />
The local library is a great place to check our audio books! We get some every time we go to the library. <br /> <br />
Currently, the older girls get most of their audio books through our local library through an app on our I-touches called OverDrive. The kids can search the libraries audiobooks and download five at a time. They 'expire' after seven or fourteen days. Check and see if your library supports this app. <br />
<br />
If you want your children to love reading, think about what you can do to improve the environment in your home. I still have so many more things that I can improve on in my own home, but that's okay~ take it one day at a time... <br />
<br />
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<br />
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<br />
<br />S.E. Painterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01990381659296239805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877185459846475046.post-12976186771213166422013-10-24T20:59:00.001-04:002013-10-24T20:59:18.389-04:00We are going to home school our kids, but that’s only because we hate education... (repost from Matt Walsh Blog)<h2 class="entry-title" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://themattwalshblog.com/2013/10/23/we-are-going-to-home-school-our-kids-but-thats-only-because-we-hate-education/" rel="bookmark">We are going to home school our kids, but that’s only because we hate education</a></h2>
<div class="entry-meta">
<span class="meta-prep meta-prep-author">Posted on</span> <a href="http://themattwalshblog.com/2013/10/23/we-are-going-to-home-school-our-kids-but-thats-only-because-we-hate-education/" rel="bookmark" title="5:22 pm"><span class="entry-date">October 23, 2013</span></a> <span class="by-author"><span class="sep">by</span> <span class="author vcard"><a class="url fn n" href="http://themattwalshblog.com/author/themattwalshblog/" rel="author" title="View all posts by The Matt Walsh Blog">The Matt Walsh Blog</a></span></span></div>
<div class="entry-meta">
<span class="by-author"><span class="author vcard"> </span> </span> </div>
First, I’d like to treat you to a look at a few snippets of
some emails I received yesterday, after a certain “controversial”
segment on my show:<br />
<br />
“I never realized you were so anti-education…”<br />
<br />
“It figures that a teabagger would hate education so much…”<br />
<br />
“….so it seems you would rather have a nation full of illiterates…”<br />
<br />
“….I get tired of your anarchist propaganda…”<br />
<br />
“I’m sure Hitler would be very proud of you…”<br />
<br />
That last one — the obligatory “you’re as bad as Hitler!” charge — is
especially ironic, considering the subject that prompted these
responses: public education. Specifically, my belief that government
education is an unmitigated disaster, and can only be remedied by more
and more families deciding to remove government from the equation and
educate their children themselves. That last emailer is, predictably, a
proud product of public school. But you already knew that, in light of
his hilarious historical ignorance.<br />
<br />
Contrary to his claims, Hitler would not have been very “proud” of my
pro-home school rhetoric. In fact, he would have been quite displeased.
In fact, he probably would have expressed that displeasure in a manner
which would have left no room for interpretation. That’s because Hitler
actually outlawed home schooling (a law that’s still enforced in Germany
today, and <a href="http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/obama-justice-department-draconian-german-laws-banning-homeschooling-promot">passionately endorsed</a>
by our own Justice Department). The Fuehrer was a huge proponent of
public schooling — and that’s not an attempt to compare modern public
school proponents to Nazis.<br />
<br />
But, you know, if anyone comes close to mirroring the National
Socialist Party on this particular subject, it obviously isn’t the home
schooling folks…<br />
<br />
Every day, people send me stories about madness in the public school
system. Recently, I’ve had a lot of folks asking me to rail against the
Common Core Standards, and Zero Tolerance Policies, and the efforts to
“remove God from education.” Of course, I find all of these things
repulsive and I have ranted and raved about all of them countless times.
I was actually in the process of writing yet another piece lambasting a
school in Indiana for actively <a href="http://nation.foxnews.com/2013/10/17/sign-indiana-school-promotes-population-control-no-more-two-children">promoting eugenics</a>
and population control, and a few other schools for expelling or
suspending students who “brought” imaginary weapons to class. I made it
about three paragraphs into my spiel, and then I stopped. And then I
sighed. And then I hit ‘delete.’<br />
<br />
No more.<br />
<br />
I’m done. Seriously. I’m not going to complain about these things
anymore. I’m not going to complain about bureaucracy and propaganda in
government education, for the same reason that I won’t write a scathing
blog post admonishing water for being moist, or criticizing heroin for
being addictive. I won’t criticize a thing for being exactly what it’s
meant to be, and doing exactly what it’s designed to do. Instead, if
it’s warranted, I’ll attack the thing in it’s entirety. See, when you
take something that is bad, and you randomly chastise a few of its
essential parts and properties, you have succeeded only in perpetuating
the myth that said parts can somehow be removed from the sum.<br />
<br />
They can’t. Sorry. It’s not going to happen.<br />
<br />
Government education is <em>designed</em> to be an instrument of propaganda and bureaucratic control. This isn’t a side effect –<em>it’s the whole point</em>.
If you don’t want your kid subject to government propaganda and
government control, then don’t send him to a government facility 6 hours
a day, 5 days a week, for 13 years of his life. Or go ahead and send
him — perhaps you have no choice, I understand that — but confront the
reality of the situation.<br />
<br />
Many of us screamed from the hilltops when Obama set forth on his
plan to seize control of health care. Yet we seem to have taken it for
granted that the government ought to control education. We don’t want
any bureaucrat telling us what pills to take, but we’ll sure let them
tell our kids what thoughts to think. We don’t want them controlling
what we put in our body, but we don’t seem too intent on disabling their
ability to control what’s put into our child’s mind.<br />
<br />
This failure to
fundamentally question government education, is, itself, a major victory
for government education. It’s also brought us into this mindless,
numbing state where we generally approach every issue by arguing about
the color of the leaves, and the lengths of the branches; yet we never
discuss the tree itself, or dig down to look at its roots. Perfect
example: all of the well-meaning conservatives who, in light of recent
news, insist that we must now “reform” the IRS. Reform it for what
purpose? To take away its power to steal, manipulate, punish, bribe,
invade, cajole, and blackmail?<br />
<br />
Well, seeing as how the agency was
invented for the express purpose of doing all of those things, perhaps
we ought to be instead insisting on it’s complete and total destruction.<br />
<br />
The Prussians were on the forefront of compulsory government
education. Horace Mann studied the Prussian model of education in the
1840′s, and came away quite impressed. In Prussia, State education was
devised as a means to develop obedient soldiers, subservient workers,
and subordinated citizens. Our own system works toward the same end, and
with striking results.<br />
<br />
Sure, take a look at your Facebook newsfeed and you’ll find that most
of us can’t write coherently, or express a formed thought on any topic,
but government education has still been enormously successful. Decipher
these ramblings and what do you find? Not much, and that’s the point.
Score one for Government Education. Now try this: write something really
outside of the mainstream box. Write something that questions our
cultural values and societal priorities. Post it, and see what happens.
The trolls came out of the ground like Lord of the Rings to viciously
attack, probably wishing death and destruction upon you, right?<br />
<br />
Score
two for Government Education.<br />
<br />
Oh, it’s working alright.<br />
<br />
And this is why people hate home schooling. They hate it because it’s
against the grain. It’s too far “out there.” Almost every human being
was “home schooled” for most of human civilization, but now many can’t
even fathom the concept. These people have no rational or empirical case
against it. By any standard or academic indicator, home schooled kids
outperform their public schooled peers by wide margins. The critics
might babble about how public schools are good for “socialization,” but
in the next breath they’ll complain of the bullying “epidemic.”<br />
<br />
So I’ll send my child to public school during her formative years,
watch as her attention starved peers attempt to tear her to emotional
shreds for the next decade, and then, at the end of it all, she’ll be
“socialized”? Really?<br />
<br />
What’s next? Should I soak in a tub full of sewage and hepatitis for
the sake of “health and hygiene”?<br />
<br />
Thanks, but I’ll pass, on both counts.
<br />
<br />
“Oh, but you don’t want to be too protective of your kids,” I’m told. “You don’t want to shield them.” <br />
<br />
Yes. Yes I do. That’s my job. I will shield them and I will protect
them, because they are my children and that’s why I’m here. Again, I
understand that not everyone can home school, but it’s truly insane, and
dangerous, and appalling to pretend that a child benefits from the sort
of bullying and social torment that is rampant in modern public
schools.<br />
<br />
Good Lord, look around you. Are you surrounded by well adjusted, mature, “sociable” individuals? <br />
Where are they? Where are these “socialized” people I hear about so
often? I don’t see many of them, but I do see a lot of narcissists, and
substance abusers, and people on psychotropic medication, and people who
have never been in a healthy relationship in their entire lives. I see a
lot of dependency and insecurity. I see a lot of desperation and
confusion. I’m not blaming all of this on public schools, but public
schools certainly haven’t helped matters.<br />
<br />
It’s very chilling to think that parents are sending their children
to government facilities for the express purpose of being “socialized”
by government workers. It’s one thing to send your kids there IN SPITE
of the social “lessons” he’ll learn. It’s quite another to send them
specifically FOR those lessons. I went to public school, and my parents
spent most evenings trying to undo the “socialization” that so many
other parents seem to embrace.<br />
<br />
In any case, education is really supposed to be about, well,
education. Have you ever looked up the definition of “education”? I
have. Here it is: “the act or process of imparting or acquiring general
knowledge, and developing the powers of reasoning and judgement.”<br />
<br />
Only
in America (and other Socialist nations) could we look at that
definition and think: “Hmmmm, that sounds like something that requires
trillions of dollars and millions of bureaucrats!” Only in America (and
other nations where the family structure is disintegrating) could we
decide that parents are incapable of helping their children “develop the
powers of reasoning and judgement.” In fact, in more primitive times,
folks would have been crazy enough to think that ONLY parents are suited
for that job.<br />
<br />
Good thing we’re more enlightened now. Here in Kentucky, we spend
about 5 billion dollars on “education.” That’s enough to buy 17 thousand
Lamborghinis, or 50 round trips to the moon; it’s enough to construct
another Large Hadron Collider, or purchase 84 million tickets to King’s
Dominion, but apparently it isn’t enough to teach half a million kids
how to read and write. Our education budget was “slashed” by a whopping
.005 percent, and that’s prompted the predictable apocalyptic reaction
from left wingers and politicians.<br />
<br />
“AHHHH THE CHILDREN ARE DOOMED! HOW
SHALL WE TEACH THEM WITH ONLY A SMIDGEN LESS THAN FIVE BILLION
DOLLARS?!”<br />
<br />
But here I am, doing what I said I wouldn’t. I’m complaining about
the insane amount of money wasted on “education,” as if there’s any
chance that government education could ever be anything but expensive
and wasteful. It can’t. It won’t. It’s not possible. This is how it is
designed.<br />
<br />
The problem with the government school system is that it’s a
government school system. There are many good teachers and honest people
who work inside these buildings, but that doesn’t change the fact that
the State shouldn’t be indoctrinating our kids. A public system for
youth-indoctrination shouldn’t exist in a supposedly free society.
Period.<br />
<br />
You might wish to think that, with proper reforms, the schools could
be prevented from indoctrinating; restricted, instead, to simply
educating. But indoctrination and education are dimensions of each
other. Indeed, indoctrination can be defined as “teaching or inculcating
a doctrine, principle, or ideology, especially one with a specific
point of view.” Doctrines and principles are inexorable parts of the
process of passing on knowledge and information. The question before us
is: <em>who</em> ought to be in charge of this task?<br />
<br />
I know my answer to that question.<br />
<br />
Or maybe I just hate education. Yeah, that’s probably it.<br />
******<br />
Find me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MattWalshBlog">Facebook.</a><br />
Follow me on Twitter: @MattWalshRadioS.E. Painterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01990381659296239805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877185459846475046.post-91421144631154915782013-10-10T22:05:00.001-04:002013-10-10T22:07:08.988-04:00Must Read.<a href="http://themattwalshblog.com/2013/10/09/youre-a-stay-at-home-mom-what-do-you-do-all-day/">http://themattwalshblog.com/2013/10/09/youre-a-stay-at-home-mom-what-do-you-do-all-day/</a><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"We get a lot of things wrong in our culture. But, when all is said and done, and our civilization crumbles into ashes, we are going to most regret the way we treated mothers and children."</span></p></div><div><br></div>S.E. Painterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01990381659296239805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877185459846475046.post-64604845531802902912013-10-09T22:08:00.001-04:002013-10-09T22:08:16.277-04:00"How American Homeschoolers Measure Up"<br />
<a href="http://www.topmastersineducation.com/homeschooled/"><img alt="Homeschooled: How American Homeschoolers Measure Up" border="0" src="http://www.topmastersineducation.com/homeschooled/homeschool.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Source: <a href="http://www.topmastersineducation.com/">TopMastersInEducation.com</a><br />
<br />
I love Homeschooling! I cannot imagine educating my children any other way! I'm so thankful that it's still legal in this country. <br />
<br />S.E. Painterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01990381659296239805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877185459846475046.post-76980418194104853472013-09-23T22:03:00.001-04:002013-09-23T22:04:17.943-04:00I WANT MORE<div style="text-align: center;">
this is just an AUDIO file of Kerrigan singing "I Want More" from the CYT play Rapunzel. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pay no attention to the screen because it's just a mess.</div>
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/n4P2yIMowU8" width="480"></iframe>S.E. Painterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01990381659296239805noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877185459846475046.post-83665313830241773102013-09-16T22:04:00.001-04:002013-09-16T22:04:25.879-04:00Guest Post: "Why I'm Not Cut Out to Be a Homeschooling Mom."stumbled across <a href="http://www.growinghomeblog.com/2012/03/why-im-not-cut-out-to-be-homeschool-mom.html#.Uje4N6ZWhrs.blogger" target="_blank">this blog </a>and thought it was so perfect that I'd just link to it...<br />
<br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style addthis_32x32_style">
<h2>
<i>"Homeschooling “works” for our family because we make it work</i>. It
is a priority. A calling. Even a conviction. Because of our
commitment to homeschool, there are many other things we aren’t involved
in, don’t spend our money on, don’t invest our time into. Not because
some of these “other things” are bad, but because <i><b>they would rob us of these precious years to nurture and train our children</b></i>."</h2>
<h2>
could not have said it any better myself. </h2>
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</h2>
S.E. Painterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01990381659296239805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877185459846475046.post-29436263325300452013-09-16T09:15:00.001-04:002013-09-23T22:11:57.777-04:00~*Sigh*... Mommy Wars~so, I am always surprised how the Lord brings certain things to my mind over and over through various avenues. I don't know why I'm surprised. He created the entire universe. Duh. <br />
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for several months now he has been bringing to my mind the "Mommy Wars" that are distracting us from doing the work of Christ. </div>
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<br /></div>
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even this past Wednesday, our guest preacher spoke about what a waste of time it was to be offended. If we are doing the work of Christ, if we are eternally focused, we won't have time or the heart to become offended. </div>
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<br /></div>
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what really matters? </div>
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<br /></div>
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what really matters is focusing on what Christ has planned for our lives. </div>
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i love when i have a conversation with someone and come away with a nugget that i chew on for days, weeks, and sometimes months...</div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>(i still chew on Stacey Byrd's comment to me from almost two years ago when she said, "Are we any less blessed because our daughter died?")</i> </div>
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<br /></div>
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the other day I was talking with a friend and we were talking about insecurities vs standing firm in decisions and she said, "When did you become confident in your decisions? Was it before or after you became a Christian?" </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
after some contemplation, I realized it was after I became a Christian. the peace Christ gives me through prayer and His Word builds my confidence in my decisions. </div>
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when we run our decisions through the ONE who created this entire universe and have peace, why would we flounder before MEN? (i.e. women)</div>
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the Mommy Wars need to stop. </div>
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<br /></div>
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however, they won't stop until all the mamas see that they need Christ. </div>
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Christ will give you peace. </div>
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Christ will give you confidence in your decisions. </div>
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Christ will give you eternity. </div>
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Christ will give you perspective. </div>
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I pray if you do not have Christ in your life, running your life, encompassing your soul, that you will turn to him now. </div>
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<a href="http://www.campuscrusade.com/fourlawseng.htm"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: '.HelveticaNeueUI'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;"><b>http://www.campuscrusade.com/fourlawseng.htm</b></span></a></div>
S.E. Painterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01990381659296239805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877185459846475046.post-80872142073618851172013-09-15T15:47:00.000-04:002013-09-15T15:47:12.847-04:00Bye-Bye FB?<h2>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I have a <b>love-hate</b> relationship with Facebook. </span></h2>
<div>
I love the bridges it has built for me in real relationships.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I love the recipes and intriguing articles that are posted.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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I love stuff that makes me laugh.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I love having a quick way to get something answered. <br />
<br />
I love the opportunities that I discover, the coupons, the field trips, etc... </div>
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<br /></div>
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I love seeing pictures of family and friends.</div>
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I love the new doors it has opened into actual friendships. </div>
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<i>on the flip side...</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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I hate wading through the ads.</div>
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I hate the drama it causes when people get offended. it really annoys me. </div>
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I hate the time it takes from my life to catch up with folks that I would not normally call, even if I had the time. </div>
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<br /></div>
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so... </div>
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<br /></div>
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what to do? </div>
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will I say good-bye? </div>
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<br /></div>
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can I say good-bye? </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
is FB too integral to my life dynamic? </div>
S.E. Painterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01990381659296239805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877185459846475046.post-25113918878610258762013-08-23T15:25:00.000-04:002013-08-23T15:31:37.713-04:00my Far Away Friends... <div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Last night when I was up in the middle of the night unexpectedly, I had this whole blog written in my head. Now that I'm sitting in front of the laptop, it's not coming nearly as clearly or cleverly... </i></div>
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this week I took a quick impromptu trip up to VA to visit our favorite Byrds before we enjoyed a Pool Party with some other sweet Virginia Folks... </div>
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of course, Stacey fixed a delicious dinner... Willie can grill some chicken!</div>
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the Byrd boys have no shortage of costumes to spark the imagination</div>
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Sam wouldn't get in the shot, but the older boys wanted to show they were protecting the twins...</div>
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Luke and Jackson get a long very well. From the moment we got there, they were off speaking each other's language and having a blast. They never left each other's side the entire 24 hrs. </div>
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Luke would not crack a smile. After the phone was put away, he busted out in the BIGGEST GRIN!</div>
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After the pool party, we headed to Hotel Chez Voiles for the evening. Our kiddos had really only been around each twice for a few hours, but you couldn't tell! Clara was so sweet to share all her girlie toys with Mary Catherine, which was quite the treat. </div>
<br />
Jackson and Sam Voiles flipped between the Wii and the trampoline/yard for several hours like they did it every day. Ben and Henry leisurely mingled between the two groups trying to decide if they wanted to play with the 'Big Boys' or the 'Girls'.<br />
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there's a lot to be said about the negative effects of social media on real relationships, but I am thankful for the bridge social media has provided me in building the relationships with these two sweet families, as well as their extremely funny friends. </div>
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the Byrd family has become precious to our family. </div>
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we only wish we could see them more often than we do.</div>
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i always come away encouraged, a little sore from laughing and wanting to be better in life in one way or another.</div>
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how refreshing. </div>
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the Lord has blessed me by bringing Kim Voiles into my life. </div>
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the humor and humbleness that she projects is reassuring to me as I journey through this life. </div>
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even though she is my age, she is filled with wisdom from her experiences that I will happily soak in and learn from for as long as she is willing to share. </div>
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<h2 style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">“Blessed are they who have the gift of
making friends, for it is one of God's best gifts. It involves many
things, but above all, the power of going out of one's self, and
appreciating whatever is noble and loving in another.” </span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Thomas Hughes </span></h2>
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S.E. Painterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01990381659296239805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877185459846475046.post-72561504411488936022013-08-01T07:00:00.000-04:002013-08-01T08:04:27.564-04:00Whoa. Fifteen Years!Fifteen Years! <br />
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Wowee! <br />
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It seems so short and so long at the same time. I can remember sitting across from you (TWENTY years ago at that dive downtown where Phi Sigma Pi met up weekly) interviewing you when you were just a pledge. I thought to myself, "He's awfully full of himself!" <br />
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Truer words have never been spoken. </h2>
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I've come to love your ability to possess confidence and kindness in one fail swoop. <br />
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I love that you rarely spend time speaking ill of others. You'd much rather spend time with us, talking about our kids, our life. <br />
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I appreciate that you don't complain unnecessarily. <br />
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I love that you are the father to our children that I wished I had. <br />
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Your sense of humor continues to entertain me, daily. <br />
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the desire you have to read daily and learn more about things encourages our family to be continual learners as well.<br />
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i love when you laugh so hard you cry. i wish it happened even more. <br />
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i love that you love some people so much that their pain and their scars have scarred you. <br />
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i love that you love me so much that you must see me with your heart, because after five children, if you looked with your eyes it would scare you for sure...<br />
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i'm thankful that you treasure friendships and are willing to sacrifice time and money to nurture them.<br />
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i appreciate your generosity with your time, your things, your love and your chocolate. <br />
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i am thankful that i am proud to be your wife. <br />
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i admire your integrity. i am proud of the man you are at home, at church, at work, or with friends. <br />
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i am thankful that i am *rarely* embarrassed by your actions. <br />
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you are not perfect, thank goodness, because neither am I, but i think you are perfect for me. <br />
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I look forward to at least another 40 years together, not to mention eternity in Heaven. <br />
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Keep up the Good Work! <br />
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I love you. <br />
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<br />S.E. Painterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01990381659296239805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877185459846475046.post-55249449532205866582013-07-23T16:32:00.003-04:002013-07-23T16:32:25.347-04:00Homeschool Domination<a href="http://www.collegeathome.com/homeschool-domination/"><img src="http://images.collegeathome.com.s3.amazonaws.com/homeschool-domination.jpg" alt="Homeschool Domination" width="500" border="0" /></a><br />Created by: <a href="http://www.collegeathome.com/">CollegeAtHome.com</a>S.E. Painterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01990381659296239805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877185459846475046.post-83233767240979242522013-07-13T15:41:00.000-04:002013-07-13T16:31:23.536-04:00Are You Sharpened? <h2 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvAL44XieaJ40nvyWb3RBplupp4gp3ywmwkJRGS4YjzouHIy3B50YNv_nXYGm6NmPrZePh_aEcRhHfm2IS9Emz50862aM3bgbu0JfkMhUExuMGDuK_Ukj3RaTOrDXbDicOpKe0qyyQCg4/s640/IMG_7089.JPG" width="640" /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Prov-27-17" id="en-ESV-17187"><br /></span><span style="color: red;"><span class="text Prov-27-17" id="en-ESV-17187">"Iron sharpens iron,</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Prov-27-17">and one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17</span></span></span></span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-27-17">I am so thankful for blessing of friendship that our family has with the Birminghams. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-27-17">Long distance family friendships like ours require nurturing, which takes time and effort. Many people inquire as to why we would travel 15 hrs every summer to visit 'friends'. Honestly, we don't think much about that drive because we love spending time with their family so much it's just a means to an end. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-27-17">In between the incessant delicious meals, we have thought provoking (and entertaining) conversations about almost every nook and cranny of our lives. Somehow Jamey and Jason weave nuggets of truth into their insanely competitive outbursts of Bocce, Corn Hole, or Basketball. Each one comes away inspired to be a more loving and faithful husband and father. Who wouldn't want their husband to have that kind of friend? <br /><br />We don't always agree, but we delight in conversations that require depth of thought. If you are in our midst, you better know why you know what you know. If you don't, you'll be spending some time figuring it out. It's not just Spiritual matters either, it could be about anything. We just appreciate friendly banter that requires a bit of contemplation. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-27-17">Of course, in order to survive eating alongside Sandra with her "Hudson" metabolism (i.e. eats like a trucker, but looks like a model) we have to workout just about every day. We recognize we are about looney when we look forward to sweating and busting our tails just so we can get an hour without one of our TWELVE children asking us to do something. Sadly, I still end up gaining weight every summer. <br /><br /><i>I thank the Lord often for the friendships He has blessed me with in my life. The Lord has surrounded me with many Godly women who desire to live their lives with purpose and conviction. Witnessing examples of people making hard choices helps bring the Christian walk to life. </i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-27-17">Sandra and Jamey are two examples of Christians choosing a more difficult path because of their desire to live out the Word. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-XJSXtpXMR06bs0-EbLuaEYFwv5HpYxeGRSgKDR5aiWcTJ41f-xFf-ZsauFEkwXKnwTUAJUkTRZMW1Nk5wYcBSBCA0fhmBLeTZ7Hc8sTyBr6j9JMpvUTTm5zVgmaXFXVqT1ufzs1ISyJ/s1600/IMG_7001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-XJSXtpXMR06bs0-EbLuaEYFwv5HpYxeGRSgKDR5aiWcTJ41f-xFf-ZsauFEkwXKnwTUAJUkTRZMW1Nk5wYcBSBCA0fhmBLeTZ7Hc8sTyBr6j9JMpvUTTm5zVgmaXFXVqT1ufzs1ISyJ/s400/IMG_7001.jpg" width="266" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-27-17">See this little guy? <br /><br />Lord willing, some time this Fall, he will be a Birmingham. <br /><br />He looks so sweet. Truth be known, he has quite a few 'scars' from years of neglect. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-27-17">He is not easy. He is often difficult. He often sabotages the good moments in his life. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjRftiZcKosOAg75C1Sp0VNp0eBQm3tVh5ekLE8ttyftHUkrC8Tb50Sk6vt853BaIgtjG_I8dIQOndBhTBjfoRiuWvNovkilmjBCtCPTDQuR0D3YTy-pejLlsn9nTdsbOdCAvkQ_C1VQ2T/s1600/IMG_6841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjRftiZcKosOAg75C1Sp0VNp0eBQm3tVh5ekLE8ttyftHUkrC8Tb50Sk6vt853BaIgtjG_I8dIQOndBhTBjfoRiuWvNovkilmjBCtCPTDQuR0D3YTy-pejLlsn9nTdsbOdCAvkQ_C1VQ2T/s400/IMG_6841.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-27-17"><br />His beautiful sister will also be a Birmingham, Lord willing. <br /><br />Even the most obedient children take time, but children who have several years of rough beginnings require enormous amounts of energy. <br /><br />their behaviors consume most of Sandra's day... </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-27-17"><br />and I've never seen Sandra's Walk stronger. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-27-17">Sandra's (and Jamey's) conversation is littered with verse after verse they are turning to for strength to endure. They are living out what it means to have JOY in all circumstances. <br /><br />I am so proud of them. (there is a right kind of pride, right?) They could've chosen the 'easy' path. They could've walked away from these children at any point in the last three years. They've prayed and prayed, and probably pleaded for the Lord to work this out for His glory. Possibly praying that this cup passeth... However, our Lord continued to shut out any other viable option. <br /><br />They love those two future Birminghams in a way that only can come from the Lord. Even if it's difficult, even if it's hectic, even if it costs in ways we can't imagine, it's right. Through their earnest prayers and hard work these children have blossomed. Every time we see them there has been considerable growth in many areas of these children's development. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-27-17">I'm thankful that we get to see this journey up close and share in their prayers and their joys. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-27-17"><br />A few pix from the eleven days...</span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-9eaFI-1FNIHgVausDGHY63ImHvWuXgm7w2zs9vRxdDRga6pLHocp4YAPUjC4sTGLkKpg-AMBnNuVMY1ggldcBghfJIA09FZhhW08S4yLAt2hklfCa9MkKLOJEEMxLbdtRrKJMTkQ-3G/s1600/IMG_6886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-9eaFI-1FNIHgVausDGHY63ImHvWuXgm7w2zs9vRxdDRga6pLHocp4YAPUjC4sTGLkKpg-AMBnNuVMY1ggldcBghfJIA09FZhhW08S4yLAt2hklfCa9MkKLOJEEMxLbdtRrKJMTkQ-3G/s400/IMG_6886.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jackson loved having a boy to hang out with every hour of the day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuXfU5yJyNmmv0Jj0XaIxiMqxEnmqkBdz1MkTulYdEJMcKy_iGLDG_AB8djBPPkb2VaqHAaEB6tD9P0R_UBix-Kl68z9rqK_kSzkQJg8VlI_Mf7F2HeWpoa7sv4p19IQyDfTcZIXx23Pd/s1600/Bubba-Dog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuXfU5yJyNmmv0Jj0XaIxiMqxEnmqkBdz1MkTulYdEJMcKy_iGLDG_AB8djBPPkb2VaqHAaEB6tD9P0R_UBix-Kl68z9rqK_kSzkQJg8VlI_Mf7F2HeWpoa7sv4p19IQyDfTcZIXx23Pd/s400/Bubba-Dog.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Henry was a little skittish of the sparklers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkISkKUJXsseVRzxoxyMaawfIvEZgzqL3PN8Sr6e0IwwaUDk-4vmYBQerFk8L8gh8h0uUAUd5ttMQ_MTO4JY66cJDi3nGRmuQGwC7ZCSNbeyAz1TRwiR7XmFUCnO_vm_TbSgdS54YJND4d/s1600/IMG_6891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkISkKUJXsseVRzxoxyMaawfIvEZgzqL3PN8Sr6e0IwwaUDk-4vmYBQerFk8L8gh8h0uUAUd5ttMQ_MTO4JY66cJDi3nGRmuQGwC7ZCSNbeyAz1TRwiR7XmFUCnO_vm_TbSgdS54YJND4d/s400/IMG_6891.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We enjoyed watching Elijah pitch in his All Stars Tournament.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMheRNgxPGe3qjBqo1YCfLBpYfY4LofZWXp03bRFEnsMLtS3ZQrdgIz-jqlhbwSzJ-n1E3vZtc7HcrjkFtuyqN9_Kc7gfxbClBtgbrIIZS2PL2B0gpMKuj6YE1VnPUVlHHph2R-SlsQWNI/s1600/IMG_6858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMheRNgxPGe3qjBqo1YCfLBpYfY4LofZWXp03bRFEnsMLtS3ZQrdgIz-jqlhbwSzJ-n1E3vZtc7HcrjkFtuyqN9_Kc7gfxbClBtgbrIIZS2PL2B0gpMKuj6YE1VnPUVlHHph2R-SlsQWNI/s400/IMG_6858.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It only took six years before Jude willingly let me take his picture!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTuUyZ4vh6GS2VD9naamAbvO5YwOzrgBCcqhAQ0bfE4Zm0MIcjy1ahbiqQNPM-bEdaDalrIeKxSr8s7tuZjk5-rNIEihaO1SDjPCOOXUGAiZ5Jo3c2OWUyAlMDFyBc3J3bSr_MfZKlb8en/s1600/IMG_6993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTuUyZ4vh6GS2VD9naamAbvO5YwOzrgBCcqhAQ0bfE4Zm0MIcjy1ahbiqQNPM-bEdaDalrIeKxSr8s7tuZjk5-rNIEihaO1SDjPCOOXUGAiZ5Jo3c2OWUyAlMDFyBc3J3bSr_MfZKlb8en/s400/IMG_6993.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zipline Fun!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4mPotgycrT-ZSuNxEyCgJjhXdnr59YygJYOxy9cK6eRKTi-u2QmSrpGOGrW_IloR4V-hZToPHVS84VBeYS_9HPgxkw6gPwWRPTYQpY0A2lVGW4femUyldaC_IM7Wavteg3bKuInvuM71/s1600/IMG_6938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4mPotgycrT-ZSuNxEyCgJjhXdnr59YygJYOxy9cK6eRKTi-u2QmSrpGOGrW_IloR4V-hZToPHVS84VBeYS_9HPgxkw6gPwWRPTYQpY0A2lVGW4femUyldaC_IM7Wavteg3bKuInvuM71/s400/IMG_6938.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sparklers!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My relunctant little darlings</span></div>
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These super helpful girls made it possible for us to actually get some moments of relaxation. </div>
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They spent two days with some other friends and a 'Grandma' sewing the skirts in this photo. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Is this straight out of the Lord of the Flies or what?</span></div>
<br />
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<img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfsBl_mADasXHVRbGxc_iAsp4L7WLnGNbQI8NSCAA_UTOjNu5d5f0e3hjWEQ4ihjoSo-NrharEm4FbPiHHuIV8rHFR0Yb-yWbCE3RsM_wUrmoWVNA9TmgU_SAqvRxlY2IvVm566YKaY8i/s640/IMG_7089.JPG" width="640" /><br />
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">~Date Night~</span></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was a great evening that I wish I could have more often.</span></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></h3>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>I pray that if you do not have some treasured friendships in your life that challenge you to be a better person in every way that you pray to the Lord to help you make that happen. <br />Life is so much sweeter with friends. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-27-17"> </span></span></span></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-27-17"></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-27-17"></span></span></span></span></h2>
S.E. Painterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01990381659296239805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877185459846475046.post-13084877478656349612013-06-30T23:03:00.002-04:002013-06-30T23:04:10.330-04:00Come On People...I wish people would just be honest in their day to day interactions and not spend so much time in their heads wondering about the motives of others... If you do not have the courage to bring it up then do not hold it against the other person... Let it Go...<br />
<br />
“If you do not tell the truth about yourself you cannot tell it about other people.”
<br />
―
Virginia Woolf<br />
<br />
“And that's the thing about people who mean everything they say. They think everyone else does too.”
<br />
―
Khaled Hosseini,
<i>
The Kite Runner </i><br />
<br />
<i>“The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and
truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple
pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong.”
<br /> ―
Laura Ingalls Wilder</i><br />
<br />
<i>“Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters”
<br /> ―
Albert Einstein</i><br />
<br />
“Honesty is the first chapter of the book wisdom.”
<br />
―
Thomas Jefferson<br />
<br />
“To conceal anything from those to whom I am attached, is not in my
nature. I can never close my lips where I have opened my heart.”
<br />
―
Charles Dickens<br />
<br />
“Friends are honest with each other. Even if the truth hurts.<br />
-Maggie”<br />
<br />
“Nothing in this world is harder than speaking the truth, nothing easier than flattery.”
<br />
―
Fyodor Dostoyevsky<br />
<br />
“If you once forfeit the confidence of your fellow citizens, you can
never regain their respect and esteem. It is true that you may fool all
of the people some of the time; you can even fool some of the people all
of the time; but you can't fool all of the people all of the time.
-Speech at Clinton, Illinois, September 8, 1854.”
<br />
―
Abraham Lincoln<br />
<br />
“Honest people don't hide their deeds.”
<br />
―
Emily Brontë,
<i>
Wuthering Heights
</i><br />
<br />
“Integrity is telling myself the truth. And honesty is telling the truth to other people.”
<br />
―
Spencer Johnson<br />
<br />
<br />S.E. Painterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01990381659296239805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877185459846475046.post-81776000114300715642013-06-27T23:16:00.000-04:002013-06-27T23:18:01.525-04:00Traits of a Narcissist... <h2>
<b>I found this article interesting...</b></h2>
<h2>
<b>
Traits of a Narcissist... (this is not the exhaustive list)</b></h2>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You enjoy leading others and telling them what to do.</span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You're a workaholic — which means you're also impatient and compulsive. </span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You often lie to make yourself seem better. </span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You are regarded as attractive and dress better than other people.</span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And you put your needs before others.</span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You cheat in relationships.</span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And you feel no remorse about the people you hurt.</span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You really hate being criticized.</span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And you find ways to punish others when you feel you've been rejected</span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You may seek admiration by devaluing others.</span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Your parents consistently ignored and adored you simultaneously.</span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You excessively brag about your "perfect" family when you know you don't have one.</span></span></b>S.E. Painterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01990381659296239805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4877185459846475046.post-68143867788648908882013-06-02T21:49:00.001-04:002013-06-02T22:08:39.196-04:00Happy Fourth Birthday Mary Catherine and Henry Abram... (aka Sissy & Bubba)Mary Catherine and Henry turn FOUR years old on Monday, June 3rd.<br />
<br />
I cannot believe they are four already. I love those babies. <br />
<br />
Well, I should say that because in some ways it's been the longest four years of my life and in other ways it's flown by quickly. <br />
<br />
What I can say, with great confidence, is that things are much easier. Sure we have attitudes and sassy mouths, but at least they aren't destroying my house with great vigor. Bedtimes and the occasional naptimes aren't war zones any longer. When they play outside, they understand the boundaries, most of the time.<br />
<br />
They are finally at an age that other people enjoy them and offer to take them off my hands now and again without fear in their eyes.<br />
<br />
I've had girls. I've had a boy. I've had children close in age.<br />
<br />
Twins are a completely different animal.<br />
<br />
They are fantastic when it's going well and catastrophic when things are going badly. <br />
<br />
However, I'm so thankful that the Lord blessed us with these babies! (I know they're not babies, but that's what we call them.)<br />
<br />
Jackson was three and half years old when I became pregnant with the twins. In so many ways we were smooth sailing. We had two girls and a boy. Everyone was healthy. We could go do 'things' and not have to worry with 'baby stuff'. We had plenty of room in our house. It was easy. <br />
<br />
I'm so thankful that the Lord had other plans and didn't ask my opinion. Although we were clearly open to more children, I don't know what I would've said if asked, "Do you want twins?"<br />
"It's going to be the three most difficult years of your parenting."<br />
"Are you up for it?" <br />
<br />
Whatever we have surrendered, it was worth it. Those two sweet faces are worth it all. I'm so thankful that the Lord knows what is best for us! <br />
<br />
Children are children for such a short time. If the Lord allows, we get to enjoy them as adults much longer.<br />
<br />
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The other day, Jason and I were running together and we had left the kiddos home with our Ultra Responsible Teenager. I was thinking as I was running about how nice it was to get to spend this time with Jason alone. We were pregnant with Kinsey by our first anniversary, so most of our 15 years of marriage has been raising wee ones as our main time focus. <br />
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Even though it might be 15 years since Jason and I have been able to have time alone consistently to do things like train for 5ks and grab a coffee, it has been worth it. Raising those sweet souls for the Lord is worth the sacrifices that we have had to make here and there. <br />
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Along the way Jason and I have had to be creative about spending time without children, which includes putting our children to bed early every night. We don't need fancy dates. We just need some uninterrupted adult only time. We're simple people. A weekend once a year. A date night every few months. <br />
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When I look into those precious faces I know without a shred of doubt that it's worth every bit of work that it takes to be their mama. I consider it an honor that the Lord has allowed me to be the one they call Mommy, even if it is 100x a day. <br />
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I'm blessed to be the one raising them to worship Him. <br />
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Happy Birthday to two of the most marvelous blessings I have ever received! <br />
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If you are interested in the first three years of the twins' lives, please check out the blog I wrote just about them because I knew I would never remember it. <a href="http://www.rotwinz.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">www.rotwinz.blogspot.com </a><br />
<br />(for clarification, in case you are like my dear hubby- this blog starts at the end of three years of blogging about them. You'll have to go the links on the right hand side to go to the beginning, if you want to read in order. I cannot imagine anyone wanting to do this, unless you are suffering with insomnia. I've read a lot of mess I wouldn't normally read.)S.E. Painterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01990381659296239805noreply@blogger.com0