history (again) and a haircut

So I have decided to NOT study Texas History with the boys next year. Thanks for all of your (y'alls?) input! I think we will focus on Guam and WW2 history found there and in the surrounding islands. I can't wait!

Speaking of history, I revisited an old hairstyle from several years ago. Here is my new do:

A little sassier than when it was long.

My hair was last cut like this back in the day...

August 4, 2008

The boys and I were trying to figure out my new laptop webcam. We took some snapshots and even a video clip to send to David while he was on a trip. :)

It's strange how I even associated my haircut with that time period. I never thought grief would extend its fingers into so many small details of my life and that something as simple as a haircut would require emotional preparation.

I am thankful for an understanding family and a husband who loves me enough to walk through the details with me. {I'm glad he likes my haircut too!}

P.S. I have no idea what "related" video links are going to display at the end of the video clip... so just ignore them.

sewing, siblings and the subject of history

Want to see what I have been sewing today?

Not just one...

...but TWO blankets for my sister Bobo's baby.

Her husband is in the USAF and flies the C-5, hence the airplanes (even if these are a bit old school).

I still have one more blanket I want to make, but the sewing machine, fabric and notions need to be packed away. The survey person with the moving company is coming tomorrow to see what we're planning to take with us to Guam!

My sister needs to have her baby just a little early. She is due in June and we are moving in June... so end of May would be very convenient for me. And it's all about me, right? *snort*

Baby boy is already over 6 lbs! Definitely great with child. :)

My brother was also at Bobo's shower. Stephen and Debbie (aka Bobo) are less than a year apart.

He and Debbie do look a bit like twins, don't you think?

And now completely off subject, I have a HOMESCHOOL question for y'all.

Shocking, isn't it. Me? Write about homeschooling?

Austin will be starting 7th grade in the fall. That is typically the year that a student will learn about TEXAS history. However, we will be moving to GUAM next month.

Do we have him study Texas history anyway (since we will be back in 1.5 years to stay)? Or should he study something else?

A little background info: Our history this year is Sonlight's Core F: Eastern Hemisphere, which is culture and history in Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Africa. We have studied American History the previous 2 years. Regardless of the history, we will be focusing on geography this next year using Mapping the World by Heart and digging deeper into the countries we plan on visiting.

So tell me, what would you do? Texas History? Guam History? Something else? Just Geography and extra readers?

psalm 71:14

history of a forger

I have three different styles of handwriting that I switch around depending on my mood. My main signature, however, looks like it does from years of *cough cough* forging my mom's signature...WITH her permission of course (at least most of the time).

Our conversations would go like this:

1st-3rd grade: "Hey mom, I need a note for school."

"You write it and then I'll sign it."

3rd-5th grade: "Hey mom, I need a note for school."

"You write it."

And then she'd forget to sign it... so I would do it.

5th grade & up: I didn't bother asking her anymore.

What does your writing look like? Do you have one style that you use all the time or do you use different ones for different occasions?

Did you ever forge your parents' signatures? Come on, surely one of y'all will admit to being the kid who had the stash of hall passes and excuse slips in their school locker.

imperfect pictures

Sometimes the best pictures are the ones that aren't quite "perfect"...

Food in mouth,

not looking at the camera,

looking for mommy,

smiling grandma

trying to wiggle away,

extremely bored

and not happy to be here...

REAL LIFE.

That's why I love it so much!

I challenge y'all to look back through your old photos.

I bet you find at least one that, although the moment might have been crazy and the outcome disappointing, it captured real life and the genuine dynamics and personalities of that time.

Do you find that you love it a little more than you did before?

Easter Videos

My King is Risen!

Do you know Him?

I believe.

Igniter Media created a similar video about the birth of Jesus. This one is also well done!

my baby sister's having a baby!

This past weekend we had a baby shower for my baby sister Bobo. Isn't she a beautiful, glowing prego girl?

It must be hard to be the youngest out of five siblings. No matter how old she gets, she will ALWAYS be the baby!

My two favorite things when it comes to baby showers.

CAKE.

AND LAUGHTER.

My least favorite?

That would be GAMES.

We only had a few games at Bobo's shower. In this one, you guess what celebrity parent goes with each kid. This was a toughie for me. The only one I guessed correctly was H!

{How well would YOU do on a game like this?}

I really enjoyed my weeklong stay with family.

No matter how long the visit, it is never long enough...

I realize that many families do not get along well enough to stay in the same house for an entire week. What a blessing it is to not only love, but LIKE my siblings and parents enough to SEEK OUT their company.

I am thankful...

{too bad all the in-law's weren't able to make it!}

a big thank you

Thank you for praying for the Haven of Hope Retreat this past weekend.

29 moms

such great loss

tell me about your child

tears flowing freely

understanding nods

yet the weekend was not full of weepy women

there was also

comfort

friendship

laughter in the midst of sorrow

HOPE

It's not an easy road, this path through grief.

But it's the one that my Lord has placed me on.

Praise God that He will never forsake me!

Praise God that He is always faithful to light the way!

preparations and prayer

Only two more days until the first annual Haven of Hope Retreat for mothers that are grieving the death of a child.

I head out tomorrow to meet with Susan and Daisy to set up, organize and PRAY for these women and our time together.

We want to point these precious moms to the truth of God's Word and not just where our hope lies, but in Whom it lies! Jesus Christ!

May hearts be comforted and God be glorified in all that is said and done.

Would you please pray for us?

psalm 95:1

Though song imperfect,

my Rock is pleasured to hear

noise transformed by joy.