Random Thoughts

Well, I have done more reading and responding to others lately than sitting down to compose my own posts!

Even now I am sitting here in a half daze, tired but not wanting to go to bed yet. Trying to make sure the kids get in bed and go to sleep. Oldest daughter is reading books to the youngest right now. It has become a beloved time for them with youngest son really becoming attached to oldest daughter now.

My computer is in the loft, so I can hear all to make sure they are where they are supposed to be. Oldest son is watching football with Dad--his new "privilege" now that he is 10 and understands what is going on! Dad has even set up a Fantasy football league and oldest son gets to try out having his own team! It's a father/son thing that is good for oldest son.

I have shared some comments with a cyber "friend" on her site that you can read here and here. They are related to homeschooling and the challenges we face.

I hope to spend some time collecting my thoughts about some topics I would like to share about so that it will come out right! I have a tendency to say things in the wrong way at the wrong time if I am not careful!

The Lord has really been showing me things and pointing out verses and areas I need to study and work on. I am so glad that He is faithful even when we aren't as we should be. That He is always there ready to help, redirect and encourage us when we take the time to ask! He wants so much for us to keep our whole selves focused on Him at all times. The more we focus on the Lord instead of ourselves and our "to-do" lists, the better things can run--not necessarily in the way we expect, but definitely for the better in the long run.

I am happy to be available to help my friends when I can--giving my time to watch children, take them places, etc. is something I love to do and doesn't cause me any stress. (Thankfully my one friend is out of the hospital now. The Lord was good in this situation and she is doing much better resting at home.) It may cause "my" plans to be changed, but I have learned that as I serve others, the Lord will make up for the time we "lose" from our schedule in ways I never expected.

Like noticing yesterday that oldest son is reading to youngest son. Youngest son says, "He is teaching me to read!" They have been reading the book over and over and oldest son is trying to help him recognize the words they are reading. The way my kids have finally sprouted a great desire to read and to learn to read better has been exciting! They don't see their reading lessons as lessons--just as a fun time to read. They are improving more and more and I love it!

I love how my kids are so creative and love to come up with "games" to play together. These are usually play-acting type games. Sometimes related to things we study, sometimes things they just come up with themselves, some are recurring themes like superheroes. They all have roles and work out who does what next, etc. This usually occupies them for a long time on a good day! They will also do things like play store. The boys one day (the youngest started this) made a store in their room and actually priced items that they set out, brought you in to show you the merchandise and then wanted us to pay them for things. It was fun and he had written the signs himself after copying the numbers from price signs Dad had brought home from work.

I feel like I learn something new every day about my kids. The Lord seems to really be pointing out certain unique qualities and needs in each of my children. I am trying to pay better attention to these areas and be sensitive to their needs. Oldest daughter is almost a teen and has come through some big changes recently. I am trying to be encouraging and supportive to her in these areas. She has a great heart for the Lord and we will be spending some one on one time each week studying the word together soon. This will give us more time to talk. It is difficult to have good "talks" with 3 other kids running around. The only time ends up being late at night, but she needs her sleep almost more than the younger ones!

Oldest son is now 10. He also seems to be going through some changes in interests, thought processes, etc. We are working on making sure he has time with mom and dad so he, too, can express his thoughts and feelings. He tends to keep everything to himself but will sometimes get very upset and we don't know what led up to it.

It is an exciting time right now in so many ways! I look forward to seeing the Lord work on our lives each day. I am excited about what He is showing me in His word. I hope to post some of my thoughts soon!

That's it for now.... :)

Wordless Wednesday!

Thanks for the idea Grafted!

Yes, this is our 24 pound (no kidding) cat Tigger! She reminds me of what we learned when we studied about sheep--and what happens when they get stuck on their backs....!

Word Cloud

Want one? They're free here.

5 Things...

Here was a silly MEME I found on Sarah's website.

5 Things in my Freezer: Frozen Kefir cubes, organic corn, fajita vegetables, ice packs and chicken

5 Things in my Closet: clothes, shelf of photo ablums, costumes (from school related projects), shoes, tons of fabric and sewing supplies

5 Things in my Purse: wallet, cell phone, checkbook, calendar, pens, etc.

5 Things in my Wallet: driver’s license, receipts, Sam's Club card, change, Borders teacher discount card

5 People I Tag: Everyone on my Links List. And anyone else who reads it.

The Grocery Game

Hi, all! I did my first "official" grocery game shopping trip on Tuesday evening.

It went fairly well. I ended up saving about $57.00 buying mainly things I always buy. Since I am just getting started with this "game", I only have a certain selection of coupons built up so far. I am sure it will get better as we go along and I can stock up on the things on sale instead of just what we need right now! This was a big shopping trip for us with many things I had to buy now that I didn't have coupons for yet.

You can learn more about about the grocery game at: www.thegrocerygame.com

If you decide to try it out, please use me as a referral: wencla2004@earthlink.net

I will post updates about this "experiment" as I make shopping trips! It has helped me to be more aware of what is on sale and what is available.

Thoughts...

It has been awhile since I have had time to write here. I have been busy trying to get going with school, keeping up with the work I do from home, planning and carrying out parties, etc., etc.!

So much to do and so little time!

I am realizing that I really still have some more planning to do for school to help things run more smoothly and to fit everything in each week. I am definitely working on a more rotating schedule to make things work!

You can read some of what I have been posting planning on my homeschool blog at:
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/wencla

and at my KONOS support group website at: www.konoskarats.com/id6.html


Many things have been going on in our life also that have been making me feel somewhat overwhelmed and wondering just how to "get out of it".

Our Bible Study tonight was awesome as it directly addressed this issue of understanding what faith truly is, where it comes from and how things really work with God. It's too hard to explain tonight, but I will try to share more later when I have some time to review my notes and listen to the message again (I record all of them so we can share them with others).

Our pastor's wife also shared about a dream she had a bit ago that really was an example of what they and us have been going through recently. She was dreaming that her family and our family were in a house (not either of our current homes) and there were tornadoes coming. There would be a round of tornadoes that we thought for sure was going to hit us but then they moved away, then there was another round of tornadoes that we thought were going to hit us, but then they also moved away. The tornadoes never overtook or touched us or the house we were in. Our pastor said it was God showing her that we will not be overcome by those things that we see/feel may overtake us/destroy us. God has promised us His protection and to see us through whatever comes our way---even if it looks to us like a devastating situation.

It was encouraging tonight. I do want to share more, but I can hardly type at the moment!

I am off to bed so I can get up early to mow and water my yard before it is too hot! Don't you just love the wonderful Texas summer weather!

Family Photo!

Here is a pretty current picture of our family! This was taken at the McNay Art Museum by my friend's husband. He does great pictures!

Checking In....

Things have been a bit crazy the last couple of weeks. I am not sure what made me decide to try to start our new school year in the same week that I am hosting a Baby Shower for a friend on Saturday and having my son's tenth birthday on Sunday! What was I thinking....!

So, now I am running around like a crazy person trying to prepare for this Baby Shower--the first one I have ever hosted by the way, and my son's birthday party, clean the house, do school with the kids, etc., etc. I should be in bed right now but I decided to just do a quick post since I haven't updated in a while!

I plan to update my homeschool blog after this fun weekend with our plans and get some things posted here that I have been thinking about!

God works in such mysterious ways.... I just recently was put back in touch with a good friend that I haven't seen much of the past couple of years. It is weird how that happens even when you live in the same town! But different lives and changes cause it. We used to work together and attend the same church but things changed. It was great meeting with her tonight to get caught up on the past two years and make plans to see each other more.

We actually live a bit closer now that we have both moved to new houses. It is fun to see how much the kids have grown up! Anyway, it is just interesting to see how things come about in our lives. We definitely have a good Father watching over and directing our lives!

I am off to bed so I can get up early to run errands and clean house before pool time tomorrow!

The kids are doing great and seem to be learning by leaps and bounds in various areas they had previously struggled in. It is so true that once they hit their maturity level, their learning multiplies!

Blessings!